[DH1e] The Damocles Contingency (RPG IC)

[Mazer Rackham]

The Wrack:

Machine God/Restal ONLY:

Spoiler

We're going to assume that Drussa and Seren instruct you properly. 

After losing 100 Thrones, please now make your Very Hard (-30) Toughness Test.

The Boarding House/Market:

Whoever is watching sees two men come from the Market. They are cloaked and carrying heavy leather holdalls in each hand. The people make way for them, and they march with great purpose into the Grox.

Note that anyone in the Market will also see this, as the men do not hide their intentions, and they stuff pockets with rounds, shells and loading tools before heading off to the Grox. They aren't being subtle. Thrones change hands without barter.

It is apparent someone is up for some heavy action.

LOS MAP:

Spoiler

Blue angles: LOS from top floor of the boarding house (windows)

Red angles: LOS from second and first floor. Rear view blocked by hive construction (the black blocks).

Edited October 11, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

Interesting.

 

Reynard recognised Kurt. Maybe not such a loser if someone was bothering to follow him? Worth going back out and trailing them both?

 

Then, before he could get his gear together, the other two men appeared, coming from the market. Now these might be Drexler's boys. Or his enemies? Confident, fearless… and looking for trouble. Reynard wondered if there might be something worth stealing hidden in their bags. Even more weapons and ammo? Thrones? Drugs? Was a deal or a hit about to take place?

 

He shrugged mentally. Not their problem. Yet. But whether friends or foes, these people might lead them to Drexler. He took a mental picter image of each of the three men he had seen so that he would remember them, then opened his vox.

 

+++Something is about to go down in the Grox. If any of you are in there, keep your eyes open and your head down.+++

 

Edited October 11, 2022 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

Due to developments beyond our control, we'll shift Stitches and Scourge off the  menu  roster. We'll assume that once rested, both find a cargo lift provided by the Mechanicum at Rivet City, and go up to Voyager.

[Machine God]

The Wrack

 

Kerr Restal:

 

 

Tarrant eventually left the classroom; his High Gothic was somewhat rusty and he had received correction about his past participles. Walking down the steps a hundred thrones poorer, he had a spring in his step.

 

 

TGH 29 - 20 (Hard Difficulty) + 10 (Fate Point) = 19. Result: 12, Pass 0DoS

 

 

++Von Graen, what time's chow? Or have I got to go to the Grox or Dug's?++

 

Tarrant left The Wrack..

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Reynard happened to look back along the Saint's Cut, just in time to see Restal step out of the Wrack.

 

+++Have fun, Tarrant?+++ he replied, watching as the Voider started walking back towards the boarding house.

 

+++The food is ready… but perhaps you wouldn't mind taking a quick peek through the windows of the Grox before you come back in? I wouldn't go inside though… couple of tough guys just went in, looking like they were expecting a gunfight. So keep your head down?+++

 

 

[Lord_Ikka]

Nicios

+++We saw the two as well. Tarrant, do you want us to back you up at the bar?+++

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal

 

++No thanks, I'll just take a quick shufti++ said Tarrant glancing in through the widow of the Grox. He stopped momentarily to scrutinise, he then continued on to the Knights.

 

"My friend booked rooms for us, he told us about the lovely cuisine." Tarrant described the Weasel to the lady proprietor. 

 

 

 

Edited November 27, 2022 by Machine God
typo

[Mazer Rackham]

Saint's Cut/The Sultry Grox:

 

As Tarrant passes, he sees a lot of people inside. Six of them have commandeered two tables, and two men (from the market) have emptied the contents of their bags and are loading magazines with bullets, shotguns with shells, revolvers etc. There are also medpacks and injectors.

 

Thier equipment is fairly standard hive gang/low rent bounty hunter fare. Long flakcoats, fingerless gloves, Sturdy better-than-issue boots.

 

As Tarrant comes in, the woman looks up from tidying the dining table. "Oh, hello. Yes, you should find your friend, he's got all the room keys."

 

The smell of grox and mushroom stew ekes from the galley kitchen behind the reception desk.

Edited October 12, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

Tarrant goes up the stairs to find the Weasel to get his key.

 

++Six men in flakcoats, loading up and preparing for a job. Something is about to go down!++

 

Tarrant knocked on the Weasel's door.

 

 

Edited November 27, 2022 by Machine God
Typo

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Tarrant gave a description of what was happening in the bar. Even as he gave the Voider one of the keys, Reynard voxed the rest of the team.

 

+++They probably aren't anything to do with us… but I think, just in case, everyone should get back here as soon as possible? Seven* versus six is in our favour if we are their target… but only if they can't take us out one by one? Even if they're getting ready for someone else entirely, I don't fancy getting caught in the crossfire! Plus this structure is Mechanicus-built, so I'd put Thrones on it being the best defensive position we're likely to find around here?+++

 

Spoiler

*OOC: I'm assuming Scourge and Stitches were leaving in the morning after sleeping, so are still around to help if we get into a fight before that?

 

[Lord_Ikka]

Nicios

+++Copy. We'll move back now.+++

 

With that, Nicios and Bardas left the market, making sure that they weren't followed. They collected their room key from the woman downstairs, along with some food, and moved upstairs to rendezvous with the others.

[Mazer Rackham]

Rivet City:

 

Falk's instincts are good, for you can feel the rumble as the huge doors to the Mechanicum complex open, and out stride several men looking a little worse for wear. They bear marks of sharp tools, burns, and the strange Earth of Fuller. It is then you hear the strange silence where the pistons and rivets used to fall and slam.

 

The biggest of them takes point and his men stride out behind him. You recognise them instantly from their wargear.

 

Your 'friends' have arrived.

 

All Players are now considered to be inside the Boarding House.

 

++ END OF PART TWO ++

 

+ PLAYERS, DO NOT POST +

Edited October 12, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

Spoiler

This is to go above Mazer’s post, it felt too far in time to/sequence of events to be edited onto the end of my previous post.

It looked like Nicios and he were the last to arrive at the boarding house, and while Falk and Reynard observed the street outside with care, the preparations in the Grox by the locals could well be directed towards them. Bardas just sat down on one of the beds. Laying his gear aside, though within easy reach, he begun to take of his garments and tending to the bandages. Even with the ministration of the Rockheads and is own earlier attempt the day had cost his body badly, and the extend would now be apparent to the others, though they must have suspected given that one dose not normal come back at all from such a misstep. Sitches came over to help, and in short order they had done what they could for now. Fresh ointments, balms and bandages, and a generous helping of medicine with his dinner would do their work for a while.

 

Spoiler

Medicae Test target 50

D100: 28, Pass, 2 DoS

 

[Mazer Rackham]

CHAPTER THREE: FIEND OR FOE

MISSION CLOCK: 0100HRS ZULU.

REMAINING: 311Hrs, <13 Sols

 

+++++++

 

The World of Damocles, Stratum Quadrant 12, Substratum 303. Hive Primus Night Cycle, 1st Segment .999.M41:

 

As you gather in the Imperial Knights boarding house, the party witnesses the armed men pursuing them from the Sanctum emerge from the great doors of Rivet City, the Mechanicus-affiliated holding on this tier of the hive. They stride forward, gear and armour looking scuffed. New singes and burns mark the passing of lascutters or other energy beams. As they stride forward, there is a commotion downstairs.

 

"Throne's sake Hef, don't go out there!" Tabitha cries, but that is all you hear before the door slams on the front of the boarding house, leaving you to peer out of the windows. 

 

Hef comes into view in the street, wearing a long flakcoat, with up-armoured plates on the chest, his garb has the dust and wear of long roads beaten into it. You imagine, if you could hear such subtle noise, the creak of old leather. The men in black are unimpressed, spreading out into the market, forming good angles of fire on the hotel floor sweeper. The helmets and optical mounts of the professional thugs glow a subtle green above their respirators, and although they make no moves toward holstered or slung weapons, they give a potent air of menace.

 

The biggest marches closer to Hef, stopping ten feet away. The bulky armour and garb of the intruders would intimidate any normal man, but as Hef slowly pulls on a pair of gloves, you can see he is as calm as steelwater.

 

+We're looking for a snivelling little ratbag called Dreyfuss,+ the big man growls loudly, the vox distortion echoes from the close walls, his masked helm canting to throw his voice over the market-dwellers too slow to take the hint of trouble, or too shocked to take cover. +We think he's got a handful of pals with him.+

 

"Don't know who you mean," Hef replies.

 

+Maybe six little friends? We know they came here.+ The big thug begins to laugh, hands on hips, he looks up at the windows of the boarding house. His singular brutish rumble dies away. He speaks loudly again, to anyone who listens. As the big thug clicks his tongue, the vox in his respirator picks it up, translating it into a strange chugging noise. +We don't want to hurt anyone, but if you don't co-operate, we'll burn every bastard in this town.+

 

Hef's face doesn't change, until the doors of the Sultry Grox burst open, and the armed men spill out, hugging corners, banging open windows to cover the alleys and market. Then he smiles the way a man is about to lay down an Imperial Flush and take the pile.

 

"We got your back, boss."

 

Hef looks the intruders up and down slowly, measuring them. "You were saying?"

 

MAP:

Spoiler

 

Edited October 16, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

The Factorum doors ground open. When the boarding house door slammed shut a few moments later, Reynard was already hurrying from the first floor to stand beside Falk looking out over the market. He took in the opposing forces and grimaced. What had the better odds? If they helped the locals they had the numbers, but the thugs still had far superior equipment? Fight or run?

 

Either way, he'd best be ready. With a flick, he released the power pack from his laspistol. The unfired clip went into one pocket, while from another he retrieved a slightly longer, narrower pack. Hot-shot charge, single use. It didn't quite fit perfectly into the grip… but it should burn through at least one set of that fancy armour pretty damn easily. He spoke softly into the unit vox.

 

+++Reckon we should help? We've got the numbers, and up here we've got cover and the high ground. If we have to fight them, can't see that we're gonna get a better opportunity?+++

 

Edited October 16, 2022 by Lysimachus

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

Falk kept his eyes locked on those below while reaching for the solid-slug manstopper shells Reynard had gathered. He had seen this scene played out a hundred times between arbites and the gangs of the underhives.

 

"Be ready, but hold fire. And check that there isn't a back way into this place... "

 

Appraising each of the men below Falk marked each by equipment and posture. Grenades or promethium would make short work of this cover and there would be nowhere to go once the group rounded the corner. Even with reduced cover the street may be safer, if nothing else it might improve the disposition of the locals.

Edited October 17, 2022 by A.T.

[Lord_Ikka]

Nicios

Nicios stayed by the door, gun drawn and breathing steady. His left thumb began to twist the ring on his finger, mind slowly clearing in preparation....

 

++Ready at the front door. No visuals from here.++

Edited October 17, 2022 by Lord_Ikka

[Mazer Rackham]

Outside the Boarding House:

 

The Brute shakes his head slowly. +You fool. It didn't have to be like this. Now we'll take this town apart. Carpe Noctem!+

 

A heartbeat later, the whole town plunges into darkness as the power is cut. Bardas may be alone in guessing why, that whatever brutal takeover happened in Rivet City, this was the reason for it.

 

The sudden blackout renders the shapes of the intruders invisible, bar for the exceptionally difficult to spot dark-sight lenses. A moment later, the street illuminates with the staccato pop of autoguns, and the roar of a Bolt Pistol.

 

In return, comes the lancing snap of lasfire and booming report of shotgun discharge as the battle is joined in earnest.

 

Note that the bulkhead doors out of the town are without power, and closed. The doors to Rivet City are 'locked' open. Bardas may attempt to open one of the closed doors using his Tech abilities. Emergency lumen strips along the floor will prevent you having to fumble around in the dark on the move. You won't be 'blind' so to speak, so the environment will not be difficult. The lumen strips are intermittent enough that they do not provide illumination for combat.

 

Bardas will also be aware from his prior Machine communion, that there is a power relay shunt substation within Rivet City.

 

Ballistic Skill tests in Darkness are Very Hard (-30) but the ranges are Short (+10). You may shoot at targets freely, but beware. Anything less than a called shot may run the risk of striking a friendly. Note that a Called Shot will be Hard (-20) regardless, due to combat circumstances.

 

Psychic Powers/Blind Fighting operate as normal. Questions in the OOC.

 

Now, gentlemen. Initiatives.

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Spoiler

Initiative: 4+1+d10(7) = 12

 

 

Throne! The odds had just turned against them in a big way! How to turn them back? Light. They needed light! He ducked down, his hands dipping into his pockets, looking for something that might undo the advantage the enemy had created.

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

Falk didn't move as the lights flickered out, head steady and weapon raised as the glimmer of the photo-visor moved and illuminated in the gunfire betraying the nature of their training.

 

In a low voice, "move to the Grox, now". Even the manstopper rounds would not be enough against their armour, not in an open firefight. But if they intended to burn this place then they would burn with it.

 

Initiative = 4+3 = 7

 

 

[Lord_Ikka]

Nicios

Damn!

Nicios moved out slowly towards the Grox, leading with his pistol. He could barely see, much less fire on the enemy.

 

Spoiler

Initiative- 3+8= 11

 

Edited October 17, 2022 by Lord_Ikka

[Trokair]

Spoiler

Imitative roll: 1! +3Ag = 4

 

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

As Rivet City was plunged into darkness from the power-cut, Tarrant was ready.

 

Smooth muscle memories activated in fluidic motion, Combat-Shotgun at the ready and he blink-clicked to activate his Photo-Contacts.

 

 

Initiative 5 + AGL 3 = 8

[Mazer Rackham]

++ NARRATIVE TIME ENDS ++

++ STRUCTURED TIME BEGINS ++

 

+ ROUND 1 +

Note that this combat is going to be different from before. Only Tarrant/Restal can see both ally and adversary, so I will be removing them from the battle map. They will still contribute to the combat, but their effectiveness is significantly diminished. They will act at a common Initiative.

 

+ Initiative Order +

Spoiler

Brute Leader: 13

Reynard: 12 (15/15)

Nicios: 11 (PC Takes Priority) (12/12)

Thug 1: 11

Thug 2: 9

Restal/Tarrant: 8 PC takes Priority) (15/15)

Thug 3: 8

Falk: 7 (17/17)

Thug 4: 6

Thug 5: 5

Bardas: 4 (16/19)

 

Townsfolk: 3

Civilians: 1

 

MAP:

Spoiler

 

MAP NOTES: Inside the buildings can be treated as 1 square tile = 1m.  The Streets are 2m wide. You'll need to fudge it a bit - it doesn't matter here, this is a streetfight. Since the Townies go last, everyone can use the previous map for reference. After that, it's anyone's guess where they'll go. If they are killed, I will place them on the map again.

 

Brute Leader:

Spoiler

Charges Hef with BP and Shock Ram:

Hit, 1 DoS

 

Hef Reaction:

Dodge: PASS. 

 

Reynard [ ]:

Edited October 17, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Reynard ignored Falk's order to abandon the boarding house. He was thinking. His torch was too weak to light up the darkness of the marketplace. Not to mention its solitary beam would draw every eye up to his position. What else could he use? Knives, handkerchief, lho-sticks, a bottle of cheap whisky, a few ration bars in sealed wrappers. Useless! What they needed was a damn bonfire!

 

…wait a mi... suddenly Reynard was reminded of the time he'd inveigled his way into a fancy drinks party at a noble's palace, casing the place for a planned heist. A Commissar from a local regiment had bragged about how he had once saved his platoon by… yes!

 

With quick, efficient movements, Reynard pulled the stopper out of the bottle of booze and jammed half of the cotton square down its neck and into the liquid. Then he pulled out his lighter and quickly lit the other end of the handkerchief. Then he stood, his shoulder tight against the window frame to give himself a point of reference and guide his aim.

 

Right, the bad guys were off to my left, moving through the edge of the market …

 

With a grunt of effort, he hurled the bottle with its flaming tail out into the darkness. He didn't wait to see what happened, ducking immediately back below the window and pulling out his laspistol.

 

Spoiler

Half: Make Molotov Cocktail.
Half: Throw, aiming at a point equidistant between Thugs 1, 2, 3 and 5.
BS41 +10(Short Range) -30(Darkness) = 21, Roll: 50, Miss!
(GM has said it will Scatter in the dark anyway, so I assume no point in using a FP reroll…?)

Will roll any Dam when we see if the Blast hits any of them? (I'm guessing it's counting as the standard Firebomb profile?)
Free: Ready Laspistol.
 

 

 

Edited October 17, 2022 by Lysimachus