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  1. - Top - End - #151
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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    .. Slavery? I beg your pardon! I'll have you know I'd pay very handsomely for any artifacts recovered. Handsomely enough that it would convince the locals to dig rather than fight. But .. yes, then I'd take a premium price for relocation to a balmier colony. Supply and demand, after all. Services cost what the customers are able to pay.

    Felidae's brow crinkles, quite obviously trying to come up with another proven skill besides shooting things - and failing. Eventually, she simply shrugs.

    .. shooting things has been a cornerstone of diplomacy since time out of memory. It's always been 'carrot or stick'.

  2. - Top - End - #152
    Ettin in the Playground
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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    Anika sighed, although Hannabel's concern wasn't unrealistic. 'Frankly I have no interest in going into the slavery business either so lets try not to do that.' she says firmly. 'And I had imagined something less industrial. The planet continues roughly as it has while we try to supply it better. It might make the potential payoff less impressive, but on the other hand you don't have to throw resources into ruling this place like a noble fiefdom. Taking control of it is one thing. Keeping control of it is another unless we intend to stay here and run it ourselves. Which is why I suggest that we don't even try except through alliances with the locals.'

    'If there is any sign that anything we do here is making things worse I will make sure I hear about it. In theory if I have any authorlty at all here I can more or less intervene as I see fit.'

  3. - Top - End - #153
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    Earlier

    After spending the latter half of their first day at the Temple, Echo returned with the others the next morning but excused himself from meeting the lesser Clanlords. He was curious, but doubted that his personal involvement would accomplish much. Better to request a summary from the Seneschal later and spend the time on his own errand.

    All five of his bodyguards accompanied him to the local market. This city might've been nearly as anarchic as Footfall, so the Rings of Castermire formed a literal circle around their lord and his familiar as he browsed, hands near their weapons and expressions stern to warn off beggars, robbers, and the merely curious. Would the ignorant locals even recognize a Navigator, or see him as anything but a mutant? Hopefully they wouldn't look past his ornate void-suit.

    "Stay close to me stay me," Echo told Mr. Wah Dell. This was a bad place to wander off alone.

    First and foremost, Kennoch asked about beast-wranglers. He spread the word that House Absalom was in the market for a team of professionals to take off-world--a reward in and of itself, surely, even beyond hard payment. He kept watch for a cantina or cafe of good quality (or what counted for it, on this slum) and made it known that he would be there soon to interview anyone who was interested. Furthermore, the Lord Castermire hoped to sweeten the bargain by offering a reward for a sample of their work: a live, native, trained animal to demonstrate the skill of the applicants. He would pay for the best one, for his personal use.

    Kennoch gave time for news to spread and people to gather, busying himself with some shopping. If they were going to capture and tame the Blue Caernun, just as a start, they needed both professionals and the right equipment.

    Spoiler: Wranglin'
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    Since the beast-trainers are for the colony, can I pawn off the actual roll on someone with Commerce? I was thinking that Echo would weed out the dregs, select two or three good teams (if available), and then present them to Macharius to hire his favorite. I plan to use my Memorance Implant to show off images of the beauty of our colony planet, compared to this hell-hole, to hopefully give a bonus to the final roll. I doubt you'll actually give a bonus for buying a xeno-beast like described above (that's mostly fluff), but hey, if you want to, I won't turn it down! Either way, I'm willing to play out a short scene attempting this, if you are too.

    Does the two-steps-rarer rule apply to familiars? Because that would make a Best-quality one Unique, and Viatrames definitely doesn't seem lacking in beasts. Furthermore, I'm not buying the finished product, just the base creature. I think it's cooler to have Ravia handle the butchery creation of familiars aboard the ship; surely she's qualified. I'll just make the roll, and you can determine the modifiers, yeah?

    Xeno-Beast (PF46 +/- ???): (1d100)[53]

    And then for the Webbers, I'm probably doomed to fail with these penalties, but I'll cast a wide net and see if I catch anything. Since it wouldn't make sense for me to succeed on buying a crate of them but fail to buy a lower number for the Rings or Kennoch himself, I'll vary the quality of each set.

    A crate (Standard, 50-100; +0) of Common (+0) Webbers (Extremely Rare; -30) for the colony (PF46 - 30 = 16): (1d100)[10]
    A set (Trivial, 5; +20) of Good (-10) Webbers (-30) for the Rings (26): (1d100)[49]
    A single (Negligible; +30) Best (-30) Webber (-30) for Echo himself (16): (1d100)[68]


    Later

    Kennoch returned at the Captain's summons, hopefully with new friends in tow. Whatever local trainers he found, if any, were told to wait until after the Command Staff's meeting for their introduction. He requested a general outline of the Clanlords from Anika and read it while the others got started.

    The Navis listened quietly, looking between Hannabel and Felidae with private concern. They still see archeotech as something that can be sold at market. What a dangerous perspective. At least they're apparently open to working with the Mechanicus.

    "Lord-Commander, I think Lord-Commander Lord-Commander Lord-Commander your instincts are sound instincts are. Clanlords Bruce and Stone Bruce Stone seem our best options our best." He nodded encouragingly at Macharius's wisdom.

    And both of them are friendly with the Vulkanites. This Bruce even personally reveres the Omnissiah. What good fortune; surely this is the will of our Emperor, in all his aspects!

    "As to our long-term plans long-term, I believe great profit believe profit can be made can be working with the Mechanicus Mechanicus Mechanicus Mechanicus. Didn't Ravia say yesterday Ravia a trade route ran trade route to the Lathes to the? We could revive it we could. In addition to revenue addition revenue, we might bargain we might for access to rare tech access rare, or new facilities new for Port Davis Port Davis Port Davis Port Davis. The Adeptus Mechanicus the makes a grand friend grand. Allow them to manage allow the excavations excavations, let the Rusters rule Rusters, while we merely supervise merely and make the occasional run occasional to Calixis Calixis for high rewards high rewards. I am certain I am other business could be other business incorporated into the journey the journey for the sake sake of efficiency, too of too."
    "It was a GOOD plan, just completely impossible."

    ~ Sophistemon

  4. - Top - End - #154
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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    There was no shortage of things to do over the next few days. For one, Bruce was as good as his word, and started bringing in vehicles for Macharius to look at. The various other clans turned up with trade goods as well, from mining equipment to spare parts and men looking for work. There were a good handful of people who clearly felt Viatrames was inferior to whatever sort of job they could get from Macharius. Hannabel even caught a few whispers of 'the new Star Clan' while she was out experiencing the best of the local moonshine. Which turned out to be an especially corrosive brand of distilled algae ferment, mostly suitable for taking paint off things.

    Echo and Anika went into the markets, escorted by the Rings at all times, looking for interesting things to buy and anyone who knew a thing or two about capturing wildlife. Between all the rusted-out hubcaps and glass bottles, they found a trader who had managed to scrounge up two entire crates of pristine webguns, still in the original packaging. He was less than forthcoming about where exactly he had found the weapons, but was more than happy to sell them. The ammunition supply was somewhat limited, but for someone with the resources of a Rogue Trader, that would cease to be a problem as soon as they found a more well-supplied outpost. Anika's asking around proved successful as well, and they wound up with a number of people who both knew how to handle a hunt, and were willing to jump at the chance to escape the dustball that served as their current home. Echo even got an interesting creature out of the bargain: A very fat grey-green lizard with a pair of horned ridges above its eyes, roughly the size of a small canine. It came with a pair of thick leather gauntlets, and a warning that, whenever it felt threatened, it was prone to shooting a stream of its own highly-acidic blood out of its eyes.

    The list of vehicles Macharius had looked at by the end of the second day was very long indeed. Originally, the plan was just to acquire one, for use in the Election. Then Echo pointed out that they were unlikely to find a better deal anywhere else, Ravia was more than capable of rebuilding them to deal with any issues of quality, and the Dynasty motor pool had already been established as lacking. After that, a steady stream of shuttles carrying vehicles in various states of dilapidation could be seen carting things up to the Sting at all hours of the day. There were groundcars and motorcycles, utility trucks, a pair of Salamander scout vehicles, a worn Chimera, the list went on. Towards the end, and given the sheer amount of commodities Macharius was apparently willing to part with, the clans started scraping the barrel looking for more things they were willing to part with. This resulted in a small handful of vehicles bearing very non-standard modifications, including one which looked like it was actually a Leman Russ with a Tauros welded to the top in place of the turret. Nearly everything would need a very thorough repair job by their resident Magos, but once that was done they would be able to draw on quite the range of vehicles. The citizens of Port Davis would no doubt be pleased to recieve some of the surplus as well, as the Sting only had so much free space.

    As the Election drew ever closer, Forge-Master Noctus paid Macharius a visit carrying a dataslate and a roll of parchment. "Lord Captain Absalom," the Techpriest began, "I've been doing some searching through the archival vaults, and I have a proposal I would like for you to hear. If you have a moment?"
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  5. - Top - End - #155
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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    Earlier

    To Echo on trading with the Mechanicus, 'So we end up being paid in thrones, tech or favours. It amounts to the same thing.' Anika considered that a decision for Macharius anyway. 'If not the Mechanicus I think the choices are really keeping anything interesting for ourselves or selling it to the type of people who trade in it behind the Mechanicus' back. I wouldn't recommend talking to people like that without a really good reason.'

    Spoiler: Rax and Destro only
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    After the meeting Anika will go looking for Hannabel in the hope of clearing the air. If necessary, she'll buy her a drink first.

    Assuming the younger woman stayed to listen, 'I told the others after you left that I have no intention of enslaving anyone. I think that Macharius doesn't either but I accept that things can develop on their own outside our control. But I would like to take steps to lessen the chance of anything terrible happening just because we weren't paying attention. At the very least I can make sure someone here will call me if they have concerns.' She looks pained, 'All of which means I might have to take this job a little more seriously then I have been since I came onboard, but if I didn't I would be something of a hypocrite. If I didn't care I would have never have left Scintilla.'

    Anyway. If you have any specific suggestions feel free to make them.'

    ooc - This is partially for the sake of moving Anika towards Acquistionist, and at least is an excuse for her to get a staff.



    Later

    Anika will assist Ravia with their newly acquired motor pool on the basis that they probably needed to work quickly.

  6. - Top - End - #156
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    Quote Originally Posted by Haval View Post
    To Echo on trading with the Mechanicus, 'So we end up being paid in thrones, tech or favours. It amounts to the same thing.'
    "Or all three all," he pointed out cheerfully. "I have the utmost confidence I have in your negotiating skills your skills." So long as they worked with the Mechanicus instead of against them, the Navis had no issues with driving hard bargains.

    Quote Originally Posted by Haval View Post
    'If not the Mechanicus I think the choices are really keeping anything interesting for ourselves or selling it to the type of people who trade in it behind the Mechanicus' back. I wouldn't recommend talking to people like that without a really good reason.'
    "No reason is good enough reason enough," Kennoch said grimly. "The path of the heretek heretek heretek heretek leads only to damnation only damnation."

    * * *

    "Heh heh heh hee hee heee heee heee!" Echo giggled in delight with a hundred voices as he ran his gloves over the crate lids. These weapons were a fine prize, especially here. He was no less pleased with his new pet.

    "Is it not adorable is it?" he rhetorically asked his bodyguards. They nodded, in contrast with their skeptical expressions. Kennoch arranged for a caged, wheeled cart with silk bedding and whatever treats the locals said the creature enjoyed. When not occupied with his other duties, he drug along one of the newly-hired beast trainers and pestered them with questions.

    "I shall have to shall think of a name think. It will come to me will come."

    But this affection did not fully transmit to Echo's first familiar, bound tightly though they were. Mr. Wah Dell knuckle-walked around the cage and glared at his competition. Echo felt the jealousy through their psychic link. He frowned but chuckled good-naturedly, knelt with effort in his void-suit, and gently rubbed beneath the monkey's furry chin. "I understand I. We've been alone been for so long so long long long. It's time you time had a family had."

    An old memory passed between them, of a friend they'd likely never see again.

    Spoiler: About Twenty Years Ago
    Show
    He wasn't Echo yet. He wasn't even a Navigator yet, really. The little boy drifting aimlessly through the halls of the space station wore an ever-present silk headband across his Warp Eye, lest it kill everyone around him and invite Chaos into their dimension. Did his cousins have the same lack of control at his age? He wasn't sure. Kennoch had never met any. For as long as he could remember, he'd lived in this guild-hall, guarded and trained by the Rings of Castermire. They revered him with the utmost respect, but none of his own kin ever visited him. He didn't yet know why. The mystery of his isolation weighed heavily on the child. Kennoch craved answers, certain that they'd bring him more comfort than secrecy.

    He was wrong, but that's another story.

    Today, as he often did, he drifted along between his lessons. Elite bodyguards followed respectfully. They felt his loneliness but couldn't mitigate it; the station did house other children, orphans or offspring of the Rings destined for their ranks upon adulthood, but such lowly people couldn't befriend a Navis. It was wholly out of the question. And so, despite never being physically unattended, the boy was spiritually alone.

    "Lord Castermire." Another Ring jogged toward the boy and went to her knee respectfully. "I have a message. Magos Vokim invites you to his lab, if it pleases you." By her tone, she plainly didn't understand how it possibly could. This was part of Vokim's appeal for Kennoch: he unsettled the Rings, so when Kennoch was upset with his guards and tutors for some reason, he often visited the tech-priest to be free of them for a time. He couldn't tell if the Magos enjoyed his company, as like most of his kind, that inhuman pile of bolts certainly wasn't affectionate. Then again, when every other person bowed and scraped before him, that new type of interaction was pleasantly intriguing.

    Kennoch hurried to the lab. He found Vokim and his acolytes busy with some new project amidst buzzing machines, bubbling chemicals, and a haze of incense. The lesser adepts murmured chants that he didn't understand, but the master-priest lurched heavily to meet his guest.

    "Honored Magos," Kennoch bowed with a smile. "Omnissiah guide us and lead the worthy to wisdom."

    ++And to you, little Navis,++ Vokim rasped. Kennoch's bodyguards shuffled in their cloaks at this minimal respect, but their ward only waved them away.

    "You can go," he told them sharply. They were all too happy to leave.

    "What are you doing? Are you going to teach me something?" The boy looked around at this wealth of fascinating devices. If not for his third eye, he thought he might've joined the priesthood himself. But, like so many options in life, his genes closed that door tight.

    ++Of course not,++ Vokim replied. ++The mysteries of the Omnissiah are forbidden to the uninitiated.++ If he noticed Kennoch's disappointment, he apparently didn't care. ++However, I have procured a gift. This way.++

    Vokim's medicae mechadendrite folded low to his shoulder as he walked. His artificial lung, a large pouch of air at his side that inflated and deflated noisily, puffed like a frog's throat. Metal feet scraped the floor, already well-scratched from his decades of pacing the lab. Kennoch thought he was a grand, handsome figure.

    They came to an operating table. The patient surprised Kennoch: it looked like a strange boy about his own size, covered in yellow fur. Its face was oddly shaped compared to his own. When it looked at him, it squawked without words and rattled against the restraints. Lesser adepts rolled a second table beside the first and began preparing equipment.

    ++Your solitude has reached unacceptable levels,++ Vokim said bluntly. ++If not remedied, your primitive meat-brain will twist beneath the strain. Research of my...less advanced colleagues in the so-called "social sciences"--++ even through his unemotional voice, his disdain was clear, ++--documents negative long-term effects under these circumstances. I have determined that if you are to perform your functions properly, you require companionship beyond your slavish caretakers.++ Again, his lack of respect for the Rings became apparent.

    ++Sit.++ His mechadendrite gestured to the second table.

    "So...this is supposed to be...my new friend?" Kennoch climbed into place and looked again at the restrained creature. It didn't look friendly. The way it thrashed around angrily, he suspected it would bite his face off, given the chance.

    ++Friendship is a luxury few nobles can afford. Friends betray. Lie. Turn to your enemies when it is to their benefit. Servitors are clearly superior in their reliability, but research deems them inadequate for these purposes. This Terran beast should serve better. My colleagues are divided on the cause, but I suspect it is the fur. Children like fur, yes? In any event, I can ensure its loyalty.++

    A lesser adept pulled back Kennoch's silk hood and began marking a dotted line in ink across his bald, marble-pale skull. Another approached the beast and tried to shave its hairy head, but lost a finger for his troubles. Vokim snapped a quick buzz of code at his apprentice and waved him away as he bled on the floor. The Magos unfolded his mechadendrite, extended a needle, and jabbed it into the beast's neck. It fought and screamed for a few more moments but gradually slowed. Another needle rose, this time aimed toward Kennoch.

    "Will this hurt?" the boy asked nervously.

    ++Not by my calculations.++ He stabbed Kennoch, who jerked back and gave a wordless shout of pain. Vokim threw up his hands and explained almost defensively, ++A rounding error, nothing more.++

    His limbs quickly felt heavier. Kennoch tried to ask another question, but his tongue and lips turned to concrete. The room started to spin, and he only vaguely felt himself fall back against the table. He heard the buzz of a saw. His head tipped to the side, facing the other table, and he met the beast's eyes. It looked scared.

    "Mmmee tttoo," he slurred softly. "Bbuut iisss ookkk...fffrriennndd..."
    "It was a GOOD plan, just completely impossible."

    ~ Sophistemon

  7. - Top - End - #157
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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    Spoiler: Destro and Haval only
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    Anika finds Hannabel in high spirits in the back of a murky cantina, obviously having enjoyed several mugs of the local moonshine already. "Buy me a drink? Shure thing, yer ladyship. You should try some o' this stuff yerself. Getz ye nice an'...mell-mell-mellooow," she slurs.

    However, as soon as the next mug arrives, she makes a concentrated effort to focus on what Anika is saying.

    "Yer alright, yer ladyship, ye know that? Not all high-an-mighty all the time like Mach-Mach...the Big Mac. Not all scary crazy like "I'll beat you in the face an' you'll like it" Bolterface. An' not all-not all...tentacley...like the Magoz," she continues, wiggling her fingers in Anika's face for effect. "They all just wanna own everythin' they can lay their mitz on. Or not own everythin' but just do whatever they want to it...to them..the people, that iz."

    "I don' care about any o' that ye know? I jus' wanna be out there, riding the aether, seeing the galaxy, doing new stuff. This place? Before we got 'ere, we woz jus' going to buy machines and recruit some locals te work for uz, an' move on. But now that we're here, suddenly we need to take this place over...to save souls an' strip-mine it for archaeotech or summat. Why izzat? We got what we came 'ere for an' we ain't learnt nuthin' new since getting 'ere. You tell me - why do we even need to be in charge here?"

    OOC: Hannabel is open to being convinced that we need to take control of Viatrames, she's just not all that interested in it and thinks we have lots on our plate already. E.g. we have one colony being built up as well as the fishmen planet to take care of, plus rebuilding the cruiser. We've also got a damaged exploratory/war fleet that needs some TLC. Sinking resources into Viatrames seems like a sideshow to her.

    She also doesn't much like the idea of forcing and/or cheating the locals to get them to work for Macharius. To wit, anything smacking of indentured servitude or 'company store' setups to get the people working for us rubs her the wrong way.
    Last edited by rax; 2020-01-01 at 09:07 PM.

  8. - Top - End - #158
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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    Well then! Macharius claps his hands cheerfully. He's in high spirits, and his enthusiasm in palpable. I'm glad we are all in agreement. He chuckles and claps Hannabel on the back. Never thought I'd be the one convincing you to take part in a high-stakes death race! You've gone positively sensible in your old age, my dear. A thrilling contest of speed and firepower it shall be, for the glory of Absalom and the Emperor!

    Now, Hannabel, Ravia, you two are our vehicle experts. See what you can rig up. Don't want to finish the race on foot, hoho! Of course, you'll be crewing it- I wouldn't trust anyone else to drive the thing, and with a Magos keepign everything shipshape our success is assured. Felidae, you can man whatever turret we can attach. You do love shooting at people, after all, and why deny you the pleasure? It appears the clans bring backup to line the route, so we shall do the same. Commodore Gilead, prepare several platoons of marines. We'll launch shuttles when the time comes, have them take out our rivals' reinforcements, and line the path. Equip them with the heaviest weaponry we have. Hannabel, do any of our shuttles mount heavy weaponry? Air support would be a crucial advantage. We have the advantage in manpower and weaponry, and we shall use it.

    Echo, Anika, you excel at doing things behind the scenes. Do so. Ensure that we have every possible advantage. Death races aren't really your thing anyway, old friend.
    He pats Anika's arm with a smile.

    Afterwards, we can take care of the long-term. Better to win the planet for ourselves and decide what to do with it. The Rusters will make fine regents, especially with our supplies and the Interceptors for support. If need be, we can level the Immortan or Smoker bases from orbit. A good display of overwhelming force tends to set the example, what? Of course, we shall trade with the Mechanicus, as is proper. There's likely more archaeotech here than we need, and they tend to pay handsomely in more than just thrones. And if, perchance, we dig up one of those template devices they so love, wealth and favors will be ours for the asking.


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

    Macharius greets the Forge-Master with all the niceties due his station. Finally, they get down to business. Of course, Forge-Master. Please, do tell.

  9. - Top - End - #159
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    Quote Originally Posted by PotatoGolem View Post
    Echo, Anika, you excel at doing things behind the scenes. Do so. Ensure that we have every possible advantage.
    The Navigator grinned behind his void-helm. "It would be would my pleasure, Captain Captain Captain Captain. My bodyguards my, the Rings of Castermire Castermire Castermire Castermire, are trained for assassination are trained. I will lead them I will in sending Moore's top advisors Moore's sending to their judgment judgment. Though, Anika may need Anika need to identify those cretins identify. No sense in being indiscriminate no sense."
    "It was a GOOD plan, just completely impossible."

    ~ Sophistemon

  10. - Top - End - #160
    Ettin in the Playground
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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    Quote Originally Posted by Blarghy View Post
    "I have the utmost confidence I have in your negotiating skills your skills."
    'More faith then I do in that case. Who can tell with talking to Tech Priests.'

    To Macharius, 'Not death races where people are likely to actually die. Try not to break your neck.' If they were actually going ahead with this, 'If you aren't using them I might want to borrow a few Praetorians. Just in case.'

    Spoiler: Rax and Destro
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    Anika will take a mug of moonshine herself and will nurse it after seeing how it tasted. She'll try to choose her words carefully.'We absolutely don't need to be in charge here, but...I admit that I have trouble saying no to Macharius when he obviously wants to do something.' Might as well be completely honest. 'If all this works out it doesn't mean we can't have influence. I can't see Macharius caring that much about administrative details, which means we have a degree of freedom to act as we like. Even if we don't end up telling him everything.

    She'll gesture at Hannabel with her mug, 'For the other thing. In my experience a lot of people who come from where I come from are either ridiculous or depraved. I would like to try and be neither. But...this is why I now feel a little guilty for sitting on the fence.'

    ooc - Anika is in favour of intervening enough to make things better without making things worst. This might be difficult, but it gives me an excuse to start employing people who'll report to her directly.


  11. - Top - End - #161
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    Spoiler: Destro and Haval
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    Hannabel listens intently to Anika's response, nodding or shaking her head here and there. When she answers, she is clearly making a great effort to speak clearly. Her lower class mannerisms also seem to have disappeared.

    "I agree, Macharius is no details man and it seems to me that attending to details is your job, Lady Vanhal. That means you're going to have to stand up to him sooner or later, because if Macharius has his way, I believe he'd try to plant his banner on every planet form here to Footfall, just so he can brag about how mighty his dynasty is. But even I know that our resources aren't unlimited, and the faster we spread out, the harder it'll be to protect it all. We've been lucky so far - no one we've tangled with has moved directly against us, but it's only a matter of time. My point, I suppose, is that you may need to protect Macharius from himself. Because if he goes down, we all go down."

    Hannabel pauses for a moment, as if reflecting on a memory, before continuing with a slight smile on her face. "And yes, Scintilla is indeed a nest of vipers and popinjays, but if it's any consolation, I hear you Vanhals were neither. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to pass out. Good day, my lady," she manages to finish before keeling over and slowly sliding under the table.

  12. - Top - End - #162
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    Spoiler: Macharius Only
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    Noctus ushered Macharius into one of the temple's sparse guest chambers, and made sure nobody was listening in before he continued. The techpriest seemed to be nervous, talking more quickly than was usual.

    "I've looked through some of the old records, and I think there may be a way for the Vulkanites to assist your dynasty. Not with the Election, of course, but there are other things related to the planet, and its workings... I'm sure you've heard from your Magos that the Urussalins used to hold exclusive shipping rights to the Lathes? Everything that was dug up here and needed to be taken there. Well, there are still a few things in storage, and as the Urussalin Dynasty has not showed up to transport them in some time, they are technically in default of their contract, and I am technically the ranking Mechanicus priest. This gives me some fairly broad discretionary powers, as far as overseeing Mechanicus interests and re-assigning contracts. I'm sure you can see where this is going?"

    Once again, he got up, and checked the door to be sure there were no spies. "I'd like to offer the Absalom Dynasty the exclusive transport contract. This is fully under Mechanicus jurisdiction, and sidesteps the Administratum jurisdiction over rights to the actual planet. If you win the Election, incidentally, I have checked, and that also sidesteps the Administratum: There's allowances in the documentation for appointing local forms of government, and winning would make you something along the lines of Governor-Regent. If you could find the Urussalin Warrant of Trade, that would put you in charge more permanently, but that's another issue entirely."

    Noctus made a sort of strangled mechanical noise that Macharius suspected was a cough, and continued. "I'm getting ahead of things. If you accept the contract, I will have the artifacts in storage transferred to your shuttles. You will be obligated to take them to the Lathes, though when you choose to do so is subject to a certain amount of leeway. It need not be immediate, but should be as soon as is practiceable. I'll write a letter of recommendation asserting that you are to take over the Urussalin shipping interests for Viatrames. If you win the Election, I will do what I can to have the Temple support you in cementing power and removing Moore and those like him." The techpriest straightened, drawing himself up inside his robes. "Do you accept, Lord-Captain? This is something of a risk for the temple, but I have come to believe that you may be best positioned to enact positive alteration of the current political climate."


    In preparing for the Election, Hannabel selected one of the Slamander's they had acquired as the vehicle of choice. The light tank would be fast, but with a little more durability than something like a Tauros. It came armed with a heavy flamer, which had been modified to use a gasoline derivative fuel instead of Prometheum, and a light autocannon. Fortunately, there were plenty of shells for the autocannon, as it used the same caliber as Macharius' Aquila. There was space for the passengers to shoot out as well, though the heavy weapons they had on hand were mostly going with Commodore Gilead's marines.

    There were two full squads of marines, each one armed with one of their captured multilasers from the Processional. The command squad had taken the missile launcher, and loaded it with Krak missiles. The remaining marines were armed with assault lasguns, which would be useless against the vehicles unless they could score a lucky shot on an exposed crewmember, but would hopefully serve well in taking out whatever assault teams the other clans had posted by the course. The Aquila was armed and ready to go, piloted by one of the Sting's reserve pilots in lieu of Hannabel. As military campaigns went, it wasn't much, but it would hopefully be enough to win the day - and it didn't even count as cheating.

    Echo's Rings, in the final shuttle, had their own special mission. Anika had managed to identify the two lieutenants Moore was leaving in charge of the palatial Office of the High Clanlord. She had also identified the woman who would be in charge of the Smoker's refineries in Deacon's absense. There were enough armed men in both places that overt assault was a suicidal proposition, but the Rings of Castermire had more of a covert approach in mind.
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  13. - Top - End - #163
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    The Rings and their master were in high spirits as the shuttle rattled through the air. After years of travel from Calixis, months of waiting in Footfall, months more of void-travel, and nothing but guarding Echo from petty scum all the while, they were finally headed for a real mission worthy of their training. As for the Navis himself, he was ready to bring the Emperor's justice to some heretics. One of the two women, Zelle, even sang softly as she double-checked her las pistol charge-packs and loaded her shotgun.

    "Came we so far to for'n lands
    Where liz-ards hop 'n Ambulls bite
    To bring these burnin' sands
    The Emperor's glor-ious light..."

    Isund, the group's technical leader, stroked his white beard in a concerned gesture. "Are you certain you should accompany us, Lord Castermire?"

    "We will see we will. My Warp Eye Warp Warp Warp Warp Warp may prove useful may."

    "I assure you, Lord, we are more than capable... The thought of unnecessarily endangering your noble person fills me with deep dread."

    "Then we'd best kill 'em quickly, eh?" the other female, Lorl, put in with a grin of silver and gold. Few of her original teeth remained from a life of fistfights. She turned her eyes up from her own forearm; she'd been admiring the row of small lines branded into her flesh. She'd soon add more to mark her upcoming kills. "By the way, Lord: do you require prisoners?"

    "I do not do not. Send them send to the Throne Throne Throne Throne."

    Her wicked smile widened. "Delightful, Lord."

    Isund pulled at his beard again, saying nothing.

    The last two men, Kip and Kimmet, whip-thin and dangerous as the swords they carried, leaned in close together and shared a kiss. Then, in harsh contrast, they slipped on their grim game-faces and prepared for murder. Zelle smiled next to them at their touching gesture.

    "To war we fly
    Life we revoke
    Imm-ortans die
    'N Smo-kers choke..."

    Echo looked away from her and frowned for reasons of his own. He tried not to think about the dead behind him. Not when he went to make fresh corpses today.

    Emperor protects. Omnissiah guides. Emperor protects. Omnissiah guides. Emperor protects...
    "It was a GOOD plan, just completely impossible."

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  14. - Top - End - #164
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    Macharius smiles to himself. You make a very interesting proposition, Forge-Master. Such a contract could be exceedingly profitable for both House Absalom and the Mechanicus, in terms of both money and technology. I am of course interested. If I understand correctly, we would transport everything found in Mechanicus-sponsored digs to the Lathes? Does the Mechanicus have exclusive rights to archaeotech found here, or could I still sponsor my own expeditions? Although in practical terms it may make little difference, as the Mechanicus is always the best customer for archaeotech I don't need on my own personal ships. After all, it is the will of the Emperor that the Mechanicus take custody of powerful technology to ensure it is only provided to responsible parties. Which brings me to my second question: the terms of the contract. Is payment approved in Thrones only, or may we be recompensed in technology from the Lathes?


    Macharius prepares himself for the death race, girding himself in his golden armor and bringing his full panoply of gear. The last, and possibly most difficult, preparation is the argument with the Praetorians. They've withdrawn into Macharius' sanctum, that the crew not see any disagreement with their master.

    Almagor, I understand your concern, but it's simply not practicable. The tank only seats four, and the Praetorians aren't trained for vehicular combat. I'll need you to stay on the sidelines and take out the more overt threats this time. You'll have to trust Ravia, Hannabel, and Felidae for now. They have been loyal allies, even good friends.

    "Sir, your father thought the same thing about his advisers. He trusted them, and look what happened. We lost him, we lost the rest of the family, and we lost them." Almagor gestures towards the walls, lined with the mementoes of the slaughtered Praetorian Guard. The other Praetorians murmur their assent. "I don't want Absalom to end up like Urussalin, nothing more than a memory and a vain hope of some long-forgotten heir."

    Macharius chuckles. Oh, I'm sure there's more than a vain hope, judging by Uncle Seamus' love affairs. There's no way they managed to kill all his bastards. Even Almagor chuckles at the memory for a moment. Macharius' face grows sober, and he puts his hand on Almagor's shoulder. I know, Almagor. My father's naivete brought ruin to our dynasty. But if Absalom is ever to recover, if we're ever to become more than the dying embers of a once-great house, we're going to have to take some risks. My duty to the House is to do more than survive; I have to restore our fortunes. All of you have watched over me since I was a boy, and I will confess that doing this without you is unnerving. You have been a constant presence, the closest I have to family and true friends. But it must be done. The Emperor protects. He draws in and hugs Almagor, then embraces each of the Praetorians in turn.

    "The Emperor protects. Come back safely, Lord-Captain." Almagor makes the sign of the Aquila.

    "And when you do, give a thought to having an heir, young Master Macharius," Flannery chimes in, "so that we have some insurance against your recklessness." The old soldier laughs uproariously, making everyone else join in. "Course, if he's anything like you as a boy, our headaches will only increase."

    Macharius laughs with his bodyguards. All in due time, Flannery. For the Emperor and Absalom! The Praetorians join in the rousing battlecry and Macharius departs, donning his golden helmet in preparation for the race.

  15. - Top - End - #165
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    Anika is unsure how much input she should have into military strategy, but she had to do something. To Echo, 'I realise dealing with people before they become a problem might be necessary, but please try to focus on those who might actually be a threat to the others first.' She will make sure the Sting is in orbit overhead in the hope that the crew could keep an eye on whatever the Immortans in particular might be doing.

    Time permitting, she will try and identify any vox frequency that the Immortans might be using to communicate. There was always the possibility that someone would be willing to respond to bribery or threats.

    Spoiler: ooc
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    Tech-Use to listen in to the Immortans
    vs. Int 53
    (1d100)[4]


  16. - Top - End - #166
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    Hannabel spends the intervening time before the race alternately nursing a hangover and helping Ravia get the Salamander in order.

    At some point she also notes: "If someone's feeling generous with their time or money, perhaps we should try and secure a proper map or description of the race course before we head for the starting line? We'll look pretty stupid if we don't know where to go when the race begins or if we get lost once the shooting starts."

  17. - Top - End - #167
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    Noctus listened as Macharius spoke, then nodded as he finished. The techpriest spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully. "The Mechanicus, by right of various treaties, has jurisdiction over all Archeotech found anywhere, by anyone. However, you would, by taking on this contract, be doing a favour for the Mechanicus: without House Absalom, it is unlikely they would recieve these items any time soon, if ever. If you were to sponsor additional digs, I believe it might be possible for your house to... shall we say, reap the benefits of positive association with the Mechanicus. The matter with the contract is similar. Payment is to be rendered in a manner 'deemed appropriate' by the Lords Dragon. What that means is up to them, and you."


    Preparations

    Ravia spent a great deal of time working furiously on the Salamander Hannabel had picked out. She took a few trips to the Motor Pool looking for spare parts, stripped a couple of other vehicles they had purchased, and fabricated whatever she still needed. Anika was able to render some assistance, and learned a little about the inner workings of the Chimera chassis in the process. By the dawn of Election Day, the sturdy vehicle was in the best shape of its ignoble career. It wouldn't be winning a dust-up with a Leman Russ any time soon, but it would perform well with no lingering issues from its former treatment at the hands of the Big Wide. The machine spirit in particular had taken some cajoling, but now, the engine rumbling, it seemed as ready as it would ever be.

    In between helping Ravia, Anika found time to scan for vox frequencies, searching especially through the lower band range favoured by portable vox operators. There were, as far as she could find, two major Immortan bands. One was used for lower level communication, and very rarely contained anything interesting. The other frequency was encrypted, and she wouldn't be able to get anything out of it without codes, or a serious codebreaking effort. Still, she had the lower band, and would be able to transmit messages or listen in as she wished. She might also be able to jam communications entirely, using the powerful arrays on the Manticore's Sting, though atmospheric interference was always a concern with that sort of work.

    A map of the course was easy to find - though not in parchment format. As an electronic file, stored on a dataslate, though, it was in extremely common supply. The Election, as they had all guessed, was a popular form of entertainment for the locals, and in order to watch something you had to know where it was.

    Off to the Races

    Macharius cut a fine figure in his polished golden armour, perched in the command cupola atop the Salamander. The weapons had been loaded, and all possible preparations made, but even so it was easy to fill a thrill of adrenaline as they rolled up to the starting line. A crowd had gathered, waiting for the start of the race a safe distance from the vehicles. These were a motley assortment; beside the three bikes of the Veluminary team, there were two ancient groundcars - beloning to the Interceptors and holding two men apiece. One was smaller, and had a harpoon cannon and tow cable welded to the back, while the other was a dusty black monster with a massive engine block and a supercharger that extended up above the hood. The Rusters had brought a Chimera, likely the same one Bruce had taken to their initial meeting.

    Then, there were the Smokers, and the Immortans. The Immortans had a stripped down Leman Russ, with the side sponsons removed to reduce weight. The battle tank still had its main cannon, though, and the forward facing lascannon common on tank-killer models. An extended rear platform had been added to the top, behind the turret, and featured a pair of heavy stubbers on swivel mounts. The operators for these two weapons were relatively exposed, but while they were alive it would be challenging to get too close to the Russ. This was, very probably, how Moore had won the last three races - he hadn't been faster than the others, he'd just killed everyone that got in his way.

    The Smokers, by contrast, had drawn on the resources of their refineries to fuel an array of flame weapons. They had brought a Hellhound, with a forward heavy flamer. Theirs had been modified, somewhat, however: the pintle mount featured a second heavy flamer, capable of hitting anything that got close. Their fourth team member, unable to fit into the tank itself, was piloting a Sentinel walker with a pair of massive claws on the front. It would be slower than many of the other vehicles, but it would be capable of negotiating difficult terrain more easily than the tanks, and would make a good spotter for the Hellhound.

    Finally they were lined up, and all that was left to do was wait for the signal to start. Lukas Moore climbed up out of his Russ, and stood on the turret staring at Macharius. "Care to withdraw, Lord Captain? Still time, and it would be a shame to ruin that fancy armour."

    Infiltration

    As Hannabel and the others rolled towards the starting line, an extra shuttle took off, vectoring in towards the Office of the High Clanlord, where Moore had left his top lieutenant in charge. There was no way to make a stealthy approach in an Arvus, of course - the shuttle flew past the palace, dipping out of sight behind a ridge and then continuing on towards the race. Only an especially keen observer would have noted the extra time it took for the Rings to disembark. Now, of course, they had another problem - getting inside the palace itself. Once the shooting started, they were likely to be detected fast, so they'd have to be prepared to move quickly.
    Last edited by Destro_Yersul; 2020-01-07 at 04:07 AM.
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  18. - Top - End - #168
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    Infiltration

    Five figures cut across the desert, dressed in lightweight Footfall void-suits of the highest quality. After further discussion, their master had agreed to withdraw, less out of concern for his safety than jeopardizing the mission. Echo was just too slow, too loud, his armor too bright and clunky. This was a matter best left to the professionals.

    The lead Ring made several quick gestures with one hand over his shoulder. From here on in, they'd aim for silence. Several steps behind the young-but-white-bearded man, Lorl, Kip, and Kimmet ran in a tight group like the points of a triangle, and a few meters behind them, Zelle brought up the rear.

    Spoiler: Ship Dialect: the Rings of Castermire
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    Be prepared to immediately kill any guards who notice us, but do not engage otherwise, Isund's fingers danced. The only people who must die are the two lieutenants. All other lives are in the Emperor's hands.


    They drew their las pistols but hoped those wouldn't be necessary. If they were fortunate--very fortunate--they might be able to handle this with mono-falchions and stealth. The assassins hurried to the ridge near the palace and stopped to study its layout and defenders to determine their best approach.

    The Shuttle

    While Kennoch might've stayed behind, he wasn't idle. He made himself comfortable and adjusted his vox frequency to every channel within range, just as the Captain had when they first arrived and he addressed the whole planet. Anika could be the scalpel and work her magic on the Immortan bands as she saw fit. He would be the hammer.

    "Today, Viatrames, is a day a day a day of reckoning reckoning," he began. He smiled faintly to himself, imagining Moore hearing a voice he'd no doubt remember from the Temple.

    "Today, Viatrames Viatrames, the Lord-Commander Absalom Absalom Absalom returns you to you the path of righteousness the path. Today, Lukas Moore Lukas Lukas Moore breathes his last breathes, as do any as do who choose heresy choose and darkness darkness over the Emperor's light Emperor's light.

    "Your current state of misery state is not entirely is not your fault fault fault. Fate and Chaos fate Chaos took from you took your proper masters masters. In the Urussalins' absence in the, you drifted astray drifted. You chose lawless innovation you chose instead of death death. You survived as best survived you could you. Many of you many, minor hereteks hereteks hereteks hereteks. This is regrettable this is...but yet forgivable yet. Without the shepherd without, the flock is bound flock to roam roam. Macharius Absalom Absalom Absalom is both wise wise and merciful merciful. However, his love love for the deserving for is only matched is by his hatred hatred for the deliberate sinner sinner sinner. Each of you poor souls each must decide must which you are you are you are.

    "Lukas Moore Moore, the High Clanlord the, has already proven already his nature his. He glorifies glorifies in his heresy heresy and recidivism recidivism. He is not the wayward sheep is not, but the purposeful wolf the wolf.

    "And today, Viatrames today, the shepherd shepherd sets to work to work."

    Spoiler: OOC
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    Attempting another Intelligence-based Intimidate check. If I'm lucky, maybe I can inspire some rebellion among the population and distract the Immortans. Cause some disarray at the palace that the Rings can exploit, or even unnerve Moore's personal crew and make them less effective. If not, hopefully it'll at least tick off the High Clanlord himself and distract him from the race.

    Intimidate (51 +10 [Skill] +10 [Disturbing Voice] = 71): (1d100)[86]
    Last edited by Blarghy; 2020-01-07 at 03:51 AM.
    "It was a GOOD plan, just completely impossible."

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  19. - Top - End - #169
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    Securely strapped in to the driver's seat of the Salamander, Hannabel curses the limited view afforded by the front viewport. "Like lookin' out of a grox's ********..." she mutters in disgust. She blanches involuntarily when she catches sight of Moore's ride, unleashing another string of expletives, then quickly thumbs the vox to the Absalom forces' secure channel.

    "Everyone is seeing this, right? Moore's got himself a proper tank, and we're in an open-topped tin can. Vulture One, new mission. As soon as the race starts, your priority mission is to take out those exposed gunners, got it? We can't outrun a battle cannon, so the only way we get out of this alive is by sniffing Moore's fumes and shooting his fat arse full o' lead. We'll do our bit down here - we might be able to take both the stubbers out with our flamer, but the more firepower that's coming their way the better."

    Just then she hears Echo's transmission, despair mounting as she listens. Finally, she begins rhythmically banging her helmeted head against the controls in sheer frustration. "Lord-Captain, please tell me that you didn't authorise that transmission? Please? You realize that he just told everyone out there that they're heretics and that if they don't bend the knee to us we'll kill 'em? If anyone needed an extra push to target us in this race, he just gave it to 'em!"

  20. - Top - End - #170
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    I know this is my response to everything - but can I suggest a boarding action?

  21. - Top - End - #171
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    ++Prepare the Mark One Felidae class Breaching Ordnance++
    ++Just when you were starting to think maybe this navis wasn't too bad he proves he's as bonkers as they come++
    Last edited by Leon; 2020-01-07 at 05:17 PM.
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  22. - Top - End - #172
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    Anika wondered if she should have tried jamming the vox already. Still, the plan roughly remained the same but she now felt the urge to correct the Navigator. Once a teacher always a teacher.

    To Echo, 'Remind me to go through the proper Ecclesiastical classification of heresy at some point. I'm sure I can find a whiteboard somewhere to help me explain myself.' This was where politeness got you.

    Then she'll call whoever was in charge on the bridge of the Sting. 'I realise that it's not foolproof but kindly jam all comms around the Clanlord's palace when I say so. I don't want them calling for help or letting Moore know what's happening.' If that was a problem for Echo's people then they had no business involving themselves in such dangerous wet work. Secondly, 'If there's say, a massive military presence on or moving towards the race course please tell Macharius immediately. The decision of whether to destroy it from orbit can be his.'

    While attempting to break into the encrypted vox, she'll listen in to the open channel to see if there was any reaction to Echo's little speech.

  23. - Top - End - #173
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kaptin Keen View Post
    I know this is my response to everything - but can I suggest a boarding action?
    "I think you should concentrate on repelling boarders instead. But if you think your armour can withstand close range fire from two heavy stubbers, you'd be doing us all a favour if you turn your bolter on those two gunners on the tank!" Hannabel replies over the sound of revving engines.

  24. - Top - End - #174
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    Macharius looks over at the Immortan leader. Thank you for the offer, Clanlord. Alas, duty calls, what? This world must be brought into proper Imperial Compliance. I will, however, extend you the same courtesy. Surrender now and pledge your allegiance, and you and your clan will be integrated into the governing structure. He pauses as Echo's speech comes in and shakes his head chuckling. Oh, dear. Good help is so hard to find these days, isn't it? Still, can't fault the lad's enthusiasm, what? Last chance, Lord Moore. Submit to the might of the Imperium and thrive among retainers, or perish in defiance.

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

    He switches to command vox and ducks back in to talk to the crew. Buck up, Hannabel. Yes, Echo is a tad over-dramatic, but the lad means well. And he isn't entirely incorrect. I do like his turn of phrase; reminds me of the sermons of St. Gorbatine the Elder.

    He turns to Felidae, smiling in his helmet. And boarding is an excellent idea, Felidae. However, I have a slight change to your plan. Moore believes me to be an ineffectual fop in ceremonial armor. He will be caught by surprise when I descend upon him like an angel of the Emperor's wrath. Macharius hefts his sword and hammer suggestively and chuckles. Besides, the crowd will love an unexpected jump pack assault. Hannabel, keep us within the minimum range of that gun. Felidae, you pop out first and give me covering fire. Those guns aren't going to help them much in glorious melee.

  25. - Top - End - #175
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    Race Day

    "Better to die as a king than to live as a slave, Lord Captain." Moore mock-saluted as Macharius retreated inside, his expression unreadable behind his rebreather. If he had heard Echo's broadcast, he gave no indication of it. He gave a hand signal to the two gunners, and turned to watch as the starter flare shot into the sky.

    Almost immediately, the Lumes shot out ahead on their bikes, tires squealing and throwing up plumes of dust. Moore had been ready for this, and the Russ' main gun boomed, hurling a shell across the track. It detonated in the middle of the three bikes, and the Lumes vanished behind a cloud of sand and fire. Two of them rode out the other side, trailing black smoke. The attack bike was gone, struck by a direct hit, and the secondary explosion sent shrapnel scything towards the other two riders. Both stayed on, however, pushing their engines hard to try and get away from the tank. Moore slammed a fist into the turret. "Mediocre!"

    Then all the vehicles were moving, pulling out onto the course. Hannabel slewed the Salamander sideways, bringing it inside the range of the battlecannon. Moore wouldn't be able to hit them right behind him. He saw what they were doing and cursed, vanishing into his cupola. The two gunners on the back opened fire, a hail of rounds striking sparks off the salamander's front armour, but failing to find a soft target. Hannabel and Ravia returned fire; the autocannon's first shot glanced off the heavy armour on the battlecannon turret, but the second hit was sholid, shaking the Russ. Ravia's flamer barrage cooked the gunners a little, but had no further effect. Then the Hellhound barreled in from the side, its turret rotating to aim at the Russ as it passed. The hellhound was fast, and it easily pulled ahead of the heavier vehicle, and of the light scout tank following it. A wave of heat washed over the Salamander's passenger compartment as the Inferno Cannon fired. Both of the gunners on the rear platform were immolated in the blast, collapsing and sliding off the side, but worse for Moore was that when the jet of flame passed, his tank didn't stop burning. The tracks blazed as the Russ rolled forwards, and there was now a very real danger that the battlecannon's ammunition supply would cook off. If that happened, Hannabel didn't want to be anywhere nearby.

    While the slower sentinel fell behind, the rest of the racers jockeyed for position. The two Interceptor groundcars pulled away from the main pack slightly, Max stone racing to catch up to the fleeing bikes. His companion vehicle was slightly slower, lagging behind even the Ruster's slower Chimera - or perhaps hanging back. The harpoon cannon on the rear looked like it had a tow cable attached, and the groundcar was close enough to the Smoker sentinel to take a stab at toppling it.

    Infiltrators

    Echo's broadcast appeared to have flustered the target. The palace was a rat's nest of activity, but with everyone hurrying about it was easy for the Rings to slip in unnoticed. They had to use the main gates, having been unable to locate a more suitable entryway, but these had opened to allow a convoy of vehicles to roll out, and they had managed to dash inside using the cover those vehicles provided. The mechanism to open the gates would be important to locate... as would their target. Using the gates had put them far from the main buildings, and they still had to cross the grounds to get to the palace.

    Spoiler: OOC
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    It'll be another concealment test, and a Search test


    Anika

    Anika hadn't been able to break into the secure channel, and not for lack of trying. Codebreaking was tedius, complicated work, though, and it would take longer than she had. Thus, as the race started, she had to satisfy herself by listening the the Immortans react on the unsecured channels. The response was predictable; a few asking whether the Star Clanlord would be able to carry through on those threats, some confident answers in the negative, some more concerned-sounding answers in the affirmative. Anika got the impression that none of these people had the slightest idea of what starship weapons were capable of, if directed at a ground-based target. Several of the vehicles leaving Moore's palace were military, but many were not, and they all appeared to be spreading throughout the city, rather than heading in any particular direction.
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  26. - Top - End - #176
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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    Spoiler: OOC
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    Did everyone but me roll initiative, and I just never noticed? Well - we're certainly off to the races. At this rate, one vehicle will be alone to leave the starting area - if we're lucky.

    Initiative is d10+agi, right? That would make it: (1d10+4)[5]


    That's actually very clever, Lord Captain. Just a shame I didn't manage to find a jump pack of my own, I would have loved to see their faces when we both descended on them.

    With that, Felidae will open fire, a storm of bolt shells exploding in the face of the pilot of the Sentinel walker.

    Spoiler: More OOC
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    Now, how does this go again?!

    BS: (1d100)[1] vs 95 (?!) - skill of 65, I'm guessing we're at point blank range +10, Full Auto +20. The target may have some cover, I guess, so minus that.
    Now, it has ROF of 4, so LOS be damned, it can score only 4 hits, right? Meaning:
    Damage1: (1d10+5)[9] or (1d10+5)[7]
    Damage2: (1d10+5)[15] or (1d10+5)[9]
    Damage3: (1d10+5)[9] or (1d10+5)[9]
    Damage4: (1d10+5)[9] or (1d10+5)[6]

    Potential RF:
    (1d10)[5]
    (1d10)[1]
    (1d10)[9]
    (1d10)[8]

    I'd offer up a defensive roll for Felidae in case someone feels like shooting back, but I'm not sure you can dodge while standing in the manhole shooting =)

    I think the God-Emperor approves of Felidae addressing her Lord-Captain by his proper title, as far as I can recall for the first time. That stubber guy had better have unusually thick skin.
    Last edited by Kaptin Keen; 2020-01-14 at 01:12 AM.

  27. - Top - End - #177
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Lizardfolk

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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    Infiltrators

    They could be off to a better start, but on the other hand, the Rings were alive and as-yet undetected, so, Isund felt tentatively optimistic as he crouched tight to the gate.

    Why couldn't this be one of those pleasure-palaces, Zelle signed, with statues and tall hedges to hide behind? Lorl rolled her eyes sarcastically and replied, Yes, our hosts are so rude. Don't they know to make it easier for people to sneak in and murder their leaders?

    Focus, please, Isund told them, hand moving close to his side, the other still clutching his las pistol. Spread out, in pairs, but keep sight of one another. We need to find the gate controls and a good path across the grounds. He maintained his position as lookout while the two ladies went left, and Kip and Kimmet moved right.

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    Concealment: (1d100)[78]
    Search: (1d100)[18]
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  28. - Top - End - #178
    Ettin in the Playground
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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    It was hard to lie to people properly when you weren't sure what they knew. Perhaps she should just ask one of them. After clearing her throat she'll speak over the open Immortan vox channel, 'Greetings. I am an associate of Captain Macharius Absalom. Holder of the Absalom Warrant and duly certified agent in good standing of the God-Emperor. You may know him as the Star Clanlord.' For appearances sake this was more respectful then she usually was of Macharius' authority.

    'Our ship is currently some 35,000 km directly above you, which is more then close enough for our weapons if we decided to use them. If I felt like it, I could have a go at leveling this entire city and, by Imperial standards and by the standards of the many horrifying things that live out in this part of the galaxy, our ship should honestly be the least of your worries. So...would anyone like a chat.'

    Spoiler: ooc
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    Going to try demoralising them. Assuming anyone takes her seriously.


  29. - Top - End - #179
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    ++Well that's a Hellhound for you, a heavy flamer just doesn't cut it++
    ++Hannabel, see if you can hit one of the tracks with that Autocannon++

    She will be shooting her own bolter at the tracks
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  30. - Top - End - #180
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Flumph

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    Default Re: Sea of Stars - IC II

    "The Hellhound is our secondary target, Magos," Hannabel answers through gritted teeth. "Once the Russ is out of the way, we can sit outside the Hellhound's range and blast her with our autocannon!"

    As she speaks, Hannabel allows the Salamander to lag behind the Russ and the Hellhound, until she's just out of range of the inferno cannon. Then she lets rip with the autocannon at the rear of the Russ.

    OOC: Dropping back so that we're just beyond 50m of the Hellhound. The Salamander has enhanced motive systems, so it can move 40m as a half action. Should be enough to make the distance without any rolling.

    (1d100)[48] vs. 110 (BS 60 +10 short range +30 massive target +10 semi-auto +10 Macharius' leadership? -10 vehicle moved)
    Last edited by rax; 2020-01-16 at 05:33 PM.

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