Gathering your gear and taking a second to breath you realize just how deep and unsteady this dump is. There is a path that leads to the gate where the two gangs are fighting poorly constructed by the local scavengers using various planks of wood and metal. You will only be able to walk it single file. It spans about 20meters from your location. The only other way out is to somehow scale the walls or cables to reach the Imperial Flotilla, both would likely be a suicide mission as the Imperials begrudgingly allow the locals to use their wastes, they are not so forgiving of those attempting to breach into their space.
Collectors 14 The collectors begin to lose ground to the Vicious Razor Angels and try to fall back.
Volc 12
Feliks 10+
Razor Angels 10 Are making short work of the Collectors with the skill of their wicked blades.
Volkrad Hock 8
Odette 8-
Ciaran 5
Daniel Abernathy 4
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Odette quickly shuffles through her bags, donning her robe and pulling out her gun before slinging the rest over her shoulder. With luck, she'd be able to dig around for some parts to patch up her servo-skull before they all demanded to leave the dump. She should be able to rig up something...
Focus, she told herself as her mind wandered to the ins and outs of the machinery running the servo-skull. She shook her head clear and reassessed the battlefield. The Collectors were losing out, and the walkway looked iffy for footing. Still, the others were competent. They could still pull through.
Round 2
"Much obliged" says Ciaran as she catches the satchel. She quickly searches through the bag for her Autopistol. A quick check of the weapon shows that everything is in order.
Round 3
"If you want to throw your lot in with the scum, Volkrad, now's your chance. They certainly won't last much longer in their current position. Of course, we could simply move on. We do have actual business to attend to, after all."
Round 3
Volc nods approvingly in Feliks and Volkrad's directions as they slay the tiny menace and he moves back toward his own gear. If he feels that he has the time to spare, he will slide into his own flak armor and combat vest. If not, he simply shoulders the pack with all of his things in it and starts toward Ciaran where she stands at the tunnel entrance. "Good shooting, Brothers. Sister, come. We have only so much time before their fighting ends." He spreads his arms out in front of him as though he means to catch her. After all, no one gets left behind.
@ Sister Ciaran
@Volc The Guardsman
Round 3
Feliks takes the opportunity of the lull in their own fighting to find some cover behind some of the trash, speaking to the others as he does, "Those fighting block the only viable route out of this dump. I do not relish the idea of going to handstrokes with those with blades. It is time to get involved."
So saying, he levels his las pistol at the Razor Angels and fires at them. He will try to target one who is not actually in melee at the moment, but will fire into melee if he must.
Round 3
"Why would I do that, Guardsman? I have both cover and a clear line of fire from up here, why would I want to give that up? No, I think I am more than content where I am."
To punctuate her point she levels the autopistol and opens fire on the mercenaries. Her aim is especially indiscriminate - and that's putting it gently.
Round 3
Daniel moves behind cover and retrieves his rifle from his satchel. He gives it a quick glance over and breaths a small sigh of relief; he hadn't seen the rest of his gear but the rifle had made it out OK at least.
"Let's get out of here first. Then we can talk about differin' opinions."
Round 3
Feeling like he's been grouped with a bunch of crazies.
Indeed we do have things to do Sister. "Perhaps if you got off your high horse", motioning to her current position to accentuate the pun, "we could indeed get on with it." Said with an impish grin.
With that Volkrad moves off the path to flank the firefight and get to the gate.
He deftly maneuvers over the garbage attempting to maintain as much cover as he can between himself and the gangs.
Round 3
Collectors 14 The collectors begin to lose ground to the Vicious Razor Angels and try to fall back.
Volc 12 Offers to help down Sister Ciaran, but is shut down.
Feliks 10+ Feliks lowers his weapon and fires. It hits a Razor Angel in the right arm, removing it from his body. He falls screaming in agony as blood shoots from his brachial artery.
The Collectors begin to rally That's right we have back up, best run back and tell Skinner we will not surrender!
Razor Angels 10 Are making short work of the Collectors with the skill of their wicked blades.
Volkrad Hock 8 Tactical advance
Odette 8-
Ciaran 5 Suppressive fire.
The Razor Angels and Collectors don't seem to react to the fire.
Daniel Abernathy 4 In position behind cover.
Collectors 14 The Collectors attempt to flee into the junk yard. Demoralized by the Razor Angel Assault.
Volc 12
Feliks 10+
Razor Angels 10 One of the Razor Angels makes a horrible moaning sound. The Razor Angels fall back and do not pursue into the junk yard. A voice from an unseen source fills junkyard That was but a taste, your hold on this sector is at an end!
Volkrad Hock 8
Odette 8-
Ciaran 5
Daniel Abernathy 4
@Odette
Frowning up at Ciaran, the guardsman shakes his head at her insistence on staying within the tunnel. But, at the end of the day, trying to make her join the others will hardly help things. So, for the moment, he hunkers down beneath the tunnel entrance and sets to hauling his flak on piece by piece. "As you wish, Sister."
Round 4
Daniel takes a deep breath and levels his trusty rifle, aiming down the sights at one of the more menacing of the Razor Angels. The noises drown out around him and he waits a beat before taking his shot.
Seeing his aim strike true Dan allows himself a small smile, thinking of a time long gone by from his home, before focusing back on the action.
"Thanks fir the support Sister!"
Round 4
"Your enthusiasm is noted Mr. Abernathy." comments Ciaran lays down another spray of suppressing fire.
Ciaran frowns at the mysterious, echoing voice. "...Witch" she hisses.
Feliks fires again at the razor angels.
As the shot goes wide of its target, he pulls his helmet over his head and fastens it.
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Odette, seeing that the Collectors are falling back and the Razor Angels are doing... something? They weren't perusing and that one was groaning and--- Who was that speaking? Odette's optical mechadendrite roved around trying to spot the source of the voice while she herself fell back beside Volc. Meat shields were occasionally almost as helpful as the sort she was sure she could construct.
She holds up her autogun towards the Razor Angels, and holds her fire. She was hardly a good shot, but if they started towards her current location, she'd let off a few rounds.
Collectors 14 The Collectors attempt to flee into the junk yard. Demoralized by the Razor Angel Assault.
Volc12 Dons his armor
Feliks10+ Shots wide as he attaches his gear. He takes an assessment of the remaining gangs. A quick summary indicates at least 4 Collectors remain behind cover. Razor fiends have all left...for now.
Razor Angels 10 Falling back
Volkrad Hock 8
Odette 8- Odette is distracted and unable to get an accurate count as she keeps her head down.
Ciaran 5 Succeeds at keeping the Razor fiends from advancing and the Collectors hiding behind cover.
Daniel Abernathy 4 Daniel catches the last fleeing Razor Fiend in the leg, and severs it from his body. The blood splatters on a floating illuminator and causes a red glow to fill the junk yard.
The Gate to the junk yard closes and the surviving Collectors and Junkers turn to face the team. Who might you be?
With the fight over Ciaran comes tumbling out of the tunnel into the junkyard. She brushes herself off with a scowl; apparently being covered in trash was not to her liking.
She moves past her new companions with little to say. Instead she addresses the collected scum directly. "Just a group of concerned citizens looking to get past your little scuffle." she replies, indicating the gate. As she speaks she takes out the magazine in her autopistol and fits a fresh magazine.
The man who spoke up before stands up. He is a large man, and the rest of the people in the junk yard seem to get out of his way when he moves towards the group. He navigates the pile of junk with ease. He begins to speak in High Gothic with a thick local accent.
"I am Rynald, of the Sworn Collectors of the Tithe Immutable. We are have exclusive rights to this area by Imperial Decree. You look to be more than a group of concerned citizens to me. That is some nice equipment you have there young lady. Are you the leader of your gang? If you are another one of those cloudboys, you can keep your petty squabbles. We have enough problems down here.
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With the threat mostly gone, and Ciaran apparently taking the lead on diplomatic actions, Odette busied herself with fussing over her darling Servo-Skull. "Oh what have they done to you?" she cooed over the piece of machinery. She glanced around the dump, looking for anything that might help her with repairs.
The hulking guardsman steps up beside the others as he shrugs his combat vest on over his armor, warhammer dangling from one hand. He buckles the vest on lazily with one hand as he peers across the assembled Collectors, frowning thoughtfully. For the moment, he says nothing to the other group but tries to look just as large and imposing as Rynald. "Sister," he offers quietly to Ciaran, "a warrior cannot have too many allies. One never knows when they will need an extra set of willing hands."
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Odette seems to be in her own little world, muttering about mechanical parts as she scuttles about the debris, clearly looking for something, even if that something isn't clear to anyone else.
Once she's found a few pieces she thinks are compatible with her Servo-Skull, she plunks down on the cleanest bit of trash she can find and starts fiddling with the machinery. Surely the others have everything in hand, not that she's been paying attention.
"I am Rynald, of the Sworn Collectors of the Tithe Immutable. We are have exclusive rights to this area by Imperial Decree. You look to be more than a group of concerned citizens to me. That is some nice equipment you have there young lady. Are you the leader of your gang? If you are another one of those cloudboys, you can keep your petty squabbles. We have enough problems down here.
"I can see that. Gives plenty of reason for one to carry around a gun I'd say, what with all these madmen with swords running amok. Even worthwhile to throw in the extra couple of thrones for something nice."
"Oh, but listen to me ramble. We aren't a gang, and we aren't here to challenge any territorial claims of yours. Our presence here is merely coincidental though it may have ultimately benefited you."
"It isn't your gun I am referring to. I have seen a lot of equipment in my day, and yours is some of the best I have seen come through here. Interested in trading any of it?"
Rynald eyes Odette Hold on there missy, if you are going to do scrapin' in my junk yard, you best be able to pay for it!
A moment later there is a chime at the gate, like an old grandfather clock chiming noon, or midnight. The gate opens and more Collectors come in, these ones are armed significantly better. They begin to take defensive positions around the gate and the cat-walks along the main wall.
"'bout time t'all be showin. Get to the getting to!" Ryland calls out to the new arrivals changing to Low Gothic with some Mercenary Cant thrown in. His eyes remain on Odette.
Ciaran winces as Rynald calls out Odette. She had been focusing her attention on the conversation, not the actions of her companions. Perhaps that was something she would have to reconsider in the future.
The Sister immediately speaks up again, hoping to draw attention away from the faux pas and back into idle conversation. "That's rather flattering of you to say but I'm afraid there's a good deal of emotional attachment to consider on my part. I'm sure you understand."
"Besides, it looks as if things are becoming rather lively around here so it may be time to take our leave. In that light I'd appreciate it if you were to let my friend keep what she has found just now. A favor for a favor, as it were."
Daniel watches the scene unfolding before him as things slowly feel more and more tense. He silently thanked himself for not having thrown on his armor. He quickly opens his satchel to throw his rifle back in and notices some Lho-Sticks, he pockets those as he stows his rifle - wishing he had a better way to hide the weapon.
Shouldering the satchel he walks to where Ciaran and Rynald are, sticking a Lho-Stick between his lips before he remembers he doesn't have a lighter.
With shooting seemingly done for the moment, Feliks holsters his las pistol, draping his cloak around himself and taking up his satchel and staff. He moves forward to stand beside Odette.
"Sorry, brother," Volc murmurs to Daniel as he reaches out to snatch the LHO stick out of his mouth, holding it aloft for the Collectors to see. "I have an abundance of these that I would be willing to trade for her debt. As well as other items you may find of use. Magnoculars. Grapnel and line. What say you?"
Rynald strokes his chin with a smile as he looks over the group and repeats Sister Ciaran's words"A favor for a favor eh? Tell you what, I lost a lot of good men tonight. You grab their Oath Cogs and dial them in for 24hours of service, and I will let you have all the parts you can carry."
Rynald looks at Volc and shakes his head no as he steps aside and reveals tables full of gear and Lho Sticks layed out, some now covered in blood and gore.
As the negotiations are taking place, bodies of the fallen are being stripped by scavengers and Collectors. The corpses are being piled onto a wooden buggy, driven by Cyber-Equines.
"Absolutely not. I told you once: I have no interest in trading with you, especially not on such unreasonable terms." Her voice is stern, though not commanding.
"Odette, leave whatever it is you have found. Everyone else gather your things; we can ill afford any further delay."
Assuming the Collectors offer no resistance Ciaran will wait a few moments for the rest of the group and then head for the gate.
Daniel raises an eyebrow as his Lho-Stick is plucked from his lips. He patiently waits as Rynald shows their surplus of narcotics before taking it back and placing it in his pocket for when he finally finds a lighter.
Ciaran finishes the conversation before Daniel has a chance to say much the same, but he adds a nod of agreement for effect anyhow.
"Sorry fir the intrusion anyhow," He says as he steps past Rynald with Ciaran, "we'll make sure it don't happen again."
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"Uh, no. I am not leaving it. I'll gladly show you how to fix one of these up in exchange though," Odette offers to the collectors. "I imagine you occasionally see something of this sort down here, or at least of similar build. Might be useful to know what to look for and how to fix it. Or, perhaps I can do a quick fix on on of your own items? I haven't much time, if the bossy one is any indicator, but I'll do what I can, including stalling her," she adds with a big grin.
Feliks continues to stand quietly, Better they talk to these people than I do it. I usually just piss people off.
Rynald considers Odette's offer for a moment. well you did seem to fix yours up proper. And you handled that smelt rat. Those rats are a menace and have prevented me from doing some maintenance on the automated gun implacement controls buried under some junk in the back. A whole nest of them rats are back there. Go clear em out and fix the defenses and I'll let you go, I might even throw in a little extra
"I said nothing of the sort. But you seem heart-set on this deal so..."
"Good luck, and be quick about it. I'll be waiting here when you return."
Daniel's eyes scan the gang surrounding them and briefly over his satchel.
"I'd rather not." He says softly. He continues to patiently stand and awaits to hear others weigh in.
Feliks shrugs, sets his satchel down keeping the inquisitorial sigil out of view of the Collectors, and takes a few moments to finish donning the rest of his armor.
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Odette shakes her head, finishes the last couple tinkers with her servo-skull then stands up. "Since when did my sort have more guts than anyone else? Never thought I'd see myself go where apparently a "sister" dares not," she mused none too discretely as she stepped past the other woman.
"I ought to make notes of this for when the services of myself and my Skully are needed..."
With a slight frown at declining his offer, he is perfectly fine with passing the LHO stick back to Daniel. For the remainder of the discussion, he keeps his mouth shut lest he further exacerbate things. At the mention of ridding the area of a den of smelt rats, he hefts his warhammer and sets the haft just below the head against his shoulder. This is a job that he can certainly do. "Right behind you, sister. Come, brothers. I would much prefer this debt to an Oath Cog, as I have no doubt you will, as well. If we are to work together, then we must work together, no?" Without waiting for anyone to voice an argument, he simply turns and falls into step beside Odette.
"In case you had forgotten, Odette, Smelter Rats are designed and produced with the singular purpose of killing your kind. If blood truly is the currency of the Emperor, then spending it for nothing more than spare parts strikes me as an immense waste."
"But I'll tell you what: in the interest of seeing those "guts" of yours remaining inside of your body, I'll loan you a grenade." with that she reaches into her satchel and draws out one of her fragmentation grenades. She makes no overt effort, however, to actually give the weapon to the Tech-Priest, and instead waits calmly for her to turn back for it.
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Odette glances back at Ciaran and laughs. "I'll tell you now my aim isn't spectacular so that is more likely to blow up something important rather than rats in my hands. All the hours spent in the medical lab aren't great for all that weapon practice you lot seemed to have had," she says waving a hand before continuing on.
As Volc strides up beside her, she cants her head to the side to give him a smile. "Ah, thank you for coming along. I dare say I was slightly sure I was going to be trading my pride, and Servo-Skull repair parts, for a swift death," she exclaims, a rather jovial tone ringing clear through her voice. Her appreciation is sincere, and relief is fairly obvious. "Thank you."
Fully armored, Feliks falls in on the other side of Odette, saying nothing but drawing his Las pistol and readying it.
"A sister?! Rynald exclaims and his eyes go wide when Odette makes an off-hand remark to Sister Ciaran. Oh, I don't want any trouble with the Sisterhood! Praise the Emperor! Take it! Take any thing you want! His fellow collectors do the same and make way for the group.
Ciaran rolls her eyes and sighs deeply.
"You'll have no trouble Rynald - at least for now. It may stay that way for a long time, yet, should you and your subordinates make an effort to forget the circumstances of what has transpired."
She turns back to Odette after returning the grenade to her satchel. "Do you hear that, Tech-Priest? A sudden streak of generosity has broken out among our acquaintances. Do thank them, so that we can finally be on our way."