"She's One of Ours, Sir."- Rogue Trader IC

[Askaris]

Tristram:

The pilots introduce themselves, and the most senior of them, a Lathe-born by the name of Alaric Mallear begins to explain the idiosyncrasies of your new charge.

"She's a fast and agile ship, helmsman, make no mistake; I've seen her outpace raider-class ships en route to her destination, which has been a blessing on many occasions. However, despite, or perhaps because of her naval heritage, she becomes difficult to control during combat, bucking as if she wishes to hightail it and run; she'll make your life difficult for you until you let her flee."

"Offensive armament takes the form of the twin Mars Pattern macrocannons attached along the dorsal ridge of the ship, capable of firing fore, port and starboard. Defensive armament consist of a number of Vulcan Mega-Bolter systems placed so as to provide full cover across the hull, along with three squads of Death's Head pattern assault servitors for boarding actions. All such systems have direct command links to the bridge itself, allowing for greater control during battle."

"Auger arrays operate at 150% of the baseline spec due to the ministrations of our Enginseers, as does the atmospheric processing. This vessel is also blessed with a warded hull working in conjunction with it's Gellar field, making our time in the Empyrean less harrowing. Finally, the ship possesses two mobile observation pods, referred to colloquially as 'the spider rooms'. The crew often race these pods along the ships spine, taking bets upon the outcome. The ship will list slightly to either port or starboard during these times, likely because her balancing systems are trying to compensate for moving objects outside their usual area of effect."

One of the others (Jacoby Santiago, you believe his name was) pipes up, a lopsided grin on his face. "That, or she's leaning toward the one she wants to win." Alaric gives him a look, then turns back to you, evidently intent on ignoring his subordinate.

"In any case, myself and Voidsman Joss will be happy to explain the controls to you. Do you require anything else of us?"

Spoiler

Show

Pilot names and specialities:

Alaric Mallear, Helmsman.
Antoinette Joss, Helmswoman.
Jericus Strang, Munitions Officer for the macrocannon "Close Air Support".
Jacoby Santiago, Shuttle Pilot.
Wrax Tauron, Munitions Officer for the macrocannon "Friendly Fire".
Rhia Wollsey, Shuttle Pilot.
Magdela Cortez, Shuttle Bay Officer.
Constantine Cain, Shuttle Pilot with dogfighting experience.
Havelock Uriah, Sub-Quartermaster.
Lyra Jastilus, Shuttle Pilot with dogfighting experience.

Novia:

Raltus sends you two messages, one which you expected, and one which you didn't. The latter is not pleasant reading.

Spoiler

Show

++Incoming Transmission++
Authorizing: Code Approved
...Benedum 21T-777 Cipher Approved


++
Blessed are the Small Minded, for they have no room for Doubt. ++

[BEGIN ENCRYPTION]
+++Message Origin===Sub-Quartermaster Atellus Raltus+++
+++Message Priority===Medium+++
+++Message Destination===Seneschal Novia Ephrael+++


My Lady,

Journ: registered astrocartographer for the Chambers of Gold cartography service, holds rank of Magnate Scrivener. Checks out as legit, as with all CoG personnel, noted for discretion. Unlikely to reveal information related to your enterprises willingly, as professional reputation staked upon it.

Footfall:

Artificial gravity failing frequently, new grav plating would be a surefire way to gain a foothold. Requires detour to an AdMech shipyard. May cause strife within existing factions. Intrigue runs deep, information might have a buyer.

Raltus,


[END ENCRYPTION]

Spoiler

Show

++Incoming Transmission++
Authorizing: Code Approved
...Benedum 21T-777 Cipher Approved


++ Success is commemmorated; Failure merely remembered. ++

[BEGIN ENCRYPTION]
+++Message Origin===Sub-Quartermaster Atellus Raltusl+++
+++Message Priority===Urgent+++
+++Message Destination===Seneschal Novial Ephrael+++

My Lady,

We have been compromised. The encryption on your orders was cracked, and, in order to decode the ciphers, the agents tasked with your orders were traced; they were interrogated by an unknown hostile faction, one of them breaking under torture and telling them the codes. One of the survivors managed to get this message to me, and I dearly hope you are still preparing to depart, and not walking into a deathtrap as we speak.

I do not know the identity of these assailants, but I am confident that Journ himself is not affiliated with them; his message was sent several hours prior to the attack. If he were with your enemies, they wouldn't have needed to resort to such crude measures in order to find out your intentions. They will undoubtedly be waiting for you should you proceed with the transfer, but I see little alternative; he has the information that you require, and this hostile faction may well be inclined to take them for their own benefit, especially if they have caught wind of your captain's plans.

I hope that, if this message reaches you, you have more foresight than I and can see a way out of this mess.

Raltus,

[END ENCRYPTION]

Jakov:

Dray meets your gaze levelly.

"Sir, I am not a psyker. All I've known about that thing was that it was a psychic map which neither you nor I could read. This is just guesswork, I know, but I'd say that the 'map' it showed her overloaded her mind a bit."

His tone has a very slight tremor in it, but he keeps eye contact through your cold stare. Behind you, you can hear Astrianna awakening, to the evident relief of Dray.

Astrianna:

Spoiler

Show

Navigation roll: In your half waking daze, you attempt to navigate through the dreamlike merge of reality and the void shown to you through the vision. This soon dispels itself as reality takes a firmer hold of your senses.

As you sit up, you get a distinct sense of familiarity with the star clusters around the solar system shown to you by the mnemolith. You're quite certain that you've seen them in your studies, if only you could remember...

Spoiler

Show

Roll a Scholastic Lore: Astromancy test. Fate points can be used to add an additional degree of success, or to reroll. You have 3/4 fate points left.

[vampire2948]

Novia laughs to herself loudly, for at least twenty seconds.
Time to laugh later. Not now...

Meeting the guards, she informs them that there are unknown hostiles in the port who have taken some of her subordinates. They are to prepare one hundred of their comrades and bring them to this position. They are to find the bounty hunter, Red Cortez, too and tell her to meet me here, bring guns.

Talking into her comm:
"Walter. Bring the head-techpriestess the melta bomb in my room. She is to alter it such that it can be detonated remotely. Bring her some of that fine cocoa that we picked up at that delightful port three years ago too, the cinammon one. Take the device to one of the guardsmen and tell them to bring it to me once she's done."

"Oh, and Walter, prepare a cell and my torture equipment for me."

Terminating the communication, she pulls out her dataslate.

Removing the screensaver, the chess-piece symbol of House Ephrael, she opens the messaging application and types quickly:

Spoiler

Show

And another message.

Spoiler

Show

Thirty guardsmen are sent to assist in their evacuation.

Now, to solve this... who could it be. The Bannockburns perhaps. Or someone affiliated with the Righteous Path... but not looking for it, as we are.


Novia searches the port's logs for anyone that looks like they could be from the Bannockburns family, or any ships that she remembers belonging to them.

Inquiry : (1d100)[99] [64 to beat, plus any modifiers for check difficulty]

She then accesses the security camera feeds from the offices she imagines her subordinates were taken from, to see what she can find.

After gleaning what she can from that, assuming she finds any footage at all, she calls whomever it is appropriate to contact in the Adeptus Arbites of the station, and takes off her helmet so it is easier to talk normally.

"Greetings. I am Seneschal Novia Ephrael, of the Rogue Trader vessel 'She's One of Ours, Sir'. I would like to report a crime."

[Askaris]

Akadia:

Spoiler

Show

Rolling against Tech use of 64 to make this meltabomb remote transmit: 56, Success!

Novia:

"Hold one moment ma'am, verifying your credentials."

Over the vox, you hear the sound of hurried conversation, lasting for a minute or so; shortly after the conversation ceases, a sound akin to a balloon being flicked emanates form the speaker as you are passed onto another line.

"This is Precept-Marshall Kyra Valkyran, and this had better be important."

[vampire2948]

Novia replies.
Greetings, Precept-Marshall. Thank you for answering my call. The issue is rather important - Many of my subordinates who were based in the port rather than my Rogue Trader's vessel the 'She's One of Ours, Sir' have been taken, interrogated, tortured and some have been killed. One managed to escape, and is presently coming to my ship after sending me a message informing me of these events. I have also recalled all my other employees to my ship. I also fear for the safety of an Astrocartorgapher named Journ, who was attempting to help me in a matter relating to my mission.

I'd like to know what you're going to do about this, Precept-Marshall. The mission of my Rogue Trader's vessel and her crew is sanctioned by the Administratum, you know. And I would much rather leave the matter to the proper authorities, than dirty my own soldier's hands, and causing any sort of disturbance amongst the mostly fine people of this port. I'm sure your capable organisation will be able to handle it?

Charm: (1d100)[34] modifier is +10, and I have a +10% bonus due to talking to authority due to my etiquette skill. Also using one fate point.

She listens for a reply.

[emi-chan]

Spoiler

Show

rolling scholastic lore, int 40 ....dun dun dunnnnnn 27 ^^ win?

[Askaris]

Novia:

Marshall Valkyran, despite her earlier terseness, appears sympathetic to your cause.

"I'll need proof of wrongdoing for the kidnappings and torture; however, if you believe that this Journ is under threat, the evidence can wait until after his safety has been guaranteed. Tell me the time and place where you were going to meet him, and there will be a squad of street judge enforcers present to provide support if any untoward hostilities break out."

Spoiler

Show

You successfully boosted the Marshall's view of you from "disdainful" (-10 to social checks) to "affectionate" (+20 to social checks). You are now down to 2/3 fate points.

Fifteen minutes later, Akadia walks in with her servo skull in tow, meltabomb slung under one arm, the other clutching a steaming mug. There is a distinct smell of cinnamon in the air.

"Here you go, one remote controlled molten-slag bomb." She hefts it onto your desk, making you wince with the apparent lack of care being shown to high explosives. "You'll need to flick this switch here-", she continues airily, indicating a toggle switch attached to a bulky radio reciever, "-before it'll respond to the detonator, so, well, remember to do that, alright?" She rummages around in her coat pocket, pulling out a transmitter similar to the receiver rigged to the meltabomb. "on a similar note, here's the detonator, safety catch is here, trigger is here. And finally, how the frak did you know I liked cocoa?"

Astrianna:

Spoiler

Show

That's a success alright!

You remember those stars; if you're right, and you're very sure you're right, the system that the Righteous Path is located in is somewhere to the galactic West of Winterscale's Realm, a cluster of solar systems under the rule of the Winterscale rogue trader dynasty. You'll need to acquire some starcharts of that area, but you're all but certain you know where to look.

You may feel a tingle of justified self-satisfaction.

[vampire2948]

To Akadia : "Well, Walter seems to have a knack for such things. Thank you for preparing the device so quickly."

"There are problems I must attend to in the port, excuse me."

Novia packs the melta-bomb in her pack, and activates her comm to talk to the woman from the Adeptus Arbites.

"I believe the condition of my subordinates, when they arrive, will be ample proof, Marshall. I will send a copy of the message the astrocartographer sent to me from my dataslate now. I was going to meet the man right now, when I received word of the troubles I have reported. I will bring some of my own bodyguards too. The location will be included in the dataslate transmission."

She sends the transmission, as described.

"My men will begin going there now, if it is convenient for you and your Enforcers, Marshall."

While saying this, Novia is already typing out a message to the Captain detailing what's happening on her dataslate.

Spoiler

Show

Addressing the guardsmen who have assembled near her:
"We will have support from the Arbites in this matter. Be alert, though I suspect our unknown enemy will not trouble us now. Pity, I wanted something to keep me occupied during our next trip through the immaterium. Equip yourselves with only light weaponry, no heavy machine guns or similar. I'd rather not have to answer to the Arbites about dead innocents."

[emi-chan]

"Gentlemen, if we are to follow the information this crystal gives to us, then I suggest we find the 'Righteous path'. I may need to acquire some new star charts, but I am sure I can lead us there." She blinks a little more, but her eyes take on a shine that is only present when someone knows they have succeeded in something.

[PanNarrans]

''Thank you Mister Mallear, that was most comprehensive. I'm interested to hear that the ship is skittish; I'd never have expected it with her captain and record.

''Now... Mister Cain and Miss Jastilus, please stay with me. Everyone else... before you go off-watch, please prepare a short report on the diurn's achievements and your plans for the next, and send it to my dataslate. For now you are excused to your duties.''

As his subordinates file out of his quarters, Tristram turns to the two he asked to remain.

''Constantine and Lyra, yes? I'm told we have a gun-cutter aboard. Take me to her. Oh... carry this between you.'' He nudges his voidchest with a steel toecap. ''Hold on, let me get rid of the useless junk in there...'' Entering the combination with his right hand, he flips the three catches with his left. The plasteel lid opens onto neatly rolled clothes in bright colours, which he throws out onto the floor. Revealed at the bottom of the chest are a shipboard emergency kit, a very heavy duty voidsuit, carapace armour and a grav-chute. He slams the lid shut and motions Cain and Jastilus towards the chest.

''Lead on!''

[Captain_Pants]

Jakov persists in staring at Dray, until finally deciding that the matter is inconsequential - If he is innocent, he is under our protection. If he is guilty, we have him captive.

Aware of the fact his Dataslate has been chiming all the while, he turns to the desk and picks it up.
Reading the first message, he grows incensed by the notion of enemies being so close already. His suspicion of Dray flares, but is quelled a little by the following message detailing Novia's plan.
Being a man of a certain age and rather set in his ways on the matter of technology, it does not occur to him to reply to the messages. Instead, he faces Dray again.
"Mr. Dray, you may take your leave. Once we are voidborne, it would please me if you would meet with me again. I feel we have much to discuss. You there, Voidsman. Would you be so kind as to escort him back to his cabin?"

Jakov then turns his attention to the matter of Astrianna.
"Madam Keris, you bring us good news. The sooner we can put our current trials behind us and be on our way, the better. If you can bring me information on where we might procure these star charts you require, I will see to it that they are obtained post-haste."

He walks to his vox-caster and broadcasts ship-wide...
"Attention, all hands. This is your captain speaking. We have our destination. As soon as some minor matters are seen to in port, we shall depart with great alacrity. Make ready for departure, men. The Emperor Protects."

And then directly to Tristram's cabin.
"Mr. Macharius. Captain Zvarro here. Once this Madam Ephrael has seen to this... Unpleasantness, I will require you to show us why I chose you over a number of other pilots. I trust you are quite prepared for, shall we say, a 'swift retreat'?"

[Askaris]

Astrianna:

The maps you require could be requisitioned from the Navy, for a certain cost; to acquire them quickly could well be expensive. Alternatively, asking around the port for experienced voidfarers of the Expanse may yield directions, at the cost of announcing your intentions to the entire port. Finally, an astrocartographer might be able to draw you up a map, although the chances of finding one who has charts of such an obscure system are slim.

Tristram:

As Cain and Jastilus heft your case, the captain's voice comes in over the intercom:

"Mr. Macharius. Captain Zvarro here. Once this Madam Ephrael has seen to this... Unpleasantness, I will require you to show us why I chose you over a number of other pilots. I trust you are quite prepared for, shall we say, a 'swift retreat'?"

Jakov:

As you finish giving your orders, a pair of crewmen enter, requesting the presence (and firearms) of Ms. Cortez, at the behest of Lady Ephrael. Red salutes you laconically and leaves, with an anticipatory smirk on her face.

Novia:

Spoiler

Show

Roll a perception or awareness check. Redundant, see below.

"We're on our way. Valkyran out."

Spoiler

Show

Rolling against perception 32: Roll(1d100)+0: 19,+0 Total:19, Success!
(Using Wizards roller as Invisiblecastle is down.)

Akadia peers at one of your many CCTV monitors, putting a gloved finger on it.

"Uh, Lady Ephrael? I think we have a problem."

On the screen, you can see a group of three people in crew jumpsuits striding purposefully towards the captain's cabin, unfolding concealed weapons. You'd guess they'll be at the door within a matter of ten seconds. Akadia, after a few false starts, hits the intercom.

"Boss, got three guys with guns coming to your door, and they ain't looking too friendly!"

With that, she runs out the door, shouting into her micro-bead for someone to get her bolter. The servo skull chirps at you, then flies after its mistress.

Spoiler

Show

You have a choice; you could go back up the Captain, but this will take a while; he's some distance away from you, due to the size of the ship. In addition, if there are ambushers waiting for yourself and Journ to turn up, they may attempt to steal the information you seek, even with Arbites presence.

On the other hand, you could go on as planned, but it might put the captain at risk; do you trust him enough to not get himself killed?

Jakov and Astrianna:

Spoiler

Show

You have two rounds to act before they reach your door. Act wisely.

[Captain_Pants]

As soon as the message is in, Jakov wastes not a second. He half-leaps at the door and seals it so as to prevent, or at the very least hinder, the intruders' entry, sprints back to his desk, up-ends it and hunkers down behind it. He gestures for Astrianna to do the same, and opens the channel on his Microbead to Novia.

"Madam Ephrael? Captain Zvarro. I have a need to prepare myself in the event of conflict. Command of the ship's crew is yours until such time as I state otherwise. You are a woman of cunning and ingenuity, and I trust you to make the soundest decision for us all. The Emperor Protects."

With this, Jakov peers from behind the desk and prepares to make a move for his personal armoury.

[vampire2948]

Ephrael replies : "Yes sir. Be safe. Make sure you've an oxygen mask."


"Bridge - Patch me through to the compartment with the interlopers in it."

She pauses while they do this.

"To all crew near the captain's quarters. Vacate the area, now, or you may die. There are enemies in the section with the intent of killing our captain."

"Bridge - This communication is for your ears alone."

She pauses again.

"Begin shutting all air-tight doors out of that section once our crew pass them. If the interlopers should come near an open door, close it. Any crew trapped will have to find another way out - The captain's life is at stake.

Once all the doors are shut out of that section, reverse the air filters and replace the air with carbon dioxide. I predict they may try to break a door, hopefully without success, so be quick.

Order fifty on-duty soldiers to guard each exit. I want them alive, so put the air back after they have collapsed for one minute. Have them handcuffed, taken to the bridge, and check if any of them are psykers. Extra knockout drugs for any that are."

"Patch me through to the compartment again."

She pauses.

"Greetings, guests. I don't remember Captain Jakov Zvarro granting you permission to board this vessel, but surely it is merely a transmission error between dataslates. I shall have my techpriests check them.

There is no need to travel this unfamiliar ship alone. Put down your weapons, and I'll order a nice escort for you. Perhaps some tea.

Failure to do this will result in you being forced into void suits and attached to the outer hull during our next jaunt through the Immaterium... after the torture - that goes without saying, I'm sure.
You insult the Houses Zvarro and Ephrael, and a sanctioned Rogue Trader of the Imperium. I cannot think of anything more utterly idiotic, unless we count things of the scale of acts of desecration of Holy Terra."

"The Emperor does not protect ones such as yourselves."

Intimidate : (1d100)[30] Fellowship of 59. +10% if this counts as a formal situation, +10% if I can add my +10% bonus talking to Imperials or High Authority.

"Cortez, once our guests have disarmed themselves. Kindly escort them to comfortable quarters. Make sure their every need is met." Novia's voice is filled with sarcasm and contempt.



To the Arbites, and the one-hundred guardsmen I have gathered.

"Arbites, we are moving now. My enemy has also attempted to attack the Rogue Trader Jakov Zvarro. I believe I will have more evidence for you before long."

"Men, you know your orders. Lets show these scum how the crew of the 'She's One of Ours, Sir' deal with their problems. It is our duty to humanity itself to deal with these... heretics who would stand in the way of our Emperor-Sanctioned Mission, and by his name, I will not tolerate them living beyond this day."

Charm - Inspire roll coming up in next post.

[vampire2948]

Charm - Inspire roll : (1d100)[88] - Same +% as the previous roll, perhaps.

"Bridge, send some men to guard the ship's critical systems. Seal all doors around them once the men are through. We don't know how many more there are."

"Techpriestess Akadia. Once we have the heretics in captivity, search them for implants. I don't care if it's an auto-flosser, I want it deactivated - No need to waste the ship's anesthetic."

[PanNarrans]

''...Make ready for departure, men. The Emperor Protects."

As soon as Tristram hears the order, he bursts into a sprint. To the pilots following him he suddenly metamorphoses into a yellow flourish turning the next corner, leaving the dopplered words ''CATCH UP WITH ME'' behind him.

[emi-chan]

Keris, still a little disorientated from the crystal jaunt reaches for her handcannon and metal staff. Her talon-like fingers greet the symbols of her profession like old-friends but there are no smiles for them now, not at this time when fighting is nigh. "This isn't what i was built for." She sighs and checks that her handcannon is loaded and that her headscarf is still in place. "Ah well, there was bound to be fighting at some point. I'd merely hoped that it would be another battle of words with the captain." She stands and faces the door as one resigned to a task.

[Askaris]

Novia:

The guards don't appear to have been impressed by your speech, but it doesn't matter greatly; men and women connected to their homeship have been harmed, and revenge against the transgressors would be greatly satisfying. They move out purposely, marching out through the docking tube and causing some consternation amongst the customs officers. Someone's going to be in for quite a surprise.

Meanwhile, on the monitors, you can see the compromised section of the ship being rapidly vacated by the crew; two of the interlopers are quite clearly shaken by your threat-laden speech, although the one woman in the group appears completely unfazed. The evacuation of the crew will be completed shortly, making the reversal of the air filters imminent. The doors clang shut, and the helmsman chimes in over the shipwide intercom;

"Air filters reversing on Deck-17-Subsec-Alpha. CO2 levels rising."

Red comes on over the vox.
"And here was me thinking that this job might've been boring. On it."

Shortly afterwards, Akadia does likewise.
"...Acknowledged." There is an undertone of disgust in her voice.

Jakov and Astrianna:

Contained within the Captain's personal armoury are a suit of full carapace armour, a void suit, a chainsword, a power sword, and finally the Captain's suit of power armour. In addition, a shipboard emergency kit (complete with oxygen mask) is stashed nearby. The sealed door should give both of you enough time to suit up and equip.

Spoiler

Show

Green circle is Astrianna, navy blue circle is Jakov. Red crosshairs designate standard mooks. Blue crosshair indicates unfazed woman.

Spoiler

Show

Toughness tests to resist suffocation:

Lady Ash: rolling against toughness 40: 17, Success!

Mook 1 (left): rolling against toughness 40: 46, Failure!

Mook 1 (left) takes one level of fatigue (-10 to everything.)

Mook 2 (Right): rolling against toughness 40: 44, Failure!

Mook 2 (Right) takes one level of fatigue (-10 to everything.)

Spoiler

Show

Rolling for Focus Power at unfettered level, psy rating 6: rolling against 55+(6*5)= 85, psychic phenomena on doubles: 74, Success!

Novia:

The woman of the group conjures a translucent blade from thin air, wasting no time in jamming it into the door. The two gunmen appear to already be suffering from oxygen deprivation, but take up positions by the door.

Astrianna:

A translucent blade pierces the reinforced door, slowly carving it's way through the metal. You have a horrible, horrible feeling about this...

Spoiler

Show

Roll a psyniscience check.

Jakov:

It would appear that there is some witchcraft going on outside your door; whether it is of Empyreal or Xenos origin is irrelevant. It happening on YOUR ship, and it is carving through the door to YOUR quarters.

Tristram:

As you appear on the bridge (after a rather impressive sprint), Alaric hustles you over to the pilot's pulpit with no little haste.

"Lesson's will need to be brief Helmsman. Normally I'd familiarise you in more relaxed conditions, but the Captain appears to want to test you under difficult circumstances. The ship will need to be made flight-ready ASAP, and you will need to be comfortable enough with the helm to get us out of here with some alacrity if and when the grox crap hits the fan." He smiles tightly. "No pressure, of course."

Spoiler

Show

The ship needs preparing, and fast: roll a Pilot(spacecraft) check to do so with an unfamiliar control scheme.

[PanNarrans]

''I don't foresee any difficulties, Alaric, but do be sure to warn me before I foul it up. Let me see... it's fairly similar to the layout on the Perfection of Revenge, I believe.''
Tristram's hands begin to dance confidently over the controls. He stops briefly and asks ''Where's the coarse retrojet adjustment?'' When pointed in the right direction, continues moving quickly through his preparations.
''Where's a techpriest to do the necessaries?'' He runs a hand reassuringly along the wheel. ''Wouldn't want her to get offended.''

Spoiler

Show

Pilot (Spacecraft) 57: (1d100)[41]

[vampire2948]

"Captain - They are cutting through your door with some sort of psychic knife trick. Be ready. Assistance is on the way." Novia says through her comm to the captain.

"Bridge - I am leaving the vessel to deal with our problems in port. Contact me via comm if there are any developments." Novia also says through her comm, to the bridge.


Novia then leaves the vessel and heads after her soldiers with her personal bodyguards.

"Valkyran, it seems the enemy has psykers in their employ. One is currently redecorating the interior of my Rogue Trader's ship. I imagine you will want to inform your men to be careful." she tells the Marshall.

[Captain_Pants]

Upon seeing the psychic blade sawing its way through the plasteel door, Jakov roars with outrage.
"Psyker filth dare desecrate MY sweet vessel?! Weapons in human flesh! Too many times have I seen them destroy more friends than foe, and never shall I suffer to see those tides turn on my fellows! Madam Keris, on guard! Show these rogue devils what becomes a traitor to Mankind!"
He revs his heirloom chainsword fiercely, thinking of the enemies of the Zvarro name it had rent in twain in all its years, and levels his handcannon with the door.
"The blighters shall rue the day they thought to test the mettle of the noble House Zvarro! HAVE AT YOU, DEVILS! CLAIM YOUR REWARD; THE PURIFYING EMBRACE OF THE EMPEROR'S JUSTICE!"

Spoiler

Show

Exceptional Leader is now active. Astrianna gains +10% to any test she may attempt in the next round.

[Askaris]

Jakov and Astrianna:

Spoiler

Show

Quick thing, what items did you retrieve/share from the armoury?

[emi-chan]

Spoiler

Show

rolling psyscience, per 37.
81

"Buggery."

[Captain_Pants]

Mr. Pleasant GM Chap

Spoiler

Show

Jakov retrieved his chainsword, power sword, light power armour, handcannon and oxygen mask.

Also he's taken the opportunity to don his Lord General's trenchcoat.

Emi:

Spoiler

Show

Jakov has a spare set of carapace armour in his armoury; Astrianna has his permission to wear it at this moment for the sake of preserving her life.

He would like it back when this unpleasant business is over and dealt with.

[emi-chan]

Jakov:

Spoiler

Show

Keris would thank you for the offer of armour if it is better than the 'best craftmanship xeno-mesh armour she currently wears with her robes...which i suspect it is- so yes please! She'll probably stick with the hand cannon and definately the staff (seeing as it is her mark of who and what she is from the academy- see, roleplaying here...even if it does get me killed!)

[Askaris]

Spoiler

Show

Apologies for the delay, was moving back to university. Settled in now, let's roll.

Astrianna and Jakov:

Spoiler

Show

The carapace provides better protection, but is heavier. I assume that Jakov has given you his oxygen mask, as his power armour has an oxygen supply, and he prides himself on gentlemanly conduct.

As you finish equipping yourselves, the door sags in its now-molten frame, then is kicked in with a metallic thump. You see a tall woman with a pale, expressionless face regard you impassively, while two bulkier men lurk in the shadowed corridor, laspistol barrels looming from the darkness. Time stretches out as you all draw weapons and prepare to act...

Spoiler

Show

ROLL FOR INITIATIVE, POST YOUR ACTIONS! 1d10 + agility bonus (tens digit of agility stat), plus any of misc mods you may have (I don't think either of you do, but I might be wrong; check your sheets.)

Will post for Novia and Tristram later.

[Captain_Pants]

Spoiler

Show

Initiative roll:
1d10+3=7

As the pale-faced woman strides through the door, Jakov's face contorts with fury. Drawing himself to full height, he aims his handcannon at her and revs his chainsword with ferocity. Through the mouthpiece of his helm, his voice booms.

"Warp-damned devils. You have made four grievous errors since you set foot on this vessel. Your first was in the act of setting foot itself. The second was in ignoring my delegate's warnings - I should perhaps mention that you would have been treated courteously, had you submitted without a fight. Your third, you have just committed. You came face to face with Lord Captain Jakov Zvarro, appointed Rogue Trader, staunch man of Imperial values, and a Lord General of the Imperial Guard. I have led men through hell and back and stood before horrors you have only imagined in the dark of night, and if you, three blaggards with too little sense to heed a mortal warning, think you can threaten me while standing so few in numbers and so slight in strength, I am frankly astounded you found your way here with such limited intellect. You have insulted me, Sirs and Madam, and that is your fourth and greatest mistake. Jakov Zvarro, Lord Captain and Lord General, will brook no insult from the likes of you. Prepare yourselves for the Emperor's Justice."

Spoiler

Show

Roll to intimidate: Untrained skill check, using Fellowship.
55 fellowship, halved and rounded up = 28.
1d100=16

[emi-chan]

A little put off by great speeches at important moments by supposedly-important men, Keris says nothing. Instead she points her gun at her opponents and readies it. She is quiet but for a sharp click somewhere in her handcannon and the small rustle of fabric that comes from her headscarf.

Spoiler

Show

intitative, agility is +3
sooo....
[roll1d10+3][/roll]
I am aware this doesn't work but for the sake of getting this game moving shall we say i get 5 on the roll and make it 8?

[Captain_Pants]

Emi:

Spoiler

Show

Use Invisible Castle's dice roller and post the BBcode link. It'll do the job just fine. Also no you can't call Initiative 8! I only got 7! I AM THE CAPTAIN OF THIS VESSEL etc.

[Askaris]

Spoiler

Show

I'll just roll initiative for you, I have your sheet:

Initiative:
Astrianna: Rolling 1d10+3=9.
Jakov: Rolled 7.
Mook 1: Rolling 1d10+3 = 10.
Mook 2: Rolling 1d10+3 = 8.
Lady Ash: Rolling 1d10+3 = 5.

INITIATIVE ORDER:
Mook 1
Astrianna
Mook 2
Jakov
Lady Ash

Toughness tests for everyone not with an oxygen mask:
Mook 1: Rolling under toughness 40-10 = 30: 6, Success!
(Takes no extra levels of fatigue this round, still at -10 to everything.)

Mook 2: Rolling under toughness 40-10 = 30:57, Failure!
(Takes an extra level of fatigue (now at 2 levels, unconscious at 4), still at -10 to everything.)

Lady Ash: Rolling under toughness 40: 6, Success!
(Takes no extra levels of fatigue, still in peak condition.)

Mook 1:

Spoiler

Show

Half action to aim (+10 to BS), half action to fire.

Rolling against 35 -10 +10 = 35: 40, Failure!

Taking cover behind the doorframe, one of the men takes aim at Jakov and fires, the sharp crack of the laspistol echoing in the confined space. It misses it's mark by a foot, leaving a scorch mark on the panoramic viewport. Property damage as well! Confounded raiders!

Astrianna:

Spoiler

Show

You spent the whole round aiming, thus giving you +20 to a single ballistic skill test next round. Also, we are in combat time now: I would suggest looking around page 234 or so.

Mook 2:

Spoiler

Show

Half action aim (+10 to BS), half action to fire.

Rolling against BS 35 -10 +10 = 35: 45, Failure!

Gasping in the worsening atmosphere, the other man points his gun barrel at Jakov and opens fire. Once again the Emperor smiles upon you, the shot going wide due to his erratic breathing.

Jakov:

Spoiler

Show

By the combined efforts of yourself and Novia, you have been granted the Fear(1) trait for this round!

Fear test for Mook 1:
Rolling against Willpower 35-10 = 25: 16, Success!
(Mook 1 keeps it together.)
Fear test for Mook 2:
Rolling against Willpower 35-10 = 25: 71, Failure!
(Mook 2 loses his cool spectacularly.)

Rolling on the Shock Table: 87 + 50 (from 5 degrees of failure) = 137. YOU JUST BROKE HIS MIND.

Strangely, Lady Ash is completely unaffected.

Through a combination of oxygen deprivation, the deteriorating state of affairs, and confronting a completely undaunted, magnificently armoured Lord General filled with the cold fury of the truly incensed, the gasping man loses what control he had left; his panting turns into a manic cackling, and he hurls himself on his astonished comrade.

Lady Ash:

Spoiler

Show

Full action, Run.

Paying no heed to the scuffle going on behind her, the tall woman runs behind one of the support pillars, using the heavy durasteel as cover.

END OF ROUND 1, BEGIN ROUND 2, STATE YOUR ACTIONS!

Updated Map:

Spoiler

Show

Only change to indentities is that purple represents the now insane mook 2. Light blue is Lady Ash, red is Mook 1, you are your own colours.

Oh, and the door's open. Wide open. Blown-off-its-bloody-hinges open.

Novia:

Your progress through the station is eventful; while the denizens of Port Wander are used to the agents of Rogue Traders around the station, seeing a company-strength contingent of flak-coated soldiers has left many a merchant gawping, making the sign of the Aquila across their chest in the hope of warding them against the wrath you clearly seek to unleash. Several Arbitrators have given you dirty looks, but the orders of their superior are holding them at bay for now.

As you approach your destination, your troops fan out, covering the greatest area of ground, scoping out places where they can stage a counter-ambush. In the square where you had arranged to meet Journ, you can see a number of Arbitrators, scowling at the general populace as they go about their business and try not to look too illegal about it. In the very centre, is a highly nervous looking man, clutching a stack of hefty tomes. You can only assume that this is Journ himself.

Spoiler

Show

Will get a map up soon, but you're in an open "town" square, with a number of traders scattered around. There are buildings and walkways surrounding the area. What do you do?

Tristram:

Alaric is quite impressed by your aptitude. "Test passed with flying colours, helmsman. Good work."

A few moments later, the vox crackles to life again. You can hear rapid footsteps in the background.

"Ramirez here. Engines are still ready to go, and I've got the Enginseers guarding them in case there's any more of these bastards about. Tristram, everything okay on the bridge?"

[vampire2948]

As Novia walks through the port with her guards, she scans the faces of those watching - Her eyes hidden behind the visor of her helmet. Ancestral Seal and the symbols of Zvarro and Epharel clearly visible.

Perception Check as described below : (1d100-3)[9]
Perception : 38

- Anyone who, straight after seeing me, begins talking into a communicator.
- Anyone who doesn't look scared, that isn't part of the Arbites or my own guard.
- Anyone bearing the marks of a Rogue Trader on their clothing or whatever.


When Novia reaches the town square, assuming there are a large number of people watching that aren't my own soldiers or the Arbites, Novia says, loudly :

"Lawful Citizens and travellers of this Port. I am Novia Epharel, of the House Ephrael, and Seneschal to the Rogue Trader Jakov Zvarro, brought to this port by his frigate.

As I'm sure you'll have deduced, I am currently solving a problem.
It seems that someone on this port had the testicular fortitude to attempt to trap and take me, my men, my captain and my ship.

I am sure that some among you listening work for whoever it is that foolishly attempted this. Information would be appreciated, and my appreciation in this case takes the form of as many thrones as you can carry. If you have information, come forward to myself of my soldiers."

Charm Check - (1d100-10)[-4]
Fellowship : 59
10% Bonus for Ancestral Seal, another 10% if addressing a crowd counts as formal.

To her soldiers:
"Men, cover the area. I don't want anyone getting in without us knowing about it. We are likely far too numerous for anyone to try anything. But be careful. The Emperor protects, but not from our own carelessness."

Novia puts a hand on her power sword's hilt, and strides toward Journ.

"So, we meet. Why are you here? We arranged to meet in your shop. Did the Arbites move you?"
She leans close and speaks softly:
"This trap had better not be your doing, Journ. I've not time to explain to you how unpleasant things will become for you if that is the case."

Intimidate Check - (1d100-10)[80]
Same bonuses and Fellowship as my Charm Check above.


Novia draws her Hellpistol from a holster and checks the powerpack.