ArchibaldBenedictThunderblossom's page

As the ships transit Archibald is also on the bridge, as is his right and privilege. He sits upon his modest throne, for a rogue trader, sipping honied recaf and looking for all the world like this is just another operation. Yes, his Name, reputation, ship, their lives, their souls, and about 500 other things just got put on the betting table, but that was the game. As a man of meagre means in this vast sector, he's gotta roll those dice. His confidence is downright inspiring. He's made sure of it.

Archibald excuses himself briefly as the together officers are discussing to retrieve the Lady Navigator with every formality. He is induction a new member of the command staff, after all, and the Forms must be observed.

Archibald draws his sword and holds it upright before his face in salute, the dry blood of his younger brother Martony who had once attempted mutiny against Archibald's father standing dark against the gold filigree. Deck! Attench-hut! he barks and all his men reflexively snap to attention as all good military men do. His attention then settles squarely on Holt. He then asks the oath all of his officers have sworn.
Brother-Captain Holt. I, Archibald Benedict Thunderblossom, Lord Captain and Rogue Trader by the leave and writ of His Majesty the Emperor of Mankind, accept your oath of fielty for as long as you give it. I recognize the spirit in which it was given. And I acknowledge you now as one of my commanders. May you bring glory to yourself and your crew in my name and the name of the Emperor.

He then touches the sword to one armored pauldron. You may keep your rank, Brother Captain, and I declare that this rank is subordinate only to myself and my highest advisors. The sword lifts.

Welcome, brother, and rise. We have much to learn from one another.

Brother-Captain. We are ignorant of what we see. How much can you tell us? Archibald asks in a respectfully low voice.

Archibald delegates the preparations to some junior officers and meets them en route. This sounded too important to be left to a report.

Indeed. We are increasing our fleet strength by at least 100%. Acquiring a lot of new crew will be necessary. I would prefer volunteer transfers first, followed by anyone who displays an aptitude for new systems. The new ship will be a challenge to acclimate to and learn how to run at first. Iota will be in charge of assigning any of the Mechanicus assets aboard to the new vessel. Contact Heinrich for updates and guidance on the fighter picket.

Yes, Sun, it's me. A lot has happened over here. Prepare to receive wounded. Our shuttles should be launching from here soon. Also prepare all stations for skeleton operations and create a roster of potential nonessential crew to be transferred to this ship. Current estimates are two thirds of the crew will be transferred here. Exact transfer criteria to be determined, but better to get started now.
As for the fighter wing, if you haven't already I want them out and about. I need intel about where we are and what's out there. I'm flying blind in here and that needs to end asap.
Also, alert the Mechanicus element that they are to contact the Archmagos as soon as they can. Iota is going to need backup in here.

Spark, can you interface with the Sun and give us a broad bandwidth datalink and then share that with Iota?

There should be a ship nearby with the identification The Rising Sun. Open a communication link with it using frequency <insert imperial command frequency here>. When challenged, replay with Authorization TangoBravo42AlphaBravo. It should connect quickly.

Archibald nods. I guess I will need the assistance of the Brother-Captain then. I'll see to than when he recovers enough to resume his post.
Are we able to establish a communications link to my ship yet? I have orders I need to confirm were received.

Followed by a whispered vox dispatch to the captain:
<< VIP conscious, armed and confused in the bay. Seems to be doing much better than reported >>

Especially as the Brother-Captain seems to have regained Consciousness.

Archibald doesn't sit yet. Instead, he checks with Spark. I need to clarify a few things, Spark. I hold the rank of Brother-Captain and have passed the test of the relic. What authority does that grant me. Is the ship mine as Brother-Captain Holt is injured? How does the chain of Authority work?

Archibald nods. Those were my thoughts as well. Proceed. The sooner I can get this ship separated from the rest of the hulk, the happier I'll be.

Once everyone starts moving but before he leaves he goes to Iota to fill him in on what the interface is saying and translate any questions he has for the system.

Archibald responds to his crew first, Good copy. Stabilize him as best you can and ready him for transport. We need to get him back to base camp.
Iota, this area is yours. Make sure we didn't hit anything important, please.
Heinrich, Fall Back to the bridge and see if you can make heads or tails out of it as the ship's systems come back online.
I'm going back to base to get a handle on our new situation.

Archibald revels in the victory, savroing the sweet lifting of dread and darkness. How he loved this! But he can't guards get too soft. There's still things that need doing.

As the cheers fade just a little, he orders the men closest to the Brother-Captain's trajectory to find him. Hopefully their best source of information about this ship didn't just get slapped into the warp.

Archibald knows on little more than instinct what must be done. Cut off the head, and the snake dies. He's an uncomfortable number of meters up, but the monster is tall.
He takes the hatchet in a strong fist and determination flares in his veins. Symbols have power. He knows this. As a commander there are times to lead from above and there are times to lead from the front. Time for a paradigm shift.
He keys his direct line to Heinrich, whom he knows is lining up a shot. His voice sounds cold as steel and hard as ceremite even to his own ears.
Take the shot. first time using my Exceptional leader trait, Heinrich gets +10% to his shot

Then he jumps. As Heinrich's shot streaks in from the side, he freefalls onto the monster's head, ax held high, and hits it like a lightning bolt form heaven! For the Emperor!

agility 36 base. No idea what goes into this one: 1d100 ⇒ 74
Umm. Shoot

Archibald immediately recognizes its intent. ALL UNITS: 'Nades out! Blast it's legs! Heavy weapons, priority target: legs. Stop its escape!
command 79: 1d100 ⇒ 80

Archibald continues to ditrct his squads, trying to keep the monster from focusing it's attention on a clear primary threat
command vs 79: 1d100 ⇒ 53
Alpha, cover. All Heavies, FIRE! Pour it on him!

Archibald switches the fire rates into high gear. Alpha AND Charlie, FIRE! Bravo, cover! The incoming barrage, including multiple heavy weapons, suddenly lights both flanks of the monster up. Without having to worry about the now flying Brother-Captain, they try to bring down the monster as fast as possible.

Archibald doesn't reveal his position by firing. He doubts his las weapon will do much anyway. In stead he maintains communications and makes sure his teams are all working well together.
Bravo, FIRE. Alpha, Charlie STANDBY! Hold fast, servants of the Emperor! Let HIS glory shine in our shots and burn in our HEARTS!
command vs 79 ish: 1d100 ⇒ 6

Archibald watches the beast's progress. Being high above, he is under no immediate threat. As soon as the monster is past his farthest forward team, he begins directing the symphony of violence. He brings his teams out of cover with timings to avoid the closer friendlies with missed shots
Alpha, GO GO GO!
Bravo and Charlie HOLD.
Heinrich, Iota, you're weapons free. Cover the Brother.
As the target turns his attention in the direction, if not exactly on, his units, Archibald calls for them to get in cover or fire as necessary.
command on a ship and everything vs. 79+: 1d100 ⇒ 95
Ummm no. The forum dice are trying to kill us
command on a ship and everything vs. 79+: 1d100 ⇒ 74

Archibald acknowledges solemnly,

Archibald knows that his role in the coming fight is not to get too involved himself, but to direct as a Captain should. He splits his men up into teams and spreads out the heavy weapons among them. The plan? Hit and run.
He instructs them all to find places of the heaviest cover they can find, the kind that this thing can't just smash through like a pillar, and only fire when the monster is NOT coming for them. If it's headed their way, they are to get into cover or scatter. That way, fire will always be hitting it from the back or sides and that should cause some distraction and confusion while preserving as many lives as possible.

One squad, the fastest, is chosen to be the bait and instructed to get it's attention and draw it into the kill zone.

Archibald sets up on top of some extremely sturdy pylons that run floor to ceiling where he can see the whole field and waits to direct his men.

Archibald nods. We'll see it done, Brother-Captain.

He leads his people back to the elevator and gives his orders.
Our task is clear. The source of the corruption is the monster we encountered before, or more like it's the head of the beast. Kill it and our old friend up there holds the key to controlling an entire archaeotech ship. If you don't make arch-magos from his Iota, it'll be due to politics alone.
So, let's get this done. Call in everyone we have and lets see if we can't set a trap for this thing.

While the others gather everyone available for the effort, Archibald surveys the areas of the genetorum that are furthest from anything important or archaotechy in an effort to find the best place to put the monster down.
I figure talests like Shipboard Fighter and Voidbord Ancestry might give me a boost here.
vs i have no idea. Int? Perception?: 1d100 ⇒ 89
vs i have no idea. Int? Perception? Fate point reroll: 1d100 ⇒ 10

Archibald gets his answer, then responds, We may be able to bless some weapons if we must, but unfortunately we have no dedicated holy weaponry on us at the moment.

Archibald turns to Iota, We have a lead from the Brother Captain here on how to purge the systems of chaos taint. Do we have any holy weapons in our current inventory or the ability to make some?

Archibald takes a huge shuddering gasp, then his iron control asserts itself and his dignity is back in place.
Well. That was... Wow.
He looks up at the tall man and raises an eyebrow.

Archibald doesn't hesitate. He strides forth, removing his right glove as he walks. A few careful steps avoid the fallen. He turns with military precision and locks eyes with Brother-Captain Holt of the Righteous Redeemer.
Heinrich. If this goes poorly, try to at least give our people a good life.
He takes a breath.
The Emperor Protects.
And he touches the Chalice.

Archibald nods.

Archibald steps forward. A single motion signals Heinrich to lower his weapon, and simultaneously demonstrates his authority.

Be ready men. Anyone we can save on this bridge will be absolutely invaluable to our understanding of this place.

Are they human? If so, do your best to preserve them!
Archibald then starts for the door. Come on, team! We have a bridge to secure! Now!

Another sigh of relief, It's alright, Captain. I expect nothing less. Send at least two heavy weapons teams with support squads to the power generation room asap. We cannot loose this position. I am proceeding to the bridge where I will, by the Emperor's mercy, regain more control over this place. Also send some tech adepts for repairs and clergy for consecration if possible.

Archibald is confused, but provides the codes, Day Code Perseverance, Yesterday's Day Code Vigilance

This is the captain. We have established limited Comms. If anyone can hear me, respond.

The currently active hangar bay containing my forces. Archibald says. If he could communicate with internal systems things were about to get MUCH easier.

Cancel auto clean. Hold until further notice.

Archibald turns to his group and relays the info. We need to get up there. Leave a guard here and send a runner for heavy reinforcements. Let's see what we can learn about this puzzle-box of a ship.

Archibald's heart almost skips a beat. Do you have an approximate degree of the difference? How much time has passed in the bridge?

After a moment, Archibald raises he's an idiot and says, Sorry, yes. Please give us bridge access.

A smile spreads across Archibald's face. That would be an acceptable alternative. Details, please?

Archibald sighs in relief. Well done, Mangos, once again.

He approaches the construct.
Please confirm your connections to the bridge and report priority damage.

Archibald stays with the men. He does he best to tend the wounded and provides a solid, confident presence for those who are wavering. A great stone in a stormy sea.

Archibald grumbles something about bird poop and the monster being dumb. Louder he says, I'm not going to complain, but I bet that's not the last we've seen of him. Now, let's go get our men!

Archibald is genuinely miffed that the demon ignored him. Him! On a Ship! HIS SHIP! NOONE IGNORES THE CAPTAIN ON HIS SHIP!
The shift from goofy distraction to Embodiment of Imperial Authority is instant. Archibald stands straighter, seeming to grow in place. His air of Authority ripples out and his very presence DEMANDS obedience. FINE, YOU PIECE OF SLIME! YOU DON'T WANT TO PLAY? WELL HERE'S NOT PLAYING. YOU GET OFF MY SHIP OR LAY DOWN AND DIE OR I WILL STICK MY FOOT SO FAR UP YOUR AFT YOU'LL TASTE BOOT LEATHER FOR THE REST OF YOUR EMPEROR-FORSAKEN EXISTENCE! I WILL BANISH YOU SO HARD THE OTHER CHAOS FREAKS OVER THERE WILL LAUGH At YOUR PAPER-THIN EXCUSE FOR RESISTANCE. I WILL BURN YOU, WARP-SPAWN! I WILL MESS YOU UP!
command vs 79?: 1d100 ⇒ 7

Archibald's mind races. The damage would put just about anything on the back foot. This thing was playing games instead. He wonders, What if I play back?
It was rank insanity and would probably get him shot in the head by any member of either the Inquisition or the Ecclisiarchy, but it also took a melta to the chest... and whatever.
He shouts, Eenie meenie miney mo! copying the Monster's movements as he goes. Catch a Mutant by the toe! If he hollers make him pay 50 Thrones every day!

Archibald is keenly aware that his weapons are probably going to do exactly nothing against such a monster. He has a moment of dispiriting worry, then his mind recalls what he just did. They all just dodged bullets! And their prayers banished an illusion so real they had to religiously pinch themselves!
I can't do much, but I can pray!
In an act of brazen, naked faith, Archibald starts screaming a prayer to the Emperor for the Horror, May the Emperor cleanse you and restore you! May His face turn upon you! May his light shine upon your soul, and give you peace!

Archibald reels from the vision and instinctively dives for cover. Solonius would be proud.

Failed will, Dodge 12

Archibald quickly Assesses the situation. The line seems to be holding for now. The best thing to do is to scout this menace and maybe keep it from the equilibrium of the fight his crew is in.
Let's find this monster and try to kill it before it can tip the scales. He draws his weapons and stalks into the dark of the battlefield. This is MY ship. And in the Name of the Emperor I will NOT HAVE IT FILTHY!