Rosenkrantz 34

Rosenkrantz_GM	IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The Rosenkrantz warriors have enjoyed their first success in the arena, securing one of the relics for the Dynasty. Simultaneously Vivian's operatives have managed to infiltrate Spacehulk's vessel, and are standing by for orders whilst working to provide the would-be mutineers with all the support they can.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Spacehulk so far appears to be too involved in the events on the ring to have caught any notice of what is about to happen, and reports on the situation are being brought in for your information as steadily as possible. With a break between main events, you are now all coming together for one such briefing on board the Consequence, in the Temple-Shrine to the God-Emperor, where Father
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Calvin Colonel has begun to acquaint himself with his new post.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Echoing through the enjoining hall, the brisk steps of Lady Vivian can be heard. She asked to put this briefing together, and appears immediately ready to start as soon as she walks in.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The change of watch is sounded at seemingly the same time. Impecable timing, as the hymns mark the hour.
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"Greetings Lady Vivan, what news do you have?"
	Calvin_Colonel	+With all my strength,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+With all my will+
	Calvin_Colonel	+With every fibre of my soul,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+I pledge my soul and my Faith,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+To the Immortal Emperor,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Shepherd of Humanity.+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Rejoice and give your praise to the Immortal Emperor and all His Saints, for we have recovered a holy relic and located another! Make ready, for soon we must face a filthy apostate in service of the Emperor. Although I have only recently joined this crew, I have the utmost faith that we will prevail - my own very life was saved by your actions when you intervened to help the pilgrim fleet...
	Calvin_Colonel	...upon which I traveled.+
	Calvin_Colonel	+But hope itself is naught but the first step in the road to disappointment. As I conclude with the Litany of Strength, steel your minds, bodies, and souls for the coming task. The time we have until our next task is a blessing - make use of it to prepare and purge any remaining weakness and doubt from yourselves and those around you. The Emperor Protects.+
	Calvin_Colonel	+I am a man,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Prone to weakness,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+But I am a voidsman.+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Where weakness is death,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+I will crush my weakness,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+With the weight of my pride.+
	Baine_Mort	claps.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The choir chamber adjacent fills the room with the voices of some 300 monks.
	Vivian_Lorrena	"Greetings, Lord Captain. I have word that my agents are set up on the Spacehulk, ready to proceed with whatever direction we wish to take. All we need is to give word. We have several options to approach, and each will come with a risk of their own. We have a lot to plan, and discuss, but not a lot of time for it."
	Josef	makes the sign of the Omnissiah.
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"What are our options?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Frater Dornerson, Father Calvin's militant warrior, finishes his silent prayer, makes the sign of the aquila, and looks up at the group.
	Vivian_Lorrena	"First option is direct assassination. We have located the key members of Spacehulk's crew that would be considered 'a heavy hit' if lost. Second, since I have failed to be able to bring weapons for those who wish to mutany, we are left with trying to obtain what is already in the Armory. Alternatively, we could.. Cause disasterous distractions in either the Enginarium, lord knows those
	Vivian_Lorrena	places can be a hazzard.. Or even the Atmospheric Systems."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The smell of incense fills your nostrils, adding to the effect that the God-Emperor is indeed watching you all in this endeavor. A reminder that artifacts holy to His people are presently in the hands of ruffians and heretics, and that they shall remain so, until you intervene in His name. The Temple-Shrine is a special place, indeed.
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"I would go ahead with taking the armory, it seems like the best option."
	Vivian_Lorrena	gives a bit of a wave of her hand, tilting her head a touch as she went on. "We know the majority of the layout of the ship.. I recommend that in this instance, we take a risk with trying for a more.. Delicate touch. My agents are equipped with rebreathers. They could go to the med bay and procure chemicals to contaminate the atmospheric systems, for the sake of an advantage."
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"What kinds of risks are we taking with that approach?"
	Vivian_Lorrena	"There's the potential that they get caught. The worst case scenario is that this is a suicidal mission. The fact they're on board as it is, this is overall."
	Josef	"Atmospheric Systems... That could be interesting."
	Calvin_Colonel	"Hm... Do they possess any way of giving themselves the Emperor's Mercy should they be caught?"
	Josef	"Redirecting the airflow of the ship will be beneficial to us. Removing clean air supply from the barracks could hinder their force."
	Vivian_Lorrena	"Yes. Yes they do. Every house operative has a mercy pill."
	Vivian_Lorrena	brings her hand up and gingerly taps her cheek. "Right where distribution counts the most."
	Vivian_Lorrena	"In addition to that, there is as it stands, tension growing on the Spacehulk's ship. It appears most of his crew is very dissatisfied with serving in his 'rustic' rule."
	Vivian_Lorrena	clasps her hands behind her back, pacing along the floor as she goes on to explain in detail the key members of the crew, along with the potential 'leaders' for the mutany.
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"Very well, we shall commence as soon as eveything is ready."
	Calvin_Colonel	flips through a massive tome and gingerly bookmarks a few pages
	Calvin_Colonel	"I shall fetch my gear. Inform me when it is time to begin."
	Baine_Mort	 "Time to get the ball rolling."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	=====SKIPARINNI SKIPARONI THE PEPPERONI=====
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The Consequence has undocked, and has remained adrift on the opposite side of the docking arm where Spacehulk has made port. On board, the mood is tense. Every soul is ready for action, having been called to battle stations should the worst come to happen. On the bridge, a direct line to the house operatives has been opened. Father Calvin and his retinue are hosted on the Etherics Station,
	Rosenkrantz_GM	where the comms broadcaster is being readied to tap into the internal comms systems of Spacehulk's ship. A servant in humble robes holds up a heave tome chained to his back.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The Captain, Lieutenant Titus, and the Master of Ordnance all stand in front of the data console projecting information comming in, including a live scan of the enemy ship's components for any sign that they might be springing into action.
	Calvin_Colonel	runs his finger along the pages of the book, flipping the pages back and forth
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Josef, in the meantime, is joined by the boarding party. The most hardened men of the House Guard... one of which seems to share the genetor's love for the axe.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The transmissions are not always clear, and sometimes pick up external comms, but it becomes clear that things are now about to change drastically.
	Josef	sings the hymns of the God Machines in participation of the slaughter of vermin.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+Patrol down. Breaching.+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+Rerouting atmospherics. Let's see if I remember this.+
	Baine_Mort	"Time to find out if everything goes according to plan captain." Mort says as he watches everything happening.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+Secondary turbines are reversing on the B-deck's intersectional.+
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"It never does Master Mort."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+All smooth on our end, Lady Vivian. We are go--+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The transmition is lost.
	Vivian_Lorrena	falls quiet, patiently waiting for transmission to be re-established. Eyes closing, her arms were crossed as she waits.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+...on less time than anticipated. Less room for mistake. Proceeding to comm-centre sabotage.+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Several of the bridge crew audibly sigh in relief.
	Baine_Mort	"Well, that was tense."
	Vivian_Lorrena	"..Indeed."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+We can already hear commotion from the armory. Should provide sufficient distraction.+
	Calvin_Colonel	"Shall I begin?"
	Vivian_Lorrena	+Very good. Proceed as planned, keep on your toes, and above all else. Be careful. May the God-Emperor watch over you.+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+Mutineers standing by... had to take down a few of the bosun's men. Will send a single ping to confirm comms are ready to receive your transmition, bridge.+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	A few seconds later, the etherics station received a clear high-pitched ping. Their internal comms are at your disposal... for now.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The Master of Etherics turns to Colonel.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Father" he aknolwedges.
	Calvin_Colonel	clears his throat
	Calvin_Colonel	+And lo, although they strayed from the Emperor's Light,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Although they whipped and defiled our flesh,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Although they tormented and disturbed our minds,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Our souls are untouched, for we are still of His flock.+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Our faith blazes brightly, our spirits unmoved.+
	Calvin_Colonel	+For the Emperor watches over us, the faithful.+
	Calvin_Colonel	+The Emperor's hiearchy is scared,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+And our obedience unquestioning,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+But when Lord becomes Heretic,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+He shall be cast down by the Faithful+
	Calvin_Colonel	+For he becomes lower than any mutant+
	Calvin_Colonel	+It is better to die for the Emperor than live for the oppressor+
	Calvin_Colonel	+And it is better to die for the Emperor than live for yourself+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Freedom and martyrdom are our just rewards!+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Death and damnation their fate.+
	Calvin_Colonel	pauses for a short pre-recorded musical interlude
	Calvin_Colonel	+These are the words of St. Thagian of Meilkus Prime, who lead the faithful to overthrow their traitorous bandit of a governor.+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Rejoice, voidsmen of the Wrath of Igneus! Today, you are blessed with the chance to earn your freedom!+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Kill the heretical bandit chief known to you as Space Hulk and all those who would protect him, and you shall be justly rewarded by the God-Emperor and us, your saviors! Have faith, for you are not alone! We are coming to bring down the Emperor's Fury from without! It is up to you to bring it to these horrid bandits from within their vessel!+
	Calvin_Colonel	+PURGE THE UNCLEAN, AND IN THE EMPEROR'S NAME, LET NONE SURVIVE!+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+Loud and clear. Ave Imperator+ the operative's reply comes in.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+The assaul---+ the operative is interrupted. You can hear the sound of a struggle getting picked up just before the disruption.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+The assault is underway. The armsmen are slow to react thus far. Localized patrols for the most part. Force of numbers proving sufficient to overwhelm.+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+Several operatives KIA.+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	There's a moment of silence.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Perhaps just five minutes.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Five long minutes.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+ARMOURY IS SECURE, MUTINEERS HAVE ARMED THEMSELVES!+ the operative is having to shout over the sounds of the commotion around him.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+We expected far fewer mutineers at this stage. Casualties expected to be high, but we can afford the losses with these numbers --- FOR THE EMPEROR!+
	Baine_Mort	continues to watch the data coming in on the console as well as listening to the coms.
	Calvin_Colonel	+Men united in the purpose of the Emperor are blessed in his sight! They shall live forever in his memory! Fight on, men!+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	On the stream of data being projected, you see a notification indicating that Spacehulk has abruptly stormed out of the arena.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+They are starting to crackdown in force.+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Captain. Plasma Generators have started to come online on the Wrath of Igneus."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Engines have come online."
	Baine_Mort	"Whats is the ETA on Spacehulk's arrival to his ship?"
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"Any way they can shut them down?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Spacehulk has boarded his vessel. They are moving."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+We feel movement in here. It appears he wishes to leave port.+ the operative reports.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+On your word, Lady Vivian.+
	Vivian_Lorrena	+Proceed. Do not let them leave.+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The stream of data suddenly sees a flood of critical error messages, the enginarium has been heavily sabotaged.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"She's adrift," notes Lt. Titus.
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"Progress report on the fighting."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+We have taken heavy losses. But we have made it to the A-deck segment just below the bridge.+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+They have sealed us in.+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+Emperor have mercy... purge troops from the lower decks have been brought up. Heavy flamers being used.+
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"Damn it!, Prepare to move in on my order."
	Calvin_Colonel	gestures to Vivian
	Calvin_Colonel	"What are their names?"
	Calvin_Colonel	"At least the one speaking on the vox."
	Vivian_Lorrena	quietly gives the list of names to Calvin, keeping her voice low for the time being.
	Josef	with a wicked smile and starts to loudly pray to the Machine God.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Operative Alasdair. Operative Waltzer. Operative Frankfurt. Operative Sandel. All part of operative-group Alpha.
	Calvin_Colonel	+Alasdair! Dig in your heels, and fight back! The Emperor Protects, for you fight for faith and freedom!+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+FIGHT BACK, MEN! FIGHT FOR THE EMPEROR! DIE FOR THE EMPEROR AND FOR YOUR FREEDOM FOR THIS CORRUPTION!+ in the chaos the operative leaves his comms transmit on. You hear not just his plea, but the roar of the mutineers in response. The fighting is fierce.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+Fragmentation bombs... We have failed you, forgive us. Ave Imperator.+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Ave Imperator. Your martyrdom shall be remembered.+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine Imperator.+
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"Hail the Wrath of Igneus, ask them if they need assistance."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Titus raises a brow at this.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	He nonetheless nods the order over the Etherics, where the signal is sent.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++Wrath of Igneus. Unknown Imperial vessel, we are in need of immediate assistance!++
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"Inform them we intend to board."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"We have received clearance to board on their Port side, Captain."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Every boarding party on the Consequence is given the signal to make ready for immiment boarding action.
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"I want that bridge breached and cleared before any other distress signals are issued."
	Josef	"Now, we strike at the enemies of the Emperor."
	Calvin_Colonel	hails the boarding parties on the vox
	Calvin_Colonel	+The Emperor is our guiding light,+
	Calvin_Colonel	+A beacon of hope for humanity in a galaxy of darkness.+
	Calvin_Colonel	+The Emperor is with us,+
	Baine_Mort	grabs his combat shotgun, "I'm going with you Josef."
	Calvin_Colonel	+In spirit and in fact.+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The Consequence maneuvers to proximity with the drifting Wrath of Igneus, carefully closing the distance at which boarding can happen.
	Calvin_Colonel	+Today we bring the Emperor's light to the downtrodden crew of the Wrath of Igneus!+
	Josef	"Very well, Master Mort."
	Calvin_Colonel	+Today, we recover a most holy relic from that marauder's tainted grasp!+
	Calvin_Colonel	+Today, we purge the foes of mankind!+
	Josef	"I have been waiting for this moment ever since that incident."
	Calvin_Colonel	+Hold nothing back, warriors of the Dynasty!+
	Baine_Mort	joins Josef as he puts on his helmet, and is ready for battle.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Throughout the corridors of the Consequence the many boarding parties let out their war cries, eager to do the Emperor's work.
	Calvin_Colonel	has his servitor put his armor and equipment on, then puts the relic in the gun safe and slings it over his shoulder.
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	rises slowly "I will be seeing to this persoanlly."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Titus nods, knowing the bridge will be under his command.
	Baine_Mort	"See you later Vivian, hope you have fun watching us."
	Vivian_Lorrena	flinches. "...Nevermind. I am coming."
	Vivian_Lorrena	goes to prepare for what is to come.
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	proceeds to request all his gear, and integrate himself with on of the boarding parties
	Baine_Mort	"......Oh, well good."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The gap is closed, and the boarding umbilicals are fired, and locked in to those on the Wrath of Igneus.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	You all stand with your boarding party as the pressure differentials are evened out, with a hiss of atmosphere.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The large hatches are opened up, and at the end of the umbilicals is the interior of the Wrath of Igneus... vulnerable and ignorant to what is to come, welcoming the agents of their doom.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Frater Dornerson stands firmly next to Father Calvin, gripping his weapon and ready for yet another encounter with death.
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"Advance."
	Calvin_Colonel	grins and adjusts his Rosarius. His armor gleams brightly - it is covered in glowing heraldic script, in contrast to his retainer's plain and battered flak
	Calvin_Colonel	flicks the pilot light on his flamer on and advances
	Baine_Mort	advance with his shotgun at the ready.
	Josef	allows with a childlike glee, a psychotic childlike glee.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Your boarding party moves forward, allowing a small distance for the Captain to be the first to board. A customary honor for the highest officer.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	On the other side... the Chief Bosun and his staff stand ready to receive you. Those with some notion of naval tradition can't help but note that not a single officer is with him. Something which would in any other case be taken as an insult.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Perhaps the mutiny is far worse than they're willing to admit.
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"What's the situation?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Damned mutiny. They've taken the armory and sabotaged the engines. We have them contained in several sections now, but we don't know for how much longer we will hold. They're dangerously close to the bridge, where Spacehulk has ordered his closest men to protect him and the bridge officers."
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"Can you take up to the brdige?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Yes. We could use the added manpower up there."
	Josef	starts to grind his teeth out of seer hatred. His mind devoured by his zeal.
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"Very well, armsmen, move out."
	Vivian_Lorrena	quietly brings a hand to rest at Josef's shoulder, leaning in, she would whisper into his ear. Silent urgings for restraint.
	Josef	starts to whisper back "I will tear their throats out."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The interior of the /Wrath/ is odd. The way in which you're lead to the bridge takes you through fake and half-corridors. Paranoia seems to be the design factor behind it all.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Once you arrive, bypassing the 'obvious' levatus that gets to the bridge, you get to the last few steps up a narrow staircase.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Two towering monsters of men... Spacehulk's legendary champions, are the first people you see. Spacehulk himself appears to be on the end of the bridge, yelling at his aides.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The bosun asks you to wait as he gets his master's attention.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Spacehulk nearly strikes the bosun when he interrupts, but sees Friedrich and his retinue arrive.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	He stops himself and approaches.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"You arrived. Good."
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"How goes the fighting?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Not well. We will need your men to relieve the pressure on the bridge, from below" he points down with a thick index finger. He is a broad man with leathery skin. He looks like a man in his fifties, with hardened features. His nose is thick and deformed, broken more times than he even knows. He is bald, with a small tattoo on one side of his head, and he adorns himself with earrings of
	Rosenkrantz_GM	precious metals, with a matching chain accented with a glowing violet stone.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"The men we've sent after them won't be enough, and other pockets of mutineers have already sprung up elsewhere, including the enginarium."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Friedrich can't help but notice that even the inside of his mouth is adorned in some tasteless fashion with displays of wealth.
	Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"Very well, lead the way."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Some of his armsmen eye Calvin with a dirty look in their eye. But beggars can't be choosers.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"I will stay here," he says waving a hand back and forth.