So you wanna be one armed with mechadentrites?
Hmmm right...only one hand. Well I'd like to take advantage of the half price, but even then biotic arm still too expensive.
Yeah 1 handed is ok
Occux how much do you need? JT feels in debited to Occux for saving his six and Nebels life. You helped JT when he got shot in the head too.
I'm not sure you have this book, but in the Book of Judgement there's a shield that functions basically like a buckler as so:
"These shields offer +3 AP against attacks made against
the body and one arm from weapons with the Primitive
quality, and +1 AP to attacks of all other kinds made against
the same areas An Acolyte using an Enforcer riot shield
may still carry and manipulate objects in his shield hand, up
to pistol-sized weapons"
Enforcer Riot Shield Melee 1D10 I 0 1.5kg Defensive, Primitive 40thrones Scarce
Would you allow the purchase?
Also, I'll also wait to know what training I get before I finalize my purchases.
Occux how much do you need? JT feels in debited to Occux for saving his six and Nebels life. You helped JT when he got shot in the head too.
I'm short about 200 thrones.
DM what would the be quality of the implant, Poor Good Best?
Normal quality implant. Considering the need you can take an advance from your monthly income as well Occux.
Jacques lemme find my copy, should be okay though.
Alright, rollin for the scum monies!
50 thrones, finally, I can give up this life of crime and scummery and follow my dreams.
Normal quality implant. Considering the need you can take an advance from your monthly income as well Occux.
Jacques lemme find my copy, should be okay though.
Specialized training
Occux (Cyber)
Chem-use
Common Lore: Technology
Demolition
Forbidden Lore: Xenos
Nebdel (Prowl)
Concealment
Lip Reading
Shadowing
Tracking
Octus (Grifter)
Acrobatics
Common Lore: Underground
Disguise
Inquiry
Jacques (Judge)
Command
Interrogation
Intimidate
Logic
Julian (Trooper)
Awareness
Dodge
Silent Moves
Survival
-----
After completing your training you are transferred off planet to investigate the workings of a smuggling ring suspected of dealing in alien artifacts.
Three days out your ship receives new orders and is rerouted midtransit. A text only vox signal is transferred to you where you wait in joint bunks. After decoding and verifying the security codes the message reads thus:
Saladaris reroute to {expunged}
Contact lost with facility on {expunged} nine days ago. Sensitive research must be secured and cause of communication black out located and dealt with. G.R.E.L. team 62 on route and will arrive 48 hours prior to you to secure facility. Locate team, ensure facility is not compromised. Establish or maintain lock-down of research wing. Reestablish communications. Cell member Judge has command.
Facility located on moon of {expunged}. Atmosphere contains high levels of toxic gases. Security of facility must be maintained. If containment not possible total destruction of facility will be conducted by Saladaris cell. Team 62 in possession of high yield nuclear explosive.
The landing craft shudders and shakes as small vessel breaks the toxic atmosphere. Inside, Jacques is sitting on one of the benches in the small craft's exit bay, reading his command dossier over for what seems like the seventh time. His eyes flick out to the other members of Saladaris, regarding each of them in turn.
Jacques, now callsigned as Judge looks over the dossier with only the slightest hint of frustration crossing his face.
"They've given me command, eh? Well, I suppose there's a first time for everything. This isn't like back on Harna though... these men can actually think for themselves. Still, it'd have been nice if the Inquisition could give us a little more to go on. What is this research? What significance does it hold. Of course, protocol and all that, galaxy threatening conditions, but why does the damned Inquisition insist on being so clandestine?"
He addresses the rest of his group, "I've been given command for this mission. I'm not going to lie, our purposes aren't exactly clean. We're to secure the research facility on this moon, locate the team who hopefully aren't already dead, lockdown the research wing and reestablish communications. The atmosphere on the moon we're headed to is filled with toxic gases, and if we cannot maintain the security of the facility, our last effort will see us destroying the facility completely. We're talking the nuclear option there... luckily, that remains our last ditch effort should things go awry."
The shuttle banks and shudders, forcing its way through the turbulent and dense atmosphere while you all sit strapped to your seats. Not two minutes after the shuttle hits atmosphere on of the flight crew comes back to address you all holding onto the guide pipes above his head. "Sirs, we've had a small change of plans. Landing at the site is no longer an option. The facility's AA defenses are active and already trying to lock onto us." this statement is punctuated with a sharp 75 degree banking diving before leveling off again, "We need to drop you off seventy clicks south but thankfully you won't have to hoof it." the shuttle banks violently again while he shimmies his way past you towards the hatch leading to the cargo hold. Punching in a few numbers on the keypad it slides open. The cargo hold lights up revealing stowed crates stacked and webbed along the sides of the thin cargo hold. In the center, strapped down lies a strange mix of dune buggy and APC. "We call these little beasts 'Castrators', fast, agile and can drive over almost anything but spend too much time riding in them we're pretty sure causes sterility. Grab a helmet from beneath your seat. you can't breath the air here but it won't harm you otherwise. Get ready you drop in five."
Occux investigates the vehicle's technology running his new metallic bionic hand over its control surfaces.
Looking up he says "Who of us can pilot this device?"
After quickly adjusting the strap of his autogun to a more comfortable position, Octus steps forward, "I got this boys, used to steal those little motorized service carts when we's was kids back home, race em through old service tunnels. Got pretty good at it if I do say so me'self." He pulls on his jacket's collar as a crooked tooth smile appears across his face. It's fairly obvious he's reminiscing right now. "Can't imagine this'll be much different, eh?"
He drops his hands and makes a quick jog for the driver's seat before plopping himself in front of the wheel. Doing so he catches a brief glimpse of his jacket, and it occurs to him that he might want to invest in clothes that haven't been caked in sewer gunk. "Maybe something a little more... drab, and I guess I've always wanted a longcoat." he mutters to himself as he begins strapping the helmet to his head.
"whoo hoo that was some freaking awesome drop huh! Alright back in the action right! Hey does it have a pintle mount or a crew served weapon?" JT shouts out as he gathers his gear.
Before the flight attendant leaves, Jacques tries to ask the man a few questions. By saying the facility has targeted us, do you mean this is just an unattended automated function or is somebody down there targeting us personally?
After the question is answered, Jacques checks each of his laspistols in turn to make sure both are in firing order. He performs a coms check with everybody to make sure everybody's tuned into the same frequency then finally straps on his new shield to his left forearm, making sure everything on his body is tight and secure for the drop.
Turning back to Jacques, "We don't know. All we know is something is trying to paint us and when that happens whoever or whatever it is will light us up like a shooting star." he pauses and puts his hand to his headpiece."Strap in its go time."
As the rest of you scramble into the vehicle and secure your helmets you can see the amber warning lights begin to flash. The front nose of the shuttle begins to open like the maw of some great and terrible beast from childhood stories and then you find the rack upon which you're sitting being pushed slowly out the hatch until you find yourselves in freefall.
Spinning and spiraling downwards to the purplish, green forest below until the chutes attached to the rack deploy and you slowly coast the remaining distance until you crash through the foliage and hit the dirt. Now you know why they call these the castrators, the seats have no padding.
There is a screen between the driver and front passenger seat with a rough map of the terrain and a blinking light pointing out your destination. Behind the front seats there are two benches with two seats against the outside walls of the vehicle and a pintle hatch in the middle. Behind the cabin is a large truck back, where most of your gear is, complete with dog house resting above the two rear axles.
Can I get a navigation and a drive check to get you to your destination?
Octus let's out a soft chuckle as he revs the engine, "Alright boys an' girls, this is your captain speakin'. Please keep your bits n' pieces inside the machine at all times. Before we get movin' I'd like to ask all passengers to buckle the f&~$ up, 'cause this is gonna be a bumpy f*#$in' ride!"
Navigate
Int 26:
Drive
Agi 39:
"So... ehm... someone wanna tell me where we're goin?"
If no one else wants it, I'll take the right outside seat.
Octus, If you stop on the approach every so often, I can examine where we are going through my scope.
Though he usually carries the rifle broken down for concealment in his pack, this obvious of a combat raid doesn't need that level of subtlety. So he has it built up and ready to fire.
Between the targeted reception and this rattle trap, no real chance of sneaking into this one. {sigh}
After gripping the bench tightly the entire descent, Jacques releases his white-knuckled grip on the bench and speaks into the mike, making sure everything is still intact.
"We're headed to the unnamed facility, he points to the map, around so many clicks that direction. Everybody, make sure your face masks are sealed tight. Word of god is the atmosphere is highly toxic. We can't make any assumptions."
"We'll keep it loud for now, but once we get close enough to the facility we should resume stealth operations. Whatever was ready to fire upon us up there is certain to fire upon us down here."
Weaving around trees and churning up mud and brush as you go every boulder or tree stump you hit jostles you around. Several frantic kilometers later you pull up to the edge of what appears to be a massive crater. Near the far side is the only cleared area you've seen on the whole planet. Thanks to Octus and his fantastic driving skills you managed to make it this far, avoiding several dangerous spots and entirely intact, even the paint. The clearing is roughly two kilometers farther, through similar dense forest made of trees and giant mushrooms. You can push your way through with your wheels or bushwhack the classic way.
From this distance you don't see any buildings in the clearing.
Jacques sighs. "Hrm, perhaps it may have been wise to invest in some binoculars. Anyway, I suggest we keep in the vehicle. We don't know what resistance we'll find ahead, so the rolling cover will be nice. Even still, this mission is time critical. Every moment we spend the likelihood the research team is already extinct increases."
"What do you all think?"
"I concur. The mission briefing emphasized the importance of a timely arrival." Occux says looking up briefly from his dataslate.
"Yeah I think we need to get close to our insert point then get inside. Once inside they hopefully won't be able to expend heavy ordinance on us. What's the SitRep Judge?"
Gimme' a couple minutes before moving in.
Skrate spends a few minutes examining the clearing and what he can see of the surroundings through the telescopic sight of his hunting rifle. Then relays to the others what he finds (or doesn't find).
At first Nebdel sees nothing within the clearing, but a second scan reveals that the lumps he previously thought were hills are in fact low bunkers, overgrown with grass and moss. At the edge of the clearing can barely be seen long metallic rods 2/3 the height of the nearby trees.
You can see no movement.
Guys, I'm not sure driving right up to those bunkers is a good idea. But I'm game if that's what you really want to do.
Hey tech-man, you know what those big metal rods are?
"Bunkers!? Is that the target? Should I let someone know by Vox? Hey Judge you got any intel? Is the facility underground?"
Occux holds his hand out for Nebdel's rifle. Once Nebdel hands it over, Occux raises it to his right eye and looks at the metallic rods at whatever magnification is available on the sight.
Common lore (technology) (45)
You're not 100% sure but they are probably either motion sensors or life sensors (a more powerful, complex version of Auspex technology that requires huge amounts of power and to remain stationary). but whatever it is it appears dormant.
Tech Use
Awareness
There's nothing more to see from this far away. Are you going on foot or via APV?
Jacques addresses JT's question. "Intel is, of course, shoddy at best. We don't know anything about our enemy or what kind of fortifications they may have set up in the twilight of their incursion. All we know is that recently this research facility has come under assault. We're to rescue the research team if at all possible, and more likely more importantly secure the research."
"Hrm, good eye, Skrate. Those bunkers could pose a serious problem. I suppose we should keep the vehicle slow and easy until we get within earshot of the camp, then jump out and scout on foot. Skrate, you've the best means of stealth so you should lead the incursion, followed by JT and Octus. Occux and I should remain close to cover as backup."
"yeah I can get a little sneaky like. Well lets have a look at those bunkers I guess. They might be a way in. Did they look like anti personnel types or AA or anti vehicle bunkers?"
I couldn't say. But something was targeting the ship coming in. So at least something here has that capability. Have a look and decide for yourself.
After Occux is finished, Skrate hands the rifle to JT.
Revving the engine back up Octus steers the APV down the edge of the crater and towards the clearing on the far side. Thankfully the forested area has a full canopy but near the base of the trees most of it is large enough for Octus to steer his way through, only occasionally rubbing or bumping a tree.
You stop A few hundred meters away from the edge of the clearing for two reasons, first if the Auspex system is active this is just beyond its range and second, the trees are getting more sparse and it will be easier to avoid detection on your approach to the bunkers on foot.
Cautiously Skrate moves forward alone, slipping from tree to tree trying his best to keep as much of the remaining forest between him and the clearing as possible.
Once the large metallic poles are within easy sight range Skrate notices something odd, there is a large caterpillar like bug just over twenty centimeters long inching up the side of the nearest pole and the lumination panels on the top are out.
Skrate whispers to the others over the microbead, Guys, there is worm longer than your hand on the pole. He describes the bug to them. (Is it brightly colored? That would usually indicate poisonous.) Anyone know what it is? Doesn't look like the pole is active.
Skrate is looking through his scope at the other poles and the trees to see if there are more of them. He is especially looking for 'natural' hazards like webbing, bugs located to drop on passerbys, or bodies on the ground.
If he sees nothing, he will continue to creep forward.
JT thought back to his own experiences and buzzed back, "Do they look like vent tubes for bunker or ordinance dump complexes? Any think coming out of them? Now that you are up close can you see battle damage on those emplacements?"
Guys, there is worm longer than your hand on the pole. He describes the bug to them. Anyone know what it is? Doesn't look like the pole is active.
JT tries to select out Judge and Cyber of the bead. That is obviously a female pandorian stripper bug working that pole. To activate just throw some hard earned thrones at it. It's just painted up to attract males of its species by tricking them that she wants to mate. Whatever you do don't ask her about her daddy bug! Ha ha ha ha.
Tech Use if needed to select out channels
Occux's toneless voice comes on over the comm "Given the hostility of our current environment, caution dealing with local fauna is advisable"
The caterpillar creature is covered in purple-green fur matching the trees around you.
Sensing no imminent threats you move on into the clearing and head for the nearest bunker. Hidden in the side of the hill you find a large metallic door over two meters tall and obviously very thick. With a quick examination you find hidden behind a panel a handprint scanner without power. Nothing short of turning on the power or a Melta bomb will get you through here.
The next nearest bunker is also the central bunker which is hidden under a much wider hill. Skirting around the side of the hill you eventually find its door. The door is much like the previous door in construction but this door has been forced open partially. The two hatches that make up the door are open just enough for someone to slip through, roughly forty centimeters, and you can see a hydraulic pry tool is holding it open at the top. Such tools are normally used on ships to force open void hatches that are malfunctioning and are known for their durability and reliability.
Inside the bunker is dark, lit only by the dim yellow emergency lighting which appears to be failing.
Again whispering into the microbead, First and central bunker without power. Central door forced open by intelligence not nature. Appear secure to move in.
Skrate backs up about 10 meters and crouches down to keep an eye on the open door and the surroundings until the others catch up.
Hate crawling into a beasts burrow...
One large central bunker and three smaller ones somewhat surrounding it farther out in the clearing.
I 'm going to check the other two.
Skrate sneaks over to see if the other 2 bunkers are still sealed and if the door at least is without power.
"Hey Skrate, don't go in there alone! Remember what happened to secretary. Does it look like someone was trying to get in or out of that bunker that was can openered?"
Not planning to. I'm going to see if the other two bunkers are also without power to the doors. If they are, I will come back to check this one out more closely. But I will wait for some assistance before going in.
After checking out the other door on the other bunkers I will come back to see if there are foot prints or pry marks to show if it was opened from the inside or the outside.
Moving to the other two bunkers you can see that they are both locked and without power.
Moving back to the forced open dorr you can see muddy footprints leading inside, several of them, and fading as they go. The exterior seems to be safe as you've found no signs of movement or life aside from the one caterpillar.
While the rest join you you take the time to examine the prints outside and can tell that some of them are heavily burdened due to the depth and the shortness of the stride. Well that or it's from a short, fat person with big feet.
Forgot to post this spoiler before. G.R.E.L stands for Guardsman Regimental Elite Linesman. They are this sectors closest thing to special forces or black ops. They are the best, almost comparable to Cadia's Kashriken.
Still talking quietly, All 3 small bunkers locked and apparently powered down.
Central seems forced from outside. Footsteps leading in, none coming out. Either they found another exit, are still in there waiting, or still in their dead.
We busting in fast and loud or sneaking in quiet?
After the rest of them arrive to the apparently abandoned bunkers, Jacques hunches down next to the forced open door and takes a quick look inside.
"There's no need to announce our presence, but we have to move through here as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence, after all, but this might lead us as to some clue of what forces managed to attack the base. Who knows, the bunkers might connect to the base somehow. This might be how the assailants managed to bypass the facility's defenses in the first place."
"We move fast, but keep vox traffic to a minimum. If hostile's are encountered hit them hard and quickly before they have a chance to fight back... I don't like tunnel fighting. We know nothing if the enemy managed to set up some defense positions so keep an eye out. Anybody got anything to add?"
"If this is where the GREL squad entered I bet they went in with some decent numbers. if they could not pull off loud we for sure cant. I think stealth is of the order. Something big must have happened for them to be able to breech the side of the bunker with no obvious losses strewn about here."
JT extends out his Armegeddon R5 carbine's stock, checks the red dot micro sight and threads on the suppressor."Heh, heh, I am not gonna mess up being quiet like on the last op Judge. And I ain't gonna let anyone steal my jeans either!"