Loot... and girls, don't forget the girls. We're not machines here (well not all of us, at least). Got to be plenty of pretty womenfolk with no reason to stay around below. I'll call them "ratings" if you like, as long as they have other uses as well. Heeheehee...

I think the naval term is social ratings :)

Some cases of good wine is all Maxi expropriate. Well he also employ a personal retainer (hopefully of good birth/learning) to be his staff/steward on board the Maiden.

Yes, yes - Jebediah can find whatever women are required to comfort him in the dark and lonely nights. Ratings. Got it. And Maxi scrounges up his retainer - should we call perhaps him 'Chronicler' in anticipation of great deeds to come? Haxtes gets word (through other survivors) that Prince Orcan and some of his staff are among the living - secure in the belly of the Astartes cruiser.

I thought more like an officer's servant as British army style in the Victorian age. A chronicler from outside the Holy Ordos would most likely go insane or be possessed by unmentionables. (Bad for morale you know) A chronicler servitor will be appropriated in a future junction.

Well, a prince without land is a pauper, no? On the other hand he may have more info on our target here and the xeno connection. So if the Astartes don't mind, then it may not be a complete waste of time to interrogate him and his retainers, not as humble visiting Rouge Traders, but as representatives of the Throne. If the Astartes or Soldevan don't want them that is.

Maxi: One body servant as ordered. Haxtes: You'll discuss it later on; once the survivors have been properly screened and debriefed (those taken onto the Ignorance that is - those brought from Emperor's Island directly aboard the Maiden you need to deal with yourself).

Right. Do our guests have info on Aristarchus/xeno connection? If they do that merits a conversation, if not: Does Jax need any of them as crew? Can they pay for shipping/room and board?

During recovery Maxi analyse Madiens log data bank of both the Orkz and Dark Eldar attack. He hasn't any expectations of new finding. But with the Slaugth, those unhumans are in a lack of better word fairly alien to Maxi. A bit discussion with the other about some improvements aboard the Maiden is also on his mind. If possible he also seek available information from Soldovans Cadre. (Yup, Maxi dabbles in forbidden lore.) Oh, I have not decided what yet but that necroputring ray will leave some new markings on Maxi. (Bald spots / grey hair spots / dead like skin etc.)

There's a xenos boarding-craft in one of the ships docking-bays. It's interior is somewhat banged up and filled with shrapnel, but Jeb recons the people of the Ordo Xenos would be rather delighted to have a go at some alien tech: study it and the odd gizmo's attached to it - all to better stop such things in the future. Possibly there's some way to improve the Maiden's targetting array using knowledge obtained from this craft, so as to better predict the position of eldar vessels in the future when they have all their magical mumbo-jumbo defenses up and running, and the navy vessels seem to fire blindly. Other than that, between "training" the new "ratings" and talking or relaxing, Jebediah devotes some time to tend to his weapons - and, if possible, try to fix the strange launcher-gadget that Castilas was carrying around.

Haxtes: Jax could always use some more crew - you're no longer on a skeleton crew, but if this turns into a longer journey that expected you could use some more skilled labor. Fortunately for you - and for the refugees - they are from Emperor's island and thus have more of the tech-skills that could be put to use aboard a voidship. There are also a few that can either pay for their passage or can make convincing assurances that they have relatives/contacts that will pay for their passage. When it comes to Aristarchus you actually get something of a breakthrough. Not from one of survivors, but from the leader of the astropathic choir (there were three astropaths on Emperor's Island, now part of the Maiden's crew, remember?). Adept Messinus, Astropath Third Class, Tarot Certified, actually knew Aristarchus during his time on Emperor's Island! It sort of makes sense - they were both psykers, in imperial service, and trained in the use of the Tarot. Maybe you would have thought about it sooner had not life been so hectic around here lately... He fills some of the holes in Aristarchus' story. That Aristarchus came to Acreage years ago - at the behest of Inquisitor Globus Varaak - you already knew. Now you get more meat on the bones. Aristarchus spent a decade working his way up at the High King's court in Ascandia until he had the ear of the High King. No wonder perhaps, since Aristarchus was a most skilled diviner. But something happened that angered the late king so greatly that a year or so before the King's death (that would around six years ago) Aristarchus was banished. He then went to Orlankan, where the story pretty much repeated itself. Both times his premonitions turned from good things to portents of doom and destruction - history has proven him right of course, but you know, the bearer of bad news and all that! Aristarchus arrived on Emperor's Island a bitter man (Messinus doesn't know he was working for the Inquisition of course!). He even went as far as to blame his Tarot for his misfortune. He drank and he railed - and eventually he sold his Tarot to someone (Messinus doesn't know who). When he sobered up he came to regret his heresy and turned to self-flagellation instead. Then came the visions. Aristarchus become convinced the Emperor was testing him and at the same things blessing him. He started divining without the use of the Tarot - a task most difficult and possibly heretical. Then one day Aristarchus was gone (that would coincide with Globus sending him to Iochantos). That means Aristarchus left Acreage without a Tarot set. So most likely he got it from someone on Iochantos. Did Globus provide it? Probably not - he most likely did not know his servant had squandered away his set. So who did give it to him?

After party: Haxtes sends a astropat message oo Xerza informing her that the seer most likely got his hand on the tarot in transit or on Iochantos. Haxtes ask a yes or no to follow Soldevan's suggestion of destination for the Maiden.

If Haxtes asks Jeb, the ex-merc doesn't really give a rats-behind. He's still new to the whole inquisition line of thought (especially the freedom it gives), and is normally used to go where the money and the action is - if that's Soldevan presently, then fine.

nope Haxtes only asks our mistress as it her call, what the rest of us want is irrelevant

We'll assume that Soldevan makes his proposal before the party - there are several days in between the destruction of Orlankan and the actual victory celebration. He hasn't been very specific as to the nature of the task - only that it will lead you to Solomon. --- Two days after sending the status report you get a reply back; you are to take command of the remnants of Globus' team and liaison with the Ordo Xenos. The Ordo Xenos' man on the scene is Soldevan, so you will defer to his authority for the time being. If it turns out that the mission has anything to do with the Tyrant Star or Erasmus Haarlock you are to be very alert - you lives will then probably be in jeopardy. Xerza also informs you that she has uncovered who gave Aristarchus his latest tarot - the one containing the tainted card - that being the late preacher of Stern Hope... --- This is the second reply from Xerza; the previous one was in reply to Haxtes' first sending. It confirmed his promotion - and made him aware that his counterfeit Rosette has now been registered at the Tricorn as his official Explicator badge.

Counterfeit Rosette has now been registered at the Tricorn as his official Explicator badge: - Haxtes wonders in a quiet moment if the promotion comes with a new fake interrogator badge ? (just to keep prepared)

Well, the Rosette is already on the presumptuous side. More like something a full Inquisitor would wear on formal occasions (it was made for the flash effect, remember). So you could just keep upgrading it (I'm sure you'll make Inquisitor Lord in no time).

yes its rater nice, looks the part

HAXTES Starting: 1200 + 600 Prelude: 450 Shattered Hope: 475 Edge of Darkness: 425 Rejoice: 900 Maggots/Twilight/Chapter rewards: 925 XP total: 4975 MAXI Starting: 1200 + 600 Prelude: 325 Shattered Hope: 475 Edge of Darkness: 425 Rejoice: 875 Maggots/Twilight/Chapter rewards: 600 XP total: 4500

JEBEDIAH Starting: 1200 + 900 Prelude: 450 XP total: 2550 PARSIFAL Starting: 1200 + 300 Prelude: 200 XP total: 1700

Fixed Jeb & Pars starting XP. Jeb had Wisdom x3, Pars Wisdom x1.