[DH1e] The Damocles Contingency (RPG IC)

[Trokair]

Manoeuvring  Seb as best into a corner for better cover Bardas used his cloak to try and shield them both.

 

Spoiler

Do I need to roll anything to move seb, given his socked state?

 

Edited November 12, 2022 by Trokair

[Mazer Rackham]

No, that's fine Tro, Seb's mind is elsewhere, but he's easy enough for Bardas to manhandle.

 

Cellar/LeX:

A lasbolt spanks from nowhere, the shot sounding along with cracked glass, as the prism below and the reflector above both break. The view above is shattered into a fragmented mosaic, but you catch the result.

 

Reynard's shot is true as it can be, the luck of the cunning devil, it would seem. The fiery golden blast of the hotshot pack thumps into the grenadier, slamming him up against the wall with an audible fizzle as it burns through armour plate and flesh. A cry of pain reaches your ears as the man falls back, wrenched by the shot. He slams into the wall the grate was fixed into, and falls away, clutching his chest.

 

Scatter Dice Roll

Spoiler

Roll 1D10: Anything but a 5....

 

His incendiary grenade tumbles, in slow motion, as you understand what this might mean, until it hits the floor with a clang, a strange, dull bell note, before in utter contrast, the spoon flies off with a snarky clink, popping the phosphorous grenade back up into the air, an army green coloured grot-hopper amphibian, yet terribly deadlier.

 

The cylinder of timed doom, erupts into a yellow sparking firework at the neck as the fuse burns down to keg of white phosphorous combustible - a material so dangerous, it will eat through armour and flesh in moments, causing horrific burns, even as it consumes the air around it in an inferno of choking, hellish heat.

 

It bounces towards the grate, spewing smoke tendrils and fire, clattering in a pell mell dash.

 

+Take cover!+ the leader bawls, diving to one side, rolling away from the explosive death trap.

 

His men do not hesitate. Training and trust are equal measure here, and they all dive or roll away from the errant device.  Even the wounded man manages to roll on the floor, a strange black insect in his smoking, slurried sable chest plate. He protests in agony at the forced flight.

 

The grenade reaches the grate...

Spoiler

Direction Result: 3!

 

And smacks into the far edge of the hole, bouncing back out across the room, and skittering into the back, where it erupts in a thump of displaced air and frightening heat. Smaller explosions rip up and out, striking the walls and ceiling, dropping onto the oily rags and flammable cleaning products Old Man Lecroix keeps to hand. An explosion blows the back wall out in a sheet of rusty metal splinters, and thick, burning smoke begins to billow as the flames greedily lick at the fuel, intensifying the heat.

 

+Good God, fall back to Green One, go, go!+ the leader orders.

 

+What about Two-Four?+ one of the operatives calls.

 

+I'll get him! Get the hell out of here!+

 

In a show of undaunted courage, against the flames and grey smoke, a black shadow bursts through the bank, fearlessly smacking debris and hurdling the burning engine parts.  He gets to the fallen comrade, hooks him up quickly via the STABO, and begins to drag him out. He knocks into the old man. +You're a brave bastard. Why not?+

 

He throws the older man across his shoulders like a ragdoll, and escapes into the smoke.

 

Below, you are protected from the heat, but the vent now becomes a chimney, belching thick oily chug into the cellar.

Edited November 12, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Did that actually just work?

 

Reynard stood still for a moment, listening to the explosions and the cries of fleeing men. In truth, he'd been so focused on aiming, he'd forgotten to duck. Then the smoke started to waft down from above. He ran to the ladder and started to climb towards the hatch. He hissed back at Seb and Bardas.

 

"Quick, this is our chance to get out! I think they went out the way they came in, out the front - so we go out the back, into the maze again!"

 

Edited November 13, 2022 by Lysimachus

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

The townsman shared a knowing laugh. "Best score gets you an answer, but pick which, we won't play again."

 

He went towards the large arch on the left of the door, pressed the target switch. A rank of targets flashes into being.

 

One large dartboard target on the left, the head and shoulders of a small Figure Twelve. in the middle, flanked by a Figure Eleven medium target on the right.

 

"You first."

 

 

Kerr Restal knelt down on his left knee, his hands interlinked into the Aquila.

 

"Nice Boots Chief!" he said. He stood up, in a fluid motion he threw his boot knife at the medium target hitting true.

 

Coming to the full shooter's stance, he pulled his Compact Las Pistol and loosed off two shots, hitting the small target and the large target.

 

 

 

Half Action. WS 40 -30 (Extreme Range) +10 (Fate Point [Charmed: 2, Fate Point used]) = 20. Result: 19, Pass 0DoS.

 

Half Action. BS 35 - 10 (Small Target) = 25. Result: 22, Pass 0DoS

 

Half Action. BS 35 +10 (Large Target) = 45. Result: 45, Pass 0DoS

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

Falk ordered his own drink and let Restal do his work, eyes and ears on the rest. People in these kinds of establishments might not talk to strangers but they would frequently talk about them, and anything and everything that may recently have occurred that might somehow involve them. Besides it would be best not to draw too much attention with the others still out there hunting.

[Mazer Rackham]

Kelvin's Gallery:

 

Falk:

 

"Did you just see that? Fella tossed a bootknife. What is it with the folks we're getting in here?" one barfly muses to another, slurring enough to be ignorant of your presence.

 

"What about the fella this morning? Lots of pockets in his jacket - I'd never, never...oh yeah, find 'em ever again."

 

"At least he was friendly. What about that slab of muscle what spoke to Klaus? Came in like he owned the place. Hey, put the vid on, the Speedbowl is on, and I've got 25 Thrones on the Midhive Mashers!"

 

Restal:

 

"Not bad at all," the townsman admits, sniffing.  He resets the targets, and fresh overlay is painted on them, showing your own shots.

 

He doesn't aim, bracing a stub revolver in an easy, practiced manner, and fires.

Spoiler

HIT (1 DoS)

MISS (4 DoF and JAM) Roll, 3, Reliable. Not Jammed

MISS (4 DoF and JAM) Roll 9, Reliable. Jammed.

 

"Well stone me," he looks quite perturbed. That's the first time that's happened. Must be the cylinder pivot lever, maybe the hammer pin. Didn't light-strike."

 

He quickly makes the weapon safe, square-tipped fingers deft over the gun. Keen interest lights his face as he finds something to work on, perhaps. He stows it, looks up. "Anyway, business is business. What's pushing at your lips, lad?"

 

The Cellar:

 

The hatch at the back is sagging with weight, and puffs of smoke eke out under the lid to the stairs. Thankfully the power remains, and the light stays on. Old Man Lecroix had the leverage to dump it, but yours is much curtailed, and only one man can get up the ladder at a time.

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

"We've got to find our friend, the shooter that won your competition. Trouble is following him carrying a big stick, killers dressed as Arbites," stated Kerr Restal, as he retrieved his boot knife.

 

Kerr Restal pulled a whetstone from a pouch, he spat upon the stone and began to sharpen the blade in circular motions.

 

"We know that he was headed to find Seb Lecroix after the competition."

[Mazer Rackham]

Kelvin's Gallery:

 

The Speedbowl watchers whoop and cheer as they catch the last five minutes of the first half. The noise swells as one of the pro players grabs the ovate, spiked, steel-caseball and rams through the defensive Backs, to drop the ball under the tall posts.

 

The whistle blows, or at it looks like it, judging by the crowd, and one of the barflies leaps up, slapping down a couple of thrones for another drink. "Three nil, at half time, that'll do!"

 

An intermission program fizzles across the vidscreen, showing the beautiful, if veiled face, and piled copper ringlets of Hive Primus' mistress and planetary governor. She talks wordlessly, the volume too low, but her countenance is upset, her delicate porcelain hands, palms upturned. Vid footage plays of Arbites teams striking hovels, rounding people up. It is cut together with scenes of wounded men, women and children being tended to by Adepta Hospitaller.

 

The images are small, but shockingly violent. It appears to be in the upper hive.

 

Despite being silent, the vidscreen is emitting a strange buzzing sound that stop-starts.

 

Restal:

 

"I remember him, good business. Klaus over there was peeved about losing, so my lads let our mutual friend out the back. Customer service."

 

He gives you directions to the Rat Run.

Edited November 13, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

The Cellar

 

 

Pushing Seb towards the ladder that Reynard was already scrambling up, he would have to go up next, as otherwise the lad was likely to just collapse into inaction and suffocate.  They were unlikely to be able to come back here so Bards looked around as me moved through the cellar, seeing if there was anything of use they might need.

Spoiler

Scrutiny/Search Not sure which is more relelvant, but both as basic Per so threshold the same.

Per: 34 /2 = 17

D100:13, Pass Did not think I would make that, was just seeing if there is an opportunity to salvage anything from the cellar.  

[Mazer Rackham]

Cellar:

 

Bardas: At the last second, you spot the holoslice, the copy Seb took without telling anyone.

 

Situation Notes: Only one person can get on the ladder to knock the hatch open, but he can however be assisted by someone with, oh, I don't know...a really long stick?

 

 

You'll need an Opposed Strength vs Weight Check. Just post up, and I'll do the rest. You'll have a bout three Rounds (read Narrative Tries) before the smoke starts choking you, and blotting out the light.

 

It doesn't quite end there. The shop above you is on fire, and falling to bits. You will all require a Challenging (+0) AG Test to avoid catching fire when trying to leave the shoppe. Due to his Mechanicus Implants, Bardas may add his Toughness Bonus to his roll, or any other benefits the Implants/Machine Trait (If you have it) give.

Edited November 13, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[A.T.]

Falk

 

Falk adjusted his seating position to keep Klaus in view while taking another sip of the recaff. A potential threat, but also a potential lead if he had means to contact those who hunted them.

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

Earlier as Kerr Restal had retrieved his knife he had seen Falc, no doubt Nicios was about nearby too.

 

The townsman had given him the location of the data-smith. After he'd been given the information, he had repeated it aloud so that Falc could hear.

 

"One level down and across a bit, Lex" he stated.

 

The townsman had given him best directions of how to get down there too.

 

"Best mug of Kaf in the Hive!" he shouted as he left Kelvin's Gallery, sure that Falc would follow on.

 

++Von Graen, send sitrep++

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Spoiler

Str 26, Roll: 63, Fail (unsurprisingly)

 

 

Reynard pushed up against the hatch but it didn't budge. Something weighing it down. He slid back down the ladder.

 

"Blocked. Bardas, you're stronger, maybe you can push it up? Pass me that staff of yours and I'll try to give you a hand?"

 

 

Spoiler

Edit in case Bardas gets it open: Ag45, Roll: 44, Pass! (If a little singed!)

 

 

Edited November 13, 2022 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

Bear in mind lads, there is a time difference from travel here.

 

For dramatic convenience, we'll say that sufficient time has elasped where Restal/Reynard's comms synchronise, but it will be at least 20 mins, even if Falk and Co leave now, and run all the way there, before you can get to Reynard's current position.

[Trokair]

 

Pocketing the holoslice Bardas watched Reyanrd climb down the larder again, the hatch beyond him.  

 

Nodding in acknowledgment he took the Fox-kin’s place and tried to clear the way.

 

+Watch the kid.+   

 

Bardas pusshed up agains the hatch, legs braced agains the ladder.

 

Spoiler

S:35 + ? (Assistance from Reynard with staff) = ?

D100: 05, Pass, 3(+?)DoS

 

[A.T.]

Falk

 

Motioning for Nicious, Falk finished his recaff and got underway. Across comms as he did, "be careful of what you say out loud, Klaus had a burly visitor earlier that may be one of our pursuers"

 

As he moved towards the exit the vidscreen caught his attention. More than just the images, something was out of place.

 

Awareness roll 32 vs 47, pass with an extra DoS

[Mazer Rackham]

The Cellar:

 

The interfaces of the Mechanicum are manifold. Some are small, the connection of power once the rune is struck, or the joy of communion with a great machine spirit which desires nought but the user's will.

 

Today it is manifest in raw physics.

 

The box of metal tools and scrapping-wrenches goes flying, and the hatch opens, albeit to the clouds of black darkness, the acrid sting of burning materials that might be a sweet perfume to Bardas, are utterly lethal to hang around in.

 

Kelvin's Gallery:

 

Falk:

 

Klaus pulls away from the bar, stands. His rangy frame arranging his clothes as he lethargically pulls to his feet. Idly scratching the gang tattoo on his cheek, he takes one look at Restal, looks at the door, the crowd, not really seeing much through his glassy, addled stare. He heads for an alcove, where there's a comms terminal. His hand dallies on the butt of his pistol.

 

As you look at the screen, you recognise the firefight from the Sanctum, but it has been edited. There are scenes within the picter run that do not belong. As the tragedy comes to a close, the Governor dabs a black handkerchief under the black veil across her eyes.

Edited November 13, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

++Ten Four++ Kerr Restal acknowledged Falc's message, he carried on walking and checked his peripheral vision.

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Forced by tech-wrought strength, the hatch burst open. Reynard had barely helped at all. With a gentle shove, he pushed Seb to the lowest rungs, extended his arm upwards to pass the staff back to Bardas, then followed the youngster up the ladder.

 

At the top Reynard emerged into heat, smoke and flickering light. With the lapel of his coat held over his mouth, he followed Seb out through the gaping hole at the rear of the shop, out into the twisting alleyways.

 

As he stepped through, patting himself down to extinguish a few stray sparks, his vox crackled weakly.

 

+++...aen, sitrep.+++

 

+++Restal?+++ he whispered. +++Is that you?+++

 

[Trokair]

Spoiler

AG: 36 + 3(TB) = 39

D100: 98, getting singed!

 

Emerging  into the shop space Bardas worked to clear a path for the other two, with staff in hand he was able to push some of the scattered debris aside.

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

As he walked, he received a garbled reply over the Vox.

 

+++Restal?+++ .... +++I <fizz> ..at you?+++

 

He sent a reply hoping that it got through.

 

+++Tarrant, right Kilo Golf. Be Lucky+++

 

+++Falc, I have weak comms with Graen+++ Kerr Restal voxxed.

 

[Mazer Rackham]

LeX:

 

As Bardas moves the rubble and collapsed corrugated iron, a shelf of burning items tumbles over him, catching light after a few seconds, as it finds the small patches of sacred unguents smeared across his robe.

 

Bardas is now on fire. 

 

Kelvin's Gallery:

 

Klaus peers over his shoulder, before dialling on the public comms channel. His voice is hushed, but he occasionally raises it.

 

"No, not giving my name...Gallery...yes. One."

 

He hangs up.

Edited November 13, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

Bardas

With the path clear Bardas rushed out of the burning establishment, safely out of the way he immediately dropped and rolled on the floor in an attempt to put out any fires that might be clinging to him, he could smell the distinctive small of sanctified oil burning, and he doubted there had been any in the shop.  

 

Edit:

Spoiler

Trying to put out fire
Ag:36 - 20 (hard as per p210) = 16

D100: 77, Fail 6 DoF at the moment

 

Edited November 13, 2022 by Trokair

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Bardas lurched out of the burning building and dropped to the deck. Reynard immediately stepped over, followed more slowly by Seb, to help him extinguish the flames that were flaring up across his robe. Then Restal's voice broke in again.

 

+++...rant, r… …ilo Gol... …e Luc…+++

 

Even as he beat at the Tech-adept's garb, Reynard tried to reply, keeping his tone low in case any of the enemy hadn't retreated far enough. He had no idea what the Voider was saying.

 

+++We have Lecroix. But the hostiles are here too. Repeat, hostiles at our location.+++

 

Then he nodded to Seb, his voice still a whisper.

 

"We need to move. You know this maze, get us out of here."

 

Edited November 13, 2022 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

The Rat Run:

 

Seb leads off, dumping his brown jacket, and tossing it into the fire. It has a lot of scorch marks. He waves to you, and as he does so, leads down the alleys. He stops over a body, Johann staring up at the ceiling in a vacant look. Seb takes his cloak for the last time, snagging the belt around his waist.

 

Apart from the crackle and snap of the fire, there isn't much more noise. Bodies slump against the wall, attended by the survivors who came out when it was safe. The operatives leave no witnesses. Seb perhaps can only wonder at what they will do to his father.

 

"We need to send a message to Tracer, but he'll want money. There's a dispatch office I know."

 

He leads off, his face still numbed, voice is bland, emotionless.

 

Kelvin's Gallery:

 

Klaus signals to another man, and they take up residence by the gambling table. Close to the door.