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

[FabiusV4lcoran]

Atesh Sapik

 

Spoiler

Roll:  10

WP:  40

3 DoS

 

Caught up in all the activity, the call caught Atesh off-guard.  Luckily, he'd had an excuse readily prepared.  He hurried over to the sister, presenting himself as rushed and distracted; frightened of the emergency, maybe.

 

"Sister!  I am part of a commercial mission.  I was coming to the hospital to replenish the ship's medical supplies..."

 

Atesh mimicked a ragged coughing fit, a vocalization he had practiced many times on the ship.  He doubted the Corpsegod's whores would have any pity, but was banking on professional distractions to keep her focused on matters at hand over further circumstantial curiosity.

 

"...when...*cough*...I got caught in the field.  I am now concerned about my ability to do so."

Edited April 3 by FabiusV4lcoran

[Mazer Rackham]

Bounty:

Atesh:

 

'Mercy. Another case, and on foot too. Smoke inhalation, maybe heat stroke. The Emperor tests our resolve.'

 

'Matron Adela, I can assist the poor man,' a younger intern advises.

 

'No Agathe,' she continues, handing her immediate job off to the woman. 'Exemplo Ducemus. Let me take a look at you, Physicae, and maybe stop you from becoming that which you seek to aid by remote.'

 

Scrutiny Test:

D100: That's 3 DoS

Oppose with Deceive/Disguise

 

[FabiusV4lcoran]

Atesh Sapik

 

Spoiler

*whomp whomp*

Deceive/Fel:  33

Roll:  66

3 DoF

 

 

Atesh attempted to ward the sisters off.  "I'm fine.  Minor damage.  Really, I need no assistance; just the supplies."

[Mazer Rackham]

Bounty:

 

Atesh:

 

She looks at you, right into your eyes, and she knows.

 

There is a terrible, cold water slosh in your gut, as the world becomes more real, as everything sharpens. Time slows.

 

The game is up. She takes a breath to shout, selflessly moving to block you, and protect her charges.

 

GM: Run (or cast fireball then run).

 

 

Edited April 3 by Mazer Rackham

[Necronaut]

Ukalegon

 

GM Only:

 

A small voice, a sensuous voice, clawed at his psyche, slicing into his mental wards like a quick-razor.

No… no… I will not…!

He felt his throat constrict as the Thrist reared its ugly head again, the blackened daemonic masque which lurked in the mind of every one of the Angel’s progeny, always threatening to slip into place and take control.

He rubbed his eyes and shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts when the augurman spoke up.

 

 

With a sharp intake of recycled air, Ukalegon’s head snapped up and he whirled around, the augurman’s warning having a clarifying, tonic effect.

 

“Display the object on the hololith. Full planetary system overlay. I want the projected flight path and estimated displacement. Now!”

Edited April 3 by Necronaut

[FabiusV4lcoran]

Atesh Sapik

 

As time slows, multiple thoughts run through Atesh's head.

 

The first, strongest impression that he gets, is obviously flame.  Calling on the warp, the colors that Atesh could bring to this drab 'ordered' chaos....the very concept of 'ordered' chaos made Atesh want to vomit.  He starts to smile with his eyes; the Sister would see this.

 

But the cold water dampens this urge.  And Atesh is returned to reality, and understands that he's had enough fun for today.

 

Were the sisters a little closer, they may have heard his vocalization of random noises, which came out something like..."Mee-meep."

 

And he runs.

[Mazer Rackham]

Razor - Bridge:

 

The augur team ramp up at the edge on Ukalegon's voice.

 

'Aye, sir! Station three, set to long, Station two, give me wide spectrum scan in the lower band.'

 

The pit replies affirmatives, working quickly and well.

 

'Optimal augur in ten seconds. Probe ping sent. Delivering projection now.'

 

The hololith lights up, flaring into life first with the plot of the object. An unknown blip tracks in a slightly warped line across the orbital plane of the system, speed constant. Gravity projections fill in, showing the alterations for course down to planetary bodies.

 

'Inertial flight confirmed. No engine outputs or displacements. Augur relay coming in now,' he pauses 'heavy deposits of iron, nickel, some uranium. Surface temperature mid-range kelvin. Gas pockets.'

 

There's a sigh of communal relief.

 

'It's a comet, sir. Displaying now.'

 

The comet fills the picterlith, displaying the interstellar traveller in full ice-and-gas glory.

 

Edited April 3 by Mazer Rackham

[Necronaut]

Ukalegon

 

Ukalegon smirked, then chuckled to himself. He was getting twitchy, bordering upon paranoid.

 

“Good work. Mayhap we can scoop that up as well on our way out? I am sure it would be of value to someone.”

 

He turned to Hagga, who had heretofore been conversing with the commanding officer of the Razor’s armsmen.

 

“Hagga, let us be about our business. I suggest we let Varne and Priest Kraggan get to work placing the det-charges. Acchiersum, Obadiah and I can take the xenos corpses and  weapons and liberally discharge them throughout the station. But… a thought occurs: if we were to give the impression of a xenos raid, should we not leave behind dead humans? We… may need to cull some of those taken aboard. Have you any advice to offer, Deathwatch?” The last he directed towards the Doom Eagle, whose knowledge of xenos habits and tactics was likely second-to-none amongst the crew.

 

GM Only:

Spoiler

The voice that had entered his mind troubled him greatly. Was it the daemonic priestess he had assaulted alongside Huron now reaching out to him from beyond the veil? Was her power that potent that she could do so, or had he been marked...?

 

The realization dawned upon him and sickened him to his core. The physical mutation, the adulteration of his form was bad enough. He would have to keep this daemonic visitation secret from the others...

 

Edited April 3 by Necronaut

[Lysimachus]

Hagga:

 

With the evacuees safely disarmed and securely locked away, it was time to deal with Nydax’ platform. Hagga nodded back to Ukalegon. 

 

“Aye, brother. Let's get it done. As to the mortals, that platform will be crushed to nothing as it sinks into the gas giant. There won't be any retrieving it. So I see little point in killing any of them if we don't need to. I still don't understand why Strabo left those xenos corpses for us. The Trader has a purpose in mind, but what it is…?”

 

He shrugged and opened his vox as he walked from the bridge towards the airlock and the semi-flexible connector that joined them to the docking arm.

 

++All Astartes, it is time to go aboard the station and complete our objectives. Magos Kraggan, we will rely on your skills to place our explosives in the correct locations, though I believe Brother Varne will be able to assist you. Master Imjin, have your salvage parties ready to follow us across. Remember; they are looking for weapons, ammunition, tools and supplies. When we reach the central hub, Adepts will detach the primary He₃ fuel tanks and jettison them out of atmosphere for collection by the Razor after we have returned.++

 

Edited April 3 by Lysimachus

[Necronaut]

Ukalegon

 

Ukalegon nodded and pursed his lips as he followed Hagga out of the bridge.

 

“As you say... Hrm. Perhaps he wants some wreckage to be left behind, to draw attention to the xenos corpses? If the station is found destroyed with a few alien corpses and ample ammunition scattered about the void, it would give those of a more suspicious bent something to investigate, something to draw their attention. But a mining station missing entirely, along with the augur buoys…?”

[FabiusV4lcoran]

Atesh Sapik

 

Atesh weaved his way through the camp through the people as best he could.  The crowds were thick, having been parted for the convoy, and Atesh did his best to weave through the crowd towards the North.

 

If he could get to cover in the woods and foothills, he may have time to regroup.  He'd lived in the wilds before; he could figure it out again.  Especially, as he cast an eye to the growing glow southward, given that fate's eye should be watching near.  

 

He let out a low croak from his gullet as he attempted to weave through the crowd.

Edited April 4 by FabiusV4lcoran

[Lord_Ikka]

Crux'as

Spoiler

Scrutiny Test

Target - 37

Roll - 90

Result = Failure, 5 DoF. Oof.

 

[Mojake]

Spoiler

Forbidden Lore (Xenos): 40

Roll: 18 (3 DoS)

 

Varne will share what he knows.

 

[Mazer Rackham]

Bounty:

 

Crux'as:

 

The lady before you catches you in the inspection you clumsily perform. The change of light from the wonder of the bright day into this cool, but brightly lit sprawl. She bows slightly in greeting, a willow branch, supple and smooth in the wind of courtesy. The bow is low, and easy, and when she recovers, a gentle smile brackets each of her words. Her challenge, when it comes, is delivered in a dangerously mellifluous manner.

 

'I am Jocelyn, Major-domo of the Estate, servant to the Jerall Dynasts and guardian of their lives. What you say must be for my ears first, but rest assured my charges hear all. Speak candidly of your purpose here, or be gone. If you wish harm to anyone here, in any manner, I will kill you.'

 

Her disposition is laced with readiness. With your earlier slip-up, you get the distinct impression she has some measure of the man behind the mask - although it is impossible she could infer more of those....hidden depths. However, what is human is her business, and she appears to be all business...

[Lord_Ikka]

Crux'as

 

The smile deepens. Nothing mixes so well as intrigue and potential blood-letting, even your own. Reward comes from risk.

 

"Very well. I am Bardum. I seek an audience with those that remain of House Padruk. Those that employ me would like an accommodation with the Administrator of the Kontors. Alderman Grayves is less than inclined to help, so removing his influence and restoring Padruk to its rightful place is desired."

 

Crux'as looked back coldly at the Major-domo. His tone was clipped and brusque, lacking the typical melodious tones and flourishes that would normally be present when dealing with even the servants of nobility. This servant was no simple lackey and must be treated with both wariness and respect.

 

"I was told House Jerall had information of the whereabouts of Padruk's scions. If so, perhaps an arraignment could be reached in which an introduction be made. If not, no harm to either party is warranted, only discretion."

[Mazer Rackham]

Bounty:

 

Crux'as:

 

Lady Jocelyn weighs your entreaties, and a quick snap of a stumm-vox cutting off which is barely discernible even at this distance seems to provoke a small rush of servants pacing into the room with a tray of refreshments and assorted sorbets. You can tell at once it produce from the sprawling estate. Fruits and nectar-liqueur from rich fields mix with bowls of crushed ice for compresses and finger wash, cool towels to take the summer heat off.

 

In the middle of this swirl, Jocelyn stands tall and immobile, a noble hawk or dignified owl on a ready stoop for launch.

 

'Please,' she breaks her silence gently, indicating the courtesies, 'avail yourself whilst we wait. It will be but a few moments.'

 

Within the manse you can detect doors opening, tables and furniture no doubt being arranged smoothy and swiftly by lifelong, well-trained retainers.

 

Now accustomed to the level of light, you take in the reception wing, long sweeping balustrades of marble, portraits of the ancient dynasts, maps of campaigns they fought in (or just possibly sent a few packets of corpse-starch to), and trophies of sport and war (GM OOC: Feel free to invent as you please for narrative).

 

In the stir, Jocelyn's perfume reaches you, it carries a light summer scent of meadow flowers, and in this light her porcelain features, marred only by the genteel augmetic are striking. She offers a small smile. One professional deceiver to another.

[Lord_Ikka]

Crux'as

 

Crux'as ignored the food and drink. He was not here for pleasure or entertainment, nor did he trust the nobles. They were not Faithful. At least not yet.

 

The trophies were at least intriguing. Wandering past the various weapons and broken armor, the Smiler closed his eyes and let his mind taste the air.

Spoiler

 

Psyniscience Test

 

Target - 37

Roll - 18

Result = Pass, 1 DoS. Just for flavor, don't expect any real knowledge.  

 

Blood and fury. Death, glorious and futile both. Scrabbling fingers clutching at empty weapons and dulled blades. The detritus of battle against foes both strange and common.

 

"A fine collection." The psy-stink wash of old battle cleared away the perfume wafting from the Major-domo. He could play games, but not before his goals were achieved. 

Edited April 4 by Lord_Ikka

[Mazer Rackham]

Bounty:

 

Crux'as:

 

GM: You detect the vainglories and resentment eking from the joints of old armour panels, from brushwork, and the underlying slant of selfishness and decadence. Sweet tangs, each, there is the ripe touch of the Young Prince, a whiff of hedonism and experimentation. It contrasts sharply against the iron, cold hardness of Jocelyn.

 

The doors at the end of the hall open, and footmen enter, to hold these doors open for two ladies, a striking similarity between them, they close to within a few feet, keeping Jocelyn's lines clear. Effete they may be, but stupid they are not.

 

'Master Bardum,' the elder and taller begins, 'we are the Daughters of Duke and Duchess Padruk. We are very interested to hear your proposals, and, in turn, how we might benefit your efforts to restore our usurped position.'

 

She breaks off to introduce the woman at her elbow. 'I am Lady Karelia, and this is my younger sister, the Lady Ursula.'

 

Ursula bows. 'Will you come into the drawing room, sir? We shall much more comfortable, and free of interruptions.' Her eyes dart to Jocelyn.

[Lord_Ikka]

Crux'as

 

Crux'as returned the bow, deeper as required for one of his lower position. 

 

"Gladly, my Lady."

 

He turned his head to Jocelyn and inclined it. "Thank you for your hospitality, madam Major-domo. Your words have been most instructive."

 

While the Youngest was not the Great Power he was most drawn to, the Smiler knew how to use the hopes and wants of those that were tempted by him. Many were the noble houses that fell to the seduction of pleasure and new experiences.

[Mazer Rackham]

Crux'as:

 

Karelia Padruk offers you a seat around a circular table, before the attendants seat their ladyships afterwards. Some light repasts are provided, and Karelia claps her hands for solitude. As inoffensive as they are unnoticeable, the servants smoothly vanish. A slight electric snap occurs when Karelia touches a gilded cuff.

 

'Be at ease Master Bardum. A Stummer field to ensure privacy. It befits noble ladies entertaining...delicate matters with handsome gentlemen.'

 

The line itself is a test, not an approach, but could easily have been both. The Ladies are equally comely in their own right, the elder sporting the country wellness, the younger obviously one who preferred the courts of the city - pale powder making her face pallid and austere. Each has little work to arrange their excellently tailored summer dresses.

 

Their keenness is perhaps to be expected, if the rumours are to be understood. Both are ravenous for their revenge and restoration.

 

'You join us at an opportune time, sir,' Ursula chimes in, demonstrating that although different, they are of the same mind, 'we heard tell of a calamity affected the region. It is quite obvious the fools currently in administration haven't a clue what they are about.'

 

The latter observation is delivered pointedly, envenomed. Breaking the sentiment almost with schizophrenic angle, she smiles at you. 'Tea? Shall I be mother?'

 

She indicates to two pots, both exquisite porcelain, one smelling of the leaf brew, another of fruit and spice.

 

Edited April 4 by Mazer Rackham

[Mazer Rackham]

Kataris Upsilon, Platform Opal, Razor:

 

The teams begin their work with the Armsmen moving to secure the platform, pouring into 'B' block to cover every landing and hatch. Nothing stirs except the few servitors hardwired into consoles. The noise expected is somewhat reduced, as the protocols here are for cleaning and servicing. The HE3 mining siphons are being claved of all the detritus that has built up. Long adamantine needles with vicious-looking locking lugs where they screw into the miles of other pipes just like them are racked and rotated by a giant spindle. They are washed with some compound, which hisses and spews gases into the facility, before a buffer cleaves the crusted oxides and agglomerated rubbish away.

 

Across the bay other siphon tubes are being inspected by an automated augury. Spot and cold welding are applied as required. One pipe is obviously so badly warped, as the demolitions team walks in, it is jettisoned to the planet below, before another cradle deploy a replacement for screwing into position and placing into a condemned row of metalled prisoners to be used until they too are damaged by their very purpose, and cast away, used up.

 

How very apropos.

 

The platform spans are exposed to thin atmosphere, and the gravity is half that of Terran Standard. The sides have a small, stout rail, but little else. Were the hurricane force winds to stir from far below, as they occasionally do, and strike someone without a deadline, the unfortunate individual would endure a very interesting journey into death. Indeed, a blood curdling scream cuts through 'B' Block as one unfortunate menial who had been trapped is discovered by the Doom Eagle. The man is scared stiff, and tries to wallop the Marine with a long-handled wrench. The former Deathwatch holds the man out as though he's a disobedient puppy, carries the man a few steps, and puts him in the disposal chute for the collecting siphons.

 

GM: (This Player has left guidance for interaction).

 

His scream does not last long.

 

+Any crewman is a risk I am unwilling to take on the say-so of the Seneschal. Especially one so weak.+ Varne shrugs, hefts his assigned explosives. +Let us get this done and begone.+

 

GM: Players should feel free to narrate their bit of the process here as much as they like. Obviously the bombardiers will require their Challenging (+0) Tech-use tests to be completed. You may make one Test per narrative post. Use the time between posts to explain location and set-up of your device.

 

Edited April 4 by Mazer Rackham
Winds.

[Lord_Ikka]

Crux'as

 

"I am at your disposal, my Lady. As an off-worlder, your customs are not yet fully known to me."

 

Flattery and charm first, then to the meat of the matter.

 

"I have heard of many fiery issues that have sprung up lately. I and my employers, are looking for those whom have the local knowledge to assist us in removing some troublesome problems. I will note that, unfortunately, I will have to depart to inform my employers of any additional information before we can return to "finish the job". The Crimson Claw Syndicate does not trust in astropathic communication for such matters of import."

 

The Smiler leaned back and elegantly crossed his legs. 

[Lysimachus]

Hagga:

 

Hagga and Eska led the way, moving quickly through the Factory Block. When they reached the first arm to the Hub, he tied one of the deadlines from the rail to his belt, and a second, shorter line from his belt to Eska's collar. He was otherwise protected by his armour, and the sable beast had never seemed worried by a lack of atmosphere, so the thin air above Kataris should be fine.

 

As they stepped out onto the open bridge, Hagga felt the winds immediately tugging at him, but he moved forwards, angling himself slightly against the wind to compensate for its pushing. Eska seemed less concerned, four footed and staying low enough to find more protection from the deck, and from Hagga's own bulk. Several of Imjin's salvage teams followed behind them.

 

They crossed, the Executioner barely looking at the impossible, immense scenery around them. His eyes were focused between his own steps, careful to avoid tangling his line, and the dome of the Hub, looking for any sign of life - or danger - ahead. He could see the huge helium storage cylinders mounted around the sides. Apparently these containers were designed to be jettisoned upwards into high orbit, ready for collection. Such a design would also mean that if something went wrong with the thrusters and the platform were lost, at least a full yield of fuel could be saved. Hagga snorted. Somehow, he doubted that there were as many efforts made to protect the lives of the workers in such a situation.

 

Finally, they reached the end of the arm, the Hub looming above them. The airlock at this end hadn’t been secured, thankfully, so Hagga entered. He nodded to one of the teams of crewmen behind him.

 

“Find the release controls for the helium tanks, and stand ready. We'll launch them just before we return to the Razor.”

 

He turned to the second team.

 

“We'll continue through the Hub and along to the Command Block. Check out the logs, delete any records of us being here, clear out the Armoury.”

 

 

 

 

Edited April 5 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

Bounty - Crux'as:

 

Ursula takes your reclining as withdrawal and pours her sister a leaf-brew tea, and then herself a spiced, fruit cup. The latter is incredibly pungent, and as she quaffs it, her eyes sparkle at the presumed narcotic within.

 

'Of course,' Karelia smooths, 'I think then, given the tumult, we should speak quickly and allow you to carry our sentiments with you. We have a small contingent of retainers who have been very active in the Marchant Vale of late, led and trained by another off-worlder who also promises to restore us to our former place.'

 

'He's got big muscles,' Ursula says, pupils dilating to saucers. She looks at you, lips slightly parted, stare passing clean through your head.

 

'Quite,' the older sister says, irritated. 'If you could furnish us with certain lines of supply or information or even put us in the way of contacts, we would make...modest progress, and we would return whatever courtesy was given with whatever was in our power. House Jerall, our ally here, has many plantations with men who can be counted on. Men who grumble at their enforced station.'

 

'Men with big muscles,' Ursula says, before drooling out of the corner of her mouth.

 

She almost faceplants the table, but Karelia catches her and gently eases her back into a reclining position.

 

'Apologies Master Bardum, my sister gets...overwhelmed. It's the heat, and she's discovered males.'

 

It's also likely the Obscura in the tea, but pointing that out would likely be a faux pas.

 

Kataris Upsilon - Platform Opal:

 

GM: The platform yields up a few modest treasures:

• 2 x D10 Lasguns (12)
• 2 x D10 Laspistols (2)
• 1 x Cache of secure holodisks (access logs, transfer data).
• Resources:
  • 30 x Components
  • 30 x Fuel
  • 10 x Supplies
  • 10 x Medical
• 200m x Deadline
• Assorted tools and bagged kits.

 

The wind is punishing, but apart from the micrometeorites it pings off your pauldrons, and the scared worker Varne tossed to the depths, there is very little to disturb you.

 

Edited April 5 by Mazer Rackham

[Lysimachus]

Hagga:

 

Not a bad little haul. The guns could go directly to Eisner, to arm a few more of his men. Hagga planned to take the holodisks back to the Bridge officers, to see if any additional data worth having could be found.

 

++This is Rykaz. Command Block searched and looted. Teams heading back to the ship now. Adepts, start jettisoning the primary He₃ tanks. Razor, mark their locations for pick up. We should be ready to leave in a matter of minutes. Magos Kraggan, Brother Varne, how are we doing with setting those explosives?++

 

Edited April 5 by Lysimachus