The grizzled rat woman is taking a step forward and lays a shriveled hand on the first one with the gun, causing him to lower it immediately.
"We are ratlings and were accepted part of this worlds working force for millenia.
Until that stopped to matter and we were enslaved, mutilated and the changes started with the younger generations.
I am the last of my kin who knew the sound of bells and prayers.
I am the last of my kin who knew the sight of a priest and a proper imperial shrine.
I am the last of my kin who knew the smell of sacred unguents and blessed smoke.
I am the last of my kin who knew a life without the horror of abduction and magick.
I am the last of my kin who knew a life in the Emperors light."
"Ratlings, that is a known name even if I have never seen one until today."
Kenneth looks a bit sad at her revelation but he must stay true to the teaching - and has no desire to cloak what might be to come.
"Oh lost children of the Emperor, we are here on a mission in his majesties name. And it might be his gift to you that we have met here so you can be of service to him. But know this - when all is said and done those changes will have to be looked at and judged, for they can be a corruption of the arch enemy which will rot a good person from the inside. Despite this will you walk with us, hearing his prayers once more, and guide us in these tunnels so we can better fullfil his majesties mission?"
He finishes with the sign of the aquila.
You see eyes narrow a bit and the younger rats looking at their matriarch.
She is looking Kenneth over, then nods and returns the aquila.
"In HIS name, so be it, priest we do not the name of.
We shall help you and then go with you into the light."
She turns to the male that came with her.
"Ikkit, pass the word to the clan. The awaited time has come."
The male nods, bows and vanishes into the complex hab - or whatever this is supposed to be.
Outside, you can hear heavy steps approaching...
... then pass ...
... and stop soon after.
The matriarch scowls.
"The takers have come again to take some of my kin.
And yet again, the Emperor has seen fit for them to not find me."
Muffled squeaking echo through the main corridor and then the heavy footfalls start again in the reverse direction.
Soon after they passed, you hear their footfalls come closer again.
As they pass below you again, you notice that each of the servitors is carrying a struggling humanoid within a bag of some black fabric.
From the bags, muffled squealing not unlike that of rats is echoing through the long corridor.
You do also get the sixth sense impression of something approaching through the vents from behind you. You did not actually hear anything, but someone or something is coming.
"It is not necessary for you to hear my name this moment for it is the message from him on earth I bear and his name you know. But should the mission allow a rest later on and should you still wish to know then it is no secret."
He flashes a bright smile at the rat... people.
"For now we must reunite with the rest of our men who came here on a different route. Would it be correct for me to assume that you know these tunnels well and can guide us on a relative safe passage to our rendevous?"
The matriarch is impressed and bows her head slightly before Kenneth.
"My name is Kira, holy man.
The word of your arrival shall be passed among my kin as fast as only true ratkin can pass the word, trust me.
We are not as numerous as we once have and this place has changed and twisted since the start of the great war - yet we do still know most of its layout by hard."
She turns her head towards the back of the room and shouts a name you are not sure you could articulate without breaking your tongue.
The closes you can get would be "Kritch".
Soon enough, a diminutive figure comes running.
It is well below one meter in height and has an elongated face with deep seated but clever eyes and looks very young to your eyes.
It is difficult to determine the gender of the newcomer who is clad in a tight fitting black cloth with a number of pouches attached around the waist.
Kira speaks up once more, waving her hands towards the newcomer as if presenting a gift.
"This is [Kritch].
She is our youngest yet best gutter runner.
That is our name for those of us who break the prison cells and travel in the shadows of this fallen city to keep the ties between the clans tight and fetch the supplies we need.
She can lead you paths no one but her knows and her eyes and ears are better than any other of my clan."
You notice that [Kritch] appears to be quite nervous about something.
And seems to frequently swipe over her back and rear for some reason.
Liam is somewhat impressed that this hasn't devolved into combat after all.
The new father was a more mellow type than the other father it seemed.
Had it been father Bolus, Liam really suspected that it would have turned into a firefight, with emphasis on "fire"
MacGuyver's mic cracks to life. This is Macguyver. I've made contact with a... rat-man? I also saw the contacts I hid from carrying away four sacks of what are presumably captured rat-folk. My contact is offering to take me to "Mother". Could be a useful source of info on the local terrain, over.
<< A ratman? You mean a mutant?
Avoid contact where possible. Do not trust the mutant.
If you think you can get important Intel, then go ahead but I would be hesitant to actually use such Intel unless we can verify it somehow.
Don't tally and get here asap. >>
<<Roger.>>
To his new guide: Hey, I need to link up with my squad. You can hide us to our friends from there, ok? If I follow you now I might get in trouble.
Having successfully evaded a fight with both the "Takers" and the unexpected ratfolk, the fire team hastily hurries onwards with their new guide scuddling several meters ahead of them - her bare feet making next to no sound on the bare rockrete flooring.
Soon you have linked up with MacGyver who drops from a hiding place - a narrow air vent in the ceiling.
As you turn to the staircase that would lead you downwards towards your scheduled meeting with the rest of the squad, [Kritch] shakes her head.
With a low squeaky whisper, she attempts to stop you.
"Not here, no-no.
Bad mojo haunts stairs.
[Kritch] knows a secret way down, yes-yes.
Follow [Kritch]."
And she motions you to follow her further on.
Kenneth takes a moment to think as they start moving. The new additions to his flock are not soldiers but ordinary subhumans. So he decides a prayer for civilians would be best.
As they reach the stairs he however says:
"Enginseer Anatoly, I would suggest you follow our leader closely. I have great faith in her ability to go unseen but we cannot ignore the fact that these 'takers' find them despite their skills. There might be technological eyes not visible to those unblessed by the machine god aspect of him on earth."
"It pains me to leave the emperors flock without performing a proper service but alas - the mission he has given does not allow me. So know that whatever comes after today it will be much different from the lifes you lived until now, so pack your belongings and be ready for the change to come. And as parting words let us hear the imperial hymn, speak after me, but keep your voices low!"
Normally this hymn is sung loudly and in unison, but Kenneth instead speaks one paragraph at a time and waits for everyone to repeat it in hushed tones.
"Love the Emperor
for He is the salvation of mankind
Obey His words
for He will lead you into the light of the future
Heed His wisdom
for He will protect you from evil
Whisper His prayers with devotion,
for they will save your soul
Honour His servants,
for they speak in His voice
Tremble before His majesty,
for we all walk in His immortal shadow"
The prayer is a curious mix of familiarity and strangeness.
Kira is quickly taking on the replies and after two pretty awkward and confused paragraphs, many more squeaky voices join in, lagging behind Kira's pretty audible and very fervent prayer a single heartbeat.
Whether that lag is caused by some kind of reference for the matriarch or a lack of proper knowledge is impossible to tell though.
"Thank you father, that did fill my heart with new hope.
My kin will be ready when you call for us and the other clans will hear from your message as well."
You recover 3 Insanity Points but suffer one Point of Corruption.
It does you good to see humanity stand together but you can't shake the feeling that this might be considered heresy by some hardline Ecclessiarchs.
You may recover a single point of Corruption but suffer 3 Insanity Points.
You feel the righteous flame burn bright in your heart and have trouble understanding the actions of the priest - he who should carry the brightest of flames into the deepest pit of darkness!
Simmins, having been one of the ones who tried not to butcher the weird tiny people who were obviously frightened of them and not a part of the dark mechanicum, is relieved but also worried about people noticing he didn't carry out the initial order without question.
MacGuyver is initially shocked at the extent of the mutation. He couldn't see much in the air vent, but here... wow. He wasn't about to start shooting though. Help behind enemy lines is an unexpected boon. Even if some other priests he could name would be burning the place on principle.
Liam, being a medic at heart and all, found the idea of showing mercy appealing.
Yes, it was to mutants, but...
Yeah...
Trusting in your guide, the fire team quickly discards the stair case and follow her through a side door a couple meters behind the staircase.
The superficially locked door turns out to not be locked at all and opens under the soft touch of the ratling without a sound.
It leads into a very small room that seems to hold an assortment of junked servo skulls and cleaning tools.
The room barely is large enough to take up the five of you and your local guide.
[Tritch] closes the door behind the last of you, having to squeeze herself against Liam to do so.
She then points at the locker making up the rear of the room.
"This be fake, yesyes.
You take off the back thingy, easy-easy.
Behind is clan tunnel, leading down. Or up.
But you wanted down, yesyes?"
And indeed, MacGyver finds a the back of the locker to be very easy to remove and an utterly dark tunnel with low ceiling behind it.
It was clearly made for (and most likely by) the small ratkins and not for full sized, geared up humans.
Getting through there will be a bit of a challenge.
Mentally even more than physically, especially for the larger ones in the group.
You get stuck at a particular narrow turn!
Without help you can't go forth nor back.
You must pass an Acrobat+0 or Athlete-10 test to break free.
Exactly two people (the one in front and the one in the rear) may assist you or try the athlete check themselves.
After a few minutes, you get a sudden rush of claustrophobia and feel like an entire mountain is crushing down on you, making it practically impossible to breath.
You may not take any action until Snapping Out.
Afterwards you take a -10 to all tests while in close confines as you struggle to keep calm.
MacGuyver slides into the tunnel like he's part rat-man himself. The pack and his gear seem to provide no impedance at all. Internally, however, memories of Orks and collapsed, ruined city-scapes haunt the edges of his vision and only the presence of the good Priest keeps his nerve from breaking.
Kenneth is in full "He on earth guided me here because he knows I CAN do this" mode and while clumsy strides through the narrow corridor with absolute confidence.
Grumbling under his breath, Liam somehow manages to maneuver his considerable bulk through the narrow passageways.
At the moment, he was quite jealous of the Ratlings agility and smaller size.
However, he is so focused on the physical aspect of the task that he simply doesn't really register the mental part of the challenge.
Simmins gets stuck but just sighs at the latest terrible thing the Emperor asks of him. Just could you push a bit? and pull also?
But then he just forces his way through. Never mind... Never mind... Emperor burn me. he mutters.
Anatoly dislikes the mutated creature. It is a pervesion of perfection as much as the Heretikal servitors were. But the mission to destroy the Heretikal cult is the highest consideration, so his only reaction to them is a twitching in his mechadendrites as he follows the, to his mind, corrupted creature.
Before leaving the cubby, Anatoly distributes a small mechanical device to each member of the squad and shows them how to activate it saying only, "This will enhance your ability to move silently, but can only operate for approximately twenty minutes before needing to be recharged."
His reply to Kenneth comes quietly over the priest's combead, <<Have no fear, priest, I will be most closely following the creature for I do not trust her. I will be alert for detection methods that may betray our presence.>>
Anatoly forces his way through the tunnel until one of his mechdendrites gets wedged into a narrow spot. Trying to dislodge himself he succeeds only in getting even more firmly jammed in place. The close quarters and darkness manage to overwhelm his mind for a few seconds and the only sound he makes is heavy breathing and futile struggling.
Anatoly's highly ordered mind rejects the irrational fear almost immediately, but it still takes him a little time to dislodge himself from the spot into which he had ceomce wedged. If he was prone to strong emotions, he would be highly annoyed and embarrassed by the event, but instead he simply proceeds down the stairs more carefully.
Despite their size and bulky wargear, the fire team does pretty well in the narrow, claustrophobic tunnels that are clearly meant for people half their size.
After ten minutes and a plethora of turns and twists - which would make navigating it without a guide all but impossible - this newest ordeal is dealt with.
MacGyver reaches another metal surface that is easily dislocated and which opens up the way into another tiny chamber barely large enough to hold everyone.
Backs aching and a little bruised, the team assembles.
After a short breather, MacVyger opens the door and reveals another corridor very similar to the one you just left - with the sole difference that the lights in this area are of a dark orange tone as opposed to the dark red above.
It is deserted as far as you can tell and it is easy to finally link up with the remainder of the fire team who seems to have taken up position in a storage room the size of an orbital drop ship.
As you carefully open the door, you are greeted by the nuzzle of a flammer and several lasgun barrels - Special Weapon Trooper Ulric as well as Cecil and the dark-skinned Greg are covering the sole entrance very keenly.
A round of relief-breaths later the full squad is assembled.
Then, the sharp eyes of Cecil find the black-clad, tiny form of [Kritch] and she reflexively raises her gun right back up again, calling out a warning.
The ratling jumps out of her line of sight with a lightning fast dodge and a shrill squeak.
Within a single heartbeat, she vanishes into the shadows of the corridor like she was never there to begin with.
Trooper Cecil's mouth opens and a low, surprised sound escapes her.
"Wha..."
We found some friends. They should give us the edge we need to get this mission done. Quietly.
Kenneth steps in
"Fear not, it is the will of him on earth for them to help us for they are still worshiping citizens of him on earth. They will help us in this endeavor and then they will let themselves be examined on whether or not they can still be saved from the corruption that is deforming their bodies."
Liam, being Liam takes a few steps forward to Cecil and looks her over.
"Everything ok Cecil? Sleeping any better? Let me have a look at you."
Unless stopped, Lima places a large hand on Cecil's shoulder and looks over her face for signs of fatigue.
Sgt. Henner gets to his feet from a crate he had sat down upon to consult the data pad with the map and mission details.
"What was that - you consulted with local mutants?
I beg you pardon, Mr. Medland, but I would have expected you of all people to advice and act against such a course of action.
Ahh, nevermind. We have more pressing issues at hand.
We are seven minutes and counting behind schedule.
Time to move out.
Zulu, you and MacGyver take the lead.
Here's the map.
We need to get there in twenty minutes."
He hands over the data slate with the three dimensional floor plan to the scout of the second team.
A black-haired, lean guy of little words and way too many knives on his belt to feel comfortable around.
MacGuyver nods and follows closely behind the first scout. Your eyes quickly loose track of him as his chameoline cloak takes effect.
Cecil looks a bit surprised at Liam's affectation and actually blushes a bit.
"Oh, ehm, yeah, I'm doing alright, thanks ... Doc."
Further ahead, MacGyver and Zulu try to outdo each other - this time Zulu is clearly having the upper hand though.
You make your way through the current level without meeting anyone or anything of note.
Until you reach a long ramp leading up at a steep angle and minute turn.
A single broad rail is running along the middle of the ramp.
Zulu quickly consults the map then gives a sight.
"The plan has us follow this ramp for two kloms straight up.
There seems to be only two intersections.
I don't like that.
We are in the open the entire time, with little to no cover whatsoever."
"Do not worry Sergeant, I have not made this decision lightly. You of all people know what awaits in the Emperors service on this planet and the glory - or redemption it will bring when it is time to step in front of the golden throne. So rest assured I will take responsibility for this decision and use them to better complete his majesties mission."
Liam shrugs a little, unaware of the possible emotional turmoil he might have caused in Cecil.
Instead he looks over his should a the way they came.
Kritch was gone it seemed, likely spooked by having a gun aimed at her, pity, she'd be the one to consult for an alternative route.
Liam himself wasn't much use there, knowing little about navigating and route planning.
Instead he reaches for his chest pocket to retrieve a pack of lho sticks, stops, remembers that he doesn't smoke, and tries to think of something else.
MacGuyver reports back. The way forward is not ideal, sir. It's completely exposed for a long time, but it's known. Do you want me to try to find another way around?
*** Back in the Meet-Up Room ***
Sgt. Heller takes a breath in then nods.
"Of course, father.
I am only a common soldier trying to do things by the book now."
*** Now ***
"You have two minutes, Scout.
Everyone: take a breath, a sip from your canteens and a bite from your rations.
This might be the last calm moment for some time to come."
Heller whispers something under his breath, some kind of amdendum to his orders.
"Or ever..."
"No idea what who came up with this crazy map.
Let alone the mad design of this place..."
MacGuyver hears the morose comment, but doesn't acknowledge. He gets to work as quick as he can to find a better way.
MacGuyver goes cross-eyed after looking at the map for only a few seconds. uhh, Anatoly, could you come up front for a moment? We need your help with this map.
The pause to eat was welcome, and Liam made sure to take the chance.
There was a good chance they would need to burn a lot of energy soon and it was better to have a little extra.
If anyone seems reluctant, Liam will give them a stern glare and a doctors order.
Oblivious to anything more in the Sergeant's statement, Anatoly paces up becide MacGuyver and looks over the map, quickly orienting himself to the task.
After a moment, he taps a couple of commands into the dataslate and the view flips 180 degrees and rotates slightly. A few more commands and an alternate route to the objective is marked out on the map. He nods briefly in satisfaction before returning his attention to the surrounding corridor. Anatoly turns his powerful augur to the task of finding any kind of surveillance devices in their vicinity while absently ingesting the ordered ration and water.
The route Anatoly (with some additional input from MacGyver) marks out is a series of tertiary maintenance shafts.
It will be narrow and involve a lot of climbing but certainly is a more covert route.
Sgt. Heller comes over and inspects the route with a few quick scanning gazes.
"Good work.
Let's go everyone."
The maintenance shafts are indeed a s!&+ty place to be.
They are narrow.
The inbuilt ladders are corroded and even broken in some places and you have to take care not to cut yourself on something sharp the entire time.
It is also very hot in there, making everyone sweat profoundly.
After a while, the task is wearing you down and your alertness fades.
Soon enough your tired hands grab onto something loose and sharp.
You cannot really fall deep within these shafts but the short distance is enough to leave you bleeding from a couple cuts on the arm and legs.
After what felt like hours the scouts finally lead you out of the tubes again and into an high-arched hallway.
It must have been an awe inspiring sight once.
Abstract statues line the way - some bear resemblance to various technical creations, others are completely beyond your understanding.
Flying banners hang from the high ceiling.
Multi-colored glow globes create a complex web of light and shadow.
But now, the works of the arch enemy has pervaded it all.
The statues lie crumbled, broken and defaced.
Some are replaced by horrifying amalgams of rotted flesh and brass work.
The banners are rent, shot and scorched.
From the poles now hang skeletons - fro the amount of metal and wire snaking around the bodies you can easily guess that they once were Mechanicus adepts and priests.
The glow globes emit an organically pulsing, blood red glow that makes everyone feel as if you were walking through an artery rather than a constructed hallway.
From further down the hallway, the sound of heavy footfalls can be heard alongside the turning and squealing of ill-maintained machinery.
It seems to echo out of a clearly blasted open gate, the size of a Knight.
Judging from the map, this is way lies your operative goal.
The Noosphere in this hallway is brimming with sorrow.
You can feel metaphysical machine spirits clawing at the outskirts of your ascended mind for rescue and relief.
Sir, I'd like to help blow this place back to the warp later, sir
Simmins keeps the scratches to himself. A little pain was just a part of Guard life.
-
MacGuyver tries to guide the group along the shadows in this hall, trying his best to ignore the feeling that he's walking through the guts of Mecha-hell. He creeps forward to get a look at what's behind Blasted Hole #1
This is really starting to strain my back...
Liam idly decides to distract himself by imagining how much more difficult it must be for Anatoly.
The Enginseer was the only one he had served besides personally before.
It was...nice to see a familiar face.
A combination of machine-like attention to detail, and two powerful mechadendrites allow Anatoly to move through the passages and climb the poorly-maintained ladders with no undue difficulty. Those nearest him will occasionally hear him mutter some imprecations about those who would neglect even this humble of a section of one of the Omnissiah's works.
As he steps into the hallway, his senses, both organic and otherwise, are assaulted by the desecration of this once-majestic place. He frequently glances to one side or the other as if seeing something only he can see, or cocks his head as if hearing something inaudible to those around him. He does not say much beyond quietly muttering, "If this is not enough to fully display the corruption of those we oppose, I do not know how to string together enough words in all the languages of Man to adequately do so.
"You could try swearing a bit, true it's a very "organic" response, but it might soothe the soul just a touch."
MacGuyver reappears from the shadows looking a little worried. So, I spotted the room we need to release the little bugs in. It's through that blasted hole. The foe is very much there, however. Three chimera-sized servitors with very heavy weapons and drill-like limbs pace in a circle in there. No idea how to take them out without also taking out some of the surrounding machines that probably house our data. There are two servoskulls near the door, probably lookouts. This is a nasty one, sirs. The room itself is about 50m wide and has a dozen halls branching off of it. Not exactly the single-entry type of defensible we'd wanted. What do you want to do?
If I've got a distraction then I can probably close in on one of the big guys and introduce them to my Melta. Can we cause a distraction somewhere else? Collapse some of the tunnles? Simmins throws out ideas.