seeing Vasyl head to the side door Praetus moves to try to get within charging distance of the guards at the end of the ramp.
Lothar slowly lined up the shot on one of the guards on the ramp, in no huge hurry and then began to wait. If they spotted the scouts then this sentry would die.
As Vasyl and Praetus made quickly for the side entrance to the dropship, Erkan follows Lothar's lead and unshoulders his newly-acquired longlas. Removing the single hotshot cartridge from the receiver, he slips it into his bandolier and loads an overcharge pack in its place. Nodding to Lothar, Erkan gestures from the guardsman toward the right sentry, then from himself toward the left sentry. Finally, Erkan nodsat Lothar, awaiting his confirmation.
Lothar spots Erkan's gestures with his peripherals and nods his head slightly but keeps his sights firmly fixed on the heretic to the right.
Without any long ranged weaponry, Aenarius raised his shotgun, ready to blast any traitors who tried to close in.
Heironymous readies his las-carbine, aiming at the nearest cultist.
Praetus managed to cross the distance on silent feet, his bodyglove giving him a soft surface to move on.
The door panel seemed simple enough, a single activating rune flickering.
Praetus draws his sword, looks over his shoulder to Vaasyl, and reaches up to activate the rune.
Vasyl readies himself to move into the transport on Praetus' activation, autogun pointed at the door.
Looks clear. But it often looks clear even when it isn't.
Lothar let out a slow steady breath as the iron sights of the longlas lingered just to the side of his targets sternum, still waiting patiently, when the time came he would send the heretic scum to the afterlife for it's just punishment.
The door opened smoothly, with little noise and a light shower of rust. There didn't seem to be anyone on the inside, either.
Praetus moves quietly up the ramp, motioning Vasyl to follow
'That which is unknown and unseen always commands the greatest fear'
Brother Erkan's scope finds a nice target in the form of a cross stitch on the heretic's shirt, just below his left collarbone. He took slow, even breaths as he relaxed into the position he had not taken since his time years before in the Schola.
Vasyl sneaks into the shuttle through the side door, trying to keep quiet.
Damn.
Vasyl barely made it across, but one of the guards did turn.
Whew.
If shooting doesn't kick off shortly, Vasyl will start moving around inside, looking for a good spot to plant the explosives he is carrying in his pack.
The heretic Erkan was trained on began to turn, and having only a split second to decide Erkan opts for stealth over firing, grabbing lothar and pulling them both low and out of view for a moment.
Praetus steps to the side, allowing Vasyl to do what he needs. watching for any other traitors.
Sow the seeds of damnation and I shall reap the souls of the tainted
The guard spent a moment looking around, before returning his attention to the battle.
The heretic's attention returned to the battle, Erkan once again took aim on him, nodding to Lothar to once again target the other.
Lothar takes up his position again, watching from cover and lining up his shot before waiting to strike...
Praetus looks around the cabin, the desire to punish the traitors of the Emperor of Man buzzing within him.
The inside of the shuttle is corroded, hot. It smells like a growing centre for plant life. Only the faint click and whirl of machinery and the occasional blinking light suggests the machine spirits that should be running this machine are present at all. And how they have been trapped in such desecrated mechanisms is a mystery.
This chamber seems to be troop transport, and is deserted. A door sits at either end. One reads, in ancient and faded Gothic script, 'Control Deck.' The other reads 'Cargo Hold.'
Hmmm. Time to enlist some aid.
Vasyl whispers to Praetus:
"Praetus, will you scout ahead in the control deck? We have to find the heart of this thing and burn it out."
He says the last part, while giving his backpack a quick pat to emphasise his point.
Praetus nods, and creeps forward.
As he moves he sheaths his sword and pulls out a wicked looking Punch Dagger.
Once he has it in hand he attempts to open the hatch.
Vasyl keeps his autogun at the ready.
If this goes in the swamp, I'm not holding back. A few stray manstopper rounds *might* just do the job.
As the door to the command deck slides up the five Traitors manning it - including a communication centre, and several other, less obvious lecturns - turn to face the door in one smooth, weirdly co-ordinated motion. They lack the armour the troopers you've seen have been wearing, but they are carrying heavy pistols and swords.
Well, surprise got us this far.
Over the microbead, Vasyl speaks quickly:
"SHOOT!"
And does likewise, opening up on the traitors.
Fate point to reroll, FP 2 -> 1
Praetus charges into the mix, Driving the Punch dagger into the arm of one of the Traitors.
Damage 9 AP3
He leaves the dagger sticking in the arm and reaches for his sword. I underestimated the size of this room
As he heard the cry over the microbead Lothar pulled the trigger. A half a heartbeat after the call to arms the autogun roared into action as his longlas found it's mark and Emperor willing would end the traitor scum instantly.
Heironymous also opens fire, muttering sub-audibly about meatheads and things never going to plan.
As Vasyl barks his command to shoot through the vox, Erkan needs no other direction, allows the last bit of breath to escape his lungs, and pulls the longlas's solid trigger... unleashing a lance of las energy straight at the head of the unaware heretic guard.
The heretic on guard duty drops, his chest now mostly a large, ragged hole, thanks to Lothar's shot.
Hieronymous's shot also strikes, as the second is also surprised, but fails to drop him. The heretic guard turns to see what happened and raises his lasgun. Erkan's shot took him through the head.
The enemies caught in Vasyl's burst also fall. Their attempt to dive out of the way was...less than impressive, and there lack of armour not a benefit.
Praetus' blow leaves a ragged gash down arm of one of the heretics, despite his attempt to block it with his own blade. He lashed out at the Assassin while the other remaining bridge crew member swng his pistol towards Vasyl.
-
-
Praetus draws his sword in a Iaijutsu strike that 'Auntie' made him practice countless times.
But the blade clips a loose crate and the strike misses.
Finish the job.
"Cut them down!"
Vasyl keeps firing, trying to bring down the traitors as quickly as possible, and using the door frame as partial cover.
Vasyl killed another heretic, while Praetus continued to fight the other.
-
Preatus sees an opening and strikes with no thought of his safety.
The pooled blood on the floor causes him to slip
Got to make the last few rounds in the magazine count. Then I switch to blade work.
Vasyl tries to gun down the remaining unengaged traitor as he empties the magazine.
-
Distracted by Praetus, the traitor failed to dodge and went down to the gunfire.
Vasyl quickly looks around the control deck.
Can I smash this with a chair, and save myself the explosives? Or will it need the explosion? And is there anything valuable about?
Praetus retrieves his punch dagger, and tries to determine what sins he needs to repent for.
Re-drawing his sword he heads back to the 'Cargo hold' and waits for the hiver to complete his anointed task.