"Good of you to join us, Praetia. What are your thoughts on this matter. Your opinion may hold the greatest significance here and now."
"Good of you to join us, Praetia. What are your thoughts on this matter. Your opinion may hold the greatest significance here and now."
'The forces of Chaos and heresy are not to be trifled with, that was a lesson learned quickly on my home planet of Cadia. My mother paid a the highest price because those in high places ignored that rule.'
'We need to find the source of this call and engage the Dark Mechanicus if they are still in the sector. If the crew is alive and there are pure souls to be saved, we should board the ship and purge the unclean. However, if the crew is already too far gone, the Emperor himself would be hard-pressed to convince me to board that ship. It would be safer to destroy it from afar.'
'Shall we rig for silent running or use the Augury to scan for ships in the system. We can't do both.'
"Caution is the watchword of the faithful my captain, if this is a trap, they may already have seen us, we should not be caught unawares, I would advice Augury systems."
I'd rather know what we're up against. Even if they have not seen us and we manage to make it there unseen. What if we're up against a couple of cruisers? Best know what's there first.
Having heard Void-Master Soeul's decision, Lion nods his head to the head choir master.
The choir master signals the choir to turn in their pages to the Hymn of Grand Preparation. The choir then sings out.
Come, Beacon, come;
Let thy bright beams arise;
Dispel the darkness from our minds,
And open all our eyes
Lion looks to the ships book of scripture to see what the spirit of the ship would write in the log of their surroundings.
Lion looks at the Holy Ship Log and sees no new scripts appear showing the location of the ship or ships.
'My apologies, my captain, the faith of the crew is still weak and untrained. It may be several minutes before we can clearly map any other objects within the system.'
The Navis Nobilite's enjoy massive protection from retribution due to their necessity to travel the stars and enable trade, warfare and exploration- despite being mutants even within a society that despises, casts out and slays other mutants.
However, that same level of protection sometimes leads Navigators to become decadent, hedonistic servants of Chaos- embracing their innate corruption and tainted by the influence of the Warp. Falling to heresy would likely entail a change of allegiances to Chaos.
You do remember that recently you heard of a senior Navigator of the powerful House Modar, one of the three most powerful Navigator houses in the Calixis sector. You heard that the Navigator was accuses of Chaos worship by the testimony of a servant, but it was later deduced that the servant himself was a thrall of Chaos, and the Navigator was acquitted and the matter kept very quiet. You also recall that the Navigator was then assigned to the Casmirre Dynasty in an effort to keep the rumours of heresy quiet.
The Void Wolf continues to move slowly through the system, the first active augury revealing nothing out of the ordinary, but the distress signal continues to be picked up by the Void Wolf.
'I suspect that the Navigator may have something to do with the attack upon the Casmirre's Pride; he has been investigated by the Ordo Hereticus recently. We need to find out more. Would the ship's spirit get better readings if we moved in closer?'
Jerol gripped the controls harder than he normally would. Knowing that something hostile was out there and not knowing where it was didn't make him happy. He looked around at the rest of the crew, they all seemed a bit on edge as well, this didn't surprise him. Chaos did that to people. The only one looking calm was minerva, then again she always had that same placid look on her face. The look of a monster he thought. He'd watched her kill before, it was the cold and calm manner at which she dispatched her foes. He doubt she would even think twice about massacring a whole school of children. Disgusting monstrosity.
Lion continues the prayer of Augury but now he turns his eye to those around him in the bridge crew. Clearly someone was not singing with the proper voice likely as an attempt to sabotage his presence before Demetrius.
'Sing harder, your Captain is watching!'
After some time and exhortation by Lion, the augurs reveal the presence of a cruiser a short distance away in the system- or at least whats left of what you surmise must be the Casmirre's Pride. The cruiser has taken devastating broadsides all over its port and starboard hull, and its engines have been utterly destroyed. While the ship has not been hulked, it will likely never grace the Imperium again. The distress signal is coming from inside the armoured bridge aboard the ship and there are a few faint bio-signatures emanating around the vessel and inside the bridge. An armoured bridge is designed to lock in and function as a bunker in the case of mutiny or boarding, so if there are any survivors of the attack they are likely holed up in there. The cruiser's cargo bay also appears to be intact.
'By the light of the Emperor, she persists. Let us proceed with caution, an intact cargo hold speaks more to a trap than anything else. After all, "Hope is the beginning of unhappiness."
'I say, nay, let us not approach any closer. The blessed Augury has shown us one ship, the Casmirre's Pride. Where are the other ships mentioned in the vox-com? I may not know these pirates, these Dark Mechanicus, but I do know pirates.'
'My family has been dealing with pirates for over Forty Millenium. And I tell you, pirates are like vultures, they would not leave a carcass as long as their was still blood on the bone.'
'The Vox-com said these pirates had some way of evading the sensors of the imperial fleet. The imperial fleet as better sensors then the standard array that we have been gifted with this ship. I would not doubt that such ships might be able to run silent and avoid our ship system's dim beacon of light.'
'If we move any closer then we'll have the vulture's claws to our backs in seconds and be spilling air like blood.'
'Beneteks have lived too long on too many ships to move into such widow's nest of spiders. I suggest that we move at a good pace away from the Casmirre's Pride. Not at full speed but 70 to 80% of full speed should do well.'
'Our resident explorator and void-master can better judge what is needed to run the ruse. The pirates won't be able to maintain silent running if they want to overtake us and I doubt they'll be happy to see us slip away. They'll need to lose whatever cover they are using to hide their engines to catch us.'
'Once we see how many ships are truly out there and their gunnage then we'll be better able to decide to go to full speed to escape or to turn our guns on the pirates.'
'Let any battle be on our terms and not theirs.'
"The safety of this ship is paramount, but we need to think of those lost souls on that ship. What are the risks of boarding party?"
A junior officer on the bridge pipes up, one of the few competent men on your crew who served in the Imperial Navy.
My lord- the ships life support system is unpowered. A large scale boarding action would be impossible without a stockpile of void suits. If the blasted...
The officer casts a fearful eye at Havelock and corrects what he was going to say.
...I mean, blessed machine spirit could be restored by a small party, we could begin large scale boarding within an hour of the power being restored. Theres definitely not enough life signs to warrant more than a few thousand souls aboard the whole ship, if our readings are accurate.
Havelock turns and bows to captain Demetrius.
"Should you choose the path suggested by yon crewman, I shall be honoured to go and attempt to awaken the machine spirit once more to the cause of light."
Havelock turns and bows to captain Demetrius.
"Should you choose the path suggested by yon crewman, I shall be honoured to go and attempt to awaken the machine spirit once more to the cause of light."
'We should try to contact the Casmirre's Pride before boarding. Maybe they could provide us with more information about the status of the ship or the location of the Dark Mechanicus ships. As the good Navigator pointed out, there could be Chaos forces lingering nearby, waiting to pounce on anyone that comes to their aid.'
'Why is it that everyone here seems to know of these Chaos Pirates and I do not?'
Lion finds it hard to hide his anger and embarrassment that he seems to be the only person on the command crew to not have expected these pirates.
Rounding on his junior navigators, 'Have any of you been deliberately hiding briefing reports from me of pirate activities in this region? Solar, I know you've been coveting my job for months now and don't think I know what sort of files you've been recording Theodore. I should send the both of you with the Captain on this boarding operation so you can have a personal look at these pirates. It will remind you to keep your Head Navigator well informed of all briefing reports instead of trying to conceal information.'
'Why is it that everyone here seems to know of these Chaos Pirates and I do not?'
Lion finds it hard to hide his anger and embarrassment that he seems to be the only person on the command crew to not have expected these pirates.
Rounding on his junior navigators, 'Have any of you been deliberately hiding briefing reports from me of pirate activities in this region? Solar, I know you've been coveting my job for months now and don't think I know what sort of files you've been recording Theodore. I should send the both of you with the Captain on this boarding operation so you can have a personal look at these pirates. It will remind you to keep your Head Navigator well informed of all briefing reports instead of trying to conceal information.'
'Lion, surely you know of the great Heresy of M31?'
'Why would I study heresies? Surly, as a priest, you must know that the study of heresies leads to heresy. The pure mind comes from knowing the Emperor's light and studying his word.'
Jerol looked on exasperated at the events.
Look we can stand here bickering all day or we can think, if there ARE people here to prey on our ship, they probably already know we are here and they could decide to blast us at any second. Personally, I think the best idea would be to prep our ship for a quick get away, and board the other ship with as few people as possible. We need to check out the survivors, we cant just leave them there to die. It will take a while for any ships that are hiding to pop out and shoot us, so we will have a bit of a leway at least. We need to get organised fast though. I volunteer to help scout out the ship, I'm sure one of our junior pilots knows where the accelerator is.
He shot a glare at the nearest junior pilot who cowered slightly.
'Have any of you been deliberately hiding briefing reports from me of pirate activities in this region? Solar, I know you've been coveting my job for months now and don't think I know what sort of files you've been recording Theodore. I should send the both of you with the Captain on this boarding operation so you can have a personal look at these pirates. It will remind you to keep your Head Navigator well informed of all briefing reports instead of trying to conceal information.'
The navigators chafe under the stern gaze and abashment provided by Lion, but know better than to argue or protest innocence, merely lowering their heads in shame and submission.
'Why would I study heresies? Surly, as a priest, you must know that the study of heresies leads to heresy. The pure mind comes from knowing the Emperor's light and studying his word.'
'One neededn't "study" something to know that it has come to pass... Praetia turns away from Lion and addresses Demetrius, 'Sir, I suggest you try to hail the crew of Casmirre's Pride for more information. I would not board without knowing more about the atate of the crew; those life signs could just as well be Dark Mechanicus cultists.'
Lion makes a quick couple of gestures to the choir director who directs the choir to switch to the correct page of their hymmery. Two altar attendants step forward with incense censers to lead Praetia to the Podium.
'The choir will sing the Divine Praise as you ascend the podium to Hail the Casmirre's Pride.'
Turning to Demetrius,
'The choir will sing the Grand Invocation as you ascend the pulpit to Hail the Casmirre's Pride.'
'I would suggest that someone start organizing the crew to prepare to repel boarders and to prepare the landing craft. Perhaps, Explorator Iacton could see to the landing craft as he will need to organize assistants, tools, oils, and scriptures, to invoke the Casmirre's Pride's Machine Spirit to aid us.'
'And while sitting here is well and good, maybe, Void-Master Soeul, you could keep the ship in some sort of evasive maneuvers until we are ready to launch the landing craft. There is no need to make it any easier for some pirates to get a bead on us as we gawk at the Casmirre's Pride.'
Havelock nods, happy to have something to do while waiting for whatever is to come. He quickly excuses himself and heads towards the Void wolf's bay. Using the vox on his servo skull he calls for Jactor.
"Jactor, meet me at the bay, we are to prepare a craft to take us aboard a grievously hurt child of the Omnisiah to awaken her machine spirit."
Havelock gives Jactor a list of items he will bring with the team and the signs of.
Praetia watches Havelock exit the bridge and exhales loudly.
'If it comes to a boarding action, I will go along with Havelock. If the ship's crew have fallen to heresy, it would be best that I show them the error of their ways and send them back to the Emperor.'
Praetia puts her hand to rest on the hilt of her chainsword and leaves the bridge.
Constantine ascends the podium and begins to hail whats left of the Casmirre's Pride. The vox transmission is never accepted.
'Theodore, take the beacon. Make sure you put that in your secret reports. "Lion left bridge to board ship in distress along with senior crew members. He didn't stay behind to sulk in the shadows."'
Lion doubted that Theodore would write up anything like the truth in his books but Lion didn't care at the moment. Image was important in front of the crew.
The image of the Head Navigator willing to risk danger like a true Beneteck was more important then his life.
Personally, he'd rather open another bottle of his private stock and have a second breakfast but he was fairly sure that wasn't going to happen this day.
Hand followed on behind the portly Navigator.
Reaching his quarters, Lion ordered his batsman to prepare his void-suit.
Hand looked quizically at Lion and Lion waved him away, 'Yes, you may go and get your void suit. I'm not crazy enough to go hopping off this ship without a proper back up. It would be just like Solar to use this moment to take the ship into warp as a precautionary measure and leave us stranded on some hulk waiting for the next millenium to be rescued.'
Lion struggled with the void-suit getting up over his middle.
'Blast, Kilbert, you've shrunk the thing again. Quick, hand me that can of spiritual oil and let me see if I can bless my way into this cursed fabrication.'
Yes, Lord Benetek... Kilbert says hastily, bowing and being as subservient as possible before Lion in the hope to avoid his wrath.
Jerol got up from his seat. He walked to his quarters and preceded to start squeezing himself into his void suit. He hated these things, but they were significantly better than going out there without one. Oh yes, he'd seen people ejected out hatches before, not pretty.
He grabbed his long las. This was the finest las he had ever layed his eyes upon, red dot sight, over charge pack, he had been forced to train so much with long las's back on his home planet, he hated every minute. Yet now, he felt a strange sense of warmth picking his las up. This gun had never let him down before, if he missed, it was his fault, the gun was dead centre sights. Finally squeezing into his void suit, he grabbed his pack and headed to the air lock, a strange sense of anticipation gripping him. Whilst it could never compare to the excitement of piloting a ship in combat, ground combat did certainly have its moments.
Minerva listens to the exchange of the various members of the command crew, her features displaying no emotion. Suddenly, she steps forward, not waiting for a command from her master. I will be travelling to the Casmirre's Pride. she says, her tone not brooking any contradiction. Hestitating, she turns to the Rogue Trader. With your permission my lord, she says, bowing almost double this is the best way for me to serve the Dynasty.
Lion having 'blessed' his way into his void suit which was stretched over his xeno-mesh armour, proceeded to unlock his weapons locker and draw out his weapon.
It was a Hellblast pistol which came complete with a power pack. Beneteck carried the weapon as he was an officer and was expected to duel to defend the honour of the Beneteck's. Beneteck could use the weapon but he was no mark shot with it.
Then again, he was far better at that then having to fight with the staff he carried. The idea of sweaty people rolling around on a sweaty mat was just disgusting and he'd quit taking lessons as soon as he could.
He was a Beneteck and a Navigator and had far more sophisticated methods to fight if someone should dare lay hands on his body.
Beneteck last checked that his charm was around his neck, tarot cards in his void suit's pocket, and his prayer card was up to date with no days missed in the last fortnight. The emperor only looked after those that took time to recognize his supremacy.
Prepared, Lion waited for Hand to return and then the pair proceeded to the landing craft.
Edit:
Right it wont let me edit that post so ill make a new one.
As jerol picked up his long las he thought for a second. It was very likely that whoever set this up would be waiting for them to board the ship. And thats when they would pounce. He made the decision that he would be most needed in the cockpit. He took off his void suit and headed for the bridge, no-one had destroyed a ship he was flying, he wasn't about to let that change.
Praetia walks out of her quarters, still making minor adjustments to her voidsuit. Her acolyte, Magdela, raises up from her prayers when she sees her enter the shrine and asks, "Any instructions?"
'Yes. If anyone asks why an away team is leaving the ship, it is for a routine salvage mission; do not mention who is leaving and say nothing of the Darm Mechanicus. I want you to continue looking for any signs of those Xenos-charms while I am offboard. Any crewmen not on duty are to sing the Imperial Hymnal in order to strengthen their faith. Watch for those who do not sing without appropriate fervor.'
'I want you to recite the Fede Imperialis every half hour and pray to the Emporer for our protection while we are away.'
"Of course. We shall be watchful of heresy and pray for your safety. Our faith will be your shield. Emperor protect you."
'And the Saints watch over you, as well.' Praetia knelt before the shrine and recites a silent prayer to the God-Emperor before presenting her sword to the idol's stone gaze 'By bolter shell, flamer burst and chainsword strike, the mutant, the heretic and the traitor alike are cleansed of their sin of existence. This weapon shall execute Your will this day.'
Her faith affirmed, Praetia leaves the shrine in the capable hands of Magdela and her acolytes.
Havelock is inspecting his trusty equipment in the bay area as the junior members of the crew are busily readying the landing craft.
He makes sure the power axe rest comfortably in his hand, because if it comes to melee he needs to be prepared, it is after all his weakest skill.
When he inspect his bolter he feels much more confident, because he will be wearing a void suit he cannot bring along his armour, and as such it will most likely be best to cut down any opponents quickly.
"So Jactor, are the preparations nearly complete? I trust that these machine spirits are properly taken care of and have been asked with all due humbleness to ferry our bodies to our destination? I do not want the commander to complain that we are not doing our work, understand Jactor?"
He then taps the side of where his nose should be conspiratorially. "Things have been going wrong, and we must be beyond reproach, we must live up to expectations, understand? Jactor nods in understanding, the lights reflecting of the dome of his skull, the burly Jactor then turns back and shouts instructions at the crew, making a decent impression of an imperial guards drill sergeant.
Boarding the small Aquila lander, Jerol flies you expediently across the small gap between the two vessels and lands you inside the Casmirre's Pride. Exiting the ramp nervously, you find no greeting party- save for the dozens and dozens of corpses littering the ground of the hangar. The hangar is badly damaged, with any small craft damaged beyond repair. The ship's lighting also appears to be off, and your vision is extremely limited. The corpses seem to be members of the crew, but many also seem to be mutation sporting, deranged chaos worshippers with fanatical grins still on their faces.
Having landed, you each realise that the faster you can get to the life support the better. However, no one is entirely sure where the life support systems are based...
[ooc]Hand takes 1 point of insanity (will record on Lion's profile info) and beats the Awareness by 3 stages.
Hand moves first off the small fliers as he is the lowest rank person of this crew of officers. The record will record that the Rogue Trader was first to land but Hand knows that it his sworn duty to take the bullet for others.
He regretted only having a void suit to cover his Flak armour instead of his normal heavy chest carapace. It made him feel more vulnerable and given what he saw when he landed he felt as if he was going to need every inch of armour that he could scrap together.
His photo contacts compensated for the low light vision as the red dot of his Autopistol loaded with Manstopper rounds swept over the wreckage. He hustled out ten yards in a crouch and then hunkered down behind some wreckage.
His left hand was slightly heavy with the Shock Glove he wore on it. The book recommended only wearing the Glove when danger was imminent because it had a bad habit of fatiguing the fingers and leading to muscle spasms. The book could be melted down in the divine forges of Mars for all he cared. If this wasn't imminent danger than he didn't know what was.
Many soldiers liked getting posed for statues holding a gun in one hand but Hand was all professional. His left hand steadied the Autopistol in a stable two hand grip.
He swept the area with his night sight enhanced senses looking for trouble.
The Captain of the Watch turned to the Priest of the Log and stated, 'Let the record show that in the Name of the Illustrious God-Emperor, Who Protects All Mankind with His Beacon of Light, Rogue Trader Constantine Demetrius landed the Void Wolf's lander, Jagged Tooth, aboard the Cassamire's Pride. Efforts shall be made to rescue the Machine Spirit and any crew that are alive and fit to be returned to the Emperor's Light. All other crew shall be blessed on their way to eternal salvation or damnation as is fit judgment for their life and crimes.'
Havelock stares at the corpses piled high in the hangar bay, uneasy despite his training as a tech priest.
"Dark mechanicus..." he mutters, disgusted by the idea that worshipers of the Omnisiah might turns their backs and join the hordes of chaos... and even more disgusted about how they might seek to corrupt the children of the Omnisiah with their knolwedge of lore given only unto the faithfull.
He examines the death, seeking any insignias, trying to gauge what quality of arms they brought, anything that might give even a hint at the capabilities of the chaos lovers that may still be aboard the ship.
"If any of the dark mechanicus lives, we must put them to the torch, they must not be allowed to continue their corruption of the Omnisiahs children..." As always when agitated, Havelocks voice becomes synthetic and mechanical, and the mechandrite over his shoulders begins to wave.