Max chuckles. "I don't know if you have made or ruined this trip for me. On one hand you have told me why my room-mate is having frights on the other your telling me he is likely to kill me. OOOOH, how shall I now get my sleep?" Chuckles some more before wiping a tear. "You know what's bother me most? ...I can't arrest him! ... He just lays there and I can't send him to soddery. Sniff ... Well, that's my nightmare. Cheers"

Max thinks he hears a low chuckle mimicking hes own from a air duct. When he looks its empty and the dust has not moved. It was just the wind, its mostly the wind.

Later in the evening Haxtes gives Max a Tarot card with the Emperor on it. "My friend in future you must promise too be more careful of when you speak your confessions and dark secrets, not all who listen are your dear friend like me." Smiles and walks of on some other errand.

Maxi speaks to Haxtes back. "Friends?!!! What kind of in vitro planet were you dug up from? You can never be my friend. We don't have friends. We are brothers now, acolytes in the Haouteiyy (HOotEI). Friends betrays you, brothers merely disappoints." Maxi looks at the card. (What's his meaning with this card? Peekaboo the Emperor is watching? Or just a show off death card, telling me that he figured out 20 new means to end me?)

Who knows. Haxtes is an odd fellow - by any standard of measure. On the other hand he hasn't killed you in your sleep, and though he likes picking on you for being 'a machine' that's probably just his way of coping with this messed-up situation.

Without any forewarning the main lights go out. After a few moments emergency secondary light cast a ruddy glow across the observation blister. Its quiet. Much too quiet. The many background noises have faded away almost completely. Only a few low sounds break the silence - lighting panels flickering, the slow hum of emergency life-support, your own breathing. Even those of you that have no real space experience can tell that this is somehow very bad. Silon: "Merciful Emperor. We've lost main power; the fucking power core has gone to idle. Here, everyone, help me remove the blister cover!" With that he start to manually wind open the blister's iris cover; exactly WHY he'd want to stare out into the Immaterium isn't clear... ...he doesn't crank it open all the way; just barely enough to peek out. A very quick peek. Then he reverses torsion and you start closing the cover again. "We still have field integrity. The backups and capacitator banks (OOC: big batteries) are keeping it alive - for now. And the power core is still intact; there was no shudder before the light went out. There would have been had the core been jettisoned. It's only gone to idle! We gotta find out what's going on an get power restored. This hulk has crappy warp-fields already. They won't last long without main power...and we are DEEP in the Immaterium now, so there is no leaving it either." OOC: Silon, Vern and Max are there - with Haxtes moving away down the corridor. The blister is located on the 'top' of the ship, about mid-way down the spine.

Haxtes, activates his low-light goggles, and breaks into a sprint down the corridor. Activating his com he calls Venus, telling her too stay put if she is not at the reactor core. Then Haxtes runs to Venus and bring her where she needs to go to please the old and cranky machine spirit and keep us alive.

Venus replies by com; she's on sub-level 6 (the main spine corridor is level 1, levels below it are called sub-levels) with your brother and a few ratings, helping them commune with a particularly difficult sub-system. The control room in question is located just between the central cargo sphere, so it more or less straight 'down' from you position on level 8 (the observation deck). So the fastest way down would be through one of the emergency ladder shafts; you could just clip yourself to the top rung and rappel down (since you've been sneaking around the ship we can assume you've got both a harness and sufficient wire). Rappelling should put you a few compartments away from her location. On you way down Venus informs you that the core seems to be fully functioning; it's just been put into idle by a bridge override. Venus can't understand why anyone in their right mind would do something like that... You land on sub-level 6 a few minutes later, leaving the wire dangling in the shaft, then make you way towards the control room.

Edited by GM after phonecall: Moving towards the control room Haxtes calls Xerza, to informs her of the situation. There is no reply; but that may simply be because of where you are in relation to her - using the shipboard fixed comm-lines you would possibly have more success. Possibly. After a very brief conference with Jax (Haxtes' brother) and the tech-priestess, you agree that Venus should go with you towards the bridge, where the combination of you stealth skills, Venus' techno-magic, and your brothers security override token (its a largish metal medallion containing some sort of device that can interface with the ship's systems - after Jax unlocks its security subroutines Venus has not trouble keying it to Haxtes gene-signature; otherwise it would be quite useless) should get you through. Only the ship's Master has security codes that the token cannot touch; if that becomes a problem you'll just have to improvise. Meanwhile Jax will try to locate more crew-members and make a move for the main armory. If successful he'll send out parties to secure key locations throughout the ship; of which the energarium (where the power core, among other things, is located) seems the most important. One failed hardline call to Xerza's quarters later you move forward towards the command deck...powerblade and xenos needler at the ready, and pretty little Venus bringing up the rear (armed only with a compact las-weapon).

"Silon this your home turf so you'll have seniority. Maybe we can talk to the bridge or energarium on the ship's comm. If not we should move out and find Lady Xerza." Silon pulls his heavy autopistol from a shoulder-rig and checks the clip, but fails to intone the prayer of accuracy. Still, its priamry indicator light turns emerald green, even as a slender red laser beam lights up beneath the pistol's barrel in response to a slight pressure on the trigger. Vern twists the top of his gentleman's cane counterclockwise and pulls free a slender bonded-ceramite/adamantine monoblade. You've heard of such weapons; forged by specially trained tech-priests in the Lathes forge-worlds using secret rites, they are supposedly near-indestructible, even the annihilation fields of an Imperial power-weapon won't degrade them. Not too useful in a firefight though. Trying your own personal comm first you try to call Xerza, only to have Jarra answer instead. The pulsing snap-snap-snap sound of a hi-energy weapon firing at full auto can be heard in the background, filling the line with static and making it difficult to hear clearly - but you know what filters to engage to clear it away (not the first time you've faced energy weapons) and soon you hear the orgyn loud and clear: "The Mistress is indisposed somehow. She's engaged in a psychic contest of some sort. That's what she said before she went limp. And I really really don't have time to chat with you." With that the comm falls to the decking and you hear the slower snap snap snap of a Guard-issue lasgun firing single shots in rapid succession, and then nothing. Seconds later the lift doors open not ten paces away, revealing the jet-black carapace of a high-end Independent Combat Servitor. Its right arm has been replaced with a light support multilaser - a weapon whose firing pattern is identical to what you heard over the comm. The left arm is a multi-jointed contraption that ends in a serrated chain-blade. You are in deep shit.

Haxtes keeps moving fast, activating the stealth-suit woven into his xeno-mesh armor, blending almost completely with his poorly lit surroundings. The armors faceplate changes between blank and a filthy xenos death mask; elegant and man like, but too long and too fine to be truly human. He speaks in low tones to Venus, encouraging her to keep up and keep silent, and dropping a few hard-to-understand remarks: "Let them pass through the Veil" "The Veiled hand was know for attacking mostly at night, mostly............."

Max swiftly draws his auto gun from its quick release holster and opens a volley of suppressing fire against the intruder. If possible, Max moves left away from his brothers with the hope of drawing its attention away from them, so they can finish it of with more precise aim. (OOC:Quickdraw) "By all that is holy. Sweetness do not fail me now."

A hail of high-velocity 5mm rounds hit the servitor on the upper carapace. Over the roar of the gun it sounds almost like rain hitting a windowpane - and do about as much damage. But you DO get its attention; it takes two strides forward and brings up the multilaser, barrels spinning as it sends a score of multi-meagjoule beams streaking towards you. You hit the deck, but you would have been toast were it not for Silon. He's gotten into cover and now he's hitting the thing repeatedly with aimed shots to the head area with his heavier gun. Doesn't seem to do much more damage than you, but at least it keeps the servitor from aiming properly. And Vern. Well, throwing caution to the wind he bellows 'in the name of the Emperor I smite thee' as he charges the thing. Well, at least he has had the sense to move obliquely, preventing it from targeting him with the laser without losing track on you and Silon. His blade actually finds a space between armor plates and strike deep, but then it gets stuck and Vern is nearly decapitated by a return stroke from the servitor's chainblade. You're royally fucked unless you kill it quickly.

Max's intent is to prone it by disable its right foot with his Power Maul. Hopefully Vern charge gives Max time to rise up and move in with drawn Maul. (Max moves in with his head low hoping not to interfere too much with Silon's gunfire.)

If successful it will be easy to finish it off by contiously hitting it whan its laying down. (The Adeptus Arbites has extensive training in beating anyone that lays on the ground.)

You have time. Apparently the servitor classifies a prone target that isn't firing at it as a lower priority than both a melee combatant and someone firing from cover. Vern, effectively weaponless, manages to dodge away from the spinning chainblade once, twice, even thrice - but finally his luck gives out and his goes down in a spray of blood. Meanwhile Silon keeps putting rounds into its back - with better effect. It seems the upper carapace is near-impenetrable from the front and sides, but weaker on the rear. Unfortunately, once Vern is down the servitor rotates swiftly and takes out Silon - simply by blasting his cover to smithereens. You don't know how he fared, but you've no time to think about it anyway...your maul smashes into its leg at max power. One moment there is a leg there, the next there is the smell of molten metal and all that is left of its keen joint is a twisted mess. It falls like a rock, unable to keep its balance. And as you said - the Arbites ARE good at hitting stuff lying still on the ground. You keep hitting it at max power until the power cell runs dry - incredibly enough its still twitching, but it is no longer a threat to you. Vern is alive, but bleeding badly. He needs first aid and the a trip to see the medicae. Silon, however, seems more stunned than injured. He's clearly been blinded by a near-miss from one of the lasblasts and is clearly in shock. He needs a strong stim-shot and then a trip to the medicae. Well, seems you'll have to patch them up and get moving.

Burning Fate Points to survive: If you ever have to permanently burn a fate point just to stay alive, you can expect something similar (as what happened to Vern and Silon) to happen to you - you'll be out of the fight and weak afterward, but alive.

If the lift is still there Max places the servitors body in the door to render the lift useless to anyone other than him. He immediately checks his brothers for wounds and stabilizes them. Since our weapons are on the light side he will try to use the servitors weapons, if necessarily using Verns blade to cut them off. During the few minutes while treating Vern he tries to contact anyone on his or the ships comm links. With Haxtes words in his mind he tries to give as little information about his group status. (Though his voice may have a stressed tone.) He also tries to make Silion to tell him the “Navy anti boarding response doctrine” to give him an idea to any defence point on this ship. The only one Max can think of is the armoury and will move there if no other alternatives are made. He leaves Vern and Silion if necessarily. (Weapon reloads and checks goes without saying.) "Agent Maximillian to anyone, I'm positioned on the upper decks, have made enemy contact and overcome, need advice."

There is a half-decent medicaekit on the observation deck, which you use to patch up you two companions as best you can. Vern is weak from bloodloss, but with enough stims in him he can walk without aid. Silon is in better shape once you give him a few shots, but his eyesight is blurry at best. The servitor's weapons are useless - they run of the servitor's internal power supply and operate by mind-impulse. So you're left with just two autopistols - you still have some ammo left, but not enough for a prolonged fight - and a blade between the three of you. Silon thinks you should do two things; get access to heavier weapons and body armor if at all possible, and find members of the crew or your own group - quantity has a quality of its own in these circumstances. If successful you need to seize and control key locations throughout the ship - the main spine, the command deck, the energarium - ESPECIALLY the energarium. Also he's not sure this is actually a boarding action; it is very very rare for such things to happen in the Immaterium. He thinks this is more along the lines of a mutiny, even though he can't tell WHERE these Mechanicus-grade servitors came from. The ship's lines are all dead. But your own comm works; although the range is limited because of the ship's hull and internal systems. You manage to raise someone called Jax - the security chief - who claims to be heading, with a group of ratings, for the main armory slightly aft amidships sub-level 2. It's either that or go to the A) med-bay, B) command deck, or C) energarium.

Meanwhile Haxtes and Venus have also run into trouble; two more combat servitors blocking the primary forward junction and making further progress...impractical. Indeed, only Venus shouted warning saved Haxtes from being blown to smithereens as the servitors opened up with multilasers from hidden security alcoves - apparently she can sense the presence of the things' machine spirits. Now she is desperately trying to break through their security subroutines to deactivate them, but time is running out. Pinned down with little cover Haxtes can only snap of a few bolt rounds towards their assailants to slow them down. And soon they will have flanked you and will blow you both to charred bits of bone and flesh. This has become exactly the type of fight assassins should NOT get involved in; this is Guard style fighting - pinned down with little hope of survival, while enemy blasts away with superior weaponry...

"Our main hope is to get to the armory. We can't handle another of those in our state." Maxi gives the medicaekit to Vern and picks up two of the fire-extinguish apparatus on the deck and test one. (Silon gets the other.) If they are aerosol-based he will use them as make-shift smoke screens to cover their retreat against any servitors. If they are foam-based he leaves them. Maxi gambles on using the lift to sub-lvl-2 because of Vern's state.

Haxtes, moves too the bride avoiding servitors via roofs or other paths he has found. He does not indulge in silly up front fire fight :) If that's not possible (If bride cant be accessed except by blast door) he will move over the servitors and cut the head of them. Leaving them for little Venus whom can reprogram them into proper Inquisition machines.

Well, had Haxtes been alone he would not be in this mess. Dragging along the little tech-priestess means you have to move along conventional paths - which put you where you are now. So, you're basically down to two choices; either fall back and find another way around (that means leaving Venus to be blown apart by the way) or stick around and try to hold them off while she does whatever it is tech-priests do to angry machine-spirits. The bolt pistol IS proving effective by the way (its got goo penetration AND damage), its just that they have too much armor and system redundancy to be easily destroyed (i.e. lots and lots of Wounds). The powerblade would be even better; you could really carve them up with that, especially if you can get to their rear or get at their legs. You are, but the way, pretty sure these servitors are part of the ships own security system. Its not boarders. And given the heightened security its a safe bet that the bridge has been locked down; there will be no access using the routes you've mapped. You need Venus. Or lots of melta-charges.

Then its trowing flash bang grenades and close with the servitors and fight them up close with bolter and sword. " the Emperor protects " Roll between them when I close and slash their legs then fire and sword until they are one with the Omnissiah.

The extinguishers are of a multi-purpose type common on Imperial ships; depending on the nature of the fire they can spray foam or aerosol-powder. Indeed, they can even be used to patch holes by turning the selector switch all the way around; then a sticky glue-like substance is produced. Very simple but highly useful devices. Seeing the primary control rune glow amber, you realize that the ship is under security lock-down. Not that Max knows anything about starships - but he knows about lock-downs! Without an override token the life is going nowhere...yet the servitor DID use the lift...

Haxtes deftly pulls a trio of grenades from his belt; they are only the size of a very large coin, yet each can stun and blind an unprotected human that stands too close. Unfortunately the servitors are well protected against such things. But you do manage to get their attention, and become the target of two autofiring multilasers as you move forwards as fast as you can - which is good for Venus of course, but not as good as you. You're clipped twice. Once to the head (a miracle that didn't kill your outright) and once in the thigh. You don't actually feel much pain, you just go numb and then you hit the floor. Which is sorta good, since it prevents the other servitor from just blowing you to bits. Instead you senselessly skid along the floor for a few feet, until your super-honed reflexes kick in and instinctively slashes the blade through the servitor's lower leg. Still moving without conscious through you roll clear of its mad chainblade return, before finally regaining both your footing and your control. The other servitor's multilaser its tracking you, but its targeting protocol is preventing it from firing too close to its companion. Realizing that you might live a few moments longer against a chainblade than a hi-power laser, you move closer to your first target, using your mobility to good advantage. With its damaged leg it can't turn quickly enough to bring its own energy weapon to bear - leaving you to contend with 'only' the chainblade. Knowing that you're automatically dead as soon as your opponent is defeated there is really no point in playing it safe either. You glide in close, emptying the rest of the bolt clip into it before engaging with the blade. It nicks you a few times with the chainblade, but the xenomesh keeps you mostly whole. A thrust to the main sensor cluster effectively blinds it, and after that two more stabs overpower its balance center, sending it crashing to the floor. You are greeted by the sight of the other servitor's laser, spinning up to max, ready to end you existence. Then there is very bright flash from the rear of its black carapace, followed by a lot of smoke. It never fires. Just stops dead in its tracks. You see Venus standing five paces behind it. Two long slender metal 'arms', or maybe they are tubes, reach up from behind her head and into the servitor's internal mechanisms. A half-second later they are retracted.

"Nice penetration Venus." Haxtes, shoots up on pain killers and stims to be able to move as close as possible to normal. Turns to Venus and says lets get to the bride and end this. Haxtes hands Venus the security codes he got from hes bro on the slim change she can override the servitors. "Be just and fear not."

"I didn't have much of a choice. These were high-end models. Hardened against intrusion. I could have sent hours trying to break into them. So I had to get physical when it turned its back to me. I had already a good image of its internal layout, so finding the main power regulator was easy enough." She hands you the token back. "Its keyed to your genes. And besides, these servitors answer only to a higher-level encryption. My guess would be the captain's security token. Keep it you, it might help us with secondary systems not specifically locked down by the captain." You walk towards the command deck, weapons at the ready. "There are four more of the things guarding the entrance nave to the command deck. I think we need to find another route. Do you know of any? One that we might manage to break through even if its locked down?"

Quick Status Check: 2 auto pistols (virtual incapable against servitors), 1 Power Maul (Recharged?), 1 monoblade (Is Max capable of using it?), 1 strong Maximilian, 1 half-blind Silon, 1 half-dead fully-stimmed Vern, 2 extinguishers (replaceable all over the ship). Then stairs it is, 10 levels to go. If the med-bay or any crew/guest cabins are between us and the armoury we will drop Vern (maybe barricade with Vern and 2 extinguishers in glue mode) there by making a quick detour.

Where there is a witch there is a way, we can go through the air\coolant ducts. Just hang on and stay close and quiet.

Its slow going for Haxtes and Venus. You would have made it in half the time and with much less noise. But that's just how it is. Since you can't get directly into the bridge at the moment, you aim at getting as close as possible. You finally reach a small room just below the command deck. Cogitator banks line the walls, monitored by three odd-looking servitors. According to Venus - who is making an educated guess - this room is responsible for handing the primary datastreams going into and out of the bridge. Haxtes didn't know that, but you've been here before and the room felt somehow important. A metal ladder goes up from deck and into a small vertical shaft. It leads to a sealed hatch that opens into the command deck sub-level (from there you can get onto the main bridge deck using a short flight of stairs; when last you where here a few tech-servitors was the only sentients on the sub-level - and they were completely fixated on their tasks). The hatch is now sealed. You either have to hack its security protocols (a tough challenge even for Venus), blow it with melta-charges (which you don't have), or have someone open it from the other side.

The power maul is ready again once you've inserted a new power cell. Vern could hold a pistol, but he would not be able to fight well in melee. The auto-pistols simply lack the power and penetration needed to do significant damage. Even if they manage to punch through the rear carapace plating it would take a lot of shot to do any significant damage. If you had hyperdense armor penetrators you might have more luck, but you best bet is getting some bolters or shotguns )with appropriate ammunition). You also have what's left of the mediace-kit. Not a lot, but better than nothing. Silon's vision is blurry at best, but he can come with you. Vern on the other hand should just stay put. If you give him a gun he could defend himself pretty well; there is only one major entry point to the observation deck. So, what do you do? Try to get the lift moving, or go down the access shaft that Haxtes rappelled (you'll have to use the ladder though) down?

Sorry, I should have mention that since were skidding down the ladder Maxi (if allowed) take Verns cane/monoblade. And it would probably be difficult to carry the extinguisher so we hope to pick up new ones at sub-lvl-2.

Yeah, you can have the blade. Vern pulls a compact stub pistol from his robes. Its a four-shot model and not useful against anything armored, but it can kill an unprotected man.

"I'll try and stay on the comm., if you get into difficulty I'll do my best to come back. But you know that it wouldn't be likely before we have taken control of the ship."

Hack the protocols please. This marathon of running back and forth is fun but getting down too business on the bridge is more fun. For the hell of it will Venus works with the door, Haxtes runs through the Navigator quarters seeing that we don't have a navigator and the navigators have bride access the way may be clear.

Somewhat later you (Silon and Max) are on sub-level 2, making your way towards the armory. You heard the sounds of an intense firefight not too far away. It turns out that three servitors (a forth lies mangled and smoking on the floor) have some crewmembers pinned down inside the armory. Do you take action? There servitors have their backs turned to you and Silon, so you have the advantage of surprise.

Haxtes has not gone very far - he's stopped to contemplate the shortest route from just below the command deck to the Navigator sanctum, which is located just topside of the bridge, when he hears a surprised female shout from Venus. Then the sound of a hi-power laspistol firing. Venus' pistol that is. And a few small bangs. Then more las-shots from the same pistol. A rune lights up in your visor, indicating non-harmful - but rising - concentrations of nerve gas. Normally your suit would protect you, but recent combat damage MAY mean this the suit's integrity has been compromised. Return to Venus or move away from the gas? She's still firing, even though the gas must be present in lethal amounts...

Meanwhile Maxi has engaged the servitors after. He's tried to contact the defenders inside the armory, but apparently the weapon discharges and the thick walls are making comm use difficult. With Silon half-blind you've not much of a choice. A rapid advance down the corridor, with both pistols firing a full auto. That's a lot of shots and even with the running and firing of two weapons you score at least twenty hits. And at least some penetrate and some of the penetration do some real damage, because the servitors starts lurching and heaving and spraying wildly with its gun and waving its chainblade like crazy. Discarding your spent weapons you pull out the power maul and Vern's sword and charge the damaged servitor, bellowing for the defenders to launch a counter-assault. The damaged servitor is quickly dispatched, leaving 'only' two more. They seem confused, torn between facing this new threat and keeping the armory defenders pinned. It won't last though, so you hurl yourself forward at the next servitor before it can focus sufficiently to decide to vaporize you...

Move back too Venus and Ingage her targets, if posible i stay close too the rof as gas is ticker lower down

Max is used to fight in crowd combat but this is the first time in a long time where the trusted volley and bash tactics of the Arbites aren't used. He therefore tries to place himself so that one servitor is between himself and the other. Thus giving any friendly fire a clear shot at the other while he floors his opponent. "Your opposing the word of the Emperor, lie down and receive his judgement."

You do fairly well against the servitor, including slicing apart the main power feed to its laser with Vern's fantastically well-balance blade, although having to keep it behind you and the other one makes things a little more difficult. Oh well, the problem disappears - quite literally - as the other servitor is hit no less than tree times by some sort of mini-missiles launched from the armory defenders. Fire and shrapnel are everywhere, but your armor takes care of the worst. A couple of well-placed powermaul strikes later and the last of the servitors is also ready for the scrap heap. Nicely done. Within the armory you find Security Chief Jax methodically reloading his missile launcher. A handful of crew are also there, with more dead crew scattered around on the floor (and walls). Some with horrendous explosive burns and some sliced and diced into red lumps that reminds little of human beings. Jax speaks up: "The other Inquisitors left just before the servitors showed up. They were headed for the engenarium."

Haxtes deftly runs back through empty maintenance conduits and launches himself up and onto a utility bridge (a contraption bolted to the roof where various cables and pipes run). Moving along it you're semi-protected from the gas. The suit keeps out most of the rest and whatever gets through is fixed by a double injection of multispectrum antitoxin. Spotting Venus firing wildly at nothing in particular you realize what has happened; the room was protected by gas as an anti-intrusion measure. And if Venus was a normal human she'd be dead ten times over; but not she's 'only' completely delusional thanks to the gas' secondary effect. You can't stay here forever. You have to get her out, seal the chamber and find another entry onto the bridge. Through the navigator sanctum. That is your best bet.

I get her out, if I can talk good. If I have to fill her with incapacitating toxin darts I`ll do that and haul her out. Give her the antidote when we are safe.

Max salutes the chief. "I want a total lock down of this area! Leaving the stair room the only entry point. Lock the aft and fore access door and jam them with extinguisher glue or something." If crew responds he Max continues: "I'll want two guarding the stairs on this level, equipped with shotgun and flamethrower. Silon, if you’re up to it operate the flamer. When we're ready to move out we'll take control of the stairs up to the main spine corridor. Then we secure the corridor towards the engenarium. Half of you will follow me towards the engenarium and the rest will barricade the main spine corridor outside the stairs and act as reserve if help is needed. Chief you'll lead that group and operate the mini-launcher. You'll also be the comm nexus between us." If his orders are followed Max picks up a heavy armor and speaks. "Now chief, give me a status report while we gear up."

You move forward and put a few rounds in her - she's completely nutters. You feel a slight sense of relief when her body-chemistry responds to the toxins - if she can survive nerve gas there is no knowing what effects your tranquilizers might have. But she finally drops, her system overcome. You get her out and put your last autosyringe of multispectrum in her thigh after sealing the hatch behind you. She's not going anywhere for a while though, so the best you can do is stick her somewhere relatively safe and lock her in. If she comes around she can undoubtedly manage to get out on her own. All the while your mind is planning your next move. The bridge crew must know you are down here, and if you move quickly you can perhaps surprise them by coming from another direction. And so a wild plan forms - there is an airlock not far from here. Going out through it and then up along the hull for maybe fifty meters and you'll find another airlock connected to the Navigator sanctum. You suit is not made for vacuum operations, but it has sufficient compression and integrity to hold your body pressurized for a few minutes. And you can easily oxygenate your blood long enough to make the walk. So if everything goes well you could make it to the sanctum in just a few minutes, instead of who know how long. Do you take the chance?

Would be nice to surprise them for a change, show them how this works. Assassin surprise; everyone gets a round of poison :) I take the walk and spring a trap on them. They say the Immaterium is lovely this time of year

Maxi's plan is sound enough. Silon thinks he can use the flamer - not too much aiming required, just press and hose. he can do that, even with blurry vision. Jax fills you in. "The big blonde took some weapons and armor and then moved towards the energarium with the other two. The almond-eyed male with the pistols and that crazy-eyed female friend of his, the one with the sword and bow. And they had your mistress with them; she didn't look too good. Barely managed to walk. Had to be guided and helped. Not sure what her problem was, might have been an explosive concussion - blood was dripping from her nose and ears. Venus and Haxtes moved towards the bridge a while ago, but I haven't heard from them since. But that might not mean anything. The Captain has made a full security lockdown and only my own authority codes can get access to locked down areas of the ship. The ship's comms are also closed, leaving us only with hand-held units. Very limited range inside a starship. And the security servitors of course; we have about 20 still on board, but only the captain can control them. They are a relic of our rogue trader days. This ship was very much combat-capable back them. I've manage to pick up about twenty crew, half of them now dead, which means that most of the rest are either on the command deck, in the energarium, or in pairs or singles in other key locations - unable to move around or communicate. Oh, and the off-duty shift is probably locked down within the crew quarters. Anyway, we need to control the command deck, the energarium and the access spine. IF we hold those three we control the ship and stand a chance of restorin power and surviving. And I'm coming with you - the security token is keyed to my genes and without it you won't get very far - you've have to manually override every door and crank them open. It would take hours." You secure the spine and have the men set up defensive positions as Maxi instructed, then you, Hax and three crew move down the spine, loaded for grox and looking for trouble...

Max won't disagree with Jaxs suggestion as long as the barricade crew has a comm link and a mini launcher.

You make your way towards the aft end of the ship, moving along the main access spine. At the aft main junction you find the remnants of a fierce battle. Three dead crew (each with multiple lethal laswaounds) and four destroyed servitors - and collateral damage. Then you run into an obstacle; a sizeable chunk of the spine corridor and adjacent sectors have been blown open to space. From what you can tell explosive were placed INSIDE the ship and used to blow a big hole; effective blocking you advance. According to Jax you have two options. Suit up and take a walk in space, or head to either of the aft cargo spheres and see if you can bypass the wrecked sections by going through them.

"Let’s suit up. If the explosive where planted inside it probably has blocked any access to the engenarium from within this ship." Max has never done a spacewalk so he suggests that they attache wires between all and the ship.

Jax locates some emergency suits; they are not intended for prolonged operations, but should suit you just fine. They consist of a baggy two-piece suit made of some sort of transparent material. After donning the two pieces a clear bubble helmet is donned, sealing the suit. It then swiftly contracts, pressurizing the occupant. Magnetic boots can also be added, as well as a utility harness - and air bottles. Quite neat and not too bulky. Perfect for newbies. You use security lines in addition to the magboots (they lock to the hull of the ship). As make ready to exit the ship Jax explains that the explosives are another holdover from the old days - located at key places throughout the ship, to be used as a last resort...

Maxi points at one of the crew. "We'll take point. Chief, since you have the token I can't risk you so you three give support fire when we're meeting trouble." OOC: Moved up a bit to fit better with the story.

You exit through an airlock just short of the breach. It takes you out on the starboard (right) side of the ship, on level with the main dorsal (top of the vessel) hull plating. To your right you can see the slight rise of the access spine as it stretches aft towards the energarium and the main drives. Well, not so slight perhaps, its about 20 meters taller than the hull plating, but seems small because everything else is so big. The gaping hole left by the explosion is on the far side of the spine, and everything looks tranquil enough right here. You move towards the rear of the ship; the magboots area bit awkward at first, but you quickly get the hang of it. The aurora-like lights cast by the Immaterium as it touches the failing warp-fields gives you just enough light to see by. You see the three crewmen making the sign of the Aquila and hear low prayers intoned over the comm. They seem extremely uncomfortable. As you walk on you pass by the rearmost cargo sphere, it reaches to within a few meters of the spine, throwing everything into twilight shadow and forcing you to light torches. You feel hemmed in and exposed, but nothing happens. Ten minutes later you are in another airlock on the far side of the breach; you head inside weapons at the ready and make for the energarium...

Haxtes exits through the airlock and quickly moves up the hull. You don't have any magboots, but your climbing skills should be sufficient. And if things go really badly you have attached a security line to your suit harness. Its actually a lot harder than you had expected. You've never done any zero-G climbing (who has!?) before - one you punch OPEN on the airlock gravity simply goes away, so its more like a disorienting swim than it is a climb. But the Veiled Hand has trained you well and you quickly adapt. Then your eyepiece starts to ice over; apparently there is still a minute leak from the head-blast you took earlier. It's not completely blinding though; you can partially see with your left eye - enough to keep moving in the right direction. But the REAL issue is the Immaterium. You try not to look at it. You don't have to. Its there, burning brightly at your back. Its not really warm of course, but still it feels like the hot sun baking exposed skin. And noise. Like a mad chorus of voices singing without rhyme. But once again there really isn't any noise. Sound does not carry through the vacuum of space. it's just your imagination. Still, getting inside the sanctum airlock feels damned good! You release the security line and make for the CLOSE button when you see a body slowly spinning past the bow of the vessel...

I try and confirm the identity of the body, but if I don't see it within 2-3 seconds then I don't, and close the lock. I`m on a mission and breathing Immaterium and vacuum and don't fell like lingering. "The heretic fears many things, detection, defeat, death most of all they fear the wrath of the Emperor"

"Waitaminute!!!" "You're telling me that there are more explosives and that they are triggered!!? Let me guess, the panic button is on the captain’s chair and at least one of this 'last resort device' is likely to blast anyone trying to enter the bridge. Are there any more surprises you feel I should know? Like a 'last resort steering into the nearest star when all is lost' or something." Maxi waits a moment for any response or answer from Jax before he talks into the comm. "Agent Maximilian to other agents. We're continuing towards chosen target, no enemy contact yet. Report status." Maxi waits a moment for any response or answer. Then Maxi speaks to Jax: "You know if the captain is behind this, you all be hanged in a Admiral sanctioned Imperial Navy court for mutiny and the captain if he goes free from the Admiralty, will be punished to death by the Adeptus Arbites for inciting mutiny." Maxi scorn at Jax and the crew then shows his seal of the Inquisition. "Your are now under command of Interrogator Senioris Xerza of the Holy Order of the Emperor's Inquisition in a mission to break down a heretical assassination plot against the Interrogator Senioris and said Holy Order." Maxi tucks away his seal and checks his suit. "Let’s walk ." OCC: Please feel free to elaborate or change the text. (Remember to bump if you do :)

Haxtes, if able too see who it is or not start moving fast too wards the bridge, too get hes blood moving and breathing air ones more. The flash bang senario is now second, if the bridge is full of servitors and armed enemys its a frag, photon combo folowd by bolter and sword, The first priorty is too kill all of them and live. if that means a little colatoral soo be it.

The body is easily identified as Jarra - you know big, blonde, and wearing guard-issue gear. She doesn't look too damaged from here, but she could be dead for all you know. Anyway, it should be possible to grab her if you want to. All you have to do was clip on another security line and make a calculated jump to intercept her. One attempt is all you get anyway, because if you don't get her then she'll simply drift away. So your call.

Jax explains that the ship does indeed have a self-destruct mechanism installed, but it requires the cooperation of the captain and either of the Security Chief and Chief Engineer. And the Maiden doesn't have a Magos on board anymore and Jax certainly isn't planning on blowing the ship. There are, on the other hand, explosives placed at several key places throughout the ship, intended to destroy key sections that have fallen into enemy hands or to block their progress through the ship. Once you get to the energarium you should be 'safe'. This used to be a proud ship that ventured far beyond the borders of the Imperium (shudder!) and not just an old tramp freighter light it is today. Once you get inside again you can hear the sounds of fighting in the distance.

Max's unit moves towards the sound of battle. If possible his unit will ready a make shift machine-gun-nest for the heavy guns to make aimed shot from before engaging. Max and other point man will close in, trying to flank enemy opposition under supportive fire. (Hopefully Max have assault shotgun.) OCC: Have read changes.

Your path takes you towards one of the energarium's secondary entry points - through one of the many cargo spaces and maintenance halls adjacent to it. Which turns out the be most fortunate, since the other Inquisition team has gone in the main entrance. So now you appear to flank the enemy. The energarium is actually something of a disappointment. You'd sort of figured there would be something massive in here, but its mostly just a lot control stations and various utility ducts. You quickly realize that the energarium chamber is located on top of the actual power core. And that all around you, hidden from sight are other...techno-arcane devices...things that you can't even begin to guess at what do. Anyway, the enemy this time is crew. No servitors in sight. At least no functioning servitors. You can spot at least ten of them, and they've got the station under control. They are all armed with shotguns and light autoguns, and packing shipboard security carapace armor. Odessa has managed to get well into the energarium, but she's pinned down. Ignace is over by the entrance, but all he can do is lay down some suppressive fire, preventing the defenders from overrunning his lover. You can't see Jarra or Xerza. Maybe they were killed in the explosion? Anyway, you go in and fan out, one of the ratings and Jax at your side (he's also got a shotgun - missiles would be fatal to all of you if fired in here). Behind you the other two men are setting up a tripod-mounted autocannon; loaded with low-penetration rounds ideal for fighting around delicate machinery. All three of you open up with full auto, cutting down two defenders in an instant and sending the rest scrabbling for cover. Odessa reacts in an instant, leaping free of her cover and launching an arrow while in midair, before drawing her blade and engaging another defender in melee. Ignace calmly walks forward, firing shot burst at anyone trying to fire back, keeping them pinned. Then a batch of self-guided viper rounds come streaking towards Maxi and his two companions. You and Jax get down in time, but last shotgunner is ripped to shreds by a swarm of monoblade warheads. Ignace is forced to take cover to reload, giving the defenders the opportunity to resume firing. Odessa, her enemy beheaded, suddenly finds herself alone and exposed. Suddenly things are not going so well... ...until the autocannon opens up. One extended burst sends two thousand anti-personnel flechettes screaming towards the offender with the autolauncher. His cover and carapace stops most of the tiny unstable metal darts, but there is simply too many - the poor fellow simply ceases to exists in a spray of blood and gore. The other defenders desperately return fire, but their shots ping uselessly of the autocannon's gun-shield. Seems you have the initiative again...

If it does not impair my ability to fight on the short term I`ll grab her. BUT as stated the priority is to confront the bridge and a little collateral damages is acceptable. "The Emperor protects"

Max shouths with his authoritian adeptus arbites voice: "Resistance is futile!!! By the Holy Orders of the Emperor's Inquisition, lay down your arms and surrender so our God-Emperor may have mercy on your souls!!!"

Haxtes quickly grabs the security line and clips it to his harness. Then he floats for a few moments, awaiting the opportune moment. Trying to gauge distance, momentum, power of launch...and realizing that this time he'll have to trust in the God Emperor. With a might push he launches into space, streaking towards Jarra's inert form. Two seconds later they crash together and Haxtes locks her with his leg and hits the spool switch - slowly at first, but then faster you sail back towards the airlock and safety. Relatively speaking. Half-way back she opens her blue eyes and look at you. She's got no vacc-suit so she should be blind by now, if not outright dead, but you find that there is nothing wrong with her vision. The Emperor protects his own.

Air pressure is restored. You wrench off your iced-over headpiece and drop it. Then ready your weapons. Jarra heaves on the floor, but seems to recover quickly. She's lost her rifle, but that wicked chainblade of hers is still strapped across her back. "Thanks Haxtes. I'll not soon forget..." then the words are drowned out by the roar of her blade revving. She lets you take the lead if you want to, otherwise she moves ahead.

Jax adds his voice to yours: "Do as the man commands you fools! He's a bloody INQUISITOR. One of the Emperor's own sworn men. Drop your guns and He will have mercy on your souls." Hearing a familiar voice speak out tips the scales in your favor. One by one they drop their weapons and emerge from their cover. Odessa is down with multiple gun wounds to the chest.

"Go to the others in the engine room and stay out of my way. You are nothing to me." Haxtes sprints off and after turning a corners, moves in the shadow trying desperately to keep the stumbling Dreatnought woman as far away from his stealthy persona. Muttering: "Khaine take the amateurs through the veil." Still angry he looks back and whispers: "Let Hourus take the hindmost."

Maxi move in closer with shotgun steadily aimed at the offenders. He indicates with it where he wants them to move and be unarmed. (Basically in line of fire of the auto gun) He tells Jax to strip-search them and make them help the wounded. While swiping the area he shouts to the auto gun crew that one of them should move in and help the wounded Inquisitor. He finally acknowledges Ignance: "Ignace as first agent on scene you have seniority."

Switching her blade to idle she pads after Haxtes. As it turns out she's not so loud after all. She's not Veiled Hand silent, but given her size and boots and all she does a surprisingly good job at keeping quiet. Haxtes vaguely recalls something about her homeworld - Dusk - being a right nasty place. Its a sobering thought - that a people so strong must learn stealth to survive their own home. Coming out of the airlock and adjacent access tunnel you emerge into the Navigator sanctum; a single servitor is there, guarding the main entry. Its armed with a flechette gun and a neural whip - optimized for fighting around delicate components. You think that it notices the side door opening, but it doesn't turn to face you, its primary programming forcing it to guard the main entryway at all cost. You butcher it quickly and silently with your blade, slicing through its rear armor to get at its delicate interior. Deciding that the command deck might have more of these things you decide to drop the elevator and instead go down the auxiliary stairs that lead to the bridge gallery. Once again surprise is achieved; the single servitor standing guard on the gallery turns to meet your charge, but fails to act before it is too late. Humans are much superior to machines. The bridge itself is a large oblong chamber, with galleries on each side containing auxiliary work-stations (but no crew at the moment, just one more servitor on the opposite side). Stairs lead down to the main bridge deck, at the very rear of the chamber, next to the main entry and lift cluster. There are to additional security guard stationed there, not servitors but human guards in carapace carrying high-capacity shotguns. A stair located in the middle of the chamber leads down to the bridge sub-level where the command and control servitors are located (and below them the cogitation chamber where you got hit with gas). In addition there are ten or so crew manning the bridge stations, most of the sitting is crew pits to either side of the bridge. A couple more men, ship's officers most likely, sit further to the back, elevated above the others. And right behind them, on a command throne, is the captain. Collateral might be acceptable, but you need to do something about that servitor (which you can't reach in melee - and Jarra has no gun) and those two shotgun-armed guards. Once that is done you can deal with the rest of the crew and the captain.

Thinking quickly you realize that you don't have time to do everything yourself. Perhaps the Marines had a point - trust in your comrades. Your not entirely sure about that, but seeing as you've got no choice... Haxtes throws his two remaining stun grenades down towards the guards on the floor; they don't exactly hit, but at least they go bouncing down the stairs before going of with a near-simultaneous bang-bang. Jarra follows right after the twin blast, flowing down the stairway with great strides, the great chainblade raised over hear shoulder, the serrated monoblade teeth spinning at maximum revolutions. The two guards, momentarily thrown off by the blasts recover to see hell come screaming right at them. One freezes. The other fires wildly, hitting Jarra repeatedly and sending flechettes all over the place. But momentum is on the ogryn's side and both men die in a spray of blood, vaporized flesh, and bone fragments. Meanwhile Haxtes has braced his bolt pistol on the railing, and gripping it firmly with both hands empties the entire clip into the servitor on the opposite gallery. His aim is true and fist-sized holes appear across the black carapace. It goes down, but not before returning fire. Fortunately its aiming systems aren't functioning, and Haxtes only takes a half-dozen flechettes. The mesh blocks most of the damage, but at least one punches through before disintegrating - leaving Haxtes with a bloody abdominal wound. The captain is rising to face you, but the rest of the crew seem completely confused. No wonder, less than 20 seconds have passed since you entered the bridge...

A mechanical voice is heard throughout the ship: "Warp-field failure imminent. All personnel must evacuate. Warp-field Warp-field failure imminent. You have an estimated 15 minutes to evacuate the vessel." Right...evacuate the vessel...while in the Warp...that was REALLY helpful...

Haxtes discards the spent bolt pistol since he's out of clips. A graceful leap takes him over the railing, falling towards the port crew-pit even as he draws needler and powerblade. The crew has no chance - two are shot point blank by toxic darts (nonlethal), but the last two get to die by the blade. The port control officer responds by putting three slugs into Haxtes' back, sending him flying into one of the control stations lining the pit. Once again the mesh stops the worst of it, but there are broken ribs involved - maybe worse. Meanwhile Jarra has seized one of the fallen shotguns and proceeds to gun down both Haxtes' assailant and another man standing further away, aiming a las-carbine of some sort at Haxtes' head (the red laser dot is a dead giveaway - good ting he wasted time aiming, maybe he thought Haxtes immune to body shots, with good reason perhaps).

Ignace seems focused on the downed Odessa to the exclusion of all else. Meanwhile Jax collecting weapons and securing the prisoners. Quite effective. Now, where the hell is Xerza and the others?

Haxtes recovers in time to see the panicked crew from the starboard pit clamber out to flee the scene. With great efforts he brings his needler up, letting the xenos tech-heresy spew out slivers of crystallized toxin. The crewmen flop to the ground and trash a little, like fish on dry land, and then they are still. You can barely hold the gun; there is another injury in your upper arm - behind all the blood you think you can see white bone splinters jutting forth. Ah, the Captain. He just put a bolter round in your left arm. That explains the blood and bone and the general numbness. Jarra is also busy. The second officers has engaged her with a power-saber and a shotgun is a poor weapon to defend with, so the ogryn isn't doing too well. She dodges ad parries as best she can, until suddenly the officer overextends. There is a loud crack and Jarra drops him to her floor, his spine broken and torn. Seeing that the captain is about to send another bolt into Haxtes - the head this time - she charges, leaping over the command throne and plunging the borrowed saber into the man's back...

...the captain jerks violently, then something horrifying happens; the man suddenly turns on Jarra, power-saber stuck in his back an all, and shoots her point-blank several times. Jarra is down. He drops the bolt weapon and as Haxtes watches transfixed he pulls the saber out of his body by the hilt. There is no blood. There is no blood! He turns slowly towards Haxtes (who is still in the port crew-pit), blade in hand. The captain no longer has any eyes. Just two black orbs. Out of which who-knows-what stares. The captain smiles, and suddenly you feel all right. Soon the pain will end and you will go to greet the Emperor. All will be well... But even as the man that is not a man walks towards the crew-pit you can feel the hot breath of a woman in your ear and firm breasts pressed against your back. And a soft voice, Xerza: "Don't you betray me now Haxtes. I like my witches young and clean, and they road that you're going down leads only to corruption and insanity. Where he takes you there will be no Emperor waiting, only oblivion. Fight it. Find the strength. Find faith in the God-Emperor. Find the hate. Fight it. Fight it NOW!" (OOC: It is all in Haxtes head of course, Xerza is not standing behind him fondling his behind ;)

Stating that the area is under control. Max moves and stands beside Ignace, while still being alert on his surroundings. "Ignace, where is Lady Xerza?" If no one is stabilizing Odessa Max sit down and start treating her. "Chief, send a prisoner for a med-kit."

Fortunately Ignace looks like he's got the first-aid under control. At least if he can get a proper medicae-kit. "We left Xerza in the hall outside; she's not in fighting shape. I don't know what's wrong with her, but she's not well." She's out in the hall all right. And she doesn't look too good. There is blood running from her nose and out of her ears, and she's muttering something, almost as if talking to someone: "...there will be no Emperor waiting, only oblivion. Fight it. Find the strength. Find faith in the God-Emperor. Find the hate. Fight it. Fight it NOW!"

Seeing that Xerza is relatively safe. Max heeds the mechanical voice and heads back to Jax. "Chief, we must let the crew loose to try and stabilize the warp-field. The auto gunner will continue his guard and keep the weapons secure. I'll head back trying to get in comm contact with the armory or the barricade."

Jax: "We need more crew. We have to find out if the second shift is still alive and locked in or what. A few of them worked as apprentices under the last Magos we had onboard. That's the best I can do. If they are dead then we're screwed, unless that tech-priest of yours can do anything to get main power online. Now that we hold the enginarium we should be able to use the secondary cargo spine to reach the crew decks. That way we won't have to suit up and go outside. It'll be much faster. Perhaps even fast enough." As you are about to respond your comm crackles to life; its Vern, speaking very calmly: "Emperor protect us all. I can see them. They are breaking through." That's all. No explanation, but the word 'they' was heavy with meaning, as if 'they' are known to Vern. Then Xerza looks up and speaks plainly for the first time. "They will not. I can keep them at bay for a while longer. But not forever. You must hurry and restore power." Her eyes are no longer her own; in their stead two black orbs. In them you see the reflection of starlight and mad geometrical shapes. Disturbing, but beautiful in an alien sort of way. Jax, however, almost panics at the sight; instinctively taking a step backwards.

Haxtes pulls out his remaining auto-syringes and punch them into his thigh. They take effect almost immediately, shutting out the pain and filling the body with false energy. A leap sends you out of the pit and your land running, blade in hand, charging madly at the captain. He moves to meet you and you flip away from his blade at the last instant, scoring a hit across his cheek as you pass him by. No blood. The flesh is simply disrupted by the blade's annihilation field, but knits together again moments later. Suffice to say Haxtes has never seen anything like it. The wrongness of it all almost overcomes you, but Xerza is there, whispering in your ear, keeping you focused. You land gracefully behind the captain, intending to slice though his leg. But he's too fast, and you must content yourself with sweeping his legs from under him and hacking of his sword-arm as he comes crashing to the floor. Good: He has no blade anymore. Bad: He gets up right away, like a puppet pulled straight by a puppeteer. Worse: His lost hand regenerates in seconds - to be replaced by a hideous crab-like claw. Worst: Haxtes feels sick to the core and would have collapsed vomiting had not another unseen presence kept him erect. The power blade flashes again and again. The claw it cannot harm, whatever it is made of seems completely impregnable to harm, but the rest of the captain's body is fair game. Again and again you hit him, while keeping clear of the bewitched claw. It does you no good. Until the opportune moment arrives; when you cleave of its left leg, sending it crashing to the floor. Before anything can grow out of the stump you follow up with a decapitating stroke; the head rolls across the floor. It stops a few meters away. The black eyes continue to look upon you; behind you you hear the abomination rise again. Then a sudden inspiration; you drop the blade and leap forward, barely avoiding the monster's claw, landing in a roll you sweep up the head, in goes a grenade, and then you dive head-first into the crew-pit, landing hard. Behind you a muffled (hard to speak with your mouth full of grenade) scream; "Curse you to Hell bit...". Then the grenade goes of. When Haxtes finally manages to get up again he is greeted by Jarra's half-crazed coughing laughter; she's badly wounded but apparently (barely) alive. Of the captain there is no sign, unless you count some sticky gelatinous goo splattered across the bridge deck. Xerza: "Well done little one."

"Stay focused chief, we need you. Lets get to the crew. We'll try get in touch with agent Venus on our way. Max hesitates a moment then goes to Xarza and speak softly to her: "Lady Xerza do you know the position of acolyte Venus?"

Haxtes uses his last strength too open the door too the corridor where Venus is, hoping that the gas will dissipate automatically when the door opens. If he can get to her Haxtes drags her to the command deck will trying too wake her. "We need too drop the ship out of warp now, Venus or there will be no dawn for us." Haxtes feel its better too live somewhere in real space rather than dieing in the warp now :)

Before leaving, Maxi speaks to the enginarium crew. "If you’re able and can help get the main power on, then do it!!! It may redeem you." "Ignace you HAVE seniority!" “Lead the way Chief.”

You start trying to rescue the ship... Thread ended.