[BC] The Blackest Heart (Part II) (IC)

[FabiusV4lcoran]

Atesh Sapik

Atesh looked back and forth expectantly between the second mob and the Astartes, deferring to the genhanced warrior's tactical expertise.

[Iron Father Ferrum]

((I mean, they only have improvised melee weapons.  Charging into combat is about the only real option they have?))

[FabiusV4lcoran]

((Ah, well...*aherm*  I suppose that's obvious...if one is not in the heat of the action like the CHARACTERS are, obviously I thought of that OOC...*cough*

 

So yeah I guess just charge 'em in is my vote))

[Lysimachus]

If nothing else, your companions are courageous. Or perhaps they realise that they have no other option if they want some of their number to survive. Whatever the case, with yells and shrieks they hurl themselves around the loader to engage the Arbites that are within reach.

 

[x] Renegade Mob 2:
Charge (I think they can just about reach Squad 2 and the Proctor now that they have moved forward?)

vs Arbites 2
WS28 +20(Charge) +10(Horde) = 58, Roll: 32, 3DoS, 2 Hits
Dam 1d10+2 +2d10 vs TB3 and AV6
Both Hits inflict Mag Dam.

 

vs Proctor
WS28 +20(Charge) = 48, Roll: 15, Hit on (15=51) Body
Dam1d10+2 +2d10 vs TB4 and AV6
(5+2+1+9) - 4 - 6 = 7 Wounds inflicted.

 

 

Although he and his men are suddenly swamped by cultists, the Proctor maintains discipline and shouts for his other squad to keep their focus on the second mob of heretics. Perhaps he saw the bolter fire that cut down one of his men?

 

 

[x] Arbites Squad 1:
Half Move (SE) and 2 shooting Actions
1) Frag Grenade into Mob 1
BS38 +10(Short) +10(Horde) = 58, Roll: 44, Hit.
Frag Grenade does 4 Hits vs Mob 1 and Blast will also hit Obadiah.
vs Mob 1:

Dam 2d10 +2d10 vs TB2 will auto-inflict Mag Dam, so 4 Hits = 4 Mag Dam inflicted.
vs Obadiah:
Dam 2d10 +2d10 vs TB7 and AV10
(4+6+1+7) - 7 -10 = 1 Wound inflicted.

2) Frag Grenade into Mob 1
BS38 +10(Short) +10(Horde) = 58, Roll: 79, Miss
Grenade scatters 3m SE, still hits Mob but I will say it misses Obadiah.
4 Mag Dam inflicted on Mob 1.

 

8 Mag Dam in total, as this is more than 25% of their total Mag they will need to take a Break Test.

 

As the Wp value of the Mob is nothing to write home about, I don't mind if one of the PC's wants to use their Wp (and give a bit of narrative encouragement?) and/or a Command or Intimidate Test to keep the dregs going? There are a few ways that you could handle this, so let me know what you'd prefer?

 

[ ] Renegade Mob 1: - will wait to see results of Break Test rolls.

 

 

Edited January 26 by Lysimachus

[Iron Father Ferrum]

Obadiah

 

Obadiah saw the grenades arcing and braced himself; the clouds of sharpnel blasted apart several of the mortals surrounding him, and he grunted when one piece pierced his abdominal armor plate.  He knew from the butchery on Endymion that men rarely hold their ground in the face of such an attack.  He also knew that sometimes, being reminded that a posthuman giant like himself was at their side could help anchor their courage.

 

"Stand your ground!" he growled from his helmet's emitters.  "Do not forget that an Astartes is with you!"

 

((A little narrative encouragement!))

[Lysimachus]

[x] Renegade Mob 1: Break Test using Obadiah's Wp44, Roll: 34, Pass! (Would have been a fail on their own!)

 

The awe-inspiring presence of an Astartes stiffens the backs of the prisoners and with a furious yell they throw themselves at the hated oppressors.

 

Charge vs Arbites 1
WS28 +20(Charge) +10(Horde) = 58, Roll: 47, 2DoS, 1 Hit
Dam 1d10+2 +2d10 vs TB3 and AV6
3+2+8+2 -3 -6 = Hit inflicts 1 Mag Dam.

 

Round 1 Ends

 

Stand by for Round 2

 

[Lysimachus]

Round 2

 

Map:

 

 

 

Initiative Order/Status:

 

[ ] Atesh (A) | Ag3 +2 +d10(9) = 14 | Wounds 13/13 | Infamy 02/02
[ ] Arbites Squad (2) | Ag3 +d10(7) = 10 | 02MAG Dam inflicted
[ ] Obadiah (O) | Ag4 +d10(5) = 9 | Wounds 20/22 | Infamy 02/03
[ ] Arbites Proctor (P) | Ag4 +d10(4) = 8 | 07 Wounds inflicted
[ ] Renegade Mob (2) | Ag3 +d10(5) = 8 | MAG 24/30
[ ] Arbites Squad (1) | Ag3 +d10(4) = 7 |  05 MAG Dam inflicted 
[ ] Renegade Mob (1) | Ag3 +d10(1) = 4 | MAG 20/30

 

Round 2:

 

[ ] Atesh: ???

 

 

Edited January 26 by Lysimachus

[FabiusV4lcoran]

Atesh Sapik

 

Atesh leaned around the corner with a ball of black, swirling shadow dripping with malice from his hand and threw it at the Proctor, laughing.

 

 

Spoiler

Cast Doombolt on Arbites Proctor (P)

Unfettered focus check: WP53 + 10 (Psy Focus) + (5* Psy Rating: 3)=  78

 

Roll: 72; 1 DoS (phew, thank Tchar for my lucifer)

Damage:  Roll 2+Psy Rating 3 = 5

 

[Lysimachus]

[x] Atesh: Doombolt at Proctor
Dodge Attempt: Fail
5 Dam - TB4 = 1 Wound

 

OOC: I can't see anything that says you don't get TB+AV vs Psy Bolts? Doombolt has Pen8 so that's the AV6 taken care of, but I assume he still gets to take his TB away? If I'm wrong, someone let me know in the OOC?

 

[x] Arbites 2: All Out Attack at Mob 2
WS38 +30(AoA) +10(Horde) = 78, Roll: 21, 6DoS
Initial Hit +1 for every 2DoS vs Horde = 4 Hits
Combat Knives Dam:
1d5+3 +2d10 - TB2
All Hits cause Mag Dam, so 4 Mag Dam inflicted, Mob 2 now at 20/30

 

[ ] Obadiah: ???

 

 

[Iron Father Ferrum]

Obadiah

 

With the Proctor and his men now engaged with the rabble, Obi felt free to maneuver around for some better shots.  He took off at a run, moving to his left.

 

Spoiler

Full Action: Run

 

Run speed: 24m.  I want to go straight to the left, which should get me kinda of halfway between the two pieces of heavy equipment with line of sight on Arbites Squad #2, and an occluded LOS on the Proctor.

 

[Lysimachus]

[x] Obadiah: Run 24m to between loaders.

 

[x] Arbites Proctor:
Swift Attack vs Mob 2
WS40 +10(Horde) = 50, Roll: 04! 5DoS
Initial Hit +1 Hit per 2DoS for Swift Attack and +1 Hit per 2DoS vs Horde = 5 Hits
Shock Maul Dam:
1d10+4 vs TB2
All Hits cause Mag Dam, so 5 Mag Dam inflicted.
Suffering 5 Mag Dam equals losing 25% of current size (20 > 15) so Break Test required.
Now at 15/30 of starting Mag, so not less than 50% (so no -10 modifier).

 

[x] Mob 2:
Break Test Wp30, Roll: 62, Fail!
Flee (Run 18m) SW away from Arbites!

 

 

The Arbites officer tries to avoid the psychic attack but fails, letting out a hiss of pain… and hatred. He sees Atesh behind the loader.

 

“A witch…”

 

Gritting his teeth in fury, he lays into the miscreant scum that block his path to you, lashing out again and again with the crackling maul. The pitiful creatures from the pit cannot hope to stand against such righteous vehemence, and after the first few fall, the rest turn tail and run, seeking the safety of darkness.

 

 

[x] Arbites 1: All Out Attack at Mob 1
WS38 +30(AoA) +10(Horde) = 78, Roll: 76, 1DoS
1 Hit
Combat Knives Dam:
1d5+3 +2d10 - TB2
All Hits cause Mag Dam, so 1 Mag Dam inflicted, Mob 1 now at 19/30

 

[x] Mob 1: All Out Attack at Arbites 1
WS28 +30(AoA) +10(Horde) = 68, Roll: 15, 6DoS
4 Hits
Dam:
1d10+2 +1d10 - TB3 - AV6
1. 5+2+3 -3 -6 = 1, 1 Mag Dam inflicted
2. 8+2+1 -3 -6 = 2, 1 Mag Dam inflicted
3. 1+2+4 -3 -6 = -2, no Mag Dam inflicted
4. 6+2+9 -3 -6 = 8, 1 Mag Dam inflicted
3 Mag Dam inflicted, Arbites 1 now at 08 Mag Dam suffered in total.

 

 

On the other side of the fight, the rebels fare better, taking only a few wounds from the lawmen's knives and smashing another bug beneath their heavy hammers and picks.

 

Round 2 Ends

 

Stand by for Round 3

 

 

[Lysimachus]

Round 3

 

Map:

 

 

Initiative Order/Status:

 

[ ] Atesh (A) | Ag3 +2 +d10(9) = 14 | Wounds 13/13 | Infamy 02/02
[ ] Arbites Squad (2) | Ag3 +d10(7) = 10 | 02MAG Dam inflicted
[ ] Obadiah (O) | Ag4 +d10(5) = 9 | Wounds 20/22 | Infamy 02/03
[ ] Arbites Proctor (P) | Ag4 +d10(4) = 8 | 08 Wounds inflicted
[ ] Renegade Mob (2) | Ag3 +d10(5) = 8 | MAG 15/30 Broken, Fleeing
[ ] Arbites Squad (1) | Ag3 +d10(4) = 7 |  08 MAG Dam inflicted 
[ ] Renegade Mob (1) | Ag3 +d10(1) = 4 | MAG 19/30

 

 

Round 3:

 

[ ] Atesh: ???

 

[FabiusV4lcoran]

Atesh Sapik

 

Atesh watched the convicts in the other group bolt and run.

 

"Powerless curs!  Stand and fight!" he screamed.

 

No matter.  Atesh reached deep across the veil.  He imagined he could feel himself up to his shoulders pulling rancid, burning rage from that other realm.

 

Wytch-light flickered from the lateral edges of his eyes, and his hands glowed purple with malicious power.  He threw his hands into the air launching three swirling balls of hatred at the Arbites officers closing on his position and that of the mob with which he associated.

 

 

Spoiler

Cast Doombolt on Arbites Squad 1

Push focus check: WP53 + 10 (Psy Focus) + (5* [3+Psy Rating: 3])=  93

 

Roll: 28; 3 DoS (3 bolts extra; extra bolt for every 2 DoS)

Damage:  Roll 2+Psy Rating 3 = 5

 

[Lysimachus]

[x] Atesh: Doombolt at Push (+3 Psy Levels) at Arbites 2
4 Hits
Dam: 1d10(2) +6(Effective Psy Rating) = 8 at Pen8 vs TB3 and AV6
Each Hit does Mag Dam, so Arbites 2 now at 06 Mag Dam suffered in total.

Psychic Phenomena Test:
Roll: 56 +15(5* 3 Psy Level Push) = 71 = Techscorn

The Machine Spirits reject your unnatural ways. All unwarded technology within 5*d10(4) = 20 metres malfunctions momentarily. All Ranged weapons nearby Jam. (I don't think anyone has bionic implants so that bit doesn't apply)

 

As the Immaterium responds to your call for power and destruction, lumens all around the refinery flicker, and the heavy conveyor belts catch and stutter for a moment. A place such as this is dedicated to the Omnissiah, and such warp-born heresy is an affront. The displeasure of the Martian God can be seen as all manner of technology falters for a second.

 

The Arbites you attacked, ready to bring vengeance with a volley from their combat shotguns, pull their triggers, only to find that every weapon - normally a reliable and trustworthy design - has jammed.

 

Even as the lawmen work hurriedly to clear their barrels, the Proctor lets out a furious snarl of pain and casts his sidearm away in a swirl of escaping, super heated plasma.

 

Plasma Pistol suffers Overheats instead of Jam. Proctor takes a single hit to Arm and drops the weapon.
Dam d10(6) +7 at Pen8 vs TB4 and AV6
Proctor suffers 9 Wounds, now on 17 inflicted in total.

 

[x] Arbites 2: Full Action - Unjam Combat Shotguns

 

[ ] Obadiah: ???

(OOC: Your armour will only be affected for a narrative moment, but I'm afraid your bolter will also have Jammed... On the whole it wasn't a terrible result, though?)

 

 

[Iron Father Ferrum]

Obadiah

 

There was enough of a lane between Obi's eye and the Proctor's head.  A grim smile tugged at his lip as he lined up his shot and pulled the trigger.

 

Click.

 

"Damn it, he spat.  He dropped the mag from the bolter and racked the slide, hoping to clear the jam.

 

Spoiler

Full Action: Clear Jam

 

BaS 53

Roll: 28.  Pass, jam cleared!

 

[Lysimachus]

I just realised that the Frag Grenades carried by the Arbites are also Ranged Weapons. Based on the Jamming rules, they are all duds, but I'm not really sure how many individual grenades there are within a Horde to roll d10s for to see if they blow up? So what I'm going to do is simplify it right down and roll a d5 for each squad, and that is how many Mag they will lose.

Arbites 1: 4, Arbites 2: 3

 

 

Even as the guns malfunction, a handful of grenades at the Arbites’ belts suddenly pop their pins. There is a pause of several seconds and panicked shouts can be heard as the lawmen try to cast the live explosives away, then bright bursts of light appear amidst the squads and dull crumps can be heard.

 

[x] Obadiah: Clears Jam

 

[x] Proctor: Charge Obadiah
WS40 +20(Charge) = 60, Roll: 43, Hit on (43=34) Body
Assuming failed Dodge unnecessary 
Shock Maul Dam:
1d10(7) +4 +SB4 = 15 - TB7 - AV8(10 - Pen2) = 0 Dam, No Wounds inflicted.

 

 

The Arbites officer is fearless. Despite the strange and terrible influence of the Empyrean, and the deadly effect against his troops, when he sees the presence of a traitor Astartes there is no thought of retreat. With a challenging shout he hurls himself forward to attack… but although the crackling maul strikes cleanly against you cuirass, it does no harm.

 

 

[x] Mob 2: Broken, Fleeing

 

[x] Arbites 1: All Out Attack vs Mob 1
WS38 +30(AOA) +10(Horde) = 78, Roll: 41, Hit with 4DoS, 2 Hits
All Hits cause Mag Dam, Mob 1 now at 17/30.

 

[x] Mob 1: All Out Attack vs Mob 1
WS28 +30(AOA) +10(Horde) = 68, Roll: 12, Hit with 6DoS, 3 Hits
Dam:
1d10+2 +1d10 vs TB3 and AV6
1. 5+2+4 = 11 -3 -6 = 2, 1 Mag Dam
2. 2+2+9 = 13 -3 -6 = 4, 1 Mag Dam
3. 4+2+6 = 12 -3 -6 = 3, 1 Mag Dam
3 Mag Dam, Arbites 1 now at 15 Mag inflicted in total.

 

Round 3 ends

 

Please stand by for Round 4

 

 

[Lysimachus]

Round 4

 

Map:

 

 

 

Initiative Order/Status:

 

[ ] Atesh (A) | Ag3 +2 +d10(9) = 14 | Wounds 13/13 | Infamy 02/02
[ ] Arbites Squad (2) | Ag3 +d10(7) = 10 | 09MAG Dam inflicted
[ ] Obadiah (O) | Ag4 +d10(5) = 9 | Wounds 20/22 | Infamy 02/03
[ ] Arbites Proctor (P) | Ag4 +d10(4) = 8 | 17 Wounds inflicted
[ ] Renegade Mob (2) | Ag3 +d10(5) = 8 | MAG 15/30 Broken, Fleeing
[ ] Arbites Squad (1) | Ag3 +d10(4) = 7 |  15 MAG Dam inflicted 
[ ] Renegade Mob (1) | Ag3 +d10(1) = 4 | MAG 17/30

 

Round 4:

 

[ ] Atesh: ???

 

 

[FabiusV4lcoran]

Atesh Sapik

 

Atesh was flush with power.  He could not help himself.  The weapons jamming among the guards had already tickled him, and the grenade follies would have his body wracking with cackles were this a less pressing time.  The Astartes' weapon was, admittedly, inopportune.

 

His most proximate friends seemed to have the few remaining guards in the closest crowd handled for a moment.  He saw the Astartes fighting the Proctor, and immediately discounted any action there.  He'd be a hindrance more than a help.

 

Atesh slid across the back of the loader, looking to where the other mob of convicts had fled, and saw an unopposed group of Arbites.  He channeled the warp with all he could muster, whispering a prayer to the Great Crow.

 

Spoiler

Cast Doombolt on Arbites Squad 2

Push focus check: WP53 + 10 (Psy Focus) + (5* [3+Psy Rating: 3])=  93

 

Roll: 46; 5 dos

Damage:  Roll 2+Psy Rating 3 = 5

 

 

[Lysimachus]

[x] Atesh: Doombolt at Arbites 2, Push 3 Psy Levels
3 Hits at Dam1d10+6 Pen8, all Hits will do Mag Dam, Arbites 2 now at 12 Mag Dam inflicted in total.

 

 

Psychic Phenomena Test:
+15 for Push 3, roll: 63+15 = 78, Roll on Perils of the Warp. Eek!

 

Perils of the Warp roll: 82, Mass Possession: Daemons ravage the mind of every living thing within d100(43) metres. Double (and possibly triple) eek!

 

 

 

OOC: I'm going to need to check how this works from the Traits section, and how it might apply to the various Hordes in the fight… I've got to go out so it might be a few hours before I can post a proper update. Please stand by.

 

 

Edited January 31 by Lysimachus

[Lysimachus]

Possession Opposed Wp Tests:

 

Atesh: Pass
Obadiah: Pass
Mob 1: Deliberate Fail
Mob 2: Deliberate Fail
Proctor: Pass (just!)
Arbites 1: Pass
Arbites 2: … Bad bad Fail!

 

Again, the holy fires leap outwards, torching another Arbites in iridescent flame. But the Great Crow is listening more closely to your prayers than even you knew.

 

The flow of power is suddenly beyond all your imaginings, beyond your control. You can feel as the very fabric of reality is slashed to ribbons, allowing the smaller denizens of the Warp to slip out through the rips and tears. They are all but invisible to the naked eye, nothing more than sparks of ever-changing light… but you can feel them, see their translucent forms, surging and swirling out across the dark refinery floor in search of a place to make their home.

 

Your own body and mind, and that of the Astartes warrior nearby, are beyond the influence of such weak, skittering beings. However, many of the Barrow's former prisoners, full of eager devotion but perhaps lacking in understanding of the true costs of such communion, welcome the messengers of their God.

 

A shiver passes through the wasted and scabrous throngs. More than a few already bear minor signs of The Architect's touch, but these are nothing compared to the… eruptions …of flesh-change that begin a fraction of a second later. For some, limbs stretch, or fingers become talons. For others, their hunched backs become even more exaggerated, their necks seeming to disappear entirely so that their heads and macabrely grinning faces appear almost embedded into their torsos. Still others begin to lose the pallid white complexion of mine dwellers, their skin taking on hints of a rainbow of colours, pinks and yellows and blues. A few of the most blessed raise spheres of ethereal fire in their fists. Not one of the mortals changes in quite the same way as any other… but what is common to all is the expression of otherworldly hunger directed towards the adamant guardians of the Lex Imperium.

 

The Proctor looks on in disgust at this rampant defilement of the human form. He seems to feel something scrabbling at the edges of his mind, but his voice rises resolutely in the words of an Imperial mantra, steeling his soul against the vile touch of Chaos even as he raises his maul to strike again at Obadiah's imposing bulk.

 

Behind him, most of his fellow officers follow his example and sternly ready themselves to fight on to the bitter end. But one of the two standing together beside the grav-conveyor suddenly drops the shotgun he has just cleared and reloaded. The officer stands slackly, face turned up towards the swirling skeins of energy that only Atesh can really see, his only movements a series of juddering twitches and jerks as the Warp flows through him.

 

The Arbitrator's body simply… explodes.

 

From the gaps between his carapace armour plates, twisted flesh bursts outwards, tearing through the synskin undersuit; grasping, worm-like appendages that writhe and reach. A single, stunted, feathered wing rips from one shoulder, and a third arm tipped with a jagged spur of naked bone spears out from under his ribs, lancing up through the neck of the horrified Lex-man standing next to him.

 

The nearly decapitated officer drops to the deck with a clatter of armour, then the inhuman creature's breathing can be heard in the sudden silence, thick and laboured. Mercifully, any changes that have affected its face remain hidden behind the flat, blank faceplate of the Adeptus Arbites. However, the hatred that emanates from the malformed thing as it turns towards its host's former brethren is palpable.

 

 

 

OOC: We will end Structured Time there, as I think the result of this fight is now a foregone conclusion. Feel free to narratively describe your reactions to the Perils/ Mass Possession, perhaps your own struggles to resist, as well as finishing off the Proctor (he only had a few Wounds left at this point) and the last couple of Arbites from Squad 1. Then we can move forward again.

 

Edited January 31 by Lysimachus

[FabiusV4lcoran]

Atesh Sapik

 

Atesh felt alarm rush through his body as he realized he may have overestimated his control.  The shredded veil of reality was a greater breach than he intended, and he could see shimmers in the air as beings incapable of full manifestation streaked towards the other souls in the room seemingly from nowhere.  

 

He felt smaller denizens of the god-realm hammering against his consciousness.  He immediately shut his eyes as tightly as possible and pictured himself building a plascrete wall in his mind, layering a thick dome and closing out the beasts.  As he felt the presences beating against the wall ease, he opened his eyes and gazed happily on his handiwork with pride having helped birth the little makers into this realm.  

 

He had only the slightest understanding of what Imperial Psykers disgustedly referred to as 'daemonology', but he immediately resolved to learn more of it.

[Iron Father Ferrum]

Obadiah

 

The Mantis Warrior was well acquainted with warp powers; he'd seen Chief Librarian Redth perform divinations and psychic attacks often enough, both on and off the battlefield.  But this...this was something new.

 

The Proctor's wild charge had ended, for Obadiah, quite comically: a mighty swing of that mace had simply rebounded from his armored form, and the human had simply bounced back a few steps as the momentum of his strike had reversed so unexpectedly.  The iron discipline of a hypno-indoctrinated Astartes was the only thing that kept him from laughing out loud at the comedy of the moment.

 

Fate's Eye hung from its sling, and he whipped Silence from its sheath on his plastron with every intention of showing the corpse-worshipper exactly how one should go about killing an armored foe when the whispers...slid....across his mind.  Their words were indistinguishable, but the meaning was clear.  They promised power, strength, immortality, revenge, and a hundred other things.  Obi just smiled and blocked them out, that same mental conditioning allowing him to brush off their empty promises with ease.  A quick glance around showed that many of the humans in the space were not so deftly defended.  The prison mobs were all morphing, their bodies shifting in wholly unnatural ways that tugged at his gorge to watch, and some of the Arbites suffered the same.

 

The Proctor's voice raised in prayer even as he raised his maul for another swing, but Obi was faster.  Silence stabbed out, the slightly-curved, saber-like combat blade jamming square into the man's neck.  Of course, what was a simple "knife" for an Astartes was a heavy-bladed machete to a human, and the width of Silence's blade nearly severed the man's head completely.  Crimson spilled down the dark armored chest, and Obadiah's enhanced hearing could pick up the breathy gurgles emitting from under the man's helmet despite the screams -- inhuman and human alike -- that were echoing around the chamber.   The maul slipped from the Proctor's hands, so Obadiah yanked his blade back out and let the corpse crumple to the floor.

 

He cleaned the blade on the inside of his cloak, sheathed it, shouldered his bolter once more, and strode up to Atesh.  "I can see why you're wanted.  It's time to go.  Did our pilot survive?"

[FabiusV4lcoran]

Atesh Sapik

 

Atesh flashed a lopsided grin up to the Astartes, "Thank you Lord.  He's with this group over here," nodding towards Mukta and the convicts near him.

[Lysimachus]

Mukta looks upset.

 

“I offered myself, Lord, I did… but they didn't want me!”

 

The last loyal Arbites falls, and the squads of possessed cultists, along with the hideously mutated Arbitrator, sweep onwards from the refinery into the storage facility, no longer waiting for your orders. The daemons know that their time in the flesh is limited, and surely want to make the most of it. Their hosts probably do not even understand that when the entities abandon them, it will likely be their end too, their weak bodies unable to survive the monstrous flesh-changes wrought upon them.

 

However, for now they make for ideal shock troops and you are content to let them race ahead. The three of you stand together, surrounded by the broken bodies of the Imperial lawmen.

 

 

[Iron Father Ferrum]

Obadiah

 

He looked down at Mukta, and gave the man's shoulder as gentle of a grasp as he could manage.  "You were spared because you are needed for greater things, I imagine.  Like getting us off this rock."  He nodded at the doors that led to the further on to one of the landing fields.  "And sooner is better."

Edited February 1 by Iron Father Ferrum