"Yes My lord-Captain Militant.
I would like to take the chance to report that the former troopers that accompanied us on the Bounty are settling into their roles as corporals and leaders of their own individual fire-team well."
"The decision to elevate the fallen to post humorous status of corporal and thus increase the compensation to the families seems to have gone down well."
"Our men are becoming more skilled at basic soldiering, but I fear little more progress will be made with the basic weapons availed to them at the moment."
"That concludes my report for now."
Crew is ready all systems functioning above requirements. We are ready for warp translation.
Alessaunder sat wearily at his fine wooden desk, mentally drained from the many months of hasty accounting, purchases, mergers and takeovers he had co-ordinated with dizzying financial acumen. Xantrius signed the final documents and made his final notes on the items the other senior officers had asked him to acquire for them and put his signature to one more letter- reminding a stubborn merchant that if he would persist in his efforts to stall the sale of a particular piece of gear the Lord-Captain had desired, he would be forced to simply buy the man's entire trading company; with a subtle hint that the share price might take a dramatic drop before such a buyout took place. Trading was a dangerous business, after all...
He arrived late to the bridge as a result but nodded in approval that his friend and captain Silas was eagerly pushing the dynasty forward.
I was wise to tie my fate to his... and his to mine. The Emperor clearly has great plans for us both.
The results of the salvage and the economic growth it had stimulated within the dynasty had been truly impressive. Faith in the dynasty had been restored and the dynasty's wealth, influence and power had risen from being somewhat equivalent to an average hive guild to being the equal of a powerful planet's noble or perhaps a weak imperial governor.
By a Rogue Trader's standards, the dynasty was not yet considered "wealthy". But in all fairness, the flagship of the dynasty was truly impressive and a far mightier vessel of the Emperor than many wealthier dynasties could field.
After handing in his report to the Lord-Captain Militant, Ludicus began to head back towards the part of the ship where the military training was housed.
His own quarters were placed quite closely to that area as a matter of convenience.
As he walked through the corridors he noticed that more than once, crewmembers would stop and salute.
Whenever that happened he would give them a terse salute back and nod.
Discipline...
Stopping for a moment, he leaned on a reeling, looking down at crewmembers scurrying about, performing their various duties.
They have become more comfortable in their positions now, we have done well here.
Eventually, Ludcius found himself back in his quarters.
Hanging his twin bolt pistols on the wall he pushed back his chair, placed both feet on his desk and leaned back with a sigh.
By his feet there were a large stack of reports, but he decided not to bother with them right away.
The crew has become much more skilled and competent during these last year’s.
Drumming his fingers on the side table where he kept some drinks in case he got visitors, Ludicus considered the changes that had been made.
After the return from the Bounty all the senior officers had made several points on how to improve the crews overall skill.
It has been the first officer that had been responsible for putting down the various concepts in good order.
I am glad that he have military experience, far too many pencil pushers have the administration down pat, but HE knows how it works in practice.
Picking up a datapad, Ludicus began thumbing through the various orders, marvelling at the simplicity of it all.
By having a rota of various tasks, every crewmember were given a basic education in most of the skills needed on the ship, and it allowed the officers to make note of anyone showing particular aptitude fro any one task.
Such crewmembers were placed in a permanent pool of equally skilled personnel and given a position in that area of competence.
It also made it possible to identify deadweight and remove it during dockings...or earlier if necessary.
All in all, placing each crewmember where they could do the most good, but at the same time giving them a chance to try various duties had strengthen the competence of the crew overall, and allowed each individual unit to function as a part of the whole.
It took some time, but the new skills are starting to show now, the Lord-Captain Militant will be pleased.
This is quite a bit of difference from the reports I used to hand in before.
Eventually, Ludicus decided to begin going through the reports on his desk.
It was time to start distributing some of the new arms to the crew, so each of the "soldier" crew had been put through a number of various tests.
Marksmanship, melee skill, discipline, morale under live fire etc.
Any member that scored a consistent 80% on all tests was a likely candidate for further training and equipment.
Alessaunder was something of a new man after the two years. His faulty, fleshy heart had been replaced with something far more sturdy- a bionic heart now pumped blood through his veins and did it with optimal efficiency, using algorithms far more efficient than his original.
He and the Lord-Captain had slowly introduced an old ganger tongue they had adapted for their needs- although he was happy to teach it to the other members of the command crew it was refreshing to be able to talk to his old friend in private for now.
He had also trained meticulously to be light on his feet, aware that Silas might call upon his stealth in the future. Despite the weight of the additional, well-concealed bionics throughout his body (including a fell set of sub-skin and cranial armour underneath his skin) he moved as silently as a cat throughout the vessel and had become infamous for surprise inspections. His old xeno-mesh armour had been replaced with a glorious full set of excellent quality Storm Trooper carapace armour, bought for a costly sum from a rather shady merchant.
Alessaunder's spirits were high, as the Adamant Will made its journey through the void...
Silas sends out messages to his comrades for them to meet him in his quarters to discuss the next endeavor.
Here we go...
Ludicus rose with a sigh, leaving an untouched glass of spirits on his side table.
Not being a man willing to take chances, he next strapped on both his twin boltpistols as well as his chainsword.
The captain expects me to be his strong arm, so the hand of that arm better be holding steel.
For a moment he even stops to look longingly at the sniper rifle mounted on his wall of weapons.
No, that would be overdoing it...besides, I hate to leave the wall empty...
In time, it was Ludicus goal to fill the wall with all manners of weapons, but for now it gaped fairly empty.
After making his way through the ship, Ludicus stopped in front of the Captains door, giving a respectful knock.
"Master at arms Ludicus Morleno reporting."
Malachi heard the summons on his microbead, waiting to finish his prayer before rising from his knees. A proper Shrine to the God-Emperor would have kneelers to provide some comfort to his creaking joints. "No sacrifice to great for the Emperor," he muttered to himself.
The scarred Missionary adjusted his belt, smoothed his robes and started the long walk to the Captain's quarters. He didn't know the crew or the officers to well, save for Vorgen, whom had spent a few misbegotten years together outside of the Grace of the Emperor. This would be one of the first "official" meetings in which Malachi and all the officers were present with the Rogue Trader.
Vorgen enters the captains quarters, his skin still feeling odd with the armor and muscle treatments. A data pad detailing ways to add launch tubes to the Will in his hands.
"Greetings friends. It seems a long time since we were all together. I see some changes and new purchases."
"Greetings to one and all. Please take some refreshments while we wait for the others."
Silas' chambers are illuminated by a dull yellow light that seems to shroud the room more.
An interesting trick, but I am not hindered.
Ludicus moves into the room with confidence and an easy grace, clearly the light in the room does not bother him as he picks up a small thimble of amasec and finds a chair.
At Vorgens comment he chuckles a little, noticing how his friend seem a little...bulkier himself.
Little has changed about Alessaunder- at least, not in an obvious visible manner. Rumours circulate around the ship about what exactly the First Officer has been up to during his extensive R & R in the past couple of years; most recently, a young ships mate spotted him leaving an augmentation clinic, leading to rumours that he is now more machine than man...
While certainly a gross exaggeration, Alessaunder had certainly had several cybernetics put into place- all designed to be as discrete as possible.
He sat to the direct right of Silas, sipping a cool glass of water, his eyes darting around the room.
Malachi half-walked, half-stumbed into the room and sat down at a chair near the end of the table by the door. It was difficult to see in the dim yellow light, especially when his pain wards activated momentarily, filling his vision with flashes of green. Blessed knees.
'Lord-Captain, should we contact one of the tech-adepts to see if they can fix the lighting in your quarters? There seems to be a power failure.'
"There is nothing wrong with the lights, Father."
"But if you require more light then let us try these."
Silas starts to light some candles.
Malachi mutters, 'How quaint. Are we to discuss the object of our next venture?'
He shifted his weight slightly. Malachi still wasn't completely comfortable around these men. Including Vorgen, these were people cut from a very different cloth than him. They are from Forge Worlds and Imperial Fleets, nothing like the untamed frontier on which Malachi was reared, a rock so full of jungle and lacking in resources it didn't even merit a name, just #2005BLG390LB.
Yet, here is the Heir of the Dynasty, lighting candles for ambiance...
Nervous fellows...I do not know the preacher well, but I did more or less expect it from the navigator.
"My compliments on your amasec Lord-Captain Militant, I've rarely tasted a better vintage.
It goes down like a high caliber explosive round into an orcs gut.
That is to say, it fits perfectly"
Hastus was beginning to like this ship. He thinks this as he makes the long walk to the Lord-Captain's quarters. Though like was never a word he'd use himself, Hastus finds it appropriate and resolves to file the notion away to be archived within his neural-processor's memory banks. His heavy feet clank across the corridors of the Will as he rounds the corner into the chambers. It would seem he is the last to arrive.
Very little of the Explorator-Magos can be seen beneath his rust-red robes, which is probably for the best. His face, however, can be and appears to be mostly machine. Its silver surface gleams in the dim light.
+++I note that my presence has been requested, Lord-Captain Silas Tyr of the Adamant Will. What is the nature of your inquiry? Based on data gathered upon entering this chamber and the presence of the other officers of the Adamant Will, logic dictates that this is a meeting pertaining to the details of the Adamant Will's next endeavor.+++
"Be at ease everyone, we shall begin the briefing in due course."
Silas sips some amasec before proceeding.
"Some of you may recall the high stakes card game we played in a few years back."
Silas looks at Alessaunder and nods in his direction, suggesting his hand in the victory.
"The last turn of the card was what won for our house that last all-in pot and which has now granted us a stake in an ongoing concern managed by the Kasballica Mission."
"From what I vaguely understand, they're digging for treasure. Now to ensure that our house is not being short-changed on its investment we are going to visit the site at Egaria Omega. But first we travel to Footfall to obtain a letter of introduction from our contacts at the Mission so that there won't be any problems dealing with the overseer of the site."
"Your data slates are now loaded with the pertinent data on Egaria Omega."
Population: 0
Tithe Grade: N/A
Geography/Demography: Cold. Abiding climate is arid with constant winds, ranging from low to moderate to storm force. High amounts of airborne particles scoured from the plains make exploration hazardous, especially using conventional aircraft. Topography is largely uncharted, but no surface seas are known to exist. Small amounts of frozen liquid observed at poles, but no samples are known to have been taken. Equator is ringed by a substantial mountain range.Further exploration of the mountains has proven inconclusive. No autochthonic life forms known to exist and no further life forms are known to have been introduced.
Governmental Type: Subject to the Winterscale Writ of Claim.
Planetary Governor: Heirs to the Winterscale Writ hold nominal title (non-ratified, pending nominal exclusion process).
Adept Presence: 0
Military: N/A
Trade/Economy/Addendum: An estimated total of twelve officially-recognised expeditions have been mounted to chart Egaria Omega, with only limited survey results submitted to the proper authorities. In recent years the Kasballica Mission has sponsored several more expeditions, none with official recognition. A single Egarian Maze City has been discovered, but all attempts to penetrate it have failed. The Mission has sponsored the latest "Omega Dig"," initially confining its activities to the area surrounding the city. Very little has been discovered and the Mission has ordered its dig staff to begin operations inside the city itself.+++
"Before heading off into this endeavor, I want us to be armed with all the information and leverage we can have on the Kasballica Mission and on Egaria Omega."
"We do not want a repeat of that scam-ambush. My compliments to our master at arms for his quick reaction."
'Does anyone know anything of this planet Egaria Omega or the Kasballica Mission? What could they be digging for on such a desolate rock? They say "treasure" but what is to be had on a planet with no inhabitants?'
For Alessaunder
'Does anyone know anything of this planet Egaria Omega or the Kasballica Mission? What could they be digging for on such a desolate rock? They say "treasure" but what is to be had on a planet with no inhabitants?'
"Precisely, the need for a visit."
"I have my suspicions but they're better left unsaid as that may only cause worry."
"On a different matter, how are you finding your stay with us? I trust that you are not having a difficult time."
"I have my suspicions but they're better left unsaid as that may only cause worry."
"On a different matter, how are you finding your stay with us? I trust that you are not having a difficult time."
The Rogue Trader's phrasing was more worrisome to Malachi than what he may have shared. 'What are those suspicions? I would rather not walk into something for which I am unprepared. I assure you, I have seen much in my crusades against the Orks and am troubled by little these days.'
Regarding my stay, I am a little disappointed in the lack of a proper shrine aboard the ship, but things have been well. My quarters suit my needs and the crew have tried their best to help me find my way. I am not used to life aboard a ship, but I will adapt.' He pauses for a moment before adding, 'I hope to start holding regular early morning masses for those that can't make it to the mid-morning or evening masses. You know, for the sake of the crew.' Malachi glances around the table to make sure his hint wasn't too subtle...
Throughout the awkward silence, Malachi looks uneasily around the room, perhaps his comment was a little out of line.
Unabashed as he was well aware he made more visits to the shrine than most of the command crew, Alessaundr bowed his head slightly.
I shall endeavour to make devotion more often, Malachi. My faith will not be found wanting.
Footfall hmm... Alessaunder mused as he thought about the fine settlement just into the Koronus Expanse...
"Father, we shall endeavor to put that devotional shrine to He who sits on Terra the first priority on our list of improvements."
"Now the suspicions I harbor are just that. Unsubstantiated. I do not want all of you to have biases."
Silas looks at the First Officer.
Alessaunder, sat to his Lord-Captain's right, spoke quietly back-
Ho il sospetto che probabilmente una buona idea il mio amico, fino a quando non garantire la sua lealtà è prima di tutto alla dinastia ...
I suspect that is likely a good idea my friend, until we ensure his loyalty is first and foremost to the dynasty...
"Bene."
"We are allying the house with the Kasballica? The Cold trade is fraught with dangers and Kasballica does not have the cleanest reputation."
Ludicus raises an eyebrow as he overhears the subtle communications between the Captain and the first officer.
Some kind of secret code or language? We used such in my old unit in the guards...I should ask Alessaunder if he can teach me that later, it could be a sound tactical asset to have.
"We are allying the house with the Kasballica? The Cold trade is fraught with dangers and Kasballica does not have the cleanest reputation."
"I share your concern but the House's creditors are demanding more each passing day. Survival is our primary concern."
"I do not wish this vessel to fall in the hands of bankers."
Most of you have at least heard of them in passing. I'm going to go with this since they primarily deal in the Cold Trade, and based on your most recent acquisitions, you've probably dealt with them before.
As ever...ready and vigilant.
With a long pull of extra smooth amasec, Silas relays the word: "Navigator, take her in."