[DH1e] The Damocles Contingency (RPG IC)

[Mazer Rackham]

The Rat Run:

 

Reynard:

 

Seb absorbs your words, gauges your mien. You're close enough to see someone familiar looking back at you, and it's not just the refection of your face in his eyes. He sniffs, nods and pulls himself upright. There's an odd camaraderie about it, like two old pals putting someone's window through, and slinking to rest after the getaway.

 

"Dreyfuss, yeah? Crazy bastard," Seb says. "Paranoid as old Granny Huxley, banging on about being watched by the xenos, and how they poison the water to make you think weird...anyway, he told me something was out to get him. Wouldn't say what, and I didn't bloody ask." He looks up from the floor, where he's replaying a memory, eyes the gun, wonders if you believe him.

 

He shrugs. "He hands me these datacores right? Full of files. 'Lock them up tight, Seb', he tells me. Simple job. Big blocks of numbers. I thought they were banking numbers you know? So what, he's on the fiddle - who isn't?"

 

He pauses here, to see how you take it.

Edited November 9, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Reynard nodded. Then he sighed and holstered his laspistol.

 

"Aye, 'crazy bastard' is pretty much the impression I've got so far, too."

 

He reached into another pocket and pulled out the dataslate that had all the files from the Sanctum stored on it. Holding it out across the alley to the younger Hiver, he smiled gently.

 

"Numbers like these? I can't figure them out either. Not financial, I think. Research data, biological markers maybe? You must have heard rumours floating around about what he was doing to the local populace?"

 

"There are logs on there too, taken from Deyfuss' terminal, but some of the entries seem to be corrupted. If you were the one that set the system up, do you think you could recover any of the ones that have been lost?"

 

He frowned, suddenly remembering something Dreyfuss had said in the last log entry.

 

"He didn't pay you to get hold of any kind of schematics, by any chance? From what I hear, you might be the person to come to for that sort of thing?"

 

[Mazer Rackham]

Reynard:

 

Seb takes the dataslate, scrolls through what's on it. "You need an Elleciasiarch to hold a seance. This stuff is fragmented at the root, whatever hit it, wasn't messing around."

 

He shuffles over to your side of the alley, sits close by now the pistol is gone and likely now presented with something of mutual interest. "Here, see how the code idents are all jumbled? Sudden core disconnect. What you've got is what you have," he says it so smoothly, it's likely oft repeated.

 

"What kind of schematics?" he adds, a little cagey.

 

[Trokair]

+Stand, hands on head, walk+

 

Bardas kept the youth in front of him, using the end of staff to tap his shoulder every few steps to remind him that he was still there. He wasn’t going to let the youth go until he had reconnected with Reynard, just in case. The other had had longer to get a look at the shop keeper and therefore was better to confirm absolute whether this was indeed the lad, or not.

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

"No idea. Based on the last log, Dreyfuss got them recently, maybe only a week or two ago. He said they cost him a fortune, which I'm guessing means it was illegal to get them… but I don't care about that."

 

Reynard looked steadily at Lecroix.

 

"Seriously kid, if you know anything about it, I need to know. The lives of everyone in this Hive and the next - you and your da included - might depend on it."

 

[Mazer Rackham]

The Rat Run:

 

Reynard:

 

"He brought me some diagrams for imprinting," Seb replies, pulling up the robe to reveal his fatigue trousers. He goes into one of the cargo pockets and produces a handful of plasicrystal slivers. "No idea where he got them, and I don't want to know."

 

"My da is running a sinking ship. This is how we stay afloat and he does what he loves. Ever since ma died, well..." he tails off.

 

Bardas:

 

The browncoat complies meekly, offering no real resistance. The two of you round the corner and see Reynard sitting with a lad in a grey robe. The youth is holding up a few bits of what looks like pale blue plastek. They are a derivative of the material used for optical dataslices, for fabricating keycards, ID documents and command boards for augmented servitors - and as such completely within the purview of the Mechanicum.

 

"Did my best, mate," the browncoat says to the young man.

 

The youth looks up, smiles, looks behind his friend, back to Reynard. "Tell me the cogger is your mate, otherwise we're all pretty much stuffed."

Edited November 10, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

+Fox-kin, I caught a hollow brown pelt, is that the innards.+

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Though in the back of his mind he was still thinking about what the boy had said about his mother and father, Reynard forced a grin.

 

"Sebastian Lecroix, this is Tech-adept Bardas. I'm pretty sure he just made a joke too, so you can see he's not like many of his brethren. We both work for… the same employer. It's just as well he's here, as I don't understand half of what you just said. What kind of diagrams? Imprinting? Does that mean what Dreyfuss gave you is stored on those slivers?"

Edited November 10, 2022 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

The Rat Run:

 

"A joke from a cogger? Now I know you're crazy."

 

With a groan, Seb gets to his feet. He has the sly grin of someone comfortable enough to show he might have the upper hand in this at least. "Come with me. I'll catch you later, Johann. Keep your trap shut."

 

"You have my word," Johann nods, the eager tilting of his head forming the promise of not ever going to do anything bad ever again.

 

Seb exchanges his robe for the much better fitting coat, and heads back to LeX at a sedate pace, stopping to wait at the junction. "Hey cogger, what did one magnet say to the other magnet?"

 

Section 141-a, Stratum 04:

 

As Falk, Nicios and Restal part from the Magisters, they are directed to the back of the Librarium by a young initiate, some fifteen summers old, she wears a pale blue robe, in the clerical cut of the Progenium Scholas. She bows and leads you down through the shrine, making her obeisance to the vestibules of candles and reliquaries depicting the different orders of the Adepta Sororitas, Telepathicum, and Ecclesiarchy. Other youngsters are also at prayer, many of them much smaller and some missing their words, or stumbling over the High and Low Gothic incantations.

 

They keep their attention though, faces screwed up in effort to get it right, and keep up.

 

As you go to leave, the door is quickly opened, and you are ushered through out into the corridor. A polite bow, and the door slams shut with a resounding clang, leaving you to it. As you make your way across to the shooting competition at Kelvin's Gallery, you see a small knot of Arbites in hardened expedition gear, the normal equipment of the Judges augmented by shelter capes, and the bulky cylinders of survival suits. Barriers are staggered to funnel foot traffic into the checkpoint. The commander of these lawmen is a senior Arbitrator, marked by the gold fletching on the Imperial Aquilas across his carpace armoured shoulders.

 

He spots your approach, and holds up his hand, right palm gripping the shock of his shotgun.  Three other civs are being interrogated by one of his comrades behind him, and the other two members of his checkpoint squad slowly come to low readiness.

 

+Hold there citizens. Approach in single file, and prepare for identification.+

Edited November 10, 2022 by Mazer Rackham
Stupidity and tiny laptop screen

[Trokair]

+That, little pup, depends on how helpful you proof to be, for now the unblessed magnet says ‘You repel me!’+

[Mazer Rackham]

The Rat Run:

 

Seb's face is a picture at your riposte. His utter shock dissolves into laughter, and he puts both hands in his brown coat pockets. He looks like a slightly downmarket of Reynard as he does. He even hunches his shoulders a little.

 

"I like you Mr Bardas. When we get to the shoppe, I'll explain to the old man. You can take your pick of the kit if you need anything."

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

Psykers and the novitiates... when a shrine was mentioned Falk had expected a small room to offer gratitude to the Emperor not such close proximity to so many of the Ecclesiarchys faithful so deep in the hive. Records of the Arbites listing encounters between the two were long and rarely cordial.

 

Normally the presence of Arbites would be a comfort, a chance to feel the pulse of the hive, but the reach of their enemy was long and caution was required. Stepping to the front he presented his badge without further identification, "directed assignment, Praefectus authority, these two are with me".

 

Scruitiny

Roll: 4 vs target 47

[Mazer Rackham]

Section 141a:

 

Falk:

 

Scrutiny Opposed: Falk wins, 2 DoS.

 

The commander looks at the proffered badge.

 

+I understand, but orders are orders. We're after dangerous fugitives. I have to stop everyone coming through. Proctor Severus would have my head. You know how it is.+

 

He turns to see where his comrades are. As he does so, you see the soft purplish sheen marring the black uniform. They've done a commendable job, but the blood hasn't quite come out. You can also spot the clinches and cinches of what appears to be a modified drop harness.

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

Arbites! The party were halted by four Arbites asking for papers.

 

Falk had gone ahead, flipped his badge and done the spiel.

 

Kerr Restal wasn't sure...

 

 

 

Scrutiny Opposed: PER 31/2 (Basic) = 15 + 10 (Fate Point) = 25. Result: 05, Pass 2DoS. Charmed: 3, Fate Point used.

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

"Naturally, but my ward carries a package for Bertram Von Graen, of House Graen of Cal Ferrina. By authority of the Praefector Absolom, regulation 6510-C-12 its is to remain undisturbed and unobserved by sight and by auspex. No records are to be retained of this matter."

 

Reynards alias, Falk made sure the others heard his words. Outnumbered and outgunned, but not caught unawares.

 

The concealed harness is not arbites issue - a clear sign of deception. Still... 6510-C-12 implied a rank above Falks station and that of the would be captain, his response would be the final question of his credibility.

 

On the assumption that Falk smells a rat here

[Mazer Rackham]

The Checkpoint:

 

Falk: 

 

Absolutely you're getting the vibes. How does blood from a suspect get up between the third and fourth rib?

 

The checkpoint commander absorbs your answer, your manner. You sense conflict in decision. Perhaps he is weighing his chances, or wondering if you look a little more genuine than he feels. 

 

"We will of course yield to the command directive. Nobody wants that kind of paperwork, after all. You can help us though." He takes out a plot projector and the holithic image burns into true-colour life.

 

"We are looking for these men. They are wanted for moral and physical crimes."

 

There are stills of Reynard, Scourge and Restal, although the latter is very poor quality, but it could only come from the picters in the Sanctum.

 

Restal:

 

Opposed Scrutiny: Restal Wins, 2 DoS

 

You see that one of the Arbites checkpoint force is carrying a compact lasgun. It could be a back-up piece. You don't see the blood, as you're not close enough for that, you have approached in single file, and Falk is half-blocking you from scrutiny.  However, you can't miss the STABO rig on the furthest man.

 

Considering you're wearing one very similar...

 

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

++Killers from Rivet. Bluff through, I'm nobody in a crowd. Nothing to see++ Voxxed Kerr Restal quietly.

 

Kerr Restal calmed himself down, it was time for bluffing. It was a good thing that he'd cleaned his acquisitions after the firefight.

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

"Perhaps the image could be improved, but our time is short". Truth often made for the better lie, Falk indicates to a flat surface nearby and then to Nicios. Keep them distracted, clear the killing zone.

 

Neither he nor Nicios were identified, the false commander would wish to avoid distraction or attention and might simply wave them by to avoid either. A slim hope given the training they had seen so far but still they could not know how many more were nearby should it come to violence. Efficient killers did not necessarily make for capable guards.

[Mazer Rackham]

The Checkpoint:

 

Falk:

 

The commander grunts half-heartedly, apology and agreement both. He switches the projector focus and the display settles on the flat panel you indicate. He looks at it to focus it correctly, and another of the sentries takes an interest, since he has no-one at his gate.  He wanders over, and peers up.

 

+He looks like a proper rogue, doesn't he?+ the junior Judge says, jerking his chin up.

 

The image is now a glorious, full-colour, excessively detailed shot of Reynard, in good light and life-size. They cycle between him and Scourge, but Restal's image is just as horrible and pixelated. Worse, at the macro scale. He's a composite from both areas of the Sanctum, though. That much is clear, given the backdrops, cut up and meshed.

 

+What do you think? A fellow Arbitrator's report is worth a dozen civilians witness.+ He steps closer to you, the carapace helmet still fixed on the image.

Edited November 11, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Lord_Ikka]

Nicios

 

There was very clearly something wrong going on here. Nicios wasn't exactly sure what tipped off his comrades, but his normal cover as a bland Magistratum functionary worked well in times like these. He would keep his face calm, his hands empty, and his mind ready to summon a power if need be. Our enemy is more competent than I wish, but also more desperate. Killing Arbites for their uniforms is not a small thing.

Edited November 11, 2022 by Lord_Ikka

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

"This one?", indicating Reynard, halting the cycle, "i've seen ear studs like that before. Primus, connections to the Carabas incident."

 

He'd drawn the commanders attention, perhaps more than would be desired. A silent prayer to the Emperor that his flak coat would conceal anything of note. "Even removed the puncture marks would be distinct if these images are recent".

 

Continued scrutiny/deception:

19 - Falk will guage what he can of what the man suspects or expects

[Mazer Rackham]

The Checkpoint:

 

The commander sighs. Your indifferent manner, and advice rather than recognition seems to nudge his mind in the right direction, but there is otherwise no sudden notice or sharp interest in the name you drop.

 

+I Had hoped...+ His shoulders slump, and when he speaks his voice is resigned. +My thanks, comrade. I will of course omit this from our report to the Proctor. Sorry to have detained you.+

 

He steps back, leaving the other Judge where he is, resulting in an Arbites either side of you as you pass through the single file gate. +Let these men through, in the Emperor's justice.+

 

He puts away the holoprojector and signals his men to continue processing traffic.

Edited November 11, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

"It is our duty to fall into the pits, and there drag the unworthy before Judgement. Good hunting." Part of Falk wished for his next steps to elict warning of attack from Restal behind as he marked the position of potential targets, confident in his training should circumstances yet change.

 

Move forward, back into the crowd. Do not wager the fate of the hive against the hope that they lack reinforcements nearby.

[Mazer Rackham]

The Checkpoint:

 

Scrutiny Check:

Spoiler

Falk: More than 1 DoF

Nicios: More than 3 DoF!

Restal: Fail, no DoF

 

The commander nods. +In the Emperor's name, bring the Emperor's peace.+

 

Passing close to the Arbites, you can feel they aren't paying much attention, until one of them coughs and ceases to lounge against the wall as Restal passes through.

 

+Hey, nice boots, chief.+

 

Going through the junction you can see another checkpoint further down the corridor, easily within shouting range, never mind vox or weapon report.

 

LeX:

 

Reynard/Bardas:

 

Seb takes you both to the old man's shop. Lecroix senior is arranging the tumbled wares, and vigorously stacking the pots and pans he knocked over in a corner of the room where he won't put his foot in one of them in an escape attempt. The older man looks up, his face falling as he sees Bardas escorting his with his pointed pikestaff.

 

"Oh no," he moans, turning to Reynard. "Please your honour, just take me. The boy has a life ahead of him. He'll come right."

 

Any wile or guile is absent. All that remains is a father's concern for his son.

Edited November 11, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

+We just need the inside of his skull, worry not for the body, that stays here with you.+