AslongasIremainin the light I'msafe. <*whew*> I really hate when that happens. Reminds me of the time we had an evil spirit below decks. It was horrible. We were...
Cimbria trains her gun on the recumbent form of Dia, while making sure she stays between the two lumen globes. Clearly unnerved, she babbles incessantly about a previous haunting on her old ship.
Dia stirs, clutching her head and moaning. She finds purchase on the wall and takes shaking breaths of air, still unnerved by the unnatural darkness cast upon the group. The only comfort that she has is a small amulet of the Aquila that's clenched in her hands.
----------
Make a Perception Check.
Simmins notes the Aquilia. Cimbria, eyes forward if you would
Cimbria and Dia's antics distract him too much to notice much of anything.
Cimbria rises up off of Dia and hands the knife back to its owner. At the clinking of the glass and sing-song voice (nice Warriors ref!) she draws her Ironclaw shotgun.
Oh, absolutely. No knowing what might creep out of the dark to steal your soul (or worse...)
Cimbria raises the barrel of the shotgun to face out into the darkness.
Vector cautiously retrieves one of his flame grenades looking in the direction of the noises in the dark.
Being the only one not startled by the sudden sense of dread, Titus watches his companions and hopes they do not break under their apparent stress.
From the darkness found within the darkness in front of you, you can hear the soft sound of a child's laughter, a two-tonal noise of mirthless innocence intertwined with demented insanity.
@Everyone: You can hear nothing over the sound of the ship's ambient noise.
Vector?...do you have a baby sister?
Sister? What are you both talking about?
From within the safe confines ofthe two lumen globes Cimbria lowers the barrel of her shotgun, tilts her head slightly to the left and casts a scathing glance at Roth Vaughn ("The Look!")
Do.you.really.think.*now*.is.a.good.time.for.that?
The rapid-fire question explodes with sarcasm...
I have many siblings Sanctionate Roth, none that I know of who are infants currently. I did have a sister once, but she died. I ought to know, I believe I killed her. As to the voice down the hallway that you seem to be hearing as well, she was older than that when she died. I do not believe it is her.
"however the What is irrelevant, it approaches. Ready yourselves.
Vector cocks his arm back flame grenade in hand and mutters something. Waiting for the creature to show itself or stop moving long enough for him to strike.
Gain a +4 to Initiative due to Vector's warning!
----------
"wORds WoN't sAvE yOU nOw..."
There is a flash of smoke at the far end of the light's illumination, a dozen meters away from your centralized position. As it fades away, a small child, no higher than a four and a half feet tall, stares at you with eyes of burning fire. You are unable to ascertain its gender due to an adrogynous face and baggy cloak covering its body. But you are immadiately able to tell that it's dangerous, given the ball of fire collapsing in its hands.
"pLaY WitH mEEeeeeeee!!
An extra Fireball has been generated due to Overbleed!
"BuRN fOR MeEeEEEEE!!!!
Both fireballs miss the Sanctioned Psykers, splashing against the wall and dissipating into waves of unnatural heat.
This is way more disturbing than the dark. Simmins mutters
Half action
Half action
Vector pitches the firebomb toward the newly arrived psyker, mostly with the aim of eliminating her path of escape and lighting the area up.
Wit that done he releases control of his presence detecting power and draws on the powers of the warp again.
"I was forged under greater blazes Prisoner. Blades do not burn."
Vector states with finality looking directly toward the his designated foe.
I... don't.. like you little girl Simmins says through gritted teeth and lets loose with a full auto burst in her direction.
Having no combat experience to speak of, unless you count the one time Mariam beat him up for being a weaselly little book worm, Titus is caught fully off guard by what has transpired. "Good a time as any I guess." Titus pulls the las pistol he had been handed and fires off a shot...
...proving he has no business using a las pistol.
Achievement Unlocked: NO KILL LIKE OVERKILL!
The pyrokine shrieks and howls as Vector's firebomb sets its cloak ablaze. The androgynous child doesn't even have time to stop, drop and roll as Simmins' volley tears into its frail body.
It collapses to the ground, still burning as it twitches in its death throes.
-----
XP Gain:
+80 (Killed a wytch-child)
+50 (No Kill Like Overkill)
-----
Within a few seconds, the lights come back on, the overhead lumens bursting to life. You instinctively shield yourselves from the sudden flare of light. An overhead vox-system crackles to life...
"Testing...testing...is this thing working?" an accented voice says over the intercom. Apparently content, it clears its throat before speaking in a grandiose tone. "To the men and women clustered besides the blast door, you have proven yourselves not wanting against the trials I have subjected you to. I had my reservations when I first saw you, but now there can be no doubt; the Emperor truly smiles upon you. Now, budge up a bit. I'm opening the blast doors."
The blast door rumbles and shakes as it slowly starts to open, revealing not an Enginarium, but a large room surrounded by Inquisitorial stormtroopers. In front of them, a well-dressed man scrutinizes you with a critical look, carrying himself with a confident gait. Despite the grey in his hair and beard, you cannot ignore the electric blue eyes that seem to pierce all they see.
This...this is an Inquisitor.
Vector straightens, eyes toward the door. one hand on his hip, fingers going white around the handle of his cleaver. He pauses for a moment to ensure his voice is solid.
"Inquisitor Sharben. Vector Linear, psykana sanctionate, stands ready and awaits further assignment."
Simmins sighs with relief as the witch dies by fire and bullet and is startled by the cultured voice that addresses them afterwards. He methodically reloads his auto gun while the blast door opens and then nods at the imposing figure. He acknowledges the Inquisitor with a simple statement.
Guardsman Olways, Sir
"Always a test, all things are tests. One is either prepared or they are not. I am prepared to serve. To assume that you do not know the names of those you have selected would be foolish." Titus shows no sign of the annoyance that bubbles somewhere deep in his soul, he comforts himself with the knowledge that the test is over and he has passed.
Sharben's face breaks into a friendly smile. "Good to see you all alert and ready! Now, follow me, if you please."
You follow the Inquistor and his retinue down a series of winding halls. Dia seems to have gotten over her earlier fright, but maintains her sullen and standoffish attitude as you make your collective journey.
Sharben leads you towards a hangar filled with all manner of aircraft stamped with the symbol of the Inquisition. A Valkyrie awaits your arrival, doors open and ready to accommodate passengers. You all clamber into the vehicle and strap yourselves into the seats. An overhead voice alerts Sharben that he's going to take off. After ensuring that the maintenance crew is clear of the turbines, the engines fire up and cycle to life, lifting the Valkyrie off of the ground.
You exit the hangar and, to your general surprise, discover that the testing facility was built on the planet. You were never aboard the Angelae Imperator, let alone any ship to begin with.
"So!" Sharben rubs his hands together. "If you have any questions for me, now's the time to ask them. It's going to take the better part of half and hour before we reach the ship, so ask while I'm still available."
Vectors left eyebrow twitches several times as multiple factors combine in an effort to shut down his brain. the inquisitor is smiling, we never left the planet even though i was sure of it, all of this seems to have been for his benefit in some way. And the inquisitor is smiling. He still has not given me my debriefing or an understanding of my purpose here. The psyker frowns as he processes the information, looking from the allies he had fought with. His gaze lingering on Cimbria for a moment longer as he considers the actions of the day.
"Inquisitor Sharben, I was brought here to serve not as a test subject or trainee astropath but as part of your Cadre?" The psyker states with much confusion evident, the spacer seeming confused that such an event would occur.
An honor and degree of trust I am undeserving of unpolished and crude a weapon as i am. the psyker thinks to himself, before pushing the sour thoughts of his foolhardy actions earlier away lest they distract.
Casting his gaze to the most recent addition of the group Vector's brow scrunches slightly in thought as he attempts to remember Ardent Mendicant's lessons on how to properly ask a superior a question that might be mistaken as a criticism.
Mostly learned by being harmed when he failed to apply the lesson to Ardent Mendicant correctly.
"What of the prisoner? I am unsure of the protocol, she failed her assigned task but was rewarded as if it were a victory. She was not summarily executed or returned to her cell, was her extraction an intended part of this exercise?"
Hefting his weapons and making sure he's got all his possessions Simmins busies himself with reloading the auto-gun as he falls in behind the Inquisitor.
Once seated he considers the Inquisitor's offer for information.
We passed a survival of the fittest kind of test from what I figure. If the scum who got to the door before us or the murditor herders had killed us instead they'd be sitting here as the Inquisitor's new unit rather than us. He shrugs. Emperor's will. And Dia passed along with us I suppose.
He then gets to his question.
The witch child was genuine though. You keep things like her around to test new soldiers?
At the mention of Dia, the aforementioned woman levels a frosty glare at Vector. "If it weren't for the 'quisitor, I'd gut you like a fish, daemon-spawn..." She looks as if she makes ready to make true on her promise, but a sharp look from Sharben causes her to stand down.
"The lad's just teasing you, Miss Harmon," Sharben laughs, face returning to his ambivalent manner. He waggles his eyebrows in a suggestive manner. "And don't worry, Mister Linear. I assure you that Miss Harmon has all of the necessary qualifications. Had she not, I would have ordered my stormtroopers to gun her down on the spot!" You all cannot help but shudder at the candidness of his words.
Addressing Simmins, he sighs before replying with a solemn air: "I assure you, Mister Olways, that the child you refer to as 'thing' is just as human as you are, give or take a few pyromaniac tendencies and a connection to the warp. My line of work has taken me to many planets that have forced me to remove children from their homes due to their...talents. Regretfully, not all of them were strong enough to withstand the trials of the Black Ships. The Astropathica Telepathica takes the promising ones and leaves me with the scraps as 'fodder' for Cadre applicants such as yourselves. That is the only use that these rejected children have."
A witch's a witch sir Simmins disagrees respectfully Unlessn n'ofcourse they serve the emperor. he qualifies nodding at Vector and Roth.
Vector twitches slightly as he slams the door on the back of his mind. Regardless his kindly tone he is still the inquisitor I remember, a front to conceal the dangers of a man who can execute planets as needed.
Vector nods at the inquisitors words. " Broken weapons too shattered even to lend their voices to the choir. It is regretful an imperial soul can be reduced to such from the depredations of Chaos" Vector states as he glances from the aggressive imperial female in the lander, and then over to the Prisoner.
"I believe in this instance I must say that you are too late for this duty. Magistrate Cimbria has already claimed me barring the desires of the inquisitor or any he choses to appoint as my commander. And between the two of you I would state that you are ill matched." Vector states gesturing vaguely to Cimbria's person, primarily her shoulder and hip regions "Her's are bigger after all."
She does have guns, where as you do not after all. An altercation on who has rights to my death would result badly for the one so unarmed.
Turning to the inquisitor Vector nods "If you will pardon the inane question inquisitor I request interpersonal advice in this situation. If I am to believe, the chatter of Ardent Mendicant's ensigns and the information I learned of inquisitors in the rest periods during my education at the psykana academy Inquisitors are often faced with similar issues. When faced with two equally healthful imperial females seeking to 'Jump your bones' at the same time what is the proper response? I do not believe I would be able to handle both at the same time as information states inquisitors are prone to do." The Psyker blithely queries, face entirely bland as he speaks.
To Simms, he responds: "Indeed it is. Indeed it is..."
Oddly enough, at Vector's words, the Inquisitor's smile widens as Dia's face goes murderous. "In the words of a young girl I met during a routine purging of an agri-community gone bad, I must say to you: why not both? Well, the topic of discourse was giving her the choice between torturing or killing a corrupt magistrate responsible for her family's deaths, but I would believe that the same principle applies! The more, the merrier!"
Dia's murderous face takes on a wide and sickeningly sweet smile. "The only time you'll ever find me jumping on your skinny ass is when I introduce my shiv to your warp-damned intestines, witch-boy..."
"I thank you for the advice Inquisitor, though at this moment such activities would only result in severe bodily harm. I shall aspire to become capable of such feats one day, though I should hope it does not end with my steel in the depths of an imperial female. Not unless she merited such"
Then Vector noticed the Prisoners face, the anger but the fear behind it. The uncertainty of one thrust into a brand new circumstance. Perhaps he was imagining it.
" Unless the Inquisitor deems my death necessary I am not permitted the relief of duty. Project the remaining fear from your terror induced fainting spell courtesy of a broken tool elsewhere." the psyker states in his typical blunt monotone.
"I am going to assume that we were selected for our given skills, and that we are needed for some task. What do you need of us... what threat to the Imperium must we combat. Begging your pardon that is." Titus watches the Inquisitor as the party moves to their destination. Not trusting that anything he is told will be the whole truth, and why was he here? Why did they force him in to such exacting fields of study, their had to be a valid reason. One does not train a person to deal with crime if one was not being sent to deal with such things... did they?
Roth sits in his seat. He can still smell the blood ans sh!t that cover his hands and arms. The drying blood and vicera shrink and pull on his arm hairs, making him uncomfortable. The grousing of the psycho b!tch and his new boss grate against his nerves. He only hopes that soon he will make it to a hot shower.
Are we going to be serving together or are we going to be separated? Simmins inquires, curious as to what exactly he's signed up for.
Dia mutters an obscenity about Vector's parentage.
After chortling at Vector's remark, Sharben nods at Titus. "You wouldn't be sitting here if I didn't think you were up to what I've got in store for you. And it isn't only a singular threat, Mister Scipio. 'Threats' would be a more accurate term, given our Imperium's disposition."
He eyes Simms oddly. "I'm a firm believer of 'the acolyte cell that stays together, survives together.' Or 'dies together', but that's beside the point. You performed most admirably as a team during your test, so I see no reason to separate you now."
------
A vox unit within the Inquisitor's ears crackles to life. You are unable to hear it over the dull roar of the Valkyrie's engines, but you can see him mutter an acknowledgement before returning his gaze back to you.
"Acolytes," he intones, all expression of amicability gone on his face, eyes hardening and eyebrows drawing together in a serious gaze. Suddenly, his electric blue eyes aren't friendly anymore and his electric blue eyes scrutinize all of you with a sharp look. "You are about to formally enter into the service of the Emperor's Inquisition. But tell me first: just how far are you willing to go to fulfill your holy duty? How much are you willing to sacrifice in order to protect the Imperium of Man from enemies both within and without? Just how much of yourself will you dedicate to the eternal war against the shadows that threaten to despoil and corrupt all that we hold dear?"
-------
There is a deafening silence as his baritone words resonate through the transport. Dia instinctively jumps at the sudden change in tone, but she meets the Inquisitor's gaze defiantly. "I've never been afraid to die, even when I was doing deals in the criminal underworld. All that working for the Inquisition means is that my paycheck gets significantly bigger. But know this," she practically snarls. "I'm never going to betray the Imperium over a few shiny baubles. I may be a thief, but I'm no gakking heretic, and you'll find me dead before you see me fighting for the side of traitors and backstabbing scum."
"Acolytes," he intones, all expression of amicability gone on his face, eyes hardening and eyebrows drawing together in a serious gaze. Suddenly, his electric blue eyes aren't friendly anymore and his electric blue eyes scrutinize all of you with a sharp look. "You are about to formally enter into the service of the Emperor's Inquisition. But tell me first: just how far are you willing to go to fulfill your holy duty? How much are you willing to sacrifice in order to protect the Imperium of Man from enemies both within and without? Just how much of yourself will you dedicate to the eternal war against the shadows that threaten to despoil and corrupt all that we hold dear?"
He's going to ask for a blow job isn't he?, thinks Roth
Vector nods once " It is not my duty to know how far I will go in the name of the emperor. He knows the limits I bear greater than I do, I was forged in his halls as a weapon and when the time comes I will serve as one of his many blades. Until the time comes one of the human weaknesses I bear causes me to shatter at which time I will be discarded for another. I stand ready to serve in whatever capacity is required Inquisitor."
Left my life behind to follow you Sir, and I ain't going back now. I've... gotten a little bit of idea of the terrors that surround us and I'll do everything in my power to fight those powers and server the Emperor. Simmins says with conviction. Homeworld's too damn cold anyways
Roth whispers to the others. I'm thinking they be rhetorical questions. What moron is going to say, "I'll give savin' the universe a half hearted effort"
This whole scene reminds me of...
"Inquisitors all follow creeds when it comes to their followers Sanctionate Roth. Just like the prayers in the Uplifting primer or A sermons ceremonial words are something to be aspired to in dark times. We must apply ourselves to become what those words and the Inquisitors intentions demand or shatter in the attempt."
The psyker nods thought seeming to have finished. His voice having dropped to match Roth's before raising it somewhat.
" Inquisitor Sharben, it appears I will be needing to better defend myself from various foes even imperial women after my flesh. Will there be time between our arrival and when next you decide to deploy us for additional training? I desire to keep sharp expanding my capacities. So my inner organs stay in their proper casings ensuring I may continue to be of use to the Inquisition."
Inquisitor, you know just how far I'll go in service to the Imperium. @Dia And in regards to your threat on my teammate...I don't take kindly or lightly to threats. Against me or my teammates. You tread a perilous path, I'd advise you redirect your attentions elsewhere...
Cimbria shoots a foul glare at Vector, the heat and intensity of anger seems enough to melt ferrocrete. A promise of a conversation yet to be had...
After giving Sharben your responses, he nods decicively and smiles again, saying, "Acceptable responses. I pray that you shall live up to them."
You look out the port holes of the transport to see a massive ship looming in the distance. It is the size of a cruiser, and boasts an impressive array of armaments and features. Stylized wings have been fashioned into the rear tails, and the image of an angel is emblazoned on the prow.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Sharben announces, "Welcome to the Angelus Imperator, my own personal flagship and your place of residence for the duration of your servitude."
The Valkyrie docks in one of the ship hangars, and after the standard runtime of pressurizing and prayers to the Omnisiah pass, you are able to disembark. Dock workers take a brief break to notice your arrival, but quickly return to their duties after harsh barking from the overseer.
Sharben addresses you. "Your next mission will begin in two standard Teran days. Try to get some rest. Egares shall escort you to your quarters."
Upon the Inquisitor's exit, a man dressed in the livery of the Imperial Navy makes his approach. After bowing respectfully, he says, "If you would follow me, please."
After following him through twisting hallways and elevator rides, he reaches a long hallway with the placard Division 2 hanging above the entrance. After giving you free reign to chose your own rooms, he bows respectfully, and makes his departure.
The hallway contains eight rooms, with four each on opposite sides. Inside a room, you find that it is small, but not too tight, being about ten by ten feet in its area.* It is furnished with the bare essentials of living on a starship** including a showerstall in the corner.
Immediately, Dia claims the room furthest away from the entrance of the hallway, somehow managing to slam the door despite its sliding nature, and leaves the group in their places without another word.
Do you wish to turn in for the night?
*
**
Cimbria will engage the Imperial officer in chit chat about the ship, making sure to inquire about a deck-chapel and mess hall location and hours. She will try to remember the path back to the docking bay as well.
She will select the first door on the right, and set up the room to her liking.
Vector's face flickers with a half smile as he sees the prisoner shown its place. though the emotion vanishes as he puts his attention on it. More weakness, I am to be a weapon. Weapons should not feel such emotions as satisfaction of another imperials misfortune. Perhaps if I perform my ablution I can wash such filth from myself.
Seeing Cimbria choose a room Vector scans the options, on seeing little to no differences he picks the room nearest on the left.
Entering he examines the structures in the room and nods at their placement. "Adequate" Vector states to the still air of the room.
The psyker examines the cogitator for information from the inquisitor relating to his duties in all this. Small flakes of blood falling off his wrists from the earlier searching of crushed Prisoners.
The Psyker removes his armor and holstering his weapons, his microbead once again hanging on his gun as a charm, he pins the collection of objects to his wall. With that accomplished Vector removes the rest of his effects and utilizes the wash stall supplied with the room.
Once the prickles of cold water seep out of his hands to ensure no tremors he retrieves his weapons and begins maintenance.
Inquisitor, Sir... Simmins begins, unsure of what to call his leader. Is there an area to requisition new equipment and refill on ammunition? Also there is a private matter that I wish to speak of though maybe I should be looking for a priest...?
Titus looks at the man for a moment. Always a test, stupid stupid people don't understand enough... their answers, the answers of the ignorant... the untested unmolded unmodified... imperfect balls of flawed flesh and bone. The law is perfect, the machine is perfect, the Emperor is all. "What would I give? Each life is worth less than a throne. My mind? My sanity? My very soul? All belong to the Omnissiah already. All that I am is insignificant in the grand scheme. So all I can say is that I will give what is needed and go as far as necessary to protect the Imperium as a whole. All else is expendable."
Titus wanders in to the first room on the right and begins the meticulous rituals of daily cleanliness.
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After chatting with the officer, Cimbria enters the first room on the right, noting the carefully folded bathrobe centered exactly at the foot of the cot. Noting that a hot shower will unwind the coiled tension in her back, she begins to disrobe and puts on the bathrobe,
"Ugh...not much for laundering facilities here...this robe smells...
She steps the the door of the lavatory and puts a hand on the doorknob, in time to hear the sudden hiss and sputter of the shower starting up...
"What the deuce-?"
Alarmed but steady, Cimbria picks up her truncheon, fings open the door and sees: ---
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---:Titus rubbing the holy ungents of cleansing a crossed his clean body. For the first time someone has seen the man without all his adornments. Underneath the layers of robe there turns out to have been a wirey man, not muscular by any stretch of the word, a man who takes his health regiments seriously. The hot steam billowing forth seams to bead and sheen along his skin, taking on a decidedly grimy coloration as the days hard work has just begun to wash from his body.
The moment seems to hang forever as Titus turns towards the intrusion upon his sanctioned cleansing time and the words of imperial law are cut in mid sentence. Sanction 3624 subsection b, charge seven... unlawful fornication with the Emperor's holy war Titan.... " Gazes lock, shock quickly fades to resignation. "If it your wish to shower with me I find little to dissuade me from accepting. Know that I have never been with another, but I am willing to learn to please you in any manner you wish and am flattered at the attentions of such an intelligent officer as yourself. I would most enjoy discussing the holy laws with one who has experience with their more direct application and one who seems to have as much fervor for them as I."
The only man to have shrugged off the arrival of the witch child as if it was yet another thing in a long line of just things watched the woman for a response. A quirky smile suddenly pulls a crossed his lips. "I did not realize my robe would look so fetching on you."
In response to Simms and Cimbria's questions, Officer Egares says, "Directions to the armoury, as well as mess hall and prayer times, have been provided and are lying atop your desks. Additionally, if you wish to see a priest, there is a small chapel available for passenger use. Father Merric will be able to take your questions."
Bowing politely, he makes his exit.
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@Vector: