Resilient Session 8

	TheResilientGM	The local star begins its descent as midday turns to evening. The last of the casualties have been collected and await transports to send them back to base. Men are accustomed to their posts, now, and the outposts seems like its always been there, with watches changing like clock-work, and sentries placed as efficiently as possible.
	Sgt_Eberstark	nods approvingly at the fortifications and calls one of the platoons.
	TheResilientGM	"Signore!" their officer salutes
	Sgt_Eberstark	"We are going to find the source of the comms disruption and neutralize it. Get your men ready. The other platoons are to remain here. Bring one Heavy Stubber."
	TheResilientGM	The man salutes, and turns to his men, shouting orders, and pointing to a heavy weapons team.
	Kass_Yonova	Kass tries his best to leave instructions to the remaining troops in how to care for the wounded, he has Vikk assist him in this.
	TheResilientGM	The weapon crew, disassemble the mount, and form up - gear ready.
	Gru_Persay	shuts off the servitors expect for Meat.
	TheResilientGM	Several auxiliaries under Yonova's crash-course tutelage have come to adorn themselves with white bands. They have been granted one of the prefabs and care to the wounded inside.
	Kass_Yonova	With that done, Kass gathers his gear and forms up with the squad.
	Victrus_Macharius	gathers up his equipment and Heavy Bolter and forms up with the squad.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Platoon, advance!"
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Schneider, take point."
	Kass_Yonova	REDACTED
	TheResilientGM	The platoon, advances, following the stream up to its source.
	TheResilientGM	A small dirt road connects to the body of water and parallels it before turning up into a small hill
	TheResilientGM	It's not long before a figure appears along the road.
	TheResilientGM	A man, very slowly traveling in the same direction of the platoon. He appears utterly unaware of your presence.
	Sgt_Eberstark	flips the safety off "Platoon, halt!"
	TheResilientGM	The formation stops in place.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Somebody get a visual on tat contact."
	Sgt_Eberstark	that*
	Kass_Yonova	"The hell." Kass trains his lasgun on the lone figure.
	Kass_Yonova	"Identify yourself!"
	Victrus_Macharius	pulls at lasgun and aims
	TheResilientGM	The man doesn't react. His back turned towards you, he carries on along the road.
	Kass_Yonova	+Take him?+
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Subdue him."
	Kass_Yonova	+Affirmative.+ Kass motions for Vikk to follow him as he runs towards the man. "Cut him off Vikk."
	TheResilientGM	He appears unarmed, and wears only worn out robes.
	TheResilientGM	+Got it+
	TheResilientGM	Vikk advances to flank the man.
	Kass_Yonova	As Vikk does so, Kass approaches from behind. "Halt!"
	TheResilientGM	No response, the man continues to slowly put one foot in front of the other. Yonova can see his age at this distance. He's an elderly man of a fragile frame.
	Sgt_Eberstark	ushers the platoon to approach
	TheResilientGM	The platoon slowly approaches, guns on point.
	Kass_Yonova	+Vikk, subdue him, try not to break his arm in the process.+
	TheResilientGM	He appears out of the brush parallel the road, and hits the man in the gut with the butt of his lasgun.
	TheResilientGM	The old man grunts and falls to the ground.
	Kass_Yonova	"Make sure he's secured, Vikk." +We have the old man secured, Sarge.+
	TheResilientGM	Vikk turns the man around, and has him sit. He aims his lasgun at him.
	-->|	micke_000 (chatzilla@sux-4BBCA42F.lightspeed.lnngmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #resilient
	=-=	micke_000 is now known as Animus
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Bring him over here. Psyker, check him out."
	Kass_Yonova	Kass, with Vikk's helps, brings the man up and walks him over to the Sergeant.
	TheResilientGM	"You... you are a man of medicine?"
	TheResilientGM	"Why does a man of medicine assault me?"
	TheResilientGM	The man's voice is hardly audible, weak, and sounds just under his breath.
	Kass_Yonova	"Yes...wait, how do you know that?" Kass gives Vikk a look as he brings the man along.
	TheResilientGM	"It wasn't so long ago that our humble planet was free of this /duke's/ madness. Imperial uniforms aren't so unfamiliar to me..." he looks over your uniform, "...corporal."
	Animus	scans the man for any psykic qualities
	Animus	"He was been exposed, but he is no psyker."
	Kass_Yonova	"Ah, well, I apologize for my comrade's roughness, but you did not halt when I told you to."
	TheResilientGM	"I thought you were one of them. I only bow to the Emperor's Authority."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Tell us of the supernatural occurrences here, then."
	Kass_Yonova	"I believe we are the Emperor's Authority, otherwise we wouldn't be here to take back the planet from this.../duke/."
	TheResilientGM	"If I knew, sergeant, what it was that ailed my people, I would ease their suffering myself. But these all arrived with that fiend Lucius" his fists clench tightly, shaking with contempt for the name.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Who is this Lucius?"
	TheResilientGM	The man looks into your eyes, "A /Ducal Legate/ he calls himself. A usurper who undermines our own authority and governs in the Duke's name."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Tell me about the Duke."
	TheResilientGM	"Duke Severus the Usurper. Lord Sub-sector of the Periphery. He enforces generations-old claims, and has turned his back on the Imperium."
	TheResilientGM	"This man--" the man is stopped by a severe cough
	Kass_Yonova	Kass pats him on the back.
	TheResilientGM	The man's legs go weak.
	Kass_Yonova	catches the old man before he falls down.
	TheResilientGM	"The Elders of Larros have all been cast aside. We mean nothing. But please... help my people. The Emperor has punished us with disease. Help them, medicine-man" the old man pleas.
	Kass_Yonova	"I'll do what I can, Emperor willing."
	TheResilientGM	"They are misguided, but you can help the younger ones see the Truth."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Our priorities here are to find the source of the disturbance and set up the outposts. Unless your sick know anything about that, they will have to wait."
	TheResilientGM	"The Emperor's light has not yet been extinguished, Sergeant..." he coughs again. "They may yet see the Truth, and help you do His work in restoring our planet."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"... We do need more men. All right, let's go, but we can't take too much time. We're behind schedule already."
	Kass_Yonova	"We bringing him along?"
	TheResilientGM	The man raises his hand towards Yonova, "Please."
	TheResilientGM	He pats him on the shoulder. "I can show you the settlement. And we may yet find and speak with the Elders."
	Kass_Yonova	"Well lead on."
	TheResilientGM	"With the Emperor's Grace, old traditions may yet prevail over new Heresies."
	TheResilientGM	The man leads the way up the road, in his slow, struggled pace.
	Kass_Yonova	"Platoon! Move out!"
	TheResilientGM	The platoon advances, but then awkwardly adjusts its own pace, to match that of the old man.
	TheResilientGM	As you make your way closer to the village, you hear footsteps rapidly approaching you.
	Kass_Yonova	"Platoon Halt!"
	TheResilientGM	The formation stops
	Gru_Persay	commands Meat to Stop with MIU.
	Kass_Yonova	Kass keeps his weapon at the ready.
	TheResilientGM	"Stavros!" a young voice calls out.
	TheResilientGM	A boy rushes the old man and hugs him.
	Kass_Yonova	approaches the old man. "One of the locals?"
	TheResilientGM	The auxiliaries appear nervous, one of them even aiming his lasgun at the boy
	TheResilientGM	The old man nods.
	TheResilientGM	"Stavros, you're back! Has the Emperor spoken to you?" the boy's eyes wide with hope.
	Kass_Yonova	"Stow the weapon!" Kass orders the auxiliary.
	Kass_Yonova	Kass motions with his own weapon downwards.
	TheResilientGM	The solider snaps back, standing at attention, "Si, signore!"
	TheResilientGM	"Come, let us find your parents my boy. The Emperor has answered our calls, I bring friends."
	Gru_Persay	"By the Omnissiah, what's happened? I can't see a thing."
	|<--	Sgt_Eberstark has left irc.thisisnotatrueending.com (Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client)
	Kass_Yonova	"Platoon, forward!"
	TheResilientGM	The old man carries on down the road, holding the boy by the hand.
	TheResilientGM	You finally see it. A settlement of humble construction. As you walk in further, you see the populace is suffering of a terrible disease.
	Kass_Yonova	"What a stench."
	Victrus_Macharius	"I was just about to ask that."
	TheResilientGM	There is an open pit, a communal burial. Bodies are piled in, and covered with powders to curb the effects of the smell.
	Gru_Persay	disables nose input and activates air filtration unit.
	Victrus_Macharius	pulls out respirator and puts it on
	Animus	pulls on respirator
	Victrus_Macharius	looks over at Arthur, "Arthur, put on your Respirator."
	Kass_Yonova	"How long has your village been sick?"
	TheResilientGM	"It's been happening ever since the dominate troops arrived in the Province. Ever since that 'shrine' of theirs was set up by the Legate."
	Kass_Yonova	"Where is this 'shrine?'
	TheResilientGM	"The ghosts, he said, of those true servants of the Emperor would protect us from the invaders. This shrine was to be way to summon them."
	TheResilientGM	"I am not privy to this information, corporal" but I have been searching
	Kass_Yonova	"Well has anything new or suspicious arrived here in the village before you had this outbreak?"
	TheResilientGM	"I am now an outcast, corporal. But Malfric, the new Chief of this village, is more in aware of the way the dominate troops operate. He has cooperated with them in the past."
	-->|	Sgt_Eberstark (Sgt_Eberst@sux-AA270AB0.clients.kiwiirc.com) has joined #resilient
	TheResilientGM	"The troops' arrival in the region, however brought the disease. Those who traveled to their outposts came back with the illness."
	Sgt_Eberstark	puts on a respirator
	TheResilientGM	An oddly-ornate man approaches. He carries with him what Gru immediately identifies as an archeotech powersword.
	TheResilientGM	"Who have you brought with you, foolish old man?!"
	TheResilientGM	"Men who can help us, Malfric. Who can help our people."
	TheResilientGM	"MY people. You are no longer one of us."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Enough of this. Identify yourself."
	TheResilientGM	Malfric:
	Sgt_Eberstark	rests a hand on the pommel of his chainsword
	TheResilientGM	Malfric: "Chieftain Malfric, of Sombrun. This is my Village, and my people."
	Gru_Persay	approaches the Sarge and whispers "That sword, there's something odd about it."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Sergeant Eberstark, Prithian 79th Regiment of Foot."
	TheResilientGM	"Malfric, we need their help. They have the ability to treat our ill."
	TheResilientGM	The chieftain approaches, and stops just a meter away from you.
	TheResilientGM	"You can treat the illness?"
	Kass_Yonova	"Depends on the illness."
	TheResilientGM	"Then you know nothing"
	TheResilientGM	The old man approaches him and turns him around.
	TheResilientGM	They walk a few paces, discussing the wisdom of rejecting the Imperial soldiers.
	TheResilientGM	They suddenly stop, and the Chieftain turns his back on him and begins to walk away.
	TheResilientGM	"Think of your wife!" the old man pleas.
	TheResilientGM	The Chieftain stops, and turns around, unsheathing his powersword.
	Gru_Persay	says to Sarge "That sword is definitely from the Dark Ages."
	Sgt_Eberstark	unsheathes his chainsword and takes aim with the laspistol
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Stand down! You will NOT receive another warning!"
	Victrus_Macharius	pulls out lasgun and aims
	Gru_Persay	disconnects from Meat and readies his axe.
	TheResilientGM	"Please... we are all children of the Emperor. The wounded need us!" the old man begs of you.
	TheResilientGM	"Witch! You bring with you a witch! Into my village!"
	Kass_Yonova	keeps his lasgun at the ready.
	TheResilientGM	The old man approaches the chieftain, his body language non-threatening, even servile.
	TheResilientGM	"Malfric... Malfric, please..."
	TheResilientGM	The young boy appears once more. "Father!"
	TheResilientGM	"Father, she's awake!"
	TheResilientGM	Malfric drops his sword and runs towards him.
	TheResilientGM	The old man picks it up and follows behind.
	Sgt_Eberstark	stops the old man "We're taking that sword."
	Victrus_Macharius	lowers lasgun
	Gru_Persay	puts away the axe and connects to Meat.
	TheResilientGM	"You'd be making a mistake, Sergeant" he shakes his head and continues walking towards the Chieftain's home.
	Sgt_Eberstark	fumes internally and follows him "Be prepared for violence if necessary."
	Victrus_Macharius	follows "Yes sir"
	TheResilientGM	"Malfric is a good protector to his people, he may prove a worthy ally" he explains.
	Gru_Persay	"Let me take a took at the sword for a moment."
	Kass_Yonova	"Aye sir." Kass follows along, keeping his weapon down but ready.
	Animus	follows
	Sgt_Eberstark	"He has proven to be paranoid and uncooperative so far, neither being qualities of a worthy ally."
	TheResilientGM	As you approach the large stone and wooden house, guards outside make way and bow, at the sight of the weapon.
	TheResilientGM	The old man leads you to the master chambers, where Malfric kneels next to his ailing wife.
	Sgt_Eberstark	puts his weapons away
	Victrus_Macharius	holsters his lasgun
	Gru_Persay	commands Meat to stop outside the house and disconnects from him.
	TheResilientGM	"Help us, Sergeant, and I swear I will repay you tenfold... help her."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Let's see what our medic can do."
	TheResilientGM	Malfric: "Stavros, find them accomodations"
	Kass_Yonova	"Right. Vikk bring the diagnostor." Kass approaches the chief and his wife.
	TheResilientGM	The old man nods, and places the weapon on the floor next to the chieftain.
	Kass_Yonova	"How long has she been ill?"
	TheResilientGM	"2 weeks now."
	Gru_Persay	observes the power sword from a distance.
	Sgt_Eberstark	stands in the room with Kass
	Animus	observes the medic
	Kass_Yonova	"Odd, she's having a psychosomatic response, of some sort. What she's responding to, I have no idea. I should be able to treat the symptoms, which will bring about an improvement in her health."
	Animus	whispers to Kass "Should I try?"
	Animus	"Something is nearby. Not a psyker, but not natural."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"That would be the source of this illness. Help us eliminate it, and your wife will be cured."
	Kass_Yonova	Kass injects cocktail of various drugs while having vikk clean any and all boils (poor bastard). Once done she regains consciousness and look much better than when found previously.
	Kass_Yonova	"How do you feel, ma'am?"
	TheResilientGM	"The shrine... he promised protection, but it curses my people?!"
	TheResilientGM	Malfric storms out of the building.
	TheResilientGM	"The woman nods. Not quite ready to speak."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Everyone, to the shrine."
	Animus	rushes out after him
	Victrus_Macharius	"What do you think we will find there Sarge?" as he followes
	Gru_Persay	exits the house and reconnects to Meat. Gru and Meat follows Animus.
	Kass_Yonova	Kass instructs the woman's attendant to keep her in bed, and to keep hydrated.
	Kass_Yonova	Kass rejoins the squad outside, with Vikk in tow.
	TheResilientGM	"I don't have many able-bodied men, sergeant!" Malfric yells from outside, as he secures his battle-gear.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"What about supplies? Gear? Intel?"
	Sgt_Eberstark	"We could use guides."
	Animus	"I don't like the feel of this Sergeant."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Neither do I. But it's all we have to go on for this disturbance.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"
	TheResilientGM	"But that bastard Lucius will pay for this, even if I must do it myself. I know this province better than the old man. And I know every route and old mineshaft the Legates troops are using to pull this /ghosts/ disappearing act of his." he spits on the ground
	TheResilientGM	"Supplies I can't provide. But a village nearby is loyal to the Legate. They station his men and feed him. They must have supply depots there, too. I never let them house troops here, Sergeant. I'm no fool. I only cooperated when it was the only recourse for my people."
	Victrus_Macharius	walks up to Arthur, "Make sure the Heavy Bolter is ready for anything that might happen."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"I see. That will do. Now, tell me about this shrine."
	Gru_Persay	"Malfric, may I humbly take a look at your blade?"
	Animus	"What do you know about this shrine?"
	TheResilientGM	"The shrine, he claims, is a gift of the Emperor to Duke Severus. The Legate in his infinte generosity built it atop a descecrated temple of the Ministorum... to protect us, he claimed."
	Animus	"What is it like?"
	TheResilientGM	"A temple to the Emperor... in it, he houses the device."
	Gru_Persay	"Have you seen this device?"
	Animus	"Sounds promising."
	TheResilientGM	"I'm afraid not. Only the traitor Elders have access to it. Chieftains like me aren't afforded such knowledge."
	Kass_Yonova	"Looks like we'll be starting one hell of a party."
	Gru_Persay	"This could be the cause of the dead zones as well."
	TheResilientGM	"How many men under your command, Sergeant?"
	TheResilientGM	"We'll need them all" he adds.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"One platoon. Twenty men."
	Sgt_Eberstark	Thirty*
	TheResilientGM	"That will have to do. Tarmin is a coward, a display of force will change his loyalties."
	TheResilientGM	He is joined up by 5 of his House guard.
	TheResilientGM	"Whenever you're ready, sergeant."
	Sgt_Eberstark	gets his weapons ready
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Let's go."
	TheResilientGM	The Chieftain and his men lead the way North.
	Animus	follows
	Kass_Yonova	Kass follows along, at the head of the platoon.
	Victrus_Macharius	follows
	TheResilientGM	Malfric takes you through routes that exist only in his mind. The terrain makes transport of the bolter difficult.
	TheResilientGM	The Enginseer lends his detection and his servitor's strength to help the bolter along the difficult terrain.
	TheResilientGM	Traveling near a slightly elevated bit of terrain, Malfric signals a halt.
	Sgt_Eberstark	repeats the signal
	TheResilientGM	Malfric signals for the Sergeant to approach.
	Sgt_Eberstark	approaches
	TheResilientGM	"Ahead, behind that fallen tree, is the entrance to one of the passages the Legate's men use. They've been using these to appear and disappear behind your lines. Let these ghosts meet your big-gun."
	TheResilientGM	Malfric approaches the trunk and his men open up the entrance. He walks in, signaling you to wait.
	TheResilientGM	You can't make out what's being said, but you hear the echoes of his voice and that of another man inside as they discuss something of urgency.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Get that Bolter at the tree. Everyone else, take offensive positions around the area. Find cover."
	Animus	"Should I join the combat?"
	Victrus_Macharius	sets up the heavy bolter
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Yes. We might need your skills to take down this... Tarmin."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Don't take unnecessary risks."
	Animus	"Roger"
	Gru_Persay	"Does anyone have a share weapon?"
	Victrus_Macharius	"Gru, take my pistol" Hands him the Laspistol
	Gru_Persay	disconnects from Meat and thanks Victrus for the weapon.
	Gru_Persay	"Meat. Down."
	Kass_Yonova	Kass takes cover behind a tree, keeps his weapon aiming at the false entrance.
	Animus	takes cover as best as he can
	Sgt_Eberstark	takes cover and draws his laspistol
	Gru_Persay	hides behind a tree and readies the Las pistol.
	TheResilientGM	"After you, good dominate soldiers! Let us defend the shrine from the invaders!" you hear Malfric's voice call.
	TheResilientGM	The door opens up, and out comes rushing a squad of men.
	TheResilientGM	They bear the enemy colors, and are woefully unprepared for an immediate engagement -lasguns strapped to their backs, over their shoulders for ease of movement.
	TheResilientGM	Just behind them at the very rear of the enemy formation, you spot Malfric and his men fall prone, fully aware of the hell about to break loose in front of them.
	TheResilientGM	The Prithian/auxiliary formation opens up at the unaware troopers in front of them. The very first of the men out gets instantly hit in his leg, dropping to the ground with the vicious wound. Immediately behind him, several of his comrades are turned into pulp by a burst of bolter fire, expertly aimed. Those who don't die instantly are left for dead, as they bleed out at an alarming rate.
	TheResilientGM	A stunned soldier slowly realizes this is an ambush, and begins to turn to Malfric to punish the traitor. He is surprised by a large stone, which shatters his spine as it hits him on the back, launching him an entire meter forward, landing just in front of the prone Chieftain. The remaining couple of unwounded soldiers make a break for it, but are gunned down by the stubber position, who
	TheResilientGM	despite their minimal training on the weapon, make effective use of the lethal machine.
	TheResilientGM	Malfric and his men remain prone, though the chieftain reaches for his combat knife and finishes off the crippled enemy laying in front of him.
	Kass_Yonova	"Clear?"
	TheResilientGM	The auxiliaries break out in a cheer at the sight of the utterly overwhelmed and destroyed enemy.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Form a perimeter. Command squad, we're going in."
	Kass_Yonova	"Roger." Kass forms up.
	TheResilientGM	The auxiliaries set up the Stubber just in front of the entrance, and move whatever stones and logs they can for effective cover.
	TheResilientGM	Malfric: "What glorious mess you made, sergeant."
	Gru_Persay	switches to his Axe and holds the las pistol with his manipulator mechadendrite
	TheResilientGM	He gets up with the help of his House guard.
	Gru_Persay	moves near the heavy stubber.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"How many more hostiles in and around this area?"
	TheResilientGM	"This acts as a ghost unit. Only meant for skirmishing. But the tunnel leads into Tarmin's village. From there, we will be in sight of the Temple."
	Gru_Persay	goes to Meat and connects with him.
	Sgt_Eberstark	nods
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Platoon, leave two squads and the stubber to cover this exit. One squad comes with us."
	TheResilientGM	"Signore" the Lieutenant acknowledges.
	TheResilientGM	He gives the order to one of the squads to follow you, and stays behind to instruct in the defenses of the entrance.
	Gru_Persay	moves behind Meat and readies his manipulator mechadendrite.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Move out."
	Gru_Persay	moves behind Meat using him as shield.
	TheResilientGM	Malfric nods, and leads the way forward, powersword in hand.
	Kass_Yonova	Kass follows.
	TheResilientGM	The end of the tunnel is near, and Malfric's power sword begins to glow an odd shape of green.
	TheResilientGM	"Something's... wrong."
	TheResilientGM	"They've moved the device. It's here... it's in the village. They've moved it from the Temple."
	Kass_Yonova	"Is that bad?"
	TheResilientGM	"It means our trip just got shorter. The source of the curse is through that door" he points to the large wooden exit.
	Animus	"May I lead?"
	Gru_Persay	"Your sword can detect other Dark Age tech? Interesting...."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"...Alright."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Anything?"
	Animus	"It's...so strange. I can also feel the other psyker studying it as well."
	Kass_Yonova	"Great, I hate it when it gets too spooky."
	TheResilientGM	He opens the door, and you find yourselves coming out of a large tree. The village around you is in worse condition. No one appears surprised by your arrival, they completely ignore you. The ill appear to line every street.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Keep the rebreathers on. Move."
	Animus	hurries towards the source as fast as possible
	Kass_Yonova	"Moving."
	TheResilientGM	Malfric appears heart-broken at the sight.
	TheResilientGM	"That fool..."
	Gru_Persay	"Meat. Speak."
	TheResilientGM	"MMm--"
	TheResilientGM	Suddenly, as you cross a larger road,
	TheResilientGM	several of the auxiliaries begin to exhibit odd symptoms... they collapse.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Shit."
	Kass_Yonova	"Should I?"
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Yonova, what the literal hell is going on?"
	Sgt_Eberstark	nods
	Animus	"Spooky."
	Kass_Yonova	Kass runs over to the collapsed auxiliaries.
	Animus	continues forward
	Gru_Persay	"I wonder if this is caused by the Device or the Psyker."
	TheResilientGM	The symptoms are exactly the same, however they get worse and worse by the second. Fevers are enough to make them delirious, and blind. Boils on the skin appear everywhere, and rashes around the eyes soon follow. 3 of the men die within seconds.
	Gru_Persay	and Meat slowly follow Animus.
	Kass_Yonova	"Holy shite"
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Shit. Double-time, go! Five men stay back to pull the ill into the tunnel, away from the disturbance!"
	Kass_Yonova	"Sarge it's worse than the chief's wife! They're dieing on me!"
	Kass_Yonova	"Don't you die on me dammit!"
	TheResilientGM	You suddenly realize Malfric has left your formation, and is half way across the courtyard, charging an ornately-uniformed enemy officer. Near him... you see the device. It is in the shape of a cube, it radiates a green glow and emmits a low humming noise.
	Kass_Yonova	Kass and Vikk help the auxiliaries move back into the tunnel before linking back up with the squad.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Contact!", he draws his chainsword, "CHARGE!"
	TheResilientGM	His House guard quickly try to catch up to him, which in turn alerts some of the enemy troops of enemy movement, they quickly pick up their weapons and try to intercept Malfric.
	Animus	"Wait."
	Kass_Yonova	Kass lets out a warcry and charges with the Sergeant.
	Sgt_Eberstark	hesitates and turns to the Psyker
	Sgt_Eberstark	"What?!"
	Gru_Persay	places Meat behind one of the houses and disconnects from him.
	Gru_Persay	"Meat. Stay."
	Animus	"Too late now!"
	TheResilientGM	The cube emmits a pulse, then, meat's systems are overloaded, and the servitor collapses.
	Gru_Persay	"Good boy."
	Gru_Persay	grabs his axe and follows behind the squad.
	TheResilientGM	Malfric swings at the officer in front, who parries his assault. On the back-swing, however, the man appears utterly unresponsive. Malfric decapitates him in an instant.
	Sgt_Eberstark	resumes the charge
	Sgt_Eberstark	cuts down an enemy
	Gru_Persay	rushes toward the Cube.
	Animus	launches a statue at the men filing into the square
	Kass_Yonova	Kass slides to a stop, taking a knee and fires a semi-auto burst at the nearest charging soldier, kill him with two las-bolts to the arm and chest.
	TheResilientGM	A lasround hits the approaching techpriest in the head, disrupting his systems, and knocking him on the ground.
	Gru_Persay	"01001111 01101101 01101110 01101001 01110011 01110011 01101001 01100001 01101000 00101100 00100000 01000100 01000001 01001101 01001110 00100000 01001001 01010100 00101110 00100000 "
	TheResilientGM	A man rushing towards Malfric gets struck by one of the statues on the square, and is crushed between it and the wall behind him.
	Animus	"Better be thankful."
	TheResilientGM	The House Guards form around Malfric, who stands to secure the cube. While his men fight off the enemy, he drives his powersword into the cube. A blinding light radiates, engulfing the entire village.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"GAH!"
	Kass_Yonova	Kass tries to cover his eyes as he curses the bright light.
	Gru_Persay	"01001001 01100100 01101111 01101001 00101110 00101110 "
	Animus	shields his face with his robes
	TheResilientGM	An awful screeching follows, every window shatters, all things metallic resonate with it, and wable as if made of rubber.
	TheResilientGM	Your weapons heat up in your hands.
	Sgt_Eberstark	tries to shut the chainsword off, "Shit, shit!"
	Kass_Yonova	instinctively drops his flaming weapon.
	Animus	drops his staff
	TheResilientGM	Overwhelming your senses even more, your commbeads begin to pick up, seemingly every comm-signal in the system all at once.
	Gru_Persay	screams in pain.
	Kass_Yonova	Kass cries out in pain.
	TheResilientGM	Gru's life-support systems register multiple malfunctions, though how accurately the sensors are responding is anyone's guess.
	TheResilientGM	You all fall unconscious.
	TheResilientGM	Sgt Eberstark and Animus both slowly begin to regain consciousness. The village is being whiped clean by storm troopers clad in all-black armor with crimson trimms.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Shit."
	Sgt_Eberstark	stands up, checks his weapons, and looks around
	Animus	"Mmmm"
	Animus	struggles to his feet
	TheResilientGM	Leading them, an imposing figure, a large, crimson symbol hanging off his side, centered by a skull. He possess weapons of a quality you've never seen.
	Animus	grabs his staff off the ground
	TheResilientGM	Malfric is unceremoniously killed, his weapon taken.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"What the-"
	Animus	"This looks good."
	TheResilientGM	The remnants of the device are secured and placed inside an ornate Aquila, on its side, the very same symbol.
	Sgt_Eberstark	shakes Kass awake
	Animus	would go shake gru
	TheResilientGM	The civilians who appear diseased are killed, and placed in a pile.
	TheResilientGM	It is subsequently burned.
	Kass_Yonova	"Whu-" Kass slowly regains consciousness. "The hell happened Sarge?"
	Gru_Persay	"In the name of the Machine God, what happened?"
	Gru_Persay	tries to stand up and stumbles back down.
	TheResilientGM	The storm troopers approach you.
	TheResilientGM	"Drop your weapons, guardsmen."
	Animus	salutes awkwardly
	Gru_Persay	runs self diagnostics while on the ground.
	Kass_Yonova	Kass shows his already weapon free hands.
	Animus	drops his staff
	Sgt_Eberstark	keeps his hands where he can see them
	Gru_Persay	puts his axe in front of him.
	TheResilientGM	Their leader ensures the device is secured and approaches you.
	Gru_Persay	pulls the pistol out of his mechadendrite and places it next to the axe.
	TheResilientGM	"Where is your commander?" the voice deep, and menancing. The man is authority incarnate.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"I am in command here."
	Kass_Yonova	points at the Sergeant
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Sergeant Eberstark, 79th Prithian."
	TheResilientGM	"Lie to me, Sergeant, and your death shall be quick, yet enormously painful."
	TheResilientGM	"You are in command of a platoon of Imperial Soldiers? Think carefully before you respond."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"I... I am in overall command of a company, sir. But at the moment, yes, I am presently leading a platoon."
	TheResilientGM	"A company? The fools in that /rock/ of yours... Prithia?... have they no regard to the Chain of Command of the Imperial Guard?"
	Sgt_Eberstark	[SCREAMS INTERNALLY]
	TheResilientGM	The man instantly approached Animus, inches away from his face.
	TheResilientGM	-Is there something you'd like to know?- Animus can hear in his mind.
	Animus	-That answers that-
	Gru_Persay	slowly and softer chants to the Omnissiah.
	TheResilientGM	"Am I boring you, Master Gru?" the man asks, without even looking at the Tech-priest.
	Gru_Persay	"No sir. Just murmuring small prayer to our Emperor."
	Animus	"I'd like to start with an apology..."
	TheResilientGM	"Silence."
	Gru_Persay	shuts up.
	TheResilientGM	"Despite your infinte ignorance, having a Sanctioned Psyker in your squad has allowed us to follow you despite this horrid lack of communications. We have found what we were looking for, and despite your utter lack of understanding of how or why, you were of service to the Throne."
	Animus	-that has got to be worth something-
	TheResilientGM	"You will return to your base, and you will report nothing of what you've seen here today."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Yes sir."
	TheResilientGM	"Sergeant, you may only take your Prithian comrades back... with a few exceptions," he looks over to the dead bodies of both Siegberg and Vikk. "Do not concern yourself with the Tirillian Company."
	TheResilientGM	With that, he turns around, and mounts his Aquila. His storm troopers follow.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"How the fuck am I supposed to man the outposts now?", he thinks
	Gru_Persay	grabs his weapons and looks for Meat.
	Animus	walk over to Vikk and Siegberg
	TheResilientGM	The howl of the lander's engines picks up, and the Aquila disappears into the sky.
	Kass_Yonova	"This is all kinds of Fecked up, Sarge."
	Animus	"Should we bury them here?"
	TheResilientGM	The servitor's systems are completely fried. It is utterly unresponsive.
	Kass_Yonova	Kass approaches Vikk's body, closing the man's eyes before sobbing quietly.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"How the fuck are we going to man the outposts now?"
	Sgt_Eberstark	looks down at Siegberg and sighs
	Gru_Persay	"Well shit...."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Might as well. Do any of us have entrenching tools?"
	Animus	"Should we take them back?" Felling uncomfortable. Not knowing how to feel about losing comrades for the first time
	Gru_Persay	removes the Admech symbol from Meat.
	Animus	" I could give it a shot." feeling as he should at least say something.
	Gru_Persay	"May you serve the Omnissiah and be by his side."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"We don't have the time or resources to do that."
	Kass_Yonova	Kass retrieves the two ID-Tags from his fellow death Prithians. He gives them a silent prayer before marking them for pick-up later.
	Kass_Yonova	+Testing+
	Gru_Persay	approaches Siegberg's body and takes the vox unit.
	Kass_Yonova	+This thing back online?+
	TheResilientGM	The transmission goes through to the local commdeads.
	Gru_Persay	+Sounds like it.+
	Kass_Yonova	+I've marked our dead for pick-up later.+
	Animus	" I don't feel like this is a victory."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"It is not."
	TheResilientGM	++...anomally of some sort. But we're back online, how copy?++
	Sgt_Eberstark	"We still need to man the outposts... Somehow."
	TheResilientGM	++Solid Copy, over. Comms back online.++
	TheResilientGM	The Vox chatter is alive once more.
	Gru_Persay	"The Vox appears to be working."
	Sgt_Eberstark	+This is Sergeant Eberstark. We have suffered heavy losses eliminating the vox jammer. Please advise, over.+
	Animus	walks over to the pile of burnt bodies and starts praying
	TheResilientGM	++3rd Company Command. Sgt Eberstark, cofirm transmission... vox jammer eliminated?++
	Sgt_Eberstark	+Affirmative. Took heavy casualties. Two squads down.+
	TheResilientGM	++Excellent work, Sergeant.++
	Sgt_Eberstark	+Be advised, we do not have enough troops to man the remaining outposts. Requesting reinforcements.+
	Sgt_Eberstark	+As well as some more Servitors and a Vox Operator+
	TheResilientGM	++That's a negative, Sergeant. Orders are to mai--++ The transmission is interrupted.
	TheResilientGM	++Sergeant, remain by the outpost. Aeronautica will extract. I repeat. Aeronautica will extract what remains of your squad, and bring you back to HQ.++
	Sgt_Eberstark	+Affirmative. Returning to base.+
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Guess it's our lucky day."
	Sgt_Eberstark	dusts himself off and checks his weapons
	Kass_Yonova	"How's that!?" Kass is still in grief over his dear friend's death.
	Kass_Yonova	"This is all kinds of fecked up, Sarge! All kinds!"
	Animus	"I hate psykers."
	TheResilientGM	Koeln throws up.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"We're being extracted. Let's head back to the outpost."
	Gru_Persay	grabs the Vox with the manipulator mechadendrite.
	TheResilientGM	"Sir... I..."
	TheResilientGM	he throws up again.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Yes?"
	Gru_Persay	"Medic."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Second that."
	Kass_Yonova	wipes his eyes and approaches Koeln.
	Kass_Yonova	"He's just shell-shocked, sir." Kass pats him on the back. "Get it out of you."
	TheResilientGM	"Sir, we're fecked. There's... what are we going to do?!"
	TheResilientGM	Koeln starts to shake.
	Gru_Persay	adjusts the power to the mechadendrite to easily lift the vox.
	Kass_Yonova	"Soldier on, Koeln, you're a Guardsman of Prithia." Kass continues to console the young soldier.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"We'll be fine, trooper. We're headed for extraction. Just hold it together for another hour and we'll be fine, alright?"
	TheResilientGM	"Y-yes, sir" he nods
	Animus	"Don't think about psykers."
	TheResilientGM	The young trooper throws up, hearing that.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Animus, cut that out. Keep your distance from him for the time being."
	Gru_Persay	"How much more liquid can his hold in his stomach?"
	Kass_Yonova	"He's all used up. If he continues he'll just dry-heave."
	TheResilientGM	As promised, Aeronautica chatter picks up once more, and the skies become as busy as the ground operation.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Let's get the fuck out of here."
	Kass_Yonova	"Yes, sir. C'mon Koeln." Kass falls in.
	TheResilientGM	Koeln slowly approaches Kass and follows.
	Sgt_Eberstark	leads what's left of the squad through the tunnels
	Animus	follows
	TheResilientGM	As you near the end of the tunnel, you find your rear-guard has vanished. Only the stubber remains in its position.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Emperor damn it"
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Somebody give me a hand with this stubber."
	Gru_Persay	assists Eberstark with the Heavy Stubber.
	Animus	helps lift it with his powers
	TheResilientGM	As you continue on that path, you reach Malfric's village.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"...That works."
	TheResilientGM	As you approach, you realize the ill are nowhere to be seen.
	TheResilientGM	Instead, a relatively vibrant community exists.
	Animus	fumes silently
	TheResilientGM	They all gather around, and... bow.
	Gru_Persay	"At least some good came out this."
	TheResilientGM	You recognize it as the same gesture the guards had in presence of the powersword.
	Victrus_Macharius	"Well this is odd
	Animus	"May I help you?"
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Your chieftain, but you shall be plagued no more."
	Sgt_Eberstark	your chieftain is dead*
	TheResilientGM	Stavros, the Elder, emerges from the crowd.
	TheResilientGM	"You have done us a great service. The Imperium has demonstrated without a doubt to be the true bearer of His will!"
	TheResilientGM	The crowd cheers.
	Kass_Yonova	Kass smiles sadly, and waves.
	Gru_Persay	enables his smell input.
	Animus	stands awkwardly
	TheResilientGM	They "award" Eberstark with a precious stone. A mark of the Village, Stavors explains. An old an powerful item worn by the Champions of the Elder council of old - before the years of Ducal occupation.
	Sgt_Eberstark	maintains a stern gaze and examines the stone
	Victrus_Macharius	"What is its Sarge?"
	TheResilientGM	With a short ceremony, they line the road with their few precious possessions, as you leave the town.
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Some sort of charm. Worn by their old heroes."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Animus, take a look at it."
	TheResilientGM	Upon arriving at the outpost, the servitors appear active, running diagnostics on components.
	TheResilientGM	That aside, the camp is devoid of any life.
	Gru_Persay	connects to the console.
	Victrus_Macharius	"Shit, they took everyone."
	Kass_Yonova	"Yeah, he wasn't kidding when he said not to worry about it.."
	TheResilientGM	+[OUTPOST LINKED]+
	Victrus_Macharius	"Then what is the point of this outpost without anyone to man it while we're gone."
	Gru_Persay	disconnects from the console and commands the servitors.
	TheResilientGM	Several Valkyries then approach.
	Sgt_Eberstark	approaches the Valkyries
	TheResilientGM	They land just outside, on the large road.
	Gru_Persay	hits the deck.
	Animus	" I miss meat."
	Kass_Yonova	follows Sarge onto the Valkyrie.
	Victrus_Macharius	"Emperor dammit Gru, their not on a bombing run!"
	Sgt_Eberstark	gives Animus a look
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Let's go. I need a fucking drink."
	Gru_Persay	gets up and commands the servitors to follow him to the Valkyries.
	Kass_Yonova	"I hear that..."
	TheResilientGM	The flight sergeant eyes you, and checks his dataslate several times.
	Gru_Persay	"Meat is with the Machine God. Do not feel sad for him."
	Victrus_Macharius	follows the Sarge
	Animus	"Alcohol?"
	Animus	follows them
	TheResilientGM	"Erm... heavy casualties?" he asks, clearly expecting to extract more than just a squad.
	Kass_Yonova	"You could say that..."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Yes."
	Sgt_Eberstark	"Very heavy."
	TheResilientGM	"What a mess..." he says to himself.
	Gru_Persay	orders the servitors into the Valkyries.
	Sgt_Eberstark	straps in and hands Animus the stone "Examine it."
	Animus	takes it and nods
	Gru_Persay	secures the servitors in the Valkyrie.
	Gru_Persay	moves to the other Valkyrie with the rest of his squad.
	Victrus_Macharius	loads up the Heavy Bolter into the Valkyrie with the servitors and gets into the Valkyrie with the rest of the squad
	TheResilientGM	The flight of Valkyries, takes off and makes for Division HQ.
	TheResilientGM	Upon arrival, you are escorted by the Commissariat to your quarters.
	Gru_Persay	turns on the fan on low settings and sits at his work station.
	Victrus_Macharius	lays down on his bed and stares at the ceiling
	Gru_Persay	"Kass, may I borrow one of your books?"
	Kass_Yonova	"I didn't think Tech-Priests would be into adventure novels."
	Gru_Persay	"I need a distraction."
	Gru_Persay	"Plus, there's only so many times one can read the Omnissiah prayer book and Primer."
	Kass_Yonova	Kass hands his borrowed copy of "The Adventures Hildebrand von Bratwurst" to Gru. Kass had already read it three time.
	Gru_Persay	"Thanks."
	Gru_Persay	starts reading the book.
	Kass_Yonova	Nods to Gru.
	Gru_Persay	"Hey, Victrus."
	Kass_Yonova	Give his current situation Kass decides to get Vikk's personal effects in order. He heads over to his now dead comrade's bunk and sorts his things out on it.
	Victrus_Macharius	looks over at Gru, "Yea, what is it?"
	Gru_Persay	hands Victrus his las pistol.
	Victrus_Macharius	"Oh, thanks, Forgot you still had this" as he takes the laspistol from Gru
	TheResilientGM	Vikk held onto the original Imperial Guard recruitment poster. On its back, he wrote small notes. The names of friends from basic training, the name of his Transport vessel, and over and over, "Kass" or "Mr. Yonova" - small anecdotes of the man he had come to admire and look up to. It's a memento with much sentimental value, as it was kept inside his copy of the Infantryman's Uplifting
	TheResilientGM	Pruiumer
	TheResilientGM	Along side the Primer, letters to a sweetheart, written presumably while he was still in training, or stationed Planetside in Prithia.
	TheResilientGM	An expended chargepack for a lasgun, perhaps his first, also kept in there for a time unknown to anyone but the departed.
	TheResilientGM	Finally, a letter: "Dear Mr. Yonova". In it, he shyly asks to be accepted as his medicae assistant - a letter he apparently never had the courage, nor reason, to give to Kass. The Regiment making his wish come true upon deployment.
	Kass_Yonova	Kass closes his eyes and rubs his temple. He could always deal with the death around him. He'd gotten used to it by now, and knew this was bound to happen, with either himself or Vikk dieing in combat. But...he wasn't prepared for it after all.
	Kass_Yonova	Kass decides to keep the recruitment poster and the never sent letter, as a keep sake from his now dead comrade.
	Kass_Yonova	After organizing the rest of his personal belongings to be sent with his body back to Prithia, Kass grieves himself to sleep.