Evervigilant 58

<Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilant_GM> As the days pass, Cordius-Primus recuperates, and dives into the theory and practice of the dreaded rituals of exorcism, in order to alieve Nitrous of his parasitic daemon. Utilizing the resources available to them as well as the experience of the ancestral blade, their studies arrive at a spine-chilling conclusion. Nitrous's odds are slim, the process of exorcising their comrade is
<Vigilant_GM> sure to risk unholy corruption to any involved with the dread process. It is just after a year's passage in warp is announced by the Navigator's Tower that Velam and Tony are ready to present their findings to Interrogator Baird.
<Velam> "Lord Guljian...we have come to a conclusion. Nico and I." He pauses to clear his throat and wipe his brow. "To endeavor to try and save our dear comrade...it would be far too risky to all those involved. The risk could mean the rest of us falling to the same fate as he." Velam looks ashamed that he has no better answer for the Interrogator.
<Tony> "If we tried that again now, who knows who else could suffer the same fate."
* Baird sighs heavily.
<Baird> "We can't risk the cell. Or making a scene planetside in what could very likely be a vain attempt."
* Tony heavily sighs himself
* Baird looks at the two Throne-Agents, a touch of sadness apparent on his face. "Make sure he greets the Emperor peacefully. Painless. Then jettison the departed into the sun."
<Velam> The savant feels awful, but somewhat relieved as well. He nods to Baird, but says not another word.
<Tony> "Lord Guljian a request."
<Tony> "I have work alongside him ever since I joined your company, he is a good friend to me. Let me help him on his way, if you will allow me..."
* Baird nods definitively. "I think he'd appreciate that..just make sure he doesn't suffer Nico."
<Almarax> "Can I have his legs?"
* Baird shakes his head. "The risk is too great Rax."
<Velam> "It would be very unwise to keep any of the person. It is....tainted." Velam emphasizes 'tainted' by saying it slowly, as if talking to a child.
* Tony nods to Baird, then glaze daggers at Almarax then goes to ready himself
<Almarax> "Hmm understood, the waste is unfortunate"
* Baird pours a glass of amber and waves his hand dismissively. "It is. Now, unless there's something else?"
* Velam follows after Tony mentally readying himself to take care of Nitrous.
* Karpath is monitoring Nitrous who still sits inside of the stasis cage.
* Thesse prepares to say 'Prayer for the Lost and Endangered' for Nitrous' soul.
<Velam> "Julian...the order has been given. We're to make it painless." Velam then goes over with Karpath what chems they'll use and the procedure. "Rest well, my compatriot." Is all that Velam says as he prepares the dose with Karpath's help and then hands it solemnly to Tony.
<Karpath> "I understand." he looks at the still body of Nitrous and sighs, "Good bye friend, may the Emperor watch over you." he then helps Velam with the procedure.
<Thesse> "Most powerful and glorious Emperor, who commands the winds and eddies of the galaxy, we miserable men are adrift in peril, we cry unto thee for help, save us, or we will perish..."
* Tony is handed the dose by Velam, looks to Nitrious for a moment then grabs his arm then Administers the dose.
<Thesse> "We see how great and terrible thou art, we fear you and offer our awe, we fear naught but your wrath , and beg a chance to prove ourselves, so let us not die in the tumultuous of the warp."
<Tony> "Give them hell old friend."
<Vigilant_GM> The monitor screens show the decreasing heart-rate and oxygenation.
* Tony takes a step back and just watches the monitor
<Vigilant_GM> A half-minute is all it takes for the vitae monitors to confirm all loss of life. Nitrous Timor, purge agent of the Ordo Hereticus, is no more.
* Tony flips on his Psyocculum to see any change to Nitrous.
<Tony> "Julian, make sure he is restrained for his send off."
* Karpath nodes and checks all the restraints are in place.
<Tony> "I am going to need a few minutes. I will be outside if you need me."
* Tony as he walks out to light a lho-stick to calm his nerves
* Karpath preps Nitrous to be launched into the sun.
<Vigilant_GM> The lifeless body is taken to the cold-storage mortuarius chamber on the voidship, to be kept there until warp translation into real-space.
<Vigilant_GM> A week after Nitrous is given the Emperor's mercy, Kaytian Nils enters the passenger quarters canteen, finding the Throne Cell as meal portions are served. She brings with her news, from an armsman sergeant, that the ministorum priests have begun blessing the decks ahead of the warp transition expected to take place at the end of the third watch - just a few hours away.
<Vigilant_GM> Indeed, it isn't long before the passenger quarters are themselves subjected to the censer-swinging priests, chanting prayers of warding and protection.
<Vigilant_GM> Before they clear the deck, sirens sound along the laud-speakers, intermittently declaring warp transition warnings.
<Vigilant_GM> All crewmen rush to their stations, from the lowest menial, to the highest officers. You, and all other passengers, are urged to remain in your quarters and await the all-clear.
<Vigilant_GM> In a process that lasts some 20 minutes, the ship groans and shifts in disturbing ways, as though vocalizing its agony.
<Vigilant_GM> Your ears pop as the pits of your stomachs feel at once empty and bloated, the blood rushing through your ears.
<Vigilant_GM> Simple, low whispers materialize in your ears, a thousand voices speaking a thousand different things... until at last, with a violent jolt that you feel internally, all returns to its relative normal.
<Vigilant_GM> Shortly after, the plasma engines come back to life, a sound you haven't heard for over a year, signifying its natural void operation.
<Vigilant_GM> With a knock on the doors to your quarters, a junior officer emerges.
<Vigilant_GM> "Captain's compliments," he begins with a terse nod. "The all clear has been given. Telemetry tells us we have emerged a week's journey from Juno. Astropathic messages may now be sent and received as necessary, without special approval from the Choir Master."
<Baird> "Understood, thank you lieutenant."
<Vigilant_GM> With a nod, he sees himself out.
<Baird> After the junior officer leaves the quarters Baird addresses the others. "We have a week. Make sure everything is ready for departure as soon as we arrive. I'd like to be back on solid ground as soon as possible." Orders given, Baird leaves the connecting quarters and goes to check if there are any responses to his previously sent messages.
* Karpath leave to check all the ship will be ready as well as prep for Nitrous body to be properly disposed of.
<Vigilant_GM> The remaining voyage is made with open view-ports. Something therapeutic about seeing the sunlight pour in from Juno's binary system sees most passengers spend time bathing in the rays of the stars illuminating the Sector capital. Sitting in meditation by one such viewport, Mordecai has set up a small nook from which he listens to the astropathic screams that echo through the void.
<Vigilant_GM> Baird approaches, as Mordecai scribbles on a small parchment writing pad with one hand, the other stretched out as though grabbing at the aether.
* Baird waits so as to not disrupt the astropath's process.
<Vigilant_GM> Exhaling heavily, the tension over his body relaxes in an instant, quil dropping to the floor.
<Vigilant_GM> He turns, then, noticing Baird's presence.
<Baird> "Any word of import Itrev?" Baird bends and retrieves the quill, setting it in front of Mordecai.
<Vigilant_GM> He picks up his writing pad, the scribbles are a mess of symbols, nonsensical runes, and half-drawings. "Yes, Interrogator. I was about to make these Gothic-intelligible."
<Vigilant_GM> "There is a personnel update from our Master. The estate groundsman, one Davos Haro, is said to remain on staff. He has been pre-vetted, no further details provided," he says, as though 'reading' through his notes.
<Baird> "Unsurprising, I assumed he would keep someone on staff. Can you reach out and make contact with the astropathic courier service I used on Desoleum. I'd like to know if there are any responses to my messages."
<Vigilant_GM> "I am also told most furnishings have been left to facilitate our settling in. The manse itself appears to have its own landing pad. It is located on what the local nobility refer to as the 'Old Quarter'. A plateau where the apex nobility once itself inhabited before taking to the vast spires as their need for displays of wealth became impractical," he says closing his writing pad.
<Vigilant_GM> "I am afraid I have yet to receive anything in reply to the other matters. I shall remain in search for these responses, of course, though it is perhaps advisable that I acquire some assistance; form a choir planet-side."
<Baird> "Understood, thank you Itrev."
<Vigilant_GM> With a bow, he turns once more to look out into the void.
<Baird> Having concluded his business with Mordecai, Baird went about his normal exercise and combat regimens, making sure to not slack off in the year trapped in the void.
<Vigilant_GM> Each day, the distant orb that is Juno grows larger and larger across the viewports. At last, a week into the final stretch, Juno takes up the vast majority of the view outside.
<Vigilant_GM> All shuttles registered to House Guljian are prepared for release and launch, clearances secured for Vesuna Regis, the capital of Juno.
* Velam finishes making preparations for all house effects regarding his own office. Including helping prepare Nitrous' body for it's improptu shunting into the sun.
* Tony walks up to Karpath and looks at him
<Karpath> "Yes?"
<Tony> "It's time, Julian, we need to send him."
<Karpath> "Oh, yea lets do it then."
* Tony readies to jet out the casket of Nitrious, once in position he jets it out into space towards the local sun
* Karpath sets up Nitrous body in a metal box like coffin to be launched into the sun using a Arvus Lighter to then launch Nitrous body into space on a course to the systems sun, after the dead is done he turns the ship around and then returns back to the ship.
<Vigilant_GM> Upon Karpath's return, the logistical operation to get the effects of Lord Guljian begin.
<Vigilant_GM> Utilizing the data sent by Inquisitor Mortem, Mordecai assits the pilots to find Blackhall Manse, the new home of Lord Guljian.
<Karpath> Upon returning to the ship, Karpath makes his way to the Gun Cutter, to fly it down to their new home.
<Vigilant_GM> The descent to the manor reveals its vast grounds, a strangely verdent exterior in comparison to the largely dead surface of the rest of the planet, and the vaguely L-shape of the two-storey building itself. From above, it's East-most wing shines like a diamond as the jagged glass exterior of one of its domes reflects light up.
<Vigilant_GM> Though a landing pad exists, there is not enough room to accomodate all the landers. These find suitable landing places along the fields just North of the manor itself.
* Nitrous is now known as Davos
* Davos walks out to meet "Lord Guljian."
<Vigilant_GM> Next to the tall gothic gates at the far northern end is a guardhouse/barracks complex. As you descend to the landing pad, it disappears behind the manor. In front of you, a small staff house stands. From it, two men approach as the lander's engines come to idle.
<Vigilant_GM> One is an old man, the other a younger yet gaunt figure.
* Karpath powers down the Cutter and lowers the ramp.
* Tony grabs his Shock Spear and readies to follow behind Baird
* Baird descends down the lowered ramp onto the pad itself, observing the two waiting to meet the group.
<Vigilant_GM> "Your Lordship. We had anticipated your staff might arrive ahead of you..." the old man trails off.
* Davos bows and states, "Welcome to Blackhall Manse my lord."
* Almarax follows the group idly carrying a box of his belongings with his claw
* Velam follows behind Baird, keeping his trusty dataslate handy. Already noting all the peculiar things of the manse and it's grounds.
* Karpath makes his way down from the pilot seat and meets up with Baird.
<Vigilant_GM> "I-I am Midas Vert. This young man is Davos Haro. We have remained as staff to serve the Manse at your leisure," the old man bows.
* Baird muses quietly then addresses the two staff members. "I was told only of one remaining at the manse." Baird nods towards Davos.
<Baird> "I was told nothing of you...Vert was it?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Yes, your Lordship," he bows.
<Vigilant_GM> "I had hoped to have this conversation with your staff, truth be told," he looks up again.
* Davos explains calmly, "Vert has been here since before I arrived and is just a simple groundsman."
<Vigilant_GM> "I was made redundant by the former master of Blackhall, it is true. But I had wished to petition to remain on staff ahead of your arrival. The gardens, you see, I have tended to them for a great many years. There are no grounds like these in all of Vesuna Regis."
* Baird is thoughtful for a moment. "You will be vetted by my staff and should your background clear then we can discuss remaining in my employ. I will compliment you on your work however and hope that you may continue it. That being said provide all necessary information to my Seneschal, Tabarius." Baird gestures towards Velam.
<Vigilant_GM> "I assure your Lordship, I have not entered the premises without permission, just as the former master willed it. That is, save for the chapel," he says pointing to the glass-domed structure on the Eastern wing. "We have had permission to enter it, to worship Him on Terra."
<Velam> "Greetings." Velam says with a nod. Very scholar-like.
* Baird nods. "Very well."
<Vigilant_GM> "Welcome, Master Tabarius. It is my wish to comply with your vetting process as promptly as possible."
<Davos> "I also believe we have much to discuss once we enter the premises my lord."
<Vigilant_GM> "Now," he says waving a finger in the air, "if I may..." he produces a thick and heavy key ring.
* Baird nods once more and gestures towards the doors.
<Velam> Later that day Velam would put the old groundskeeper through the ringer with an intense inquiry on his history of work with the house, along with many others things. Comparing them to whatever information he can find using archives within the manse and what he has access to planetside.
<Vigilant_GM> "Please forgive the state of the place. No one has entered in several years. The former master did not wish to take any of his belongings with him... an illusive man in so many ways," he opens the rear door.
<Velam> Once the investigation is complete, Lord Guljian would receive a simple summary of the groundskeeper. Simply put he's of no danger, non-descript and one could say came with the manse as a bonus. As an aside, Velam posits to Baird on why Davos was singled out.
<Vigilant_GM> Inside, dozens of draped figures stand.
<Baird> As an aside to Velam, Baird relays that Davos was vetted by Mortem and at his order has stayed on as "groundskeeper".
<Vigilant_GM> Midas begins to remove the dusty coverings to reveal the furniture, dead potted plants, and other such items beneath the protective coverings.
* Velam the 'Seneschal' makes a mental note of that before concentrating on getting the estate in order.
<Vigilant_GM> Little by little, the veritable time capsule that Blackhall is begins to reveal itself. Left in place as though as pict of what it once was to its former owner.
<Vigilant_GM> Midas begins opening windows everywhere he can, allowing fresh air in.
<Vigilant_GM> "Apologies, your Lordship. Perhaps it is best if you allow your staff in to perform the necessary maintenance before you proceed any further?"
<Vigilant_GM> "I could assist in settling your cleaning staff in the staff house at once, should your Lordship wish it."
<Baird> "It will be taken care of Vert. I'm afraid I arrive with limited staff. They must be hired on. One of the many things to be overseen now that we've arrived here."
* Davos looks around in awe as this is his first time going inside the manor.
<Vigilant_GM> "I see. Forgive my presumption, your Lordship. Perhaps I can prepare livable spaces for yourself and your retinue until you are able to hire on what is necessary."
* Karpath looks around seeing all the dust build up. "Gonna need a lots of dusting."
<Baird> "That will be appreciated Vert. You're proving yourself valuable already."
<Vigilant_GM> "Kind of you to say so, my Lord. I will make myself useful upstairs to prepare the Master Chamber and study," he says with a bow.