Rosenkrantz 52

<Rosenkrantz_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Rosenkrantz_GM> The end of the mutiny on board the Consequence has created a somber atmosphere. The figures coming in describe casualties numbering above 800. The plasma engines are unable to operate at peak efficiency, at a time when the regrouping ork fleet stands in between the damaged warship and the Imperial blockade.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> You arrive at the bridge, where Wilhelm and Titus stand shoulder to shoulder exchanging words while the bridge crew runs through damage and casualty reports.
* Makh_Chomun tromps in, his armor bloodied and battered from the earlier battle. Though his mood is grim he's not nearly as pissed off as he was last time. He gives his Lord-Captain a grunt in a way of greeting.
* Fredrich_Rosenkrantz strides in, disheveled and grim. He makes his way to the two men with long strides
* Baine_Mort stands next to Chomun waiting for the Lord-Captain to respond to their entrance onto the bridge.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "She's hurting, Friedrich," Wilhelm shakes his head.
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "I want nothing more to leave this hellhole and nurse her back to health but we have a mission." he says glumly
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "The damage to the plasma drives will require extended repairs," Titus nods. "The fire and bleeding of plasma means we are visible to the enemy."
<Baine_Mort> "How long do we have then?"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "A decision must be made now."
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "We need to repair the drives and get to safety."
<Makh_Chomun> "We probably don't have the time for that, so what options do we have?"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "That won't be possible, Captain. We require a dockyard," Titus says without emotion.
* Fredrich_Rosenkrantz slams his fist on a nearby table before rubbing his temples
<Makh_Chomun> "Can we get any aid from the blockade?
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "Can we reach out to the blockade for assistance?"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Wilhelm shakes his head.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "The choices, I'm afraid, are not pleasant," he says.
<Baine_Mort> "So either we stand and fight or make the best possible speed away."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Wilhelm walks to the far back of the chamber, away from any of the junior officers, and motions for you to join him.
* Makh_Chomun follows after the Lord Captain.
* Fredrich_Rosenkrantz follows quickly
* Baine_Mort follows
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Titus issues a few commands to his subordinates and joins you.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "The Consequence is a carrier," Wilhelm begins by stating the obvious.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "With enough teeth in that capacity to provide for a serious distraction."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "The Consequence could move away to the edge of the system, and if need be, warp out, while the xenos worry about the smallcraft."
<Makh_Chomun> "Ordering men to certain death for our continued survival...that's hard to stomach."
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "Those are my boys Uncle." he says slowly, staring at his uncle with a straight face
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "The burden of command, Friedrich."
<Baine_Mort> "My Lord-Captain, what about using the atomic as a distraction?"
<Makh_Chomun> "It's never easy." He says in a voice that understands the hardships of command. How many times had he, Lord-Protector, ordered his men and women to die in service to the House.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Wilhelm nods. "Indeed, they could deliver such a weapon, a final act of spite."
* Fredrich_Rosenkrantz puts his head into his hand, remaining silent for a moment
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "Brief the flyboys." he says, slowly and with great strain
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "Have them fit my Interceptor with the bomb."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Captain?" Titus raises an eyebrow.
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "I'm grounding myself permanently."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Not permanently," Wilhelm interjects.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "My own Cutter is built for stealth. It can take us to the Aurorae - essential personnel can board with us. And you, Friedrich, will need to take command of the single escorting squadron through while the flyboys give them a show they'll never forget."
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "Why me?"
<Makh_Chomun> "We're abandoning the Consequence completely?!" Makh asks, shocked.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Titus can take command, and take the Consequence to safety, we have a relic to recover."
* Makh_Chomun nods his head bashfully, "my apologies lord, I was too rash in my assumptions."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "And there isn't a wing commander in all of the Aeronautica I would trust with this mission above you, Friedrich."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Makh, prepare the House Guard contingent to for boarding. Mort, have the Cutter stripped of anything that isn't bolted down - we need as much room in there as we can get. And Friedrich... go brief your boys yourself. It should come from you."
* Fredrich_Rosenkrantz nods, before heading to the hanger to deliver the deadly order
<Makh_Chomun> "I'll have our best men come along," he replies before moving off to bellow orders to his subordinates.
<Baine_Mort> "Yes my lord." Mort says as he salutes and makes his way to the hanger to prepare the Cutter.
* Fredrich_Rosenkrantz As he walks he unbuttons his Captains jacket and removes his hat, leaving him wearing nothing but his old flying leathers
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Titus. It's your bridge."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "My Lord," the XO salutes as Wilhelm leaves the bridge.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> On the launch bays, Wilhelm's Cutter is being stripped in ways one may call upsetting to the enginseers. Baine oversees this, despite the protests of the techpriests present. Nearby, the House Guard contingent forms up. On the far end of the bays, all of the flyboys and support personnel are gathered. Atop his own service interceptor, Friedrich stands, addressing them all on what's to
<Rosenkrantz_GM> come.
* Makh_Chomun crosses his arms, his armor has been patched and cleaned and his helm is clipped to his waist.
* Baine_Mort continues with all preparations for the Cutter.
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "I'm going to be frank with you, we are in a dangerous situations. We are dead in the water with Greenskins nipping at our heels, the Mutineers have heavily damaged the ships and we cannot escape before they overrun us."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> The men and women listen attentively.
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "The ship and crews only chance for survival is for a major distraction, something to distract the Greenskins long enough to get the Consequence to the edge of the system."
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "And the only solution is yourselves."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> They trade looks with eachother.
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "You brave men and women are the only defense we have left, you have the strength and skill to keep the savages at bay till the ship escapes.As you are probably thinking there is very little chance of survival on this mission.
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "I would not come to you with this if there were any other way,I can only ask you as your Captain, your Flight Marshall, and your friend. The Dynasty calls for your aid against an incomprehensible threat. Will you answer the call?"
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "Will you save your ship, and give these savages a taste of what the Flyboys of the Consequence are capable of?"
<Rosenkrantz__GM> "We'll take them with us!"   "In death we serve the Emperor!"
<Rosenkrantz__GM> "For Friedrich, for the Bold!"
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "I'll be on the vox boys and girls, let me hear you as you deliver death in the Emperors name!
<Rosenkrantz__GM> They cheer on, knowing the glory they are about to earn. Knowing the ultimate price to be paid.
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "Get to your Emperor-damned ships you slackers, let's go hunt some Greenskins!"
<Rosenkrantz__GM> "Huzzah!"
<Rosenkrantz__GM> Before long, the smallcraft are being prepared - fuel lines and ammunition racks fill the bays as one by one the interceptors and bombers are serviced and launched into a defensive formation around the Consequence.
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> +Wilhelm, will I be able to Sortie with them at least?+
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +I'm afraid not, Friedrich.+
* Baine_Mort wraps up with having the Cutter stripped of all non essential parts from seats, to supplies, to even the two lascannons.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +Makh, have all essential personnel join me in here, followed by the House Guard.+
<Baine_Mort> +Lord-Captain, the Cutter has been stripped of all non essential parts and we are ready when you are.+
<Makh_Chomun> "Your will be done." He goes about gathering up the perssonel requested for boarding, his HG are already there, arranged by squad.
* Fredrich_Rosenkrantz begins prepping the plane with Diane, Jace, and Rook. He is all boisterous and encouraging to the men and women around him, to help at least put them at ease before the battle
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "I'm sending my friends to die for me." he says very quietly to his old crewmates
<Rosenkrantz__GM> Comfort is less than an afterthought. Seats have been removed, and everyone piles in tight.
* Baine_Mort makes his way up to the pilot seat of the Cutter and begins final checks for takeoff.
* Makh_Chomun signals the HG to board last.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> Jace puts a hand on Friedrich's shoulder, and closes in for a hug.
* Fredrich_Rosenkrantz embraces the man, before straightening himself "Let's do this."
<Rosenkrantz__GM> All is set, and the launches are finished. Naval protocol, and that adopted by the Consequence, has ensured that never before has the entirety of squadrons been launched at once. And the sight... is one to behold.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> "30 thrones says the atomic takes out a big fat one," Diane says.
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "I'll take those odds."
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "Want in Rook?"
<Rosenkrantz__GM> "What's the point?"
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "Do you ever lighten up?"
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +This is Major Townsend. All squadrons assembled and ready for attack order.+
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> +We ready Wilhelm?+
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +Unleash hell+
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> +Unleash hell is the orders boys and girls.+
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +All squadrons, aggressive maneuvers! Engage your targets!+
<Makh_Chomun> "God-Emperor guide you," He says more to himself than anyone.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +Emperor be with you, Captain.+ Titus transmits as the Consequence begins its slow maneuvering toward the edge of the system.
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> +And you, Flag-Lieutenant Titus.+
<Rosenkrantz__GM> The raw power of the interceptors and bomber wings is a sight, indeed. Without any considerations of preservation of resources to hold them back, the flyboys deploy in full strength, armed to the teeth. If nothing else, they will surely make the Orks hurt. A spiteful, and aggressive retreat of the Consequence.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> The scale of things from smallcraft, howevers, is daunting. The sizes of the voidships can be appreciated in ways that are difficult from the safe viewports of a light cruiser.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> Just over an hour after the original maneuvers, the engagements begin.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +Squdrons 12, 43, 10, and 7, are all engaging.+
* Fredrich_Rosenkrantz Listens attentively to the battle reports
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +Squadrons 1-5 maintaining formation, approaching the primary target.+
<Rosenkrantz__GM> Flashes of light show the voidshields flicker and fail, allowing ordnance to strike true against the xenos constructs.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +Breaking formation, activating payload delay-fuse+
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +We have lost squadron 10!+
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +Steady does it, boys. Keep the heat off of us!+
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +Payload released. Break off!+
* Fredrich_Rosenkrantz sits and desperately tries to recall the faces of squadron 10
<Rosenkrantz__GM> The large ork ship beings a sharp turn.
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "Luvele, Reckers, Ukenburg.... anyone else remember the rest?"
<Rosenkrantz__GM> A bright light all but makes it disappear in an instant.
* Baine_Mort notices the bright light, "Well looks like the atomic got some good use after all."
<Rosenkrantz__GM> As the light subsides, what remains are the remnants of the damnable xenos construction. The hull is parted in three places, each floating away from the rest.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +Squadron 2, 3, 5 - unresponsive+
<Makh_Chomun> "Crazy shchlags."
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> +Emperor be with them.+
<Rosenkrantz__GM> The dizzying reports continue in this fashion for well over 3 hours. Attacks, regroupings, followed by further concentrated attacks. Each time, fewer squadrons responding.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> Another ork vessel is crippled and left adrift, and the greenskin smallcraft sent to aid were soundly beaten back to the gathering point on the orbital refinery.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> +This is Flag-Lieutenant Titus. Final transmission - Consequence proceding on silent run towards edge of the system. Ave Imperator.+
<Rosenkrantz__GM> You fly through a dense ring of debris - a debris field left from an engagement that took places months before your arrival on Fascen. From bolts, to turbines, to blast doors and even hab-sized unexploded munitions, you evade your way through it all.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> And at last, you are back in the clear. And before your eyes, the reforming Imperial blockade.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> Just outside of it - the heavily modified silhouette of a Tyrant Class Cruiser.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> "The Aurorae," Wilhelm says with a wide smile.
<Makh_Chomun> "Back home again."
<Baine_Mort> "Home sweat home as they say,"
<Rosenkrantz__GM> You are guided in on your final approach, as the ancient vessel's bays accomodate you.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> By now, the transmissions from the skirmish have long ended.
* Fredrich_Rosenkrantz sits in solemn silence as he begins docking procedures
* Makh_Chomun waits with his men, the mood sombre, as the docking procedures are carried out.
* Baine_Mort pilots the Cutter in to dock with the Aurorae.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> Once they are carried out, and the ramp doors are opened, you are welcomed by the slightly sweetened scent of the flagship's atmosphere.
* Makh_Chomun with a sweep of his hand Makh orders the HG down the ramp to secure and stand at parade rest.
* Fredrich_Rosenkrantz lands and exits the craft, knowing his comrades will take care of the rest, he makes his way to the Cutter
<Rosenkrantz__GM> Wilhelm isn't yet done filling his lungs with the welcome air of his ship before he is acosted by an aide.
* Baine_Mort makes his way down from the cockpit and down the ramp into the hanger, he takes in a breath of the flagships air, "Man its good to be back."
<Rosenkrantz__GM> As is his nephew...
<Rosenkrantz__GM> "Lord Friedrich," an aide wearing a tunic with the markings of the Astropathic Choir approaches.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> He produces an unfinished tome, and turns to a page with fresh ink. There are letters, not so much words as they are symbols, intertwined with strange markings and shapes.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> He begins to 'read' from it.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> "It appears that one of your advisers had instructed the Astropaths of the Consequence to relay a message to authorities in the Explorator fleets, my Lord."
<Rosenkrantz__GM> "A reply has come back, which was relayed here."
<Rosenkrantz__GM> He pulls you aside.
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "Yes, continue."
<Rosenkrantz__GM> "It was intended for his mind alone. However, duty compels me to ensure that you are the recipient."
<Rosenkrantz__GM> He locks eyes with you for a moment.
<Rosenkrantz__GM> "Concentrate, my Lord."
* Fredrich_Rosenkrantz focuses his mind and closes his eyes, expecting something to happen
<Fredrich_Rosenkrantz> "What have we got that is so frightening?" he says, almost to himself