To Plunder The Stars Themselves, Episode III

[Necronaut]

Vesalius silently nodded at the Traveller's preference for discretion. At least there is someone with sense amongst us...

 

+Kai,+ he voxed to the Traveller, +I can take the point position. My methods are generally more subtle than the rest of our cohort, my bellicosity on the surface of the asteroid notwithstanding.+

[Lysimachus]

The crewmen hustle past, never knowing the lucky escape they have had. However, the fact is that very soon Von Caeryd will realise you are still alive and somewhere within his station. He will undoubtedly then begin preparing to face you, so time is of the essence.

 

As you wait for the guards to move out of earshot, there is another sound that starts. A rhythmic thudding, only just heard, accompanied by a faint but unmistakable vibration that you can feel in the deck beneath you. The station's guns have started firing again.

 

That can only mean they have another target. You cannot see what is happening in orbit, but logically it must be the Dagger Thrust. Captain Achard has been true to his word. Having detected the explosions, he must be attempting to navigate close enough to deploy troops in support of you. You can only hope the safe channel you have created for him is sufficient for its intended purpose.

 

But reaching your own goal is still of far greater concern. Now a working knowledge of the layout of Imperial vessels comes to the fore once again - although admittedly modifications have clearly been made here, where would you most likely find the Prince's 'staterooms'?

 

***

 

You can discuss this narratively and/or if anyone wants to make (or assist with) a Lore Test to determine the likeliest location of the Staterooms, please do! Then maybe Vesalius can make a Silent Move Test to lead the Team along whatever route you decide upon?

[Trokair]

As they advanced deeper into the repurposed ship Brynjarr kept a careful eye out for identifying features and what alterations had been made to standard ship layout for a vessel this size.

 

As they took shelter and let the Princlings troops rush to the distraction Brynjarr pulled up schematics on his HUD and marked where he thought they were, and the alterations he had observed. Once he had done as much as he could he shared it with the squad.

 

+Assuming that not too much has been altered since its days as a ship we are likely in this region, and I have marked tactical important sites. As we go along I’ll try to refine the map further+

 

 

Assist Svelk with his test.

Edited July 7, 2021 by Trokair

[Beren]

Svelk freezes as the mortals sprint past, not willing to risk even the slightest movement that might draw thier attention. He catches their sqaud leader's slight signal, holding them back.

 

Once they've gone, he turns to others.

 

+++There's a chance the Trader took the Navigator's Spire as his own, given that this vessel no longer has any need of one. Those quarters are built bigger than most, and with whatever finery their House can provide. I've seen reaver captains favour them before.+++

 

He pauses for a moment.

 

+++They're normally at somewhere towards the top of a ship.+++

 

 

Common Lore Imperial Navy Roll:

Target: 43 (Int 38 + Lead by Example)

D100: 34 (0DoS)

 

[Black Cohort]

Decimus drops back to the rear of the party to cover their most vulnerable point.

 

he voxes "we must make haste before Von Caeryd realizes how far we have penetrated his defences."

[Necronaut]

With his razor sharp blade ever at the ready, Vesalius took point. He voxed back and forth regularly with Svelk regarding his superior knowledge of Imperial ships and their layout, leading the Kill-Team through a dizzying labyrinth of corridors and sparsely occupied chambers within the crashed hulk that comprised the bulk of Elysium. They took a somewhat circuitous path toward their best guess at the "stateroom" the drug-addled pirate had spoken of before expiring, generally avoiding large population centers and other high traffic zones unless necessary. Vesalius was in his element ghosting ahead of the Kill-Team unseen and unheard.

 

 

Concealment +10:

63 (agility) + 10 = 73

Concealment Test: 1d100 57

Success! (1 DoS, assuming an ordinary difficulty test)

 

Silent Move +10

63 (agility) + 10 = 73

Silent Move: 1d100 14

Success! (5 DoS)

Edited July 7, 2021 by Necronaut

[Lysimachus]

With the Naval specialists offering directions and the stealthy Apothecary leading, you are able to quickly and quietly climb several levels.

 

Then, on your way aft, you find yourselves with no option but to pass through what should have been a series of hangar bays and holds. Now these already vast chambers have been opened up, wherever structurally possible, forming a long, wide thoroughfare through the very heart of the station. It is a huge space, enough that even a squad of Astartes seem small. Ante-chambers along either side, along with more crudely constructed huts and shacks, have been used as shop fronts. Bodegas and bordellos, dispenseries and fighting pits, and a hundred other more exotic retailers. Some display wares that are of Imperial origin, but others proudly show signs written in a variety of xeno-form script. It appears that all manner of objects and services can be purchased or traded for here. In the strictly ascetic Imperium, almost all would be considered both illegal and immoral.

 

But today none of the traders are doing business. It appears that more than a few of them have abandoned their posts both very recently and in some level of panic. Presumably with the threat posed by your arrival, Von Caeryd has had this commercial artery shut down, ready to be defended. Or perhaps he has no intention to try? There are certainly no defenders in position yet. In fact, since the units that rushed out to investigate your acts of sabotage, you have not seen any of the Prince's forces. Maybe he is instead pulling all of his resources back, gathering them at some place that best favours their numbers over your individual prowess?

 

Whatever the case, the arcade is eerily quiet and empty. The only sense of life is the occasional feeling of being watched from a handful of the shuttered outlets.

 

***

[Commissar Molotov]

The Traveller looks to Vesalius, hopeful that the Apothecary can lead them onward. Inwardly he knows that inevitably, sooner or later the Princeling will funnel them into an ambush of some kind. They will rely upon their strength and fortitude to smash out of whatever noose attempts to ensnare them.

[Black Cohort]

Decimus pans his heavy bolter across the stalls around him as they move rapidly through.

 

"Good thing we didn't run into that horde of pilgrims here!"

[Necronaut]

Vesalius looked around uneasily, not liking the unnatural silence and stillness that appeared to have settled upon what ought to be a hive of activity.

 

+I do not like this; it is too quiet. This chamber should be teaming with mortals.+

 

The apothecary paused, looking at each of his squad-mates in turn, before continuing, +we should not tarry here, but know that we may be walking into an ambush. Ready yourselves.+

 

Vesalius turned and continued on toward the next tunnel entrance at the far end of the chamber. He unslung his bolter from his shoulder, wielding it akimbo with his combat knife. He would send as many of the villainous scum to the abyss as possible before dying, or he wasn't an Iron God.

 

+I believe this would be the time for one of us to say, 'Blood and Glory.'+

Edited July 7, 2021 by Necronaut

[Commissar Molotov]

"Blood, yes," the Traveller says, "but there is no glory here. Fight for this day, and the next."

[Lysimachus]

You enter the next corridor, pushing cautiously forward again. As you approach another intersection, you hear a noise from the left hand passage. A tiny click of metal on metal. Perhaps nothing, but it could equally be the sound of mortal men attempting to move quietly.

 

***

[Necronaut]

Vesalius called a halt with a raised fist, his enhanced hearing detecting something out of the ordinary. Another quiet hallway but he had heard something, something wrong. He silently made his way up to the corner and using the reflective, sharpened edge of his knife, he attempted to peer around the corner.

 

Silent Movement +10

63 (agility) + 10 = 73

Silent Move: 1d100 66

Success (0 DoS)

 

Awareness

43 (perception) + 0 = 43

Awareness: 1d100 30

Success (1 DoS)

[Lysimachus]

The corridor is smaller and narrower and dark besides, but along the knife blade you can make out several human shapes in the darkness. Your augmented senses suddenly pick up a few whispered yet heated words. After a moment, something moves from the shadows... but slowly, deliberately. A man edges half out from cover, holding a shotgun and wearing mismatched pieces of flak armour.

 

"Blood and glory!" he hisses nervously.

 

***

[Necronaut]

Vesalius was momentarily taken aback by the human's words. Did I hear that correctly?

 

The apothecary turned to look at the Traveller and voxed, +I believe we have found Achard's troops.+

 

He breathed the words, "prey sense," into his helm and rounded the corner in a crouch, bolter aimed at chest level for the average mortal.

 

+Blood and glory,+ he hissed in response.

Edited July 8, 2021 by Necronaut

[Beren]

Svelk had been advancing down the hallway at a silent and steady pace before they reached the intersection. While Vesalius scouted ahead, he tossed a quick glance backwards to make sure nothing was approaching their rear.

 

+I believe we have found Achard's troops.+

 

Svelk halts. How had he managed to land them so quickly?

 

+++Are you certain?+++

[Lysimachus]

The fighter let's out an explosive breath of relief as Vesalius responds in kind. He steps hesitantly forward again, peering in your direction. In truth he is hard to distinguish from any of the mortals you have interacted with in your mission thus far, although you see that he wears a strip of crimson cloth tied arouns his right arm.

 

"My lord Astartes... is that you? We are from the Dagger, Captain Achard sent us in to support you in the assault?"

 

Several others cautiously appear in the corridor behind the speaker, perhaps a score or so, all similarly displaying their allegiance to Talek Varn. They are equally scruffy, armed with a mishmash of solid shell and las weaponry, but seem to carry themselves professionally enough.

 

***

[Black Cohort]

"How did you get aboard this place undetected?"

[Lysimachus]

The first pirate is about to answer, then glances uncertainly back over his shoulder. You might look yourselves - perhaps wondering what could possibly be behind them to make someone so nervous when a squad of Astartes are standing in front of them - when you suddenly notice among the mortals a familiar, stooped figure, loitering towards the rear and awkwardly holding a bullpup lasgun.

 

It is Holger!

 

***

 

Bear in mind that your characters don't know everything you do! But also, to be fair, you would have thought that he died aboard the Lady, and the fact that such an apparently weak specimen somehow did not would probably generate a certain amount of suspicion...?

[Beren]

Svelk, having cautiously rounded the corner, relaxes a little at the familiar face, if not entirely. He gestures towards Holger with his Axe-Rake.

 

+++How are you still breathing?+++

[Trokair]

Well, that was a surprise; the little mortal had survived the destruction of the Lady. Brynjarr was glad, but Svelks word rung true, there was a story here that would be both interesting, and potentially vital to know now rather than later.

 

Additionally if Captain Achard had landed additional troops it would be crucial to know how many, and is possible where.

 

“Interesting tale aside, though a summary would do nicely, are you able to get into the data system here like you did on the Lady?”                                                           

[Lysimachus]

"'ello Lordships," the technician grins lopsidedly and shrugs. "Damned lucky, in answer to all your questions!"

 

Then he clears his throat as if he realizes this will not be a sufficient explanation. He continues.

 

"Managed to sneak aboard a saviour pod 'fore the poor old girl got blown to bits, then got blasted out of the range of their guns and the Cap' swooped in and saved me!

 

Saw the weapons platforms go down not much after that, so Cap' knew you must still be fighting. He took a chance for sure coming in close enough, but he managed it! Sent three boatloads of us in to help however we could. Think the others mighta got turned back or shot down, the amount of flak these bastards sent up at us, but our pilot got lucky and managed to put our Shark in through the station hull one level down 'bout a quarter hour ago. We've been looking for a way up ever since. It's bloody odd, though, we've not seen any sign of the locals?"

 

He shakes his head at Brynjarr's question.

 

"Did try a terminal but everything's been locked down tight, reckon they know they got visitors."

 

Perhaps it is momentarily galling that these fortunate mortals have successfully penetrated the station so rapidly, but the truth is that they never would have done so if you had not already done it the hard way, clearing a path for them. Even then, they have been, as Holger put it, 'damned lucky'.

 

***

[Commissar Molotov]

With the arrival of Holger and his compatriots, the Traveller lowers his bolter, fractionally.

 

He cares not for Holger's tale of survival; there is little of what might be considered compassion dwelling within a soul that has been hardened by war and loss.

 

The repulsive little creature, vague irritant that he is, is a tool and nothing more. Idly, he contemplates the amount of force that might be needed to crush his skull and end that lopsided smile for good.

[Necronaut]

The reappearance of Holger was a surprise to Vesalius to say the least, to say nothing of the rest of Achard's troops. He lowered his bolter and took a moment to marvel at the plucky Holger, who, despite being the product of a not-very-selective line of breeding, was nonetheless an exemplar of human resilience and resourcefulness. Clearly there was more than met the eye with this one.

 

He would be an excellent subject for examination.

[Beren]

'...we've not seen any sign of the locals...'

 

Svelk lets out a snarl and circles around, sweeping his gaze up and down the hallway.

 

+++We need to move. The bastard might be planning on blowing this whole section out, if there's none of his own inside.+++

 

Not that it had made a difference to the Bounteous Lady.