New Ambitions 8

<Expanse_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
* Rey_Lasky seeing all the images, three dimensions become 4 dimensions his mind begins to race and all then incoming information. He mind becomes overloaded and backs off as he tries to block out the overload.
<Cato_Artaega> A mixture of pragmatism and curiosity causes Cato to search out the Fel Hand as well.
<Expanse_GM> As Cato plays with the multidimensional visions, one of the notable characteristics is the behavior of the Flickering Eye. The star's activity as the visions are pushed into the present becomes more frequent, more powerful in its bursts. It seems the energies released also affect the mysterious mechanisms by which the mirror captures the outside world; the Fel Hand's arrival is seen
<Expanse_GM> as its controlled rift into the immaterium opens up, spitting out the barely visible vessel amidst an onslaught of stellar radiation. Amidst the star's "blinks" you can trace the Fel Hand navigating across the system, occasionally sending exploration teams to surface.
<Expanse_GM> Eventually, the voidship breaks orbit, and begins to make for the outer system. Before you can trace it further, however, the images degrade abruptly.
<Cato_Artaega> "Would that have been your doing?"
<Cato_Artaega> "Or is it simply to close to the present?"
<Valarian_Stukov> "Then do tell how did you get all the way out here?"
* Galivan looks around, his hands clasped behind his back as his mind is assailed by wonders and minor-horrors.
<Expanse_GM> "I arrived here as you did," Lady Ash says, teasingly, to Valarian.
<Tyruss> "It could be the chaotic nature of the energy flows, then again..the Lady could be manipulating the information, just as you are using it to view different points in time Lord Artaega."
<Cato_Artaega> "The Fel Hand dropped multiple exploration teams here Valarian."
<Cato_Artaega> "Luckily for us that the Orks held them up."
<Expanse_GM> "Lord-Captain Hadarak is a curious man," Lady Ash comments off-hand as she makes note of her surroundings on a small notebook.
Cato_Artaega> "Who can blame him with such a prize on the line. The important matter is now how to best get your own share of that prize? Logically if you come with us we'll be the only ones in the Expanse with this knowledge."
<Expanse_GM> Snapping it shut, she looks up to Cato. "Now, this marvel cannot possibly remain in the hands of one man. Fell or Artaega. It demands further study, further discovery of its secrets."
<Expanse_GM> "The question that must be answered is how... how does it capture this information?" she goes on, as she begins walking towards the entrance.
* Cato_Artaega blocks her path.
<Cato_Artaega> "I'll be more direct - what are your intentions having discovered this artefact."
<Cato_Artaega> "I have no interest in obstructing your study of it as long as you pose no threat to my own goals."
<Expanse_GM> "Our relationship is not so matured, Lord Artaega, that I would consider you a confidant. Now, you are welcome to remain in here while I scale her, or you may join me."
<Cato_Artaega> ".... what...?" turns to the assembled group, "Come on we best leave else we get trapped or worse."
<Expanse_GM> "Up, Lord-Captain. Where the energies swirl. We must investigate how the information is collected!"
<Expanse_GM> As she exits, she motions to her men. "I will need a harness."
<Galivan> "Shall we follow, Lord-Captain?"
<Valarian_Stukov> [Cant] "You can not be serious on letting someone that seeked to steal what was yours."
<Valarian_Stukov> [Cant] "To live and a heretic."
<Expanse_GM> At this, she turns. "Interesting. Proto-Gothic, Calyx roots? You fascinate me."
<Zog> [Cant] "I can only wack."
<Expanse_GM> One of her men begins to help her with a harness.
<Cato_Artaega> "He is prone to mumbling in the language of his homeworld."
<Rey_Lasky> [Cant] "Yea." he says quietly.
<Tyruss> [Cant] "I propose we use her for her knowledge at the moment Lord Artaega. This..device could be a great boon to the Dynasty."
<Expanse_GM> "How kind of you to make him feel at home in this way."
<Expanse_GM> With a fluttering of wings, her companion bird takes to the sky, spiraling upward.
<Tyruss> "I'll accompany Lady Ash, if you'll permit Lord Cato."
<Valarian_Stukov> "Proklyatyy Chevek."
<Cato_Artaega> "Go on, your knowledge may prove useful."
* Tyruss  bows and clips on his harness before following Lady Ash.
* Cato_Artaega as the pair climb away Cato turns to one of the guards. "So how much does Fel pay you guys anyways?"
<Expanse_GM> They do not answer.
<Galivan> Meanwhile Galivan checks on the men. +Anything to report?+
* Cato_Artaega turns away. "Good for you guys."
<Expanse_GM> Without ceremony, Lady Ash fires a grapnel gun upward, gives it a sharp tug, and begins scaling.
<Expanse_GM> +Nothing, sir. They're mutes.+
* Tyruss ascends with Lady Ash.
<Galivan> +Hmmmm, interesting. Remain alert.+ Galivan then turns to watch the seneschal climb after Lady Ash.
<Expanse_GM> +Sir.+
<Tyruss> After several failed attempts to scale the line Tyruss turns towards Zog. "Zog I need you to take me up the line."
* Zog pulls out his grapnel gun and says, "You aim, I hold and climb."
* Rey_Lasky watches as Tyruss fails to climb
* Valarian_Stukov checks to see if his Augur Array is still disabled
<Rey_Lasky> "I.... I could.... help." he says quietly.
<Expanse_GM> By now, Lady Ash is some 15 meters ahead. She pauses and looks down with an amused smile on her face.
<Expanse_GM> "Shall I wait?" she calls down.
<Tyruss> "Ideally Lady Ash, I don't typically get involved with field work!"
* Cato_Artaega shakes his head smiling unable to refute the humour of the situation.
* Rey_Lasky moves over and helps Zog fire the grapple launcher.
* Zog hooks himself unto the line and states, "Hold on to me tight little one."
* Tyruss Tyruss clips himself onto Zog's harness. "I'm secure Zog begin the ascent.
<Valarian_Stukov> "Everyone heads up."
* Zog begins to climb
* Valarian_Stukov points to a large flying beast
<Expanse_GM> As Lady Ash reaches a ledge with sufficient room, she allows herself to stand on both feet. As she looks down to Zog, the beast enters a sharp dive towards the structure.
<Cato_Artaega> +Look out Tyruss!+
* Valarian_Stukov seeing it dive towards the two he fires at the beast
* Tyruss is alerted to the diving beast and draws his pistols firing as it dives.
* Rey_Lasky draws both his pistols, he fires off first his bolt pistol and hits with one shot, and then fires his Archeotech laspistol with 3 shots.
<Expanse_GM> Getting away from the weapons-fire, and becoming suddenly aware of the diving beast, Lady Ash leaps off the platform.
* Galivan frowns before drawing his wrath and firing a bolt of plasma at the winged beast above. "Stand your ground!"
<Expanse_GM> The beast swoops silently down, catching Lady Ash; in a split second, it extends its wings, bringing it upwards some 20 meters where it begins to flap forcefully to regain altitude.
* Cenva_Benetek pulls out her Incinerator and wave it at the flying creature.
<Galivan> The arch-militant keeps his pistol trained on the beast, the glow of the ribs of his weapon giving off a comforting heat as he lobs another bolt of plasma at it.
<Expanse_GM> Gavilan's shots, expertly aimed, strike true. Yet in a snap of light, the plasma projectile explodes harmlessly just before reaching the beast.
<Galivan> "What in the..." he scowls.
<Expanse_GM> The men escorting Lady Ash have dived into cover, from which they fire upon you.
* Cato_Artaega fires upon the guardsmen but his fresh cover protects him.
<Galivan> +Armsmen, Lady Ashe's escort is firing upon us. Show them no mercy.+
<Expanse_GM> +Aye, sir!+
* Valarian_Stukov takes a heavy las shot as his turns back up to the attention of the bird and fires at the Big Bird
* Zog climbs up to the top of the platform and get's close enough for Tyruss to get on the platform.
<Tyruss> Now far more stable on the platform Tyruss continues to fire the toxic rounds from his pistols at the flying beast.
* Rey_Lasky opens fire on the winged creature with his Archeotech pistol but all three shots are stopped before reaching their target, he then fires his bolt pistol back at the two guards but misses his shots.
<Expanse_GM> Along the beast's flight path, a hole some 5 meters in diamater opens up, as though tearing through reality itself.
<Cato_Artaega> "Well fuck."
<Zog> "Bird go bye bye soon."
<Expanse_GM> The wounded beast narrows its wings, and adjusts its flight path to pass directly into the unnatural celestial opening.
<Expanse_GM> The hole closes behind them, a membrane of energy lingering behind the once open rift.
* Cato_Artaega clearly frustrated "Don't suppose you two assholes wanna surrender?"
* Cenva_Benetek tries to manifest her powers and fails. She tries to circle the two Ash Guard.
* Galivan growls, "flogging." He notes to himsel as fires a charged blast of plasma at the group of enemies.
* Cenva_Benetek trips towards the guard and accidently dodges the fire from the Ash Guard. She stumbles back up.
<Expanse_GM> Another ball of plasma fires off at the Master-at-Arms.
<Expanse_GM> When the conversion field stops the energy, the armsmen around Galivan suffer from the effects of the sudden, bright flash.
<Expanse_GM> Without warning, and to the silent surprise of everyone in view, a large blurred figure descends from the sky with a popping thump that kicks up dust several meters into the air.
<Expanse_GM> When the dust begins to clear, a single mangled, limp figure lay underneath Zog. A second one tries in futility to crawl away, his pelvis and legs broken in several places.
<Galivan> "Unorthodox, but very effective." He pauses. "Are you well, Tyruss?"
<Cato_Artaega> "Huh..."
<Zog> "Did I do good?"
<Cato_Artaega> "Good job Zog."
<Tyruss> A bewildered Tyruss turns his head to and fro, surprised at the sudden change in location. "I am. I certainly didn't expect to return to ground level this way."
* Valarian_Stukov adjusts his eyes to see Zog as he runs up and points the Assault Stubber to the Guard's Face
<Valarian_Stukov> "I would cease if I were you."
<Expanse_GM> The man looks up for a brief moment, before losing consciousness altogether.
<Cato_Artaega> "Right with that done everyone get your shit together we move out ASAP we got places to be and so does Fel. Zog bring your new floor buddy with you."
* Tyruss unclips himself from Zog and steps off and away from the Ogryn.
<Galivan> "Regain your senses and form up." The Master-at-Arms orders the armsmen.
<Expanse_GM> +Falling in, sir.+
<Valarian_Stukov> "Proklyatyy Cyka"
* Rey_Lasky is shocked from seeing Zog fall down on top of the two guards.
* Tyruss holsters his sidearms and dusts himself off, marveling at the fact he remained unharmed.
<Valarian_Stukov> "Mind adjusting your foot Zog."
* Zog get's up and moves.
<Tyruss> "We should hurry Lord Cato. They are bound to have a substantial lead at this point."
* Valarian_Stukov gets to work stabilizing the Guard so he does not die
<Cato_Artaega> "Yes let us return to the shuttles."
* Zog pick's up the unconcious guard and get's ready to move.
<Valarian_Stukov> "I did warn you Captain, of her."
<Zog> "Ready to go."
<Expanse_GM> The armsmen move in a loose, but steady formation around the Master-at-Arms.
<Tyruss> "The knowledge was still necessary Valarian. These ventures out here are fraught with risk. Nothing of value can be gained if not for it."
<Cato_Artaega> "Your warning of her character was taken, what I needed was a warning about a gaint flying lizard that can teleport through the bloody warp."
<Zog> "I'll need a shower after this."
<Expanse_GM> As the explorers make their way back out of the labyrinthine ruins, vox-transmissions begin to come in; armsmen's chatter through the frequency as they keep watch around the shuttles.
<Cato_Artaega> ++Cato to Bridge sitrep++
<Valarian_Stukov> "I do not question that, Understanding is the True Path to Comprehension, Intellect is the Understanding of Knowledge."
<Expanse_GM> ++Lord-Captain, we are standing-by for your orders.++
<Cato_Artaega> ++Scan for any shuttles leaving the planet that aren't us and if possible shoot them down, we will be returning ASAP++
<Tyruss> "She knew more than us at that moment Valarian, it was prudent to have her cooperation. At least at that time."
<Cato_Artaega> +Make sure the shuttles are prepared for our departure as soon as we arrive armsmen.+
<Expanse_GM> ++As you command, Lord-Captain. Shifting augury priorities.++
<Expanse_GM> +Welcome back, Captain. Preparing shuttles for departure.+
<Expanse_GM> Indeed, as you arrive at the landing zone, the shuttles already idle on the ground, ready to take off as soon as you are strapped in.
<Cato_Artaega> ++ Keep one augur array on broad sweeps we have good reason to believe Fel is in the outer system.++
<Valarian_Stukov> "Partly why I did not fire upon the Heretek, Tyruss."
* Rey_Lasky makes his way up the ramp and straps in.
* Cato_Artaega strides immediately into the closest shuttle and straps himself in.
* Valarian_Stukov straps himself in ready for departure
* Zog straps in.
<Tyruss> "Indeed, I do regret we were unable to capture her." Tyruss follows Cato and straps himself in.
* Galivan is one of the last to board, some of his armsmen following behind. He proeeds to take a seat and strap in.
<Expanse_GM> Everyone on board, the pilots power up engines, and lift off. In pre-determined pattern, they rise up throught the planet's atmosphere, sharply rising to reach Leviathan's Gluttony in low orbit.
<Cato_Artaega> "I fear we may of come off all the worse if we confronted her with force sooner, opening a rift in space is no small feat I dare not speculate what else she was capable of."
<Valarian_Stukov> "Cenva did you not sense any presence?"
<Expanse_GM> Several minutes later, the shuttles receive their vectors and line up with the voidship.
<Cenva_Benetek> "I was distracted by the giant flying lizard."
* Tyruss glances up from his datapad. "Technically Lord Cato it was a Shadderwing, they typically populate an entirely different subsector of the expanse. It's also more batlike than lizard sir.
<Valarian_Stukov> "Well actually, from what I had seen from my Data Logs it is classified as Shadderwings"
<Cenva_Benetek> "If you knew what it was, why didn't you share it with the rest of us?"
<Expanse_GM> The well-practiced transition into the voidship is clean, and fast. In no time at all, you are aboard and disembarking into the vessel.
<Valarian_Stukov> "Because you would ask questions and the beast would of hit Tyruss and Zog if we did not act."
<Tyruss> "Valarian is correct. It would've been imprudent to offer a lecture at the time on the finer points of fauna."
Valarian_Stukov> "If they have the headstart, I will ensure the crew readies the Machine Spirit for a trek."
<Valarian_Stukov> "I will make the proper rites."