Black Crusade IC

[Henry the 57th]

The marine simply snarls as he draws his pistol and draws a bead.

Spoiler

Marine 1: Full action: Aim

Marine 2: Full action: Aim

Marine 3: Full action: Aim

[Donan]

Katria continues her dead run, alert eyes scanning for a twist in the corridor or any possible cover as she continues to move.

[Henry the 57th]

There's such a twist up ahead. Shouldn't take more than a few seconds to reach it.

The marines fire.

Spoiler

Marine 1: Half action: Standard attack (plasma pistol): (1d100)[70] vs. 42

Marine 2: Half action: Semi-auto burst: (1d100)[14] vs. 40

Marine 3: Half action: Semi-auto burst: (1d100)[73] vs. 40

[Donan]

Spoiler

Dodge check. Target 80 (Infamy point spent). (1d100)[55]

[Henry the 57th]

The marines snarl in frustration as Katria dodges their well-aimed shots. Even as she disappears around the corner, they fade under their cloaks.

End Flashback

[Lucretia]

Still waddling through the sea of individuals, attempting to find his wayward granddaughter, Zasz listened to the remarks and observed the plans. Interesting -- they weren't even trying to hide their disdain any longer. He put it to the back of his mind and continued to move through crowd. Surely little Katria would be somewhere!

[watupwithdat]

Setesh hadn't heard anything unexpected during the briefing. That the biggest warbands took a flank each wasn't strange. That the Word Bearers used the "independants" as a shield was sound strategy, something Setesh would considering himself if he had to develop a "full assault" plan - as was the case here. Of course, he would not. And especially not when he was himself part of that particular group.

Instead he'd probably divert the attention of the defenders in some way. Maybe use infiltration tactics, or some other means of weakening the forces. Turn them against each other. Create confusion, chaos or disarray. But that would take time. Word Bearers were not patient.

He was not very keen on spearheading some assault for the Word Bearers, but he could sense Vra'tzaen would not mind in the least. As expected of the daemon within his force sword, who had probably heard the briefing. But maybe there was something in the city for him too. And he was still a little curious about the whole reason for this ordeal and the Word Bearers' seemingly hurry to deal with it, and the need for so much help. There couldn't possible have splintered off so many Word Bearers without any interesting reason.

[Donan]

And she's suddenly there, smiling brightly and innocently as she hugs his arm (as much as she can). "Grandpa! Are you better now? I kept out of trouble." She nods earnestly.

[Lucretia]

Zasz smiled at the little human and nodded as best he could. "I have many new tricks, thanks to the Word Bearers! They went to great efforts to make sure your grandfather was safe -- there were many sacrifices! And their care was not simply for me, either -- it was an impressive display across the medicae bay! Their dedication to the survival of their brothers fills me with joy!"

[Henry the 57th]

"Well, any questions?"

"What exactly is this "engine" the World Eaters are bringing along?"

The captain nods towards a prominent-looking World Eater, who answers with a hint of smugness.

"A Brass Scorpion."

[Lucretia]

A Brass Scorpion! Zasz was legitimately impressed. There was a beautiful craftsmanship involved in the Brass Scorpions, and once upon a time it had been his job to oversee the repair and maintenance of machines of war. His skill had disappeared in the millennia since, but there was still an appreciation for it.

[watupwithdat]

Setesh activated the vox caster in his helmet and spoke up. "What intelligence are there of what kind of tanks they are employing?" Setesh was more curious about what kind of defensive positions and tanks the defensive forces had than some khornate daemon engine. At least when, not if, it blows up it will take a fair chunk of combatants out with it. And until then, it would count as a distraction from himself.

[Henry the 57th]

"Primarily Chimeras, with at least 5 Leman Russes, and 2 Rhinos."

[watupwithdat]

How reliable their intelligence was, is of course another matter. Atleast only one side had a daemon engine, assumably. Of course, tank-busting was not any of Setesh's particular talents, as he had not yet learnt or manifested any offensive damage dealing spells or powers of that magnitude, so those were for someone else to handle.

[Henry the 57th]

"That seems to be the end of the questions, then." says the captain. "In that case, it also ends our short briefing. Report to docking bay 5 at 0400 hours tomorrow. You'll receive the immediate tactical briefing on your way down. Dismissed!" The captain begins climbing down.

[Lucretia]

Hmm. Zasz had thought they would be split into smaller groups, but it seemed 'smaller' here meant something on the scale of 'from thousands to thousands, but slightly less.' Oh well! He would still be with Katria. And perhaps...

Curious, Zasz searched for his old compatriot Setesh. He had heard Setesh's voice asking a question, so Zasz knew the old sorcerer was around. Perhaps it would be best to go into this with someone he already knew. The Word Bearers had no intention of acting cautiously, and in face of death Papa Nurgle beamed widest, but it would be foolish to throw away his life for Chaos Undivided. No, working with someone he already knew would increase the recipients of Papa Nurgle's diseases -- after all, someone had to deliver them all, and that someone might as well be the Unremarkable Zasz the Ancient!

Spoiler

(1d100)[53] v. 100, Awareness check to see Setesh in the crowd. Minus any modifiers for the crowd, plus any modifiers for having heard Setesh's question.

[Henry the 57th]

Zasz spots Setesh not too far off from his current location.

[Lucretia]

Ushering Katria with him, Zasz began to make his way over to Setesh, keeping his eye out for that great warband devoted to the Changer of Ways.

EDIT:

Seeing one of the Astartes, he diverted from his path, moving to the Astartes he had spotted.

[Henry the 57th]

The marine looks Zasz over. "And what do you want with me, slave of the Plague Lord?"

[Lucretia]

Huh. It was always interesting to see whether someone would know who he was and who he worshiped or not. "I seek a champion of the Changer of Ways, brother. Your warband is magnificent, and surely stocked with such champions! Surely you or one of your brothers would engage me in combat, to determine tomorrow's battle!"

[Henry the 57th]

Originally Posted by Lucretia

Huh. It was always interesting to see whether someone would know who he was and who he worshiped or not. "I seek a champion of the Changer of Ways, brother. Your warband is magnificent, and surely stocked with such champions! Surely you or one of your brothers would engage me in combat, to determine tomorrow's battle!"

"And why should we waste our strength indulging you on the eve of battle? Our champions have much work ahead of them."

[Lucretia]

"It would be an admission of weakness. And besides, wouldn't the blood of a champion of Nurgle be worth the effort? Your Lord prefers compacts sealed in the blood of Papa Nurgle's followers, does he not?" Zasz let out a boom laugh and cracked his neck, audible through the vox. "Either a champion will answer my call, or this assembly will know the way of things -- and the weakness of you, my brother."

[Henry the 57th]

The marine bristles. "I shall see what I can find." He tromps off.

A little while later, the marine returns, a sorcerer following in his wake. The sorcerer walks up to Zasz's face.

"You wish to face a champion of the Scourged? Well, here I am."

[Lucretia]

"Yes, brother. I wish to engage you in a duel, to determine the outcome of tomorrow's battle. My compact must be signed in the blood of my enemies, and I am sure your God demands the same of you. Come then! Will you face me in honorable battle?"

[Henry the 57th]

He stares at you for a moment. "Honor. You really don't know much about Lord Tzeentch, do you?"

[Lucretia]

Originally Posted by Henry the 57th

"Honor. You really don't know much about Lord Tzeentch, do you?"

Zasz's tone remained as jolly as it always was. "No, dear brother, I have as little knowledge about that cowled sorcerer as I can possibly. But I know of the hosts aboard this vessel. I know they will fall upon murderers with the tenacity and joy of a plaguehound. I know they will be on the watch now, as we approach the peak of our bloodlust and pre-battle frenzies, watching to make sure their chattel and chafe doesn't fall to the floor before they might have their machinations completed. Now come, you will not suffer an insolent follower of Nurgle challenging you and your God, will you? Are you so weak that you fear the exertion it would take to reduce me to a corpse?"

[Henry the 57th]

"...You're on, little man." The sorcerer turns. "Follow me." He strides out a nearby exit and makes towards the slave bays.

[Lucretia]

Zasz motioned for Katria to stay where she was. As soon as they get out of the immediate assembly area, however, Zasz would open fire on the Sorcerer!

Spoiler

Half action aim, half action semi-auto burst.

(1d100)[78] v. 60 BS, +30 for Surprise/Unaware, +10 for Aim, +10 for Short Range. So test against 110. Only jams on a natural 100. I do hope that doesn't happen.

[Henry the 57th]

The sorcerer's field flares in response.

Spoiler

[roll0] vs. 50

[roll1] vs. 50

[roll2] vs. 50

Two shots are absorbed, but one makes it through to slam into the back of his left leg.

He staggers.

"You little bastard!"

[Lucretia]

Pressing his advantage, Zasz took another semi-automatic barrage into the shielded sorcerer. "I'm rather large, actually."

Spoiler

I think Tzeentch is throwing these 503 errors at me to prevent Zasz from setting this Sorcerer on fire!

Half action aim, half action semi-auto burst.

(1d100)[81] v. 60 BS, +10 for Aim, +10 for Short Range. So test against 80. Only jams on a natural 100. I do hope that doesn't happen.

EDIT: Ha! Nope, not a hit. Pity. Should have gone with the +10 from Twin-Linked.