Evervigilant 40

<Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilant_GM> The blast, the free-fall, and the sudden stop. Violent events in a span of mere seconds. Your senses have been assaulted to the point of disorientation. The first voice you can rightly hear is that of the overseeing medicae officer.
<Vigilant_GM> "Help me get him back on. No, no, leave it. The boy is our priority."
<Vigilant_GM> Slowly, power is restored to the levatus, and lights flicker on.
<Vigilant_GM> You can see medicae personnel easing the last of the navigators, the young scion you found in the tower, back onto the gurney after the violent collapse left him on the floor-plates. Huddles in a corner are three armsmen, one helping Anzaforr back on his feet.
* Tony wary of what happened, he lifts himself up and look around
* Nitrous get's up and assesses the situation
<Vigilant_GM> News of the attempt on Anzaforr's life has already reached the bridge, you reason, as warning klaxxons begin to sound from without the levatus.
<Vigilant_GM> "My Lord, the vox is responding. Will try to reach the First-Officer."
<Vigilant_GM> Anzaforr presses a kerchief against his bloodied brow, nodding at his subordinate.
<Vigilant_GM> Then, he turns to you.
<Vigilant_GM> "How did this happen?"
<Tony> "The Gellar Field If I recall sir, but with this now. It feels more like it was planned."
<Tony> "Which also means we are a lot shorter on time, then we thought."
<Vigilant_GM> "Are these your cultists?"
<Tony> "I am pretty sure of it Sir."
<Vigilant_GM> "What could possibly be the goal in stranding us all in the warp?!" Anzaforr snaps back in frustration.
<Vigilant_GM> "My Lord, we have reached the bridge. The bosun is on his way with a rescue party."
<Tony> "Be mindful of who you trust, they could be anyone."
<Thesse> "We saw the daemons? Maybe they intent to sacrifice the ship?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Heretics... fanatics!"
<Vigilant_GM> Three loud metallic bangs then shake the levatus.
* Nitrous prepares for combat
<Vigilant_GM> As if from a distant laud-hailer, a voice calls. "LORD-CAPTAIN! WE HAVE ARRIVED AND ARE SECURING WHAT REMAINS OF THE SEVERED LINES! I BEG YOU AND YOUR COMPANIONS MOVE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE!"
<Vigilant_GM> "Emperor preserve us," Anzaforr says to himself.
<Vigilant_GM> Then, from within the levatus itself, another voice, deep and with a metallic ring, fills the chamber.
<Vigilant_GM> "Las-cutters will be utilized. Probability of collapse nearing 33 percentile, Lord-Captain."
<Nitrous> "We got anything we can sling on to?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Reduce that probability, Enginseer. Our only surviving navigator is in here with us," Anzaforr replies.
* Karpath pulls out his Auspex, making sure not to move much, he scans for some sort of exit through the doors like a deck but find only thick wall there.
<Vigilant_GM> Without warning, the levatus drops several meters before stopping with the groaning of strained metal. No longer falling, it begins to sway from side to side.
<Baird> "If they are unable to repair the levatus, if there is a maintenance hatch, they could perhaps lower some cable down and we could climb out."
<Baird> "Is that possible Lord-Captain?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Probability collapse nearing 64 percent, Lord-Captain," the Enginseer updates.
<Vigilant_GM> Anzaforr sighs. "Right. It is possible, but the boy is a priority."
<Baird> "One of your men can rappel down and secure the boy. Then you and the rest of us after. If that is the choice you prefer Lord-Captain."
* Karpath looks up and sees a falls ceiling with a sort of hatch. "Could we use that hatch there to make our way to a vent shaft?"
<Baird> "According to your Enginseer we are most likely going to end up paste otherwise."
<Karpath> "Or at least if there is one near by."
<Vigilant_GM> "Right. Hold the gurney securely in place. Armsmen, carefully," he emphasizes the word, "open the hatch and tell me what you see."
<Vigilant_GM> The medicae attendants lower the boy to the ground, and hold the gurney firmly in the center. Moving with exceptional care, the armsmen climb on the gurney - even in their careful movements, the levatus swings several meters to and fro.
<Vigilant_GM> Accessing the above hatch, and pushing it open outwards, the deep darkness of the levatus shaft appears to swallow all light, until the armsmen shine their torches outward.
<Baird> "I recommend one of your men drops down a cable so we can use the clip harnesses to at least ensure we don't fall with the levatus."
<Vigilant_GM> Some 50 meters up, the superheating of metal glows as the las-cutters do their work.
<Baird> "Lord-Captain. You need to have them lower something we can all latch onto. Have them send someone to another hatch and drop it down from there."
<Vigilant_GM> Anzaforr nods to Baird. "The odds are not acceptable. I require an alternate plan. Run a wire from the nearest access to the shaft the full length to our location. At a minimum I want the opportunity to give the navigator a life line."
<Vigilant_GM> "As you command, Lord-Captain," the enginseer's voice confirms after a pause.
<Vigilant_GM> High up above, some 100 meters, light begins to flood in from an access door opened by force.
<Vigilant_GM> The bosun pops his head through, and drops several chym-lumen sticks.
<Vigilant_GM> "Mind your head, boys!"
<Baird> "Do your men have harnesses Lord-Captain?"
<Vigilant_GM> They drop past the glowing metal of the las-cutter work, and onto the top of the levatus.
<Vigilant_GM> Anzaforr looks up as if to confirm with his men. "They do," he nods.
<Baird> "I recommend one comes down for the boy and brings some spares for everyone else. We'll all clip onto and begin to climb up."
<Vigilant_GM> The groaning of the cables echoes deep through the chasm like a wounded leviathan.
<Vigilant_GM> "Line ho!" the bosun calls as a coil of wire begins to make its way down.
<Vigilant_GM> "Easy does it!" he directs, as the armsmen successfully grab hold and clip to their harnesses.
<Vigilant_GM> "Help me with the boy," Anzaforr nods to the Acolytes, as the armsmen take a knee, ready to pull the navigator up.
* Tony nods and steady and careful helps the boy up
* Thesse and Tony assists the boy up thru the maintenance hatch.
<Vigilant_GM> The armsmen grab hold of the boy. One of them removes his harness and applies it to the navigator before securing him to the line. Without delay, they begin the ascent, the bosun helping steady the wire from above.
<Vigilant_GM> Even the tiniest of vibrations caused by the occasional striking of the lowered wire to that keeping the levatus from collapse vibrates menacingly.
<Baird> "Alright so after the armsmen are clear with the boy we go 3-4 at a time. No more than that on the line at once."
<Baird> "Lord-Captain you and your chief medicae ascend with two of our people. Subsequent groups will be split 2 from the remaining armsmen/medicae and 2 from our group. We'll continue in that manner until all are secure. Any objections Lord-Captain?"
<Vigilant_GM> A moment later, the boy is received by the bosun above. In turn, he passes several harnesses to the armsman, who rappels back down.
<Vigilant_GM> "None," he shakes his head.
* Baird nods and begins directing people onto the line.
<Baird> "Emperor willing we'll all make it out of here alive."
<Vigilant_GM> Cautiously, he begins his own climb through the hatch, where he is assisted by the armsmen with his harness. Joined by the attending medicae officer, and Tony and Velam, they begin their own ascent, just as the las-cutters slice through one vertical portion of the shaft.
<Vigilant_GM> The Lord-Captain is the first of his group to reach safety. Once there, he assists the others behind him.
<Baird> "Alright next group up the cable, let's go."
<Vigilant_GM> The second group also makes it through without event; both Karpath and Nitrous join the Lord-Catpain's retinue in safety.
<Vigilant_GM> Following the same procedure, the remaining occupants are able to find their way up.
<Vigilant_GM> As soon as the navigator is secured to another gurney, Commander Jyrgan Hessiial emerges, a heavy escort in tow.
<Vigilant_GM> "Lord-Captain! We must take you to safety at once."
<Vigilant_GM> "My own quarters will suffice. Arrange for medicae personnel to set up there and treat the boy."
<Baird> "We will accompany you Lord-Captain. The boy is our only hope at getting out of this mess."
<Vigilant_GM> Hessiial steps forward as if to interject, but Anzaforr speaks first. "Nothing could be more important."
<Vigilant_GM> "But whatever is going on needs to be stopped before another... incident."
<Vigilant_GM> "You have, as before, full authority to pursue your investigation and end these vermin. I will make available any resources you deem necessary."
<Baird> "I agree Lord-Captain. Allow us to escort you and we can discuss our next move once you and the boy are secured. Pardon me for being frank but your own staff has been infiltrated at this juncture."
<Baird> "Given the..incident.."
<Thesse> "One of the doctors tried to kill the boy. Mother Minoris sacrificed herself to save the boy."
<Vigilant_GM> "Sir," Commander Hessiial speaks up. "We must not delay. Any one of these people could be in the damned cabal, especially those from without!"
<Vigilant_GM> "Enough, Jyrgan. We all go to my quarters and reassess from there," Anzaforr replies.
<Vigilant_GM> "On your will, my Lord."
<Vigilant_GM> The escort practically flies you through the corridors and up the rampways to the Lord-Captain's access levatus system. All around this area security is ramped up considerably. You get the feeling that any false move could trigger a lethal response from any of the vigilant armsmen in the area.
<Vigilant_GM> Shortly thereafter, you reach the Lord-Captain's quarters. Something of an estate within an estate, truth be told, where medicae personnel have set up in the vast antechamber to create a dedicated medical facility.
<Vigilant_GM> It is Gaivius Heln, the Anzaforr Seneschal who first emerges to see his Captain's condition. "My Lord... I had no idea. I should have known. This is a tragedy, and it is on mine own shoulders that I bear it. Please--" he is cut off.
<Vigilant_GM> "No one knew. You couldn't have known. But we must fix this. Now," the Lord-Captain replies. "Make available any and all resources to our guests. I will not have another incident take place. Am I understood?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Perfectly, my Lord."
<Vigilant_GM> As Anzaforr sits down to be examined by the medicae staff, Heln approaches you.
<Vigilant_GM> "The die is cast, it seems. These... vermin have no subtlety. No restraint. How will you approach this?"
<Baird> "Is there a place of privacy where we can plan Seneschal?" Baird struggles to not glance at Commander Jyrgan.
<Vigilant_GM> "Certainly, certainly," he nods. "I have instructed the menials to clear the wardroom for my work. Please, follow me, and don't mind the state of things. My belongings are just being settled in now."
* Nitrous nods
* Baird nods and gestures for him to lead the way.
* Karpath follows behind Baird.
* Tony follows along looking over his shoulder as if he saw something, then continued on
<Vigilant_GM> The Seneschal's new work quarters are indeed in disarray, tomes, ledgers, dataslates, and an old calculus engine are being set up by his assistants, whom he waves away and instructs to close the doors behind them.
<Vigilant_GM> "Please, be seated."
* Karpath takes a seat at the table.
* Thesse takes a seat as well.
* Nitrous follows along
* Tony takes a seat, clutching his side from the swipe he took earlier
* Baird takes a seat and takes off his hat, setting it on his knee. "Alright so first things first. The cult has infiltrated your staff as evidenced by one of your medicae staff trying to kill us, the Lord-Captain, the navigator boy, or even possibly all three."
<Vigilant_GM> "Something that will forever burden me with shame," he nods.
<Vigilant_GM> "The staff I have gathered here are all only the most trusted, longest-serving on the roll. No one else is permitted in these quarters."
<Baird> "Secondly we need information. Places in the ship these..people..could gather unnoticed, as well as any potential crew who have pressure points that can be exploited to make them turn against the Lord-Captain, as well as any that are openly unhappy with the way he runs things."
<Baird> "And lastly once we have a lead we'll need trusted personnel and possibly resupply on ammo and things. If you can assist us with all of those Seneschal we would be very grateful."
<Baird> "As expected of you, and no one blames you Seneschal. These that are staging the coup are most likely the ones we are after. No one noticed it Seneschal."
<Vigilant_GM> "There have been grunts from different quarters about Astrid's decision to dedicate himself to the running of pilgrims. But these are not malicious; they are loyal servants who only wish to see their Lord-Captain rise to more than just a penitent in the void. Of late, of course, tensions have risen with some of the pilgrim factions, but these are fleeting, and usually confined to the
<Vigilant_GM> armsmen with which they interact."
<Vigilant_GM> "The Lord-Captain is highly regarded, even venerated, for the dedication he places in his atonement. His enemies, the Suerna Dynasty, may have something to do with this, but if this is so, I have missed their plot completely."
<Karpath> "They could be a suspect, but there could be others that are proving support for this group."
<Vigilant_GM> "Certainly so. As for locations to narrow your search, it is a difficult thing to approach. A vaunted vessel such as the Oath, you will understand has many a place for the unwanted to hide. There are the cargo holds in which they could blend with the busy menial tasks. The Corpse-Holds could also provide refuge for these undesirables, but superstitions around this place are so strong
<Vigilant_GM> that even I have trouble finding personnel that will remain in service there. Lastly, the lower decks, many abandoned for centuries, are known to house even the most vile mutant; occasional purging expeditions must be organized to ensure these populations do not grow into a threat."
<Tony> "Tell me, do you know who a Izumat Arisen is?"
<Tony> "The Man screamed it as he took his and the Mother's Life."
<Vigilant_GM> He looks at Tony, a blank expression on his face for a moment as the micro-pict projections in his augmetic eye seem to scroll through terrabytes of information. Then, his expression shifts once more as he "returns".
<Vigilant_GM> "I am afraid this is the first I am made aware of such an entity."
<Tony> "Hmmm, how easy is it to get Uniforms for your crew on this vessel?"
<Vigilant_GM> "I could have some sent in at once, should you require. Along with any other requests I am able to accommodate."
* Tony pulls out his Backpack and sits it down as he pulls out a Armsmen Uniform from it.
<Vigilant_GM> He studies the uniform intently for a moment.
<Vigilant_GM> "The Drunnels."
<Vigilant_GM> "Not an uncommon find in that dreaded place."
<Vigilant_GM> "Of course, without associated credentials, these would be of limited utility."
<Tony> "Can they be forged? It is pretty common for scum to make a Forgery of some Credentials?""
<Vigilant_GM> At that moment, reality itself seems to shake and stagger; a deeply unsettling effect that lasts for a fraction of a second. For a minute. Neither and both, at once.
<Vigilant_GM> The Seneschal shakes his head, and looks around the room as to reacquaint himself with his surroundings.
<Vigilant_GM> "They... They... yes. Forgeries are a possibility..." he trails off.
<Vigilant_GM> "I must speak to the helmsman. We may be caught in a warp-reef," he says rising to his feet.
<Baird> "Very well."
<Vigilant_GM> "Commander Hessiial has already been instructed to provide you with personnel support. Munitions and other such concerns have been cleared with the quartermaster. If you can provide me with what you require, I will take your requests with me to the bridge."
<Vigilant_GM> As promised, a short while after the Seneschal leaves for the bridge, while you have your own scrapes, scratches, and bruises looked at by the medicae personnel, the quartermaster brings to the Captain's quarters your requested equipment.
<Vigilant_GM> While the Acolytes take their rest, gather themselves, and prepare to make their next move, Tony Murphy presses on investigating the leads available. In order to cross-reference, Sister Thesse agrees to return to her flock to find out what the pilgrims have been able to see and hear in the intervening time.
<Vigilant_GM> All coming together, the information allows the cell to surmise that after the incursion, and subsequent attempt on the Rogue Trader's life, several groups were seen to withdraw from all corners of the vessel. Though not a damning fact on its own (the chaos of the situation made many a denizen of the Oath Unspoken seek refuge), the details uncovered by the detective create a chilling
<Vigilant_GM> resemblance to the events of Desoleum in one simple way: The Corpse-Holds are without a doubt the place where the cultists have withrdawn to. Yet again, following the dead will be the way forward; memories of the Mortuarius and the sumps come rushing back to haunt you.
<Baird> "Everyone ready for round two amongst the dead?"
<Nitrous> "Sure...."
<Thesse> "Round... two? Have you dealt with this 'situation' before?"
<Karpath> "Yep I think I am all ready now, was good to chat with some of the pilots since its been "a while." Also found a Storm Bolter and Backpack."
<Tony> "Raolin, might it be a idea to vent the air out in that section first?"
<Tony> "Or do you not want to take that risk?"
<Nitrous> "Let's not."
<Karpath> "Would say yes to that if, well we were not in the warp."
<Baird> "We could. If that section can vented without and undue side affects. Either from the warp or from the section not being properly sealed and it damages the rest of the ship."
* Karpath looks to the Sister, "Yea something like that."
<Thesse> "Something like what? What are you talking about?"
<Baird> "Best not to ask sister. Inquisitive minds and all that."
* Karpath looks to Baird for a moment, "Thats need to know."
* Thesse looks at Tony and says "Is this normal?"
* Tony twitches a little seemly jumped
<Thesse> "What's wrong with him?"
<Tony> "Yeah, you get used to it. Trust me you will figure it out in time"
<Thesse> "I will just... get my stuff."
<Vigilant_GM> A firm knock at the door of your stateroom interrupts you.
<Baird> "Enter."
* Karpath looks to the door. "Come in."
<Vigilant_GM> The door opens. Gaivius Heln allows himself in.
<Vigilant_GM> "Pardon my interruption," he says by way of introduction.
<Vigilant_GM> "There is a matter about which I would ask your expert opinion."
<Vigilant_GM> He closes the door behind him, stepping further into the stateroom.
<Baird> "All ears Seneschal."
<Vigilant_GM> "The bodies after the incursion. They are to be recovered shortly. Crew and Navis Nobilite alike."
<Vigilant_GM> "The remains of the the Navigator Prime are, I understand, in a particularly disturbing state... would you have any recommendations on how this is to be handled?"
<Baird> "Typically only people who have a way to shield themselves from the potential taint should handle the corpses. If you aren't worried about damaging the area then sanctified and blessed oil and fire. Not to a char mind you. But complete eradication. Not the smallest spec of them left. The barest piece could harbor something dangerous and none of us want that Seneschal."
<Thesse> "Scripture says an Exorcism is needed on these defiled corpses before being bathed in holy fire."
<Baird> "If you wish to guide them in such rituals I will leave that in your hands sister."
<Thesse> "I would be happy to help, Raolin. It's the least we can do for these poor souls."
<Vigilant_GM> "Yes, I see... of course. Your assistance in ensuring the rites are performed correctly will be most appreciated," he says with a short bow of gratitude.
<Baird> "There you have it Seneschal. I still recommend full shielding and decontamination protocols be used. Such as those you use for radiation."
<Vigilant_GM> "Instructions will be passed on to the recovery teams to handle the procedures with extreme precautionary measures in place. I will be sure to brief the Master-at-Arms myself in this regard. I am also glad to report that young Arius has regained his wits about him. Medicae staff are confident in his speedy recovery, physically."
<Baird> "Excellent news! Though I was and am still concerned as to his mental state."
<Vigilant_GM> "A most worrisome concern. Our best estimates give us no reliable information on... where or when we might emerge into realspace."
<Vigilant_GM> "Sister, I will make sure to call on you when the time comes. I will tardy you in your own tasks any longer."
<Thesse> "I shall, Seneschal."
<Baird> "I see, thank you for keeping us in the loop Seneschal. Also I have a question of curiosity if you'd indulge me."
<Vigilant_GM> "Yes, of course."
<Vigilant_GM> He looks up at Baird.
<Baird> "Any reason Commander Jyrgan would threaten you, across the vox, that he would "vent the deck" if a medicae team didn't come immediately to the navigators tower."
<Vigilant_GM> "Jyrgan may be a sour old dog, but he would not pass threats of that nature against me," he shakes his head. "It is likely he was... encouraging his subordinates into immediate action. I understand he was particularly upset by the events in the tower."
<Baird> "Of course, he had just yelled it across the vox so it was a curiosity. Thank you for indulging me Seneschal."
<Vigilant_GM> With that, the Seneschal takes his leave once more.