I think by screaming like a headless chicken LOL
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"Ambush!!!" shouts the Commissar and the PDF troopers scatter for cover.
How would a Commissar react to seeing Astartes in hiding and a sniper aiming a gun at his troops?
You all take cover and just in time. A truck full of PDF troopers has arrived to investigate. The lasgun-armed troopers file out of the truck -- several squads you think. Their commander -- a commissar in a heavy trenchcoat -- directs them to the drop pod.
You all turn to the direction Keita is pointing and you note that the thing on the horizon is moving fast. You estimate it will be at your position in minutes. Is it friend or foe? The Many-Eyed did not mention any friends coming to welcome you upon your arrival. But she did mention your rival had probably wormed his way into the high echelons of power within the hive. Could this be him and his minions? You are not certain. Do you stand and wait for the newcomer to decide your fate? Or do something else? The chronometers inside your chests beep to remind you that you only have eight days left before the big event.
Yap. Hm, so far havent received any PM about the content of my case, just to inform you Rhud, can you PM the items you wanted. Thanks.
You guys recovered from the 4th of July festivities?
You are at the wastes several miles outside of Hive Solace. The topmost spires of the hive can be seen just over the horizon. The setting sun painting it an orange hue. It is going to be a long walk. For Keita Spoiler: You spot something moving in your direction from the horizon.
The twelve hour travel to Solace was uneventful. The Many-Eyed's warship transmitting the proper codes and responses to ward off any suspicion. "Attention, drop pod. Prepare for launch in... 3... 2... 1." You are slammed into your seats as the drop pod hurtles to Solace. The adamantium skin of your transport shielding you from the heat or re-entry. You hear the drop pod deploy its retro thrusters slowing your descent. There is a digital display which shows the distance to the ground. 10,000m
Again you are rocked into your seats. You have arrived at Solace.
The hooded figure of The Many-Eyed waves at you as the adamantine doors of the drop pod is sealed. ++Remember: do not open the chests until you are planetside.++ The Many-Eyed admonishes.
++Alright, children, everyone board the drop pod. Remember what I said about the chests.++
With that, lets go forward and enjoy the game. Can I get a thumbs up from every1?
++On the contrary, you should use your skills to precisely bring the others together with you. A little patience goes a long way, or so the saying goes.++ The klaxons sound and a mechanical voice announces, "We have re-entered realspace. We shall proceed to Solace at our fastest sub-light speed. ETA: 12 hours."
++Andronical, where are you going?++
++I see that you are all getting acquainted. And I find the lack of bloodshed auspicious. Hahahahahahahaha++ The Many-Eyed hands each of you a chest. ++Do not open until you are on the planet. I mean it.++
Despite your best efforts at obtaining material, you return empty. However, you receive word that The Many-Eyed viewed this as contrary to the will of the Gods and has ordained that you shall receive a measure of strength from the ship's armory. What manner of gift no specifics were given. Over the ship vox can be heard, "Prepare for re-entry into realspace. All hands to your stations."
Spoiler:
For Belros Spoiler:
In the deep bowels of the mighty Chaos warship, Belros stands considering the signs the gods have shown him.
What sort of justification should I give The Many-Eyed for leaving... now?
The Many-Eyed watches your efforts at requisition with interest and dismay as you are denied what you need by the lack thereof. ++My Lords, with your permission I will grant them some measure of strength.++ Yes. ++Yes.++ Yo. Yessssss
extra ceramite plating is available on the ship.
I will limit acquisitions to just 3 things. Quantity becomes relevant once availability is obtained. Yes you can improve your armor within reasonable limits. What do you have in mind?
Guys, I have invited Deiros to join our merry band of cutthroats.
++I will have a data slate ready for you before you board the drop pod.++
Use points.
"I will keep pretending I have the option to refuse this request as I accept it. Is there any more you can offer us to prepare for this endeavor? My wargear is years behind on proper maintenance, and we could use any other materiel available to us, along with any of your grand company you could spare to our command. Also, we could use information and wisdom available to you, on the layout and politics of the hive, on Nereus himself, and anything of the ritual you know. The gifts of the gods are beyond imagination, which means they are never what you expect, so I would appreciate a hint of what I am getting into this time." ++Intel can be arranged. As for material and personnel, ask and we shall see if it is available.++
++No chance at all hahahahahahaha++
Despite The Many-Eyed's crazy conversation, you do not detect any hint of deception when she says she just wants to follow the Gods and to help you.
++Just the joy of following the Gods hahahahahaha you believe me, right? hahahahahaha++
++Yes, Nereus is a paranoid sod and has armed himself with puissant weapons++ You feel The Many-Eyed winking at you at this ++And he has co-opted many of Hive Solace's ruling class. I suggest you organize an army from the teeming masses of the underhive to serve as your vanguard. Then when the comet has crashed you will then make for the Nereus' ritual site to take what is yours hahahahaha++
Spaz you there?
++Hahahahaha I take it everyone is willing to join this? Hmmmmmm, this ship is already on course to Solace. We should emerge from the warp in an hour. Any other questions before you deploy?++
++Is that anger I detect, Xaman? I would have thought that a spawn of Magnus One-Eye would face the vicissitudes of life with more detached equanimity.++
++Oh, They demand your involvement hahahahahahahahaha++
++No. Nereus gains much power once the ritual is completed. Enough to survive the devastation you suggest. And yes. You gain much power if you take control of the ritual. Offer up those deaths to the Gods in your behalf and They will reward you. Do this and it shall be so.++
Despite the darkness, you feel The Many-Eyed smile at Andronical's reply. ++An event foretold so long ago will come to pass in the next ten days. Great power may be yours to take but another favorite of the Gods seek the same. In the hive world of Solace where shadows lie, it is said that a great many people will perish ten days hence as a comet plummets from the heavens. I can bring you to Solace soon enough but it will be up to you to fight for your right to power, else the sorcerer Nereus will take all for himself as he offers those deaths in a dark ritual. Interested, are you? Hahahahahahahaha++ The Many-Eyed's laughter echo inside your head, playful yet mocking.
Xaman Spoiler: The globe is a scrying crystal.
Those with gadgets to see in the darkness see bedlam before you. Human forms entwined in sexual congress, corpses impaled, excrement -splattered walls, flies, hooded figures outline a path to dais where upon it sits a throne and what appears to be The Many-Eyed. Xaman Spoiler:
Upon the throne is a being of immense power and the impression it leaves in the empyrean is quite unnerving. A being worth of fear, if not respect. You hear moans of ecstacy and pain, cries of anguish, conspiratorial whispers. Likewise, you smell incense, decay, foulness, excrement. A fly buzzes past your face. A glowing globe of red crystal emerges from sleeve of The Many-Eyed clutched by a youthful pale hand. ++Greetings, wanderers. Your coming has been foretold. I have a proposition to discuss with you. Are you willing to listen?++ The voice inside your head is sibilant and seductive.
The fickleness of the dark gods is readily apparent, as they review your deeds. Moment to moment the one they favor changes, as if they can't make up their minds. Then suddenly they focus and agree. The symbol of the eight-pointed star suddenly appears above the head of Rhud.
And your reverie stops and you are back in the present before two solid adamantium doors etched with the symbols of the Four Great Powers. The sound of gears echo as the doors swing on their hinges, while the sweet, pungent smell of incense assault your olfactory senses. ++Come.++ You hear the command inside your head.
You peer inside the chamber beyond.
As a courtesy to all, I will post a reminder for those who have not posted to post before the end of the deadline. If no post by deadline, then I will advance the story.
In your mind's eye a great hourglass hangs in the air, the sand is running out. The time to relate your tale is almost up.
Game Thread is up. Note the opportunity to earn extra XP.
Mere hours ago you thought that life was at an end and you were going to face the vengeful wrath of very disappointed patron gods. But through the timely intervention of the infamous Chaos oracle known only as "The Many-Eyed," you are now walking benighted hallways of an unknown chaos battlecruiser. A prickling, nagging sensation at the back of your neck tells you that you are being watched but you do not see anyone. You smell incense -- the kind used in very special rituals -- and you feel your mind drift to the past.
Great to see you back Deiros ;-)
The winning entry has been chosen and 500 XP goes to our renegade Keita.
Friends, on the road to enlightenment, let us gather here whilst awaiting the sign from the gods.
Rhud, Andronical and Xaman, your characters are approved and ready for the coming battle. Keita, pls. finalize your gear. We start no later than 48 hours from this post. For ALL Spoiler:
I have given The Many-Eyed a True Name; PM me your guess and you get an additional 500xp to spend if you are correct.
Ok sound off those who are ready with their submissions ;-)
Can't wait to read your backstories.
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