Eternal Vigilance: Redux (Session 1)

Tywin Lannister — 4/12/2025 11:26 PM
IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
Tywin Lannister — 4/12/2025 11:44 PM
The ceaseless screaming and wailing are, at last, brought to an end by the discharge of a sidearm. The prisoner brought in by Cordius-Alpha has outlived his utility to the Emperor's Holy Inquisition. Orsen, the acolyte cell's leader, thumbs the pict-recorder's amber rune, bringing the session to an end.

"Surely a ruse, Interrogator. The enemy becomes more and more sophisticated, and the likelihood our presence on Juno is known has always been a possibility."

What the slumped body had uttered, and repeated despite fourteen hours of sustained interrogation, was chilling. But Orsen had a point. The only way to confirm would be to reconstruct the pict-feed recovered from Sven's mangled corpse. A project left to Blackhall's Adepts of the Mechanicus.
Vlaskiyov — 4/12/2025 11:59 PM
After a grueling week of sleepless nights, gallons of recaff and stims, and the help of some ornery tech-priests and his fellows of the cell, Velam enters the interrogation room. Giving a small bow to Baird he replies with words slowed by fatigue.
"We have reconstructed the pict-feed footage, per your request, it is usable now." He yawns, muttering something about projects most perturbatory. "Whenever you're ready, Baird." He quirks an eyebrow, his two servo-skulls flying in a ring above his head, like a moving halo.
Sol — 4/13/2025 12:08 AM
The Interrogator snaps his steely gaze to the savant. "Ah, Velam. Just in time." He steps away from the console to give Velam the space they need to access the cogitator, clasping his hands behind his back. "I am glad you could pick up the slack for our...indisposed Tech-Priest."
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 12:12 AM
"Ahhhh no trouble at all, old friend. I always welcome a challenge for my own intellect." He says the required prayers and benedictions to inspire the machine-spirit. He pulls a small incense burner from the confines of his robes, lighting the contents within. Smoke billows out in small streams, the smell strong and heady but welcome. Within minutes Velam has the footage from the pict feed uploaded and ready for the Interrogator to play. "A good thing our Tech-Priest gave me a couple of lessons, it made doing this a little easier. You would not believe how messy working with half-destroyed hardware can be. Why-" He's interrupted by one of his servo-skulls lightly smacking into the back of his head. "Ahem. It is ready."
Tywin Lannister — 4/13/2025 12:20 AM
The whirring machine exhales warm air as an image struggles to materialize. At first, the vague shape of a glove encompasses the flickering screen. Then, some movement. Light.

The image appears to show the deceased acolyte's ascent up a ladder, the horizontal bars scrolling down the screen until a forearm reaches out to the landing. Here, the audio phases in.

"Understood. In position."

A reply into Sven's commbead.

His long-range rifle coming into view as he reaches a knee-height wall. The weapon is braced, and he tilts his head -and the pict- over the rifle to align his eye on the scope.
Sol — 4/13/2025 12:21 AM
The Interrogator steps closer to the feed once the image flickers to life, tensing almost unconsciously about what the pict-recording could reveal.
Tywin Lannister — 4/13/2025 12:24 AM
"Negative. Sparse, if anything. They don't have a clue."

He sweeps the roof-top a kilometer away where a lander idles and shuts its engines off.

This goes on for several minutes, until a sudden jerk fixes the rifle's sights on something in particular.

"This is more than cog-boys, Orsen... I don't know, but it's a bigger delegation than that. You have overwatch, but be careful."
Above, a shuttle screeches across the view, over the rooftop.

"Easy does it. We need it near them, not on their heads. You're clear for the drop."
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 12:27 AM
Velam watches as well, standing just behind Baird. Not that he hasn't seen what's contained on the footage. It would be hard not to know what it contains given he had to practically piece it back together, second by second.
Tywin Lannister — 4/13/2025 12:28 AM
The acolyte appears to be following the trajectory of something too small for the resolution of the pict capture, but his tracking movements show the moment it appears to make its landing.

"I believe so. Ready to link."

Sven deploys a small vox setup by his knee, and turns a sliding knob to a pre-marked setting.
The first transmissions are garbled, unintelligible. But it is evident the interaction playing out on the vox follows what is happening across the hive-chasm a kilometer away.

"I have it, Orsen. It's clear enough. Mikael was right. This is the Magos. Core-Theta is all-in on this... Emperor's Teeth."

"...studies of a gene-seed, you understand?"

The first clear transmission.

Sven appears to hold his breath, listening intently at the next part.

"The inquisitor's studies in the Pandaemonium all but confirm it..."

Another fade-out.
The transmission picks back up. Sven has remained motionless.

"...our work on xenodaemonology. He has confirmed that Guljian sabotaged the Lucius Vault, created a blind spot, and has authorized the eradication of Blackhall and all its occupants."
Tywin Lannister — 4/13/2025 12:36 AM
"Orsen, you have to get back. Now. Warn th---"

A horrifying screech rattles Sven, the pict becomes turbid, impossibly disturbed.
Tywin Lannister — 4/13/2025 12:45 AM
A creature, a humanoid elongated of form with terrible claws hovers above the acolyte. The marksman looks around, finding himself alone with this creature on the industrial fume-chimney maintenance platform. He levels his rifle and squeezes the trigger, yet the weapon refuses to fire. Instinctively, he throws the weapon aside, hugs the vox-recon pack, and hurls himself off the ledge.

The image washes away, the sound abruptly cut.

END PICT RECORD
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 12:52 AM
"I unfortunately do not know what that was. My instinct and knowledge in the....realms of certain fields of lore makes me think it's something related to the warp. If you catch my meaning, Baird." Velam says before rubbing his chin. "Very perturbatory, hm?"
Tywin Lannister — 4/13/2025 12:53 AM
Orsen makes the sign of the Aquila, bowing his head.
"We assumed he had been captured, hence our delay, Interrogator. I... I didn't know. Yet I alone am responsible for the operation's failure. The captive is a sorry trade-off for... this."
"I accept whatever penance you assign, sir."
Sol — 4/13/2025 12:56 AM
"Emperor be damned." Baird let's out a long slow whistle, not having great words to describe what in the Warp he just saw.
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 12:58 AM
"Thankfully, as we know from experience, it can be killed as it's in our material plane." He goes on, ignoring Orsen's fatalistic request.
Sol — 4/13/2025 1:01 AM
Baird shakes his head. "You couldn't have prepared for...whatever that is." The Interrogator nod at Velam's statement. "It can, if the Emperor's luck is on our side it'll be no worse than the vault."
"All I require Orsen, is for you to steel your resolve and remain a loyal servant. Things only get worse from here and it is our duty to see it through."
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 1:06 AM
"Ave Imperator."
Tywin Lannister — 4/13/2025 1:10 AM
"Sir, I would face that abomination and legions like it if you commanded it. Despite our losses, I know I speak for Cordius-Alpha in its totality. Yet... if what you extracted was truth, if what those heretics spoke confirms it..." Orsen pauses, taking a breath and steeling himself.
"Interrogator, forgive me, but is the Inquisitor truly implicated in this? Is he truly in communication with this lot, authorizing our destruction? I simply can't... sir, we will need guidance."
Sol — 4/13/2025 1:16 AM
"Unfortunately, based on this, it is a possibility. However, we do not know that for sure. For now we will focus our attention on what we know and what we can resolve." Baird rubs his chin before continuing. "But, if it is true. We will do what we must as servants on the Emperor."
"Persecuting an Inquisitor ends in blood regardless of whether or not the crimes are true."
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 1:21 AM
"Indeed. Not to mention assumptions are a dangerous thing to contemplate. And that old low-brow addage that accompanies it. First, how do we proceed in the short-term? There are many paths to be taken....especially given our unique circumstances." He is of course referring to their time displacement.
Sol — 4/13/2025 1:52 AM
"Agreed. For now, we focus on the Arch-Bishop and the Nobility. If and/or when the inquisitor arrives i am sure we will swiftly find out the truth of the matter. Velam, just as a precaution, have Almarax overhaul our security and tech infrastructure. We want to make sure anyone who shouldn't have access to our systems, doesn't." The implication hangs in the air.
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 1:55 AM
"A very prudent decision. I'll get right on it...once our ornery Tech-Priest can be of use." He pulls out his data-slate and starts taking some notes.
Sol — 4/13/2025 2:09 AM
"Hmmm." Baird keys his micro-bead that is connected to the Throne-Cell's encrypted vox channel. +Davos. I require a ritual...+ Baird spends the next few minutes describing the area required and information needed for the scrying and waits for news of a success or failure.
WarthogDriver — 4/13/2025 2:10 AM
+Interrogator, the Surgeons faced some delays but have been successful. I am ready to return to my work.+
Dementis — 4/13/2025 2:11 AM
+Understood, Baird.+ Davos Begins his scrying ritual to search the area for his query.
Sol — 4/13/2025 2:12 AM
+Very good Almarax. Velam will have an assingment for you shortly.+
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 2:18 AM
+Ahhhhh, glad to see you are still among the Omnissiah's chosen, Almarax. Meet me in one of the adjoining data-suites and we'll discuss further.+ He looks to Baird. "With your leave of course, old friend. Do you have further use of me at the present?"
WarthogDriver — 4/13/2025 2:18 AM
+Understood+
Dementis — 4/13/2025 2:19 AM
Davos pulls out a map of the area for which the former Sven last occupied and spins his psy focus on the end of blessed string trying to find traces of Acolyte Sven's equipment, receiving a series of pings for where Sven's vox recon equipment is/was.
Sol — 4/13/2025 2:20 AM
"Not at present. I'll need Davos to come through before we take this further it seems. Before Cordius-Alpha is set loose on their new assignment. Enjoy your time with our Tech-Priest."
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 2:23 AM
"Indeed. Emperor be with you as well, Baird." He makes the sign of the aquila before making his exit from the interrogation rooms. He heads off into the maze of hallways leading to the data-suite he's directed Almarax to as well.
WarthogDriver — 4/13/2025 2:24 AM
Joining Velum, Almarax has to twist slightly for his new form to cleanly pass through the doorway. The data-suite now being noticeably smaller than when the two last shared it.
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 2:28 AM
Velam, looking at his data-slate turns as Almarax looks in. "Ah there you are, we were worried-" he looked up, starting for a moment. "Emperor's adamantine teeth, friend. Did someone hit you with an armored train?"
WarthogDriver — 4/13/2025 2:36 AM
Almarax flexes his new wings slightly, still wearing his personal armor from the test fitting, you notice unlike traditional armors this is bolted directly to his body. "I believe it would be more accurate to describe myself as an armored train. What new information do we have?"
Tywin Lannister — 4/13/2025 2:38 AM
@Dementis Your eyes closed, you nonetheless see the map on the surface in front of you. Your mind synthesizes the information before you, turning the flat lines on parchment into a three-dimensional maze, details rushing into your mind. The reaches of your mind include the sensation of wind, the temperature from the bellowing industrial complexes, and sound - a cacophony ringing in other-worldly noise.

Minutes go by, and a tranquil clarity allows you to take it all in with perfect effect. You see Sven, up on the maintenance platform. You hear his breath held as the transmission comes in. You feel the presence of a creature rising behind him in silence... and you inhabit his mind as he makes the decision to jump. The trajectory of his body and that of the vox get traced through time, through the dozen seconds that define the acolyte's death.

And there you see it. The shattered remnants of the vox system. Far below, the system crashed through the thin sheet metal of an industrial reclamation plant. There, it rests in a dozen and more pieces, shattered.
Dementis — 4/13/2025 2:42 AM
After Davos has his seance he records all his findings onto his dataslate and prepares the info for Baird.
+I have info for you Baird.+
Davos presents his findings to Baird at his convenience.
Sol — 4/13/2025 2:44 AM
+Go ahead Davos.+
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 2:44 AM
"With wings as well. I did not know we had flying trains on Juno." He snorts before clearing his throat. "Given our present circumstances Baird has given us a new assignment, with you at it's head. We need to overhaul and scrutinize our communications, security, and tech infrastructure. No one outside of our cell and those given permission otherwise, should not have access to anything." Velam hands over his data-slate for Almarax to digest the info therein. Lists and notes of vox-networks, security protocols in place, and everything else that can be worked on.
WarthogDriver — 4/13/2025 2:51 AM
"The detail on the specific threats here are light... I will have to focus on general resilience rather than preparing specific countermeasures. "
Sol — 4/13/2025 2:52 AM
After processing the information Baird thinks for a moment. "Orsen. Do you beleive that with proper preparation...would Cordius-Alpha be able to retrieve the remnants of Sven's damaged vox without loss of life?"
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 2:54 AM
"All I can say, is that information needs to remain as close to the chest as possible, Whatever can be done to tighten security by all means so that information, no matter how miniscule does not leak. The fact that I'm being vague to you, my Omnissian friend, should be proof enough of how dangerous things are now getting...which isn't saying much given our line of work, hahaha. But I digress."
Tywin Lannister — 4/13/2025 2:56 AM
"We have cover identities we can resort to, however given the depth of information that may be compromised after what we have seen, I cannot guarantee the safety of even this sort of approach."
"Interrogator, do you believe the compound may be infiltrated by the Inquisitor?"
WarthogDriver — 4/13/2025 2:59 AM
Almarax's gaze remains on the dataslate, his optical mechandrite considering Velum for a moment. "I shall begin immediately."
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 3:01 AM
"Omnissiah be with you. Would you like any assistance from me? I have become quite adept at technical rituals and what not from some of your guidance."
Sol — 4/13/2025 3:05 AM
"That is possible. I am unsure recovering the vox equipment will be worth the risk at this stage though."
"I don't want to throw your lives away over an incredible longshot."
WarthogDriver — 4/13/2025 3:07 AM
Almarax considers for a moment, "If you could construct a false matrix of information about house Guljian and its schemes, this information can be hidden behind a "normal" amount of security suitable of a noble house. I will then focus my attention on the equipment we use for more sensitive matters."
Tywin Lannister — 4/13/2025 3:08 AM
"Very well, Interrogator. We will stand-by for orders."
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 3:08 AM
"A dummy network you mean? That's an excellent idea, and I have plenty of information I could fill it with. I've already had plenty of experience operating a noble house as is."
WarthogDriver — 4/13/2025 3:09 AM
"Yes, without it the change in practice itself would lead to suspicion by those attempting to monitor us." Almarax hands the dataslate back, having downloaded the information to his systems.
Sol — 4/13/2025 3:10 AM
"For now, given what you're privy to, work with our available assets and reinforce physical security assuming the worst. Information of this nature doesn't go further without express permission from me. i understand that this can limit your capacity to create countermeasures, just do your best."
Vlaskiyov — 4/13/2025 3:14 AM
"Quite logical." He nods in agreement, making some notes after receiving his data-slate back from the tech-priest.
Sol — 4/13/2025 3:35 AM
Baird would make his way to the private astropathic vestibule and submit his request to Surena, calling in his marker that he has had for going on two years. Allowing the Dynasty coin to be scanned as authorization for the message.
Tywin Lannister — 4/13/2025 3:54 AM
The astropathic choir studies the token's cypher, a unique set of values assigned to words and phrases likely tied to the Surena Dynasty's trade cant. At length, their ominous chants carry Baird's request through the warp.

The task: investigate the location of the Eternal Vigilance; track its course across the Sector.

Acknowledging the request with some surprise, the Rogue Trader Dynasty eagerly moves to pay its debt in this way.

The following week, the first log transmission identifies a vessel suspected of being the Eternal Vigilance making a jump from an unknown, uncharted location on the edges of the Pandaemonium.

Subsequent logs show its progression along the Processional. Evasive at first, the pattern begins to emerge; the vessel's jumps are traced towards Juno.

Despite these successes, during one of its warp translations towards the Sector's core, the Surena reconnaissance ship reports losing its target.

Augury data shows no positive identification despite sustained observation. Instead, the voidship's identifying signatures shifted and morphed on every real-space arrival throughout its warp jumps.

With a vague assurance that the dynasty would continue to make efforts to re-establish contact, the reports come to an end.
0xp   Thanks, Bait.