To Plunder The Stars Themselves, Episode III

[Lysimachus]

"Of course, my lord," Holger nods respectfully and enters a sequence of code into his micro-bead, "you should have access now."

[Trokair]

The dull thud of the fourth torpedo made Brynjarr look up, he had been observing Lang’s work and trusted that the crew was performing their duty.  The explosion of the other hit had been noted, but unconcerned he had continued to focus on the Navy man’s work. This however rung false.

 

Surely a little cobra would not have the means for such a tactic. Abandoning Lang to his station and striding towards the door, checking his gear and brining to the forefront of his mind the internal map of the Dagger Thrust.

 

As the seconds ticked by and no report of intruders came Brynjarr chided himself for the paranoia, maybe it had been a dude, or a glance with the torpedo defected on a course, carrying its payload away into the void.  

 

Then the report came in, he should have trusted his subconscious instinct and said something, penance would be for later, now it was time to repel borders. At their Sergeant’s direction Brynjarr plotted out potential routes while on the move, transmitting his intent to the other two.

 

++If the boarders are entrenched In the Engineerium entrance I’ll take point++

 

For emphasis he hit his shield drum like as he ran.

Edited April 17, 2022 by Trokair

[Black Cohort]

++Brothers and Sisters++ the devestator's closed fist thumped against his chest.

 

++Warriors of the Iron Gods++ Thump, with each thump he took a step forward.

 

++I am Brother Decimus++ Thump

 

++Our foe has revealed himself++ Thump

 

++An Inquisitor, one of those who would claim Imperial prerogatives for themselves++ Thump

 

++And place themselves beyond the laws of normal men++ Thump

 

++They claim that they do so because of the clear righteousness of their cause++ Thump

 

++But the righteous do not fear accountability, for their cause is just++ Thump

 

++And how could the righteous treat their fellow man's lives as just another currency to be spent to achieve their goals?++ Thump

 

++This one sacrificed an entire ship's crew on a toss of the bones++ Thump

 

++The Emperor's genetic legacy flows through my veins++ Thump

 

++And I will no longer stand by and see his legacy profaned by the unworthy++ Thump, he grasps the scrimshaw hanging from his armour

 

++By the Primarch's blood in me and on the bones of my fallen brother Septimus, I vow to hold them to account one day++ Thump

 

++Do not pity the men who are holding the engineerium from us, for they are already dead++ Thump

 

++The coinage of their lives already spent in vain.++ Thump

 

++No Fear, No Mercy++ Thump

 

Thump

 

Thump

[Mazer Rackham]

It was not an outburst, but an outpouring; a declaration of war on principles.

 

Orphiel grinned.  Degier had more to worry about than his little schemes giving him fits.

 

If he carried on like this, Decimus was going to give them all Faith.

[Necronaut]

+Bridge,+ he voxed, +this is Vesalius. I am nearing the enginarium. I am requesting that you cut power to the lighting systems, and increase the output of the ventilation systems in the vicinity.+

 

To the rest of Cutlass he voxed, +I am beginning my approach. Stand by for targeting data.+

 

 

Rolls:

 

Silent Move:

Target Value: 73

Original Roll: Silent Move: 1d100 76

Solo Mode Re-Roll: Silent Move: 1d100 91

Fate Point Re-Re-Roll: Silent Move: 1d100 74

 

Concealment:

Target Value: 73

Original Roll: Concealment Test: 1d100 79

Solo Mode Re-Roll: Concealment Test: 1d100 90

Fate Point Re-Re-Roll: Concealment Test: 1d100 71

Edited April 15, 2022 by Necronaut

[Beren]

As his feet pounded down the corridor Svelk felt a rising sense of bewilderment threaten to eclipse his focus.

 

The enemy was here to kill them.

 

They were here to kill the enemy.

 

It was a very simple situation.

 

So why was everybody determined to talk to everybody in great length and detail about it?

 

+++Decimus.+++

 

He growls across the squad vox.

 

+++Wouldn't just killing the bastards have the same effect?+++

[Mazer Rackham]

Orphiel's grin became a laugh; a single, harsh bark.

 

It didn't leave his helmet.

[Lysimachus]

Vesalius:

As you stalk through the ship's suddenly darkened corridors and approach the Engineerium, you can see figures rushing the other way. Crewmen in overalls or void suits are fleeing blindly forward, not even seeing you in the shadows as they rush to escape. Some are injured, and a few are still carrying solid shot or las rifles. Many look stunned. It appears that they were part of a first attempt to retake the main reactor room, but they have been easily repelled.

 

Beyond them, where the corridor opens out in front of the cavernous mouths of the engineering section, another group of shadowed figures wait, back-lit by the eerie glow of the vast machinery within. Thankfully, the advanced systems in your helm render their forms as clearly as if it were as bright as midday.

 

The enemy are hunkered down in the cover of crates and equipment hastily piled before the portals that lead into the huge, multi-partitioned Engineerium chamber. Imperial Navy Ratings, only marginally better equipped than Achard's crewmen, make up the numerical majority. But at their forefront are much more dangerous foes. Three monstrous silhouettes stand head and shoulders above the other loyalist troops. Their bulky forms are covered by thick, angular armour plates and tall slabshields, and their ugly, abhuman faces are concealed beneath heavy rebreather masks. One of these 'Bullgryns' is standing over a fallen Dagger Tech-adept with its weapon, a huge steel maul, raised high over its head. The colossal beast seems angered and somewhat confused by the sudden darkness. With a deafening roar of frustration, it brings the club down with brutal strength and speed, its swing ending in a sickening crunch.

 

However, even these fierce creatures are likely not the greatest threat to your Kill-Team. Just visible in the darkness behind all of these lesser troops are a squad of other soldiers, veterans judging by their garb, equipment and professional manner. They are clad in blue and black camouflage fatigues covered by dark grey carapace plates. Their helmets appear to mount a multitude of kit; picters, lumens that send narrow beams of light into the darkness, perhaps even autosense devices of some sort? They carry long, matte-painted lasguns fitted with red-dot sights and oversized hotshot power packs. Each has an aquila printed in white on his left shoulder plate. On the right plate is another white icon, this one tall and narrow. A rosette. Inquisitorial Stormtroopers.

 

You quickly plot tactical data - enemy numbers and positions, picter images, threat assessments - and exload these to your squadmates, who are now moving into position behind you to begin their assault.

 

 

All:

As you move towards the Engineerium portals, one of the Stormtroopers - identifiable as an officer only by virtue of the plain but deadly looking energised gladius grasped in his off hand - hears your approach and shouts orders to his men. The Inquisitorial veterans respond immediately, followed a few seconds later by the Ratings. For a moment it looks as though the Ogryns will simply charge gleefully towards you, but the commander barks again and they grudgingly hold their places in the defensive line.

 

This officer is no fool. He knows he does not need to push forward, to advance or take ground. He simply needs to defend his position, to keep you out of the Engineerium until the rest of the Patrol Group can overtake your stalled ship and flood it with an overwhelming tide of Imperial troops.

 

However, while such a defensive strategy certainly plays to the mortals' strengths, there can be no doubt that it leaves them open to your strengths too.

 

***

 

Please roll for your Initiatives.

[Mazer Rackham]

Orphiel Initiative: 4 + D10 (7) = 11

[Trokair]

Iniative roll: 9 + 4 (AG) = 13

[Beren]

Intitiative 4 + d10(2) = 6

[Necronaut]

Initiative:
Initiative: 1d10 2
2 + 6 (AG) = 8

Edited April 18, 2022 by Necronaut

[A.T.]

Odysseus initiative:

9+5 = 14

[Black Cohort]

Decimus

 

1d10+3 =11

[Lysimachus]

Round 1:

Kill-Team Cohesion: 5 (Brynjarr's Fel Bonus 4 +1 for Command Skill. Using the highest available as Draak isn't currently here)

Initiative Order:

[ ] Odysseus | (SOLO) | Ag5+9=14 | WOUNDS 22/22 | FATE 4/4

[ ] Brynjarr | (SOLO) | AG4+9=13 | WOUNDS 23/23 | FATE 4/4

[ ] Tempestor Prime | Ag4+8=12 | WOUNDS 20/20 FATE 2/2

[ ] Orphiel | (SOLO) | AG4+7=11 | WOUNDS 20/20 | FATE 3/3

[ ] Decimus | (SOLO) | Ag3+8=11 | WOUNDS 23/23 | FATE 3/3

[ ] Stormtroopers A | Ag4+6=10 | MAG 30/30

[ ] Vesalius | (SOLO) | Ag6+2=8 | WOUNDS 20/20 | FATE 4/4

[ ] Ratings B | Ag3+5=8 | MAG 30/30

[ ] Ratings C | Ag3+5=8 | MAG 30/30

[ ] Svelk | (SOLO) | Ag4+2=6 | WOUNDS 23/23 | FATE 3/3

[ ] Bullgryn 1 | Ag2+4=6 | WOUNDS 30/30

[ ] Bullgryn 2 | Ag2+4=6 | WOUNDS 30/30

[ ] Bullgryn 3 | Ag2+4=6 | WOUNDS 30/30

Terrain:

Barricades provide 8AP of cover.

Scouting:

As Vesalius rolls for scouting weren't amazing, I won't be giving you a Surprise Round! However, to represent him providing some prior targeting information about enemy deployment, your attacks in Round 1 will receive a +10 to Hit.

Allies:

As you can see on the map, the remnants of an initial attempt to retake the Engineerium are still fleeing back towards you. As individuals they won't have much impact on the fight except to get in the way, but if they form up as a group they might prove more useful…?

If anyone with the Command Skill (so Orphiel or Brynjarr!) wishes, they may use their Round 1 Actions (along with some more rousing words!) to make a Test to rally the crewmen. Due to Decimus having already delivered some very inspiring words to all the crew, the test taker will receive an impressive +30 Assist!

Enemies:

Tempestor Prime (P)

WS40, BS45, Str40, T40, Ag40, Int45, Per40, Wp50, Fel50

Move 4/8/12/24

Wounds: 20(+Crit)

Skills: Command+10, Dodge

Talents: Air of Authority, Fearless, Iron Discipline, Nerves of Steel, Orthoproxy

Traits: Dark Sight, Touched by the Fates(2)

Armour: Carapace(6)

Weapons:

Hellpistol: 30m S/-/- 1d10+4 E Pen 7

with Red-Dot Sight (+10 to Hit on single shots)

and Power Sword: Melee 1d10+8 E Pen6

Militarum Tempestus Scions

Squad A (Horde)

WS35, BS40, Str40, T40, Ag40, Int30, Per35, Wp45, Fel35

Move: 4/8/12/24

Magnitude: 30

Skills:

Talents: Nerves of Steel, Orthoproxy

Traits: Dark Sight, Disciplined, Fire Drill

Armour: Carapace(6)

Weapons:

Hellgun: Basic 60m S/3/- 1d10+4 E Pen7

with Red-Dot Sight (+10 to Hit on single shots)

and Combat Knife: 1d10+4 R Pen2

Naval Rating Platoon

Squads B and C (Hordes)

WS30, BS35, Str30, T30, Ag30, Int30, Per30, Wp35, Fel30

Move 3/6/9/18

Magnitude: 30

Skills:

Talents:

Traits: Disciplined

Armour: Flak(4)

Weapons: Naval Shotgun: 30m S/3/- 1d10 + 4 I Pen 0 Reliable, Scatter

Bullgryns (1, 2 and 3)

WS45, BS25, Str48, T50, Ag25, Int10, Per20, Wp65, Fel25

Move 5/10/15/30

Wounds: 30

Skills: Dodge

Talents: Crushing Blow, Iron Jaw, Two Weapon Wielder (Melee)

Traits: Hulking, Unnatural Strength(2), Unnatural Toughness(2)

Armour: Carapace(6)

Weapons:

Brute Mauls: Melee 1d10+18 I Pen 0 Unwieldy

and Slab Shield: +5AV to Left Arm, Body, Left Leg; Melee 1d10+5 I Defensive

[A.T.]

Odysseus strides forwards, the force of his will creating a shimmer barrier between the astartes and the defenders.

 

The enegies of warp transit still linger here and for a brief instant it seems to flare and burn as if a match thrown into a prometheum vat, a palpable sense of foreboding crosses the room as Odysseus holds up an armoured fist and the energies surge away into the ground burning an ark into the deck plating and nearly incinerating a rating unfortunate enough to stray to close to the threshold.

 

The warpfire that flickered around the him that seemed to cast darkness beyond him rather than light was no doubt a terrifying sight to behold for foe and ally alike but Odysseus refrained from any boast or statement of challege - outwardly his control seemed absolute, the narrow margin by which he had restrained the warp energies in his careless haste not a weakness that he would reveal.

 

 

Orokos is rolling high. Bet you could generate really good stats at the moment :p

 

Half action move forwards (fear 2 tests for the imperial forces)

 

Push force dome : 89, still a pass at this power rating

Automatic phenomena : 91 - better reroll that one - 19, results in 'dark foreboding'

 

Shield AP 14, and Odysseus will tempt fate a little less going fowards. This is why he has the avenger power that can be effectively used while fettered ...

A 15m radius should be suitable if he positions himself more centrally with his move, but can be extended as needed.

[Trokair]

Assessing the tactical situation within the Engineerium Brynjarr notes the scattered crew, their disorder a potential hindrance. Taking a few steps forward, and tuning on the lights in his shield he instantly became a beacon in the darkened hall. A calculated risk it was, for the enemy was more likely to focus on him but he was bready and braced behind the shield. He would be anchor to rally the crew, and a distractions for the enenmy that would allow his fellow Astartes to advance further under cover of darkness.  

 

“Brothers,” he roared, amplified by the helmets systems, “Stand with me and hold, for the enemy has come to take your home, to take the Dagger Thrust, from all of us. They will rue this day, and may Grandfather have mercy on their souls for being deceived into service by the usurpers of his Imperium.” Brynjarr made sure that the spotlights cast by him were squarely on the Inquisitorial soldiers.   

 

“Together we will hold our home, retake our home. We will hold,” he slammed his shield onto the deck, “we will repel” another resounding slam “and we will drive them into the void.” With the last words Brynjarr activated his power axe, held high, and as it flickered to life swung it forward for all to see.    

 

Command Test

Fell: 43 + 30 (Decimus’ broadcast)= 73

D100: 30, Pass 4 DoS

Edited April 18, 2022 by Trokair

[Lysimachus]

(Moved Enemy Fear Tests down and remembered to add the -10 for Fear 2!)

Tempestor Prime: Fearless

Stormtroopers A: Wp45+Horde30 -10(Fear2)=65 Roll: 61, Pass!

Ratings B: Wp35 +30(Horde) -10(Fear2) =55 Roll: 03, Pass!

Ratings C: Wp35 +30(Horde) -10(Fear2) =55 Roll: 73, Fail! Iron Discipline Reroll: 56, Fail! 0DoF

Shock Table Roll: 38, -10 on all Tests until Snap Out of It.

Bullgryn 1: Wp65 -10(Fear2) =55, Roll: 21, Pass!

Bullgryn 2: Wp65 -10(Fear2) =55, Roll: 88, Fail! Iron Discipline Reroll: 52, Pass!

Bullgryn 3: Wp65 -10(Fear2) =55, Roll: 45, Pass!

 

[x] Tempestor Prime:

Move forward 4m

Command Test at Ratings C (with the intent of rallying them, if he succeeds I'm going to allow them to make a Test to Snap Out of It immediately)

Fel50 +10(Command+10) = 60, Roll: 17, Pass!

Ratings C attempt to Snap Out of It:

Wp35 +30(Horde) = 65, Roll: 41, Pass!

 

 

As Odysseus' warp-powered shield is birthed in a great coruscation of ethereal light, a ripple of superstitious fear passes through much of the loyalist force. For a moment it seems that their defensive line will simply dissolve, then the Stormtroopers' officer steps forward. His voice is stern, calm, commanding, not shouting but still loud enough to be heard by his troopers and just picked up by your augmented senses.

 

"Steady, you men, steady! The Emperor expects, and you shall not be found wanting!"

 

His shining power blade raised, he is an exemplar of duty and dedication. The men and abhumans around him visibly stiffen and set themselves with new determination, ignoring the arcane display before them, resolved again to defend their position to their last breath.

 

[ ] Orphiel:

 

[ ] Decimus:

[Mazer Rackham]

At the lumbering of the Bullgryns and the raucous shouting, Orphiel ignored the reverberation from the chamber walls and deck plates.

 

Right hand abandoning the sword, and slapping down onto Charybdis, he drew the pistol and brought it level.

 

Actions:

Half Action: Half Aim

Half Action: Called Shot - Head (Bullgryn 2)

 

BS: 51 + 10 (Aim) +10 (GM Bonus) - 20 (Called Shot) + (No range mod) = 51

D100: 38, HIT plus 1 DoS

Dam: 1D10 (2D10 Maximal) +10 (Dam) = 20, resolved at Pen 8 (Pen 10 Maximal).

 

The blue-silver ribbon trailed actinic fire as it streaked towards the Bullgryn, making mortals wince or shy away from the sudden eruption of candlepower.

 

Fear of the Warp achieved little, now it was down to him to try sheer violence instead.

[Lysimachus]

Round 1 Summary:

 

[x] Odysseus:

Half Move 6m northeast

(Fear Tests: Ratings C Fail, -10 to all Tests until Snap Out of It)

Half: Push Force Dome, all units within 15m gain +AP14 against Ranged attacks from outside this area.

 

[x] Brynjarr:

Command Test to rally Dagger Crewmen, Success! From Round 2, Crewmen will act as a Horde (stats and equipment as per Naval Ratings entry) that will Activate with and be controlled by Brynjarr.

 

[x] Tempestor Prime:

Half Move 4m west.

Command Test to undo Fear effects in Ratings C, Success.

 

[x] Orphiel:

Aim and Called Shot with Plasma Pistol at Bullgryn 2, Hit! Bullgryn 2 suffers 10 Wounds, now at 20 remaining.

 

[x] Stormtroopers A:

Half Action: Aim

Half Action: Standard Shot

4 Shots (Horde 30 + 1 Fire Drill)

Shot 1 at Orphiel:

BS40 +10(Aim) +10(RDS) = 60, Roll: 42, Hit on (42=24) Left Arm

Dam1d10+4 +2d10(Horde Size) E Pen7

6+4+10+4 = 24

-AV14(7+14-Pen7) -TB8 = 2 Wounds Suffered.

Shot 2 at Odysseus:

BS40 +10(Aim) +10(RDS) = 60, Roll: 28, Hit on (28=82) Right Leg

Dam1d10+4 +2d10(Horde Size) E Pen7

9+4+2+6 = 21

-AV15(8+14-Pen7) -TB8 = 0 Wounds Suffered.

Shot 3 at Decimus:

BS40 +10(Aim) +10(RDS) = 60, Roll: 87, Miss!

Shot 4 at Svelk:

BS40 +10(Aim) +10(RDS) = 60, Roll: 51, Hit on (51=15) Right Arm

Dam1d10+4 +2d10(Horde Size) E Pen7

4+4+1+8 = 17

-AV16(9+14-Pen7) -TB8 = 0 Wounds Suffered.

 

 

As one the Stormtrooper squad responds to your attacks, laying down a fearsome fusillade of high intensity hellgun blasts. Even power armoured Astartes have good reason to respect these weapons, such are their penetrative abilities, but thankfully the shield erected by your squad psyker drains enough of their energy that little harm is done.

 

But you do not have time to sit back and engage in a lengthy battle of attrition.

 

 

[ ] Vesalius:

 

 

 

 

Edit: Remembered the Bullgryn's TB wrong, fixed!

Edited April 19, 2022 by Lysimachus

[Necronaut]

The gloom of the enginarium was momentarily lit up by the bolt of superheated plasma discharged from Orphiel's sidearm. Were it not for his helm's auto-senses and light filtration, he would have surely been blinded, given how keenly his senses were tuned to lurking in and fighting from the cover of darkness. Though he turned away from the brunt of the blast, the white after-image still danced in his retinas.

 

Growling sub-audibly, Vesalius pulled a frag grenade free from his belt and primed it, letting the timer run down dangerously. Making sure to move the rest of his body as little as possible, he jerked his wrist and sent the grenade sailing into the advancing squad of naval ratings. As the grenade detonated, he crouched and hunched his hulking form, attempting to turn his alabaster helm and narthecium gauntlet away from the burst of light in a bid to remain hidden a while longer. He was in no position to be charging recklessly into the front lines of battle, Astartes or not. He would strike with his chainsword and dagger when the opportunity presented itself.

 

Half-action: Throw Frag Grenade vs Naval Ratings Horde B

BS45 + 10 (recon data) + 30 (mag 30 horde) = 85

Throw Frag Grenade: 1d100 25

25: hit

 

Frag Grenade Damage: 2d10+2X, Pen 0, Blast (4)

6 hits total: 1 + 1 (explosive) + 4 (blast)

 

Hit 1: Frag Grenade Damage: 2d10+2 16

6 (d10) + 8 (d10) + 2 = 16 damage

16 - T3 - AV4 = 9 damage

 

8 damage minimum required to damage horde due to damage reduction…

 

Hits 2 - 6: Frag Grenade Damage: 5#2d10+2 22 15 19 14 15

Hit 2: 22 damage before DR (max damage, 2x righteous fury, but irrelevant vs a horde)

Hit 3: 15 damage before DR

Hit 4: 19 damage before DR (1x righteous fury, but irrelevant vs horde)

Hit 5: 14 damage before DR

Hit 6: 15 damage before DR

 

6 magnitude damage total to Naval Rating Horde B.

 

 

Half-Action: Concealment Test

AG63 + 10 (concealment skill bonus) = 73

Concealment Test: 1d100 51

51: success, 2 DoS

Edited May 3, 2022 by Necronaut

[Machine God]

Draak was impressed by Kill-Team Cutlass. His orders had been carried out seamlessly by the numbers and without question, except maybe by Vesalius. Draak filed away the response by Vesalius for further examination.

 

Shortly afterwards the demi-squads had converged after meeting up with Mister Holger who had passed on information about the boarders. This information was gleaned from a vox-thief that Draak had implanted into Vesalius' picter via his back door. Draak patched Holger's comm-bead vox to the bridge.

 

"Captain Achard, I will leave you and catch up with my  squad.  I possess machine skills as well as persuasion skills, Grendel and my Thunder Hammer will be needed in the Forge this day!"

 

Draak exited the Bridge and headed to the Engineerium. He walked with purpose and conviction, his journey was momentarily interrupted twice. Once by the recording of the Ordos Hereticus Inquisitor. Draak filed away the speech of the agent of the Imperium of Man, so the foe knew who it faced. Draak uttered a quick prayer to the Omnissiah of Mars.

 

The second time was by an exhortation from Brother Decimus. Draak surmised that the mortals on the Daggers Thrust might have been uplifted by the speech, it certainly did not effect him in any way whatsoever.

 

As Draak got near to the Engineerium his anger rose, the Machine was too silent. Draak entered the Engineerium by paths seldom travelled, Grendel in his right fist was hungry, the Thunder Hammer in his left fist thirsted for battle and Eisen provided Draak with strength and sustenance.

[Lysimachus]

[x] Ratings B:

Full Action: Overwatch Southwest (doorway).

 

[x] Ratings C:

Full Action: Overwatch West.

 

 

The Ratings flinch back as the grenade explodes in their midst, several of their number torn apart by deadly shrapnel. But they can offer little response. Unlike their veteran allies, they have no technology to help them pierce the shadows. As they wait for their eyes to adjust to the half-light given off by the reactor cores, they can do nothing but pan their shotguns around in the scant hope that they might identify and fire upon a target before they are attacked.

 

 

[ ] Svelk:

[Black Cohort]

Fate had taken the enemy's on site leader directly into Decimus's sights.  His tightly focused burst hammers into the officer.

 

BS 53 + 10 aim + 20 Full Auto = 83  Roll 19 therefore 6 DoS so 6 hits

 

1 Hit (2/3+14) =17

2 Hit (7/10+14) = 24 +10 righteous fury + 6 further righteous fury =40

3 Hit (8/10+14) = 24 +6 righteous fury = 30

4 Hit (2/4+14) = 18

5 Hit (7/8+14) = 21

6 Hit (3/5+14) = 19

[Beren]

The squad stormed past straggling Iron Lords crewmen. Explosions tore through the opossing forces, among them hulking demi-human brutes. Spears of read lanced back at the Astartes, blunted by the coruscating tendrils of energy that had rippled from Odysseus. Words... words? Were they still talking? Cut away the weakest elements, cause disorder and chaos, disrupt the defensive line...

 

Still too far away.

 

So far.

 

With a flicker then a roar, Svelk's jump pack ignited.

 

 

Run move (with jump pack) to land three squares south and five squares to the east of Svelk's current position.