Occux spends several minutes pouring over the various reports and displays relating to the reactor and its systems.
The reactor controls the entire facility. It is quite frankly an enormous reactor for the size of the facility you've seen which probably means one of three things. The facility is MUCH larger than it appears from the surface and what you've seen by a factor of ten, the facility is incomplete and it will be much larger when complete or more likely, the facility is built from the hull and components of a space hulk, a wreck of a star-ship.
You can see some information regarding the defences, but only so much that you can tell that the automated defenses have their own back up reserve power designed to provide enough power to defend the facility at full power for several days. It could last months before it too dies out.
There are two primary locations that draw the most power, several levels below you and a large grid in the northern most bunker.
Rebooting the system will most likely cause any electronic security system to shut down for a few seconds up to several minutes but mechanical systems will be unaffected.
Picking up the soldiers helmet and checking his micro vox shows it is still functional. The encryption may be too much for your over the counter models to tap into but you can always take it with you as either the hand held system or connected to the helmet.
His lasgun still has a half charge and he has one charge pack still on his hip.
Aside from the missing leg, shoulder pad and swiss-cheesed abdomen its intact. Given a bit of time in a machine cult workshop Occux could combine the two into one full set.
Man, did you look at this guys equipment. You think you can repair this armor? Hey, this helmet has a microvox in it. We could use that to contact the other GREL fire squads . . . If there are any left that is.
Looking up from the console, Occux says "The air defense systems are running off of an independent energy source; the reactor is of a size disproportionate to the apparent size of the facility, the greatest draw of energy is several levels below and below the north bunker. Security systems will be reset briefly if the reactor is reinitialized , mechanical system not."
"Okay Judge I am not trying to pull rank here, but we need to get moving. Right now we are in the dark. We don't know who cut the power or why. What ever is down here is shredding elite troopers like its not a big deal. Lets grab what we need here and head for the lab. If there are cogitators still up Occux can get the information we need there. Then we need to find that nuke and secure it."
"Hate to burst your bubble Gung-Ho the guardsman, but I ain't doin' this s~%+ ta' meet me end because we charged in head first n' got ourselves melted by weird friggin' xeno bugs. We gotta take this slow, or we'll end up just like this poor puke. Octus takes a boot to the corpse as if to emphasize his point. "I say we activate the power. Worst case scenario, whatever automatic defence doo-hickies down here will reactivate, but at least we'll be able to see the monsters before they try ta' liquify us. On a side note, the frig's a football?"
Aw fire in hades, lets spin the fate wheel and see who smiles! Fire up the reactor. Said with a maniacal grin...
His bionic hand poised above the console, looking from each of his companions then settling on Jacques "I concur, the reactor should be restarted. Do you yield to the majority decision, Judge?
"Of course. We'll never know unless we do something about it. If, by the time the reactor's running, and we haven't yet been blown to bits by automatic fire, then we should continue on."
It takes Occux several seconds to input the proper commands to starting reboot sequence. When the final combination of key stroke and mental impulse occurs the screen begins visibly ticking off open circuits and links mashup can gear the dull hum of the power shutting down and then silence as the terminal goes blank.
Several moments go by in the pitch black darkness with even the emergency systems down before the screen finally lights up and streams of data scroll across the terminal and Occux's eyes. With a loud think you can feel the reactor start up and can almost feel the vibrations in your bones as its turbines and plasma injectors prime and spin faster and faster. Soon the screens nearby come to life and the overhead lights flicker and then blaze brightly.
While the reactor terminal continues to run through its check list and verify power levels and distribution warning lights appear on several other terminals.
The closest terminal shows outdoor cameras and status indications for the external sensors which are going haywire.
The next terminal is flashing warnings about contamination detected in several hallways and corridors as well as parts of he air ducts.
A third terminal appears to be tracking several objects in orbit as well as the status of a ring of automated missile systems that are locked in a mode that targets everything and ignores FoF signals.
Another terminal has lists of hull and security breaches including the front door.
On another terminal that doesn't have any warning signals going off you can hear the distinct sounds of static.
"<sigh> Okay, different temperaments, talents and convictions make the whole greater than the sum of its parts."
After the rebooting and watching the outcome using his own tech skills and turns to Occux.
"Can you tell what is jamming the outside sensors? And the contamination, is it biological or chemical? And if we can't turn off the air defenses it is going to be hard to get off this rock. Not to mention there are several things in orbit. Can you tell what those things are or who they belong to?
JT's own Tech Use roll
Awareness in case there are other clues here.
"Maybe we can cobble together where the GREL teams went by these breech warnings or even the path the intruders took. Knowing which areas are secure would be useful too. Any idea what the heck they are doing at the facility?"
Occux eyes flit here and there as power is restore to he facility. Moving from console to console he attempts the following
Terminal one
Occux tries to determine the cause of the sensor disruption
Tech use(int:45)
Terminal two
Occux sets up a query to extract all information on the contamination.
Tech use(int:45)
Logic(int:45+10)
Terminal three
Occux attempts to reset the air defenses to acknowledge FoF signals
Tech use(int:45)
Terminal four
Occux obtains a list of all hull breaches, as well as schematic or facility
Tech use(int:45)
Terminal five
Occux interfaces with the console to determine its purpose and what is causing the static.
Tech use(int:45)
Terminal one responses to Occux's probing quite readily. Several of the connections for cameras have been severed while the proximity and life signs sensors are either damaged or out of calibration but from the ones that are showing status green you Darnell that there are large amounts of life forms or something large outside wandering throughout the clearing but you can't get a good look through the operative cameras.
Terminal two has reports of organic matter in several of the air ducts and a few of the labs while other rooms report chemical contaminants which probably mean that those rooms are no longer sealed and the planets atmosphere is seeping in.
Terminal three shows that the defence system's FoF database has been erased but you can't tell whether or not it was intentional.
Terminal four allows you to download a 'complete' copy of the floor plan for the facility, which seems to be six levels, but according to the plans there is nothing remotely near the two main power drains. It isn't very hard to map the containment breaches on the plans showing a relatively straight course towards the centre of the facility and downwards... Or upwards.
The fifth terminal is the facilities internal/external communications system, its currently only reading dead air from whatever channel it was on before or preset to. The only system not available is the facilities astropathic choir.
"At the very least we still have habitable conditions in the facility, but the xenos bugs, the tamperance with the defenses FoF tags... this screams of sabotage. We have to move on now. Time's wasting.
As we move, keep trying to hail members of the GRELL team. If anybody's still alive, we might be able to combine forces."
Jacques moves to the lift and presses the key, hoping dearly for an indication of its function. The team hasn't exactly had luck with ladders as of late.
If the lift isn't operational, Jacques moves over to the ladder, shining a torch down hoping to see it doesn't lead off into an abyss.
Octus keeps his shotgun aimed at the lift in case there's anything inside that doesn't particularly respect the fact that he's alive.
"We know that the flooded chamber was where the other trooper went. I will try to raise him on the bead."
Dialing into the GREL frequency just gets you static from where you are.
When you first exit the command room there are no lights but after a minute or two they slowly begin to flicker to life. The same goes for the panel on the lift, there's no power but after the lights stabilize a small green light blinks on and allows you swipe the security card. The lights blinks for a few seconds and then you start to hear grinding coming from deep below you as the lift gets closer. Standing carefully back and aiming your weapons into the opening you almost fire but stop yourselves as you see a body slumped against the back.
The body is covered in blood and appears to be wearing what looks like a clean-room suit or a hazard suit. Examining the body reveals several gunshot wounds and a bloody security card similar to the one on the guarding this one has an additional line on it that says LAB 4.
There is another card reader inside the lift.
which card are you trying?
Having downloaded the information into his dataslate, Occux joins the others, las carbine at the ready.
" Humm, lab 4, I am guessing that is one of the units that is compromised. Why shoot up scientists though? The GREL team wasn't here to liquidate the place right?"
"Well gang taking the lift is like knocking at the front door, but I think we are running out of options unless you got some insight from the cogs Occux."
Occux nods as JT's question and consults the schematics downloaded into his slate.
He analyses the layout of the facility, trying to determine if there are alternate ways down, such as stairs or service tunnels.
Logic (int:45+10)
"What is down on that flooded level anyway? Anything important?"
There is no Lab 4 on the schematics... And the panel above the key slot seems to be a blank touch panel.
According to the schematics the flooded level is listed as security and primary containment. The second floor is divided into five sections each joined at the lift but separated from each other, including air ducts and ventilating systems.
Section One: Oversight
Section Two: Dorms
Section Three: Security
Section Four: Maintenance
Section Five: [Classified]
Floor three contains hydroponics and Lab 1
Floor four contains Lab 2 and Specimen Housing 1
No further floors exist on the layout.
"Well, floor by floor then gentlemen?"
Octus suddenly perks up an ear, "One of you just say somethin'?" The blank stares he receives answer his question, "Ehm... Anyway, think we should take this floor by floor?"
"Lets try this guys hand on the touch panel along with his card. Lab 4 doesn't exist, but he has a card for it. They are doing something big down here so lets give it a shot. Plus if we get into a secure location, maye Occux will find a more informed cog to link up with. It might also help get us past the floor by floor bit, I would like to avoid that if possible."
Well I don't like the idea of getting that close to these bugs; but since everyone else is going for firepower, I better plan for the leakers.
Skrate switches back to the sword and stands next to the lift door. just incase something get past all the massed firepower of the others.
"I agree with Julian. We should try this mysterious lab first. Strange it doesn't even show up on the schematics, not even like the classified rooms on floor 2. If the card doesn't work, we'll go level by level like Octus suggested. Julian, keep checking the link for contact with the GRELL team.
Remember, the final option rests with them. We can't let the mission hinge on it, but it's best to keep our options open."
Jacques readies his Combat Shotgun and tries to feed the card into the slot, pressing also the dead technician's hand to the panel. If that doesn't work, he shrugs and says, "Floor by floor it is then," whilst checking for the second floor.
Occux nods at Jacques' comment, "The largest power draws are not listed in the schematic, but access must be present. If normal means are blocked, finding the power conduits that serve these areas may provide ingress."
"So they got something big going on down there. Something big enough that they are willing to nuke it."
Jacques slips the scientists's card through the reader and the panel above illuminates showing Level 1, 2, 3 and 7. Tapping the seven, without needing to use the corpses hand, the doors close behind you and the lift begins to slowly descend. The first three floors are stacked one on top of the other like normal but the lifts continues descending and you watch reinforced and clean ferrocrete for at least a hundred meters before the fourth door reveals itself. A loud grinding noise can be heard beneath you as you continue to slip lower down the shaft. Twenty meters below the fourth door you pass through a metal ring that begins to loudly close above you as you continue the descent. Floors five and six follow the same way with a metal ring between each of them until the lift finally stops at the door with a large seven on it.
ducking to the sides as it begins to open you are all blasted with a strong antiseptic and chemical smell and strong white lighting.
Shortly after the door opens, JT hears a squawk of signal from the soldiers comm.
Looking through the open door you can see the walls are littered with bullet holes and burn marks and several other scientists are strewn dead about the hallway. It looks as if they were gunned down as they tried to flee to the elevator and turning yo can see many bullet scratches and dents on the lift doors. They obviously weren't killed by anyone leaving the lift.
Wordless, Jacques, directs the team foward out of the lift, holding his combat shotgun out and checking the corners. He directs Nebdel to point and follows second after him. He reaches down and checks the wounds on one of the scientists.
When the buzzing comes over the comm, Jacques holds a fist up into the air and looks back to J.T.
"GREL squad this is second string, do you read over?
JT keeps his Armageddon pattern assault rifle with the suppressor and reflex sight trained down the hallway.
"Hey Judge, you think those guys were sent in as a kill squad?"
The scientists have died primarily from large bore solid projectiles but some were burned to death.
"Man it's good to hear someone's voice. This is GREL 396, if your reading me you must be somewhere on level seven. Be careful. We're not alone, I have no idea what you guys were doing here but there's dozens of operating rooms on this floor and somehow the 'patients' have escaped. Keep an eye out for Ratlings and Ogruns there's at least a few loose and they're crazy."
Up ahead Nebdel motions for everyone to get low and quiet so you duck down against one wall just in time to see a large misshapen humanoid shadow spread across the wall of an adjoining corridor as it stops, looks around and disappears again.
"Like wise 396, Second String located GREL overwatch at breech-point. Two confirmed inactive one MIA but presumed inactive as well. Have just disembarked lift at seven, can you advise tactical situation and battle plan? Advise if we have a broken arrow?"
From where he crouches against the wall, Occux comments "Experimentation with unreliable organic entities is always frought with unknown dangers."
Nebdel moves forward to see if he can get a better look at what was making the shadow. However, he is moving slowly and examining his surroundings carefully. Even some animals are clever enough to set up distractions and ambushes.
Jacques shrugs at JT's question.
"Potentially, but it doesn't make sense. It would mean somewhere down the line orders are getting crossed. We were ordered to try and save the scientists, not massacre them. There'd be no point lest somebody is trying to cover something up. Watch it though; these civilians were killed by conventional weaponry."
As the movement is sighted, Jacques goes silent and raises his shotgun to bear, easing along to cover behind a dead scientist and covering Nebdel's approach.
From where he crouches against the wall, Occux comments "Experimentation with unreliable organic entities is always frought with unknown dangers."
With a battlefield hint of dark sarcasm,"Hey careful, the Immortal Emporer was an organic and only went to the undying throne when there weren't any more options. And I am no red robe but pretty sure that thing was experimental at the time."
Moving up to the edge of the corridor and cautiously peering down it you see the large and brutish form of a very muscular humanoid with green skin walking through a doorway less than five meters away from you. The sign above the door says in clear and boxy lettering Physical Examination 12
"Damn, is that a greenskin? It's bigger than the stories. It has its back to us. I wish 396 had advised rules of engagement. Snapshot two to his dome and he's down, you've got he scilencer on. S+%~ no time to ask judge for green light . . . F%@~ it."
BS base 52+30+10-20=72 if I am doing it right
1st shot damage
BS adj to 72
2nd shot damage
Please let this work or you are gonna be a big duche rather than a hero.
Man wants a head shot, man gets a head shot.
Skrate lines the aiming dot up on the green monsters head and takes a shot with the silenced hand cannon.
, ,
Skrate grins to himself as the slug slams into the heavy skull!
Jacques waits and sees if the thing was dispatched silently. He moves forward, ready to support his squadmembers in case the thing charges.