Sea of Stars - IC III

[Destro_Yersul]

Charuv

"No, not me. Not for anything that would have worked on one of those." Charuv pointed at the slate again. "I'm reasonably confident in my skills, but I'm still improving. Mostly do small-time stuff. I don't think I'd be able to make something myself that could interfere with a system like that, but I could take apart someone else's. There's a reason those systems are so expensive. Pretty sure our mutual freinds know a few others more skilled than me. Don't bother with the Auditor, though. I'm sure they could do it, but they always go through a middleman, different people every time, they won't be able to tell you much about other clients as anything more than a set of job requirements."

Sargon

"We can place wards and barriers about the ship, especially at the airlocks. Pentagrammic sigils, to protect against incursion by daemonic or other warp-based entities. Protecting the entire vessel would take far too long, and require special knowledge that I don't believe either of us possesses. A few carefully placed wards will have to do." Sargon steepled his fingers, peering at Echo through the smudged glass of the tank. "That will still require specialised knowledge. I know a little, and can instruct you, if you desire. The first step to defeating your enemy is to understand how. The difficulty lies in knowing where the line is, and refusing to cross it. Humans and machines are negotiable, while Chaos can never be trusted. Remember that."

Switching to a less serious tone of voice, he added "Oh, as a second layer, it may also be possible to acquire blessed charms to distribute to the crew. Can't do that ourselves, though, you'll need a priest of the Ministorum to speak the blessings."

[Haval]

Charuv

'Don't put yourself down. If you were recomended to me I'm sure you are very competent.' Anika is mostly content to believe Charuv though. 'You're welcome to take a look at the footage from the other attacks. Some of it isn't especially pleasant but if you turn up anything interesting I'll see if I can find a way to repay you. People who can do what you do can be useful to know.' Since she had brought it up, 'Whether he's involved or not the Auditor seems like he might be the hardest to get in contact with. What do you know of him?'

Spoiler: ooc

Show

Does Anika trust her?

Scrutiny vs. Per 43
(1d100)[29]

[Blarghy]

Kennoch's mouth became very dry. 'Machines are negotiable.' The critical part of him raged again, seeing this as fresh proof of Sargon's sinister nature, while another side sat up with quiet interest.

No, he told himself. It started out firm but then became a whine in his head, pleading with hope not to take hold. No, no, no, no, no. I will not. I will make the right choice, the hard choice, in Port Wander. I will. That is what I will do.

He licked his lips slowly. After a pause, he nodded at last. "Protective barriers protective are a good idea good," the young Navigator quietly agreed. "Could one of one the ship's chaplains ship's create the charms create charms, or will I need will I a high-ranking minister high-ranking?"

[Destro_Yersul]

Charuv

The lady didn't seem to be lying, as far as Anika could tell. It was possible she was just very good at it, but there wasn't a hint of nervousness, or like she was trying to hide something.

"Competent, yes," she said, "but you'd need a bit more than competent to mess with one of those systems in a way that wouldn't trip any alarms. I'll take a look at what you've got and give you my thoughts when I've finished."

As for the Auditor; "I know very little. Perhaps more than most, but that's still not saying much. I'm not sure if they're a man or a woman, even. I know they came from some planet off in the Hazeroth Abyss, and that they're very, very good at what they do. They were probably Administratum if the name is anything to go by, but it could just be an affectation. I've heard there's some sort of grudge against the Mechanics, but not what it is, or why."

Sargon

"The ship's chaplains should be capable, but for high volume they might not be able to produce enough for the entire crew. They'd have time, given the distance, but..." Sargon shrugged. If he had noted signs of Kennoch's internal struggles, he wasn't mentioning them. "We'll still need to procure supplies, things for the barriers, it might be worth seeing if you can get a deal while you're looking."

[Haval]

'Unfortunately a grudge against the Mechanicus hardly narrows it down. Whoever they are I wonder if they'd be willing to talk to me.'

[Blarghy]

Economics were indeed a concern; Kennoch remembered the notice he'd received not long ago about the dynasty's finances, pushed by recent expenses, some of them his own. He still felt that if he should spend some Thrones, then any materials that could save the very souls of the crew were a fair priority.

"What do we need what we need? I assume you you have a list list a list."

[PotatoGolem]

Interesting that they make themselves so hard to find and care so little about the identities of their clients. Are they ever known to turn a job down? How do prospective clients get in touch with them? A skilled... Macharius politely avoids the word "Heretek," although there's a very slight pause as he finds another word, ...technician who cares nothing for who or what end they are serving seems like the kind of person our quarry would want to use.

[Destro_Yersul]

Charuv

"Just the business," the lady said. "They don't take every job, plenty they've turned down as I hear it. In my opinion, they've got a lot to hide, and probably a lot to lose if people were to find out who they are. There's a whole process to go through if you even want to contact them. If you want someone who will take just about any job, though, you should ask Thule. Our friends mention him? He's been angling for an inroad to the Mechanicus for a while, he'll do anything he thinks will increase his chances."

Sargon

"I do, yes. You'll have to take this down, somehow. First, you'll need..."

The list was lengthy, including specific inks, scribing tools, and occult paraphernalia. Plenty of it Echo recognised, but plenty more was new to him, and it seemed like tracking it all down might be a major chore, even on a planet like Scintilla. Sargon was insistent though, that substitutions for certain items weren't acceptable, and the protective wards wouldn't work without them.

[Haval]

To Macharius, 'The important thing is that the right sort of person knows that you're a good technician. As for their morality I would say it depends on the individual.' To Lady Charuv, 'Oh Thule's on the list. Have you met him? How do you think he would react to being leant on?'

[Blarghy]

Part of Kennoch, the inner scholar-Navis, couldn't help but be a little thrilled to learn new occult secrets from an elder. His depression kept him from embracing it too much, but he certainly paid close attention as he copied down the list. He trapped it even further in his memory just by looking at the data-slate screen with his Memorance Implant. When they finished, he took another look at Sargon in his tank.

"Well well well," he said vaguely. "Yes yes. I will return I when I can when with the materials the with the." Sargon was unlikely to get a thank you anytime soon.

Back to the Scintillan markets he went.

[Destro_Yersul]

Charuv

"We've met," Charuv said. "I think it would depend how you lean on him. He struck me as someone for whom the carrot would work a great deal better than the stick."

Echo

Many of the more common items on Sargon's list were easily available, but the esoteric ones were going to take some digging. Plenty of strange little shops sold things that the broader Imperium considered strange but relatively harmless, or lucky, but most of them were sham items, or insufficiently pure. You could never be sure if the powdered grox bone you were buying wasn't really just chalk.

[Haval]

Charuv

"We've met," Charuv said. "I think it would depend how you lean on him. He struck me as someone for whom the carrot would work a great deal better than the stick."

'Well I assume he's ameanable to bribery. Otherwise Macharius has a very big stick.' If there was nothing else Anika will say her goodbyes. Before leaving she will repeat her hope that Lady Charuv could pass anything along from her assessment of the security footage. 'Otherwise please stay in touch. I feel like women in our position should try to help each other out where we can.'

Spoiler: ooc

Show

Nothing more to add unless Potato does

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

After they leave Lady Charuv's estate Anika will address Macharius, 'I tend to believe that she's not involved, but it strikes me that we can always post a few armsmen to keep watch on the Lady's household. If she looks like she's leaving in a hurry for whatever reason perhaps we could have another chat.'

Afterwards Anika will see which of the names on her list is willing to talk to her next.

[PotatoGolem]

Macharius chuckles at the quip. I suppose I do at that. And the resources to offer some rather tempting carrots. Thank you for your time and hospitality, Lady Charuv. He takes his leave with an impeccable bow.

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

Agreed. Pleasant or not, there's no harm in keeping an eye on her. Can you see if your associates will put us in touch with this Thule fellow? Rather speak to him before he gets spooked and runs off, if Lady Charuv lets any details of our little chat slip.

[Haval]

Agreed. Pleasant or not, there's no harm in keeping an eye on her. Can you see if your associates will put us in touch with this Thule fellow? Rather speak to him before he gets spooked and runs off, if Lady Charuv lets any details of our little chat slip.

Anika will look into posting some armsmen somewhere where they could discreetly watch Lady Charuv's household before looking into getting in touch with Thule.

[Blarghy]

After the third time he wasted his efforts on not-grox-bone, Kennoch gave up on navigating these esoteric shops on his own. He didn't particularly want to bring anyone else into his affairs, but it seemed he'd have no choice. He called for a meeting, primarily with Macharius and Anika.

"I have been I have making inquires regarding inquiries the Witch-Cursed World Witch Cursed and how we can and how protect ourselves protect while we investigate while we." He neglected to mention the source of his information. By innocent forgetfulness, naturally.

"One of our defenses our should be the be should be mighty power of power the God-Emperor God Emperor Emperor Emperor God-Emperor, of course of. I believe that that distributing charms blessed charms by the ship's clergy ship's among the crew the crew will provide great benefit will provide. Our faith faith will protect us protect as it always has as always."

Kennoch nodded a few times to himself, comforted by this certainty. Then he brought his gloves together with a pause. "...But furthermore furthermore... I have prepared prepared more targeted measures more for additional safety for. I can inscribe I can barriers against Warp-predators Warp Warp Warp at key positions key across the ship across. Similar to the similar marvelous Warpsbane wards marvelous wards that grace our grace beloved Terminus beloved, although I cannot I cannot recreate such powerful barricades powerful here by myself by myself. But I am confident I am they will still help they will."

He folded his hands and drummed his fingers together with metallic clicks. "Unfortunately unfortunately, I am struggling I am to locate all locate the materials I need materials. These landbound merchants these are not sympathetic are not to the Void-Born to the or our budget our budget. Perhaps one of you perhaps could help me help in this regard in this."

[Haval]

The details of whatever was going on with the Witch-Cursed World had bothered Anika as well, but she was a little distracted with other business at the moment. 'Do we know if the warp is definately the problem in that place? It's not like there's any records of people coming back to explain what's going on down there.' Anika is curious to know if Echo knows something that she doesn't. 'But it's not like it's an unreasonable thing to think, and I can't see anything wrong with strengthening our defences in principle. What exactly do you need?' Kennoch was a psyker so Anika assumed he knew what he was talking about in this case.

[Blarghy]

"The Warp Warp Warp Warp is a factor is," Kennoch confirmed with confidence. "There is apparently there is a buzzing sound buzzing that only psykers only psykers can detect can. No one seems no one to know the cause know. Surely something unpleasant surely. But we will we discover and eliminate discover eliminate whatever the threat threat happens to be to be to be, for the Astropaths Astropaths the Astropaths and the glory glory of the Emperor Emperor Emperor Emperor."

Or we would, if we didn't have an abomination lurking on board, and destiny waiting at Port Wander. But these efforts will help someone else, when we're gone. So. Yes.

Echo got lost in thought for a moment, woke back up, and handed Anika his data-slate. "This is this what I still need still."

[Leon]

++Aetheryic Bees mayhap?++

[Destro_Yersul]

Anika

Anika put out some feelers through her contacts, but Thule didn't respond. The Auditor was willing to send a secondary to speak with them, and X-864 was willing to meet directly. Harmon's reply, when it arrived, was an extremely cryptic message, full of demands for assurances they wouldn't show up with any techpriests, and including oddly specific directions printed on a blueprint map of one of the hive sectors near his processing facility. It said he would know when they had arrived, and that failure to appear at the appointed time would be taken as conclusion of any potential business.

Echo's Search

With Anika's assistance to grease the wheels, the search went much more smoothly. One of her Kasballica fixers was able to point her to a seedy midhive shop that carried most of the things on Echo's list, though payment for it turned out to be something of an issue. The shop in question functioned on the barter system entirely, eschewing money in favour of trades. Fortunately Anika was forewarned by her contact, and arrived with produce pulled from the ship's Arboretum, and a handful of spare weapons from the armoury that wouldn't be missed. The last item on the list was a set of Landrian deep-ocean pigment powders, which Anika was able to find in an upspire fine arts store, for a truly ludicrous price. Or, what would have been a truly ludicrous price for most people. Mentioning Macharius' name alongside a not-so-subtle offer to promote the store amongst friends before they left the planet greased the last few wheels, and Echo had everything he needed by the end of the day.

[Haval]

Echo's Search

Once she's handed over the materials, 'Please let me know if there's any sign it's working as intended.'

Heretek Chat

Anika will pass on the responses to Macharius and anyone else who might be present. 'Why do I feel that we're going to have to run down Thule at some point. Other then that I think we're obliged to look into Harmon Gex first. Although there's an outside chance that anyone that paranoid may try to kill us if we upset him.'

[Blarghy]

"I am curious I am to know as well know well," Kennoch told Anika, as his bodyguards carried the boxes of materials to the shuttle. He admitted, "I have never I have done this before this. We might not know might not if it works if until it works works...or does not does not does not."

He was eager to find out, though. Echo and his entourage returned back to the Sting, to Sargon, so the old mutant could confirm they had what was needed. "Can we create can we the wards now wards, or must we wait must we if they are temporary temporary? I suppose suppose I could practice I could for now now now."

Anika

And later, after Kennoch had gone, the shuttle returned with less Navis but more Rings. They were hard to tell apart in their uniforms, opaque void helmets closed even in the safe atmosphere. Two teams of six approached Anika; one of the two squad captains stepped to the front of the group and lifted their visor. The slim, androgynous face had skin the color of ash and ice-blue eyes.

"Lady Vanhal," the Ring said in a whisper voice, "Lord Castermire has placed us at your disposal. For the matter of the Spire Stalker, or anything else you might need while on Scintilla. We are ready to move now, if you want, or we can wait at the apartments until you call. Just say the word, mistress."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Two squads (5 people each) of "Rank and File" Rings with 40 Characteristics, and two "Officers" with 50 Characteristics. Their gear is listed on Kennoch's sheet under the Personnel section. They'll do what Anika asks for the time being--though of course, they're sure to report what they've seen and done to Echo when they return back to him.

This mostly just for fun. A little favor from Echo to show that he appreciated the help. The Praetorians are much better equipped, but if Anika wants some weird assassins in her back pocket too, just in case, then now she's got some.

[Haval]

Kennoch

Anika is stony-faced at this gift. To the officer who spoke, 'I've never had so many bodyguards before. I will try and find a use for you. What's your name?'

[PotatoGolem]

Agreed. The one with the least qualms about what kind of work he does doesn't want to meet with us? Suspicious, at the very least. I would imagine all these people are eager to find new clients, especially ones vetted through your friends.

He chuckles at Harmon Gex's message. Bit of a paranoid nutter, don't you think? We ought to make sure we're wearing sufficient armor. And that we stay out of the line of sniper fire. Perhaps your new Ring friends can scout it out in the days before the meeting, so we at least have a sense of the terrain.

[Haval]

He chuckles at Harmon Gex's message. Bit of a paranoid nutter, don't you think? We ought to make sure we're wearing sufficient armor. And that we stay out of the line of sniper fire. Perhaps your new Ring friends can scout it out in the days before the meeting, so we at least have a sense of the terrain.

'As long as they can be subtle about it. I can't see how Gex noticing them would help us.' Anika will give a questioning look towards the Rings officer at that last part.

[Blarghy]

'What's your name?'

The Void-Born smiled. "Wren duCull. This," they gestured to the other squad leader, a shorter but thicker figure, "is Granos Zophel." He lifted his visor too, showing Anika sepia-brown skin on a square face. A vicious scar splayed across his chin, up to a missing chunk from his upper and lower lips, so that he appeared to have a constant half-snarl.

"My lady," he nodded politely.

'As long as they can be subtle about it. I can't see how Gex noticing them would help us.' Anika will give a questioning look towards the Rings officer at that last part.

"We can perform this sort of task," Wren confirmed. "Of course, success is never fully guaranteed, but scouting a meeting site in advance is typically prudent and low-risk. Identifying possible escape routes or ambush risks isn't so aggressive as, say, hiding surveillance or weaponry. At least in my experience. Your associate might have the same idea and notice us, but if this person becomes angry about such a minor precaution, then I would suggest that they might not place a high value on your safety. Or any value at all. If there is a trap, I would rather that my team springs it in advance.

"During the meeting, I strongly suggest that you let one team stay with you while the other hides close by. This deception is more likely to upset your associate if we're caught, but they will very likely be employing the same measures if they can. I doubt they'll ask for your permission, so why should you be any more charitable?"

[Destro_Yersul]

Echo

Sargon reviewed the items Echo had brought back. "Yes, these will be adequate for our needs. The wards are Temproary, and will weaken with age. They should be done before we begin the trip through the maw at the earliest, but some practice would not go amiss. Make any mistakes now, when it doesn't matter. The hardest part is going to be showing you how to draw the proper sigils without any paper. Or diagrams." He sighed, producing a stream of bubbles that floated slowly towards the top of the tank.

"Start with the simple ones, I suppose. Get something that can be moved to put these on, these are not the sort of thing you want inscribed in a navigation chamber. Shall we begin?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Roll an Int test.

Harmon

Anika and Macharius waited while the Rings did their scouting and reported back. When they did, the reason for Gex's directions become clear - the are of the hive he'd directed them to was riddled with traps and security measures, including servitor turrets, and the winding route they'd been given was designed to thread a safe path through the hazards. There were a lot of blind corners and tight spaces down in the bottom of the hive, with very little in terms of clear sight lines, and anyone simple trying to sneak through the area had a very low chance of successfully doing so without running afoul of Gex's paranoia. No doubt he changed the layout of the safe path regularly. He probably also had a few back ways in.

[Haval]

To duCull and Zophel, 'In case it needs to be said, no doing anything to get yourself killed and don't try to protect me when it's not absolutely neccessary. I can normally look after myself.'

Harmon

Deep sign on hearing of the Ring's scouting, 'Well. I believe the only request was to bring no Tech Priests. There was nothing about bodyguards or being particularly heavily armed. The only question is who goes first?'

[Blarghy]

Sargon

Kennoch called for stacks of paper and a brazier to burn them in; the warning against permanent markings seemed wise. He even took off his elegant voidsuit to have clearer vision and manual dexterity without the bulky gloves. Down to his robes, he sat cross-legged in front of the tank.

While he worked, now and then Echo looked up at Sargon and pictured this scene in reverse. Who taught the old mutant these skills, he wondered? What was Sargon like as a young Navis? What was he hiding from when he first learned to protect himself with arcane letters and rare powders? But mostly he wondered, Is this actually going to work?

Spoiler

Show

Intelligence (51): (1d100)[84]

Harmon

To duCull and Zophel, 'In case it needs to be said, no doing anything to get yourself killed and don't try to protect me when it's not absolutely neccessary. I can normally look after myself.'

The officers looked slightly uncomfortable with this, but they both reluctantly nodded. "As you wish," Wren said softly. "We serve at your pleasure, of course."

'The only question is who goes first?'

"Us, of course," Wren smiled. "With your permission. Perhaps a team in front and a team behind, since it appears that your clever associate hasn't left us with many good places to hide anyway."

Spoiler

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Really, the Praetorians and their good armor should be in the lead, but that isn't for the Rings to say. They mostly just want to be in front of Anika. And behind her too, and to the sides. Like rings do.

[PotatoGolem]

Heavily armed and guarded certainly seems like the way to go. I don't adore the idea of walking into what could very obviously be a trap, but this heretek may have useful information. Perhaps a team of Rings out in front to scout ahead stealthily, make sure the path hasn't changed and there's no new traps, followed by us surrounded by the Praetorians and a small squad of armsmen. We don't want to be separated from the heavier guards if a firefight breaks out, and if it really is a trap he's not likely to spring it on what are clearly advance scouts. If he even sees the Rings, that is. Master Wren had a point as well- it's a good idea to have a shadowing team of Rings follow behind. Never want a potential enemy to know of all your forces, after all.

He pauses. What do these hereteks know of us? Is he expecting to meet a Rogue Trader and retinue, some bored noble, or has he just been given your contact information?

[Haval]

'Fine' Anika assents to being guarded.

He pauses. What do these hereteks know of us? Is he expecting to meet a Rogue Trader and retinue, some bored noble, or has he just been given your contact information?

'I'm not hiding who I am. It might help ensure people care to talk to me at all. If Gex is capable of doing his homework there's every chance he knows who you are Macharius, but I can't guarantee it. Do you think I should call ahead and seek to clarify some things?'