Sea of Stars - IC III

[PotatoGolem]

That is... not ideal. Macharius starts barking orders. Make sure we have marines stationed along every possible exit between the shuttle bay and the observatory. Seal what doors can be sealed, along with any vents someone could enter. I want vid-feeds of them as soon as they exit the shuttle and every step they take on board the ship. What automated defenses could we set up near the shuttle bay, in case they come looking for a fight?

[rax]

"Lord Captain, Lady Alia is of an ancient noble house. It is hardly suspicious for her to be bringing an honour guard of her own. If we do indeed want to talk with her and not simply kill her on sight, we should be careful not to appear hostile from the beginning. However, as she is arriving with an escort, it would not be amiss for you to greet her here with an escort of your own. You could then come to a mutual agreement to proceed to the observation dome with only a symbolic force of guards each. That way you would be showing her the respect due her house while disarming the threat of a large number of potentially hostile fighters roaming the decks of the Sting," Hannabel suggested.

[Destro_Yersul]

The Manticore's Sting was not a ship that was designed with large shuttle bays, for mobilizing large fleets. It had a number of smaller bays, and limited capacity within them. It had, however, very much been designed with the potential for boarding actions kept firmly in mind. The ship's layout was confusing to those unfamiliar with it, with plenty of dark spaces and narrow passages. This made it easy to defend from hostiles, but also easy to hide in. There were innumerable access points and doors, and the Absalom marines scrambled to cover as many of them as they could with the notice they had. In terms of automated defenses, there was little available. The ship didn't possess large numbers of servitors, nor Tarantula sentry turrets, nor any particular number of servitor-guided weapon emplacements.

What it did have, was Galimina. Upon Hannabel's advice, the servitor body of the ship's spirit had made itself scarce, but it was always there, and it had access to a staggering array of minor functions, as well as more than a few of the major ones. In a stand-up fight aboard the decks, it would be almost impossible for an invader to take the ship, provided that Galimina remained active and aggressive to them. Coming on board was more of a risk to a hostile party than it might seem at first, but even without knowledge of the vessel's nature, this was the domain of House Absalom. In agreeing to meet here, Lady Alia had taken a significant risk.

The Kindjal gun-cutter touched down on the deck of the shuttle bay, settling onto its hydraulics with a pneumatic hiss. The pilot had oriented the ship backwards on landing, with the nose of the cutter facing the bay's enormous blast doors, and the rear ramp facing the interior of the ship. The ramp swung open, and the first of the Lady's retinue disembarked. These were big men, in full carapace armour and carrying hellguns, much like the Absalom Praetorians had been armed before Macharius splurged on a few equipment upgrades. They took up positions on either side of the ramp, weapons held across their chests, blank helmet faceplates scanning the bay. One of them waved up the ramp, and a couple of what appeared to be noncombatants emerged next.

Alia's lead scribe, accompanied by three robed and hooded attendants, was a hunched and wizened old man with an array of calculation augmetics and one hand replaced with scribe tines. These he idly tapped at an ever-spooling roll of parchment, the tail of which was gathered up and carried by one of the attendants to prevent its dragging on the floor. Behind him came the Lady Alia, escorted by a pair of footmen in livery, a handmaiden in a flowing dress and powdered wig, and a youngish-looking man in unassuming grey formal wear and goatee, with a pair of swords strapped to his belt. The lady herself was in a voluminous dress, with no sign of the Stalker suit present, though of course it could have been concealed somewhere. Rounding out the party was a grim-faced man in a duster longcoat and broad Metallican hat, a red-robed techpriest type sprouting with twitching mechadendrites, and a priest in a tall hat and white robes, probably Alia's personal confessor. The remainder of the cutter's complement of passengers appeared to have been filled with a squad of house guard troopers armed with shotguns.

[Haval]

"Lord Captain, Lady Alia is of an ancient noble house. It is hardly suspicious for her to be bringing an honour guard of her own. If we do indeed want to talk with her and not simply kill her on sight, we should be careful not to appear hostile from the beginning. However, as she is arriving with an escort, it would not be amiss for you to greet her here with an escort of your own. You could then come to a mutual agreement to proceed to the observation dome with only a symbolic force of guards each. That way you would be showing her the respect due her house while disarming the threat of a large number of potentially hostile fighters roaming the decks of the Sting," Hannabel suggested.

'Agreed. If we can't do this aboard the Sting when can we do it. We just have to be careful to notice if any of them try anything.'

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

Anika will accompany Macharius to the reception of the Kindjal party. As Alia Kindjal was bringing a retinue there wasn't really any reason not to bring hers. She will ask some of the Rings that she had been leant to accompany her on the condition that they hung back enough not to get in the way.

She'll try to watch their opposite numbers if she's missed anything interesting. The threat of the swordsman was obvious and Anika suspected she knew what was under the Metallican's longcoat, so she'll focus on the scribe, the handmaiden and the confessor.

Spoiler: ooc

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Scrutiny tests just in case its useful
vs. Per 39

The scribe
(1d100)[86]
The Handmaiden
(1d100)[77]
The Confessor
(1d100)[85]

[PotatoGolem]

I suppose you're right. Macharius grumbles. Not that I love the idea of letting her bring a pack of assassins on board my ship. Im supposed to be the one with the assassins, hoho! Still, it is interesting that shes bringing a retinue. Clearly, her... activities are well known in her house. She has no fear of being exposed to them. Step lightly, and prepare a transmission to the authorities explaining that Hose Kindjal attempted to prevent us from uncovering their activities against the other Houses, to be sent along with the other proof if she attacks or we don't check in.

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

Macharius meets the newcomers with two of his Praetorians, only a small squad of armsmen behind them. An attendant carries his helmet, in a gesture of goodwill. He smiles broadly. Lady Kindjal! So glad you accepted my invitation. Truly a pleasure to see you again. May I offer you a drink? He waves over a servant with a tray of glasses, taking one for himself.

[rax]

Hannabel hovered discreetly behind Macharius and Anika, her features concealed by her hood and the mask of her rebreather. As Alia Kindjal came down the ramp, she watched her every movement, drinking in her appearance and committing everything to memory.

Who are you?! Where did you come from?! she thought, her mind afire with curiosity.

Spoiler: @Destro

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Hannabel is carefully studying Alia, looking for any visual cues that indicate that she's another homunculus. If she is one, there should be some similarities between her own appearance, Alia's appearance and what how she remembers the Countess.

[Destro_Yersul]

Anika was reasonably certain that the scribe and handmaiden were what they appeared to be, and though they almost certainly had weapons, weren't likely to be a huge threat. The confessor was probably trained in combat, most ministorum preachers tended to be, especially adherents to the Drusian version of the Imperial cult popular in Calixis. Anything more specific than that, however, she couldn't pick out just by looking at them.

"Depends on the drink," Alia said, selecting one of the glasses and sniffing it. "I'll take a ploin juice, no alcohol during business discussions." She smiled. "One of Auntie's rules."

Spoiler: Hannabel Only

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Alia, to Hannabel, looked strikingly familiar - the spitting image of some of the people she had once known. Her 'sisters,' and of course her own original appearance. However, she had seen images of the Countess when she was younger, and Alia looked a lot like that too. Genetic material showing through? It made sense that people from the same family would look similar, of course, but... was it a little too similar, with Alia? She couldn't say for sure, but was suddenly glad of her rebreather. In all likelihood, the similarities in their own appearances would not have been lost on Alia herself.

[Haval]

'Very wise.' Anika nods in agreement. 'Won't you introduce us to your friends Lady Kindjal?'

[PotatoGolem]

Macharius chuckles. I suppose that's sensible. Lady Vanhal makes sure I don't overindulge and trade away the fleet, what? He gestures, and a valet offers Alia a glass of ploin juice from a tray. Once she takes a glass, they offer refreshments to her retainers.

Macharius gestures broadly to Alia and her entourage. Welcome to the Manticore's Sting, dear guests.

[rax]

Spoiler: Hannabel Only

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Alia, to Hannabel, looked strikingly familiar - the spitting image of some of the people she had once known. Her 'sisters,' and of course her own original appearance. However, she had seen images of the Countess when she was younger, and Alia looked a lot like that too. Genetic material showing through? It made sense that people from the same family would look similar, of course, but... was it a little too similar, with Alia? She couldn't say for sure, but was suddenly glad of her rebreather. In all likelihood, the similarities in their own appearances would not have been lost on Alia herself.

Spoiler: @LCP

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OOC: Hmm, I'm not sure where to go with this. I seem to recall that when Hannabel dropped heavy hints to Anika to look for family resemblances at the Countess' mansion, she noted no striking similarities between Hannabel and Alia. Plus of course, one would expect the others to note Alia's similarity to Hannabel if there was a strong resemblance. And yet, Hannabel sees these similarities very clearly.

In your mind, what would it take for someone else to notice the similarity?

[Destro_Yersul]

"Of course," the Lady said. "My handmaiden, Agora, and my bodyguard, Quintus." She indicated the swordsman, who bowed.

"Then my scribe, Isaiah, and his apprentices. He has served my family for many years, and handles much of our bookkeeping. Confessor Victus sees to matters of household faith, and Logitor Archanos is on loan to us from the Mechanicus, of course. Jonus is one of my security experts, a recent hire."

She turned back, apparently having seen no need to bother naming the assorted members of her household guard, or Isaiah's hangers-on. "And what of your party, Lord Captain? Doctor Vanhal I believe I have met, but there are others here to whom I've not yet had the pleasure."

[Haval]

Anika will nod politely in response to each introduction but will let Macharius take the lead. Aside from the threats they might represent, she would really like to know what the Kindjal's pet Tech Priest might be capable of discerning about the ship if they had the chance.

Anika does have some introductions to make. 'My secretary, Theresa.' She has brought Theresa with her, although her assistant is under strict instructions to get out of the way if anything violent happens. And there was the handful of Rings that she had asked to accompany her. 'The rest have been told to look after me after that business with the Orks.' Anika doesn't bother to introduce any of the Praetorians and doesn't even look at Hannabal.

[rax]

"Shanx, Master Helmsman," Hannabel introduces herself with a regulation Imperial Navy salute.

[PotatoGolem]

Ah, yes! Macharius gestures expansively. My seneschal Lady Vanhal, who you have met. Voidmistress Shanx, the master helmsman of my flagship and chief helmsman of the fleet. Commander Almagor, the head of my personal guard, and Praetorian Flannery, one of my veteran guards. Navigator Primus Castermire and Magos Del'Karro await us in the Observatorium. They are... less comfortable in crowds, hoho! Shall we head that way? Rather nicer place for a conversation than a shuttle bay, what? He turns to lead her out.

[Destro_Yersul]

Alia nodded assent, and her group followed Macharius' as he led the way through the ship. Alia herself stayed up front, near the rogue trader, looking about with interest as they wended their way through the ship.

"Your vessel has an unusual layout, compared to others I've travelled on," she observed, as they turned around yet another narrow bend in the corridor. "Quite the maze in here."

[Haval]

Anika looks a lot more relaxed then she feels. 'The Sting's previous owners made some interesting modifications. I'd assumed everyone already knew all about our ship. Does this mean that our reputation doesn't preceed us in this case?'

[Destro_Yersul]

"Dear Doctor, knowing of a thing and experiencing it firsthand are quite different, as I'm sure you're aware. I do, however, have concerns about the pilgrims being able to effectively locate their quarters." Alia laughed.

[PotatoGolem]

Macharius chuckles. It does takw some getting used to. Handy for uninvited guests like orks and pirates though- they never seem to find quarters either, hoho!

[Haval]

"Dear Doctor, knowing of a thing and experiencing it firsthand are quite different, as I'm sure you're aware. I do, however, have concerns about the pilgrims being able to effectively locate their quarters." Alia laughed.

'Oh I'm very aware of that. Maybe assume that everything you've heard about the Sting is probably true' Anika chuckled. 'Anyway, you get used to the layout and it doesn't actually change when your back is turned. I will look into getting some dataslates made with maps.'

[rax]

"With all due respect, Doctor, we don't want no pilgrims wandering about and disrupting day-to-day operations. They should keep to their designated quarters and exercise areas. No maps needed if everyone sticks to the rules," Hannabel interjected.

[Haval]

'Well there are different types of maps, but you're quite right. I would hope that anyone choosing to take a void journey would have more sense then to go wondering the lower decks of an unfamilar ship. I'm sure we're all heard the stories.'

[Destro_Yersul]

"You can, I understand, find all sorts of nasty things in the dark, lightless places of a voidship," Alia said. "They're much like hives, that way, if nothing else. As long as everyone stays to the places they should be, they'll be safe enough."

[PotatoGolem]

Indeed! Whole packs of nasty things, at times. The top predators believe themselves to be untouchable, the apex of their domains in darkness. Until the twistcatchers come and bring the light, of course. Then, they must prove themselves useful and non-corrupt or be purged.

He chuckles. That may also not be so different from a Hive in its own way. We all serve the Emperor, no matter how dangerous or powerful. And for those who forget... He trails off with another chuckle.

[Haval]

'Well some people have been known to serve the Emperor in more unusal ways then others.' Anika added.

[Destro_Yersul]

"I'd not place perfect faith in the twistcatchers, myself," Alia said. "I've heard far too many stories of the hunter becoming the hunted. Surely you've seen things in your journeys to the Expanse, as well? Many planets have apex predators that are at the top not because they are the biggest and strongest, but because they are the most cunning."

[rax]

"Even the cunning need strength to bring down their prey, milady," Hannabel replies. "Like the Manticore's Sting - our prey never knows we're hunting it until it's too late. And then...one shot, one kill," she boasts.

[Haval]

Anika smiles at Hannabal obviously taking pride in their ship's capabilities. 'Which is a lot harder without a good crew.' To Alia, 'Being an apex predator sounds like a lonely existence. I'd say everyone's a lot better off if they have some trustworthy people they can rely on in an emergency. There's always a bigger predator.'

[PotatoGolem]

Of course, not every predator relies on brute strength alone. Cunning is quite helpful, as is stealth and camouflage. Yet, for all their cunning or brawn or horrible acidic secretions, they ultimately fall to sufficiently determined humans working together. The menageries and trophy rooms of Traders across the expanse abound with the cunning, the strong, and the stealthy. Our capacity to work together and our faith in the Emperor ultimately allow us to conquer any self-professed apex predators. United by a common goal, Mankind is more than a match for any predator.

[Destro_Yersul]

"A noble sentiment, Lord-Captain, but I posit that caution is another worthy trait that has allowed humanity to prosper. Your helmsman's example is a good one. This ship exemplifies the power of cunning and stealth, and the value of being able to choose the rules of engagement. In a stand-up fight against a cruiser, you would have an uphill battle ahead. So, you select an arena more favourable to you, such as an asteroid field, where the cruiser's greater bulk and reduced agility are a hinderance, an arena where you can take a stronger opponent apart, a little at a time. The Emperor, I have noticed, most often helps those who help themselves."

Alia drew level with the door to the dome, looking through into the armoured viewports above. "Ah, but we have arrived. The Observatorium, yes? You must be able to get some truly spectacular views from here."

[Haval]

Anika smiles at Macharius' optimism. To Alia, 'On that I couldn't agree more Lady Kindjal. Fighting fairly should be for other people.' Anika is watching Alia's face carefully but frankly would be astonished if she showed any sign of being worried or anxious about being on the Sting.