Regardless of the success or failure in fixing the door console, it takes roughly 10-15 minutes and eventually something does begin to happen.
Eventually everyone but Rakavet, who is still fiddling with the door console, can hear what you believe to be the lift returning, unsure if it happens from Rakavet's success or pure coincidence, you can't help but be relieved.
The sister looks at the group. "The lift could be carrying somebody unexpected. Assume defensive positions around and be on your guard." Scraping around for cover, she maintains a closed eye on the lift, pistols raised. "Senior Adept, I advise remaining in cover until we know the lift is clear.", she says to the older man.
Ludicus draws his force blade, holds it to his face so he can kiss the blade, and then puts on his silver mask, getting ready for combat.
Phineus eases into a kneeling firing stance and waits.
"Thank you, Master Haxtes," the Tech-Priest murmured as he extend a mechadendrite towards the strange, alien machine. "I think I can see something resembling logic to this system. If I try reconnecting this..."
As the Cadre readies itself for the rising lift, unsure of what lies below or if they are alone, they take caution and cover, unable to peer down the shaft as it rises. Even looking into pitch black would be of little use and there is little light where you are, just the glo sticks and sources you've brought.
While the room itself with the lift shaft is empty and no cover is available, you are able to hide inside the doorways, as they are the only cover available. Otherwise, you are exposed inside the section awaiting the lift. The team careful to hide their presence can only act in surprise as a hulking figure emerges standing tall, visible before the physical lift itself. However, before you get a good look bright lights emerge from the figure blinding all who are looking upon him.
Unless you have something to protect your eye-sight automatically, you are blinded for 1 round as your eyes adjust to the sudden burst of light.
Those protected from the sudden flood of light are confronted with a hulking monstrosity that you have never seen or likely heard of. Standing taller than Space Marine clad in Terminator armor you witness a fowl being of melded technology and flesh. It barely seems humanoid, but its legs large and thick enough to support an armored frame with no apparent hands. In place of his hands you see a fleshy mess of technology and vile flesh, where a weapon has emerged on one hand and a large sword protrudes from the forearm of the other.
Before the lift even fully arrives the figure is hovering above you with a will and confidence of a god among ants. You're too late! it yells loudly, its voice as intimidating as its figure and ancient looking weaponry. None shall stand in our way! he screams, readying himself to charge forward.
Intimidating War Cry:
3+ DOS on an opposed WP test, or you suffer -10 to Dodge/Parry for rounds. If you're immune to fear, then you need only pass a simple WP test.
Roll Initiative.
Following Sister Federica's advice Gaius moved back down the corridor, as ther was little to no cover he moved behind the others to where he could still maintain line of sight to the lift shaft, once in position he lay down to minimise his target area. Directing the others in front to prevent the obstruction of lines of sight, he readied himself for the attack.
4dos
+4 or 12
7dos
Bright lights blaze down the corridor and Gaius' photvisor activates, preventing him being dazzled. As the abomination comes into sight, Gaius resists its war cry and activates the Logis Implant in his brain, speeding up the data and computations regarding bullet trajectories, recoil effects and target areas. Whilst the abomination is out of combat, Gaius seizes his chance and sends a full auto burst of Manstopper rounds streaming towards the target.
6 hits
1st Head: Pen 3
2nd Head: Pen 3
3rd Arm: Pen 3
4th Body: Pen 3
5th Arm: Pen 3
6th Body: Pen 3
Most of the rounds hit the target, pinging against the thick armour as Gaius fights to keep his bucking wpn under control.
Sister Federica shields her eyes from the blast reflexively, as the lenses on her helmet dim down the blast to tolerable flash.
She shouts a war cry as the creature appears, the twin revolvers flying from their holsters and opening fire on the foul creature's head. "Kill this heretic!"
"Senior Adept, what is this thing!", she shouts over the vox to Haxtes, leaning back into the doorframe.
"Huh," Rakavet murmured as he slung his weapon into a firing position and moved aside to allow the other clear shots. "I was hoping for something more exciting that a random pile of 01110011 01100011."
Prompted by Federica, Gaius racks his brain, for knowledge of this abomination and it's weaknesses.
1dos
1dof
5dos
5+6 dos
7th hit body. pen 3
Gaius takes aim and unleashes a flurry of shots that seem to go unnoticed by the abomination, all except the last, which catches his side and tears flesh and machine alike from his body.
Before the creature has time to react the others in the cadre open fire as well, with the sister unleashing Holy fury with her signature pistols. None seem to penetrate or damage the creature, but its hard to tell with his mechanical warp flesh.
EDIT:
Gaius tries to consider what horror they are facing and draws a blank at first. Considering the reason they're on this planet though, he begins to draw some connections from his extensive lore knowledge and recalls reports of a rarely encountered entity that absorbs technology into his warped flesh and is able to change his bodily composition at will. However, since the creature has yet to act, you aren't entirely sure.
Ludicus eyes roam over the figure, his mind considering the options before him.
Clearly this foe would not fall easily, which meant that sooner or later, someone would end up with it in melee.
That meant that for now, he should focus on furthering his defence in preparation.
Phineus calmly and smoothly pops a round out of his combat vest and loads it into his Exitus Pistol, then takes careful aim at the monstrosity down the hall.
- Success.
After the Cadre opens fire and prepares themselves for this encounter the larger and slower daemonic looking warp abomination unleashes dark flames from one of his arms blanketing the doorway and everyone near it in fire as it moves forward.
Toughness test:
Flamer (20m; S/–/–; 2d10+4 E; Pen 3)
Pen 3
A character suffers Damage from fire each Round he is exposed to it.
At the beginning of each Round after the first in which a character
is exposed to the same source of flames (or if he is hit by a weapon
with the Flame special quality), he must make a Challenging
(+0) Agility Test or catch on fire. Once a character is on fire, he
suffers 1d10 Damage (with no reduction from armour) and suffers
1 level of Fatigue each Round until the fire is extinguished. All
Damage from fire is treated as Energy Damage for the purpose
of determining Critical Effects—if the location is not otherwise
specified, use the body location. If a character is on fire and is not
wearing a fully enclosed suit of armour, the character must make a
Challenging (+0) Willpower Test at the beginning of each of
his Turns in order to be able to take Actions normally; otherwise,
he may only run around and scream, which counts as a Full Action.
A character that is on fire may try to extinguish the flames himself
by dropping prone and making a Hard (–20) Agility Test,
which counts as a Full Action. The GM can make this test easier or
harder depending on environmental conditions and whether the
blazing character is able to receive any help from nearby allies. If
the character is wearing fully enclosed armour (including Power
Armour), he automatically passes the Willpower Test.
You take 4 damage the first round if you are on fire and one level of Fatigue. See the above spoiler for additional info and directions for dealing with fire.
"Your warp trickery won't help you, creature!", shouts the sister as the flames engulf the wall near her. Stowing her revolvers and drawing two heavily engraved Inferno Pistols from her back, she aims them at the creature and pulls the triggers, the air screeching as it's being incinerated by the incredible heat.
As the dark flames roll over Gaius, his robes burn like a torch horribly burning and scarring him. As he leaps up screaming horribly, the flames overcome him and he collapses unconcious.
Phineus smoothly avoids the flames and stays trained on the target.
Ludicus is able to step into a crevice in the wall, enough to shield himself from the blast of warp fire.
If it has a mind, I can obliterate it.
Phineus regains his target and squeezes the trigger.
Engulfed in the flames, Rakavet could only trust in the armour he had hand crafted and opened fire in return with his own heavy weapon. Once the thing was dead he could deal with the flames
-
-
Round 2:
As the Obliterator's attack burns through the cadre, most are left standing and able to return fire. The Sister dances clear of the flames with ease and returns two rounds from her Infernus pistol's that she quick draws. Firing together at the enemies head he ducks at the last moment as both bullets whiz by.
Dodge (35):
Gaius is caught up and ensued by the flames, retreating into the previous room away from combat and unable to shake the flames he runs around wildly until he collapses to the ground screaming and rolling around until the fire subsides and he's left unconscious from the pain and fatigue.
Phineus dodges back instinctively from the flames, though he wasn't very close to the danger. His calm demeanor remaining as he took aim and fired a kill shot, as he had done on countless other occasions as an Assassin. The shot aimed for the creatures head connects and the unique ammunition he had just loaded bore into his head and ate through metal and flesh with ease, bursting through the other side and exploding, taking portions of its face and head.
39+Accurate (8)+ RF dmg (3)=50 dmg pen 14 I
TG Test:
The being pauses momentarily as his vision blurs and he hears ringing in his ears.
Ludicus who had just dodged the flame attack reasures himself mentally that he is up to the task.
Rakavet isn't as fortunate and is caught in the flames, his larger frame unable to move away in time. Too much of the flames engulf him and he's caught on fire. Though he's in sealed armor and the damage doesn't initially hurt him, it does slow him down.
Round 2 Fire Dmg:
Rakavet ignores the flames and aims his weapon to fire on the incoming monstrosity:
His lasfire catches the Oblitertor on fire and he falls down shortly before reaching the edge of the platform a smoldering blackened corpse.
Hrrrm, the one most skilled in healing techniques falls, not an auspicious start.
Having found no previous problems with using his "gift", Ludicus again channels a fraction of his powers to mend a few of Gaius wounds.
Gaius regains consciousness, but he's still critically wounded and fatigued. He'll need help walking and it will be painful without any medical attention.
Phineus pops out another bullet and reloads his weapon, keeping it trained on the monstrosity.
Target down. Someone should check on Gaius. There is a slight pause, then Phineus remarks without any hint of emotion, Rakavet...you're on fire.
Sister Federica sees Ludicus mend the adept's wounds. "Is it... safe to treat wounds this way, Master Marleno?", she says as the wounds close. "But results are results...", she mutters, mostly to herself, as she calmly walks towards the corpse, firing four more melta shots into the charred corpse. "Better to be safe...", she says, tossing the empty prometheum canisters on the ground and loading new ones. "If we can not mend Adept Haxtes, I'd suggest moving on. We need to find out what heretical plan we've stumbled upon, and quickly.", taking point towards the elevator and standing next to the console.
Ludicus nods to the sister.
"I am no biomancer, so my skill is very minor compared to what could be accomplished with that discipline.
Nevertheless, we need all members to at least be mobile."
"Yes," the Tech Priest agreed, attempting to put the flames out, "I am."
As the Cadre recovers and sees to Gaius and Rakavet, both of whom were injured and burned, they have a moment to recover and discuss there next move.
The charred remains of the large being remain on the platform and its lifeless. While Gaius was close to connecting some dots as to the origins of this beast, his injury and the short time of the encounter don't leave any easy details to be had.
Initial inspection of the body shows a mess of molten flesh and metal but on the ends of the limbs you notice no hands or fingers, its as if the weapons are extensions of its body and they are internally connected. Perhaps more could be gathered and learned if someone wanted to get there hands dirty and perform an autopsy. A crude sharp instrument could be used to chop off limbs or dig further into its flesh if desired.
The lift returned from below, although at a slower speed, it stands to reason there is another level nearby to be explored. The cadre can gather themselves and head down or back up.
Are we in any condition to move out? Phineus stays in position to cover the platform as the other see to the injured.
"I believe so. As long as we have Adept Haxtes standing in safety, we are all fit for combat, are we not?", she asks, staring at Rakavet smoking. "Let us go find out where this monster came from. Me and the Magos could take point, as long as someone makes sure nothing comes from the back." She stands by the console. "Could you lead us downstairs, Magos? I am afraid I can barely operate normal elevators, let alone this one.", sending a smile towards the Tech-Priest.
As the team rests up and recovers as best they can, they move to the elevator and begin a short descent. Once they arrive they are left with a single exit, much like the above. A damaged door, though larger than the previous, and a damaged console. All of its looks similar to the previous level. The pathway is not straight however and bends so that you cannot see very far. Sensors and equipment are unable to penetrate the walls. Also there are no tracks as their is no dust or dirt to create any and the floor seems highly resistant to damage, scratches, and weight.
Who will take the lead and what formation are you going to use moving forward.
Sister Federica frowns as she sees the pathway curve. Drawing a well-engraved plasma pistol from her waist, she nods at the broad man at her side. "Master Marleno, cover me from the right. Rest of you follow behind." She begins making her way through the corridor, checking all sides for possible ambush. Gesturing at Rakavet, she points to the console. "Would this damage be caused by the... thing that we've demolished?" Throwing a glance at Gaius, she asks somberly, "How are you, Senior Adept? Can you walk with us?"
"It shall be done, by your command and the emperor's will."
Ready for combat, Marleno begins the slow advance, his force blade drawn and bare, ready for combat.
Phineus takes his place in the formation and follows the others, scanning with his sensors.
Finally getting the flames under control, Rakavet replied, "I am mostly unharmed. The flamer did some damage, but I should recover. My armour protected me from the worst of it." Brushing the worst of the soot off one gauntlet, he added, "Although I will have to take care of it next time we have a moment. It has earned my thanks and gratitude this day." Glancing at Gaius, he added, "I'm afraid I don't have much to help, but I can give you a Stimm Shot to allow you to ignore most of the damage. For now."
As the team makes their way down the corridor they encounter something in the distance. While hard to see, depending on their sensors, there appears to be a large shape on the floor and some small dark headsized shadow with a dim green emerald colored light centered on its top. It's on top of the figure and has not noticed or paid any mind to your presence.
You see a spider like creature that's on top of what looks similiar to the creature you left on the elevator lift. Fine manipulators move it seems to be consuming it slowly, bit by bit. The hallway continues on after the large body on the ground being consumed. IF you can see in the dark: It looks mechanical and nothing organic, just metal.
Since regaining conciousness Gaius has kept quiet, his mind reliving the horror of the flames and how close he came to death. he remembers feeling the surge of Master Marleno's help and with it the peace and extra power as if some greater power was helping to heal him further and faster. As the others prepared to move on he pulled himself to his feet, expecting to feel pain as his movement tightened his skin, but he felt only mild discomfort. Muttering a prayer under his breath he checked his weapons and prepared to follow the others.
When Sister Federica spoke he replied "I can still function at about 60% Sister, I have been blessed by Master Marleno's power and something greater as well, it hurts but not as much as it should. I agree with your tactical plan I would also point out that these tunnels concentrate fire and offer us no cover, so we should increase our spacings to prevent our whole group being lost to flame or explosion."
As Rakavet offers the stimm shot, Gaius says "Alas I think I would need many and by the time we got back I would be addicted, this I must fight with willpower for now."
2dos
As they progress down the next corridor hangs back but spots the scene unravelling ahead.
4dos
5dos
2dos
12 dos
1dof
"Be aware ahead there is a monster like that above being consumed by what appears to be a metal, robotic spider. I would suggest we treat it as hostile, for I do not recognise it as Imperial.
Phineus kneels and takes a firing position waiting for the order. He continues to scan the object with his advanced scanners.
"I will take your word for it," Rakavet murmured, moving to try and get a good shot from the rear with the heavy weapon. He wasn't sure where it was, true, but he'd likely see if it moved. Of course, spraying the area with las bolts might not be a good idea if an ally was in it...
The bot pauses for those that can see it, then turns to look in your direction momentarily. It then returns to its previous task, seemingly uninterested in you.
Gaius considers for a moment what it could be, but in all the books, data-slates, and stories he could recall, nothing could explain this.
As the Cadre watches longer, the spider's body slowly begins to lower, as it consumes without pause, those with excellent hearing might be able to hear it tearing through metal and flesh with ease.
"I would suggest we destroy it and now, for I have no knowledge of this thing. I will investigate it afterwards, but it appears to be able to destroy metal with ease and that is a threat. Open up all weapons and terminate it."
Phineus eases into his firing stance and keeps his weapon trained on whatever it is that the thing is.
On your command.