Evervigilant 35

<Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilant_GM> The Viator's interior rumbles and vibrates as its engines are pushed to capacity. The vibrations rattle a loose plate on the floor, Baird and Karpath take note of this apparent smuggling compartment.
* Baird shifts over and checks out the exposed compartment.
* Karpath moves up and over to the compartment.
* Nitrous get's near the pintle mount
<Baird> "Itkit. There's a smuggling compartment, come back here and check it out. I want to make sure they didn't trap their shit."
<Shiv> "Just when I finally got a break." He heads over to check on the compartment.
<Tony> +Hey Logen, see if you can give the documents I found a good look over.+
<Shiv> "Yep, it's booty trapped."
<Velam> +Ah yes.+ The savant shifts in his seat and bends over to take the documents from Tony. "Hmm let's see."
<Baird> "Can you disable it?"
* Shiv takes out his combi-tool. He cuts the wire connected to the hook, disabling the trap. Shiv responds to Baird with a "Yep."
<Baird> "Well don't keep us waiting. What's in it."
* Shiv opens the compartment and sees what is in it.
<Vigilant_GM> In the compartment is a humanoid skull. Long, with fin-like accents along its side, and teardrop eyesockets. It is fixed in place with a brace.
<Shiv> "What is this?"
<Nitrous> "Professor?"
<Karpath> "Well that is a interesting find."
<Baird> "Certainly something to add to the report. Itkit, once we get close to the area where the Cadre was running their exercises I want you scanning for their vox signal and get in touch with the Oath-Magister that helped us before."
<Tony> "Don't we have their channel on the other Vox?"
<Velam> "I can say for sure these documents, logs if you will belonged to Hresk. They detail the trade he indulged with the cultists. Seems things were not always sunny between the two. Very damning evidence, my friends. One significant note from what I've read, the cultists seem to have quite a fortune of funds. I wonder who could be financing them." He says the last part with a little bit of saracasm, as if the answer was already
<Velam> completely obvious.
<Baird> "No that channel was the one they enhanced for us. To find the smugglers.
<Baird> Excellent work Logen."
<Tony> "Speaking of him, is he comfortable back there?"
<Baird> "Still out presumably."
<Velam> After finishing his reading of the documents, which he makes a note mentally to record in his dataslate later, he looks towards the skull that is now revealed from the smugglers apartment. "Huh, that has to be very ancient..."
* Shiv grabs the vox caster and starts prepping it.
<Vigilant_GM> The Viator seeems to glide over the dunes, its wheels rising and falling on their own pneumatic bracers.
<Vigilant_GM> Soon, the vox begins to pick up active channels.
<Vigilant_GM> ++The company maneuvers are sluggish. I want them in position now.++
<Shiv> "I got something on the vox!"
* Karpath keeps watch over the prisoner.
<Vigilant_GM> ++Fire mission approved.++
* Baird get's up and moves over to the vox. "Hand me the receiver."
* Shiv gives Baird the receiver.
<Baird> ++This is the Acolytes trying to reach Oath-Magister Prass.++
<Vigilant_GM> The channel falls silent for several minutes.
<Vigilant_GM> ++This is Prass++ the transmission finally comes.
<Baird> ++This is the Acolytes. We are headed to Port Gyre. If possible I need a message to be relayed in-hive. I am sorry to interrupt your maneuvers once again Oath-Magister. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important.
<Velam> "Well that's a good sign."
<Nitrous> "Yup."
<Vigilant_GM> You hear distant artillery fire.
<Vigilant_GM> ++Repeat, Acolyte. Loudly.++
* Karpath moves over to where Shiv is and grabs hold of the Vox to hold onto it.
<Karpath> "Go help the driver."
* Baird repeats his message very loudly into the vox receiver."
<Nitrous> "I got a bad feeling about this."
<Shiv> "You bastard, ask first."
<Vigilant_GM> ++Recipient and message?"++
<Tony> +Can you see anything up there?+
* Shiv squeezes past everyone to go copilot with Tony.
<Baird> ++Relay to Oath-Captain Nils of the Purity Gate Sanctionaries that she is to report to our boss and tell him two things. Prisoner and Item to be retrieved on site. After she has relayed that she is to gather support and meet us at the Port.++
<Tony> "Oh hello again Ikit, feeling better now?"
* Karpath ignores Shiv's comment for the time being.
<Shiv> "I am shoved around as always." He takes a seat.
<Tony> "Beats getting shot."
* Baird relays his message to the Oath-Magister, making sure to speak loudly enough to be heard over the artillery.
<Vigilant_GM> ++Long-range Vox will become operable shortly. Consider your message delivered++ the transmission comes to a close as artillery pieces begin to fire again - sounds that reach you from the exterior some 20 seconds later.
<Tony> "This Week has been quite eventful."
<Baird> "Alright Tony there's no guarantee we won't be in the firing area of their practices. Drive fast and well."
* Velam tries his best to relax.
* Karpath places the Vox back in its spot.
* Karpath then braces himself as Tony drives to avoid getting hit by the artillery.
<Tony> "I got it, I got it, last thing we want is another mess like last time."
* Baird straps back, his messages relayed.
<Baird> "Agreed."
<Vigilant_GM> A herd of wild glassteeds runs across the desert several miles away, their resplendant bodies reflecting sunlight in your direction.
* Velam holds on as best he can while the driver recklessly charges forward with the Viator. "So much for that."
<Tony> +Hey Jack mind despising that herd over yonder, to avoid another mess+
<Nitrous> +Way too far.+
<Tony> +Got it+
<Vigilant_GM> The skies ahead reveal a busy airspace. Landers breaking through the clouds in steady patterns act as indicators towards Port Gyre as it rises above the horizon.
<Karpath> "Well glad to see this place again for once."
<Tony> "Shame we are not on break."
<Nitrous> "Yup."
<Vigilant_GM> A half hour's travel burning through the Viator's promethium places the Acolytes at the base of the voidport. Tracks on the sands lead up to an ancient and dilapidated doorway, just large enough to accomodate the Viator.
<Vigilant_GM> "No Entry" is clearly written on the heavy plasteel doors, which are currently closed.
<Velam> "Hmmm, most perturbatory."
<Karpath> "Yea they must be still waking up then."
<Tony> "We are here gentlemen."
<Baird> "Iyathson, anyway you can get us past these doors? You are familiar with the port? Given your brethren have a chapter house here you said."
<Vigilant_GM> The Tech-priest rises from his seat.
<Vigilant_GM> "Disconnected from the grid," he observes, his bionic eyes whirring and clicking in observation.
<Vigilant_GM> He exits the Viator.
<Vigilant_GM> He jabs his shock-stave against a panel, breaking it off its hinges, and brings his mechadendrites to interract with the system.
<Vigilant_GM> He pauses, turning around and waving you over.
* Baird exits the Viator and runs over to the cog boy.
<Baird> "What's the status, can you get us in?
<Vigilant_GM> "Central power is physically severed. I will require an energy source."
<Baird> "How much energy?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Not enough for my potentia coils to power."
<Baird> "Would a plasma weapon provide enough of a boost?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Were I in my prime, I could power the system myself..." he trails off in thought.
<Vigilant_GM> "Weapons systems... concentrated quick release storage..."
<Vigilant_GM> "Yes. Perhaps. How much do you have?"
<Nitrous> "Would Power packs?"
<Baird> +How many las packs and plasma packs do we have guys?"
<Karpath> "What?"
<Nitrous> +Got 9 small power packs.+
<Karpath> +Got 10 packs for my Long Las.+
<Shiv> +6 small packs.+
<Velam> +2 Plasma, 5 Las.+
* Baird turns to the Tech-Priest. "We have 20 small las packs, 11 medium, 3 plasma packs. Is that enough?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Plasma cells to awaken the system, an alternating system of concentrated power packs... yes. It is possible."
<Baird> +Alright he says it's doable. Bring them out.+
* Nitrous hands his las packs to karpath
* Velam hands his various power packs to Karpath. "Be quick now, my friend."
<Tony> +I will keep the Engine Warm, just be ready we are short on time.+
* Karpath gathers up all of the plasma and las packs and brings them over to Baird as quick as possible.
<Vigilant_GM> The tech-priest doesn't wait for their arrival, beginning to set up bracers and wires for the makeshift power system.
<Vigilant_GM> Without turning away from his work, Iyathson lifts a hooked mechadendrite in Baird's direction. "Plasma pack," he calls out as a flash of welding sparks out in front of him.
* Baird hands him a plasma pack
<Vigilant_GM> The appendige wraps around the makeshift power cell and fits it against one of the bracers.
* Velam tries his best to observe the tech-priest at work from the cupola of the Viator. "I need to invest in a good set of magnoculars, he notes to himself. One of his servoskulls crowds his space, trying to get up and around him. Almost as curious as he is.
<Vigilant_GM> Two mechadendrites do as the first.
<Vigilant_GM> "The other two."
* Baird passes the other two to the cog-boy.
<Vigilant_GM> His advanced omnissiahn combitool works to fix wires to attach the plasma cells together as he brings them to position.
<Vigilant_GM> A mind-impulse mechadendrite extends from his spine, and interracts with the system.
<Vigilant_GM> It comes to life, with diagnostic readouts on screen.
<Vigilant_GM> "Arrange las packs in two batteries along the bracers," he points down to the makeshift work he has welded together.
* Karpath helps Baird to arrange the las packs as asked.
<Baird> "Karpath. I believe this to be more your area than mine. Assist the Tech-Priest however he needs."
<Vigilant_GM> His combitool attaches one final wire to the exposed system. "Stand back."
* Baird steps away and keeps an eye on the surroundings. Determined to make sure the group isn't caught with their pants down.
* Karpath backs up as asked.
<Vigilant_GM> A surge of energy rushes into the system, arcs of electricity running from the exposed wiring through the techpriest, with a loud and sharp hum of raw power.
<Vigilant_GM> The large plasteel doors groan and slowly begin to move.
<Velam> "Most fascinating."
<Tony> +Buckle in this is going to be a bumpy ride.+
<Baird> "Jack. Pintle at the ready. Trained on that opening!"
<Nitrous> "understood."
* Nitrous follows instructions
<Vigilant_GM> Once at the widest point, the power system becomes inert, and the techpriest collapses.
* Velam climbs back down and resumes his seat, buckling up.
<Tony> +Get him and yourselves in here.+
* Karpath makes his way over to the Techpriest to check on him.
<Baird> +Yep.+ "Let's get him in the vehicle Karpath. Quick as we can."
* Karpath assist Baird to the Techpriest into the vehicle.
<Baird> Once in the vehicle they strap in themselves and the Tech-Priest and give the all clear to Tony. "Punch it!"
* Tony turns gears as he punches it
<Vigilant_GM> The Viator eneters the dark, unpowered tunnel.
* Tony flips the headlights as he ride into the Darkness
* Velam lurches to the side as the driver guns it. "Emperor's balls!"
<Vigilant_GM> The Viator rushes at speed through the dark tunnels, wheels grip the curves floor and sides of the tunnels.
<Velam> A flash of inspiration and something mysterious from those documents makes something click in Velam's mind. He goes through the documents again, this time pulling up his cryptographer notes from his dataslate. He starts typing furiously on the runes of his data slate, as his mind is overclocked.
<Velam> "Emperor have mercy there's a code to this..." He types out something and pauses. +My friends, I have our destination. We need to head to platform Omicron-7-2a, it's listed as abandoned but it seems Hresk has been discreetly using it for his smuggling operations. We'll need to find access to the long-haul lifts. Something I hope our tech-priest friend might help us with, if we can revive him."
<Tony> "Got it, Ikit see if you can help him out."
<Velam> "Itkit! We need to revive Iyathson!"
* Shiv checks on the Techpriest and shrugs.
<Vigilant_GM> As the winding and turning of the tunnels sways, rises, and drops the Viator, Tony makes a sharp turn. Some 100 meters ahead, a mass of people gathers in a group.
* Karpath tries to help Shiv but gets no new information from check on the Techpriest.
<Shiv> "I could try to injecting the cogboy with stimm, but I have no wonder if it will do anything."
<Tony> +Jack group of..Mutants! ahead be ready!+
<Velam> "Unless we have a map, he's our best option in finding the area we need to access that platform."
<Nitrous> +Ready.+
* Shiv injects stimm into the Techpriest.
<Vigilant_GM> Iyathson rises with a loud gasp, gripping Shiv by his shit, static running through the acolyte.
<Shiv> "AAAAAAAHHHHAHAHA, OFF, OFF, OFF!"
* Tony Does not stop the Viator, as he continues to race ahead to their destination.
<Baird> "Jack. Disperse them."
<Vigilant_GM> A series of thuds in quick succession shake the Viator for some two seconds.
<Baird> "If they don't move they'll die."
<Vigilant_GM> The ride continues smoothly thereafter.
<Velam> "Iyathson, I apologize for the rude awakening, I know we have sorely pressed you, but I need one more thing from you. I need your help in guiding this steel beast to platform Omicron-7-2a." He rests a hand on the revived Tech-Priest.
<Nitrous> "deadly or over the head tony?'
<Vigilant_GM> "Tertiary platform... Abandoned below the surface."
<Karpath> "I think we ran them over."
<Nitrous> "Indeed."
<Tony> "They are just mutants we got more important things to worry about."
<Velam> "Yes, yes exactly. The bastards who took you prisoner and tortured you, they have been using it under your noses for their smuggling operation."
<Baird> "Itkit. Check the vox. I want to see if we can get a message out of here."
<Vigilant_GM> "I need to commune with the vehicle's machine spirit," he gets up off the floor.
<Velam> "Yes, of course."
* Shiv grabs the vox caster and starts searching.
<Vigilant_GM> Iyathson makes his way to the front of the vehicle.
<Vigilant_GM> He takes a seat next to Tony.
<Shiv> "No good, Raolin. We are too deep."
<Baird> "Continue to monitor the signals. Try to find one we can use. We need to let Nils know where we are."
<Vigilant_GM> Ripping off the control panel's plating, the tech-priest connects his mind-impulse unit to the Viator.
<Vigilant_GM> The vehicle comes to a stop suddenly.
<Vigilant_GM> The weapon turns to face the side of the tunnel, despite Nitrous's inputs.
<Velam> "Oh my."
<Nitrous> "Well allright then."
* Tony looks confused then looks to the Tech Priest
<Tony> "That's a new one."
<Vigilant_GM> It opens fire until the weapon can fire no longer, shredding the tunnelside.
<Vigilant_GM> He fixes the seatbelt, stapping in tight on his seat.
* Karpath straps back into his seat.
* Nitrous get's down andtraps in
* Shiv straps himself into the seat.
<Vigilant_GM> The Viator turns to face the side of the tunnel.
* Nitrous starts praying to the emperor
<Vigilant_GM> The engines roar loudly along the length of the tunnel, until the gears lock in and the wheels spin aggressively, jolting the Viator violently forward, and through the weakened tunnelside.
* Velam prays in a whisper to himself as he holds on for dear life.
<Vigilant_GM> The pit of your stomach feels empty as you descend through near total darkness - the occasional piping passing through the light-cones ahead.
<Vigilant_GM> Carshing through thin plating, the vehicle drops into a moving lift hauler, snapping the suspension on at least two of the wheel braces.
<Vigilant_GM> "Ascending," he calls out.
<Velam> "Dear God-Emperor, I somewhat regret this. But he get's the job done."
<Nitrous> "Can't argue with that."
<Baird> "While we are ascending Jack, maybe take the time to reload the pintle."
<Karpath> "Yea, I think he might of had to much stim."
<Vigilant_GM> Natural light begins to fill the platform from above.
* Nitrous unstraps and reloads the vehicle's weapon
<Shiv> "Feck this, feck that, motherfecking feck."
<Tony> "May as well grab your guns lads."
<Nitrous> "It's loaded."
* Tony as he grabs his Autogun, given he is free
* Nitrous draws his sniper rifle
* Karpath checks his Boltgun and readies it. "Ready when you guys are."
* Shiv pulls out his flamer while holding onto the vox.
<Tony> "I did say this would be a bumpy ride woo."
* Baird readies his weapons and says a prayer to aid in the smiting of heretics. "Check the signals Itkit. I need you to get that message through as soon as possible."
<Vigilant_GM> As the lift reaches its destination, locking into place, some thirty sanctionaries surround the vehicle, weapons drawn. Laud-hailers command the Viator's surrender on threat of death.
<Vigilant_GM> The engines begin to roar once more.
<Tony> "Stop man they are with us."
<Velam> "Never a dull moment," he chuckles.
<Vigilant_GM> Iyathson kills the engine. Disconnecting his mind-impulse unit.
<Shiv> "I ALMOST DIED TWICE TODAY!"
<Baird> "Sanctionaries! Contact Oath Captain Nils. She is coming from the Purity Gate Sanctionary garrison and will help you coordinate. Let her know she is to lock down landing pad Omicron-7-2a. Receive your orders from her and she will direct you on your assignments. This is an order from The Inquisition. Stand down!"
<Vigilant_GM> A sanctionary officer steps forward, calling for his men to lower their weapons and stand down.
<Baird> "We are running out of time. I need you to move your men aside. Coordinate with Nils. She will provide answers to your questions. If you have vehicles readily available feel free to load up and accompany. But we cannot stop any longer than we have."
<Vigilant_GM> The officer points to a group of his men, and orders them to remain behind and cordon off the area. The rest are instructed to mount back up on their vehicles.
<Baird> +Tell the Tech Priest to get us moving.+
<Tony> "Alright we got the green light lets end this."
<Nitrous> "Punch it priest."
* Velam keeps himself bolted to his seat.
<Vigilant_GM> The mind-impulse unit finds its way back in the Viator's systems and promethium burns as the engines roar back into life, rushing foward.
<Vigilant_GM> Sanctionaries push their vehicles to keep up with the Viator.
* Nitrous straps into his seat
<Vigilant_GM> Ahead, port functionaries and servitors rush to the sides, to stay out of the way, cargo crates and stacks not so fortunate as they practically explode against the front plate.
<Vigilant_GM> Asdending to another level forward, some 200 meters ahead, another group of sanctionaries turns sharply into a dilapidated platform cluster.
<Vigilant_GM> A single shuttle idles its engines at its end.
* Shiv starts using the vox caster to contact Nils.
<Shiv> +HELLO, Nils?+
<Baird> "Just relay to her the landing pad designation and tell her that no shuttle leaving from there is to make it off planet."
<Baird> "Otherwise to coordinate support as she can."
<Vigilant_GM> ++Captain Nils is on her way to Platform Cluster Omnicron.++
<Shiv> "Nils is on her way to the... Platform Cluster Omnicron as well?"
<Baird> "...that's..quick. Be ready for anything just in case."
<Vigilant_GM> The Viator makes a sharp turn behind the group of sanctionaries to the platform cluster.
<Vigilant_GM> Already, the vehicles ahead make a semi-circle to block access.
<Velam> "Oh yes of course, readying myself as we speak..." The savant thinks back to how a servant of the book and dataslate got into so many firefights.
<Vigilant_GM> Sanctionaries pour out of their vehicles, weapons aimed at the shuttle as the Viator closes in and comes to a stop.
<Baird> "Alright let's go!" Baird unstraps himself and moves out of the Viator and up towards the Sanctionary Vehicles.
* Karpath unstraps himself and moves up with Baird, Boltgun at the ready.
* Nitrous unstraps and moves
<Vigilant_GM> "Fuck... fuck!" one Sanctionary calls out as you pass by, his hand placed on his microbead receiver.
* Velam unbuckles himself and follows the gunslinger out, his two servoskulls staying close behind him.
<Tony> +I will stay with our guest and support you best I can.+
<Baird> +Sounds good Tony.+
* Nitrous get's into the turret
<Nitrous> +On the bolter.+
<Vigilant_GM> By the vehicles, Captain Nils receives a transmission from her vox.
* Baird nods to Nils as he approaches. "What's the status?"
<Vigilant_GM> "We have a stand-off. They've rigged the platform cluster, and are demanding to be allowed passage into orbit."
<Velam> "Emperor's Teeth. Surely they must know it's futile."
<Baird> "How have they rigged it. If we keep them talking and distract them can you disable it?"
<Vigilant_GM> "A ring of explosives. We just confirmed."
<Baird> "Wired or wireless trigger?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Unknown."
<Baird> "Keep them talking if you can Nils. We're going to have one of ours inspect some up close and get more answers."
<Baird> "Just try and keep their eyes off it."
<Baird> "Itkit. You're up."
<Vigilant_GM> "I'll do what I can," Nils replies.
<Shiv> Let's out a loud sigh. He gets his camo cloak.
<Velam> +I'll be ready to assist, if you need it.+
<Shiv> "Any idea where they could be?"
<Vigilant_GM> Nils points down over the ledge.
<Vigilant_GM> She then returns to her vox.
<Shiv> "Imma gonna need rope or something."
<Velam> +Actually, let me see if I can put my servoskulls to work, less of a chance of getting spotted.+ He whips his dataslate out and starts inputting some commands, while also whispering conspiratorially with them. Soon after they flit away on their small anti-grave engines doing their older brother's bidding.
<Velam> "Come back in one piece." He mutters to himself as he observes their progress through his dataslate.
<Vigilant_GM> The servoskulls float down the ledge, one after the other.
<Vigilant_GM> The pict feed shows them spot one explosive device, then another.
<Vigilant_GM> Following around the platform, a total of twelve such devices are identified.
<Velam> "Hmmmm intriguing."
<Vigilant_GM> They close in on the first, extended combitool forward.
<Velam> "Careful now...."
<Vigilant_GM> A small panel is carefully opened.
<Vigilant_GM> Within, a signal receiver sits alongside the crude trigger mechanism.
<Velam> "That's it Nelli, nice and gently."
<Velam> +It appears the bombs are homemade, and are detonated via a device a detonator if you will. No indication of anti-tampering or timer.+
<Velam> +I would suggest we find a way to jam the area around where the person with the detonator might be.+
<Baird> "Nils. Anything you have at your disposal that can disrupt signals on the pad? The bombs are detonated remotely."
<Vigilant_GM> She stops to think for a moment.
<Vigilant_GM> "The Arbites," she says.
<Vigilant_GM> "The precinct would have to be alerted."
<Baird> "Can you let them know what we need and get them here? Also did our "boss" send someone to secure the things I mentioned?
<Vigilant_GM> At this moment, a shuttle buzzes by, coming nearer and nearer.
<Velam> "What is that doing?" Velam looks up suddenly.
<Vigilant_GM> The shuttle lands on the arm, sanctionaries moving towards it, weapons drawn.
* Nitrous prepares for combat
<Vigilant_GM> Without much explanation, they stand down when a figure emerges.
<Vigilant_GM> Interrogator Kurst.
<Velam> "Ah, that explains that."
<Nitrous> "Ah."
<Karpath> "Well looks like he's here."
<Vigilant_GM> "Where is my prisoner, Acolytes?"
* Baird approaches the Interrogator to begin filling him in on the situation.
<Baird> "Secured in the Viator Interrogator. As is the item."
* Tony meanwhile is sat in the Viator his Autogun trained on the prisoner with a feeling of tension in the air
<Velam> "We also have obtained some damning documents along with that prisoner, sir."
<Baird> "And a name. Amarie Dusk."
<Baird> "No idea who she is, but the prisoner should be able to give more."
<Vigilant_GM> He nods, "You have done well," then turns to the Oath-Captain. "Nils. On my command you will evacuate your men from the platform. The Acolyte cell will rush the shuttle and board. I will smooth things over with the Port Master when this is over."
<Nitrous> "Yes sir."
<Karpath> "This is gonna be fun."
<Baird> "Sir? The explosives. We were going to put in a call to the Arbites to dampen the signal to the improvised bombs."
<Vigilant_GM> He holds his hand to his commbead. "Tobias. I need you here."
<Vigilant_GM> A man with half an augmetic face, emerges from the shuttle carrying a large highly customized rifle.
<Vigilant_GM> "Sir," he nods.
<Nitrous> "Oh..."
<Vigilant_GM> "Buy them time, Tobias. No one can see them coming."
<Baird> Once hearing this Baird turns to the squad. "Dismount the Viator. We're all going in."
<Vigilant_GM> "Sir," he acknowledges, loading a glowing blue-tipped shell into his weapon.
* Nitrous exits the vehicle
<Tony> "Someone taking over?"
<Velam> "I'm not meant for charging in, guns blazing, despite my previous actions." The old savant grumbles, he summons his servoskulls back.
<Nitrous> "Yup."
* Nitrous draws his rifle
* Tony moves out of the Viator to join with the team
<Baird> "The situation demands this of all of us Logen."
* Shiv draws his flamer and auto pistol.
<Tony> "What's the plan then?"
<Karpath> "I'm ready when you are Raolin."
<Baird> "The Interrogator is here to take custody of the prisoner Tony."
<Baird> "We rush and Tobias gives us cover."
<Vigilant_GM> "You will have seconds to accomplish this task. One of you will take control of the shuttle before the platform collapses underneath you," Kurst explains, readying a device in his hand.
<Velam> "I"m getting too old for this." He readies his plasma pistol, the glow and thrumb of the coils a comfort in his hand.
* Tony he gets his Autogun prepped
<Tony> "Out of the dish and into the frying pan"
* Baird draws his pistols and readies himself. "Quick and quiet. No yelling war cries or any such. You're on piloting this Karpath. Ready?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Nils. Get your men and my prisoners out of here."
<Karpath> "Oh boy I've been looking forward to this for awhile now."
<Nitrous> "You finally get to fly."
<Karpath> "Yea, it's been awhile but lets do this."
* Baird waits until the Sanctionaries and the others are clear and looks to the others, possibly for the final time. "Let's do this." Baird rushes towards the shuttle, the other Acolytes with him.
<Vigilant_GM> He tosses the device in front of you. It detonates in a thick puff of smoke. Through the cloud, a blue glow punctures through. A blinding flash of light from within the shuttle's cargo bay is followed by muted grunts within.
* Karpath rushes with him.
<Velam> "Emperor guide us in our righteous quest." He follows after Baird, huffing and puffing.
* Nitrous runs
* Tony runs with the gang
* Shiv runs with Baird.
<Vigilant_GM> First out of the cloud of smoke is Nitrous, up the ramp he encounters a man, hands shielding his eyes.
* Nitrous rushes in and shoots the man
<Vigilant_GM> Brains still dripping off the ceiling, Shiv and Karpath enter the shuttle cargobay.
* Karpath begins to rush for the cockpit.
* Shiv runs behind Karpath.
<Vigilant_GM> Climbing the ladder up out of the cockpit, Karpath and Shiv find themselves in a corridor, the cockpit some 20 meters ahead. Several men are within, however, stunned or jumping into cover.
<Vigilant_GM> Tony and Baird emerge into the cargobay, Velam close behind.
<Tony> "Guy by the Ramp Controls!"
* Tony As he turns and sprays into the guy flinging him back as he is rittled with many holes
<Velam> Though last, the savant secures the ramp, hitting the rune nearby that closes it up. +I've closed the ramp, it's do or die my compatriots.+
<Vigilant_GM> A passenger compartment opens up in front of Baird. Here, the blast was shielded by the layout of the shuttle and several shots buzz past the acolyte's head.
<Tony> +Where do you need me?+
<Baird> +Go help them secure the cockpit!+
* Tony grabs the ladder and climbs up to join in and fires at the pilot as he gets up
<Vigilant_GM> Narrowly avoiding getting shot, the pilot turns out of his seat, and closes the cockpit door.
* Baird ducks back into cover and a las bolt sizzles into the frame of the door. In response Baird leans around the door and fires two bursts from his bolt pistols in return and killing one of the men. Nothing but consistent, the bolts took the man in the leg.
* Shiv unleashes a torrent of fire and autopistol rounds. He kills one and set another on fire.
<Vigilant_GM> One of the men along the corridor jumps into cover and screams.
<Vigilant_GM> The shuttle sways violently forward and back as a series of explosions go off, rattling the entire platform.
* Karpath takes aim with his Boltgun, firing 3 shots into one other man that is hiding in cover, killing the man.
<Vigilant_GM> Unable to douse the flames consuming him, the smuggler burns to death.
<Vigilant_GM> As soon as Velam enters the compartment, a series of shots fly at him.
* Nitrous pulps the man
* Velam yelps as he narrowly avoids the whizzing projectiles, falling into cover.
* Tony runs up and hugs the door
<Vigilant_GM> The shuttle drops as the platform crumbles under its own weight.
<Vigilant_GM> The pilot fires up the engines, desperately struggling to produce enough lift.
* Velam yells out in surprise again. "Saint Longinius protect me!"
* Baird starts trying to sweep the shuttle for other hostiles, barely keeping his feet as the shuttle rocks to and fro.
<Vigilant_GM> Shiv runs forward to reach the cockpit, but is thrown violently against the side of the corridor with the movement of the shuttle.
* Velam straps himself into one of the nearby crash-harness seats and screams for dear life.
* Nitrous straps in
* Karpath is able to make it up to the door but is knocked down on the ground.
<Tony> "IF WE ALL WANT TO LIVE OPEN THE DOOR!"
<Tony> "YOU WONT BE HARMED"
<Tony> "Come on man!"
* Tony as he offers his hand to help Karpath up
* Karpath takes his hand and is able to get up.
<Vigilant_GM> "I can't fucking leave the control column or we're all dead! 1-4-2-2-7; do it yourself!" the pilot calls from the cockpit.
* Baird rushes to a harness and straps himself in.
<Tony> "You can fly ships right!?"
* Tony as he looks to Karpath
<Karpath> "Yes I can and the pilot here should make this easier."
* Shiv gets up after dead and leaps onto a seat.
<Velam> Given all the tosses and turns the older man can't help but lose the contents of his stomach in the turmoil.
* Karpath opens the door and trys to make his way in but trips and falls by the co-pilot seat and then gets back up.
* Nitrous starts vomiting
* Tony is thrashed about as he moves into a nearby seat and straps in
<Vigilant_GM> Finally managing to regain control, the pilot brings the shuttle out of its rapid descent. You feel heavy, and everything that was once lifted now falls heavily onto the floor - corpses and stomach fluids included.
<Baird> At the sudden increase of pressure it squeezes some bile and vomit out, it splattering on the deck.
<Vigilant_GM> The sudden upward movement causes one of Shiv's broken ribs to puncture through his heart. Shiv, the lowlife who became an instrument of the Emperor's will, has at last found his penitence in His service. Another unnamed, unknown casualty under Inquisitor Mortem.
<Velam> +Have we secured the shuttle?+ He groans out, his front and head covered in bile and vomit.
<Tony> "Wooo"
<Nitrous> "Worst ride ever."
* Tony breathes in and out from the rush
* Karpath is able to strap in to the co-pilot seat and with the help of the pilot is able to finally stabilize the shuttle.
<Karpath> "Yea now that is what I'm talking about."
<Baird> +How are things in the cockpit?+ After vocalizing across the com Baird spits some remaining bile onto the deck.
* Nitrous unstraps and goes to the cockpit
<Karpath> "Hey Shiv, you see that."
<Velam> +Second worst for me.+ Ugh, he doesn't even want to remember.
<Vigilant_GM> Shiv's limp body remains unresponsive.
<Tony> +That was a rush, just like that Stim wooohooo+
<Nitrous> +We all good?+
<Tony> +We are alive..+
* Karpath doesn't here from shiv but quickly responds to Baird, +We are good here for the moment, though I am not sure about shiv as he was in the hall when I last saw him and he is not responding.+
<Karpath> "Tony, you see Shiv from there?"
<Velam> +Shiv? Are you well?+
<Tony> "I will go and check on him.."
<Baird> +Secure the pilot. I'm on my way to the cockpit.+
* Tony as he unstraps and walks to Shiv
<Vigilant_GM> "Don't want to interrupt your fucking party here, but you just pupled the people who chartered my shuttle."
<Tony> +Do not kill the Pilot+
* Baird unstraps and heads towards the cockpit.
* Tony as he looks to shiv and gives him a look
<Tony> "Hey man you okay?"
<Tony> "Ikit?"
<Tony> *He checks him proper*
<Vigilant_GM> Shiv lacks a pulse.
* Baird strides into the cockpit, hand on pistol.
<Vigilant_GM> The pilot flicks a couple of pegs to control atmospheric pressure.
<Tony> +Guys..Shiv does not have a pulse..Oh emperor+
<Baird> +Darrell, get in touch with the boss. Ask for a landing pad to re route to.+
* Nitrous goes to cockpit and waits
* Tony begins to shake Shiv's body
<Nitrous> +Taking the rat'scloak+
<Karpath> "Understood." he then flips a couple of switches and contacts Nils to find a platform to land the shuttle.
* Tony Sighs as he pulls out a lho stick and lights it as he sits down next to shiv mostly trying to get over the fact
<Baird> +You said Shiv's dead Tony?+
<Velam> After resting himself for a little while he extricates himself from the crash harness and finds anything nearby to clean his face before rejoining the group.
<Tony> +No Pulse, I checked...+
<Vigilant_GM> The pilot shuts down the vox and turns to Karpath. "Listen. I'm getting this shit to the Oath Unspoken, and receiving my payment from the pricks who remain alive up there."
<Baird> +Fuck. May The Emperor have mercy on him and protect his soul.+
* Karpath looks at the pilot "What did you say?"
* Tony he pulls out his Decanter of Amasec and begins to drink it, putting the lho stick to the side for the moment
* Nitrous goes over and closes shiv's eyes.
<Vigilant_GM> "I said I'm getting paid. We're going to the Oath Unspoken to deliver this shit."
* Baird presses the bolt pistol into the side of the pilots head. "Hash that out once we've landed Darrell. We are the Inquisition. You don't have a choice in being rerouted. Resist, and getting paid will be the least of your issues. Now you will land where we tell you land."
<Karpath> "So what you are telling me, is that they people work for the Oath Unspoken, That can't be right."
<Baird> "Darrell, prepare to take control of the shuttle in case the pilot makes an unwise decision."
* Karpath snaps out of his thought, he then begins to take over the controls and switch the vox back on as he preps the ship.
<Vigilant_GM> ++I thought I'd have to expunge the cell records++ Kurst's voice comes over the cockpit vox.
<Tony> "So young... Emperor protect you kid.."
* Velam finds Shiv's corpse, a feeling of sorrow blanketed the savant. Though Shiv was not exactly the most likable of fellows, he was still a comrade. Velam finds something nearby to cover the corpse, he deserved that much at least.
<Karpath> ++We read you sir. Where do you need us to land?++
<Vigilant_GM> ++Where was the shuttle heading?++
<Karpath> ++Current course is.... the Oath Unspoken sir.++
<Vigilant_GM> ++If the reach of this heresy is sector-wide, then you will pursue our off-world leads. You will not be landing.++
<Karpath> ++Understood, also one other thing, Shiv is dead sir.++
<Vigilant_GM> ++Proceed as intruscted. Emperor be with you.++
<Karpath> ++Understood, Darrell out.++
* Karpath then turns off the Vox. "Oh boy what shit have they gotten into now."
<Baird> "Fuck."
<Nitrous> "From one fire to the next."