Heart of the Tempest Battle Stations

Game Master Radavel


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Dark Archive

The disaster that was the previous dynasty lord's last adventure left you all with less than enough resources to restore the dynasty lone ship. It is a battlecruiser though and it may be enough to pull your nuts out of the vice and your profit margin into the black.

Urgent missives to creditors for more time have been sent and you are ready to depart Port Wander for the Expanse in search for riches and fame.

Meanwhile, one of the dynasty's oldest servants have arrived with an opportunity. He awaits your pleasure.


BS:43 | WS:32 | ST:28 | T:34 | AGI:52 | PER:35 | INT:44 | WP:30 | FEL:43 | Pilot (Space) +20 Wing Commander

+++ "Wing Leader to Hangar control.
Wake up and prepare the welcome party.
I have contact with the shuttle of our guest.
Bringing them in now. Inform the Captain.
ETA ... about ten minutes."
+++
Heinrich cuts the vox of his trusted lightning attack craft and flies a long loop around the small shuttle.
He doesn't know the man that was arriving, his career as pilot-for-hire still new. Too new to know all the far reaching contacts of the dynasty already.
Finishing his loop and decelerating maneuver, he takes a flanking position on the left of the shuttle.
Satisfied he visually detects his wingman taking up position on the right flank of the shuttle, completing the honor guard formation for their guest.


The Lord-Captain stands upon the deck, his cold blue eyes scanning the crew assembled. His hand rests confidently on the hilt of a power sword as he addresses those present.

This is the opportunity we've been waiting for. Commander Patronius, Mr. Fechter, prepare to met our guests. Chief, the Captain nods to Sergeant Guernstock, put together an escort. He turns back to look out into the Void as they slowly move away from Port Wander. Remember, we cannot afford to appear desperate, he pauses and chuckles slightly, but we most decidedly are.


"Aye Lord Captain. We will be ready."


I can prepare troops, but I wouldn't dream of calling them an escort., a thought passes through Lydia's head as she nods, breaking from her stance next to the captain's chair. "At once, sir.", she responds in a professional voice, before reaching for the vox caster, and taking several steps away from the command chair itself. As she raises the device to her mouth, she clears her throat. "++This is Bridge to Barracks. Units five through seven, report immediately to Docking Bay in complete uniform. We have a VIP arriving on-board.++", her voice raised to a shout carries over the comms to the barracks, before clearing a non-existant fleck from her finely polished carapace armour. "++Be there in four minutes and prepare for my immediate inspection. If I find someone's gear is incomplete or in non-suitable condition, I will personally throw their entire unit in the brig! If someone breaks protocol or formation, I'll throw the entire barracks in the brig! Bridge out.++"

Stepping towards the command chair in with hastened tempo, Chief Guernstock looks at the Lord-Captain as she replaces her cap. "The escort will be present. I'm on my way to see to it personally, sir." Affixing the strap on her storm bolter, Lydia hesitates for a moment to hear the "dismissed" order, before tactfully clearing her throat.


Male Human Summoner 1 (Master Summoner)

Zon slowly wends his way from his chambers, moving with constant care. Slowly he comes to a rest beside the Lord-Captain, waiting patiently for something to happen.

"What is it now my lord? Will we have a destination soon?"


Inactive

"Always a pleasure Lord Captain," Valerius nods and leaves the bridge to meet the arrival, adjusting his robes and plasma pistol on the way there.

Dark Archive

Moving forward.

The shuttle arrives at the hangar. Your visitor waits for the proper clearances to be obtained before opening the shuttle door. Out strides, Merit Oberst, one of the dynasty's oldest (both in terms of age and length of service). He is reliable says the dossier, which you have all have read. He nods a brief acknowledgment at the assembled 'escort.' Then like tectonic plates his lips curl upwards in a gesture that you would call a smile were it not for the vicious scar running from his left temple down the side of his face, which made the gesture more of a sneer.

He steps closer to the Lord-Captain and he whispers:

Lord Captain Hajj

Spoiler:

"We need to speak in private, milord."


The Lord-Captain's smile turns to a frown as he listens to the man. Very Well. He motions to Ioneyse, I imagine the chamber has been secured. Then to Lydia, Chief, our guest and I are not to be disturbed.

With that he steps back from Merit Oberst and waves his hand, indicating down the hall. With a smile, he says, This way.


Nodding, the Chief turns to the marines. "Soldiers! March out!", she shouts, before turning back at the captain. "I'll see to that personally, sir.", she says, following the two in a respectable distance, before remaining guard at the door, storm bolter propped in a parade stance. I appreciate it being so much better than the lasgun. But I could appreciate it being lighter for guard duty as well., a thought that would never be voiced crosses through her head as she affixes her cap and stares down the hallway.


Standing well aside from the throngs of people hustling about the deck, the ship's chirurgeon watches the soldiers march along, each in their proper place. Unbound by individual will, each component moves as part of a greater whole. It was a boon that her face no longer showed emotion, as she had long been poor at hiding it, and she would certainly be embarrassed to be caught admiring such a mundane sight.

Dark Archive

Moving along...

You are all now in the receiving room of the Lord-Captain's modest quarters, which covers an entire level of the Tempest. Numerous battle honors, trophies, memento and citations litter the room. Amasec, recaff and tanna are offered by servitors. The privacy field is activated and you may now discuss.

Merit wastes no time and he presents a data slate for your perusal. "... in summary, the data contained in this will allow our dynasty to find a treasure ship that is expected to emerge from the warp soon."

Questions?


Inactive

Valerius skims the slate, noting important details, and asks "What's the source? Do we know what's on board?"

In his mind he already consider various options of the cargo and what to do with it.


BS:43 | WS:32 | ST:28 | T:34 | AGI:52 | PER:35 | INT:44 | WP:30 | FEL:43 | Pilot (Space) +20 Wing Commander

Having landed behind the shuttle, Heinrich dismounts after powering down the engines and shifting through all mandatory after-flight checks.
Clamping his flight helmet under his left arm, which still proudly displaying the red hawk of his old squadron.
Once their guest has come out with his news, he whistles through his teeth.
A treasure ship? A complete ship and we know were it will reemerge?
"You say, it will emerge from the warp ...
So it's like a small space hulk, right?
Captain, we should approach and board it with great care.
Those are prone to be inhabited by all kinds of nasty things."

Turning back at Merit, he adds another question: "And ... are we the only one who knows about that, or are there ... competitors already waiting?"


A treasure ship. A slight smirk on his face that doesn't reach his eyes as a number of questions race through his mind. Instead of speaking, the Lord-Captain leans back silently and scans the data slate, letting the rest of the crew ask the initial questions.

Dark Archive

"The ship's name is 'Emperor's Bounty.' It is a Star Galleon loaded with booty from the conquest of the Calyx Expanse. I found various references of it being lost during a transit to Terra. But my research suggests a mutiny occurred and the ensuing conflict left the ship stranded in the warp."

Merit then smiles, "The time of its arrival has been foretold by various oracles. That and the fact that I have the only copy of the astropathic distress call made by that ship including its projected coordinates, which you now have in your hands."

Merit then allows himself to relax and takes a sip of amasec.


Chief Bosun Guernstock remains upright and taut as the refreshments are carried around, choosing to take a cup of recaf instead of the other, more intoxicating options. She does, however, pour nearly half the sugar bowl in it, before stirring it with an impenetrable gaze. Giving Wing Commander Bastilion a curt nod accompanied with a barely perceptible smile as he walks in, she turns towards the reclining man with the glass of amasec. "What is the window of appearance? And to what accuracy can you advise us where the location would be?", she asks as she takes a sip of recaf, before turning to the captain. "Lord-Captain. I'll begin assembling and training the boarding squad with the best qualifications for this mission.", she says, a slight curl of her lip. All people aboard with any, let alone sufficient qualifications, are in this room.


Ioneyse takes a cup of recaf and drinks it plain as she ponders the possible outcomes of locating the ship.

"Well, we certainly can't assume that no one else has gotten wind of this somehow. We shall have to be prepared for everything from rival treasure hunting ship to a violent, mutiny crew mutated by their time in the warp. Always wise to plan for everything so we will be surprised by nothing."


The man leaning in the chair taps the data slate twice as he listens to the questions and responses. An ancient Cruiser. The hull alone is a treasure...what else could it hold, I wonder? The Lord-Captain's narrows his eyes in thought as he continues to tap the side of the device. A mutiny with sixty, no, sixty-five thousand souls lost in the warp. Prepared, indeed. The crew isn't up to a task like this. Luckily, we've got a barracks full of marines that'll come in handy of this goes sideways. The man chuckles to himself, Because there's nowhere else for it to go. He looks up only to acknowledge and nod approvingly to Sergeant Guernstock, then returns to studying the data provided.


Inactive

"A Star Galleon... That is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we cannot let others to exploit."

Valerius leans to their captain. "Lord-Captain, this is a chance to gain a number of favours from a number of factions - the Navy and Adeptus Mechanicus to name some of them. If it is possible, we should attempt to capture the ship without too much damage to its systems."


Male Human Summoner 1 (Master Summoner)

Zon reaches his hand out, open hand hanging in the air."If you hand me the coordinates, I can begin to consult the auguries for the quickest route. At your direction of course."


After the man listens to the High Factotum, he nods approvingly. We'll see what state it is in when it arrives. And what crew remain...sane, and untainted. He chuckles slightly, and nods again to Valerius.

The Lord-Captain taps once more on the data slate, then and hands it off to the Warp Guide. Make it so.


Cosetta dares to speak up for just a moment. "With all due respect, Mr. Fechter, I should hope that not damaging such a thing would go without saying."


Inactive

Valerius shows a polite smile. "There are many circumstances in which we will have no other choice. I think prioritizing our own safety is more important, then this of the enemy ship. Even if this ship is a relic."

Dark Archive

The data slate contains the coordinates you need in order to travel to the Bounty's projected location. There is a time log indicating the time remaining to be 100% of finding the Bounty. As of the moment you still have 20 days left and counting.


BS:43 | WS:32 | ST:28 | T:34 | AGI:52 | PER:35 | INT:44 | WP:30 | FEL:43 | Pilot (Space) +20 Wing Commander

Heinrich gives back the nod of the old lady with a smile.
Good thing she cannot mind-read. I'd be dead before I know it, if she knew I am calling her 'old lady'.

Turning to the Captain and the weird-eyed Navigator, he speaks up.
"Captain, I take it we'll head to those locations ASAP?
Give me the word and I give the order for the patrol to dock."


Male Human Summoner 1 (Master Summoner)

"You may argue among yourself about how best to deal with the situation of defense. I shall go and deal with the issue of getting us there." Zon goes to perform the rituals required for navigation of the warp with coordinates in hand, a smirk of superiority upon his lips.

Dark Archive

Any further question for Merit? If there are none, then he will take his leave to search for other opportunities.


BS:43 | WS:32 | ST:28 | T:34 | AGI:52 | PER:35 | INT:44 | WP:30 | FEL:43 | Pilot (Space) +20 Wing Commander

I can't think of anything more.


Inactive

Nothing comes to mind.


Nothing at this time.


Nothing here!


The Lord-Captain nods affirmatively to the Wing Commander, and ignores the Navigator now that he's been dismissed. We have no more questions, Merit Oberst. It was a pleasure having you aboard. He smiles as he escorts the man back to the flight bay. We'll contact you as soon as we're successful in this endeavor.

Is there an outline of the Endeavor in question?


The ship prepares for entering the warp. The vox hums with high gothic prayers as each member of the crew kneels in whatever part of the ship they find themselves. Each bringing their forehead to the deck five times. Some continue to do so throughout the hour of preparation, others only once. Ratings rush through the passageways, painting fresh marks above each of the doors and hatches throughout the vessel.

The Heart of the Tempest bustles with activity from the highest to the low. Everyone knows the consequences of failing to hold to tradition, and even the Twistcatcher stays busy running down mutants and heretics that dare not to pray in the deepest bowels of the ship.


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BS:43 | WS:32 | ST:28 | T:34 | AGI:52 | PER:35 | INT:44 | WP:30 | FEL:43 | Pilot (Space) +20 Wing Commander

Heinrich spends the remaining time in real space to bring in the remaining deep space patrols, overseeing the securing of fighters and any loose object in the launch bay.
The last thing anyone on board wants, is a forgotten plasma bomb of a Starhawk bomber to roll around the launch bay during a rough warp transit ...

He will await the warp entry in his fully prepared Lightning, together with two full squadrons of his pilots. Should something worse happen during the entry, the ensuing havoc would find at least two squadrons of fighters ready for immediate combat launch.
As usual, the cogitators of his fighter is connected to the bridge cogitator, allowing insight into the data of the nav-computer, augur arrays, external pict-casters (as long as they are active) and bridge vox.
Since he is connected to the Lightning over his MIU, he can actually see, hear and feel the preparations of the Tempest - an experience that is quite fascinating. He had spent many hours to describe it to 'Zero', the low-ranking Tech-Adept of the 'Blood Hawk' - the name the Lightnings machine spirit calls itself.
The Acolyte is quite jealous of Heinrichs regular communion with a machine spirit and only regular and lengthy descriptions of that particular experience keeps him happy at highest efficiency.

As the countdown is down to single-digit minutes, he orders his crew to speak their prayers, to the Emperor and the Omnissiah. A probing, hungry feeling was playing at the back of his consciousness - Blood Hawk was hungry for action and battle.
Pray that everything goes fine, Blood Hawk.
If we see action now, it is likely to be our last...

Worked out some details for 'my' lightning: Machine spirit, name, npc crew. Otherwise I go with the default layout of a lightning from 'Into the Storm'.

The Blood Hawk:

The personal Lightning fighter if the Wing Commander and his place during any fight or potentially dangerous mission.
The long, bulky yet sleek craft is centuries old, from a venerable forge world and controlled by a powerful, animalistic machine spirit: 'The blood hawk' as it calls itself, if one is communing with it directly. A fact Heinrich founds astonishing and sometimes a bit frightening. How high are the chances for a pilot and a machine spirit with quite the same name to met in the incredible vastness of space and time?
After his first MIU-connection, Heinrich had it painted with the fiery, blood red hawk beneath the cockpit and on each wing, mirroring the design on his own helmet.
Who would have thought, that his old call-sign 'Fire Hawk', his fellow pilots came up with after a well remembered battle at the very start of his career, would stick for so long. Let alone matching so astoundingly well to the spirit of a venerable lightning fighter he would eventually encounter and pilot.

***

Due to the incredible complexity of space warfare, no vehicle can be controlled by one man alone, so the Lightning is usually manned with three more crewmembers, beside the Major himself.
.. There is Lt. Fred 'Lucky' Loyd, his Copilot and navigator. The only 24 year-old was evicted from the Navy a couple of years ago due to an unhealthy lucky hand in every card game known to mankind - causing his superiors to dismiss him in an act of self-defense (of their wallets). He's as joyful and energetic as they come and relishes the life as a mercenary pilot - sometimes too much, causing regular conflicts with Heinrich, who keeps (too) close to the navy drill and protocols for the liking of the young man.
..Then there's Emilia 'Saber' Srut, a small, middle-aged woman, who was born aboard the Tempest (as well as three generations of her family before her). Never been through a former military education (or any other formal education for that matter), she is an incredible shot with the lascannon banks of the lightning and resilient to void sickness and g-forces like only a void-born can be. Her head is bald and covered in clan tattoos, declaring her loyalty to the Tempest and her clan. As pronounces as her tattoo's, is her way of speaking, that is somewhere between bad low gothic and Ork.
..The final member of the crew is Acolyte Ben 'Zero' Tartarus-Septus-Octarius, a low ranking tech adept, having quit the seminars after a catastrophic miscalculation (due to a failing bionic as he would add at this point) that wrecked havoc with the research facility he was assigned to. He is tasked to keep the engines running, the weapon banks powered and to monitor and control the life support systems of the small craft. In addition, he is known to check, re-check and re-re-check Heinrichs MIU connection with the Blood Hawk. He say's that it's a greater honor than any non-initiate should be allowed to have, but he is always eager to listen to Heinrichs descriptions of how it feels to be connected to Hawks machine spirit.


Ioneyse maintains watch over all the departments, making sure that everyone is carrying out the proper preparations and that nothing is being neglected. She is known for her short-temper so everyone is sure to give her the answers that she wants to hear.


Inactive

The High Factotum spends his time preparing for possible spoils, which means subtly reaching out to his numerous contacts, checking the current cargo and the free space left, and many others boring things.

Valerius also makes sure that his weapons and suit of armor are in excellent condition for possible boarding action.

Dark Archive

Navigator, kindly make rolls as per Navis Primer. You are going to the Maw, the nearest region of the Expanse in relation to the Astronomican, so navigation should not be difficult. However, each degree of success increases the number of days you have of intercepting the ship, conversely, each degree of failure decreases the said number. At the moment you have 20 days to intercept.


Male Human Summoner 1 (Master Summoner)

Read your discussion tab good sir. Took care of that before we had even finished the rp portion. Was waiting for encounters.

Dark Archive

ok will check that.


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Finishing her re-caf, and sneaking another biscuit as the guest leaves, Chief Bosun Guernstock makes her way towards the barracks. Most of the marines were not worthy to clean the shoes of the people who cleaned the toilets on Boros, but with no more than three Terran weeks to go, there is little time to lose.

Reaching the barracks, she polishes away a non-existant fleck from her armour, before busting into the command centre. "At ease!", she shouts as the drilled officers on shift jump up. "All training regimen is to be doubled for the next two weeks, focusing on ship-boarding actions. Squads 11 and 19 are to be trained for forward ship-board scouting, and are under my direct command until further notice." Re-affixing her cap, she begins pacing around the CNC. Her eyes spot the tails of an officer's shirt sticking out of their trousers. "Lieutenant, you are dismissed. The next four shifts are to be undertaken in full combat gear at all times." Turning to the comms console, she nods. "Prepare the following instructions for Lord Fechter and Wing Commander von Bastillion respectively. I require food rations to be increased by 25% for the soldiers for the next couple of weeks, and state my preference for it not be taken away from the non-combat personnel. Corpse Rations are acceptable, but alternatives are preferred. To Wing Commander von Bastillion - I would require some of his pilots and some of the landing craft made available for co-operative boarding exercises. The schedule is entirely up to him, but it is imperative to the purposes of the mission."


BS:43 | WS:32 | ST:28 | T:34 | AGI:52 | PER:35 | INT:44 | WP:30 | FEL:43 | Pilot (Space) +20 Wing Commander

Once the warp entry went over - more or less smooth - Heinrich will reply to the Chief Bosun.
"Aye, that is probably a good idea, Lady.
I suggest a cross-over training in the hangar bay 2. Give them a feel for it.
How long the boarding charges will take, how big and confusing a starship's internals may get.
I'll come up with a crash-course training for your mud-feets.
Show them how to survive a crash-landing and drill them with the rites necessary to engage the emergency signal and how to activate the boarding charge. Just in case the boarding crafts personal is incapacitated.
Maybe you can provide basic combat training for the pilots of the boarding crafts?
They might have to repel counter-attacks and secure our escape route..."


Inactive

The reply doesn't take long. "Miss Guernstock, standard soldier food rations can be increased by 25% for two weeks without affecting our reserves. Use them as you see fit for the time being."

Dark Archive

Located my copy of The Navis Primer. Based on the navigator's roll, 2 degrees of success, auguries are good. translation may now proceed. Roll 1d100 for omens.


Negating the Omen:
Challenging (57) Command Test: 1d100 ⇒ 23 4 Degrees of Success

The Lord-Captain travels throughout the ship making sure that the proper preparations are being made.

Dark Archive

The crew, though green, is very much galvanized by the lord-captain's aura of command. Entry into the warp goes without a hitch. The navigator estimates that you will arrive at the destination with at least five more days to spare.


Effects of Translation:
Willpower (42): 1d100 ⇒ 1 Assuming it's not -42, the Lord-Captain should be fine.

The Lord-Captain, a veteran of many years of warp travel, handles the transition as confidently as he normally does.


Is there a modifier for Translation since experienced explorers may sometimes simple pass the test?


BS:43 | WS:32 | ST:28 | T:34 | AGI:52 | PER:35 | INT:44 | WP:30 | FEL:43 | Pilot (Space) +20 Wing Commander

Is everyone supposed to try that test?

Dark Archive

Nope. The Lord-Captain's roll is sufficient.

The 'Tempest sails smoothly through the empyrean, the route chosen by your navigator being very stable. To repeat, the crew is very much confident in your retinue's ability to see them back to realspace. No disruption to crew morale has been reported.

Any preparations you want me to note before realspace translation is initiated?

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