When Falkus is conscious and coherent the adepts question him. He tells them of Lupacalius falling to the Emperors Children (he leaves out that Horus remains were stolen), he tells them of meeting with Khayon, Lheor and Corvis but not of Sargon or the purpose of the meeting, and he tells them of the attack by the emperors children and all that he can remember of how they came to Gallium.
Menstras enters the pit a blade in either hand.
"Come cousin, let me spill some blood."
"I can not from whence the blood flows"
Free action to grab Crimson
vs 92 beserk charge +30 to attack
Crim is in draex hand in the blink of an eye and without hesitation Draex charges in Menstras looking to spray his blood in the air
"Here I come, now you will know fear cousin "
Ulasht lets Deathraven's comments hang in the air not agreeing or disagreeing with his assessment of the Emperor or the end of the Battel of Terra.
Ulasht will interact with Deathraven as it seems they have similar goals in mind, assuming of course, Falkus has survived what happened.
I will also try to figure out what Khayon is trying to do with Telemachus' body.
Primarily I will seek to increase my mastery of the sorcerous arts. When I have some free time, I will spar with the servitors, I do not spar with Marines nearby, I don't want anyone seeing what I can do before it is too late.
v 58 (48 + 10 skill)
Menstras gracefully evades the strikes. A step back, to the side and a tilt of the shoulder. A single tut escaping his lips as he clear the third blow.
"Such a flagrant assault cousin."
Khayon speaks philosophically with you about the arts. You gather he is a very powerful Telepath and Telekine. He has no love for his old legion only those loyal to him. Right now he appears to still want to find the Vengful Spirit with or without Falkus. As for Telemachon he hasn't done anything with him yet, he's letting him stink up in the cells of the Taloc for now but plans on basically remaking his mind.
parry
Draex stands there as two blades slash at him
"in accordance with dueling in these pits i lose on first blood. Victory to you cousin."
Draex walks off bleeding but it is of no consequence to him
Menstras sheathes his blades as he watches his opponent retire.
"Perhaps one day we will have a proper fight. Where neither of us will hold back."
Aldegund goes to monitor on the Sons of Horus as he normally would and then Akkad the Word Bearer "By the Iron those he have words, but I wonder if I can temper him to be of any use" making a mental note of a useful asset to further his goals.
Once in the infirmary "How are you holding Son of Lorgar?"
"unless its to the death cousin it will never be proper. "
draex starts practicing over on the side line
"has Khayon informed you of our n-n-neext move? I have been stuck on this ship for months no idea as to what we are doing next? "
The Taloc:
You all hear the familiar voice of the anamnesis over the ships vox.
"Arrival in Gallium space in 15 minutes." her soft voice part female part mechanical is soothing over the vox systems.
It has been a long 5 months, many of you have learned a lot about the ship and it's secrets others more about how to fight better in the ring but your destination is now at hand.
You then hear Khayons voice "Report to the bridge. Once we enter their territory we will prepare for docking."
##########################
Niobia Halo:
"The Taloc approaches" a mechanical voice heard in Aldegund's private vox. It has been almost one year in standard terran years since the ship has been here. Seemed to soon for the Sorcerers of the Thousands Sons to return. "Report as we prepare to be their boarding guests knowing what we know now with Falkus" Valicars mechanical voice rings.
"As ordered" Aldegund prepares and leaves towards the docks wondering how much damage have they endured from their encounter and if it's even true. "This have been interesting times indeed, let us see what menagerie of guest shall we receive today"
Deathraven reported to the bridge. His armor gleamed with a new coat of sealant. He took up a position near the command throne, not interfering with operations, but near enough that he could observe all that went on from the throne's point of view.
His right hand rattled against his left pauldron in salute to Anshur-Kai and Khayon as had been his custom every time he entered the bridge as masters of the vessel.
"What type of welcome should we expect here, Captain?"
The inconsistent recovery of the Sons of Horus vexes Akkad, but he maintains his ministrations as his highest priority, trying to provide support or advice on controlling or managing their conditions. When the passengers are in control, he attempts to speak to them to see if any possess something resembling human intelligence, and tries to negotiate and bargain with them.
As the days go on, he will preach as he can, trying to introduce himself to the crew and his hosts as well as spread the Word. He tailors it to his audience, but never lies. The menials and the slaves hear of the capricious gods that oppress even the mightiest and the futility of resistance, the adepts of the medicae hear tantalizing bits of the secret lore and forbidden mysteries of the warp, and any Iron Warrior who will listen will hear of the might and power Chaos offers, power that can unite humanity, crush all alien opposition, and give them the recognition and glory they so rightly deserve.
He is pleasant to the Triarch when he comes to speak. "I am Astartes, and have been geneforged to superhuman standards of flesh and will. I am a Dark Apostle, and have willingly undergone some of our most inventive tortures to test the limits of my body and soul to prove me worthy. I have withstood the unbridled warp, guarded by faith. I am holding up quite well. You know my reports on the progress of Falkus and his men?"
Most of your preaching falls on deaf ears. The servants here are so heavily modified and up the Machine Gods arse that all you can smell is his oily fragrance.
A group of heavily armed Skitarri approach you in the medicae chambers ordering you to follow them. If questioned they inform you that Valikar wants you on the docking station when the Taloc arrives. You know that is the ship of the Sorcerer Khayon from your meeting.
Khayon regards Deathraven "it is a neutral port and the Governess has no ill feelings toward me so do not expect much."
In the distance you see Gallium appear on the occulus. The planet was one immense foundry, from pole to pole and horizon to horizon. All signs of natural weather had long since been slain from its surface. The thick, unmoving clouds were born from the million chimneys and smokestacks of heavy industry, and the unpredictable precipitation came in sudden deluges of poisonous acid rain.
Niobia Halo, the orbital installation, was the focal point of activity around Gallium. True to its name, it ringed the world as a halo: a metal ring above the planet’s northern pole, vast enough to receive ten capital ships in its dockyards, and armed with enough firepower to defend against three times that number.
As you approach you see one ship docked and another one stood at high anchor. The undocked vessel was a brute in any sense of the word – the Thane, a heavy cruiser in the void-darkened metallic hue of the Iron Warriors Legion, now with the splayed robotic hand sigil of Gallium marked more than a thousand times across its hull. It hung in space, watching over its domain in cold silence. Even from the distance of our approach vector, you could see its battlement cannons rolling to face you. A similar motion was taking place along the walls of the starport, as well. Niobia Halo knew you were here.
The docked ship had no markings and no alignment code was named the Knave of Swords.
"Transmission from Niobia Halo," came the Anamnesis’s voice across the bridge speakers.
"Awaken the link." Khayon ordered
"Awakening... Awakening... Link estab–"
"I am the Guardian of Gallium. State your business in this territory." The voice was neither deep nor guttural, as most warriors of the Legiones Astartes tended to be. It was a mechanical rasp, rendered through an implanted vocaliser.
"Valicar, we request permission for the Tlaloc to dock. We seek refuelling, rearmament and minor repair." Khyaon replied
"The Governess or her attendants will hear the details of your offers of barter," the voice scraped. "Is this understood?"
"It is understood, Valicar." Khayon replied.
"You will abide by the laws of blade-peace and gun-silence while aboard Niobia Halo, while upon the world of Gallium, and while within the Governess’s protectorate. Any violence outside accepted battle rituals brought into my domain will be met with terminal consequence. If you swear to abide by these laws, state your agreement now."
"Have I ever disagreed?" Khayon sighed.
""If you abide by these laws, state your agreement now."
"I agree, Valicar." Khayon said.
"Niobia Halo welcomes your return, Iskandar Khayon of the Taloc. Your honour guard is limited to eight souls in accordance with Niobia Halo’s hostility protocols. Is this understood?"
"Understood." Khayon replied again.
"Then power down your shields and unprime your weapons. Your docking platform will be assigned at once. Do you require anything more?"
"An answer to a question, if you are able to give it.
He hesitated at the unexpected reply. "Ask."
"Have you received word from the Sons of Horus warship The Baleful Eye?" Khayon asked.
"Proceed to docking your ship" Valikar replied and cut the link.
Deathraven looks at Khayon when the link is severed.
"That would be a confirmation, I think. He would have asked why, otherwise. A missing ship could be signs of an impending attack. He would want to know more, so he must already know something. I fear they did not escape unscathed."
Khayon turns to the passengers on the Taloc.
"Lheor, Draex, Ulasht, Deathraven, Menstras, Nefertari and Gair will accompany onto the station."
The black daemon wolf moves close to it's master when he calls it's name.
Draex walks onto the bridge ready in full armor. Blood clotted on his armor form the duel he just endured in the pits but he doesnt care about appearances or formation never did not even under Angrons council. His armor is coated to look like wet blood anyway so he constantly looks drench in blood
" Finally a chance off this ship but not for the purpose of war eh "
"I would be delighted to meet with them," and he follows.
Ulasht looks to Deathraven, "We shall have our answers soon enough I think". Ulasht holds his tongue not wishing to give away any of what he is feeling at the moment.
Ulasht turns to Draex, "Our purpose is war, it is why we exist. We will find war soon enough, then your blades may feast".
Aldegund joins Akkad's escort but marches in parallel as if ignoring his presence until he breaks the silence "I don't really have access to such reports as it is not within my duties or concerns, but I hope your faith remains strong even when it fall on all but deaf ears." as he makes a long pause "You should have listen when I said to mind your tongue, for it will be ignored, we are Iron Warriors, the rest are more machine then men."
Draex turns his nose up at Ulasht
"I dont like you cousin, but truer words have never been spoken. Give me an enemy to sink my axe into and i shall show you gratitude."
Draex spits near Ulasht feat as is there custom to ward off malificarum
"Nor simpler."
Menstras takes place beside Draex, his swords arranged neatly about his armor. He takes a moment to study the others, his eyes lingering on Deathraven, before continuing.
"A weapon requires a master, we do not."
The summons came from Governess Ceraxia before the Taloc’s guidance thrusters had the chance to grow cold. Docking arms reached from the station’s hull as crew tunnels and fuel umbilical's extended to thud against the Taloc’s skin.
Waiting for you outside was a phalanx of Halo guards with Valicar, Aledgund and someone that looked out of place, a warrior in the red of the Word Bearers, Akkad.
All the legionnaires and skitarii were all heavily armed with power halberds, mauls and weapons that defied description and name.
Khayon looked toward the halo guards "Trouble?"
Valicar snorted. "Wherever you walk, Khayon, trouble always follows. Just come with me."
Deathraven looks at Akkad.
"Akkad, I see you are no worse for wear. Why is Falkus Khibre not with you? Was he injured?"
As he speaks, he eyes the weaponry of the phalanx, seeking... something...
"If it is not presumptuous of me to say, welcome to Gallium. I have been a guest of the indomitable sons of Perturabo for the past span. The Baleful Star lost its Gellar Field, and is now scrap, but my hosts rescued me, along with Falkus Khibre, ..." and he proceeds to list every one of the survivors by name, hoping the omission is clear. "There were no others on our vessel when the Iron Warriors found us. As for Falkus and his Justaerin, they are possessed. Their passengers are mindless daemons, devoted only to slaking their base lusts and hungers, little more than, say, a son of Fulgrim," Or Angron, he thinks, his glare at the World Eater who lived where more worthy warriors fell hidden beneath his helm. "Falkus has inconsistent control, but if he is well today and our hosts' limited time permitted, you may be able to speak with him."
"One thing at a time Akkad, let us see what the Warsmith and Mistress Ceraxia have in wait for now." if you could see Aldegun sigh under his helmet you would but his tone was more than enough for you to notice "Sons of Lorgar could speak for eternity if you let them"was his immediate thought seeing as he would preach to a wall had it had an ear.
Aldegund does not enjoy how he degrades the Emperor's Children, but he cannot deny his words, so he focuses on something else "What is your name? as he points to the legionnaire that speaks to Akkad "For that matter I would require the name of the rest of you" pointing at Khayon's escort "I will show you, were you will be staying during your visit here if you wish or answer some questions while Warsmith Valicar confer with Khayon."
Ulasht laughs at Draex, "Funny, you took Khayon up on his offer to save yourself with the use of "magic" brother. Your convictions only run so deep it seems".
Ulasht shakes his head, I new no good would come of this.
Ulasht moves beside Akkad, "And what of Sargon?"
Aldegund turns to look at Akkad furiously and speaks without looking to the marine that just spoke Who is this Sargon you speak of? Akkad and the other Sons of Horus said there was no one with that name? then focusing back to Akkad "You dishonor me lying to my face, there will be payment for this" as a venomous hiss ends his words.
v 41
"In the void of His Chosen Son, where Corvis and I left him."
Menstras rests his hand on Corvis' weapon at the mention of the fallen name.
"Our blades claimed many tainted lives before arriving at the bridge."
"I am Deathraven, of no Legion. I currently serve the interests of the Sons of Horus until such time as we see fit to part ways. And who are you?"
Ulasht looks at Aldegund, "You overstep your boundaries Brother. It is none of your business who or what I inquire about. I suggest you change your tone with me".
"No offense meant, just making sure everything is in order and there are no laws broken in Gallium." as he nods to him. "Welcome to Gallium if you need any assistance I am Aldegund of the Iron Warriors"
"We lost many. As I understood it, there were no signs of life anywhere else on our ship, not even leftover scraps from the neverborn."
"We're here to do business. I suggest we be about it."
"Cousin you misjugde me. We came to the dead ship at the request of Khayon. I followed orders of Lheor. Our route to our doomed ship was lost. I was informed that Khayon had a way off. Nothing more was said about the method of transport. I thought it was teleport technology but at the last second a portal was opened. With all that was said and done the meeting with piss poor securtiy to protect from ambush i figured allowing Khayon to save my men and myself would repay that blunder. I still detest tricks you cast and would have rather perish on the ship with my men but im here. So make the most of it. "
Draex walks of unceremoniously from the bridge to get ready for planet side
"Akkad you said the Gellar feilds failed and you sail the warp unprotected ... how did you make it out alive. I bet you made a deal with the darkness or better yet you must have talked the demons to death Hahahahaba"
Draex laughs aloud amused by his joke.... Sqaure up with Aldegund
"Draex the harvester of skulls"
"Indeed you are" says Aldegund to Draex with some respect "In regards to Akkad I cannot disagree on the talking point, while the other offers an interesting view, but highly unlikley."
Valicar doesn't say anything as he leads you all to the Governess.
Here and there, Gallium’s warp-formed menial workers moved through the halls in ragged gangs, driven by the minds and electrical charge-whips of their Martian overseers.
You enter a large room where you finally get to meet Governess Ceraxia.
From the waist up, Governess Ceraxia was a myth coated in metal. She paced her chambers in dignified unrest, her four arms folded across her chest. Here was the Ancient Induasian goddess Kāli-ka given form, shaped from alloy-blackened bronze and iron and steel. Her face was the dark metal visage of a snarling daemoness, with slanted eyes that seemed to be smoothed obsidian ovals slotted into iron eye sockets. She spoke through clenched golden teeth, and the faint flicker light of a mouth-mounted vocaliser implant shone through the gaps in the prayer-engraved fangs. She was much less human – and much less godly – from the waist down.
Beneath the sculpted bare stomach and breasts, utterly ruining her statuesque presence, Governess Ceraxia was something resembling a kyntafros monster of Grekan legend, known also by the name centaur. Rather than the lower form of a horse, Ceraxia had remade her body into that of an arachnid, with the multi-segmented stalk legs of a scorpion or spider. Eight clawed and bladed mechanical legs clacked their way across the smooth deck, somehow never penetrating or denting the reinforced floor.
"Behold our findings," she said.
A full internal scan of the frigate Baelful Eye showed on a broad monitor screen bound to the wall. She stared at it with unerring focus. It showed brutal damage far beyond what it had already sustained before and during the storm ambush.
"They did not quite reach Gallium itself. We brought the wreckage in from the edge of the Beryl Vicissitude." she said.
She pointed to a separate hololith showing the cluster of scab-like patches of even fiercer instability in the star systems around Gallium. The Beryl Vicissitude was merely one of dozens of warp wounds pockmarking the local region. The Great Eye was forever in flux, but currents and tides whirled around eddies of deeper unrest and islands of relatively stable peace.
"I'm taking the wreckage of their vessel as payment for their restoration. If they object, I’ll have them incinerated, and their ashes flushed into the void." she finally turns to the group.
Khayon nods to the Governess. "It is good to see you again."
Deathraven studies the hololith in an effort to gauge what may have caused the damage that the ship suffered after it left.
"You will be able to restore them, then. That is rewarding to hear."
He glances at Ulasht before continuing.
"We would like to speak with him, if it can be arranged in such a way that would not interfere with their recovery."
The Governess moves closer to Deathraven when he speaks almost face to face examining him closely.
"Your brothers were here not long ago aboard the Fury of the First. Interesting."
Khayon asks "Where is the wreckage now?"
"Do I strike you as an entity with a penchant for carelessness?" she asked, beginning to pace back toward Khayon. "It is hidden."
She kept pacing around her seclusius chamber, which was a domed platform overlooking Niobia Halo from the southern hull section. Its scute-shielding was retracted, offering an unparalleled view of the entire orbital ring, with the stars above and the world below. The red-violet threads of Eyespace curdled the sky, though not enough to mist the view of Gallium’s distant sun – an unhealthy blue orb, wracked by solar storms.
"What were you all doing meeting with Falkus?" she asked.
"He summoned us and requested an audience. The reasons why are for him to tell, Governess. With respect."
Draex in the background tinkers with some sorta of gadgetry accidentally breaking it while they talk about their broken ship
"huh"
Menstras merely paces about the space observing the honor guard, the original Aldegund in particular.
Aldegund wonders if there was more to that ship after hearing the Governess speak, and keeping an eye on the guests as its not common for different legions to travel together unless they have something in common.
"I see. I appreciate what you’re doing. I cannot afford to play favorites or to choose sides. And what side would I even choose? The Nine Legions wage war within their own ranks as often as against each other. The city-states and territories of the Mechanicum are just as sundered by division and divergent philosophies. As for the human colonies in the Spatial Disarrangement–" she says.
"The what?" Lheor interrupted.
"She means the Great Eye," Khayon said quietly.
"Yes, yes, the Great Eye," Ceraxia cut in. "My point, little Tizcan, is that I admire your subtle attempt to play innocent in regard for Gallium’s neutrality. But you and I are no strangers to secret truths. Let’s not start playing coy now. What was the purpose of this gathering?’"
"Warbands meet all the time, Governess. Matters of alliance. Matters of conflict."
She prowled back and forth before us, eight bladed legs clicking. Despite her inhumanity she was a slender thing, more graceful than might be imagined from any monstrous envisioning. Cables hung and swayed between her arachnid limbs, giving the industrial impression of webbing.
"Take us to Falkus," Khayon said.
"Tell me why he summoned you together. Then I will take you to him." she replied.
"Falkus has acquired a seer of immense power. He believes the prophet can lead him to find the Vengeful Spirit. We agreed to aid him." Khayon said.
"Why would you do that?" she replied
Lheor answered. "The Third Legion took the Warmaster’s corpse."
"A rumour," Ceraxia waved three of her hands in a dismissive gesture. "And likely a lie."
"Falkus was there, Governess," Khayon replied. "I trust him."
"Falkus made no mention of such an event."
"He seeks to maintain Gallium’s neutrality," Khayon pointed out. "As do we."
"The Emperor's Children might see you as choosing sides just by virtue of you having this information. They know that Falkus would not give it up freely. Your neutrality could come into question. While I have no doubts that the Iron Warriors can offer stout resistance at your side, we had hoped to prevent it from coming to that. Now that you have been informed, the choice of neutrality may be taken from you by others. I would humbly suggest that you keep that information as close as possible."
Aldegund's eyes narrow at the mere suggestion of them being pushed by the 3rd in matters of siege warfare, but keeps silent on the matter.
Ulasht grits his teeth at Deathraven's words, If she turns on us here and summons our enemies we have few places left to run and hide and all at the mercy of other Legions
Ulasht addresses the Governess, "The Chieftan and my Brothers should be released into my care as I am the remaining member of the Legion present. We certainly thank you for your work in restoring the Baleful Eye. As far as recompensation, I trust we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement. However, the Baleful Eye belongs the Sons of Horus, not to the Mechanicum no matter the work done to it".