A Time of Reaving IC

[Black Cohort]

The Star Galleon ident codes are broadcasting in a format not used by the legions or Imperial Navy in approximately 80 years.  But they show the ship as the Silver Justiciar, a vessel from House Talmedian.  Records show that House Talmedian was granted a Rogue Trader Warrant during the mid-crusade years.

 

You have been in system for an hour or so when a tight beam text only transmission from the orbital fortress is received.

 

+Doubt is the start of a dangerous Road+

+Ident Code: Arbites Prime+

+Classification: Alpha Terminus+

Planetary Authority compromised.  Ave Imperitor.

[Necronaut]

The Basilisk

 

Hadrian’s red eyes narrowed as he read the tight-band transmission from the orbital fortress.

 

"Confirm the authenticity of that message,” he barked at a communications officer.

 

Turning to Captain Nuzry, the Salamander growled, “A Rogue Trader vessel transmitting eight-decade-old codes in orbit around a potentially hostile world. I do not like this." 

 

He stomped over to the hololithic display and conjured an image of the nearby world and the vessels and structures in orbit around it, and scowled at all he surveyed.

 

“I feel compelled to board that galleon on principle alone, but this system may already be lost to the Warmaster’s grasp,” he rasped, flecks of acidic spittle flying past his metal teeth. "What is there to gain from this place? I need options. All of you!”

Edited October 8 by Necronaut

[Lysimachus]

Elvrit:

 

Elvrit gestured towards the Star Galleon.

 

“If they have genuinely been out in the wilds for eighty years - not impossible for a Rogue Trader - then it is very unlikely that they have any connection to Horus’ rebellion. Perhaps they might prove to be allies?”

 

Turning to look at the planet with its orbital fortress and cruisers, he frowned.

 

“Also unlikely for the Arbites to have turned, though it is possible that the whole thing is a Traitor trap. But if they are still loyal, and the planetary government is not, then we owe them our help.”

 

Finally he shrugged.

 

“The Galleon is warp-capable, the rest are not going anywhere. I think that fact alone forces us to investigate the Justiciar first?”

 

[Lord_Ikka]

Kraith

"Galleon first, then the planet. If the Arbites are in control of the fortress then they should be able to hold off any assault from the planet for the duration of our assault. Then we see about their loyalty and deal with the planet."

 

Kraith didn't like not knowing the disposition of the Arbites, but more important than an immobile fort was the potential for the ship to escape and warn their foes. Speed was essential, but guile could help. 

 

"Can we move towards the Jusiticar in a way that disguises our intent to board? Come up about it while on the way to the fortress perhaps?"

[A.T.]

Arazakiel

 

"Why do we skulk and hide our intent? The warmasters fleet is more threat than any this planet might place in our path in short order, better that we set our stand here before we are pinned between this world and those who follow".

 

He nodded towards the hololith, "announce us and order the galleon to heel, we shall see how Astess responds"

[Lord_Ikka]

Kraith

 

"We move cautiously, Son of the Lion, because we don't have endless resources and the backup of a Legion. We have one battered frigate that may not be able to catch the Star Galleon if we have to chase it."

 

Kraith looked at the Dark Angel, schooling his face into impassiveness.

 

"As our Ultramarine cousins say, the Warmaster's fleet is a theoretical problem- one for another day perhaps. The practical problem is the Star Galleon and the Astropaths on the planet, the possible avenues of communication that could alert the real enemy to our presence here. Those are what are needed to be dealt with as soon as possible."

[A.T.]

Arazakiel

 

"Caution in the face of a knowing enemy is merely hesitation, and the warmaster does not want for astropaths as we do. The risk is not that our presence is noted but that it is already known".

[Trokair]

Hadad

 

Hadad had been quiet through the initial discussion, not feeling he had anything to add to what had been said. They had all grasped the tactical situation about as well as he. One party perhaps loyal in the Orbital fastness, one party perhaps oathbreakers on the ground and the last party as yet indeterminate, in their ship that could have been anywhere and done anything.

 

“Holders of Letters of Marque are often interested in monetary gains, could we perhaps hire the Silver Justiciar to assist in the short or long term?... If we can ascertain that the Arbites allegiance to be true, then with them and two ships of the line subduing a rebellious planet should be much more feasible.” 

[Black Cohort]

"We can close approximately half the distance into the system without having to make it clear our exact target.  That being said, we can chase down a star galleon, the problem is once we are in weapons range.  Currently there is a multi-minute lag for any vox messages.  So far there has been no communication from the planetary governor."