Don't like being shot at Simmins mutters as he reloads his shotgun and then works to unjam the auto gun. We got more than enough debris to jam up the door to the Gellars now and get us good cover to boot he comments as he works ignoring the stirring of the sole survivor.
Titus moves quickly to the less than conscious person still alive in the tram and quickly checks him over....
But the total mess of the situation is making it hard to tell who is dieing and who is dead.
The image of Vector that had been stalking toward the tram vanishes after looking to his blade once and frowning sightly.
Your time is not yet done here. the psyker states as he suddenly appears next to Simms and begins working the warp, touching the De-faced cultist.
Roth imitates Vector to see if he can produce the same effect.
Cimbria nonchalantly walks over to her dropped shotgun and picks it up, brushing off any errant dust.
Nobody likes being shot at Simmins, but sometimes it's the nature of the job.
I like your ideas for cover. I'll help out with that when the time comes.
Now I'm not an expert. Roth looks at his bloody hands and clothes. He wished he had a lake to jump into to clean off. But It seems to me, that the Inquisitor could have expected us to figure this was a test by now. No Gellar thing a ma bob danger, Just heretics runnin' about looking to get their freedom papers.
So...maybe we should be huntin' down the rest of the heretics before they get off the boat.
Maybe one of these two can clue us in on who gave 'em the order to fight off the ship. We can decide what to do based on that.
"Yes, Sanctionate Roth, Inquisitor Sharben would have likely expected us to accomplish such a task quickly. We can only hope that our meager speed in recovering such information is adequate to him."
The psyker says as he stands from the crouch he had been in a moment ago. looking at the crashed trams.
Perhaps the threat of being killed twice in the same day will give this heathen reason to confess. Vector considers as he scans the area.
The distances we would need to cover to reach the escape pods are extensive on foot. If Vox Adept Sicripro is able to recover a likely position for another Tram close to us we could send some of our group to retrieve it while the interrogation is accomplished here by Magistrate Arctus and Vox Adept Scriprio."
The last alive passenger groans and mumbles incoherently before snapping to attention with surprising alacrity. It visibly flinches at the sight of Simm's and Cimbria's guns trained on it, and slowly raises its hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Dammit," you hear an artificial voice grumble from under the hood. "I should have known that throwing my lot in with the freaks was a bad idea..."
Yes scum, you should have known. It's a pity you didn't keep to the Emperor's way. Now as you value your miserable hide, you're going to help us. And in return we'll help you. See, I'm reasonable. I know how things go. But my travelling companions, well...they get a little "emotional" when scum like you shoot at em. Or try to ram them with a tram. So you're going to tell us everything we want to know, and in return I'll do what I can to prevent them from peeling your skin off in narrow strips. Catch my meaning?
"I would highly suggest you take the magistrates advice. Meat preparation is a knowledge I spent my childhood honing. It would take little effort to do as she suggests, i believe Vox adept sciriprio Has the medical skill to keep you alive through the process as well. "
Titus sits and waits as the others yammer on. Always a test, ever and always. "Is anyone still injured?"
"I did not see any of our group get injured recently Vox Adept Sciripo, Though your expretise is likely to be needed if Magistrate Cimbria does not receive an answer she is expecting."
Vector turns and looks to the damaged trams, frown on his face deeper than it was a moment ago.
"Though now would be an excellent time to ascertrain if one of the trams is recoverable, the distance to the escape pods on foot will result in unacceptable delays. Searching the heretics for information we might reclaim in the name of the emperor would also be a wise option as well as weapons and material wealth to turn over to Inquisitor Sharben if our results are satisfactory to him."
The cloaked winces at the combined pressure of both Vector and Cimbria. It seems to register your threats and, after a moment's silence, starts talking in a subdued yet petulant tone.
"Fine," it growls, "I've lived long enough to know when to fold my cards. So then, in the interest of keeping my face, I'll talk. What is it that you want to know?"
Vector stays silent, waiting for Cimbria to take the lead.
It is good the heretic was influenced, I had worried for a moment he might have a resistance like Cimbria. Fortunate as we only have one subject to interrogate currently.
The psyker tightens the straps on the sheath for his cleaver ensuring it is secured as he waits. While he waits he begins taking inventory of what he can the see the heretics have on their persons.
Unfortunately the effort of squeezing a humans brain into just the right mind state to be receptive to torture makes such an effort fruitless.
You're gonna spill your guts about who put you up to this. Where are they? And what is the condition of the Warp Core? What have you done to it? I will know if you lie. If you do, my friend here will unravel your brain and pick the information out of the mewling remains. Trust me when I say he is a psyker of considerable skill and intemperate disposition.
Cimbria glances at Vector and nods slightly...
Actually, He's a few twigs short of a branch. Most of us are a bit on edge from people shootin' at us.
The cloaked figure points to the bloodied remains of its dead companions. "There they are. Frakking mutant bastards were in charge of the whole shebang," it mutters with notable distaste. "Never liked dealing with the tentacled freaks, but it was either a temporary alliance or their claws in my belly."
At the mention of the warp core, its voice becomes confused. "Warp core? What the hell are you talking about? We ain't touched no warp core. I was too busy hauling my ass to the escape pods. Which happen to lie behind that door you splattered my 'friends' against. I swear on da Emperor's name, if there was a warp core, I wouldn't be anywhere near it," it assures you as your faces darken. "I may be scum, but I ain't no skakking heretic."
It seems to be telling the truth based on its tone of voice. That being said, its face is still hidden under the cowl, obscured from your view.
Vector looks at the man curiously, head tilting slightly in a bird like bob "Ah." The psyker intones as if it were to solve all the universes problems.
"The bargain you had been given must have stated that if you breached the doors here and entered the escape pods behind it that you would be granted freedom. Or something close to that." the psyker states as he looks at the pasted individuals "That is not the escape pod bay, it is the dwelling place for the holy warp core and Gellar field generator. The Inq- Our employer was using this instance to test our ability in an environment where we lacked significant information. You were a pawn in the machinations of something greater, And regardless of the crimes you committed to be placed here you served a purpose."
The psyker turns his gave from the man and looks to his compatriots.
"If this is the case I do not believe that this Prisoner is of any further use to us. The other Prisoners will come to us in the desire for freedom and we will cut them down like wheat. In this we will serve the Emperors justice to those who sought to reach too far."
Vector finishes with finality as he turns from the captured man and begins to help set up defenses around the area.
With his autogun still trained on the pinned figure. Take off your hood. We'd like to get a look at your mug. Carefully.
Very calmly, Cimbria places her left palm on the chest of Vector Linear and gently pushes, she glances off to the side, as if to say "I have this".
She then places her right palm over the barrel of Simmins' autogun and gently pushes it back as well with a nod.
With a burst of malicious intent Cimbria back-hands the captive and pounces on him, bearing him down to the floor.
You are a heretic and a recidivist! I WILL HEAR YOU CONFESS IT! You were sabotaging the Warp Core AND the Gellar Field. You worked in collusion with heretics and mutants and their taint is on YOUR SOUL! We have not yet plumbed the depths of your treachery but I will hear all of it... Cimbria thrusts her hand out to Simmins, open palm upward,
Knife!
Still straddling the traitor, Cimbria's left hand pulls his hood back to reveal his face.
Simmins hands over his knife with a sound that is halfway between a grunt and a harrumph.
Cutscene Time!
You pull off the hood to find that "he" is in fact a she, a sharp-eyed young woman with black hair. She appears to be in her mid twenties and would be considered to be fairly attractive by most worlds' standards, save for the harsh scowl set upon her features.
"What part of 'I'm not a heretic' didn't you hear, you gakking b*tch?!" she snarls. "You want gakking proof that I was headed for the escape pods?! Here!"
Despite your efforts to restrain her arms, she manages to reach into a hidden pocket in her cloak and shove a mirco data-slate in your face. "Read the damn thing before jumping to conclusions, you stuck up pieces of-"
Her angry shouting goes, an odd mix of Low Gothic and an unrecognizable Hive Dialect that punctuate the air with obscene curses and rude gestures. But you are oblivious to her rant as you inspect the words written across the screen.
Criminal Dia Harmon, in the God-Emperor's benevolent mercy, His Most Holy Inquisition has seen fit to give you a second chance. Underneath this message is a map of the ship, where you will notice a section labeled 'X'. Behind the doors are the salvation pods which will take you wherever you go, within the vessel's fuel supplies, of course. Should you reach the compartment and overcome the obstacles along your way, then freedom shall be yours once again. How you decide to spend it is up to your discretion.
Vector leans over Cimbria's shoulder to see the data slate's information while keeping an eye on the captured prisoner.
-------
Vector pauses for the barest moment as Cimbria's interrogation resumes, he bends and retrieves the data slate reading the contents and passing it to anyone who desires to see it.
--------
"Vox adept Sciripro, are you in possession of the other data slate? If not would you kindly retrieve and collate* the data between the two? I am going to search the other corpses for more data slates similar.
The psyker states blandly as he begins moving away from Cimbria's interrogation and heaping the bodies in a pile. No expression on his face or intonation to his voice beyond that one might expect someone chatting about the local weather have as he does so.
Guardsmen Olways, Sanctionate Roth unless you have other matters pressing assist me in this task, If the other prisoners are headed elsewhere it would be good to know so. As weapons of the emperor it is best we are pointed in the correct direction."
the psyker states as he continues the task.
If I can get a hand on her throat to get her to stop talking I will do that. I guess it needs at least an attack roll just to establish the grip. Hopefully since I'm straddling her there may be a bonus for it...
Win or lose I'll use a Fate to gain a +10 to the DC
Master Scipio, please relate the contents while I keep this ISH'KAGH UN VEIGH
Cimbria maintains her grip on Dia Harmon until the data slate is read and confirmed.
As a rule it's not a good idea to curse at people holding knives and guns while you're pinned and helpless Simmins says mildly as he complies with Vector's suggestion to search the corpses for similar dataslates.
Roth Shakes his head. The first viable love interest within light years and the psycho chick is going to choke her to death. Calm down, She answerin' questions. She's claimin' to be a faithful. Put it in the holster mad dog.
Vector stands from piling another of the corpses onto a stack after searching their effects passing any dataslates or other informational devices to the Adept Sciriprio. Pausing in his motions he turns toward the interrogation in progress
"Sanctionate Roth, as the previous individual to question Magistrate Cimbria's methods I would state this an ill advised course.
She may still extract information of value from the prisoner, in addition if her methods become excessively violent both of us seem capable of improvised warp healing.
We must be absolutely certain she is no more than she has already stated before returning her to the Inquisition. It would not do to damage a testing tool we have already overcome."
Vector stays as he blithely rifles through a dead mans pockets
"To do so would be wasteful..."
Roth puts three discarded bottles on two fingers and a thumb. He starts clinking them together. "Her-I-tics, Come OUT and Play-ay"
There is a brief noise before lights promptly cut out, shrouding you in pitch black darkness as you hear the noise of a generator powering down. A weak flickering is the only indication that the emergency lights still work, but judging from the amount of flickering that they're doing, getting reliable vision from them is tentative at best. Flashes of the weak light cast macabre shadows dancing in the corners of the hallways...but who's to say that they're merely shadows?
Please make a +0 Challenging Fear Test.
------
Your environment is now Dark!
-20 to WS
-30 to BS
WHO TURNED OUT THE LIGHT? Simmins roars trying to suppress his fear.
The weapon in Vectors hand shudders slightly as the psykers latent fears act up, the bad old days of month long test batteries locked in a cell hooked to powerful psychotropics. The only backdrop his own fraying mind as the Interrorgator extracts every last iota of guilt from his frame by force.
You found similar dataslates with the same message, the only difference in the name the tablets were addressed to.
-BEFORE BLACKOUT-
Vector nods in satisfaction after having searched and disposed of the last mutant corpse, a tidy pile of bloodied personal effects and brick-a-brack gathered to the left of the corpse pile.
Any discovered data slates had immediately gone to the Adept and Vector busied himself ensuring the corpse stack was out of the way, unlikely to catch anyone's boot.
"Vox Adept Srcipiro I believe that these are all the personal dataslates, No other data is available to correlate. I will await when you assimilate it and determine the degree of truth the prisoner has given us."
Vector bobs slightly and returns his gaze to scanning the corridor, blithely ignoring the fact that he had not been the one to find the slates in the first place.
-Before the lights go out in Georgia.-
"It seems to be a test, an attempt to see if we are made of strong enough material to withstand what is to come. Our prisoner has been deemed expendable and been told to assault the gellar field, except she has been told it is an escape pod. I do believe we will find that most of our assailants will have similar clean slate motives. My suggestion is to remove them from our paths with extreme prejudice and all due righteous fury." Titus looks down at the young lady with a look of pity on his face. "That being said, this one proves no further impediment and may be of use. If she turns on us or shows heretical intentions we will put a round in to the back of her skull, but until such time as this occcurs we should keep her alive to serve the Omnissiah."
-Flicker, Flicker.-
"It would seem we have more problems, I do hope the field remains active. I do not wish to become the main course on evils lunch buffet.
Roth is getting uncomfortabl with the rising chance of violence against the girl. However, when the light flicker and go out. A feeling of betrayal and fear grip him. The lying b!tch, just like my ex. Roth pulls his sword and grabs the girl to use as a human shield.
I think...now is a...good time to get out of here....
" yes, being devoured by demons would cut our period of useful fuction in the emperor's name painfully short. I can only assume those are the rest of the prisoners coming to kill us in the dark they will more than likely shoot through the prisoner you use now sanctionate roth. Better to render sentencing now and either kill her or press her into service. We have excess guns in comparison to weilders of the same.."
Vector states, his natural monotone doing much to hide his fear.
Magistrate Arctus, we have nowhere to run at this point, and test or not we have been mandated to defend this entryway with our lives. Serve the emperor and run the risk of death as the other option would require myself utilizing bullets needed to be conserved. "
Dia shrieks and faints, becoming little more than a limp sack of unyielding flesh and bones. She will awaken in...
1 Round and gain...
-----------
From the salvageable loot you pick off the mutants, you find a pair of lumens that seem to be in working order. When turned on, they will illuminate at least a dozen meters down the hallway.
As you scramble to pull yourselves together, you hear a disembodied voice coming through the air, light and breathy as if spoken by a child. The words are spoken in Low Gothic, and this is what you hear:
"...lItTlE aCOlyTEs...cOMe tO PlAy? ComE To mAkE Me lAuGH? CoMe tO MAke mIsTEr fLufFY hAPpy? iT's bEeN tOo LOng sInCe SoMEonE's cOMe AnD pLaYeD wItH uS..."
Remember. This is a test. Simmins says to the others as he readies his auto-gun and trains it down the hall. If he has the chance he will take one of the lumens and toss it down to about the edge of the light to double their visibility range.