[DH1e] The Damocles Contingency (RPG IC)

[A.T.]

Falk

 

A key that fits only one lock... Falk engaged the maglock on his recently acquired warrant-slate and affixed it over the locking mechanism, the characteristic seal of the arbites would discourage prying eyes and disguise their method of entry without its removal. A flick of a switch turned the security-sigils to blue, crime scene quarantine.

 

"Check the walls, floors and crates with your auspex. I will search by hand lest they are shielded". Relief, satisfaction... almost. A crack in the veil that had been pulled over this mystery since they first set out. They had found the where, now they must find the why.

[Mazer Rackham]

The Upper House:

 

Magda turns her attention to Restal and Nicios. Her gaze lingers on the Psychic Hunter, narrowing. She holds her hand out, fingers supine, intending for the seeker to kiss her knuckle. "I do not recognise these fine gentlemen, however. Enchanté?"

 

"Your majesty, please," the Praefectus Secundus gently insists, turning to Valkyrie. "Shall we discuss this security matter elsewhere, my lady?"

[Machine God]

The Upper House:

 

Magda brought her attention to Nicios and him. Her gaze lingered on the Psychic Hunter, narrowing. She held her right hand out, fingers supine, intending for the seeker to kiss her knuckle. "I do not recognise these fine gentlemen, however. Enchanté?"

 

"Your majesty, please," the Praefectus Secundus gently insisted, turning to Valkyrie. "Shall we discuss this security matter elsewhere, my lady?"

 

 

 

Gracefully like a dancer, Kerr Restal surged forwards and met the Governess. His hands outstretched meeting her hands, his electoo strobing. He grasped her right hand with his left to show off his electoo.

 

 

"Yes Governess, your Praefectus Secundus is quite right we should discuss this matter of security elsewhere."

 

 

Kerr Restal, pulled Magda in towards him into the closed position and waltzed forwards.

 

 

"Its astounding, time is fleeting!"

 

 

Edited January 21, 2023 by Machine God
typo

[Mazer Rackham]

The Upper House:

 

"Oh!" Magda gasps as Restal leads her across the floor, a pleasant smile across her lips. She fixes the killer with a longing glance.

 

The sound of her bare feet meeting the polished marble adds a dainty patter in compliment to Restal's boots.

 

Except for Restal, who is...occupied...all other Players may make a Very Easy (+30) Awareness test (Sight).

Edited January 22, 2023 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

Bardas

 

Following Falk inside he considered the warehouse that they now found themselves in. How long since someone had trod the passages of this vault, this cave of forgotten crates.  

 

+The disorganisation of the labels alone speaks of many years of neglect; new inventory filed where there was space I would guess. There could be anything here, or nothing+

 

Taking out the Auspex, as Falk had suggested, he started a systematic sweep.

 

 

Spoiler

Int 39 + 10 (Tech-Use +10) = 49

D100: 82, Fail 3 DoF – Do we think this is important enough to spend a Fate point for a reroll? I only have the one left for the current ‘session’.  

 

[Mazer Rackham]

The Storehouse:

 

The auspex is overwhelmed with the finds, and getting a lot of scanner bounce-back. It is apparent some of these crates are shielded.

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Reynard had been about to agree with the other Aldario. Preferable to speak privately. Then Restal stepped in to place hands on the Governess' person. Madness. He couldn't quite believe it, and even less that the woman was actually allowing it. The Lady was already behaving very oddly. He hadn't been sure about how to respond to her flirtations, tempted to throw her a surreptitious wink back - hell, if she wanted to play games, he was happy enough to play too! - but there was definitely something wrong here.

 

He looked around, wondering how her courtiers and guards would act.

 

Spoiler

Awareness Test: Per 28 + 10(Awareness+10) +30(Very Easy) = 68, Roll: 54, 1DoS.

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

The Upper House:

 

The large doors seal behind you, after the Crier vacates the chamber.

 

Reynard ONLY:

Spoiler

The guards are virtually paused in stance. Their gazes glassy, but they are upright. The Praefector is unaffected.

The most glaring observation, however, is that whilst Restal cuts a dashing figure, only he dances on the very polished marble...

 

Magda Aldario, has no reflection.

 

As you notice this, you glance at the other reflective surfaces. Everyone is present in the room but the Governor. For some reason you didn't notice it before. Then you feel the strange tiredness dogging your eyes.

 

Edited January 22, 2023 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

Bardas

 

+To much interference, and wired echoes. Scrying without knowing what we are looking for is not going to get us far in here.+

 

Applying one of the time honoured ritual of percussive maintenance Bardas set to work with the Auspex once more. This time not looking for anything, instead looking for the absence that might indicate something well shielded and therefore important, maybe.

 

Spoiler

Assuming it is permissible, scanning to see were the most shielded thing is based on the amount of interference, backscatter and all that.

 

Int 39 + 10 (Tech-Use +10) = 49

D100: 36, Pass, 1 DoS

 

[Mazer Rackham]

The Storehouse:

 

Bardas' persistence and knowhow pays off. There are six shielded crates. Three in this section, and three more in 'Sector B', further, deeper into the storehouse.

 

Note that finding these crates will take time, but securing them is inevitable. One of them is marked by the gouges and split wood of rough handling by tools such as a crowbar and clawhammer, the thick dust disturbed by urgent hands.

 

The difficulty and time used in the search will be determined by random allocation (due to the fact you will find the boxes, but complicated by the auspex reading, the position of the box in the pile, etc). When you write your narrative, give me the separate result of a D6. You may split up to cover more ground here. To avoid peeking, I will roll and keep the number offscreen.

Edited January 22, 2023 by Mazer Rackham

[Lord_Ikka]

Nicios

 

Nicios was unamused by Reynard's antics, but was also unsurprised. He kept his mouth closed and his senses sharp, letting his mind slowly seep out into the room.

 

Spoiler

Psyniscience Test 

Target - 38 (48 - 10)

Roll - 20

Result = Pass, 1 DoS

 

Awarness Test

Target - 45 (15 + 30)

Roll- 14

Result = Pass, 3 DoS

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Reynard struggled against the sudden lethargy.

 

"Check out the mirrors," he hissed softly. "Guards aren't right, either."

 

 

Spoiler

OOC: Just posting so everyone can read the above spoiler?

 

[Mazer Rackham]

The Upper House:

 

Nicios ONLY:

Spoiler

You can detect there is a force in the room. It is quite wild, caged, but there nonetheless. The room has a psychic dampening field emanating from the centre, the 'scent' if such a thing existed, of another mind is something your witch-hunting bloodhound mind is trained and eager to track, and you certainly recognise it. The cold darkness, silver locks of hair, and the sound of metal shearing.

 

Further, there is a subtle tang of silver in your flesh mouth. There is an effect at play here, befuddling other senses.

 

A moment before Reynard's warning, you see that Magda Aldario has no reflection. For all the shiny and gleaming surfaces, there is not a single, distorted image of the dark, dancing queen. The other occupants of the room are stilled, yet alive. Glassy, lightless stares emanate from their faces. Only the Praefect is unaffected. Even your colleagues seem lethargic.

 

Yet there is a tremble of difference in her manner, and your training splits the hair. With Reynard, she was suave and flirtatious. With Restal she is...well, almost carnivorous. A Reflector.

 

Sweat beads on Valkyrie's brow, her lip curls, but she does not rise, locked in genuflection.

 

Lady Aldario steps from her partner and composes herself.

 

"Did you say something, Mr Reynard?"

 

Her advisor tries to interfere, but she shrugs him off, before fawning over Restal, pulling free one of his gloves and cupping his bare hand to the base of her throat. The lights begin to flicker.

 

Restal can see his own breath, feel the chill, pale skin gripping his hand. The exceptionally, pointy, toothy smile of his host.

 

GM Note: Each player will require a non-combat Fear 2 (Frightening) (-10) Test at this time.

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Spoiler

Fear Test:
Wp25 -10(Frightening) = 15, Roll: 38, Fail 2DoF (could have been worse, I suppose…)
Shock Test Roll: 96, +20 = 116, Faint.

 

(…however, I think I'll have to use a reroll there…)

 

FP Reroll: 35, +20 = 55, cannot approach Aldario, -10 to all tests, +1 Insanity Point.

 

Reynard backed slowly away from the Governess, his hand moving almost imperceptibly towards his laspistol holster. Was Aldario the psychic 'Dark Sister' the Magisters had spoken of?

 

He stopped himself. Whatever she really was, he suspected they weren't properly equipped to deal with her. Get out of here. Get back to the job they were being paid to do. Then report Aldario's… oddities… to Valkyrie's mistress. Let her deal with it later.

 

"Nothing of import, Milady. Now, if you are satisfied that we are not responsible for the crimes at the Sanctum, stop the public announcements, call off the hunt for us. We shall leave you in peace and return to our tasks in the lower Hive. We are serving the interests of Damocles, including your own."

 

Probably. From what he'd heard, the Dark Sister hadn't seemed to be working with either Dreyfuss' masters or the enemies that threatened the Hives. If she was, they might be in trouble.

 

Edited January 22, 2023 by Lysimachus

[Lord_Ikka]

Nicios

 

Nicios bowed slightly to the Govenor and her entourage. His mind stilled and attempted to purge all the emotions he might feel, leaving only icy competence. 

 

 

Spoiler

Willpower Test 

Target - 43 (53 - 10)

Roll - 41

Result = Pass, no DoS 

 

 

He bared his teeth in what could be called a smile, if only by those either very charitable or lacking social niceties. "Thank you for your time, milady. We will take our leave and continue the Holy Ordos of the God-Emperor's work."

 

His left hand went into his coat pocket as he completed his bow, the thumb slowly turning his ring in preparation. 

Edited January 22, 2023 by Lord_Ikka

[A.T.]

Falk

 

"Split up, mark target crates with a throne as you go and stay off comms unless absolutely required. If there is more to this storehouse than its contents the auspex would be more valuable on the deeper level."

 

Falk drew his knife and approached the first of the crates indicated, shining his lamp-pack inside "and open them slowly, watch for grenades"

 

 

D6

5

[Trokair]

Bardas

 

Bardas silently headed into the depth of the vault, keeping an eye on the shelf labels in case a pattern or other useful information emerged. Every 25 steps he paused to consult the Auspex, homing in on whatever was most shielded in the hope that it was important, and not say some portrait of some random Nobel from a millennia ago.

 

Entering the corridor created by two rows of shelf Bardas inspected each crate more carefully, somewhere along the left hand side should be the first target.

 

Spoiler

D6: 2

 

[Mazer Rackham]

Sector A:

 

Falk:

 

The crate Falk finds is fairly heavy. It appears undisturbed since it has been sealed, the security wire is undisturbed, but the wood is put together hastily enough to reveal the reflec-coated metal behind. Tracer hasn't been in this box, but your Lawman senses can smell contraband when you see it. From Verdict's briefing, and the rumours flying around about archeo or xenos tech could well be rooted here.

 

It would be possible to open this with a sturdy knife. (No test required, it's a box!).

 

Bardas:

 

A long slender crate, which feels heavier at one end than the other. It is secured still, with a thick rime of dust. As a Mechanicum Agent and Tech Sentinel, you too would be aware of the concerns had by the Imperium over errant gear. (See Falk, above for the descriptions/actions)

Edited January 22, 2023 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

Bardas
 

After locating the long crate he spent a moment to check the labels on nearby crates in case any were related. Nothing seemed apparent, but he made a note of it all anyway.

 

Turning back to the shielded crate itself he checked if there were any signs that it had been opend after first being sealed. The dust spoke of significant undisturbed time, but marks in the wood could still be telling.

 

Noting that one end was heavier than the other Bardas started on the lighter end and with care begun to carefully insert his knife between the gap to prise open the lid.  

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal

 

The Weasel uttered a warning about mirrors, something wasn't right.

 

 

He looked at the Governess and noticed her sharp pointed teeth and her cold touch...

 

 

WP 39 -10 (Fear(2) Frightening) = 29.

Result: 100, Failure 7DoF

Shock Result: 170. Catatonia for 1d5 hours: 1 hour. Gain 1d10 Insanity Points: 8

 

 

He jumped to the left, and then fell over immobile.

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

The Upper House:

 

Great drops of sweat fall from Valkyrie's brow, and her body rocks unsteadily as she powers up from her knees, bracing herself with a wide stance, her palm slaps onto the bolter and she struggles to pull it, hair suddenly lifting, all her movements give the appearance she is deep underwater.

 

"Leave!" she growls through clenched teeth. The bolter cracks.

 

Her target, the noble Magda Aldario, so porcelain and so delightful lifts from the ground, hair trailing behind her, caught in a storm. Everything slows down. Light glints from the bolt shell, the colours suddenly vivid and bright. Beads of Valkyrie's perspiration turn to glimmering diamonds.

 

"Vermin! Just more Rats!" Magda calls, swimming out of the way of the bolt shell, lunging for the Battle Sister.

 

With a slow hand, Valkyrie picks Restal up from the floor and hurls him at Reynard and Nicios. The order, no a plea, becomes long and drawn out as darkness spills over the throne room, eclipsing even Valkyrie's holy nimbus of faith.

 

"Go!"

 

The doors are locked.

 

Kraevus Aldario exhorts the guards, whose stupefied faces rasp into snarls as they launch for the three Agents, staves and blades coming.

 

Gentlemen.

 

Initiatives.

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Initiative: Ag4 +1(Wary) +6(d10) =11
 

[Lord_Ikka]

Nicios

 

Crap

 

 

Spoiler

Initiative 

Base - 3

Roll - 4

Result = 7

 

 

Double crap...

Edited January 23, 2023 by Lord_Ikka

[Mazer Rackham]

I'll pop up a Structured Time Post in a bit.

 

Sector A:

 

Bardas:

 

The long crate yields up it's secrets. In the gloaming light, a sheen of exquisitely decorated metal greets your eyes. Secured in expand-foam packing and wrapped in a sheath of transparent plastek, is some kind of mace, or staff. It is composed of organic shapes, flowing and curving around each other. Completely impractical for combat, it is obviously ceremonial in nature, with strange glyphs etched into the metal. It is not until you pry the head free that you discern the origin, proudly displayed in a chunky roundel, is the symbol of the alien race known as the T'au.

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

The knife and a lifetime of experience makes quick work of the covering, but it already felt like a distraction. The boxes were still here, and no simple contraband would be worth the life of a hive. Falks mind turned back to the location of the warehouse itself... but distraction or not they had to be thorough as too much was at stake.

 

Besides the contraband alone might turn things in their favour. Solid proof was something they had so far lacked and Falk glanced back at the entrance thinking of the arbite beyond. Still too high a risk of drawing the wrong attention but the hammer of the law was beginning to rise over this endeavour.

 

Adjusting his comm-bead so that he might quickly switch to the local arbites channel Falk checked the contents of the box before him and then moved quickly on to the next.