DrK Rogue Trading in the Jericho Reach IC

[DrK]

As the commander scans the area no additional information can be found as the scanners pick up nothing new whilst the lights flicker slightly as all available power is assigned to the engines that whine and thrash with barely controlled power.

THe Pro-consul looks at the moon below and glances back at the Commander. "Perhaps Commander. Either way it should be established if its a safe meeting point prior to the Tau emissary arriving."

[PotatoGolem]

Xerxes turns toward the Pro-Consul and Captain, his black eyes dead and expressionless as he reads the void. His voice is flat and slightly high, lending it an odd ghostlike quality.

Two ships entered, two ships left. Jumped out of the Warp and back in. Whether they left anyone here, I cannot say. Perhaps I can see more if I focus harder...

[qechua]

Commander Jenell Steel

"Lady Captain, Pro-Consul, the surrounding space is as secure as it can be, short of expending all of our ammunition blasting rocks into smaller rocks. It follows to secure the facility below, I would suggest our most blessed loan from the Astartes lead the expedition, if we wish to continue with the mission. I would also suggest some expedited pace, while I would presume hostile forces in the system have taken damage, we have at the very least revealed our position to them."

Jenell ensures her address is given to Lady Captain Amelia before turning to the Pro-Consul, as well as delivering the majority of the update to the Lady Captain.

Spoiler: ooc

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Given the local area scan, would it be possible to get a brief overview of the defense satellites and how much of a threat they actually pose to the ship?

[Xenopax]

"Why would the Tau wish to hold negotiations on an Former Imperial World? Its suspicious. More so with the fact that it seems abandoned and lifeless.
Ravion is extremely suspicious. Small stations were destroyed all the time. But one of this delicacy involved coordination and orders.

[RelentlessImp]

"This place hardly looks suitable for a meeting between us," Amelia states as she stares at the scanner readouts. "Vox technician, try to establish contact with the base. See if there's anyone alive down there to talk to. If not, assemble a crew of our marines and ready them to go down for reconnaissance."

[DrK]

At the Lady Captain's order the the vox technicians try and make contact before shaking their head. "Apologies Lady Captain. There is no response. The vox frequencies are active but there are no responses." At the mention of a landing party one of the ship guards looks to Commander Steel - "Commander Steel. It will take 15 minutes to perform pre-flght checks on a pair of cutters that can transport a landing party to secure and explore the station. Who shall we inform the guards to escort?""

[qechua]

Commander Jenell Steel

"Make the cutters ready, Sergeant. Assume we're all coming, have two squads meet us down there, we can fill any holes in the roster with house guards. As a reminder, we have a member of the Astartes with us, make sure one of the modified cutters is amongst the readied craft, just in case he decides to join us."

Commander Steel lightly fingers her weapon again, the anticipation of the excursion already building

"I assume your place at the front, my Lady. Pro-consul, will you be joining our expedition?"

[Xenopax]

"Lady Captain, I humbly request to join the exploration party. I wish to see if there is an Archaeotech that can be recovered."

[Haval]

Leif has a bad feeling about this, although that was no reason to avoid doing what they had came here to do.

'I will accompany you as well if you'll have me. If there's anything down there we don't want to meet, I might have a chance to see it coming.'

[NovenFromTheSun]

"With your permission Captain, I think I should go too. I've seen fighting before, so I can keep up." There was an itch at the back of his mind, a subtle urge. "Besides, I want to see an Astaertes in action."

Again, he added privately.

[PotatoGolem]

Xerxes attaches his carapace helmet, making sure to adjust the third-eye visor. Well, no sense in putting all this on for nothing! The marine can see what's real well enough, but Thursday and I have an eye for the unreal. We'll just stay in the back out of all the big, burly people's way. Maybe devour the souls of anyone who sneaks up behind, maybe write some poetry. Haven't decided yet.

[Schwendigo]

"I should come along as well. If there's any survivors I'd be able to treat them, and if there are none, I could at least deliver their souls to the Emperor."

[boj0]

Viktor holds in a sigh, he didn't want to leave the other officers and specialists without his protection should it prove a dangerous excursion; but he still didn't trust this Pro Consul.
Turning to the Captain he states, "Captain, if it pleases you, I shall stand by you whether or not you wish to see the facility. In such a situation, danger comes from where you least expect it.
Or worse, from exactly where you expect it."

Spoiler: OOC

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Viktor will be using Secret Tongue (Rogue Trader) while speaking to her. Regardless of where she goes, he will act as her personal security. The ship could be just as dangerous if the other officers are not there to serve

[RelentlessImp]

Amelia sighs and rubs at her face briefly in frustration. All the senior staff wanting to go? It's like these people didn't understand how vessels functioned. "We'll need at least one senior staff to remain in command of the vessel. But yes, we'll be going down to explore the facility to make certain of its safety. Get a few squads of our marines down for the initial sweep, we'll be going in behind them as investigatives."

[qechua]

Commander Jenell Steel

"With respect, my Lady, Commander Darrius of Morn-watch wants a watch captaincy and is more than qualified for the job. I've been coaching him to this end for several months, and he displays remarkable judgement in all ship matters. In several of our watches, I have no need to offer any advice or suggestions to his actions. I believe this is an excellent opportunity for him to fly solo, to experience the full weight of the ship across his back with no safety net standing by his shoulder. We'll still be in vox contact, and an hours flight return at worse. If this is acceptable, he should already be awake and we can send for him immediately. If not, however, I can remain behind to oversee the vessel personally."

The suggestion enters the air as the nearby Sergeant begins preparing the first wave of marines, having no need to command relaying in this case

Spoiler: ooc

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To be clear, I want to go down to the surface, but from an RP perspective, Jenell would offer to remain behind in this instance

[Haval]

Well, the Captain would not lack for bodyguards at least. 'If you need one of us to stay, I will remain behind. I have no experience in command, but can advise Commander Darius.'

Leif will think for a second and then be honest about his fears. 'Do you have any standing orders Captain? Perhaps the station has only been raided, but worse case it is tied to the Pro-Consul's presence and you're walking into an ambush.'

[DrK]

The command crew prepare themselves, cherubium fluttering about summoning servants as servitors or adepts assist them in garbing for war and weapons are given a final polish.

Soon enough the command wheelie drives down into the lighter bay on the base of the vessel, a crack team if guards alongside them as well. It's a short time as they board the cutter and blast out into space, the cutter's pilot cooly aiming down towards the abandoned research station. He looks around to the Lady Captain. "Lady Captain, which pad. The main bay registers some damage, the maintenance pad looks in better shape but will be not suitable for someone of your standing."

[RelentlessImp]

Amelia snorts at that. "The maintenance pad. I'd rather land safely than not at all, and my personage can withstand lesser accommodations for once," the Captain states, double-checking her pistol in its holster and her lance on her back. As she does, she focuses for a moment, reaching briefly into the Warp to enact her secrets. No sense going into combat unprepared and less armored than necessary.

Spoiler

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Telekinetic Shield, TN 67 - (1d100)[86]
Psychic Phenomena if necessary - (1d100)[31]

[Schwendigo]

Thale admires his holy power armor: normally reserved for space marines, he feels honored wearing the same armor as the Emperor's warriors. He has his lasgun slung across his back and his power fist equipped on his right hand. He prays to the Emperor for there to be survivors from whatever befell this base and for success to this exploration group. Thale then sits with his Incinerator in hand waiting for the cutter to land.

[qechua]

Commander Jenell Steel

Jenell appears exactly as she had on the bridge, her uniform immaculately positioned over her armoured void suit. Her sword hung from one side, her treasured naval pistol from the other, while her bolt pistol attached securely to her lower back. It made sitting uncomfortable, but served to reminder her that sitting and resting was not something one did while armed and ready for war. A small shot of exhiliration flew through her as the cutter blasted into the void, but it soon settled as the craft descended, and the reality of the Untrammeled Dignity of the Emperor's Fury being left in the charge of Commander Darius set in. It wasn't so much a worry, both ship and commander could look after each other, more that if something did occur, the Lady Captain would most certain have some choice words and actions in mind for her.

Opening the local microbead link from her helmet, Commander Steel took the opportinuty to give a final briefing, as well as perform a final comms check

"Sergeant, deployment pattern Angelus on arrival, securing the area should be top priority, with finding suitable ingress to the station secondary and survivor search tertiary. Return fire policies are in effect. Emergency evacuation code is Grox-Star, on authority of myself or the Lady Captain only. Confirm?"

[PotatoGolem]

Xerxes sits back in the shuttle, idly making small talk with the crew and stroking Thursday. He's fairly certain that they're heading towards impending doom, which is the way he's most comfortable. Everyone has to die sometime, and the Warp will devour you likely as not, so why fret about it? He reflexively looks into the Warp as the shuttle lands, searching its currents and eddies for any disturbances in the facility.

Spoiler: OOC

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Psyniscience! (1d100)[31] vs 93 with the Glasshawk's help

BTW, not sure if you saw my earlier question- did you want me to re-roll Tracks in the Stars for the details on the ship traces or use my original roll?

[Haval]

Unable to easily maintain contact with the landing party at this distance, Leif is alternatively checking the ship's auger and listening for the background noise of astropathic broadcasts from the other vessels within the system.

[NovenFromTheSun]

Darius spends the trip in the cutter wondering just what came over him to make him want to go, but doesn't speak of it.

[DrK]

As the cutter descends the crew aboard lost in their own private thoughts of making desultory small talk Commander Steel issues some strict orders to which the armed crewman nod obediently to. The navigator opens up his inner eye seeking swirling patterns in the warp but all he can see is the swirling telekentic shield around their Lady Captain!
The ship drops towards the research station before approaching the maintenance bay. With a dull thud the landing skids land on the platform and with a loud rumbling the auto lander opens up the gate and pulls the pad into what is a cavernous hangar filled with maintenance equipment.

Looking through the cockpit windows there are signs of battle evident scattered around the facility. Blasts mar the walls, autogun shells and discarded las packs litter the floor of the hangar various crates of supplies, auto loaders and wheelies are detsroyed, bits of blackened metal scattered around in a wide arc. Of bodies there is no sign, although blood sprays and drag marks suggest that at least some were dragged through the main access doors deeper into the facility....

The pilot looks around, face a little concerned as he views the important guests in the cutter. "Orders Lady Capatin, Commander?"

[Xenopax]

Ravion had stayed quiet for the whole trip. There had been nothing to say. Now he decides to speak up
"Lady Captain, Shall we split up into multiple exploration groups or stay as one?
He hopes to split up. Maximum efficiency at Acceptable chance of Loss of Life. Hopefully his group includes the Eldar. He wanted to pry more on Wraithbone and how it was made.

[qechua]

Commander Jenell Steel

As the lander descended, the general gravity increased, although Jenell's career had more than hardened her against it. Even the landing didn't phase her, already unbuckled and out of her seat by the time the vessel came to a rest.

"Squad, deploy and secure the area, do not proceed into the facility, and do not touch anything. Pilot, keep the engines warm, I want to be ready to leave at a moment's notice."

Drawing her bolt pistol in one hand, and pulling a small flashlight from her uniform with the other, Jenell leaves the craft and into the armsmen aiming up around the landing bay

"Let's see what's going on here."

[NovenFromTheSun]

Looking upon the bloody scene, Darius gave out an "It seems like we can rule out them just having up and left." He gripped his hellgun tightly, watching the exits closely, waiting for something to come out.

[DrK]

The metal ramps bang down and the few armsmen pour out fanning out amidst the blood splattered and weapon damaged debris, crates and equipment supplies as they take up defensive positions in a circle around the gun cutter. The pilot nodding his acknowledgement and the engines staying on, blasts of heat warming the otherwise chill air from the facility that's obviously on minimum power...

Commander Jenell leaps out with them staring around at the empty battle damaged bay and the distant and sealed doors.... Directly in front of them are a large pair of double doors that lead into the facility whilst smaller doors on the left and right have signs on reading things like "maintenance access" "equipment stores" "sanitation" etc...

[RelentlessImp]

"Stay together and tight. No sense getting separated," the Captain states, drawing her pistol and settling her witch lance into her hand, attempting to focus once again to armor herself.

Spoiler: Rolls

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TK Shield, PR 2, TN 67 - (1d100)[49]
Psychic Phenomena if necessary - (1d100)[1]

[PotatoGolem]

Xerxes looks around, alternating between the real and the unreal. Right behind you, oh captain my captain. He grins.

Spoiler: OOC

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Awareness: (1d100)[93] vs 73

Psyniscience: (1d100)[93] vs 93

He keeps making those two checks in every room