Rosenkrantz Side OP

RosenkrantzGM	IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
	RosenkrantzGM	Your arrival on Footfall hasn't seen much out of the ordinary rituals. Crew on furlough, supplies of all sorts being loaded in, and Armsmen vigilant of every container entering the ship, on the lookout for contraband and stowaways.
	RosenkrantzGM	Despite Lady Gillam's safehouse on the decrepit station, your operations are truly based out of the ship. With all the in and out, by this point, you have become more than casually acquainted with the rotating guards on the Bridge Personnel belt connecting the ship to the station.
	RosenkrantzGM	Master Chymist Josef, is deep within his secluded chambers, working on a 'project' only whispered about by the crew.
	RosenkrantzGM	The Master of Ordnance, for his part, has taken some time to study the gunnery of Footfall... or at least trying to, with the limited access he's granted by the scum gangs who run them.
	RosenkrantzGM	Simultaneously, both advisors to Lord-Captain Friedrich are called in; a broadcast from the Praeliator Aurorae has come in, which requires their immediate attention.
	Baine_Mort	responds to the call and makes his way to the Consequence.
	RosenkrantzGM	Servitors of varying specialties surround the Genetor, aiding him in his pet project, as well as monitoring other specimens kept for study.
	Josef	sighs and says to his cat "I will return to this project at a later date." He secures his lab and pets Mussolini before departing.
	RosenkrantzGM	The feline pet seems to acknowledge its master's farewell by dropping to the floorplate and giving a single meow.
	Josef	"Good Mussolini. Make sure Junior Medical Officer Scatter doesn't touch my equipment."
	Josef	exits his office.
	RosenkrantzGM	Both arrive at nearly the same time, despite the difference in distance between the two; a testament to the enormous labyrinthe structure of the Imperium's vessels.
	Josef	"Greetings, Master Mort."
	Baine_Mort	"Hello  Josef, it is good to see you, how goes your "Projects"?"
	Josef	"What Projects? I have no idea of what you are recalling? If you mean 'the plans' for the arena, that is best discussed in private."
	Baine_Mort	"Whispers among the ship say otherwise of your other "project," but that is all I know, just whispers and rumors."
	RosenkrantzGM	Before the Master Chymist can respond, the pair is interrupted. "My Lords, you're here," a junior Comms Officer greets you. "The Astropathic Choir has just finished decyphering a communication received from the Praeliator Aurorae. There are instructions specifically naming the both of you, if would just follow me."
	Josef	"We will speak later, Master Mort."
	Baine_Mort	nods and follows the junior officer.
	Josef	follows behind the two.
	RosenkrantzGM	A briefing chamber connected to the bridge is made available to you, where the Junior Officer salutes his superior before leaving you.
	RosenkrantzGM	"My Lords. Please be seated," the Senior Comms Officer beckons.
	Baine_Mort	takes a seat.
	Josef	takes a seat after adjusting his robes.
	RosenkrantzGM	"As you may have been informed, the Astropathic Choir received and decyphered a message from the Dynastic Flagship," he begins as soon as you're comfortable.
	RosenkrantzGM	"The efforts of the Aurorae are, as you are well familiar, centered on the development of a colony on the planet Faith. Scant detail was shared on its progress, but one request above all was placed."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Medical Supplies," he says simply, looking up at you.
	Baine_Mort	"So a shopping list then?"
	Josef	"Medical Supplies? Of course, we lack the transport ships and supply lines especially to that particular location."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Which is why the Consequence has been tasked with providing an amount sufficient for the Colony" he nods.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Logistics simply do not permit for the Aurorae's own supplies to be spread so thin, for the maintaining of the planet's needs."
	Josef	"We'd need a supplier with transport in Footfall?"
	RosenkrantzGM	"As it is understood to the Dynasty, Master Mort, you are familiar with this... station."
	RosenkrantzGM	"And your own expertise in the Medicae field, Master Josef, is unparalleled."
	Baine_Mort	"To an extent, yes I am, I have been to Footfall multiple times in the past."
	Josef	"Would you know of any suppliers?."
	RosenkrantzGM	He nods once more, as if confirming something to himself.
	Baine_Mort	"Unfortunately, I don't know of any suppliers, but I do know a location we can go to via the black market where we might be able to find some medical supplies."
	Josef	"Black Market? An unreliable source, but least they might keep their mouths shut."
	RosenkrantzGM	"As these instructions are understood to reflect Lord Wilhelm's wishes, this is to become a priority, my Lords," he says cautiously, as to not sound less commanding, than more of an intermediary of order from the top.
	Josef	"Understood."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Any resources the Consequence may provide, will be made available to you upon your request."
	Baine_Mort	takes a moment to think about it and says, "Well this is Footfall after all, it may be better for us to just get the supplies and deliver them ourselves as everyone here is shady, and we would have to share info with the supplier of were the colony is and that could cause problems if some pirates squeeze the info out of them and start to raid the colony."
	RosenkrantzGM	"A fair assessment, Master Mort," the Comms Officer comments.
	Josef	recoils in disgust at the mention of pirates.
	Josef	"Indeed."
	RosenkrantzGM	"At this early stage of development, the colony is highly susceptible to raids," he adds.
	RosenkrantzGM	"What shall you require, then, my Lords, for your search?"
	Josef	"We need contacts or a list of names."
	Baine_Mort	"I believe we should have two arms men with us, so that we can keep a somewhat low profile without attracting to much attention."
	RosenkrantzGM	"That, I cannot provide, Master Josef. I will, however, scan all vox channels for any such information."
	Josef	"The action would be most appreciated, Comms Officer"
	RosenkrantzGM	"Two armsmen, of course. For your added security, we shall prepare one secure frequency to be left open for you, should you have any emergency requests."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Whenever you're prepared to leave, I will have your escort waiting for you at the bridge officers' umbilical."
	Josef	"Shall we, Master Mort?"
	Baine_Mort	"I'm ready when you are Josef." Mort says as he get up from he seat.
	RosenkrantzGM	Choosing to remain lightly armed, and with an escort of just two armsmen, you are a decidedly low-profile group. Any midshipman of a semi-competent crew could have the same profile as you, and as such, you are able to blend with the multitudes of Footfall without much strain.
	RosenkrantzGM	Master Mort leads the group past the trade platform with the more general merchants, through a poorly maintained connector conduit with weak and failing gravplates, into the rather more uncivlized platforms where the more unsavory underground black market gangs operate; offering goods from captured Squigs, to malnourished slaves of all ages and backgrounds.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Can I offer ye an industrious young able body?" a hunchbacked and filthy merchant in a Captain's overcoat approaches you.
	RosenkrantzGM	He motions over to a line of 5 slaves, chained by their necks to eachother, with weighted ball bearings clamped to their feet.
	Josef	"Pass."
	Josef	"This is not what we seek."
	RosenkrantzGM	He insists, grabbing Josef by the wrist. This does not go over well in the eys of the armsmen, who instinctively place themselves between the robed Chymist and the slave trader.
	Josef	"These poor souls are not of my intrest."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Back to your livestock, scum, or you'll be gore on the deckplate," one of the armsmen threatens.
	Baine_Mort	signals for the arms men to stand down.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Ye best keep yer dogs on a leash, techpriest. Ye'r far from home 'ere."
	RosenkrantzGM	The armsmen nod, and fall back.
	Baine_Mort	"My good sir, we must be going, as what you have is not what we seek."
	RosenkrantzGM	"They needn't be workslaves, ye know..." he grabs for a young woman... and an even younger boy.
	RosenkrantzGM	"I know how lonely ye navylikes can get."
	Baine_Mort	"That is not what we are seeking either and we must be going." nodes to the armsmen  and Josef to leave this slaver.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Ye'll be back... I know the like of ye..." he says, hand-waving you away, while yanking at the chains of his two slaves to put them back in place.
	Baine_Mort	walks away while ignoring the slaver's last words.
	Josef	follows, his gears grinding loudly for a moment.
	RosenkrantzGM	A lonely, malnourished urchin approaches your group, hands held out in a little cup without a word, his head low.
	Baine_Mort	tosses the urchin a single throne and moves on.
	RosenkrantzGM	The boy receives it, and with a dry, breathy voice mouths, "thank you".
	RosenkrantzGM	Not a minute after this encounter, just at the corner of your eye, Mort sees two figures rush towards the group, at full sprint.
	RosenkrantzGM	One of the hooded men slams his body against Mort, the other running throw your group, separating Mort from the rest, all in a split second.
	RosenkrantzGM	Before Mort can react, he's been mugged of just over a dozen thrones!
	RosenkrantzGM	The two brigands rush towards a busy crowd just up ahead, in an attempt to get away.
	Baine_Mort	"Well fuck." Mort says as he gets up,
	RosenkrantzGM	Master Josef attempts to pursue, but these scum are born and bred in this vile place. They know it better than the back of their own hand... and soon they disappear among the crowd.
	RosenkrantzGM	"My Lord, we can pursue if that is your wish. We could call for back-up, should you issue a search-and-destroy order." one of your accompanying armsmen says.
	Josef	yells "To the void with all of you!" and returns to Mort.
	Baine_Mort	"No its fine, let them have this victory, for now."
	RosenkrantzGM	"As you command," he nods.
	RosenkrantzGM	"...the greatest tonics a voidsman can find!" Josef can hear the calls of one 'merchant'.
	Josef	"Tonics?"
	Baine_Mort	looks at Josef, "Where?"
	Josef	signals Mort to follow him towards the source.
	Baine_Mort	follows Josef.
	RosenkrantzGM	A small semi-interested crowd stands in front of this merchant's display. None too eager to jump in, no doubt in great part due to their own ignorance in these matters, as none appear to be in the company of a ship's surgeon or any such expert.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Root of the Violet! Torreberd's Paw! Every single medicinal tonic known to man!"
	RosenkrantzGM	"You, sir! You bring this to your surgeon, and the man will go mad with approval!" he says pointing at one unsuspecting spectator.
	Josef	approaches the crowd, standing a few feet behind them.
	RosenkrantzGM	"What's it for?" the man idly asks
	RosenkrantzGM	"Root of the Violet?" he asks with a dry laugh. "Why, it's a near miracle!"
	RosenkrantzGM	"It will fight every fungus, destroy every pox!"
	Baine_Mort	"You think his medic is legit?" Mort whispers to Josef
	Josef	"Highly doubt it, I require a sample."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Why... have we not all feared the dread Crystalshard Pox in our voyages? I can swear to you, that I, and I alone carry the only known cure!"
	RosenkrantzGM	The fear of this Pox is very real... and the crowd begins to nod along, now, commenting to one another on the value of such a tonic.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Protect yourselves, and your crew! For only 200 Thrones, a crate of this life saving miracle tonic can be yours!"
	RosenkrantzGM	"You!" he points to Mort.
	RosenkrantzGM	"You look like a learned man. A concerned leader of his crew! Surely, you will see the value in such a cure!"
	Baine_Mort	"Standered Military procedure for curing the Crystalshard Pox is extreme extermination without prejudice." Mort says in response and turns to walk away.
	RosenkrantzGM	The merchant stumbles on his words for a moment, then quickly turning to the suddenly disinterested crowd. "N-no, gentlemen! I assure you, this cure comes from the higheset of learning men! Please, come back, and allow me to provide a sample at least!"
	Josef	follows behind Mort.
	Josef	turns back around.
	Baine_Mort	stops to wait for Josef to get the free sample of the fake cure.
	Josef	walks up to the Merchant and says in the most mono-toned voice. "Sample, now."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Yes, yes! You see? A red priest himself! If he is interested, surely, the merits are strong enough to back up my claims!"
	RosenkrantzGM	He hands you a small bottle.
	Josef	"Sample."
	Josef	"Now."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Come, now! Everyone step up. A tonic endorsed by the Red Priests themselves! You've all seen it, here!"
	Josef	lean in and whispers to the Merchant "Watered down grade medicine, but you have my interest." His blank expression turns into a creepy smile.
	RosenkrantzGM	He puts a hand on Josef's shoulder, turning him slightly to the side, while smiling to the crowd. "One moment, gentlemen, please! I am consulted by the red priest! Just a moment, yes!"
	RosenkrantzGM	He then turns with you, and walks a few paces away from the crowd.
	Josef	"I know this tonic is... weak."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Now, you wouldn't go on ruining a man's livelihood... would you now?"
	RosenkrantzGM	His tone and volume completely different now.
	Josef	"If you cooperate, I will pardon this exchange misinformation.  The substance in this tonic is something I require in larger, more potent doses."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Look, I'm just a merchant... how large a dose did you have in mind? I have 12 crates in storage without dillution..."
	Josef	"12 crates is too small of a shipment for the scale I need. Who is your supplier?"
	RosenkrantzGM	"That depends on the quantities you're seeking, priest."
	Josef	"Enough to fill the cargo holds of a light cruiser or two."
	RosenkrantzGM	The merchant stares for a while. Completely unsure if this is an attempt at a joke... or if techpriests are even capable of such a thing.
	RosenkrantzGM	"You'll have to forgive me, but... are your circuits fried?"
	Josef	"I am at peak operating conditions."
	RosenkrantzGM	"You and your... friends," he says looking at Mort and the armsmen,"don't strike me as the ship-owning type. Let alone... CRUISER sized ships... plural. SHIPS."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Ya done back there, merchantman? Are you going to sell me the damned thing or what?" one of the more impatient men in the crowd calls back.
	Josef	"Who we are is of no concern, what matters is what we need and the exchange of coin."
	RosenkrantzGM	"J-just a moment there, sir!"
	RosenkrantzGM	"Listen, I don't have access to that type of quantity. All I know is that Sannit and his crew bring the stuff in every few months. It's the real stuff; they raid convoys I'm told directly from the Imperium's veins."
	Josef	trying to hold back his disgust and says "Where may I find this Sannit?"
	RosenkrantzGM	"He's not the friendly sort, so I wouldn't go looking... but he and his crew are laying low for a few weeks. Chances are he'll be at the Red Bride brothel with the rest of his men."
	Josef	"Thank you for your cooperation." Josef bows.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Wait!" he whispers, taking a step towards you.
	Josef	"Yes?"
	RosenkrantzGM	"Won't you help a cooperative merchant? Give the crowd a little sign of approval, won't you?"
	Josef	"You want me to say it is the best watered down medicine this side of the Footfall?"
	RosenkrantzGM	"Look, chances are these scum won't survive the trip back. Why can't a man make a little profit?"
	Josef	"You can make your profit and I will remain silence on this issue for our little conversation."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Are you going to sell me the Emperor-shitting thing, or not?!"
	RosenkrantzGM	The merchant parts from Josef, and puts on his smile again. "Yes, yes, of course! Please, come on over!"
	Josef	returns to Mort and the armsmen.
	Baine_Mort	"So what did you find out?"
	Josef	"His suppliers are pirates. We kill them or move on."
	RosenkrantzGM	"On your command, my Lords," one of the armsmen says, with his finger up to his commbead.
	Baine_Mort	"We are going to have to move on for now, we will keep this as a backup plan for now, plus killing them will cause lots of problems for us."
	Baine_Mort	"We could contact Lady Lucrezua's informants to find another supplier."
	Josef	"We could instead raid Sannit's supplies. Find where he keeps his medicine and take them as our own."
	Josef	"We are the authority of this port."
	Baine_Mort	"Well then I guess that is a better plan then any at the moment."
	Baine_Mort	turns his coms to the secure channel and passes on the information to the bridge.
	RosenkrantzGM	After some time, you receive a reply.
	RosenkrantzGM	+Master Mort. We are passing along a message from Lady Lucrezia's whispers. Go to the Red Bride. A pleasure-girl by the name of Annais will approach you, an informant who has recently bedded Sannit and his other drunken inner-circle.+
	Baine_Mort	+Understood Bridge, Mort out.+ "Ok lets move out, to the Red Bride we go."
	RosenkrantzGM	"I didn't realize you intended to mix business with pleasure," one of the armsmen cautiously jokes.
	RosenkrantzGM	"... my Lord," he adds at the end, realizing he's probably overstepped some boundary.
	Baine_Mort	"Keep in line soldier, we are going there on business only."
	Josef	"Let's just go."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Of course, my Lord. Forgive my indiscipline."
	Josef	"Unless, it was Lord Wilhelm accompanying us, then it is both."
	RosenkrantzGM	The armsmen snicker.
	RosenkrantzGM	For reasons that needn't be said tied to Mort's past... he leads the party directly to the Red Bride. Even before you enter, your nostrils pick up on the sweet incense burning inside.
	RosenkrantzGM	The red drapery and candle-light (an unforgivable hazzard onboard such a rotten station, in the eyes of Josef), greet you as soon as you enter. The music is loud enough to hide private conversation - a detail which is in all certainty on purpose, and the common area is filled with half- and full-drunken men on furlough. From the most ragged of voidsmen spending the last of their coin, to
	RosenkrantzGM	well-dressed men of the officer class of wealthy merchant vessels... every man has some coin, and every girl has a price.
	Josef	"No electricity, no machinery, poor souls."
	RosenkrantzGM	"I like your robes," one of the girls teases, approaching the techpriest... which actually is rather matchingly-dressed for his surroundings of red furniture, red decor, and red-dressed ladies of pleasure.
	RosenkrantzGM	The armsmen try to keep a firm look forward, but try as they might, their gazes drift. Often.
	Baine_Mort	looks at the girl, "Do you know where we may find Annais?"
	RosenkrantzGM	"Oh, a return customer? I wish I could be your favorite girl..." she says with a mock frown, and a filrty wink.
	RosenkrantzGM	"I'm just as talented as she is..." she approaches, and places her palm on the Master of Ordnance's chest.
	Josef	"We require a certain female. I have no further comments. "
	Baine_Mort	"I'm sorry my dear but Annais is the one I seek tonight."
	RosenkrantzGM	With her head now leaning on Mort's chest, she looks to his side, at Josef. "I've never done it with one of your boys... I'm sure Annais will be just as surprised."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Must be..." her hand now travels down to Mort's crotch, "rough."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Look, either you're paying, or you're leaving. No freebies." one of the large security guards approaches from behind.
	RosenkrantzGM	"But Lennie..." the girl protests, "this one's cute! An officer. Just how I like them."
	Josef	"Annais. Now. Not interested with anyone else."
	RosenkrantzGM	One of your armsmen turns to face the security guard.
	Baine_Mort	looks to the security guard, "What he said."
	RosenkrantzGM	"You heard them, Cookie. Customer gets what the customer wants. Now go fetch that girl."
	RosenkrantzGM	Her shoulders fall, and she turns on her heels before walking off at a fast pace.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Don't blame you... if I could, I'd buy that girl's time for a whole week. Hah!"
	RosenkrantzGM	Then, a beautiful blonde emerges from the other side of the common room. She carries a small refined incense burner, waving it with grace as she makes your way towards you.
	Baine_Mort	"Thank you sir." Mort says to the Security Guard
	RosenkrantzGM	"There she is now... lucky man..." he pats you on the back and returns to his post.
	Baine_Mort	begins to approach Annais.
	Josef	follows behind Mort
	RosenkrantzGM	As soon as she's close enough to be heard at a conversational tone, she invites you, "Won't you join me in one of the private chambers?" Her voice is soft, and sweet. You'd be hard-pressed not to fall in love with the girl if you didn't know any better... she's the perfect informant, you realize.
	Baine_Mort	"Yes my dear, please show us the way,"
	Josef	"Private Room. Yes."
	RosenkrantzGM	She leads you to the areay from whence she came, where a guard stands watch before a decorated door.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Hello, Tony." she greets the man with a smile.
	RosenkrantzGM	The man practically melts as he replies, "Hi, Annais..." he says with a dumb expression on his face.
	RosenkrantzGM	Then, turning towards you, his face becomes stone-like once more.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Alright, who are the customers?"
	Baine_Mort	"Just me and my friend." Mort nods to Josef.
	RosenkrantzGM	"You two. You're staying out here with me," he points to the armsmen.
	RosenkrantzGM	"If they give you any trouble, you just call for me, Annais." he says in a protective tone.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Oh, I always feel safe with you around," Annais says with a wink that once again striked cupid's arrow on the meathead's heart.
	RosenkrantzGM	She opens the door into what must be the highest-priced chamber in the house... one which Mort had certainly never been able to afford in his past... visits to Red Bride.
	RosenkrantzGM	She closes the door behind you, and walks you over to the side of the room opposite the door, where two chairs sit on either side of a small table.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Please, sit."
	Josef	takes a seat.
	Baine_Mort	sits down
	RosenkrantzGM	She immediately changes demeanor as she takes a seat on the bed in front of you.
	RosenkrantzGM	"You may not have seen him while you were out there, but Sunnit is here. He and his first mate, and a couple of their lackeys."
	RosenkrantzGM	"They must have brought in a serious haul, because they've practically lived here the past two weeks."
	Baine_Mort	"Any news on where they are stashing the medical supplies?"
	RosenkrantzGM	"I know where they keep their supplies before selling. Sannit has a deal with the owner of the Starfares Emporium. No one would suspect it... they carry chart copies and miscellanius navigation supplies. In exchange for holidng the merchandise, the Emporium gets a steady stream of income from Sunnit and his crew."
	RosenkrantzGM	"The warehouse is shared, but in practice, only the Emporium ever uses it. And even when they do need to share it, they are very cautious to keep the stash of supplies hidden in between their own charts and navigation supplies crates."
	Baine_Mort	"That is going to make is difficult to get them then."
	RosenkrantzGM	"Well..." she smiles.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Maybe not."
	Josef	"How so?'
	RosenkrantzGM	She reaches inside her dress.
	RosenkrantzGM	She reveals a parchment folded in three.
	RosenkrantzGM	"I had an inspector come visit a few nights ago, and he left me a present..." she waves her acquisition teasingly.
	Baine_Mort	puts his hand out for the parchment.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Poor idiot never even realized I'd taken it" she laughs softly.
	RosenkrantzGM	"Now, it's not completly filled out, and it still requires the authorizing stamp. But if you can get a forgery done... you'll have full accesss to that warehouse," she smiles cunningly, handing you the inspection papers.
	Baine_Mort	takes a look over it, "Well then, looks like we have our way in."
	Josef	"The inspector on our vessel. He might have what we need."