The Faceless Master

[profitofrage]

The figure in the doorway was well trained, Burnt Rose stood there and waited for the no doubt frustrated probably scared individuals in the room to say there lot. It was a pity the Tech priest and the underhiver had SO much to say.

"Im Afraid Mech-Write that your gibberish is best spent conversing with mechine Spirits....because while i owe them my life..my faith is based firmly in the Ecclisiarchy." The figure said before turning to the Soldiers.
"I never for a moment expected anything less from the Imperiums soldiers."
Then Burnt Rose turned to Ethan...who had been so...vocal.
"Understand quickly underhive scum...your humor is falling upon the wrong ears...and to insult the man who will likely unjam your weapons is dangerous if you ask me."
Burnt Rose then leant down to untie the women laying on the ground, no sooner had she done it that the girl took off and ran behind Nicolo. She was positivly frightened. clinging to the man in order to hide from Burnt Rose.

"Noble...i would have thought you to be thankful...when we collected you there was a rather large number of people wishing you dead."
When Burnt Rose was done adressing each of the new team a data slate was taken out from a side pocket and tossed into the Tech-Priests grasp.
"Upon that is a map of the sorrounding desert..marked is the next bunker...You are to take that women...and get her to the bunker safely....There are several other teams carrying rations out in the desert...and they have all been told to kll her...they will kill you if nessisary."
Burnt Rose begins to walk our of the bunker.
"Consider this your field test...good luck gentlemen" was all The figure said before leaving the bunker. The doors whooshed shut and the distinct sound of a hover craft whirring its engines could be heard...as could the sounds of it getting distant very quickly.


"OH by the emperor thank him its gone....i thought it was going to kill me like it did the others...." The women said regaining her composure and stepping away from the assasin with a gentle blush across her cheeks.
"We have to get to the bunker quickly...i saw the other teams...they will be heading this way..."


everyone

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NO post restrictions. OK your on your own now.
Objectives thus far - get captive to the bunker dsplayed on the data slate
there are "teams" trying to kill her and you from the looks of it. From the looks of the map ( looks like a screen shot from orbit zoomed in) it will probably take a full day and night to get there...assuming you want to march the whole distance..and dont get slowed down by the rough terraign of the desert.

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/f...g?t=1296180423

thats the basic map if you want to know the landmarks, otherwise its desert...desert all around.

[Kiranvonstrom]

Nicolo silently looked behind him as the woman hid behind him, with his eyebrows nearly at his hairline.
Inside his head, he ran over Burnt Rose's remarks. It would appear that House Machenko was still after him. Apparently being kidnapped by the Inquisition didn't change his status as a man wanted by one of the sector's great houses. Not that he had expected it to. However, He would wish the assassins luck finding him, though. He was *this* close to going fully underground; new name (and papers), new past, new face.
Nicolo wasted no time in drawing his knife and prying open the grate he had seen earlier with it, after checking it for traps of some kind. The faster they got out of here, the better. He turned to the rest of the team.

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Search (untrained perception), if possible. Should I roll that?

"Okay, we don't have much time. Adti, can you fit in there? The faster we get out of here the better. Tech-father, what does the map say? How close are we to our destination?" Nicolo quickly fires off the questions, using what he knew of team-based (and the team) operations to formulate a plan. He figured the guardsman, as burly as he was, should be able to survive an ambush if there was one after they left the building.
There was something about the woman that bothered him though. Resolving not to turn his back on her on the spot, Nicolo quickly ran his eyes over the rest of the team he was now paired with. Two, apparently trigger happy guardsmen, a techpriest that waxed philosophical and a man who insisted he was completely harmless. And him, a noble assassin that was possibly the most moral person in his family. This had so many opportunities to go bad.

[profitofrage]

Youll require a str test to open the grate.

i rolled for you to speed things up (hope you dont mind)
and you passed with 2 degrees of success...nice.


The grate pulls off its hinges rather easily having been pried open with the blade. There appears to be nothing blocking the vent system but a fan that collapsed when you tugged on the grating. It appears as if the vent goes all the way to the roof although you strapping lads will need to make a contortionist test (agillity test) or get stuck, the women could probably get in with ease.

"I could fit...i used to hide in the vents in the underhive...some tight squeezes.....i know how the door opens from the other side to...theres this thing..she pressed it" The women spoke out, no doubt in a hurry to leave this aweful place.

"Im sorry sirs...i probably shouldnt speak out of place...my names Ash by the way.." she continues meekily

[Exthalion]

"Far enough that we will have to deal with this other cortege. I can go longer without rest then you, but at standard human speed I estimate thirty six plus or minus twelve hours.

I suggest we forsake this position. Our opposition possesses supplies while we lack them. Based on this map data, I believe our best stratagem should be to eliminate this kill team and acquire their weapons and consumables.

What are the long range capabilities of all of you? I am not well armed. Due to our enemies target of this girl, I propose she and at least one bodyguard stay here. The others should prepare an ambush for our pursuers.

What say you guardsmen?"

[DaedalusMkV]

Stane listens to the hulking Inquisitorial agent quietly, but this time there is no smile, and as the mission is laid out his mouth droops downward into a heartfelt grimace. Damned escort mission, and not a heretic in sight? Nonetheless, as Burnt Rose makes to leave the Guardsman quickly salutes (it?her?eh). "Orders understood, Sir! We won't let y'down." After the doors close, Stane turns to the deathly frightened young woman. "Don't you worry, little miss. Just keep calm and be careful and we'll get you t'the bunker n'one piece." He pats her on the shoulder with one large gloved hand, then walks to the side of the Tech-priest and begins studying the map on the data-slate.

He turns his head shortly at Niccolo's comment, then looks back at the slate and replies, "I'm no expert on deserts, but it looks like we're at least a day away. Lots'a open ground 'tween here'n there, though. Might be best to take a roundabout route, find ourselves a good place to hunker down for a couple'a hours of sleep 'fore headin' out for the final approach." Seeing that the Noble has already pried open the ventilation shaft, Stane grins again. "That's smart thinkin', friend. We can send somebody up top to cover our exit. Anyhow, I reckon we've got two choices if'n we want to do this right. Up north is a big ol' rock outcroppin', looks like it could hide and shelter the lot of us. Or, we can head out west, looks like there's a fair bit of cover out that way too. Both routes are about the same distance." As he talks, Stane begins stripping off his camo-cloak, wadding it up into a tight package and tying it off with a rope. The grey-brown camo of his flak armour and uniform are a slightly better fit for the desert sands, though he's regretful to lose the extra covering the cloak provides.
In reply to the Tech-priest's question, Stane grins and pats his long-las. "Thirty-six confirmed fatalities, most of 'em never knowing 'till they found themselves meetin' the Emp'rer's Divine Judgement. If the enemy give me a target, Vera'n I will send them to meet the rest."

[Exthalion]

"I should like to point out that removing that grate as you have is a desecration. Its machine spirit may be small and quiescent, but it will still have to be propitiated for this.

I would also like to remind you that you should not take pleasure or any pride save professional in killing these opponents. They are humans just as we, and it is not given to us to restore life that has been taken.

The eastern route is to be avoided I think. The canyon would be an excellent place to be ambushed. Keep in mind that any deviation from a direct course will also lengthen the time required.

Now, if we are all done planning for the distant future, may we focus on the immediate? We must neutralize the threat posed to us by the nearby kill team. I propose ambush. Does anyone have a better plan or a relevant objection?

Moreover, in the future, can we try to keep conversations on point when matters of life and death are concerned? Speculation about what we will do later requires that there be a later."

[profitofrage]

Exthalion

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i rolled a common lore (tech) test for you which you passed by 5. not degrees :P just 5

Anyway, you can tell that the door must be automatic from what you saw of it, only a few possibilities come to mind. 1) theres a sensor you cannot see?
2) Burnt Rose had some kind of specal proximity key that opens it. Though that would be over complicated for a machine with such a simple machine spirit.
or 3) the most likely, is that the key pad on this side of the bunker has been removed or replaced somewhere else.

You also passed a perception test, there is a small panel beside the door that has been bolted, its out of place with the other side of the door and there would be no reason for the small square patch to be there. You assume that behind it is no doubt circutry you can probably access.

[Kiranvonstrom]

"Excellent. Stane, could you head up there, and I'll follow you. Ash, you said you saw the kill teams. What were they composed of?"
Nicolo draws the ripper pistol, which looks vaguely like a long barreled, thick stub automatic with a red dot laser sight attached. It's matte black finish seems to radiate deadliness.
Nicolo briefly shows a vampiric smile, and his face reverts to it's former emotionlessness. Control, de Machenko. Control, He chided himself. There was no need to let his companions see to much of him. Hi...other people might become monsters. Nicolo didn't intend to.
"Okay, let's go. Stane, I'll cover you when I get up there," Nicolo says, preparing to squeeze up the duct once Stane has gotten up.

[huyche]

'Screw these metal-people, pretending to bicker, then standing by each other at the end of the day.'

This ****'s definitely hilarious. Earlier he had imagined the captors might pit them to fight against each other in some kind of arena for their amusement. But that was before they turned out to be Inquisition. Now, they're the Inqusition's pet gladiators, just on a larger scale and in a more complex game. What an irony!

Upon Rose's exit he spoke out: 'Finally, some action. Thought I was going to have a dreadfully dull debate with the techpriest on the fallacy of his beliefs.'

Then mentally commented on Nicolo's words. 'Looks like we got ourselves a self-nominated leader, he even sounds rather confident, maybe I should let him boss me around for now.'

He carefully considered the priest's words. Setting up an ambush is a decent tactic, but one that can be easily turned against the attackers. Our main weakness is the lack of knowledge of the surrounding terrain, disregarding several landmarks shown on the map. The weakness that our opponents don't have, as they had the opportunity to cross the desert to our bunker, at least.
Ethan then started reminisce about the time when he had to pay a visit to Dirty Gob and got carelessly caught in an ambush.

When Ash introduced herself, Ethan approached her and declared, with a reassuring smile: 'Oh, hello there. Ethan.' A hand outstretched, waiting for Ash to shake it.
'I assume you were a part of the previous team to take part in these games?'
Her answer made him wondering whether she was telling the truth.
'Why do you think the Inquisition would abduct such charming gal as yourself in the first place?'
'Sadly, I guess you are just an incentive, something to encourage us play our part of the game and the opposition's. But don't be afraid, we'll get you out safe. I will protect you personally.'
'Though, I'm almost definitely sure what the Inquisition will do to you after our merry little test is over.' he added to himself.
'Oh, and what others were you referring to, when mentioned Rose killing some people?'

After the introductions, whistling, Ethan proceeded to rummage through his backpack. Shortly, announced by an "Aha", he pulled out some kind of device. Still whistling merrily, he came up to the grate in the ceiling, fully ignoring the others gathered around.
One eye closed and the tip of his tongue pulled out, Ethan aimed the device into the opening. With a quiet clank, it shot a hook, that firmly attached itself in the wall of the duct, followed by a length of rope.
Then Ethan pressed a button on the grapnel and started ascending into the hole. After successful entry, he extracted the hook and stored the device in one of the pants' pockets.
'If I don't come back in 15 minutes - consider me croaked!' he said, while re-emerging from the ventilation duct, and moved on, laughing.

[Miraqariftsky]

From their new superior officer's entrance and exit comes glimpses of scathing winds and lashing sands of the desert beyond their doubtable redoubt. The sable savage smiles and snorts as the 'aug'd cyclops' leaves them with their mission...

...heh. Slap on s'mountains 'ere an' rivers there, swamps and jungles thereabouts, 'twould be just like home.

The juggernaut grunts as he considers his new teammates' various words and then chimes in himself as he walks up to look at the grate then goes over to the sliding doors. "Could force meself up a vent if'n need ta, but I dun't think it be practical, at me size.

Uhgreed there, priest. That ambush idea's good... but if we hole up here, it mebs more defensible, bu' they c'd swarm us, bring they's numbers ta bear. But if we 'xecute ett good, we'd ha' some loot ta use an' be worryin' a mite bit less. Got me sum decent range-an'-rate wid this 'ere auto. Y'all a-gimme th' centre p'sition. I be the big ol' distraction fer them othe' kill teams, I hold their fire, pin 'em down wi' this 'ere bullet hose, an' y'all pop 'em off"

Nearing the automatic doors, Adti Urpna pauses and says, "Three moure things 'bout this 'ere place. Sure, we could ambush them killers, but keep y'all in mind, our mission's ta get th'girl to yon othe' place quick-like... Soon as we can, we need ta ditch this hole--- if 'ny foe gets past me an' unloads into 'ere with auto or with grenade... izz vurry bad. Out there's desert, keep y'all in mind--- varmints, beasties an' ambushers c'd hide in the sand, 'ware ta keep yer weap's clear o' sand. Desert night-cold CAN kill, so's need shelter fer a' least one sleep. Noon-heat's tha wurst, we leg it in tha hours o' shade an' night"

Fixing 'Ash' with gimlet eyes, he growls at her in his best imitation of a 'comforting tone'. "You. Ash-girl. Ye don't look much too burnt. Stay that way. Keep yer 'edd low an' stay tha bloody frakken hell outta any firin' fields. Stay wid tha Padre there, 'e'll be good ta ye. Ya got that?"

[DaedalusMkV]

Stane nods to the bodygloved Noble. "Sounds like a plan. It's a bit of a tight fit, but I'm bettin' I can make it." He leaves the balled-up camo cloak on a bed and starts moving to the vent, just in time to see Ethan step in and start climbing up. "By the Emp'rer, does that man have a deathwish? I'll try to get up there and support him. Frak it, I was supposed to get to take this slow..." He sqeezes himself into the vent, his rifle held in front of him. Just like wormin' my way through the forest... No need to worry... I ain't gettin stuck... Stane tries to reassure himself, but the bulk of his body and Flak armour make the tight ventillation system tough going.

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(1d100)[33] Vs an Agility of 33, halved and then with whatever bonuses or penalties you see fit. Stane will keep moving, freeing himself if he gets stuck and slowly making his way through the vent, even if it's difficult and time-consuming.

[profitofrage]

huyche

please do not assume that you can just fit into a hole i have already told people requires a contortionist test. ive rolled for you and you managed to pass just.

Stane also passes by a hair :P
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The young women is slightly taken aback by the large brutish man, this quickly ends however when Ethan approaches her.
"n-no..i was just minding my buisness in the hive...then next thing i know i end up here...." She said trying to remember anything that may help while shaking his hand meekly. She seemed interested in Ethan untill the Assasin spoke again.
"I saw the kill teams..but not what they had on them...i wouldnt really know anything about guns anyhow" she said in responce to the noble.
"They looked like any ordinary hivers...just with you know...guns and stuff." She said before Turning back to Ethan.
"I have no idea why the Inquisition would want me...i dont have any family left..i have no money...im not dangerous i mean look at me" she said begining to get teary, rubbing her eyes to hide it.
"I did nothing so why am i here?" she calmed down at Ethans promises of protection but took on a meek look when asked further questions.
"Just some guy friends...i thought id be safe with them around.." She said sadly as if deep in thought.
"Safer then without them i guess."

As Ethan and Stane crawl through the wires and coolant pipers within the vent they notice the bunker itself seems very worn..rather old. after dozen minutes of crawling they come across the purifier in the way of there exit. With a simple push and shove it falls out and onto the cieling. For miles you see only sand dunes and the growns of the wind passing through. The bunker indeed has parapits...if worn. The north side having a metal step ladder down onto the sand. The door being on the east side. The guardsmen stane readies his lasgun and peers down the sights.

DaedalusMkV

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You think for a moment you spot something off in the distance...taking a quick look through your scope you see a man crouched and looking at the bunker through a detached scope. He appears to be wearing grey rags, a shotgun? maybe? strapped to his back.
hes roughly 700 meters away

[DaedalusMkV]

Stane crawls along the roof using the cover provided by the parapets, then sets to scoping out the surrounding area using the telescopic sight attached to his rifle. Seeing a figure, he calls out softly to his companion on the roof. "Contact. Range; 700 metres. Armed and surveiling the bunker. Should I take the shot?" The Guardsman, normally expressive and active, is now utterly calm and virtually unmoving, his voice a drab monotone. He sights down his rifle with practiced ease, expertly settling his sights on the target and calculating distance and windspeed almost reflexively.

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That's a Full-round aim. Taking cover behind the Parapet, and resting his rifle on it.
Wow, 700 metre doom shot. The very absolute edge of my engagement range.

[profitofrage]

there been an edit in my last post. as Ethan wished to have more words with Ash before going up to the cieling but of coures i wasnt on for him to do so.

[huyche]

Coughing dust and grit he climbed out of the ventilation and respired.

Observing the the guardsman fully at the ready, crouched in the firing position with the nasty rifle of his, Ethan visibly shuddered. 'By the Emperor's holy jewels, I genuinely pity the loser on the receiving end of this thing.'

'Send him a surprise he will never recover from, Specialist Stane!' he replied cheerfully, imitating the voice and the intonations of an imaginary commanding officer.

Ethan then crawled across the roof to the stairs' side and peeked over the them to inspect the situation on the surrounding ground.

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Bleh, typos.

[profitofrage]

Sand sand everywhere and not a drop to drink. Comes to mind when describing the surroundings. Its hot the scorching rays already causing the two men on the top of the bunker to sweat. The bunker despite no doubt being very heavy, didnt appear to have sunken into the sand to much and appeared stable. It was sitting in small "valley" or more accuratly sitting on a flat spot of sand, with dunes surrounding on all sides. The cieling of the bunker was roughly 7-8 meters up from the ground.

[DaedalusMkV]

I have become Death, destroyer of foes... The silent prayer lasts mere moments, as Stane lines up his shot. Slowly, ever so slowly, his finger begins to tighten on the trigger of his rifle. Finally, the moment is at hand. The sniper releases his breath, and a mere fraction of a second later a blast of incandescent light leaves the barrel of his weapon with a sharp *crack*.

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That's another half aim, as you suggested, followed by a Standard Attack.
(1d100)[88] vs 38+20(full aim)+10(half aim)+10(Accurate)+10(Braced, homebrew)+30(Target Surprised)-20(Called Shot: Head), for a target DC of 98.
Damage: (1d10+3)[13], Pen 1.
If 2 Degrees of Success: add (1d10)[7]
If 4, additional (1d10)[2]

[profitofrage]

DaedalusMkV
Ok as weve seen in the OOC. DaedalusMkV has managed to hit the man with several rightous furies.
total damage
13 - toughness and armor
13 -(T+A)
13 - (t+a)
7 - (T +A)

i wont reveal the targets Toughness and armor :P but assuming average toughness of 3 and no armor. thats a grand total of 34 wounds...to the FACE
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The Las shot burnt through the air the Zzzot singing through the air. The bolt striking the target between the eyes. As if the emperor's fury was indeed behind the magnificant shot the targets head exploded showering the immediate area with boiling blood and singed flesh. The top half of the now crouching corpse was alight in flames, the cloth like fabric allowing the fire to engluf the enirety of the body. The man was most certainly dead.

The atmosphere went quiet for a moment...nothing else was heard...or seen. Could the man have been alone? or was his "backup" staying hidden?

[huyche]

Upon hearing the shot, Ethan glanced back, at the guardsman. Waiting for a hint in his movement or some other sign, so as not to break his concentration if he wanted to deliver another shot. After 3 seconds had passed without further action on Stane's side, he asked: 'Is the target eliminated, Specialist?'

'By the way, the north side is clear.'

'So here's the plan: I am going to climb down the ladder and check if something can be done about the front door. I need you to watch my back.'

[Miraqariftsky]

"G'job, bub" calls out Urpna up the ceiling. Salutation done, he sets the stock of his rifle against his shoulder and prepares to lay down a withering barrage of bullets in case any hostiles are lying in wait outside...

...and then he steps up to the sliding automatic doors, smirks and says, "Open! Sez me!"

[profitofrage]

The mechanical doors machine spirit endevours to open, the mechanics whizzing and whirring......but fail. The door jolting only for a moment as if its primary function was being halted.

"Th-that metal person but have locked it on her way back out" Ash called out...though from a safe distance away from the large warrior.

[Miraqariftsky]

Adti growls a chuckle at his own joke, then as the doors refuse to open heaves a huge sigh and THONKs his head against said doors in frustration. "Well, well, O ghost in the shell, Ah s'ppose ye'nt like it if'n a big lunk-'ead like me a-tries ta pry ye open? Ye'll be seekin' vengeance by jammin' up me guns, wontcha? So I won't..."

Patting the door... affectionately... he then proceeds to say, "Could you prrrease unlock an' work fer us? En nomenee Emp-Ear-Eater?"

"Um, damn... 'oooope that was right an' weren't no bleshpheem-me..."

And if that doesn't work, he sighs again and steps aside, bowing to the proper power and authority of the resident expert on divinity, saying, "Erm... fergive me, Padre, but ye mind um, tellin' this 'ere door dah izz alright ta ope' an' close fer us?"

[Kiranvonstrom]

"I could try to open it from the outside," Nicolo suggests."Either way, I shall join the others on the roof,"
Nicolo swung himself into the chute and began to climb.

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(1d100)[60] with an AG of 36. It's warpcraft, I tell you! Warpcraft!

[profitofrage]

The stealthy assasin jumps and climbs into the vent system, squeezing and moving his body to try and fit through the narrow entrance.
Unfortuanatly a slight slip caused him to lose his footing. Crashing to the floor the only good news was that the only thing hurt was his pride.

"OH oh my you poor thing...are you ok" The women squeked crouching over the man and holding her hand to her mouth.
"That looked like it hurt"

[Miraqariftsky]

"Good bloody Emp'rer, ye be a-jestin' me..." Urpna groans, then lets his rifle hang from its shoulder-sling as he extends a thick arm for the oh-so-nimble Nicolo.

"Yer 'edd not spinnin', yer 'IGHness?" he asks as he helps up the fallen noble.

Annnnnd if he wants to try again, the titan of a man cups his hands as a stirrup to assist in the climbing.

[DaedalusMkV]

Stane continues watching through his scope, in case the unfortunate sod had any backup out there. "I got 'im. The Emp'rer guided my shot. You should be clear, Ethan, but I'll keep watch 'case anyone's still around." The sniper maintains a close watch over the surrounding area, moving around from time to time to get a better view and throw off the aim of anyone trying to zero in on him. Thanks, Vera. Thirty-seven...

[profitofrage]

Stane's continuos efforts although well trained seemed to bring up little success. If the lone scout did indeed have friends..they were not showing themselves.

[Exthalion]

Having been chanting to himself in binary, the red robed figure finally raises his head. He stares at the guardsmen for a moment as if just noticing him before replying,

"I shall do as I am able."

Reaching into an inner pocket he pulls forth an arcane looking tool, set to work on the panel near the door. The tool itself appeared to be a simple screwdriver at on end, and some sort of light on the other. One shouldn't disregard whimsy.

"Domine in nomine Dei Imperator. Through the act of my humble contrition through the acknowledgment of my failing I beseech you not by the will of the Machine God, but in accordance with it. Through the contrition of humanity have all peoples come into accord with your function; which was, though yet unknown, since time began most perfect and pure.

I in the humility of wisdom request that you allow me permission to align you again with your function, without impairment, that you may again be as you are meant to be, unmixed and unmixing.

Through the fourth rotation contrary to the turning of the clock to I remove the first screw, one-thousand four hundred and forty degrees..."

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(1d100)[78] Against (Int)49+10 Combitool=59
MORE WARPCRAFT!

"It would seem the machine spirit is confused. It seeks to open, but is locked, which seeks to remain locked. What exactly did you say to it? I was in the midst of prayer. You did not attempt any of the machine rights did you?"

[profitofrage]

Suddenly the door jolted open slightly and closed, indeed the machine spirits were in a state of confusion. However the techpriests rites had been given and accepted the door slowly struggled open. The rough desert sands now visible to all within.

[Exthalion]

"Praise be the Omnissiah, savior to all! It seems your exultation encouraged the machine spirit. In the future though, be careful. Even the most honest of prayer can anger a machine spirit if the rights are not correct."

Very carefully Ureil looked out the door to try to ascertain in which direction they were facing and the conditions outside.