Frustration is visible on Adyl's face at this point. Having spent nearly 10 millennia in a dream-like state he was eager to stretch his limbs, in a manner of speaking. Until now he had been eerily silent, but it appeared that finally his impatience had gotten the better of them.
"The pleasantries of flesh and food are a needless distraction, let us waste no more time on them. I will organize a usable squad from the rabble outside - I implore you to decide on the object of my conquest by the time I am done."
He then abruptly exits the tomb and once again survey's the gathered cultists, looking for any with able-bodies or who have already had the foresight to arm themselves.
Once he has made his choices, Adyl speaks again, his voice easily heard by all gathered, calling out to those that caught his attention. "You all, step forward! I am Adyl Dinedes and from now on your lives belong to me. Ready yourselves, we are moving soon."
It is clear from his tone alone that he expects no hesitation or resistance from his chosen. With steely eyes he watches them, waiting to see if they will fall in line.
"Well said, Dinedes of the World Eaters. Hephaest, how about we strike at your targets, after we've ascertained their location via my strategy, and shook down our available resources to reveal their true capabilities."
Zurias reaches into his small pack and draws out a loaded stub revolver with twelve extra bullets and a flak cloak and gives if to Adyl.
Here, give it to your favorite. I've been meaning to dispose of them for quite some time.
Give us a direction and rough estimate on distance in case you meet stiff opposition. I have vox in the armor, so that allows about a kilometer before interference becomes an issue.
"Perhaps we should seek out to eliminate the hive's access to the outside, in addition to any aircraft and mechanized forces they might have. Taking away their ability to respond quickly, as well as their heaviest weapons, would be a great boon to us," Domitan proposes softly. "I have no desire to be shot at by gunships."
I do wonder whether I could lance a pilot through the cockpit of an in flight gunship though. Sounds like fun."
Good thinking Domitan. Perhaps your heretek can provide assistance on that front. At the very least in the form of valuable information, gleaned from the sundry cogitators festooned about the hive...at the minimum he may be able to obtain schematics and maps for aerodocks and such
Hephaest lets out a harsh feedback screech in irritation. "You are getting ahead of yourselves! Why worry about such things when we do not know if they will be a problem? We do not have schematics for this hive. We do not know where manufactories or forces are. We do not know the disposition of their enforcers. We need that information first. Establish a base of operation, then learn what we can, then we can make these decisions with worthwhile information."
He then walks over to Zurias, and tries to loom, looking more petulant than fearsome. "I am not some heretek. I am a Magos of Mars, sworn to the true Fabricator-General and attached to the warriors of the true Emperor. I am not some form of renegade from those who abandoned our traditions and pride to snivel before the Terran pretender."
Adyl, fifteen of the more fanatical looking cultists force their way to you. They're covered in scars, burns, and thorns gathered from local plants. "I am Tor, Bloody One. We will kill and drink the blood from those we bless!"
Julie, you see a suitable target in the distance. A crooked pile of slag that has a few tattered banners hung from the top and a crude wall around the base. You estimate it's about one kilometer to the west.
Hephaest lets out a harsh feedback screech in irritation. "You are getting ahead of yourselves! Why worry about such things when we do not know if they will be a problem? We do not have schematics for this hive. We do not know where manufactories or forces are. We do not know the disposition of their enforcers. We need that information first. Establish a base of operation, then learn what we can, then we can make these decisions with worthwhile information."
He then walks over to Zurias, and tries to loom, looking more petulant than fearsome. "I am not some heretek. I am a Magos of Mars, sworn to the true Fabricator-General and attached to the warriors of the true Emperor. I am not some form of renegade from those who abandoned our traditions and pride to snivel before the Terran pretender."
Zurias raises his hands chest height, palms outward in a conciliatory gesture
Calm, my new-found friend. We are simply bandying ideas about. Although I'm sure that for someone of you evident skill, obtaining schematics and floorplans and maps would be the very essence of simplicity itself!
And you simply must excuse my slip, I've had nary any experience with Adepts of the Mechanicum, believe me when I say insult was not my intent! Or was it?
"There's a slag pile with banners. Kilometer out. It's nothing special, but what else where you expecting in the underhive? Still, if we need to do some skull-kicking, there's a place to do it." Julie points.
"I am Tor, Bloody One. We will kill and drink the blood from those we bless!"
Adyl sizes up the man with a humorless expression. "The eagerness of you and your comrades is commendable but the true crucible yet awaits; a baptism of blood and fire."
Just then he notices the building Julie had pointed out. Taking it as a declaration of intent he says "That is to be our fortress? Very well. I have already mustered those able - only the fight remains. Master Hephaest: I trust that you will be close behind? Your expertise will be vital in transforming that sorry pile of rubble into something worthy of our cause."
With that he gathers Tor and his companions into a standard marching formation, caring not for any subtlety or discretion, and makes for the rubble in the distance.
If you think I'm going to pass on experiencing the thrill of battle, or at least causing a bit of mayhem, you are sorely mistaken
Zurias uncoils the neural whip at his hip, mindful not to trip the activation button until it is needed.
@Valefor, Domitan, Hephaest or anyone staying behind...
Should the refreshments arrive before we return, do be a good sport and save some for me!
"Let us introduce ourselves to the neighbours, shall we? It seems we have been remiss in our manners," Domitan drawls slowly to Valefor, angling ZweiDurchtrennen in the direction of the banner.
Without paying much attention to the others, Domitan follows Adyl at a leisurely pace.
Hephaest follows quietly. Several mechandrites, bristling with blades, drills, and saws, snake their way out from beneath his robes and rise, like serpents ready to strike.
I doubt we'll be finding any hard targets in there... Julie slings her long las up and follows.
Valefor sighs slightly, turning to look upon the gathered crowd. In his eyes they were no more helpful than being able to bang two rocks together. He moves over to the crowd and grabs one that seems to be charming. "You. We must leave on business, see to it that the refreshments arrive and are ready by the time we return. You may all of course partake in them, and we shall return victorious and celebrate our glorious conquest!" He gives the mortal a cool smile and then moves off towards the bannered building.
As you reach the walls around the slag-Hill you spy a number of scruffy gangers milling about on the parapets. They're dressed in crude armor made of ratskins and battered metal, with spears and a few autoguns. One of them stops and calls to Tor. "Tor, begone! The rat-clans own this now. You failed, the Slag Fort is ours!"
Domitan summons his psychic might to enshroud himself in coruscating Warp energy, protecting himself from harm.
"This too shall pass." Domitan mutters under his breath as he prepares for the fight to come.
Zurias pulls Warp energy to himself summoning to mind the speed and agility of a Slaaneshi steed. With his free hand he grips the golden medallion that hangs from his belt; a small symbol of Slaanesh. Gold and purple mist wisps from his armor as time dilates, then slows down in the perception of the psyker...
Warp Time Unfettered WP 59 -10 (Warp Time) +20 (Psy Rating) +10 (Psy Focus)= 79 Half Action (Sustain: Free)
...then speeds back up to normal as the power fails to manifest.
Damn all the followers of Khorne for this denial... he whispers bitterly.
If I get a Thought Send I'll try to resist it.
100 meters.
Adyl steps out to the front of the group and shouts to the gangers of the fort: "Now hear this! I care not for whatever petty rivalries you filth have amongst each other, I lay claim to this fort now. If you wish to contest me than send forth whomever and I will make my demands in a more personal manner. Resist and you will be cut down, one and all."
Julie was mid way through pulling out her long las, with a smile on her face, before Adyl's challenge.
"Aw... Couldn't we have threatened the survivors? If they give up now, it won't be fun at all." She pouted.
I suppose the big question would be "How do we get inside without causing too much destruction?". And I agree with Julie...why give them an option?
Zurias will try to enact Warp Time again
Warp Time Unfettered WP 59 -10 (Warp Time) +20 (Psy Rating) +10 (Psy Focus)= 79 Half Action (Sustain: Free)
It worked!
Gain: Unnatural WS (+4), Unnatural BS (+4), Unnatural Agility (+4)
move is now
half 8
full 16
Charge 24
Run 48
Purple and gold mist drifts out the vent ports in Zurias' armor, enveloping him and a cloud of sweet smelling fog. Slowly it dissipates leaving winking motes of light clinging to every surface of his body. In the distance of the back of your mind, you faintly hear the trumpeting ululation of a Slaaneshi steed.
While waiting for the vermin to make their decision Adyl speaks to his companions.
"Keep your tricks to yourselves. You lot may wish to cast your honor aside; but I will not. The challenge has been made and if they are anything but the lowest filth then they will answer in turn."
"... I'm pretty sure they ARE the lowest filth. But if you're confident they aren't, I'm going to stand in the shadow of your armor."
The World Eater merely grunts his affirmative.
Julie had a point, no doubt. Where the rat-men to take advantage of his offer then the subsequent slaughter would be glorious. Unaware, a smile creeps to his lips at the thought.
Honour? What is honourable about hive scum?
Domitan stares at Adyl in noncomprehending shock.
I swear, it's almost as if as soon as you swear yourself to Khorne you lose half your intelligence. Besides, isn't that bad theology? I thought it was all "Blood for the Blood God, Skulls for the Skull Throne!" and "He cares not whose blood is spilled!" This one is different.
Domitan tightens his grip on ZweiDurchtrennen.
"I hope your plan works..." Domitan mutters quietly. "Whatever your plan is..."
Plan! He's a disciple of Khorne! What lunacy am I speaking?
Hephaest spews arcane formulae as he calls on his expanded mental powers to protect himself.
"Hmm." Valefor seems displeased at the idea that there are some, things keeping him from his fort.
"We gave them one chance. They shall not have another." He withdraws his shotgun, keeping it at the ready as his lip curls back into a snarl of disgust. He stands by his Khornate Cohort reading himself for combat he had not experienced for a long while.
Hephaest
Adyl
Zurias
Valefor
Adyl's minions
Julie
Domitan
Gang mob
So just post in any order, I'll assemble them into the right order once everyone's posted. I'll also roll any reactions needed.
Zurias moves forward (half move: 8m) then reaches up to the sky with one hand, physically pulling Warp energy to him. His off hand grips the charm at his belt.
Doombolt Push (+2) WP 59 + 15 (Psy Rating 3) + 10 (Push) +10 (Psy Focus) 92
Pen 8 Rng 100m
Psychic Phenom
Pressure builds around Zurias as he flings a clotted black and purple bolt at the guard on the parapet. The energy sinks into the ground and re-emerges as blood which swells out of the paving stones and rocks around him!
Round 1
"Forward, leave them no quarter!" shouts Adyl to his men. The rat-trash had made their beds, now they would sleep in it.
He charges heedless across the open-ground. The ground between he and the foe was great; he could only hope that they would still be alive by the time he got there.
Round 1
Valefor follows Adyl, choosing to charge to the door of the fortress along with his bloody cohort; if anyone was going to give merciless retribution to these insufferable mortals it would be Valefor.
"I am with you Adyl, we shall rekindle this palace in a wash of our transgressor's blood." His face is an impassive, almost bored mask.