The Koronus Expanse is a wild and uncharted place, where a man willing to do what is necessary can accumulate for himself wealth and fortune enough to raise himself from his humble station.
*** *** ***
In the Warp
Your vessel scythes through the varied eddies of the empyrean with the predatory grace of a shark. Meanwhile, within the vessel, the Rogue Trader and his trusted retinue discuss the latest astropathic summons received from Port Wander.
The cowled and dignified figure of the ship's astropath bows before you before he delivers the message:
"My lord, having applied the requisite cyphers, the message is very clear: 'Come to Port Wander. Fame and Fortune Awaits. Seek Me Out. - Orbest Dray'"
"Message received, Astropath. You may return to your station."
Lord-Captain Pietro Havarro looks across the burled knollwood trimmed and gilt edged bridge and relishes what he sees. In command of his own vessel, with a fit and fine crew, he can nearly smell the profit to come their way.
Tall, slim, and dressed in a finely tailored silk uniform over form fitting carapace armor, the captain toggles his console and displays the system in question on the hololithic table.
"So what do we know of this Orbest Dray? And what of Port Wander itself?"
The astropath bows once more and exits the Lord Captain's chambers, passing the bottle of chilled amasec cradled in an antique wood holder.
Jene seems vexed.
Port Wander is the great starport at the entrance to the path through the great maelstrom to the Koronus Expanse. Doesn't help much, I know. Perhaps as we near our destination, something will trigger my memory.
Currently, I'm drawing a blank.
Cutter stood before the trader captain, and decided to remain silent for the time being. Since he anticipated no trouble here, he wore his relatively simple ecclesiastical outfit.
His pose was calm, non-threatening but dignified at the same time. He had trained it for just such occasions. The display on the table caught his interest for just moments, but anything on the readout would probably be more than familiar to the other officers, so there was no need to state the obvious.
Common Lore (Imperium) 31
Common Lore (Rogue Traders) 31
Epri, making a rare show of visiting the bridge, leans on the table as she stares intently at the hololithic display. "I do not like it," she huffed. "A stranger coming out of the blue to offer fame and profit? Too convenient."
"I'm sure its risky and probably not quite legal, Enginseer. I am also confident we can turn it around and make some coin regardless. That being said, I would like to know more about this person beforehand, naturally. "
Secluded in his Navigation tower, Es'trisi monitors the currents of the Warp as well as keeping tabs on information coming from the bridge. The astropath has delivered a message to the captain. He relaxes in his navigator's chair and awaits any changes in course.
Ships comm: <Navigator, any details you can provide on Port Wander or a man named Orbest Dray?>
Common Lore (imperium) int:36
Forbidden Lore (Navigators) int:36
Forbidden Lore(Warp) int:36
Scrutiny (untrained) per 40
Scrutiny (untrained) Per 21
Private Comm Channel:
For Lord-Captain Pietro Havarro
<Received, Astropath.>
"Ladies and gentlemen, fear not for this Orbest Dray's intentions. He was authorized to send that transmission by none other than our own august dynasty. Or somehow managed to compromise our most secret codes. In either case, we need to meet this man post haste."
Toggling comms frequencies on and off rapidly, Lord-Captain Havarro issues several consecutive orders.
<Navigator, begin plotting a course for Port Wander.> <Helm, prepare for warp-vector modification.> <All Hands: General Quarters.>
Pouring a small glass of Amasec, Pietro settles into his command chair and begins to read more of the planetary datafax on Port Wander.
Upon hearing the captain's orders, Es'trisi pings his receipt.
Settling back into his seat, he calls up the astronomical chart for the Calixis sector and begins to formulate his estimate on the duration of the voyage to Port Wander.
Navigation Warp(int 36+10:46)
Satisfied that his calculations were valid he saves that information to the navigation cogitator and relaxes.
Slowly, the scar marring his forehead begins to open, revealing the reddish third eye within. Glowing faintly in the dimness, it reveals to the the Navigator a 360 degree, 3-axis view of the Warp. Shifting his awareness, Es'trisi searches for the Emperor's Beacon, the Astronomican.
Awareness (per 40+10:50)
Frowning, Es'trisi finds that the Astronomican is significantly obscured by the drift and wrack of the Warp.
Nonetheless, he must use what sense he does have of the beacon to chart his course. Keeping a part of his awareness on where he "thinks" the beacon lies, he applies that to his knowledge of where Port Wander exists in the real world
Perception (40+10-10)
Activating the comm to the captain he advises "Navigator to Captain, new course charted and laid in.
Course correction complicated by increase in Warp obscurity. Duration of voyage will be impacted negatively. Charted course may also be subject to negative variation. "
<Received, Navigator. Do what you can.>
<Helm, keep everything on standby. Weapons, Void Shields, Damage Control, and prep two rapid response teams from the ship's marines. Full combat loadout, I want them ready in five minutes, tops.>
Captain Havarro keys in the commands to bring the Murder Servitors up to standby status in their cradles, weapons charging and systems running through test cycles.
"Steady as she goes, people. Navigation advises we may be in for a bumpy ride, so hold on tight."
He checks his weapons again, out of habit; force sword, laspistol, and bolt pistol all seated properly and ready at a moment's notice. He then clips his carapace helmet to the side of his command chair and tries to relax.
Navigator Es'trisi watches his console as various teams and sub-systems are prepared and made ready. When all have indicated readiness, he activates his ship-wide comm
"<All hands, this is Navigation. Stand-by for Course Correction.>"
He then mentally re-checks his calculations then taps an number of controls to engage the ships' Warp steering and propulsion systems.
With deft movements, slight alterations to heading, attitude and thrust are entered; the vessel's frame shuddering slightly as it is buffeted by the substance of the Warp; as if in protest of the Proficio Humanitas' very presence.
Navigation(Warp)(int:36+10-10) == 09 2 degrees of success
...... the journey ........
He's getting better.
I wonder if there are any bounties in the proximity. One never knows. Orbest Fray might deserve a look-see, too..
Jene quips and ponders out loud from the comfort of one of the seats on the bridge. Her leg draped over the chair's armrest.
Her deft fingers continue to tap and swipe across a data-slate, as her brows furrow.
Cutter looked over Jene, slightly amused. She seemed to still chase the coin, not noticing just how much was around them now, courtesy of their new sponsor.
Lets see what he has to say before planning his capture or demise, shall we? He asked, while moving slightly closer to a handhold - just to be sure. Warp fluctuations were nothing to scoff at.
He was still getting his bearings around his new surroundings - the chance had been so sudden, and he had jumped at it with such vigor that he still wasn't too sure who stood where, who was the borderline heretic, who was the calm head and who was likely to go off the leash.
Merely due diligence. His capture and demise are ordained, neh? Jene's smile is playful and genuine.
"Bounties and the like are nice, but they are petty change compared to the sort of deals I would like to see soon. Remember, we have a troop-hold full of combatants, as well as ship's marines. You are not las-fodder, no matter what you may have done in the past."
Captain Havarro's last comment is delivered with vehemence, as if bad memories influence his opinions.
"You are my command staff, and should expect to be treated as such."
Epri makes a sharp tittering noise, rising to move away from the table. Her servo skull, which had been hovering unobtrusively the entire time, hummed to follow her obediently. "If you will excuse me, then, I have rituals to perform." Her part was done here. Conversation was not a topic she had any interest in.
Enginseer. Cutter replied, nodding towards the departing machine priest. He didn't quite click with the rather specific and frankly odd aspect of the Emperor they called the Omnissiah.
Turning back his attention to the female, he shook his head. "You will find a way to apply your skills, that you can be sure of. However, I suspect this particular summons will be more of the pleasant, chatty side of things, rather than the dark and gritty one."
He turned his attention to the captain. "With your leave, Lord Captain, I would like to prepare for landfall as well."
"Aye, go about your tasks. Keep your comma active, and inform me if any new information arises. Dismissed."
The Proficio Humanitas shudders as it swerves away from one ethereal current to another. The Gellar Field, the only protection from the insanity of the warp, remains constant.
New course laid in, Es'trisi shift in his chair as it's hygienic assists clamp onto parts of his body. A panel swings out near his head, two nipples extended, food and water for the extended duration of his vigil.
Occasionally, the chair begins to subtly massage his muscles, preventing cramps that could prove disastrously distracting while piloting through he Warp.
Peering out into the shifting Immaterium through his now shining Third Eye, Es'trisi's conscious perception becomes filled with the Warp, nothing else exists; thousands of souls depend on his skills and intuition.
Warp Storm
Suddenly, the currents of the Warp part to reveal a churning mass of Warp energy roiling straight toward the Proficio Humanitas. A quick course correction is all Es'trisi has time for; to bring the bow around to allow the Geller Fields to do their work. "Warp Storm Alert! Brace! Brace! Brace!" he comms ship-wide.
Whispers and Dreams
Plague of Madness
During the trip, Captain Havarro alternates between periods of study and training.
He pores over the information available on Port Wander, Orbest Dray, and the general state of affairs between the various Rogue Trader families, and spends the other portion of his time honing his martial skills in the shooting galleries and combat-servitor cages.
He also composes several letters and pages in his memoir, detailing his recent activities and advising the family leadership of his intentions. He encodes them with both his personal and the family ciphers, intending to send them out via astropath after the ship translates from the warp.
New course laid in, Es'trisi shift in his chair as it's hygienic assists clamp onto parts of his body. A panel swings out near his head, two nipples extended, food and water for the extended duration of his vigil.
Occasionally, the chair begins to subtly massage his muscles, preventing cramps that could prove disastrously distracting while piloting through he Warp.
Peering out into the shifting Immaterium through his now shining Third Eye, Es'trisi's conscious perception becomes filled with the Warp, nothing else exists; thousands of souls depend on his skills and intuition.
1d100 Warp StormSuddenly, the currents of the Warp part to reveal a churning mass of Warp energy roiling straight toward the Proficio Humanitas. A quick course correction is all Es'trisi has time for; to bring the bow around to allow the Geller Fields to do their work. "Warp Storm Alert! Brace! Brace! Brace!" he comms ship-wide.
Trying to react to the volatile Warp-winds buffeting the ship, Es'trisi steers the Proficio Humanitas toward what appears to be a calmer eddy within the maelstrom ahead.
Navigate(Warp)(int:36)
1d100 Whispers and Dreams
1d100 Plague of Madness
Feeling somewhat admonished by the Lord-Captain, Jene's eyes narrow as bit. She had hoped...
Well, it didn't matter. She owed him, no matter how pompous and privileged he was. How condescending he meant or happened to come across.
I will try to keep that in my grunt skull, Sir. And not distract you from these... deals, Sir.
Retiring to the Mess, Lord-Captain.
Cutter read over the reports he was receiving, and immediately recalled his ordeal during the last Warp Storm he had been caught in - it was starting earlier this time. The current wave of aberrant behavior and deviance was but a prelude of what might occur later, if this wasn't nipped in the bud.
He made a point of touring each and every chapel and congregation aboard the ship, to talk to the preachers about their parishes. Publicly it wasn't about the storm yet - bring the problem to the forefront of the mind, and it grows. But the point was clear nevertheless. As a matter of caution, he made sure to attend as many prayer-services as possible, and watch. See who was faltering, and where unrest was fermenting into vile rebellion. Who needed to simply be reminded of faith and duty, and who probably should not be allowed to spread their ideas any further.
Rodriguez spent most of her time committed to a training regimen focused on flexibility and strength. She ate like a grox and went about burning it off.
For warm up and cool down, she used the zero-g facility. Moving through techniques and routines with and without weapons. nearly naked in synth-skins and fully armed, armored with heavy gear.
Mostly she did sit-ups, chin-ups, push-ups and presses with additional weights for increased resistance and some close quarter melee play. And, she ran... kilometer after kilometer she ran. Through the whole mechanicus-damned ship, every deck she had access to. Over and over.
She stuck to a routine, others who wanted to run could meet up with her and run a short or long segment with her. It's not that they couldn't keep up... some could, but her desire was nearly irrational.
If she wasn't training alone or in the company of others, she was in the library reading. Battlefleet... she missed it. The Imperial Navy, Imperial tactics, wars, battles... and that was the light stuff. Then she got serious; the Koronus Expanse, bounties, Orks, Mechanicus, demolition and weapons.
She slept well, with the exception of a few nightmares of which one or two were recurring. Hardly anyone would know, except that at her request immediately after being assigned her quarters... she had had the door removed completely. A thin veil hang in it's stead for some privacy.
Confined to a ship was good, to a room... bad.
Unless summoned or scheduled, she steered clear of the Lord-Captain. Wouldn't want to get in the way of his deals.
The others she did not avoid, but neither did she seek them out. They were all freaks. Hell, they might be thinking the same of her. But, she knew she wasn't... she was damaged goods alright, but not a freak. She was just a girl... with a gun.
Perception Check (40+10)
With a suddenness that is startling, the Warp storm slams into the Proficio Humanitas.
Anything not battened down goes flying to the floor, the ship seems to be in the grip of some terrible monster, the howl from the Geller Fields seem to come from the throats of millions of tortured souls.
Calmly making minute adjustments to the ship's course and attitude, Es'trisi manages to avoid the most violent eddies and after a number of hair-raising hours pilots the vessel out of the other side of the Warp storm. Checking his console, he sees that no serious damage has been reported.
Over ship-wide comm "<Warp Storm Alert Cancelled. Resume normal ship operations.". Switching to the captain's comm, Es'trisi reports "Captain, that Warp storm has thrown us off course a few degrees. Expand our ETA by 10 days approximately.>"
Whispers and Dreams
Plague of Madness
Plague Of Madness
Warp Storm
<Received Navigator.>
General Comm Channel: <Damage report. All stations report in.>
Tossed and buffeted by the storm, Captain Havarro worries over his ship and crew. He can't let them see that, of course, and redoubles his physical exertions.
Once the storm has abated, and the report of the travel delay relayed, Captain Havarro begins organizing squad level training exercises among the ship's marines, troopers on board, and any command staff that elect to join in.
10-on-10 "killhouse" and hand-to-hand exercises are planned, with such twists as eliminating the gravity, flashing strobes and tear gas, and the occasional collapsing building and floor.
Everyone performs relatively admirably, getting valuable experience in combat, command, and tactical acumen.
Rodriguez keeps a low profile as she takes part in the exercises. Ensuring she looks like any other participant. She uses all standard issue arms and armor. Hiding her face, when appropriate.
No favoritism by or distraction of the general troops or marines. Just another grunt.
That said, her marksmanship and pistol-work are exemplary if her close-quarters work is lackluster. Idea being, eliminate the threat before they get close.
During the length of their voyage, Epri kept mostly to herself. She did not idle during the voyage, as operating on a large ship often left one with no shortage of things one could do in order to keep busy. Many of them were lesser tasks, probably easily delegated, but Epri was a hands-on person. Why delegate when you can do it yourself?
The encounter with the warp storms, while bothersome and annoying, did not effect Epri's routines too significantly. Any damages would be dealt with, and she would have things running as if nothing had ever happened. She had been working and living on ships and space stations long enough to have the routine down.
The Lord Captain received reports from all stations to the effect that their areas did not sustain any damage.
However, there are increasing reports of violent behavior among the crew in the lower decks. Perhaps, the personal appearance of one in authority may calm their frayed nerves....
Command Staff channel: <Void-Master, Arch-Militant, meet me on deck Lima-Pi-6. Full uniform, and battle kit.>
Captain Havarro gears up for a potentially dangerous situation, meeting up with his requested officers at the staging area near the entrance of the deck. Fully armed anf encased in his carapace armor (as usual,) Captain Havarro is ready for trouble.
After meeting with his staff: "What's this I hear about violence on the lower decks? I had thought our drills and exercises would have quelled such destructive tendencies. "
Rodriguez arrives, as ordered.
, 27 vs. 45, success.
Lord-Captain, Sir. I would nearly suggest the presence of Mister Sait. His spiritual presence may quell anxiety in persons of interest. Perhaps avoiding harsher measures.
He has also been making rounds, keeping his 'ear to the ground' as it were. Intelligence that could prove useful in avoiding or... quickly neutralizing a threatening situation.
Armed with long-las, stub-auto and mono-baton, it is not difficult to imagine what harsher measures might be.