[DH] Imperial Truth IC

[tsumechk]

Seanfall

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The engine of the Arvus Lighter roared as it soared to its destination, high above a raging battlefield unbeknownst to those below it carried an Inquisitor and a small team of soldiers. The planet was in the middle of a freshly instigated civil war. The Inquisitor was in the middle of doing final check ups on his weaponry and armor as he spoke to the small team of Sisters of battle he was bringing along for backup.

"I am sure you have been instructed on our goals, but I would like to repeat them just in case. Understand that any contradictions in the orders given to you by your Convent leader are overridden by whatever I tell you. If you have any problems with that, remember that she is no Inquisitor whereas I am. And if you still have any problems with that, just remember that we have yet to arrive and I'm the only one with magboots should these doors find themselves suddenly open mid-barrel roll for some unexplained reason." Waiting for any response he received none, which he was hoping for. "Good. Now, onto the mission. Several days ago a team of Acolytes were sent down to this planet to investigate rumors of possible cult activity. However they have not reported back. Now I tend to consider Acolytes to be inherently expendable so their deaths are of little concern to me, but at the same time the fact that they died shortly before this civil war started as me concerned. The war itself is of little concern to me. That's the Planetary Governor's problem, not mine. But the way events makes it my concern. A team of acolytes go missing while investigating cult activity in an area that becomes the center of riots for a rapidly escalating civil war? I'm willing to bet that whatever cult was here is responsible for this. So our objectives are simple. While the PDF attempts to put down this rebellion we are to make our way to the Acolytes' last known location. Our primary objective is to determine if the cult they were investigating is responsible for this war, and regardless put the cult's leadership down. Our secondary objective is to find out whether the Acolytes are alive or not. Some good news would be appreciated, but I assume they are all dead or incompetent. Lastly should we happen to come across the leadership of this rebellion put them down as well. This is not a priority and should not be sought out unless it becomes apparent that they are tied to the cult."

The pilot spoke over the intercom, "Thirty seconds to arrival at the drop point Inquisitor Novic, sir!" Taking the cue he put on his helmet and drew one of his pistols and swords. "On my mark..." The doors of the lighter opened up and he moved to jump out of the door. "Move!" Dropping several yards his power armor absorbed the brunt of the force of the fall. The landing zone was on the outskirts of a small city caught up in the battle. The very same city where the acolytes had disappeared from. The sun was beginning to set and night would come soon, a planned syncing up of events to make it easier to penetrate the defenses. "Let's get moving."

Urist

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It had been a simple inspection. You had been sent to a small city on the planet to make sure the local Ecclesiarchy cathedral was taking part in all necessary rituals and that the sacred iconography of the God-Emperor of Mankind was properly taken care of. But within a few days of arriving riots had broken out. While most affronts to the authority of the Imperium were brought down swiftly these dissenters gathered support rapidly, and they were surprisingly numerous to begin with. Within a few days time the city was taken and the remaining opposition had fled to the cathedral. It had be designed to serve as a fortress if need be, intended to symbolize the unyielding will of the Emperor and His subjects, so it held against the assaults of the insurrectionists for now.

However this had been going on for well over a week now. While it was a mostly secure location the occasional raider would manage to penetrate the defenses. The breach would be quickly filled, but each successfully break in the fortifications made future ones easier. As things stood eventually the cathedral would be taken.

As night was falling the Deacon paced about the grand alter. A group of preachers were speaking with him about what course of action to take. "We should hold for as long as possible," spoke one of the preachers, "The Emperor will grant us the strength to overcome this trial." The deacon did not let an expression creep to his face but his eyes showed contempt for that plan.

"The Emperor very well could, but His attention is better suited elsewhere. We are but a minor glint of light compared to the great battles of the galaxy where His gaze is much more deserving. I would much prefer not to bother Him with our petty problems when we could solve them ourselves." Placing his hands upon the alter the deacon looked up at the massive statue of the God-Emperor. "And in doing so even if we perish we will prove our worth to Him."

Volthawk

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The darkness of an alley filled with the unmistakable sound scape of a Hive City cloaked a meeting between murderer and weapon. "Your target is this woman." The figure held up a dataslate showing the image of a blond woman bearing a large scar that went from one ear across the bridge of her nose to the other. "Her name is Karina Scythia. The PDF want her to provide testimony to the Arbites about an alleged murder. One that my client had hired an assassin such as yourself to carry out. Naturally someone of his importance does not wish to risk such unpleasant information to make it to the Judges, so your assignment is simple. Kill her before she reaches the Arbites Precinct house. That is all." Upon finishing his orders the figure slunk into the shadows and vanished.

Hemnon

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Deep in the halls of the planet's Arbites Precinct house a Judge stood. "It is good to see that you are on time. Now, assignment is to head to the PDF's headquarters. There you will meet with their leaders and a woman named Karina Scythia." A large screen in the hall lit up displaying the image of a blond woman with a scar reaching from one ear across the bridge of her nose to the other. "She claims to have played witness to an assassination orchestrated by one noble family to another. While violations of planetary law are of no concern to use there is one fact that makes it our concern. She claims that the assassin bore a certain symbol which hints to their belonging to a heretical cult. If this is the case we will need to discern the validity of this testimony and take measures to bring down any cults this assassin belonged to as well as punish whatever noble thought to hire such scum." The judge began pacing back and forth upon his podium. "However you are not to just serve as an escort for the woman. The PDF, in their eternal incompetence, have allowed this knowledge to slip to the public. If the public knows, the noble who hired the assassin knows. As such we anticipate an attempt on her life. We cannot allow an affront to Imperial law such as this to continue, so you are to protect her until she reaches our Precinct. Do NOT allow her to come to harm. If you understand you may leave."

Bluntpencil

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"This is the Squad 132, nothing so far." A team of PDF soldiers were making their way through a derelict hive spire. It had fallen into disrepair long ago when a lethal plague swept through its halls. To prevent the rest of the Hive from being infected it had to be quarantined. Since then its inhabitants had been presumed dead. Since then the spire had fallen into disrepair as vital systems to its functioning ceased operation due to lack of proper Mechanicus rituals. Deeming it to be to expensive to repair by the planetary governor it has since stood, dead and empty. The occasional delving into it by teams of Tech-Priests or others interested in lost technology, knowledge, or similarly bent individuals had confirmed the death toll as none had ever encountered anyone.

But yesterday a small group of such individuals had gone missing. While this was not exactly uncommon the last report transmitted by the team included audible gunfire in the background. Add to this the fact the the team had been sent by the Planetary Governor to recover something and this soon became a matter that was definitively worth investigating. Hence the reason you and the rest of this team had been sent. While you had made progress, covering almost the entire first floor of the spire there was still much ground to cover.

padraig

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It had been a relatively simple assignment. Head into a derelict spire and recover the contents of a safe from an expired noble family's estate. Beyond the occasional person being killed by falling debris or other results of the blatant disrepair of the locale no one had ever had any problems. Long ago a lethal plague had swept through the spire killing the inhabitants. To prevent the rest of the Hive from being infected it had been quarantined until all life within was killed off by the contagion. By the time this happened it had been so long that machine spirits that kept vital functions of the spire functioning had ceased functioning with proper Mechanicus rituals. The planetary governor declared the cost of repairing it to be too high, especially since there were now less nobles to house in the hive. Since then the occasional team of individuals interested in recovering lost information, technology, valuables, or people just looking for a thrill would come here, but never for long.

You and your team had been one such group. Hired by the Planetary Governor to recover something for him you entered the spire with his permission. All was proceeding as planned. When you reached the estate you had been sent to search things started to fall apart. Once inside you were attacked by armed individuals in grey cloaks. Most of your team was killed then and there in a hail of gunfire and blood. Barely managing to escape - you being miraculously unharmed - you and the last two members of your team fled deeper into the spire as you were chased by your assailants. Reaching another noble family's home you entered and sealed the doors behind you. After a bit of banging on the doors and some incoherent speech on the other side it was now quiet and you were safe for the moment.

[Seanfall]

Lupa Ludovicus

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During the flight Lupa sat buckled into a seat of the Arvus Lighter, as the Inquisitor spoke she slapped a sickle clip into her Bolter. Spoke a few words of prayer to the Emperor and mentally prepared herself for the days battle. As the Inquisitor jumped off onto the ground she and her sisters followed. Her power armor absorbed the impact jarring her only a little, moving forward she crouched down to lower her profile as they moved towards the city.

Lupa scanned the aware ahead of them, searching for any possible sniper posts, ambush spots, or cover in case of an attack. While scanning, she quickly checked and made sure the Mirco-bead in her left ear was working.

(Awareness roll (1d100)[19] vs 35

Edit: Oh! nice.

[Volthawk]

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Sev is silent while the orders are being given, his face concealed behind his gas mask, and remains where he is after the figure leaves, thinking things over.

If the PDF is involved, they'd likely have a security detail of some sort, which would make a direct attack more risky. However, if I find a good vantage point, a bit of sniping may do the job nicely...first things first, I need a good vantage point...

He finally steps out the alleyway, heading in the direction of the Precinct House. He needed to see if there were any places he could get up to with a grapnel which would give him a good spot to try sniping from.

[Hemnon]

Simon Belmont

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''Sir, I do have a few questions before i leave: Firstly, am I to go alone without backup? Secondly, Am I granted permission to use any amount of force, I myself, deem necessary to achieve success of primary objective? Lastly, will I be issued any kind of equipment for this mission, like arbitrator carapace armor and shotgun?'' Simon asked as he stood at attention infront of the Judge. He remained professional and calm through it all.

[padraig]

Uxia

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Alright, calm down and take stock of the situation.

Munitorum combat training began to kick in again. Weapons seem in good shape. The Armsman gripped tightly in her right hand, she made sure her combat knife and backup stub pistol were ready to go in the other. How about the men?

You two. I want a weapons check. And you, the short one, do a sweep of this place. If there's another exit I want to know about it. Stick with me and we'll get out of this.

They'd taught her all sorts of command techniques, but they were never her forte. Connecting to others has never been her strong suit. Still, she wasn't going to get out here alone, so she'd better take a shine to it fast.

Did either of you get a good look at the attackers?

She'd only got a few brief glimpses of the grey-cloaked individuals. This whole area should have been empty. Had she missed something in her preparations? It would be comforting to know what they were up against.

Think

A decade and a half of briefings on the Calixian armed forces and various threats. Surely she'd read something that could be useful.

OOC:

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I believe tests for Command (ordering the men), Common Lore (Imperium) and (Imperial Guard) (Likely culprits in the grey cloaks) are called for. Fel 27 Int 39. -5 to Int if the place is in rough enough shape to no longer count as a "proper hab". Am I correct in understanding you want to do those rolls?

[bluntpencil]

Number Five

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The Sanctioned Psyker moved forwards with purpose, smoothly, like a zephyr across the plains.

How did he know of the weather on the plains? He had never been on such a world, as far as he could remember... Never mind.

His sword was drawn, just in case. It never hurt to be prepared, especially in this sort of situation. He didn't want any surprises, so tentatively allowed the Aether to inform him of his surroundings. Hopefully it wouldn't taint his senses.

"Let me see..."

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Casting Sense Presence to see if we're being ambushed.
(2d10)[1][7](8)+5

Edit: Successful, no phenomenon. 'Vague inkling of lifeforms out to sixty metres.'

[Urist]

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It was a rather staggering coincidence, Jayne reflected, that he once again found himself defending a chapel of the Emperor against ravaging hordes of heretics in a last ditch stand. Almost statistically impossible, really. Or proof of the plan which the Emperor had for him. It seemed that he was destined to die for Him, and that he would do so defending His sacred ground. A fitting, glorious way to die, though. He would enter the Emperor's Halls knowing that he had won a great victory with his sacrifice; whether His enemies had succeeded in the Material, Jayne's soul would be praised and exalted forever.

"Most Honorable Deacon, although I agree that the Emperor may not be directing His personal favor on us, may we lead a prayer to remind ourselves of the place we must serve in His plan, as soldiers, clergy, or martyrs?"

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Charm Test for the Deacon:(1d100)[27]: Fel/2(20)+10(Peer(Ecclesiarchy)+Etiquette)=40+DM Modifiers
If allowed to lead a prayer, Raynor will begin to sing, lifting his voice, and those around him, in hymns to Him on Earth, focusing on martyrdom, sacrifice, and the glory of death in His name:(1d100)[26]TN:40