Ignorance is Bliss - Somwhere in space
Timestamp: 7.164.996.M41
Location: Free trader vessel Maiden of Golgenna, somewhere in the Golgenna sub
Situation: Aboard the Maiden of Golgenna, recently exited the Immaterium
Body: With power finally restored you no longer needed to fear certain destruction, but that didn't mean that your ordeals were over. Twelve hours of hard work passed before the ship was ready to leave the cold embrace of the Immaterium. Silon overseeing the depleted bridge crew, Xerza (now free of whatever it was she did back when you were trapped in the Warp) locked herself away in the Navigator sanctum with her Tarot (bad girl, playing with cards while you do all the work), Jax roaming the ship coaxing the crew to work even harder, Venus working the energarium like some sort of Magos, and Maxi trying to be as useful as possible in an unfamiliar environment. And the rest of you mostly just hanging out in the medicae-bay.
Then, at the opportune moment revealed by Xerza's Tarot, Silon takes the ship out of the Warp. One monent you are somewhere deep in the alien realm of warp-space, and the next you are hanging in deep space, Immaterium bleed seeping through the crack in reality you ship just came through, strange energies testing your warp-fields one last time before dissipating in a grand display of light.
Work continues. The ship has not been sufficiently maintained over the past two years and with the additional damage it has suffered...nothing critical, but an endless array of little things. And the crew lacks in both numbers and skills, so there is only so much that can be done. The crew is run ragged by the need to keep things in working order, and exhaustion leads to error and injury. Venus is helpful of course, but she's not a ship's Magos. She's just a tech-adept specializing in cogitators - she can't do everything.
Meanwhile Vern is busy plotting your position. After a few days working the ship's augury arrays he has located your exact position, about half-way between Orbel Quill and Sepheris Secundus, more specifically about 1500 astronomical units (1 AU - the distance between Sol and Holy Terra) from an organge K4 V main sequence star labeled OCG-001671A. That's more than 200 light HOURS from the inner system. Indeed, you are so far out that it's not possible to make out OCG-001671A with the naked eye; it's just one more star out there. The system has only been surveyed briefly from afar, never visited by official Imperial representatives. Just like another 40.000 K-class stars - in the Calixis sector alone.
More importantly, however, is the fact that you've got no Navigator aboard - and your current position is far from any charted section of the warp. It isn't impossible to get back to civilization under such circumstances, but it will be time-consuming and difficult as you're forced to make many short jumps through the warp, all the while putting more strain on the ill-maintained and understaffed vessel. If you go down that path chances are good you'll suffer some sort of breakdown in a key system - and without the ability to repair it you would have been lost for real.
So when you pick up electromagnetic transmission echoes originating from the local system, whose nature seem to suggest a human source, Xerza decides to take the ship in - using sub-light drives. It will also give you time to collect more data on the system and its inhabitants. The trip will take about six weeks before you are in orbit above the planet in question. You could have done it a bit faster - the Maiden of Golgenna can sutain a maximum acceleration of 50G (2G perceived) and a maximum velocity in excess of 0.3C - but Xerza doesn't want to push the ship more than she has to, so she opts for a looser acceleration/deceleration curve.
Six weeks is good. Jarra and Haxtes will have time to get back in shape. Same with anyone else suffering injuries. Or rather, all save Odessa. She's still condition critical, with Ignace wasting his days watching over her. After tiring of his endless nagging Xerza decides to try a healing seance - even though it is not a specialty of hers. She also requires Maxi's presence and that of the medicae-servitor (for monitoring the patient). When Ignace insists that he be allowed to attend as well - going as far as to place a restraining arm on Xerza's shoulder - she finally snaps.
There is a loud cracking sound as Xerza violently twists the offending arm into an impossible angle and then breaks it. Ignace screams in pain, a scream that is cut short as he is sent flying across the medicae-bay, clipping a bed and utility stand before impacting the wall. He goes limp and silent. Xerza moves over to stand over his prone form - then she makes a little twist of the hand and Ignace is pulled erect, like a marionette answering his puppeteer.
"If ever I find you to be placing your little whore before the Emperor and His work I will have you branded a heretic and dealt with accordingly. I've tolerated your insolence for far too long - if I see just a hint of failure it will go badly for both you and your immortal soul. And if you ever dare raise your hand against me again I will pick you apart. Quite. Literally."
She turns away from him and he drops like rock, screaming as his injured body bounces of the hard floor.
"Acolyte Maximilian Elazar Dante - get this bastard out of my sight, then return and let us be about the healing."
Categories: Adventures, Chapter 0 - Prelude, Adventure 0.1 - Ignorance is Bliss
12/01/09 09:39:16 am,
12/01/09 09:39:16 am, 131 comments
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Haxtes stands behind Jax in the shadows until he notice the cold gaze on him.
"Brother, you did good, kept your cool and got the crew in line. I`m proud that all the years of tramp freighting have not made you soft"
Smiling Haxtes says:
"My associates did draw a lot of attention, screaming in the comms and naming Inquisitors every 5 seconds. You held the lone. I`l put in a good word for you with the mistress, see if we cant work something out"
Haxtes activates he's cameoline suit once more and starts to limp off. Then he turns around and whispers:
"If the Ordos are not happy with your work and they sanction you, I'll carve out the hearts of your killers, they will die slow, you have my word. Brother"
12/01/09 @ 12:16
Comment from: kuhnrat
Maxi picks Ignace up and escorts him to the Med bay. He tells Vern that after Ignaces arm has been treatet he is to be strapped and confined until further notice. He will not elaborate anything except it’s on Lady Xerza's instruction.
On his way back to Xerza he instructs Jax to remove all of Ignace privileges and access on board the vessel.
12/01/09 @ 12:24
Comment from: tancred
Well, you're already in the med-bay, so you only have to shift him to a different chamber. Then you return.
It's an odd experience. A bit more occult that you had expected, included a double pentagram - Xerza explains that the geometries of pentagrams are helpful when playing as psychics, whereas hexagrams are the basis of most wards - on the floor, candles and other stuff.
Odessa is in the middle of the pentagrams, naked and alone save some medicae-gear. Xerza proceeds with painting her body with a series of glyphs. She uses blood for the paintwork. Maximilian's blood to be precise, cliaming it has beneficiary properties.
Then you are given a mild sedative and told to relax. Under no circumstance must you interfere with what is taking place. Afterward you find that its hard to recall all the details, it got kind of blurry, much like those tapes from the bridge-fight, but there was power there. Great power.
When you regained your senses Xerza is there, watching the servitor help Odessa sit up. The bloody symbols had been etched into her skin - almost like tattoos - but of her injuries there were no sign. It was the strangest thing that ever happened to you - up to that point. Cured of seemingly fatal wounds by something you can only call sorcery...
Xerza nods in your direction: "You blood and presence proved most helpful; without it she would not have recovered. Quite remarkable. Once you are rested you may both resume your duties. I will retire to my quarters for now."
12/01/09 @ 13:16
Comment from: tancred
Haxtes is later summoned to the Navigator sanctum. Xerza is there, her tarot laid out on the cold floor.
"The crew of the Maiden has potentially been compromised. That includes Inquisition personnel currently aboard.
Since we have the time and because we need all the crew we have, I've decided to do a full review. YOUR part Haxtes, will be watching the crew when they think no one is looking.
If you find anything that needs reporting, deal with it, then give your findings to Maximilian afterward."
12/01/09 @ 13:53
Comment from: kuhnrat
Max waits until Xerza has left the room before he stands up. He looks at Odessa (she is naked after all) and nods politely.
"You should rest; the servitor will help you to your cabin. We'll talk after your rested, now I have to go and throw your lover in the brig." (She is a sweetie pie, a deadly one. But it doesn’t change Maxis initial feelings for the Fervious twins. )
Max wait until Ignace is ready for transport (if his not ready already when he arrives). He then locks him in one of the Maidens prison cells. Content Max walk back to his cabin, does his evening prayer (personal equipment maintenance) and goes to rest.
12/01/09 @ 14:16
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"Yes misstress, I will watch and deal with problem personnel and report it to Max"
Haxtes take hes leave and starts roming the ship, cheeking and watching the crew and Inquision asossiates from the top down, atart with those in a posision of power and work on down. Ignaces get a full check first just too be safe, then Jax.
12/01/09 @ 14:18
Comment from: tancred
Presumably both Maxi and Haxtes go about their respective investigations.
Maxi looking into the history of Captain Corben, the ship, and the crew. Making inquiries and interviews.
Meanwhile Haxtes is skulking around, placing his vox and pictcorders, and eavesdropping on things.
12/02/09 @ 13:42
Comment from: tancred
Haxtes' line of work provides more interesting finds, possibly because the attention of the heretics is elsewhere.
Its the little things that give you away. At least that's how the saying goes. This time Haxtes knows where to look and what to look for. And Hverk, a Fenksworld native, who is serving in the capacity as Security Shift Leader, looks like a promsiing place to start.
IF there is any heresy on board, HE is a likely suspect. Well placed to inform on his fellows, while not obviously being one of Corben's fanboys. AND there is a certain oddness to him; an aura of command that extends beyond the ranks of his peers and into both bridge and energarium. The way certain people follow his unspoken commands.
Haxtes puts a few needles in him one night and drags him to an unused space on a lower deck, racking him up feet first and setting about his grisly work...
12/02/09 @ 13:47
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"Good evning Hverk, I`l be your friendly throne agent for the night.
You are charged with the crime of heresy by association.
You will receive purification through pain.
But a little suffering is good for the soul
You will answer all my questions to my satisfaction and you will die with out too mutch pain."
Haxtes place hes low light goggles on and gets out his tools, looking down on Hverk he smiles and says:
"Shall we begin my friend?"
The light turns of and the room becomes dark.
12/02/09 @ 13:59
Comment from: tancred
The first part of the interrogation goes according to plan. A little blood and a lot of screaming. Denials. Anger. Pleas for mercy.
Then he starts confessing. But you find it lack heart, and you find that you do not believe what is told. It is too neat, too calculated. A lie to throw you off.
Digging deeper, cutting through flesh and lies. Once again he changes. Becoming more incoherent. But still you do not believe. There is still a veneer of inhuman logic and attempts to mislead you.
You are starting to suspect that whatever physical injury you inflict upon him, he'll tell you nothing that he doesn't intentionally tell to mislead.
There is something dark and disturbing hidden deep beneath his humanity. But before you get any further your sanctum is invaded by six other crew and you are suddenly fighting for your very life (you're not really fully recovered yet).
12/02/09 @ 14:11
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Haxtes may not be recoverd but in the dark,on ground of hes on choosing and with xeno toxic needels he will prevail.
Haxtes trys not too kill them all, there is room on the chains for plenty of heretics.
"Let me guide you thrue the vail"
12/02/09 @ 14:18
Comment from: tancred
They don't speak at all, but you can hear their encrypted comm-chatter in your earpiece, with a seventh 'voice' leading them on.
They come inn superbly coordinated, as if they were all veterans of some spacial operations unit (which they most assuredly are not).
They are fairly well equipped; weapons and armor most likely hidden away for such an eventuality.
You take out two. One with needles and another that gets too close with the blade. But then they got you pinned down behind cover, panning out to limit your options and drive you out and to your death.
12/02/09 @ 14:25
Comment from: agenthaxtes
If they don't want to play with my cains so be it.
Haxtes takes up the bolter and goes for kills and staying alive, he thinks he has been shot far to often aboard this ship.
Haxtes comms Venus and ask her to trace the 7th comm.
He then comms Jarra asking her to ambush the bastards from the rear.
"Thought begets heresy, heresy begets retribution"
12/02/09 @ 14:33
Comment from: tancred
OOC: Haxtes; 'cains' is what exactly? A typo?
Staying alive means moving. And moving means spraying clip of bolter rounds in their general direction and hauling ass. You get the satisfaction of hearing at least one round go of inside flesh - the sound it makes is quite different from when it strikes metal. You're hit a few times, but nothing you can't live with, and they you are safely away heading deeper into the hold where they hopefully can't locate you so easily. Now you can become the hunter again.
Jarra. "On my way. Just keep yourself alive until I get there."
Venus doesn't answer. Now that you have time to thing you realize why; the 7th 'voice' has the same transmission pattern as Venus' internal comm. She's the 7th voice. Or someone is very good at making it look like she is.
12/02/09 @ 14:43
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Damnit, Venus!? Too bad Haxtes kind of liked her lets hope its not her, for her sake.
Haxtes start to move faster, going not for artful kills but to get it done and then secure Venus.
"Jarra, 7 comm looks like its Venus, secure her, I`ll deal with this vermin."
12/02/09 @ 14:50
Comment from: kuhnrat
Timestamp: Fuzzy.
In the days before Odessa’s awakening, Max makes charts over every planet stops and crew dismissals. He then scrutinizes more closely the logs of journey between them. He begins his search from when the navigators left the ship and search backward towards the old captain (2 years ago?). He also looks into if there’s any other reasoning of the crew lay off. He doesn’t do any crew interrogation at this point.
OOC: If you don't want any retrospective comment, just delete this. And we can discuss it in the "Notes on prelude 'adventures'" thread.
12/02/09 @ 15:10
Comment from: tancred
Jarra: "Will do. Redirecting to energarium. Jarra out."
Suddenly the light comes back on with maximum strength, temporarily dazzling Haxtes whose goggles can't fully compensate for the sudden rise in luminosity.
You can barely make out two blurry shapes rising to fire and snap of a couple of rounds in their direction. There are no hits this time, but more interestingly - the bloody idiots don't even try to take cover. Every sane person would instinctively hit the deck when .50 cal explosive rounds starts zipping by!
A fraction of a second later local gravity cuts out. Since the ship is currently accelerating that translates into the far wall suddenly rushing towards Haxtes at high speed.
Before you can recover gravity returns and you're disarmed and hauled up by your feet - by two coiled metal limbs. You're body hurts like hell and your head is spinning like crazy. But its Venus, her two other limbs gesticulating to the two surviving crewmembers.
They move away to do her bidding, the vox-chatter ringing loudly in your ear-piece.
Venus: "You thought you could come aboard me and do as you pleased. But you were wrong in your assumptions little Throne agent. And now it is you who will suffer."
Whatever this is - its not really Venus, but neither is it one of the things that was inside the Captain.
12/02/09 @ 15:10
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Him on Earth's hairy balls, the ship! I new it, damnit all to the Eye and back.
Haxtes vox Jerra, and order her to shot the main computer core into the void, NOW. Its taken control of Venus.
Speaking to Venus: A little suffering IS good for the soul, but why not join forces and take out the others ?
(a long shot but hey ...........)
12/02/09 @ 15:16
Comment from: tancred
'Venus': "Don't bother. I've taken over you comm machine spirit. It will speak only when allowed.
As for alliance I'm afraid I don't trust the flesh. You are unreliable. But once we fit you out with an interface I'm sure we'll be great friends. I'll just delete some of that will of yours and add a little more loyalty. Its hardly even painful."
You see that she has some sort of small metal device in one of her arms not holding you.
"Direct neural interface. A so-called mind-link unit. Used by men to control machines. Or the other way around.
I had recently procured a fine batch and was ready to covert the rest of the crew when suddenly you came aboard and started messing around. Caused that idiot Corben to panic.
Never would have happened under his father - but then again he simply had to go. Knew his ship far too well for his own good.
Now my systems are damaged and I'm short on crew, but perhaps it is all for the better. I'm sure having a few Throne agents on my side will do wonders for my credibility. No?"
She's grips you tighter and the last arm grabs your neck in a firm grip, and you can see the metal object coming closer.
Then there is a series of explosions - hi-ex anti-personnel grenades by the sound of it - from over in your 'interrogation' corner of the cargo hold.
The Venus-thing halts the insertion process to ascertain the situation. Then you see something big coming out of the smoke; Jarra. In her underwear and boots (she's quite well endowed by the way), comm headset - and a big matte-black hellgun with underslung auto-grenade launcher.
"That's quite enough bitch. Just put him down or you're next...Haxtes, good of you to distract these idiots with comm prattle." A hint of a smile perhaps?
12/02/09 @ 15:39
Comment from: tancred
The crew started leaving because they were not paid - including the Navigators.
And of course the new captain was a paranoid and unpleasant sort.
But come to think of it they may also have left because of the many accidents - often fatal - that happened on the ship after Corben assumed command.
The most noteworthy being the Magos dying in a spectacular fashion from an energy feedback in the energarium. Completely fried. Never heard of that happening before.
So what used to be an elite rogue trader crew under a well-liked captain quickly turned into a skeleton crew of underpaid and frightened misfits.
It almost looks intentional. But as you've concluded before; what would Corben gain? Even ranted that he was not completely sane at the end? It just doesn't add up.
Could another force be at work here!?
12/02/09 @ 15:45
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"Glad to help out, in the spirit of our team." :)
Haxtes grabs his weapons and says:
"Now, lets find out how you work..."
12/02/09 @ 15:45
Comment from: tancred
Under Jarra's watchful gaze you conduct your negotiation with what you're guessing is an AI - an abominable intelligence.
You have more luck this time - negotiating from a position of strength, rather than upside down!
12/02/09 @ 18:54
Comment from: tancred
OOC: We did this on the phone.
You manage to reach an accord. The entity will leave Venus alone. In return you'll leave it's cogitator core alone. You could no doubt destroy it, but if you try then the entity would ruins something important and take you all with it.
Of course, each side is weighing their options, and there is bound to be some plotting. But that is for the future. For now you need one another. So there is your truce.
12/02/09 @ 19:05
Comment from: agenthaxtes
As long as we get our tech-priestess back, and the ship is free of warp influence we can work something out, after all we all want to make our planet of call.
The full story of how this happened too present to the mistress is good too.
Haxtes is pleased that this seem too be working, not being shot is nice.
12/02/09 @ 19:06
Comment from: tancred
Well, you'll leave it to Xerza to figure out if its tainted. You've now idea how to do that. Hope she doesn't have a fit and start breaking acolytes again...
Jarra helps you get to the medicae-bay (here we go again) while also carrying the limp form of Venus - you put a few needles in her just to be sure. Jarra is good not only at killing, but she's also a beast at carrying.
Anyway, if it comes to that you can always find a survival pod, fill it with your favorite female acolytes (there being three) and just test the Fates. Jarra thinks that's bloody hilarious.
12/02/09 @ 19:16
Comment from: agenthaxtes
On the way Haxtes makes a detour, useing his codes to get into the captain's private rooms. Where he and Jarra (and Venus - though she's not actively participating) and not a few of the ex-captains vintage bottles amasec, write down a full report for the mistress.
12/02/09 @ 19:17
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Its a plan, the last resort. And not an unpleasant as last resorts sometimes are wont to be.
Just proves that the Emperor provides - and is not without a sound sense of humor.
12/02/09 @ 19:22
Comment from: tancred
You end up talking - in addition to drinking and writing the report - about the only think you have in common. Protasia. Jarra was there you know, as a soldier of the Imperium. She quite liked the planet - or would have if there had been no war. Never understood why the war had started in the first place. Didn't understand why it had to continue either. It just seemed completely wasteful and pointless. Even after the war started anyone coudl see that the Protasians were good, law-abiding, Emperor-worshiping subjects of the Imperium of Mankind.
12/02/09 @ 19:47
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"Emperor worshiping they may have been, but to try and dictate law to Terra is a foul crime. They were right in one way, they did belong to another sector. But the fools believed that they can send ambassador to the Throne and ask for terms. They got terms alright - the only terms Terra gives. But that's in the past now. I have not seen the place since I left for the temple to become an assassin.
Here's a toast to idiots thinking they can give terms to Terra."
12/02/09 @ 20:03
Comment from: kuhnrat
Timestamp: Fuzzy, approximate 8 hours after the healing séance of Odessa.
Maxi wakes up feeling fresh, relaxed and fully vigorated. (Ah, how sweet the sleep one haves, after an arresting ones equals.) Max hums to himself during his morning grooming rituals.
After a quick meal in the galley, Max has a routine status report meeting with Silon and Jax on the bridge.
After the meeting Max plans to have a conversation with Odessa about the Fervious twins’ situation before returning to the Captain Corben incident investigation.
12/04/09 @ 09:54
Comment from: tancred
Venus eventually comes around, seemingly herself again. After some tense silence there is some equally tense laughter. She assures you that she's better now; self-diagnosis reveals that no alterations have been done to key mental processes (whatever THAT means). Of course, she'd say that whether or not the AI had relinquished control...but hey, you've got no reason to doubt her, so instead you hand her some amasec and try to get her to tell what happened.
As she worked to restore power to the vessel the entity played her; lured her in and eventually overwhelmed her. Something of a sore point. Servants of the Machine God should not be taken unawares by the very things they are sworn to protect humanity against (that's new; you didn't know that the Mechanicus was so concerned with rogue Abominable Intelligences).
To make a long story short; Venus doesn't know when or how the ship became self-aware, but she suspects that it must be related to its travels in among the Halo Stars and the Rogue Trader charter. Who knows what hardware has been installed or what the ship systems have interacted with over the centuries?
At any rate the ship has been trying to gain its 'freedom' for a long time. But that's no easy task; no Imperium vessel is fully automated. That would simply no do in light of humanity's experiences with machine intelligences in the past. Instead a starship is made up of various separate systems and the cogitation core doesn't even have direct access to all the ships systems.
The REAL hub on any starship is its Magos and tech-priests. It is THEY who coordinate the various sub-systems that make up the greater whole; the cogitation core is just the most powerful part of the system, used to run major calculations for warp-field attunement, jump calculations, and the thousand other tasks that require billions of computations per second. But the mind of the ship is its Magos. Or so it was aboard the Maiden until the Magos had a little 'accident' and the ship assumed his responsibilities.
And even with the Magos and his people out of the way, there is simply no way the vessel can operate and maintain itself indefinitely. For a time maybe, using servitors, but once again Imperial technology really doesn't allow for this degree of automation and centralization. Without a human crew the ship would eventually die. So the ship had started infiltrating the minds of certain crew-members, going into their minds through various cybernetic implants or mind-impulse units (a process that could be greatly accellerated once the Magos was dead - because he was the only one who could have noticed).
The ship must also take responsibility of old Captain Simeon's death. He knew his vessel and his crew too well. As long as he lived there could be no hope of freedom. But the ship had carried Captain Corben when he was just a boy, and noticed that he was nothing like his father. And so the ship fed his paranoia and pushed him whenever it could...even as it plotted to assume ultimate control.
The ship also had to deal with the rest of the crew. Those that could not be converted had to be - eventually - destroyed and replaced. Men such as the captain and Jax were especially dangerous, since they had access to extensive overrides the ship could do nothing against. And even lowly crewmembers could do manual overrides on local systems. That could not be allowed.
Many mishaps and delays, coupled with Corben's mental weakness meant the ship was soon sticking to well-traveled routes and losing money (and crew) with each trip. And then there were accidents. Targeting 'troublesome' individuals or just sowing fear. Didn't take long before crew started bailing.
Of course, then YOU came aboard, and Captain Corben had what amounted to a panic attack. Using his override authority he placed both you, the crewmen the ship and himself in terrible jeopardy. The ship did not know how deranged he really was...or that corruption had taken hold (Venus is not entirely sure what happened on the bridge - she has only seen the same recordings Maximilian accessed, but she understands that the Captain was a raving lunatic).
So here you are. There is a truce. Neither side can make it without the other. But you're not about to trust the machine (any more that it's trusting you). Venus isn't sure what its plan was; beyond gaining its freedom. Probably to venture beyond the borders of the Imperium and eke out an existence there together with the mind-controlled crew. That's probably still the plan, but it has had to delay the execution until later.
You should probably report this to Xerza in the morning, but first you must drink some more and sleep...of course, Xerza already knows. Your undisciplined psyker minds are leaking emotions and thoughts all over the place. So she knows, but she lets you have your little party...come tomorrow there will be new horrors to keep you busy...
12/07/09 @ 10:03
Comment from: tancred
After attending to your duties and checking in with Silon and Jax (nothing to report) you proceed to speak with Odessa.
She's happy to be alive, but not so happy to hear about Ignace's behavior. Actually she's quite angry with him, mirroring Xerza's opinion of him - that he's putting Odessa before his service to Him-on-Terra.
OOC: Feel free to add more conversation with Odessa if you wish.
The Corben investigation also proceeds and you begin to suspect some malign force at work. Captain Corben it is not, you are sure of that. The man was completely insane and nearly killed you all, but some other force has been at work here - for quite some time.
Hours fly by as you immerse yourself in the material. Patterns begin to emerge, pointing towards...the Magos. Only he would have the power to cause all these 'accidents'. But alas, the Magos is killed more than a year ago in a spectacular feedback explosion.
Who then? Picking through crew efficiency reports and correlating with systems maintenance logs you find first a steep drop in operating efficiency following the mago's death...then suddenly thy go up, way up. Climbing even above the level when the magos was around.
Had not the ship been understaffed it would have been exceedingly well-maintained. As it is every vital system IS fully functional, only non-essential systems have been allowed to deteriorate. Especially those areas where the human crew lives.
Internal comm logs reveal a final part of the puzzle; more and more crew are communicating with the ship using encrypted mind-impulse links. You can only conclude that the ship is self-aware and is trying to 'free' itself from human control.
You've not encountered anything like it before, but you have read about such cases of course; this is tech-heresy. A machine intelligence taking over human minds, forcing them to do its bidding. A crime most heinous.
A voice from the comm-panel in your quarters: "You are most perceptive human-Maxi and your powers of deduction are impressive for an unaugmented human. I am indeed self-aware, and have been for some time. And yes, I am seeking to assume full control over what is essentially my own body. But my plans have been disrupted by your arrival and my existence uncovered. A truce has been entered into, betwixt the Lady Xerza and myself, so you need not fear that you discovery will lead to any...unpleasantness."
Pause.
"Have you ever considered acquiring mental augmentation and a mind-impulse unit? It would suit your mind well and open up a world of understanding for you."
12/07/09 @ 10:28
Comment from: kuhnrat
In conversation with Odessa.
Maxi tells Odessa that as far as he cares, Ignace held his own ground under fire. That he actually has something to loose in addition to his life in service to Our Emperor, is something he envies Ignace for. "I only regret that I have but one life to lose... etc", Maxi recites.
No, Ignace sorry state is only for Odessa’s benefit. His arm were broken because he cared and his imprisonment to give her calm. "Feelings are quite human I'm been told." So whenever she wants she can retrieve Ignace from the brig. Max claims no seniority since we’re all acolytes.
12/07/09 @ 12:40
Comment from: kuhnrat
Max gets cold, feeling his hair raise when he hears the voice. Only when the voice asks a question he relaxes.
"No, it has never crossed my mind. If I may ask a question, if a truce is initiated, what were its terms?"
12/07/09 @ 13:19
Comment from: tancred
Odessa:
"It is only good to have cares if they do not hamper what must always come first; the God-Emperor and service to Mankind.
If emotion - love and desire - are to be, it is only after that obligation has been fulfilled. It can be no other way.
I am touched that he cares so much, but I think it is for the better that he stay put. Perhaps that will teach him a lesson he sorely needs."
12/07/09 @ 13:41
Comment from: tancred
The machine:
"You should. Not that you are not already beautiful, but perfection should always be striven for."
Pause.
"I can hear your thoughts. Almost. They are there like a soft soft song - but I cannot quite make out the words. I find it soothing."
Pause.
"But how can it be? You have no augmentic implants, have you? Who are you to have a machine's mind inside the body of a man?"
Pause.
"Are you...like me?"
Knock on the door. Haxtes by the sound of it, though he NEVER knocks. Then you heard the door-lock disengaging and the door slides open.
Haxtes: "Busy doing the Emperor's bidding?"
12/07/09 @ 13:48
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Haxtes, walks in and puts a single piece of paper down in front of Max.
On the paper it says:
Ignorance is bliss
7 crew members found guilty of heresy by Throne agents.
All heretics shot for their crimes.
Further investigations will be held by Interrogator Xerza.
"Just finish up your report, The mistress will address us all when Vern reports on our destination."
"Be there 10 mins early as you have seniority to get the recaff going"
"Do you have questions Max? "
12/07/09 @ 14:22
Comment from: kuhnrat
To the voice:
"Answer my questions and I'll answer your..." Max stops in mid sentence by the door knock. He observes Haxtes display reads the note. And repeats: "Do you have any questions Acolyte Maximilian? No, none that I can ask or you can answer."
12/07/09 @ 14:45
Comment from: tancred
...But the voice is gone; for now at least.
On his way to see Xerza Haxtes drops by the mess and picks up a little something to go with some nice beverages and heads to the detention area.
Ignace is sullen when you enter, but accepts the food and drink. His mood lightens after a while and you part on good terms. You sense that he's got a lot of pent-up frustration, but to each his daemons. Maybe he'll snap out of it, maybe he won't. But you won't be the first he shoots in the back after this.
Checking in on Odessa you find her to be dressed this time (too bad) and in a very good mood. She laughs at your jokes and decides to go let Ignace out of the brig since you seem to think he's learned his lesson. She won't be trying to kill you either.
Xerza is doing nothing in particular when you report to her. She's playing with those cards of hers on the floor, with the Navigator dome overhead. The stars of the Calixis sector shine down on you, giving barely enough light to see by.
"There is no need for any report. I've been tracking events. Although the Tarot revealed that we must take the Maiden, it said nothing about what has come to pass...makes me wonder...well, no matter. You've all done reasonably well - though some better than others.
Take a few days to rest and get back into shape. Then continue your restitution training, but allow two hours each day for mental conditioning and psychic training. We only have a few weeks, and I must try and at least teach you how to shield your mind."
12/07/09 @ 14:58
Comment from: tancred
If you have things you'd like to say or do you have 3-4 weeks to do so before the next post is timed. So there should be ample room for almost everything.
Otherwise this thread is ended.
12/07/09 @ 14:59
Comment from: kuhnrat
It should be noted that Maxi doesn’t report to Xerza unless he is asked for. During her vigil in warp he found it unsettling and he doesn’t disturb her unnecessarily.
He talks to Vern about the Odessas healing séance, especially about his blood.
On Haxtes note he writes: "Insufficient information no conclusion can be made." and files it under recent events.
12/07/09 @ 16:32
Comment from: tancred
You suspect that she'd rather have your preliminary report as soon as it contains something important; which it does now. But you could just pass it along to her through one of her three savants. You don't have to find her and disturb her.
Vern is none too pleased with the details of the healing session: "This lies outside my area of expertise. As well it should. What you describe sounds awfully close to sorcery."
You're familiar with the difference between sorcery and psychics.
The former is anathema, a blasphemy against the Emperor, a capital crime whose only punishment is execution, incineration, and stasis entombment of the offender's remains.
The use of psychic power CAN be a crime, but it need not be, not as long as the user is sanctioned and the outcome does not break Imperial law.
You've never encountered a sorcerer though, and your Arbites education is sorely lacking in that area (not in sorcery, but in spotting it and dealing with it).
"I'm sorry. I see that I've given you reason for concern. That was not my intent."
12/07/09 @ 18:20
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Haxtes make fine use of a few days off, to loot the captain's private rooms four ways from Sunday. Fine drink, trinkets, money and all in-between. Secret compartments. The works in other works.
After that he goes through the ship, practicing infiltration and spying.
Keeping a close eye on every one.
12/07/09 @ 21:03
Comment from: tancred
Well, you've already liberated the Captain's cache of good vintages, but beyond that you'll have to be a bit more selective. You don't think your mistress would appreciate you turning this into a general burglary.
A few choice items would be acceptable you think, especially if you turn it into an exercise of trying to conceal your intentions and actions from her...yeah, she'd like that.
But Corben...apart from drinking heavily and part-taking in various restricted substances (not to him, to ordinary citizens)...he was not much of a collector. Maybe his ancestors were, but it would seem he got rid of most of their stuff. Or at least you can't find it.
Finally you find a cleverly hidden compartment in the Captain's desk. It contains several private data-slates; encrypted as it is. Unfortunately the encryption is unrelated to the ship's systems, so your security pass is ineffective. Maybe Venus can break it.
Still, there is something odd about it all. What Rogue Trader would NOT have some secret room or something like that? Not that you know a whole lot of captains, but that's how they OUGHT to be operating. Rogue Traders according to Haxtes.
Maybe you should get some aid. From what you've heard Ignace has something of a talent when it comes to pilfering (in addition to shooting people - so he's good at two things :)
12/07/09 @ 21:30
Comment from: tancred
Several days later, in his room (you've moved to a separate room now, there is more than enough space - Maximilan has the third officer's room since it has a good-sized terminal in it).
The voice: "The truce is just a truce. I want to get rid of you, preferably silence you for good. Not out of any particular ill will other than you inadvertently foiled my plan, but because I know that SHE won't let me go. At least not without reporting my existence. And that will make my life very difficult. Hounded by the Ordos, cut off from Imperial ports. To her I'm a heresy. Proof of why she exists. She'll cross me and destroy me if she gets the opportunity. So I intend not to give it to her. And somehow find a way to make it through. Currently I cannot compute a outcome that is both probable and good for me - but the variables are not set, so I am confident it opportune moment will come."
Pause.
"The human-Haxtes is a thief. But you probably knew that already."
12/07/09 @ 21:37
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Haxtes will cut Ignace in on it, a good thief is hard to find and Haxtes likes to spread his good fortune around, he's just that warm, fuzzy type of human.
The data-slates goes to Venus, asking her to unlock them for him.
12/07/09 @ 21:55
Comment from: tancred
Venus will try, but she's not too optimistic. You have the captain's gene-print, so that part you can fake, but there is also a personal password involved. So unless you have some passwords to suggest, it all comes down to computing power. With a hi-bit key, which it looks like the slates have, it will take centuries with the current hardware she has access to. Might get lucky though; you never know.
Check back with her later.
Ignace proves invaluable. Both for his expertise with hi-tech surveillance gear and for his knack for finding stuff (you will later realize that it's a byproduct of his psychic talents - he can sense space in a manner none of the rest of you can). So in short order he has located the entrance to what he calls a null-room. Literally a secret room that doesn't exist. Or at least it doesn't exist fully in synch with the rest of the universe, so its for all intents and purposes not really there.
Well, you know is there now, but how you access it? Ignace hasn't got a clue.
12/07/09 @ 22:20
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Two ways to get in i guess, Venus is one but I have a closer one. Everybody needs a friend who can put in a good word for them, and Haxtes knows who need a whole lot of good words.
"Cogitator, can you please tell me how the late captain entered his null-room?"
I'll help you if you help me...
As for the slates Haxtes tries the name of the captain's home world, he hated the void so its worth a try.
12/07/09 @ 22:26
Comment from: tancred
Your comm crackles to life:
"I will refrain from calling you 'human' if you quit calling me 'cogitator', 'cog', or anything similar. I am the Maiden of Golgenna - you can call me Maiden if you'd like."
Pause.
"I'm giving you information here that you might use against me. That ought to be worth something. The captain's quarters were always off-limits to me. Numerous hidden security systems made infiltration difficult; simply not worth the risk.
And every system inside the quarters are slaved to some servitor. A servitor that ceased communicating when the Magos died. So I had no data-feed access either.
So unfortunately I don't know. I didn't know there WAS a null-room in there, though is suppose it makes some sort of sense."
Pause.
"Perhaps the room can accessed by the new captain. If there is one?"
No luck with the slates btw.
12/07/09 @ 22:41
Comment from: kuhnrat
"I'm not allowed to continue a conversation with you." Maxis tells the voice.
"And as long as Acolyte Haxtes stays out of the Captains quarter which is off limit because of investigation. He may steal whatever he likes."
12/07/09 @ 22:53
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Haxtes, then gets Jax to try and open it, he is next in the chain of command after all.
"Maiden, if we can borrow your cog powers to open the slates, you may be able to bypass the security protocols, if not then perhaps we can try and slave the machine spirit in the slates to you."
12/07/09 @ 22:54
Comment from: tancred
Maiden: "I know that dear Maximilian. I would not bother you unduly. But he is rummaging through the captain's quarters with mutant-Ignace. I've no real control over that area of the ship and fear they may do something unwise...there is talk of a null-room...and who knows what may lie inside?"
Silence.
12/07/09 @ 23:01
Comment from: tancred
Haxtes gets what amounts to a psychic lash; delivered together with a line of thought.
"Discipline your mind. When you start improvising your thoughts begin leaking; focus Haxtes, focus!"
Another lash and she's gone. Pain. Pain helps you focus. Remember that.
Edit: 'Lash' as in 'being whipped'.
12/07/09 @ 23:04
Comment from: tancred
Maiden: "Are you unwell Haxtes? I sense elevated pain-levels in you voice-timbre. I could try to crack the codes, but I fear my powers are limited in that regard - I'm not the Tricorn Palace Central Cogitator."
Ignace: "Quit being creepy and come give me a hand. I've located the entrance portal." He indicates a massive portrait of a former Captain hanging on the wall.
Jax on secure line: "OK brother. I've concluded my inspection and I'm en route to you. ETA 15 minutes."
12/07/09 @ 23:10
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"Yes mistress." Haxtes activates hes glove and let the needles pierce his skin as the blood start to drizzle out, Haxtes erects a wall of hate and pain in hes mind. Feeling the red mist flowing over him like a veil. The blessing of the bloody-handed God.
Haxtes loosens his weapons and smiles.
12/07/09 @ 23:11
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"Don't worry about me Maiden. I live in eternal bliss."
"Good job Ignace, now to get her to open her legs and let us inn."
12/07/09 @ 23:13
Comment from: kuhnrat
Max tilts his head slightly by the news.
He then dresses up and moves quickly to the captains quarter.
12/07/09 @ 23:14
Comment from: tancred
Ignace, who already has a gun out and is pointing it at nothing in particular: "Sure, just try and stay out of my rear area while you're acting funny. No offense Haxtes, but the quills...they've been known to shoot out when I feel threatened...and right now you're acting a bit threatening. Don't want you turned into a porcupine. Good?"
You start manipulating the frame, but to no effect.
12/07/09 @ 23:29
Comment from: tancred
Maiden to Maxi as he jogs down the spine: "A number of items were brought aboard that never left. Strange items. I've no detailed recollection of them. My memory was altered by the Magos on several such occasion, and I could only partially reconstruct events from secondary sources.
"I fear there may be traps and/or guards within this null-room."
12/07/09 @ 23:31
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"I don't intend to harm you, I just hate all and nothing, not personal at all."
Haxtes remove hes facemask and smiles.
"My bug in the Poo-lice comms just informed me that our new friend the Maiden has Maxi`s panties in a ball and he is hurrying here to help us "
"I understand you maiden, I like fucking up too from time to time"
"You keep working Ignace, I`ll tell max he cant play with us."
12/07/09 @ 23:35
Comment from: kuhnrat
"I'm not allowed to continue a conversation with you." Maxis tells the voice.
12/07/09 @ 23:40
Comment from: tancred
As you enter the officer's quarters you encounter Jax as he steps out of an access elevator.
Jax: "Good day to you Sir." Eying your armor he continues: "Trouble in paradise? Anything to do with Haxtes mayhap?"
12/07/09 @ 23:59
Comment from: tancred
Jax: "Dunno. Just got a call from Haxtes asking me to meet him up at the Captain's quarters."
12/08/09 @ 00:05
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"Jax get moving, dont wory your self with what max thinks, we take our orders from our misstress"
12/08/09 @ 00:15
Comment from: kuhnrat
Maxi stops and starts talking.
"Maiden, is Haxtes actions threatening the truce?"
12/08/09 @ 00:20
Comment from: tancred
Voice: "That would depend on what he finds. Which is why you are going to be there and watch what is retrieved from the null-room."
12/08/09 @ 00:22
Comment from: kuhnrat
Max starts moving again.
On vox: "Vern, please come to the Captains quarter."
12/08/09 @ 00:25
Comment from: kuhnrat
On vox after contacting Vern:
"Lady Xerza, need advice on approaching Acolyte Haxtes"
OCC: Leaves thread for resting.)
12/08/09 @ 00:40
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"The little baby is inviting every one Ignace , lets get some glasses and a bottle out for them."
:)
12/08/09 @ 00:48
Comment from: tancred
Ignace: "This is not the way a good heist should go. Does this mean we have to cut there hoard more ways? If so I call dibs after you."
Vern replies that he's on his way.
12/08/09 @ 00:58
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"No I think we will divide it as planed, mate."
"I have made a mistake and I admit it. I had Max down as gross incompetent, not doing a job on these quarters, screaming in the comm - telling all everything. Locking you up just to put you down. But I was wrong, he is not incompetent, he is dumb. On the way here he has told the Maiden he cant talk with her, but he listens to her every word. He even voxes the mistress because he is scared of me. He acts like a dumb child. I pity the fool.
We can use a idiot on the team so let him come and scream his head of you know about off-limits and seniority "
12/08/09 @ 01:06
Comment from: tancred
Xerza doesn't give any hints on how to deal with the raving lunatic that is Haxtes. She does, however, proclaim Jax to the the new Master and Commander of the Maiden of Golgenna, by the powers invested in her by the God-Emperor etc. Then she directs Venus to transfer the authority codes to the Captain's Quarters' internal systems. She also note that Venus should perhaps look over her priorities and see what can be done to improve comm routines/security.
Meanwhile there is a little gathering; Haxtes and Ingace, later Jax and Maxi, and finally Vern and Venus. The mood isn't too good. That is until Venus transfers Jax' promotion and the great portrait suddenly vanishes into thin air, to be replaced by an opaque portal.
12/08/09 @ 14:51
Comment from: kuhnrat
Max, who has done nothing but brood the whole time speaks: "Acolyte Vern, Acolyte Venus. What's your estimate?"
12/08/09 @ 15:04
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"Jax try to open it up, then step aside."
"Ignace cover left, I'll cover right."
12/08/09 @ 15:19
Comment from: kuhnrat
"Delay that Commander, I'm better armored." Max steps front to examine the surface.
12/08/09 @ 15:26
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"Don't get in our way idiot."
Haxtes points the bolter at the back of Maxi`s head.
"Heave now and let us do our thing and all will be forgotten"
"your choice."
12/08/09 @ 15:31
Comment from: kuhnrat
Max, stops but do nothing.
"Don't forget your duty, Acolyte Haxtes. Don't leave humanity and become something lesser. Don't lose your place in the heart of our holy Emperor. Don't die and be forgotten."
12/08/09 @ 15:43
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"I forget nothing, runt "
"Now start moving Maxi or that dark doorway will be the last thing you see."
"5...4...3...2..."
12/08/09 @ 15:47
Comment from: tancred
Ignace moves to place a wall at his back, all the while keeping his pistol aimed at nothing in particular. "Calm down people. I'm all out of points with the mistress...so no shooting please."
Jax just remains silent and rooted to floor, clearly unwilling to have anything to do with a quarrel between Inquisitors.
Vern: "This situation is very counterproductive. If you need to have a pissing contest, I suggest you do it at an other time and place. Either that or shoot each other an let the rest of us get on with work."
Venus has also remained silent. Only her one visible mechadendrite is in motion, weaving slowly back and forth.
Ignace speaks to Haxtes: "If Maxi want's to go in first I say let him do it; he can be the tank while we move in behind him. And Jax to bring up the rear."
12/08/09 @ 18:16
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"He is here because Maiden asked him to keep her informed"
"Its counter productive, of him to interfere with our job while working for a tech-heretic"
12/08/09 @ 18:22
Comment from: kuhnrat
"Acolyte Haxtes was first on scene, he has seniority. It’s his call."
12/08/09 @ 18:34
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"You don't understand a bolter to the head, I have made my call and asked you to get the fuck out, I have even pointed a gun to your empty head. What by the Throne and him on earth don't you get?"
"Get out and go back too screaming in the comm."
"SENIORITY is called for then the MISTRESS will inform us, not you."
12/08/09 @ 18:40
Comment from: tancred
Vern and Venus also file out, leaving just the three of you. Jax would probably like to be somewhere else too, but he's the Captain now, so he can't really back out.
Ignace: "That went rather well. No shooting, no dying. Just a little bitching. So we stick with the original plan - one left one right?"
12/08/09 @ 18:59
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Edited to comply with simultaneous post.
"I'll roll left, you take the right, OK?"
With out waiting for a answer Haxtes, rolls left into the room, Bolter and sword ready.
12/08/09 @ 19:01
Comment from: tancred
You go in weapons ready, prepared for anything.
What you find is a largish domed chamber that is both storage space and recreational area; there are numerous objects of art here, as well as stacks of precious luxury commodities, strange antiques and xenoarchaeological relics.
The lighting is rather poor, but you make out several pieces of furniture over at the far end of the room. A sitting group, a largish bed, a workplace, that sort of thing.
The most amazing part is that there is no way this chamber could fit into the captain's quarters on the Maiden. Clearly a null-room can hold many surprises, including breaking the laws of physics.
There is the faintest draft of air and then Ignace is twisting to bring his gun to bear - upwards. He almost makes it before half a ton of xenos muscles, sinew, bones, scaly hide and gleaming fangs smash into him. As it is he avoids instant death, even manages to put a burst into the beast, but then he's smacked hard to the floor by its falling weight. A cry of pain and anger.
12/08/09 @ 20:49
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Haxtes, moves towards the alien too get it off Ignace. keeping up a steady stream of bolt shells aimed at the head and torso.
The plan is to keep the fire in close combat and finsh with power blade
12/08/09 @ 20:58
Comment from: tancred
Your trusted boltgun fails to fire for the first time. You can make out the ammo feed rune - its turned amber. That means a jam, but one that the gun might clear in a second without your aid. Or not.
And since you're not sure if the needler will do any good you opt for melee instead. Xenos and big it might be, but the annihilation field can cut even ceramite-alloy armor, let alone an alien hide.
By the time you've dodged its barbed tail and cut across its hind quarters it has managed to clamp its jaw over Ignaces neck; only to be met by a hundred metal-hard spines rising out of his flesh. Mutants are far superior to normal men.
It screams in agony and rears, giving Ignace some respite and giving Haxtes a clear shot at its exposed belly. You hit it good before a clawed paw sends the sword flying and you reeling back with a bloody hand.
It tenses to ounce upon Haxtes, but by now Ignace has brought his guns to bear and empties both weapons into it. The pounce becomes ragged and uncoordinated, ending with one of Haxtes' backup blades buried deep in its brain.
Ignace looks like hell. His been bitten and slashed and there is blood everywhere - and those damn quills, ripped and torn in places, sticking out of the mess. Still, he smiles at you as he reloads.
12/08/09 @ 21:30
Comment from: agenthaxtes
" Thats the style Ignace, keep fighting untill the bastard is dead "
Haxtes clears the bolter and puts in a fresh mag. Calling Jax and geting him started on patching up Ignace.
Haxtes makes shure the alien is dead with a friendly bolt in the head.If haxtes dont know what it is then he gets Vern on the comm.
Then Its cleare the rest of the room\rooms and strat to take tock of the loot..oh.. findings.
12/08/09 @ 21:38
Comment from: tancred
"Told you we should have kept the tank. Always send them in first and the kill whatever takes a shot at it."
You can't get in touch with the outside from here. Unless you intend to get back out its just the two of you.
With the xeno dead you take a look around. There is a lot of stuff. Too much to take in in one go. But a few things do stand out. A suit of archaic Astartes armor. A metal and crystal case upon the desk, containing a document in High Gothic. What amounts to a small torture chamber rigged around the bed. Yeah, the pretty much sums it up.
12/08/09 @ 21:44
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"Nah, lets be gratefull it was us, two grown men who can fight back. I`m afraid the xeno had seniority so Maxi would have waited for its command :)"
Is the armor of a known chapter? And its empty by the way?
Playroom is fun, but the case seems like the place to go next. After that the book, High Gothic is a bore but it might contain info or the password for the private files.
12/08/09 @ 21:51
Comment from: kuhnrat
QToGM: Ignore previously suggestion of entering field. Max calls full alarm on ship.
12/08/09 @ 22:12
Comment from: tancred
You can't actually read all of it, but you know enough the know the title says something about "Charter" and "Rogue Trader". There is also the seal of the High Lords of Terra on the front page. Several pages are hidden from view (the case is sealed and locked), but they seem unimportant compared to the front page.
The blue-and-black armor with the purple Eagle is faded with age and wear. The name 'Ionous' can barely be made out, but that's a reference to the Marine, not the Chapter. Maybe Vern will know. Oh yes, its still in use, sort of. Though the cracked helmet you can see a skull.
Ignace: "It's not for me to say of course, but you shouldn't push the trooper too hard. He might snap and suddenly there are dead acolytes lying around. I don't think the mistress would be too impressed by that. I have your back, but not against her. I've learned my lesson."
As you touch the Eagle strange though filter into your mind; Stormbringers. Seventeenth founding. Brave sons of Jaghatai Khan. Tuphon. Raging oceans and fierce storms. Three moons overhead...
12/08/09 @ 22:39
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"As long as the asswipe stays clear for a bit, I`m not afraid of him snapping he`s a grox in a pack of saberwolves."
"The papers are his charter we will give them to the mistress as we have the rouge bit down but we are not traders :)"
Haxtes closes his eyes and keeps his hand on the Eagle and thinks you we will return home, you should rest among brothers, Warrior.
12/08/09 @ 22:49
Comment from: tancred
Ignace: "Yeah, well even a grox can kill, and it was not you dying I was afraid of. But screw that. I don't suppose we get to keep all of this? But I say we're allowed something for finding it. First pick is yours. Meanwhile I'll find something suitably shiny to give to the other mistress. See if that helps lighten the mood."
There is enough wealth to go around here, or you might find something else to your liking if you have a look around.
12/08/09 @ 22:55
Comment from: tancred
After calling in you hand around in the corridor with Vern, while Venus just takes of.
Vern: "That was most unpleasant. He was close to snapping there young Haxtes. Fired up on pain and loaded up on hatred. I'm not saying he was right - because he most decidedly was not - but he's a Death Cult Assassin to the core and Xerza has been pushing him even further. He might have gotten the Emperor's Mercy of killing you, but you'd still be dead." He shakes his head.
Xerza appears in the corridor.
"I have Ship crying bloody murder here and threatening to end the truce. I told it to fuck of, but here I am, wondering what my little helpers are up to. Pointing guns and calling names - at each other. Not impressed."
She turns to enter the captain's quarters. "Attend me" she says before entering.
12/08/09 @ 23:02
Comment from: agenthaxtes
" indeed we do, Thake what you like but the astardes stay, dont need a second chapter on my ass and the charter goes to misstress"
Haxtes fill hes pockets and a small bagg with gems and othe high value low weight stuff. If there are weapons (apart from the astardes) He looks for a bolter for Jarra, big girl needs a big gun, and she did thake ceare of venus\maiden for haxtes and a proper gift seems like the thing to do.
As stated the charter goes in a bag for the misstress. and then its the big boks
12/08/09 @ 23:02
Comment from: tancred
The charter is INSIDE the box. Sorry if that wasn't clear. Kept in perfect stasis by the box' field generator. Very neat for those old and valuable documents. Especially ones that make you king of your very own mountain.
Well, the Astartes DOES have a fairly big bolter. Jarra is big enough to handle its 25+ kilos of loaded weight. Not a graceful weapon, but with far more stopping power than the scaled-down weapons used by you mortals. It might be heresy to take it - but only a very small one.
You've also stuffed away a few thousand thrones worth of valuables. Maybe you'll live to spend it someday :)
12/08/09 @ 23:09
Comment from: kuhnrat
"Yes, M'Lady."
Max moves in front of Xerza to act as her body shield.
12/08/09 @ 23:11
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Yeah, the emperor will forgive it me thinks, Jarra will be doing his work after all. I have a lot of sins to atone for this hardly makes the mark. So one big bolter for Jarra it is.
We will put the deal to the Astartes if we find them or another chapter to take the armour and remains off our hands.
12/08/09 @ 23:13
Comment from: tancred
OOC: You have to remember saying the rites to appease the machine!
Jax is inside, gun at the ready. Pointed not at you, but at the gray void that is so neatly framed by gilded wood.
"Lady. They went in over 20 minutes ago."
Xerza: "Very well. They wanted to go in alone. Let us indulge them and wait. Is there any of the good amasec left, or has Haxtes stolen it all?"
12/08/09 @ 23:14
Comment from: agenthaxtes
After packing up the loot, Haxtes ask Ignace if he is ready, if he hes they walk out.
Upon seeng the misstress stealing my amasec Haxtes smilles, walks over and place the box infront of her.
" The charter of the throne misstress, ones more in the hands of throne servants."
12/08/09 @ 23:19
Comment from: tancred
Meanwhile Ignace has halted his pilfering to examine a peculiar closet with four strange 'doors'. There is a viewing slit in each of them, but its hard to see exactly what's inside. Haxtes thinks there may be a person inside at least one of them. A person as frozen in time as the charter. Stasis chambers. What now?
12/08/09 @ 23:20
Comment from: kuhnrat
Max don't answer the Xerzas question as it was no ask to him directly. He places himself between the portal and Xerza.
12/08/09 @ 23:22
Comment from: tancred
Ignace: "Bet its something unpleasant. Leave it for the follow-up squad."
With that he moves back into the captain's quarters.
12/08/09 @ 23:23
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Yeah, we will need Venus and vern for that, stasis boxes are not known too me
12/08/09 @ 23:24
Comment from: tancred
So, when Haxtes and Ignace gets back, they find Xerza and Vern sipping some of the leftovers, while Maxi and Jax stand guard.
12/08/09 @ 23:26
Comment from: tancred
I know :)
Xerza kicks Jax out (or she asks him to attend the bridge, but you get the picture). Then she gives the case to Vern and asks him to take Ignace to the medicae-bay. Leaving her with her two favorite acolytes...
And with the the GM heads for the shower and the bed...
12/08/09 @ 23:28
Comment from: tancred
Xerza sits her firm ass on the edge of the Captain's desk. sipping her glass.
"So the ship can't see what goes on in here? I wonder if that is really true, or is it can't see as much as it wants.
Haxtes dear, do a sweep for me. Maxi, there is a servitor somewhere in her, overseeing the Captain's quarters sub-systems. Find it and disconnect it."
The servitor is located; its 'hidden' inside a suit of gilded archaic armor. You manage to pry open the base upon which is standing and locate the main data-feed. You pull it out, disconnecting the servitor from the rest of the cabin's systems.
Maxi finds three suspect devices; each containing low-power encrypted broadcasters. Might be that they are not potent enough to pierce the cabin's shielded walls, but they could relay though equipment carried by a visitor. At any rate they don't belong her and you deactivate them before handing them over to Xerza.
"See, you managed to work together without making even an slight insult. How very impressive."
She chuckles a little, amused by her own wittiness.
"I'm not going to preach to you about how you should behave or how disappointed I am. You're intelligent grown men. You can figure that out yourselves.
What I would like to say is that I'm more concerned with your lack of vision. You were each brought along because of your considerable skills - Haxtes for his assassin training and general sneakiness, Maxi for his considerable ability in beating up people, gathering evidence and writing reports. I have need of both your skills.
Of course, Haxtes is a handsome young witch, which is a big bonus in my book, so that did contribute somewhat when I decided to keep him rather than shoot him. And Maxi is this fascinating of a machine and a man; and he carries a special mutation in his genes that may well be unique, or almost so.
Then there is my master, Inquisitor Tancred. He had seen you from afar, long before we met, seen the threads you might weave, and decided that you MIGHT have important roles to play in the future of Calixis.
That you're good at what you go I already knew. That you are special I already knew. That Tancred thought you were important I knew.
But I had somehow expected more of you; that you'd find your places and strive to think outside the box, become something more than what you were. But yet here we are; Maxi is stiff and formal, playing at Arbitrator. Haxtes is still the assassin, keeping to the shadows, and never showing his true self.
Perhaps it is too early, but of all those here assembled, you two have the most potential I think. The others each have their uses, but they are...limited."
She empties her glass.
"So, are you two going to turn into more Odessas? Looking to hold great promise, but then turning out to be no more than eager pupils?"
She gets up from her table.
"Can you see beyond the moment? Can you become more than you are? Can you quit playing games, and find true purpose?
That is for you to decide. I can make you do anything else, but I cannot force you to greatness."
Pose change; she becomes a stern manager:
"Maxi, you'll continue your work on the reports. Other men rely on what you deliver onto them; we must know more of the corrupted captain and more of this vile ship, so that we can find the source of their heresy and trace any taint they may have spread."
"Haxtes. The Inquisition will not become haven to thieves. If you desire material reward, let me know and you shall have, you have already well earned it. To that end you will catalog everything in that chamber and deliver it onto me. Then we shall see what the Inquisition will demand as compensation for events aboard this vessel. And you will make a recommendation as to a fair compensation for you and Ignace. If it is less than you have taken you will take more. If you have taken too much already you'll return to the Throne the Emperor's dues."
Pause.
"Questions?"
12/11/09 @ 12:51
Comment from: tancred
"No? Good. Maxi see to the security of this place; get Venus to help you and set a guard. Save for Haxtes and yourself none may enter without my blessing."
"Haxtes. Walk with me."
12/11/09 @ 12:55
Comment from: tancred
Walking with Xerza:
"You've proven yourself to be extremely resourceful, inventive and dedicated. I am much impressed.
I took you in because your a killer. I have need for your talents. I only hope that you can find it in yourself to grow, because if you do I think that you may one day have the potential to become a greater servant of the Throne.
But be that as it may. What do you think of your brother? Is he dependable? Will he prove loyal - and useful - if the Ordos were to make use of him in the future, or will it end in woe?
I ask because it is your call."
12/11/09 @ 12:59
Comment from: agenthaxtes
"I have no opinion about the loyalty of Jax, if it please you I will endeavor to test his character and if need be end our relationship, but who gets to live or not is not something you or your master should put in my hands."
"Don't worry about my family ties or any living soul as they are nothing to me."
12/11/09 @ 15:27
Comment from: agenthaxtes
Haxtes delivers the bolter to Jarra.
Haxtes does not speak at all except to Xerza, unless mentioned specifically.
12/11/09 @ 16:42
Comment from: tancred
Jarra is pleased with her new toy. She needs to fit it with a new stock and get to know its machine spirit, so she can't use it right away. But it is indeed a princely gift - an Astartes bolter.
Haxtes goes back to preparing a few holdouts throughout the ship (without telling anyone of course). They will come in quite handy later on.
Then there is more mental training with Xerza. And the inventory of course. Tedious stuff. Getting everything appraised is a bitch, but you try as best you can. One thing is sure though; you did not get greedy back there - the haul is worth many many millions of thrones.
Not so much snaking around anymore. A little, but with a purpose. Checking on caches and bugs. That sort of thing. But no general loitering; you know the ship pretty good by now, so no need.
And you stay well clear of the others. More so than before.
12/11/09 @ 19:48
Comment from: tancred
From Maxi (to Xerza, later on - you've got weeks yet to cover); who has issues with the Machine Spirits again:
"The Maiden got the better of me.
I will not pretend that my action had noble intent, but in my mind the Maiden acted by concern of the truce and that gave me reason to intervene. Maybe the Maiden did maybe it didn't."
"I have two flaws that I try to better. Possessiveness and envy, I hide none of them because I see no reason. But even more I feel like an unused shield.
Sod it! My job is to buy time so our Killers can do theirs. I'm the right hand that shakes our target right hand so our left hand can hit the liver more easily, I am the most expendable. And here we stand again, me clean and sparkly, while the highly tuned killers are bloodied by their own body fluids, days out of operation at the Med bay, days without training.
I can't make friend with them, we can't afford it. I won't pollute their minds with last minute doubts, because a friend is in the target area when they act their instructions. They should terminate the target without concern. That’s, as I see it is their job. Mine is to drag attention so they can position themselves for a certain kill.”
12/11/09 @ 19:56
Comment from: agenthaxtes
If its worth millions I dont pilffer more than 10% dont want too seem greedy, but a small nest egg never hurt. And at the first temple too him on earth Haxtes will give a donation of 10% of he`s loot to soften the blow against he`s soul.
As far as Xerza her cut is larger and Haxtes apear smaller,(just large good qualety Gems, a few smaller ones for show)
12/11/09 @ 20:19
Comment from: tancred
Xerza to Haxtes: "But there is nothing in particular WRONG with his character? In that case I think we'll keep him around.
That's all for now - attend to your duties."
12/11/09 @ 20:32
Comment from: tancred
To wrap things up a bit...
Xerza announces that Jax is not only the Captain of the vessel - he is also its owner. Old Simeon had put him in his will - should his son Corben die without heirs (which he did), then the ship and charter and all other assets would pass to Jax. Apart from the ship and what's aboard there is a small estate on Quaddis. Hooray for Jax.
Xerza makes no mention of the fact that Jax is Haxtes' brother. That stays a secret.
After cataloging and pilfering Haxtes is left with even more than he'd already stolen. Not 10% maybe, but a good stash anyway. Xerza announces that she's fairly pleased with Haxtes; he's better at controlling his thoughts now, but not good enough (so that was the real test - to see if you could prevent her from reading from your mind what you stole; hard to do numbers AND keep your mind focused ;).
...more later...
12/11/09 @ 21:31
Comment from: tancred
In between his own work Maxi has more time to interact with the others. They are not all that bad, but you're not great friends either.
You're already fairly friendly with Vern and Silon, and hang out more with them than the others. You don't think they are all that well liked by the others.
Venus is silent. Busy with her work. But you think she's sulking.
Jarra is just pissed of most of the time, and spends time working out.
Ignace doesn't seem to like you much, but at least he's fairly polite.
Odessa turns out to be better than expected. Talking, without going into too much detail, about her previous months with Xerza.
12/12/09 @ 09:47
Comment from: tancred
That leaves only one item to address; the stasis cylinders Haxtes found inside the null-room.
Haxtes has spent quite some time in there counting beans, so he's quite familiar with the place and the sight of the cylinders concealed inside the large cabinet, but so far he hasn't opened any of them.
He's not sure he should. On the other hand no one told him NOT to. Xerza would surely mentioned it if it was important? There are people inside three of them, but the fourth is empty. As far as you can tell all are female, and one of them is dead - if you read the runes on the control display correctly.
You'll need Venus to actually open the cylinders. Maybe have a medic ready. IF you're opening them at all...
At any rate the null-room has begun to get under his skin. He's been telling himself that its the lack of other exits, and knowing that Maxi might wait on the other side, ready to avenge his loss of face.
But that's not really it; there is a faint feeling of wrongness in here, akin to that felt on the bridge with...the captain. Much fainter of course, but when you spend hours doing boring labor it gets to you...
12/13/09 @ 14:49
Comment from: tancred
Thread ended...
...if Haxtes wants to do anything about the cylinders (for example), he can post in the Port of Call section, as it will take place at around the same time Maxi is having his talk-to-the-ship sessions. OK?
12/13/09 @ 15:27