The servants take you by hand (not literally) and leads you into the stately building.
You are each given a luxurious guest quarters, clearly reserved for honoured visitors.
The style is a mixture of Imperial gothic mixed with the more local, giving a strange feeling as the local style is very colourful, reflecting the vibrant colours of the home world, against the backdrop of the more sombre Imperial.
As the servants leave, and you each find yourself alone, Archibald suddenly notices that at some point, someone snuck a small envelope into his hand.
That's probably something I should have noticed earlier.
Ever wary of poisonings, he carefully opens it.
The envelope contains a short note, printed on an official looking card.
My lord, I would advice you to have a look at the volume "Carsis home grown manure 3" at your earliest convenience.
A single eyebrow lifts in curiosity. Someone advising him to look into the local crap. Literally. And apparently there were at least 3 volumes of it? Fascinating... He thinks.
He looks for the volume in his rooms.
While doing this, however, he's struck by the style. It's like a funeral procession crashed through a rainbow. And Archibald finds it growing on him the more he sees it.
As Archibald looks through the well stocked bookshelf, his eyes finds a large leather bound tome that has the requested title proudly printed on it's spine.
As he attempts to pull it out of the shelf, there is a soft click, and he notices a part of the wall slide open, revealing what looks to be a secret passage.
Never let it be said that a Rouge Trader turned down an opportunity like this! Also never let it be said that he did so unarmed.
Archibald straps his plasma pistol and power sword on and leaves the note on his bedside table. After a moment's consideration he slips a locator beacon into one of his coat pockets. He then ventures into the unknown, hoping whoever left that note was an ally.
The passage seems to be well maintained, there is no dust on the floor, the hallway is well lit, and the architecture is pleasant.
There is only one way to go, so the journey is not particularly difficult.
There is even, you realise, a soft melody playing in the background.
Truly a secret passage for a higher class of people.
Eventually, you reach the end of your destination, and unbidden, the door you stood in front of opens.
Inside is a large, pleasantly furnished chamber, with a fireplace lit and sparkling merrily, and complete with a small table set between two comfortable looking chairs.
On the table is a bottle of Amasec and two glasses, already poured and waiting.
Standing with is back to you, looking out of the window is the lord Mayor.
"Ah, Lord Captain, I am pleased you got my invitation. I had hoped to speak to you privately before the true meeting."
Archibald is pleasantly surprised by the meeting. He was half expecting assassination attempt. He strides into the room, eyes up and scanning for a moment to make sure that this isn't, in fact, an assassination attempt.
After he's satisfied he turns his attention fully to the Governor.
I must admit a certain level of surprise at getting it, sir, though I'm glad. I always prefer to speak with potential allies face-to-face.
He scoops up one of the glasses and raises it respectfully. To your planet, my lord. May she persist in radiant yet grow in prosperity.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Yes, the planet, it is in fact what I wanted to speak about..."
The man heaves a long, tired sigh, shoulders visibly deflating a bit.
"This planet has had a very peculiar effect on all previous rulers. They have all, in their own way, been competent rulers, but supremely unlucky.
It has been whispered that the planet EATS luck, specifically the luck of it's rulers, and then share it will everyone else living here."
Turning slightly in the direction towards the fields he points lightly towards them, even though they can't quite be seen from where you are.
"Those fields, they contain a rare grain that may be extinct anywhere but here, they were brought here by a previous Rogue Trader ruler on a whim, only for this planet to be perfect for them.
They are VERY nutritious, very healthy, and suitable for a large variation of quinine.
In addition, they grow very well here, to the point they are virtually a cash crop instead of merely sustenance.
And...the Rogue Trader turned out to be deadly allergic to them, dying immediately after just one bite of what became a staple dish of the capital."
Finally turning to face you, he sighs again.
"I would like to speak plainly with you my Lord..."
Archibald nods, gesturing for him to continue. It was refreshing to hear such blunt speech in a world renown for secrets.
"Of the representatives here, you are the only one that I personally would deem acceptable.
And, again, to be blunt, it is partially because of your relative lack of power.
The Ecclesiarchy would run roughshod over people accustomed to a level of freedom that would most likely be unacceptable to them.
The Adeptus Mechanicus, there are secrets here, which will be revealed in time, that would make them positively salivate at the "mouth" and tear the planet apart.
The Stalhfachers...really does not need an explanation.
The Odenateus is a powerful dynasty, under their rule, we would become just another possession, lost among many.
To you, we would be your core worlds, the jewel in your crown. I believe that would mean the continuation of our way of life.
THAT is why it MUST be you."
And yet, you have just told me this planet could realistically kill me. Archibald counters with a raised eyebrow.
Taking a few steps closer to the table, the lord mayor picks up the second glass and pours himself a generous amount of Amasec.
When he looks at you, he seems to have suddenly become three decades older, and have shrunk a full six inches.
"Yes, in this case, all I can hope for is that you can break the "curse".
Perhaps it does not exist in the first place, perhaps the fact that you won't be spending as much time on planet as normal will protect you...
Perhaps you will make your capital on another planet you conquer as part of your duties?
Either way, you still represent the best and last hope we have my lord."
Clearly, he is on the verge of outright begging you by this point.
Last hope. I am grateful for your honesty, my lord. Such a quality is lost on most of our station. And because of that, I will also be honest. I am wary. Your planet is a jewel without peer in it's natural beauty. But you have freely admitted is potential as a poisoned chalice.
Archibald swirls the amasec and ponders for a moment.
So, let us assume for a moment that I join with you. How do you propose to deliver me the planet without raising the suspicions of the others unreasonably?
In the spirit of being honest, I am inclined to accept your offer, but I'd like to do so without bringing down the powers that are arrayed against me upon my own head. As you say, I am currently the least of the aspirants.
"Well my lord, you do have some advantages.
first of all, neither the Ecclisiarchy or the Adeptus mechanicus truly have the legal right to claim the planet as a colony.
They do perhaps not know this, or they do know and are here to try and make a liaison with the one who wins in the end.
The StahlFachers...well, they have no massive resources close to our sector, meaning there is a limit to what they can do, and the reputation is enough to put most people off.
Your only TRUE competition is the Odenatus.
And since claiming this sector means having a strong claim, backed by possession, this means I am in a good position to offer you...clandestine support.
Most especially, I can help you, by giving you good tips on where to go, whom to talk to, and what to do to strengthen your position immensely.
My offer of honesty does not extend to the other players in this game after all."
A small smile slowly creeps over the lord mayors lips, and he looks a little less haggard all of a sudden.
"And since only one of the players have already claimed an off planet base, one would say that this player already possess a headstart."
It's Archibald's turn to slowly slid into a smile. Indeed, my lord. I would appreciate any support you can provide. And, when this is all over, you can fill me in on the story of how you found out about my little piece of the system.
If you wish, you could always inform me as we go. There's no need to hash out everything this evening, especially if you are aware of significant unknown variables.
The lord mayor slowly slumps into his chair, slowly massaging his temples for a moment.
When he looks up, he looks tired, worn out, but you can see a small spark in his eyes as they meet yours.
"My lord, we have a lot of work to be doing.
But, I suggest we put it aside for now.
You should have a good nights rest, and tomorrow you will have a chance to enjoy our hospitality to your hearts content at the formal ball.
You'll also get a chance to truly scope out your competition, and I shall subtly let you know about a few people you should meet and influence."
Archibald sits across from him. To tomorrow then, and to our partnership. And may the Emperor smile upon our efforts. He raises his glass in toast.
After some more chit chat Archibald returns to his quarters and immediately summons his senior staff to fill them in on his little meeting. He tells them the whole thing and heads of Solonius' complaints about his apparent lack of forthought.
I know it wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done, Solonius. But it worked out this time. Next time I find a mysterious passage I'll let you go first. Promise.
He stands beside his chair, visibly excited by the protect of having inside help.
Iota will be there as soon as he made sure his expirements are all in a "waiting for new results" stage.
However before he allows Archibald to tell them anything he'll have "Variable" flit around the whole room, with its Auspex primed to scan for recording and/or surveilance equipment. These are rooms prepared for them after all. And bribing Serfs to install equipment to know what others are planning would seem like a reasonable investment to Iota.
Heinrich is waking up from napping on a kicked-back stool, bolter in his lap, as he is sent for.
The place is looking nice and sweet but there are other rogue traders about and he did not intend to become victim to whatever "its just logical" reason the AdMech may come up with to get rid of potential interlopers...
He enters Archibalds room with a big mug of recaf and tries not to snicker as the Rogue Trader is preemptively (trying) to stop Solonius before he can even start tirading.
"Well, that sounds interesting. And ominous. I mean ....
I'm not an old deckhand yet, but I too have seen stuff on ships that deny normal explanations, so I wouldn't rule out a cursed planet could be real...
On the other hand, having someone on the very inside of things, should certainly help our course."
He seems quite excited and in thoughts at the same time and is thus not the most observant.
"Master at arms, if you please, Lord Captain Militant."
The fact that he insists on titles is a clear indicator just how angry Solonius is, and that he doesn't intend to get over it anytime soon.
Still, he is professional, in a cold way.
As you sit down and talk, you get quite into the discussion, quite animate, enough so that you get a little lost in it.
Meanwhile, Solonius is standing further into the room, listening, but not participating in the talks.
Suddenly, he draws his sidearm and fires two shots into one of the rich curtains covering the balcony.
"Sneak thief! Thought I didn't notice did you! Come out and declare yourself."
The curtains explode outwards, revealing a person dressed head to toe ins some form fitting armoured body stocking, and as the individual explodes into motion, heading towards Archibald, a pair of power blades spring forth from the wrists.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Heinrich shouts a curse in surprise that has to do with getting hit by cosmic debris in the behind while in a void suite.
He gets up while pulling his boltgun and uses the momentum to topple the desk right into the attackers path and shouting as loud as he can manage:
Archibald explodes from his chair with a triumphant shout. His force sword and plasma pistol take their places in his hands as he prepares to meet the assailant. Come at me! he bellows.
The assassin, either responding to Archibald's challenge, or simply continuing at the already elected target, leaps forward and slashes with both blades.
The first attack is rushed (or a feint), but the other one comes in low and looks like it's going to connect, ripping through Archibald's abdomen.
Archibald barely misses the parry. The power sword cuts into him, but his finely crafted power armor holds! Barely. The breath is knocked from him and he audibly gasps.
Iota takes a moment longer than his comrades to switch into battle mode but he has the advantage that he neither sits often nor does the average chair hold the weight of him with his mechanicus implants. Having stood next to Archibald during the talk he simply draws his power axe and swings at the assailant
The attack is a good one, but apparently just a little too high, allowing the wily assassin to dodge under the glowing axe head.
Solonius, clearly frustrated at having to fire into a melee, takes a moment to brace his aim properly, before once again shooting at the whirling foe, and then curses violently as the assassin once again rolls out of the way.
Archibald instinctively swings at the assassin as he struggles to regain his breath.
Heinrich tries to get a well aimed shot at the assassin but this is just not the proper place for his gun and he simply adds a fist-sized hole to the already messed up floor.
The assassin takes a moment to glance at the wound inflicted on Archibald, and then simply disengages and books it.
While you couldn't see the face, you still get a strange feeling of...satisfaction radiating out.
You see the assassin running out on the balcony and just simply leap over the railing.
Archibald stares after the retreating assassin for a moment, then looks down to examine his wound again. It doesn't seem so bad now. I'm fact, it failed to pierce the armor entirely. Still hurt though. He groans as he sits back down. That's gonna bruise...
The wound IS throbbing, and maybe it is your imagination, but it's starting to feel a little bit worse again.
Also, should your vision be THIS blurry?
Heinrich rushed after the assassin to the window but could not make its shape out against the darkness outside.
He turns to look at the others than rapidly keys his com-bead and switches frequency to that of the palace infirmary he recalls from his initial round of security inspection.
"This is Commander Heinrich from the Rising Sun.
I request IMMEDIATE dispatch of a trauma team with your complete set of anti-tox drugs to the VIP guest quarters."
He then keys to the Sun's channel and also request their very own medics to make planetfall asap.
He also commands level 2 for shipboard readiness.
Archibald holds up both hands and turns them over repeatedly. Umm. Is everything supposed to be this blurry?
Helmsman Yeager's response is immediate, Teams inbound to VIP pads. Condition 2 confirmed, Commander
The next hour or so passes in a flurry of activity.
There is a delay in getting the teams down, due to a problem in getting further permission for unscheduled landings, thankfully, the delay is minimal, as the Lord Mayor arrives, apparently alerted by the palace staff, having presumably heard Heinrich calling for help.
With his help, the permission is given post haste, and with the help of the crew, the lord Captain is stabilised.
However, there are bad news, apparently, the toxin used is a particularly insidious one, a slow acting one, but one that is invariably fatal, as there is no known cure.
The Lord mayor is particularly disturbed by this, and can be heard softly muttering about the luck curse striking again.
Then something strange happens.
As the Captain is dehydrated, he is fed a local juice rich in Vitamins in addition to normal water, and not long after, he begins to feel the dizziness and blurriness receding rapidly.
As Archibald suddenly recovers, he finds his mind clearing faster than his vision. Tell no one. Not a whisper yet. To all of you, I am still sick, understand? This cannot get out. One of you must negotiate in my place, or perhaps James can do it?
This planet is rumored to be cursed, as the Lord Mayor has quietly insinuated. We need to play that up. Once this juice is known it will be highly sought after. How do we still win this world and keep this miracle juice a secret? If this goes on long enough we may need to fake my death... His mind spins with the possibilities and now has its foundation set firmly on acquiring this wonderful place for his own.
The lord mayor rubs his chin slowly as he considers things.
"If you want to give off the effect of being ill, well, a lot of people of rank tend to learn many little tricks to seem more healthy, more alert and such...
It shouldn't be too difficult to do the opposite.
One of the handmaidens that are skilled with the use of makeup should be able to make you look quite sickly.
The rest would be up to your acting skills, lord Captain."
Hopefully such a thing may keep the others attention from me. I shall let them fight and spend themselves among each other as I wait for the opportune moment.
Heinrich, I wish you to get as much info from the staff as you can. You seemed to make a good impression on them. Let's see how much the Unseen Ones at this even will tell us.
Iota, I would appreciate your help with both the Mechanicus delegation and the local chapter. Whatever you can manage in support of my bid would be greatly appreciated.
Iota does not have any credible immediate actions to take after the attack - he does not have anything on hand to follow the assassin or to treat the wounds of the rogue trader. He opts to stay close in case other attacks follow even if they thankfully do not.
"I have already set up an inspection of the local technology centers. This will give me further ingress into the hierarchy of command on the technical side. Influencing the incoming delegation will be trickier but I will see what can be done.
I however advise against putting up a deliberate show of weakness, Archibald. Remember even if you do have a man on the inside you still need to win the hearts and minds of not just the influential people but also of the populace at large.
There have been numerous archive entries about a beloved ruler candidate being seemingly assassinated and then later showing him or herself to be alive and using the relieve felt by the masses to cement their status as the next monarch. But you are not yet the candidate beloved by the masses just because you are the the Lord Mayors favorite candidate. He is a man of logic, reason and understanding. The masses are not."
Archibald takes in this advice for a moment. You are right, my friend. As usual. Heinrich has impressed them, but I have not. Not yet. By appearing hale and healthy from the outset I may, however, suprise my attacker, whomever that may be.
I need supporters. You are a good start, Lord Mayor, but I need more. I guess we start on that in the morning?
"Well, you are certainly free to avail yourself of any opportunity you can secure up until the evening when the celebration begins.
It might behove you to make a visit to one or more of the farms or other production facilities.
Not only are the areas quite pleasant, the people there would appreciate a more inform look at their "potential" new overlord."
Very good! I shall do just that then. I would love to see one of these "farms". The only experience of Agriculture I have are the agro-bays on Navy ships.
Heinrich looks quite dubious as he is considered to lay the groundwork with the population.
Sure, he did manage to pull off a decent-maybe-good first impression, but he really was not used to talking to civvies, beyond bartenders, joygirls and (considerably less fun than the former two) munitorum scribes.
He nods however and eventually takes his leave, not before leaning close to Miss Hellan the head of nigh shift nursery onboard the Rising Sun and whispering a quick question:
"So, the Captain really is cured by this wonder juice?
Any and all trace of the poison is just ... gone?
Or is it simply suppressed by it, meaning that he will have to drink it regularly or die anyway?"
Then he will make his way back to his own quarter and muse over the problem for a while, before he summons a serf.
He tells him (or her?) with a gentle smile, that he wants to speak to a number of serfs of the current night shift once they are done for the night.
He makes it very clear to the serf, that the summoned ones are by no means suspected of any wrongdoing, neglect or any other infringement and they should not worry as he only intends to ask them some simple questions regarding today's shift, to the benefit of not only their pursue but their governor and possibly their entire world.
He lists:
- At least two guards having been stationed in or around the guest wing
- A cook
- One of the nurses who reacted to his alarm (he will have remembered her name)
- The gardener or some of his assistants if he has any
- Two house maidens tasked with cleaning the guest wing
- Whoever decided which guest would receive which quarter
- Plus Whoever partook in preparing the Captain's room beforehand
Morning comes, and most of you are up bright and early, either having been excited enough to wake early, or having been cautious enough to not sleep further anyway.
Heinrich is preparing for his interviews which will take place after breakfast.
Iota's breakfast consists of a choice between normal high quality food and nutri-paste produced locally.
He has also received confirmation of his scheduled appointment to the local technological centres.
It seems the first will be to the local training centre, something refereed to as a "university".
Archibald meanwhile is offered a chance to eat breakfast onsite, it seems like there are certain dishes traditionally prepared immediately after the produce are procured at the farms.
Archibald takes advantage of the opportunity, of course. Freshly grown food tastes weird generally, having grown up on navy food, but he relishes the chance to become familiar with this beautiful world's offerings. He brings Wallet as well, instructing the old steward to keep his eyes open.