To Plunder The Stars Themselves, Episode III

[A.T.]

Squad Alpha

 

Odysseus stepped onto the ship, choosing a harness close tho the cockpit lest the mortals falter. Too large for a kine-shield to encompass but some degree of protection might yet be possible, still the Sororitas were known to aid in the culling of the black ships and it would seem premature to test their ability to detect such things.

 

Varn had been clear despite his description of this task as an investigation that it would likely be anything but and the Traveller had remained tight lipped on the action to come and he waited for the erstwhile squad leader to arrive, "We are tasked with seeking answers from those more likely to offer their lives seeking to take ours, unless Varns alliance here is founded on a more... insidious infiltration of this sector. Has he spoken to you further of our task or do you alone plan to dictate our actions here?"

[Trokair]

"Well my lords, you didn't think we were going to be able to infiltrate three Astartes in full power armour into the heart of a Subsector capital world, did you? Even I'm not that good!"

 

 

Brynjarr frowned at Holger’s words, though he could see the logic. With a chuckle, for he should have foreseen the eventuality after a week of preparation, he reluctantly started to dearmour. Placing each component with care onto the frame and ensuring that the armour’s spirit was suitably mollified at being left behind for now he proceeded with the preperations.

 

Out of armour Brynjarr’s diminutive statue for an Astartes showed itself, with him being only fractionally taller than the deckhands, though considerably more bulky. Those that had not seen Brynjarr unarmoured before would now notice a grey tinge to his skin colour, but he looked as healthy and fit as any Marine, this was clearly gene line variation from most of humanity and not singes of sickness.

 

Picking through the pile of supplies Brynjarr ended up with a set of heavy duty boots that where surprisingly comfortable and a set of greaves that meshed well with the underlying work trousers. Next came a mismatched but solid chest and back plate from two different marks of carapace armour, however after some tinkering with the straps they did work well enough. Rounding out the selection was a Greatcoat, clearly made for an Astartes frame, as it fit comfortably even over the carapace armour, but in cut and functionally no different to mortal example and would pass anything but close inspection. This clearly was not the first time the Iron Gods had needed to send in Astartes sans power armour.

 

After checking that a carapace helmet and interlocking rebreather mask fit him Brynjarr stored both on the belt, as separate pieces, so as to be less conspicuous. If he needed them he could reach them quickly, for now he picked a wide brimmed hat.

 

+ If we pull this off I will be impressed +   

 

Looking up at S’ynek as the other tested his rebreather Brynjarr agreed.

 

“Aye, we all will, apart from the Tyrant no doubt.”

 

 

Now rearmoured, as laughable as it was compared to his Void hardened suit, Brynjarr started stowing away supplies about his person, bandolier of grenades over one shoulder as always, Bolt pistol and combat knife on the belt, easy to reach but not obviously visible. With the addition of suitable straps his naval bolter could hung of the other sholder, tucked towards the back and hidden in the fold of the coat until he needed it.  

 

Lastly was his boarding shield and axe.

 

“You my friend are too conspicious this time” he said quietly as he stored the shield next to his armour and gave it a parting pat.

 

The axe was a different matter however, and after rooting through the pile of supplies one last time Brynjar found some cloth strips that he wrapped around the handle to disguise the fine workmanship, and some additional bits and temporary glue also severed to cover up the power and field generators. Now it looked like a functional but mundane axe, of cruder workmanship then it actually was and hopefully passable as the personal and only weapon of some hired muscle as they were supposed to be.  

Edited October 19, 2021 by Trokair

[Lysimachus]

Squad Alpha:

 

It takes several hours for the shuttle to reach Viorda Secundus from the point where you launched from the Dagger Thrust. As you come closer and closer you see a small, rocky planet on the very edge of the Viorda star's habitable zone.

 

There is no great defensive grid protecting the entire world here, just a small network of orbital platforms that form an umbrella a few hundred kilometres wide around Viorda Secundus' vast yet lonely Hive. It is therefore a relatively simple matter for your shuttle pilot to enter the atmosphere far beyond the coverage of this network, so as to approach the Sororitas' Convent House from the opposite direction to the great Hive and thereby avoid any unwanted questions.

 

You might wonder at the ease with which access can be gained to the surface of this world, or why it has not been scoured by raiders, but as you level out and fly across the barren landscape, empty but for stunted scrubland and a few broken-down communities, you realise: there is very little here worth taking.

 

As the shuttle reaches a point just over fifty kilometres from the Convent House, the pilot opens a link to the hold.

 

"We are being hailed, my Lords. Putting comms through to your squad vox channel now."

 

There is a momentary pause, then you can hear a voice speaking. It is female - cold, clipped, professional... but there is a fire beneath it.

 

"...peat: Unidentified craft. You are approaching hallowed airspace. Provide your designation and state your purpose immediately, or face the wrath of the God Emperor."

 

***

 

How do you want to respond to the Sororitas' challenge? Try to trick your way in? Tell them outright who you are? Turn back and try to find a subtler way to approach the Convent House? (Although bear in mind that whatever it's called, it's still a military installation guarded by professional troops so sneaking might be... tricky)

 

 

 

Squad Beta:

 

It likewise takes several hours for the Dagger Thrust to complete its journey, but Viorda Prime could not be more different from its sister world. Its outer atmosphere is full of orbital facilities, a busy network that surrounds the planet and includes defense platforms, dockyards and even habitat stations. The highest levels of the most important Hives penetrate into the lower atmosphere too, allowing direct access via space elevators for the flow of goods and persons to and from the surface.

 

Several dozen vessels, of size comparable to or much larger than the Dagger, are also anchored here and hundreds of smaller craft dart back and forth between them and the planetary facilities.

 

Your team's disguise is ready. Without your power armour you are not immediately identifiable as Astartes and simply appear to be some kind of genehanced brute squad bodyguard, assigned to an Executive Officer being sent planetside to secure 'personal supplies' for 'Captain Gisborne'. Achard meets you in the hold. He speaks without preamble.

 

"I have secured us a berth above Viorda's tertiary Hive. We can hold position for perhaps a week while we conduct 'repairs' without raising any suspicion. I assume that will be long enough for you to uncover your target?"

 

You leave the ship shortly afterward via an umbilical tunnel that connects into the orbital dock hanging directly above the Hive. As you enter the busy main dock you can see a full squad of human troops loitering, local PDF by their appearance and paying little attention to the hall around them. They are led by a junior officer in a rather drab and rumpled dress uniform, who is tiredly and half-heartedly overseeing the flow of traffic back and forth. More evidence of the overconfident carelessness of this world. Behind them you can see a portal leading to the Hive-bound elevators. You could likely kill all of these 'protectors' in less than a minute... but PDF are like insects. Where you see one, there are probably ten more close by.

 

Holger's use of reverse psychology and misdirection is masterful. He has put on a long dark cloak over his bright scarlet uniform and makes a rather poor attempt to be unobtrusive. But at the same time the occasional flash of colour - and his unbending, arrogant manner that shows through just as clearly - actually draws every eye. No one is looking at his guards, whatever their size. He whispers to you while barely moving his mouth.

 

"Whichever of you is commanding my 'bodyguard' had better go speak to that officer. It would be beneath the dignity of a Naval Commander."

 

***

 

Along with whatever narrative you like, please roll a Charm, Deceive or Intimidate Test to see if you can get past the Customs guards!

[Commissar Molotov]

Placeholder

 

- The Traveller responds to Odysseus, expressing his dissatisfaction with the lack of information provided by Talek Varn.

Edited September 27, 2021 by Commissar Molotov

[Mazer Rackham]

Squad Beta:

 

Orphiel regarded the hustle and bustle, the scent of busy people wafting through the open gaps in his blank-visor helm.  He felt the sense of gentle freedom that came with the cosmopolitan nature of a port, despite the scrutiny from the security forces.  He carefully surveyed the disposition of the PDF men acting as Customs officers, their deportment harassed at best, disinterested at worst.

 

He saw one of the taller men peer across at a shapely human female.  Tall, red-hair piled up in coiffured ringlets, she dismissed his attention with a tilt of her face, to show him her appetites lay elsewhere, her gaze resting on Holger, in fact.  An admiring appraisal dallied over S'ynek, then moved back to her baggage train, piling up behind her, servants in the colours of their mistress stacking boxes awaiting the attention of the inspectors.

 

Orphiel doubted the PDF Officer would give her trouble, being all peach fuzz and dishevelled uniform.

 

Bounty-hunters stood alone or with their cronies, each as different and maddeningly equipped as the next.

 

No Arbitrators in sight yet.  Hardened of mind and temperament, they would present a challenge even to Varn's Marionette, Holger.  Almost reading Orphiel's mind, he spoke.

 

"Whichever of you is commanding my 'bodyguard' had better go speak to that officer. It would be beneath the dignity of a Naval Commander."

 

He sub-vocalised the others through his microbead.  ++What do you think?++

[Beren]

Still in the cockpit, Svelk grinds his teeth together as the transmission comes in over the vox. He didn't fancy having to jump for it if things went south. 

 

As he considers their options, one gauntlet reaches down to his waist as double checks his munitions. Three are demo charges, two of which were of the standard varieties found in the Iron God's armouries. The third... Svelk lifts it infront of its visor, examining were the metal sheets were roughly hammered into place and welded at the joins. It had been the only succesful result of his and Veslalius' endeavours earlier, and the gauntlet still bore scorch marks from where one of the others had proven more volatile than expected.

 

Still, as long as you're alive there's always next time.

 

 

Demolitions Manufacture Rolls:

38(Int) + 20 (Vesalius Chymistry assist) = 58

 

1d100: 97 (3 DoF)

1d100: 10 (5 DoS)

1d100: 95 (3DoF)

 

Edited September 27, 2021 by Beren

[Xin Ceithan]

Alpha 

Dozing through planetfall, Ithan straitened at the pilot’s words, his eyes opening when he heard the sister challenging  the approaching craft. 
 

He lifted his helmet in his hand, turning it, gazing at the faceplate.

 

”I have seen how lot meet up after a scrap. Looks like now, I get to see how you fight.” 
 

His  next words are first muffled as he locks the helmet into place, seals hissing, then come crackling over the vox.

“Unless we find an excuse for some of the Emperor’s finest making an approach in an unmarked shuttle?

Maybe make them believe we are with the Inquisition? Suggest it is all hush-hush and none of their business?  They may not like it, but they might just not blow us out of the sky at first sight..” 

Edited September 27, 2021 by Xin Ceithan

[Commissar Molotov]

As the shuttle shudders around them and the vox-link crackles, the Traveller takes a moment to consider his options.

 

Varn had been miserly with details that could have eased their passage. Perhaps it was another of his tests - or perhaps it spoke to the self-styled Tyrant's lack of control in this sector. Whatever the truth, it appeared that his fragile relationship with the Sisterhood had been disrupted. Perhaps the Palatine had been found out and deposed, or she may have reconsidered her actions and reneged on the deal. Repentance was a hallmark of the Sororitas, after all. A darker possibility suggested itself - that some presence within the convent meant that the Palatine could not act openly. Perhaps other Sororitas - or even a member of the Inquisition.

 

"Transmit our ident-codes and change course to land out of the Sisters' territory," he says to the pilot of the vessel. He trusted Varn's subordinates would have supplied a workable cover.

 

He activates the vox-link. After many years away from his Chapter he had some familiarity with mortal humans, though he would not claim to be a peerless infiltrator.

 

"A thousand apologies," he says. "We are diverting to avoid your sanctuary. We have had a failure in our engines and are landing for repair."

 

Deceive Test:

Basic Skill, Untrained - Fellowship 50/2 = 25: 48 (2DoF)

 

 

As he waits for a response from the Sisters, he looks about the hold to ensure that the other Astartes are ready for combat.

Edited September 27, 2021 by Commissar Molotov

[Machine God]

Draak, ever the suspicious hunter listened to the vox transmission from the Sororitas and The Traveller's response.

 

Using Eisen's Auto-Senses he recorded the conversations.

 

Int 39 + Tech Use +10 =49. Result 19 (3 DoS)

 

Draak awaited a response.

 

(Edit: Maths typo)

Edited September 27, 2021 by Machine God

[Lysimachus]

Squad Alpha:

 

There is a moment's silence as the vox link is cut, perhaps as the operator checks the false idents you have transmitted, or confirms your change of heading? The moment stretches, seemingly into forever. Then the link flares back to life.

 

"Very well. You would be wise to pay closer attention to your pilot, trader. Whatever your excuse, he is far off course from the outer settlements you are supposed to be visiting. Do not," the voice is emphatic, full of cold, clear anger, "enter our airspace again."

 

The vox goes quiet, seemingly about to switch off once more, but another voice suddenly speaks, another female but older, her tone scratchy and thin.

 

"Canoness, if you will forgive the intrusion? If the trader needs to make urgent repairs, might I suggest he makes for Rolling Rocks. It is a mining settlement less than fifteen kilometres west from his current position. They may be able to assist him there?"

 

There is another long pause.

 

"My thanks, child," the first speaker replies, even more coldly. "Your local knowledge is... practical... as ever. Trader, we will send you the coordinates for this 'Rolling Rocks'." She pauses. "My augurs have more than sufficient range and will be following your progress. I will be... most perturbed if for any reason you do not go to this settlement. Directly to it."

 

The vox cuts out.

 

***

[Beren]

Svelk cuts into the squad's comms. 

 

+++If this Canoness requires 'local knowledge', then she's not one of Varn's. The fact that she still had a local on - they left some alive. If there's still a contact loyal to the old order they might meet us at this 'Rolling Rocks'. We can make our way from there on foot if necessary.+++

[Machine God]

Draak satisfied with the responses from the Sororitas, kept recording and he also captured Svelk's response on squad comms.

 

Int 39 + Tech Use +10 = 49. Result: 36 (1 DoS)

 

Draak stopped recording.

[Black Cohort]

"Do we leave any survivors in this village?"

Edited September 27, 2021 by Black Cohort

[Xin Ceithan]

Ithan snorts.

 

”Do we have any idea how big this Rock place is going to be? What’s the time to the target?  If we are spending a few hours to raze the city and then some more  before reaching the target..” he let the sentence  drift away. 

 

“And they know we are going there. Might even decide to check in, just to be sure. You know how they are, Sisters of the Caring Heart and all that.”

 

A chuckle.

 

”Of course, we DID tell  them about our troubles. Nasty things, crashes. Lots of fire, smoke and confusion. People could get hurt…”

The techmarines hands wave through the air, mimicking  an increasingly erratic flight pattern with one hand, then slamming it into the open palm of his other hand. 
 

Another chuckle. 

 

”At the very least, we’d make one hell of an entrance.” 

[Beren]

Svelk's voice clicks back through the passenger compartment

 

+++I'm not spending time or ammuntion on killing a random habitation cluster unless I have to. We're here to seize supplies, not to waste them.+++

[Commissar Molotov]

The Traveller motions to the pilot, directing them to follow the suggested path to Rolling Rocks.

 

A Canoness. The Traveller had encountered many servants of the Ecclesiarchy in his travels; he had an understanding of the ranks and hierarchies of the Sororitas. It seemed that a superior of the Palatine had taken control.

 

 

"I agree with Svelk," the Traveller said. "It would seem that Varn's contact is unable to operate freely due to the oversight of this Canoness. As for the second voice on the vox-link? Perhaps Ferrina herself, attempting to arrange an alternative rendezvous."

 

"We will proceed to Rolling Rocks as ordered," the Traveller says. "If necessary, we will disembark before the shuttle reaches the settlement and attempt to discern the situation. Techmarine," he turns to Ithan, "it would serve us well if this shuttle is inspected that its engines are defective. See to it that they are."

[Xin Ceithan]

“As you wish…” 

 

A whirring of servos as the Techmarine rises hefting the bolt gun / plasma rifle, then seems to halt, halfway through the motion. His faceplate turns to the Traveller.

 

“Do want me wait for this thing to be on the ground first? Or did you have something more dramatic in mind?” 

[Machine God]

“Do want me wait for this thing to be on the ground first? Or did you have something more dramatic in mind?”  Draak heard Ithan utter.

 

Draak + Good one Redcloak, think like an Ogyn! The Traveller means after we've landed. +

 

+Hopefully + added Draak.

 

+ We could always do an assisted crash by landing without putting the landing skids down +

[Xin Ceithan]

Ithan‘s grip tightens on the gun.

There is a moment of tension, a feeling of suppressed violence, before he turns slowly towards Draak.

 

+I am trying be precise, Brother. +

 

He lets out a long breath.

 

+ You are obviously more aware of how this outfit operates. And I gave obviously been along mortals to long. They get the funniest ideas.,And this isn’t exactly by the Codex, it? +

 

A shrug. Another whirr of servos.

 

+So I assumed you wanted me to be precise. Thought you’d appreciate it that, Brother. Well, especially you.

Being so concerned about a Brother being outside his plate? Doing this .. on the ground? Like to play it safe, yes? Don’t worry, Brother. I got this+

 

Ithan waves his right hand, somewhere between a demissive gesture and bringing his guard up.

 

+So, careful now. I am going to take a look at the engines. Keep your harness locked in and upright.”

[Machine God]

010001110110111101101111011001000010000001101100011101010110001101101011 said Draak.

 

+ Of course if you really want engine failure and a crash landing, I can always shoot the engines off from this dorsal turret that I'm in +

[Lysimachus]

Squad Alpha:

 

The shuttle diverts and carefully follows the Sororitas' directions. It takes only a quarter of an hour to bring you back out of the Sisterhood's airspace and fifteen kilometres to the north-west. This takes you to a location out on the open plains perhaps two-thirds of the distance from Secundus' lonely Hive - so vast that it is still hazily visible far in the west - to the mountain range where the Convent House is based in the east. The Ecclesiarchy stronghold is now approximately sixty kilometres away.

 

The wide plains are largely empty, except for a series of massive outcrops of rock, huge tors almost mountain-like in their scale. (OOC: Think Uluru/Ayers Rock.) As your altitude gradually decreases, your shuttle approaches one of the closer formations. Butting up directly against the sheer rock of its southern face is small conglomeration of man-made structures. This must be Rolling Rocks. The coordinates provided will take you towards a large area of obviously flattened earth a few hundred metres to the west of the settlement.

 

***

 

If anyone wants to bug out from the shuttle before reaching the landing field, now is the time? The pilot will come in low out of view from the settlement, hovering in place 1 metre above the ground for a few seconds. It will therefore be an Ordinary (+10) Agility Test to successfully jump down. If the test is failed, you take 1d10+1 Falling Damage (minus TB but not AV, if I understand the rules right...).

[Commissar Molotov]

Placeholder

 

The Traveller orders the pilot to land at Rolling Rocks and to communicate via vox-link any information.

 

Then he leaps...

 

Agility Test:

AG54(+10)=64: 37 (PASS)

 

 

...and crouches amongst the rocks, following the shuttle through his bolter's scope.

[Machine God]

Draak after reading the situation extricated himself from the dorsal turret and retrieved Grendel from the weapons locker.

 

Draak followed after The Traveller, leaping out...

 

Agility Test: AG44(+10)=54: 64 (Fail, 1 DoF) Damage: 3 - 8 = 0

 

...like a falling meteorite he crashed through some rocks and came to a stop. Draak then rose as if nothing had happened, he then proceeded to scan and cover the LZ with Grendel.

 

(Edit: Sorted out tense typo's)

Edited September 28, 2021 by Machine God

[Black Cohort]

Decimus is one of the last to leave the shuttle.  He thuds to the ground but his post-human physique ignores any side effects a mortal would feel.

 

AG roll =99 , damage = 1d10+1-8 = 6+1-8 = 0 damage.

[Necronaut]

Following the Traveller's lead, Vesalius jumped from the shuttle...

 

Agility Test:

AG63(+10)=73

Agility Test: 1d100 65

65 - pass

 

... Landing and rolling to safety. He came up with Trypanon drawn and ready, searching for any threats through its electronic optics.