To Plunder The Stars Themselves, Episode III

[Black Cohort]

Initiative roll is a 2 for a total of 5.

[Trokair]

Initiative roll 3 + 4 (Ag) = 7

[Commissar Molotov]

The loss of the Bounteous Lady had been a blow - but an ultimately inconsequential one. The six of them had arrived through the psyker's portal unscathed, and with their weaponry and wargear intact. Already, the Traveller could feel his warplate enlivening, the machine spirits within thrilling at the prospect of coming battle. A brace of red sigil-locks appeared in his sight, bracketing around those who were potential targets.

 

None of the Iron Gods around him seemed much inclined towards stealth. Von Caeryd would know soon enough that his gambit had failed. To battle, then.

 

The asteroid's gravity was weak here, lending a predatory edge to their gait. Good, he thought. Their deaths will come all the sooner.

[Necronaut]

A discussion of the finer points of guerilla tactics and stealth, more generally, with Decimus would have to wait, it seemed. There was an opportunity at hand which had to be seized before it was lost. Stealth was his preference, but a display of overwhelming force against an unprepared foe was well within his bailiwick. Vesalius somewhat uncharacteristically, but recognizing their precarious position, voxed to the rest of the squad, +We should strike now while they think us dead!+

 

And with that he charged towards the horde of pirates he could see before him and hurled a frag grenade into their midst.

 

Calling Bolter Assault attack pattern.

 

Charge distance: 28, moving towards the northern medium rock outcropping, looking to stay out of LOS of those heavy bolter emplacements.

 

Standard attack: throw frag grenade

40 (BS) + 0 (standard attack) + 30 (horde size) + 30 (surprised targets) = 100

Throw frag grenade: 1d100 91

Success!

 

Frag grenade damage: 2d10+2X, Pen 0, blast (5)

Frag Grenade Damage: 2d10+2 11

11 damage total

 

 

The grenade sailed into the pirates and detonated noiselessly, sending scything shrapnel into their ranks, causing horrific trauma and death as void suits were punctured and men died gasping for absent air. Vesalius wasted no time, immediately snapping up his bolter, and opened fire upon the still unsuspecting mob.

 

Semi-auto burst

40 (BS) + 10 (SAB) + 30 (horde size) = 80

Semi-auto Burst: 1d100 17

Success! (6 DoS = 2 additional hit)

 

Bolter damage: S/3/-; 1d10+9X Pen 4, Tearing

Hit #1: Bolter Damage: 2#1d10+9 10 11

11 damage -> 1 horde mag damage (explosive)

Hit #2: Bolter Damage: 2#1d10+9 18 16

18 damage -> 1 horde mag damage (explosive)

Hit #3: Bolter Damage: 2#1d10+9 10 10

10 damage -> 1 horde mag damage (explosive)

 

3 hits + 1 explosive damage = 4 horde mag damage total (?)

 

Edited July 3, 2021 by Necronaut

[A.T.]

The call was given and Odysseus advanced on the mortals as quickly as the prevailing gravity would allow, mindful to not reveal himself to the second group too early lest the advantage of surprise be reduced.

 

Grenades and bolts were already detonating amongst the guards, silent in the void as those uninjured spun seeking out the cause. Suddenly a crack of static and a distorted thunder broke that silence and it seemed impossible that the defenders could not have heard, yet the sound itself was impossible... Less unclear were the results as a dozen men spun away from the surface of the asteroid in a flash of light and burning heat.

 

Move 24m (free charge and standard move) directly towards group 2)

Frag grenade = 38 to hit, 22 damage (5 magnitude)

 

Smite = 71 to activate (success)

D10+7 magnitude damage = 10+7 = 17 magnitude

Psychic phenomena = 84 (reduced to 74) - rite of sanctioning talent changes this to dark forboding

 

Total magnitude damage 22 - good roll on the smite

[Beren]

The enemy were distracted, exposed, vulnerable. An opportunity for a soft target and easy kills. Move fast enough, and they might not even have a chance to warn the others.

 

Push through, and keep going.

 

He felt the kill-team move with him, as if of the same mind. Saw witchfire, bolter shots and drag destinations tear into the nearest group of pirates.

 

He had a different target in mind.

 

With a running start he activated his jump-pack mid leap, letting the thrust carry him to the top of the central outcrop before slamming his axe rake into the surface behind him to arrest his forwards momentum. As he halted, he opened his other hand and let the primed frag grenades within it keep going, straight towards the further of the two groups.

 

 

Bolter Assault Charge move:

AG bonuses + Jump Pack give a charge move of 42 metres, which Svelk uses to move forwards and up onto the central outcrop.

 

Bolter Assault Attack:

Frag Grenade at Horde 1-

Target = 103 (BS43 + 30 (Surprise) + 30 (horde size))

D100 = 77 (3 DoS)

Damage -

1: 2d10 (1,1) + 2 = 4

2: 8,4 + 2 = 14

3: 3,3 + 2 = 8

4: 1,3 + 2 = 6

5: 2, 6 + 2 = 10

 

Hostile TB(3) + Armour (5) = 8

2 Magnitude damage

 

Surprise Round Half-Action 1:

Aim

 

Surprise Round Half-Action 2:

Frag Grenade at Horde 1-

Target = 113 (BS43 + 30 (Surprise) + 30 (horde size) + 10 (Aim))

D100 = 47 (6 DoS)

Damage -

1: 2d10 (6,6) + 2 = 14

2: 3,5 + 2 = 10

3: 6,9 + 2 = 17

4: 8,3 + 2 = 13

5: 6,6 + 2 = 14

 

Hostile TB(3) + Armour (5) = 8

5 Magnitude damage

 

 

The cluster of void-suited mortals had just been turning, catching the flashes of explosive detonations tearing apart the fellows in their peripheral vision, when his frag grenade landed at their feet. Some were torn apart outright, others hurled to the ground and scrabbling at their suits in desperation as blood and air leaked out through perforated surfaces. Some were staggered, but still standing. In an instant Svelk could see them catching sight of his figure silhouetted against the out outcropping and beginning to raise their weapons.

 

The assault marine was more concerned with the heavy bolter turrets that were also turning towards him.

 

Push through, and keep going.

 

He yanked the axe-rake from where it was embedded, and hurled himself at the survivors, jump pack exhaust trailing behind him.

Edited July 2, 2021 by Beren

[Lysimachus]

Surprise Round Summary:

 

Vesalius: spends 3 Cohesion to call a Bolter Assault.

 

Bolter Assault:

Vesalius: Charges forward 27m (4 squares diagonally) northeast, throws Frag at Horde 2, does 2 Mag Dam (down to 28)

Odysseus: Charge 24m, Frag at Horde 2, does 5 Mag Dam (down to 23)

Svelk: Charge 42m to top of centre outcrop, throw Frag at Horde 1, does 2 Mag Dam (down to 28)

Traveller: Maintaining Lead by Example, cannot partake.

Decimus: Charge 18m NE, Bolt Pistol shot at Horde 2, does 2 Mag Dam (down to 21)

Brynjarr: Charge 15m N, throw Frag at Horde 1, does 5 Mag Dam (down to 23)

 

Back to regular Actions:

Vesalius: SAB v Horde 2, does 4 Mag Dam (down to 17)

 

Odysseus: Move 8m (I'm not sure exactly where he is?) and Smite Horde 2, does 17 Mag Dam (down to 0, destroyed!)

 

Svelk: Aim and throw Frag at Horde 1, does 5 Mag Dam (down to 18)

 

Traveller: SAB v Horde 1, does 4 Mag Dam (down to 14)

 

Brynjarr: Run to better position.

 

Decimus: FAB at Horde 1, does 14 Mag Dam (down to 0, destroyed!)

[Commissar Molotov]

The Traveller (Surprise Round)

- Full Action: Semi-Auto Burst against Horde 1

- The Traveller moves up diagonally right one square and then shoots at the Horde (~50m)

BS55(+10 Short Range)(+30 Surprise)(~+10 Horde Size?)(+5 Lead by Example) = BS115: 14 (Hit, 10DoS) - Hit, +2 Additional

Hits resolve at 1D10+9, Pen 4 Tearing against TB3 and Armour 5(1)

Hit 1: 10 (19, reduced to 15) - Roll against BS115: 79 (RF Confirmed) (+6 Damage)

Hit 2: 3 (12, reduced to 8)

Hit 3: 7 (16, reduced to 12)

Additional Explosive Hit: 8 (17, reduced to 13)

4 Magnitude Damage

Edited July 2, 2021 by Commissar Molotov

[Trokair]

Rejoin squad mode (or technically never left? as per this: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/369913-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-ooc-thread/?p=5715236)
 
Bolter Assault Action
Charge 15 East, this should put me out of line of sight of the HB emplacements and horde 2, but I should see a bit of horde 1.
Throw Frag Grenade at horde 1
BS48 + 30 (size) + 30 (Surprise) – 10 (distance)= 98
D100: 81, Hit 1 DoS - 4 Hits as Blast (4)
Damage 2D10+2 At Pen 0 – enemy has 3TB and 5 Armour
Hit1: 10+1 +2=13
Hit2: 7+3 + 2=12
Hit3: 4+4 + 2=10
Hit4: 1+8 + 2=11
Explosion: 9+5 +2=16
Total Magnitude damage: 5
 
Normal action, Run (full action) 30M east (slightly angled so that he comes to a stop just before rounding the southern outcrop.

With the Princeling’s guards spotted the group sprung into action, the defenders must not get the chance to raise the alarm.

Having no clear line of sight Brynjarr decided to move along the south side, potentially to flank the group of guards he briefly caught sight of. As he bound along the surface, careful not to jump with too much force so as to not launch himself into orbit, he spotted a second group of guards to the north in the gap between two rocky outcrops. While the guards where potentially still unaware it did not pay to linger in the open. In the brief sliver of time he had left before his momentum would carry him into cover once more Brynjarr armed and arced a frag grenade.

Having reached the end of the outcrop Brynjar took a second to review the feed from the others in his HUD it looked like they had collectively dealt severe damage to the guards. No doubt witchcraft and the heavy bolter were the main culprits in the slaughter.

Edited July 4, 2021 by Trokair

[Black Cohort]

Decimus moves forward as part of the bolter assault, moving NE 18 meters and firing a bolt pistol shot at horde 2.

 

BS48+30 horde size =78  roll 49 hit

 

2 magnitude to horde 2

 

he then rapidly switches to his heavy bolter unleashing a torrent of fire into the same mass of void pirates, tossing bodies across the low G surface.

 

BS48+20 Full Auto + 30 horde size = 98 rolled 26 = 7 degrees of success

 

6 shots + explosive = 7 magnitude damage x2 for unrelenting devestation = 14 magnitude damage to horde 2

 

If Horde 2 is gone, redirect fire at horde 1.

Edited July 2, 2021 by Black Cohort

[Lysimachus]

+++STRUCTURED TIME ENDS+++

 

+++NARRATIVE TIME BEGINS+++

[Beren]

Time was a series of freeze-frames.

 

In each, Svelk was still hurtling towards his targets. Each freeze-frame was another flash, another detonation, another target vanished into a spray of blood, metal and flesh before he could make contact.

 

By the time he did, there were none left.

 

His landing turned into a scramble, slamming his axe into one of the roscky protusions and using it to yank him forwards and out of the fire-arcs of the heavy bolters.

 

+++Stay in cover.+++

 

He didn't wait to hear a response before circling round beind one of the weapon emplacements. WIth a grunt he slammed the pick-head of the axe-rake into a weak-point in the casing. With a tug he begins to pry the shell of the machinery in, then drives the blade in further to sever the circuitry inside.

[Black Cohort]

Decimus will move up to examine the airlock once the defences have been neutralized.

[Trokair]

He carefully moved his shield forward slightly, so that he could survey the scene around the corner through the inbuilt optical system without stepping out of cover. The relayed feed quickly revealed the devastation that had been caused, but more importantly that note of the defenders remained upright.

 

Taking a moment to study the movement of the Heavy Bolter turrets Brynjarr noted the jerking scanning patterns. There was no human behind the controls, just some automated system.

 

A flash of movement caught his eyes, and the Turret responded sluggishly, but Svelk was already out of its ark of fire, he was going after other defenders no doubt.

 

Taking the opportunity Brynjarr charged across the open ground, poweraxe charging up as he closed the distance, shield braced for the expected rounds of fire. He was fast, but he should not be fast enough to avoid the turrets response entirely. It was swinging towards him.

 

Stepping side to avoid the expected burst, all the turret did was follow him. Another sidestep in the other direction and again it tracked him efficiently, and again it did not bark. Then it was too late as axe sliced through the side panel and cables, another hit and the Turret was completely inoperable.   

 

Turning back to survey the scene again he opened the squad Vox.

 

++ The guards must have some sort of transmitter that the automated defenses ignore; it had me in its sight but did not fire while I passed through the field of former guards. If we can find enough intact in that mess it might help us with other servitor defenses.++

Edited July 5, 2021 by Trokair

[Necronaut]

Vesalius dispassionately surveyed the carnage their assault had wrought, tallying the dead and making note of their various traumas. The Iron Gods had dealt a brutal opening blow to Von Caeryd's forces, but they were mere mortals, and ones ill-prepared for an assault by a crack squad of Astartes at that. They would need to move quickly to capitalize on their foothold, but for now, it seemed, they had avoided raising the alarm. He stalked amongst the ruptured corpses of the fallen, noting the shredded void suits and frozen, crystalline shards of blood.

 

Then he saw a grasping arm.

 

One yet lives.

 

He grabbed the arm by the wrist and pulled the shell-shocked pirate up out from under his deceased confederates. The apothecary drew his combat knife and tapped it threateningly against the struggling man's faceplate.

 

+If you even so much as think about raising the alarm, you will experience the effect of your blood boiling through your eye sockets from being exposed to hard vacuum. Do I make myself clear, human?+

 

He waited briefly for the light of understanding to reach the pirate's widening eyes and continued, +Good. Now let us dispense with pleasantries and get to the crux of the matter: I wish to know the location of your master, Von Caeryd, and the nature of his defenses. The clock is ticking, human.+

 

He tapped his knife on the mortal's faceplate in time with the seconds counter of his helm's chronometer.

 

Intimidate test: 57

Intimidate: 1d100 62

Failure (0 DoF), unless there are modifiers of which I'm unaware, namely from the obliteration of both pirate hordes?

 

Interrogation test: 47

Interrogate: 1d100 43

Success! (1 DoS)

Edited July 5, 2021 by Necronaut

[Lysimachus]

As you pass into the unsecured airlock, no alarms flare into life. Perhaps the troops on the surface failed to make contact with their superiors before you eliminated them? Perhaps your arrival on the surface is still largely unknown? Or maybe your stolen idents are simply working exactly as they should?

 

Once through the lock and into Elysium itself, you find yourselves in a prefabricated, octagonal chamber that has two access corridors that travel left and right. You will need to decide which way to go.

 

The crewman you have dragged in with you, a skinny, dirty creature whose sallow and wrinkled features make him seem many years older than he probably is, takes several short, sharp breaths of the stale, recycled air. He seems to be hyperventilating. Vesalius gives him a cold, black-eyed look, eyebrow raised.

 

"Staterooms..." the crewman gasps. He opens his mouth to say more, but suddenly catches at his left arm. With a shocked, agonized expression he slumps sideways, falling to the deck to lie unmoving. Dead. A weak heart, perhaps. Or an unfortunate side effect of any number of pharmaceuticals - the Apothecary could probably name most of them - popular among the dregs dwelling in the Imperium's dark underbelly. Pitiful, but he may at least have given you an idea of where to find Von Caeryd.

 

***

[Necronaut]

[Redacted] Edited July 7, 2021 by Necronaut

[Beren]

Seeing the crewman collapse, Svelk kneels besides him, inspecting it in search of it's vox unit. If he finds it, he grasps his axe-rake near the head and attempts to lever it out.

 

+++I might be able to rig this so that if anybody tries to check in with that squad, it'll set of an explosive. Give me a minute, I  might be able to find another intact one out there. Give me a few more, and I might be able to connect them to something critical in the defense batteries out there.+++

 

He glances up at the rest of the squad.

 

+++If this works, we might be able to disable them withou sacraficing our element of surprise.+++

Edited July 5, 2021 by Beren

[Commissar Molotov]

The Traveller exits the airlock with his bolter, Spitfire, held ready. The muzzle pans, following the movement of his eyes as he determines there is no immediate threat.

 

Lowering his weapon, he sees that there are two passageways to travel. They had precious little time to make a decision - the passage of their rag-tag band through Elysium was like a bullet travelling through the body of an enemy, tumbling and shredding. Momentum was key here, lest they get bogged down and prevented from reaching their target.

 

GM: Is there any indication as to which way to go? Can we determine anything at all about where each passageway leads? Any labels on the walls, or any way in which to access maps or foorplans?

Edited July 6, 2021 by Commissar Molotov

[Lysimachus]

As Svelk returns outside to place the explosives, the rest of the Kill-Team are able to examine the chamber further. The walls are uniform, without markings except for the same gothic skulls and eagles as those found decorating all but the crudest Imperial structures. Many of the aquilas have been removed or defaced. The lack of directions is not surprising, for most people passing through would already know both where they had come from and where they were going.

 

There are a couple of points you might need to consider. Firstly, the crewman said Von Caeryd could be found in his 'staterooms', (which could refer to a grand suite or audience chamber, or possibly the Captain's rooms on a ship adjacent to the bridge/command centre, or even some combination of all of the above). Given what you know of the underlying construction of the station, where would that most likely be? Then, put that together with what you saw of that overall structure when you first arrived on the asteroid (post #288).

[Necronaut]

+Semi-Placeholder+

 

Vesalius knelt down in the center of the chamber, studying the scuff-marks and wear patterns from an uncountable number of boots traversing its span, hoping to discern some meaning or tell-tale evidence of the direction the Kill-Team should take.

 

GM: Vesalius is going to try to pull a Gandalf in Moria and attempt to discern the direction the squad should take based upon any evidence of foot traffic in the room. He might ask one of the Astartes who are more experienced in matters of the void for assistance. Would Tracking be an appropriate skill to use, or perhaps Navigate? Unfortunately Vesalius cannot purchase Logic until Rank 2.

Edited July 7, 2021 by Necronaut

[Black Cohort]

the devastator positions himself so he can cover either direction down the hallway, ready to blast the first target to come into sight.

[A.T.]

Odysseus looked to each of the passages, "the state rooms would be buried deep within the station but no path would take a direct route to them from here". He glanced back towards the airlock, "can the servo skulls be rendered functional? They would draw less attention and would serve as adequate scouts if their mobility could be restored."

[Lysimachus]

When Svelk returns, the Traveller takes the lead, turning decisively down the right hand passage way. You move forward, quickly but carefully, following the narrow tunnel for more than half a kilometre.

 

It is immediately apparent when you cross over from prefabricated chambers and walkways into the part of Elysium that used to be a Grand Cruiser. Corridors are suddenly wider, taller and altogether... grander.

 

You begin making your way through what is left of the ship, checking side corridors and chambers as you go. Suddenly there is a dull, barely perceptible rumble far, far behind you. Moments later, you hear the sound of a large group approaching rapidly from the front. From your place in an ante-chamber off the main passage, you watch while several squads of Von Caeryd's troops hurry past, heading out in the direction of the passageway you used.

 

Someone must have attempted to vox the surface guards and the explosives have been detonated, resulting in the sudden scramble you see before you. These reinforcements have not seen you, and you are in a perfect position to ambush them. But do you wish to strike, or would you rather let them continue on their way?

 

***

[Commissar Molotov]

The Traveller motions to the squad, signalling them not to engage the troopers. There was little point in such a distraction if they were to immediately reveal their true location.