Evervigilant 36

<Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilant_GM> The shuttle's engines are pushed as you make your ascent beyond the atmosphere of Desoleum.
<Vigilant_GM> "Kappex Orbital. Lighter Omicron-2 Alpha, requesting approach clearance," the shuttle's pilot calls into his voxset.
<Vigilant_GM> ++Omicron-2, say intentions. We do not have a flight plan on file.++
<Vigilant_GM> "Making for Oath Unspoken. Do we have clearance?"
<Vigilant_GM> There is a pause.
<Vigilant_GM> ++Omicron-2, clearance to Kappex Orbital denied. Oath Unspoken has already filed departure. Undocking procedures underway.++
<Vigilant_GM> The pilot turns.
<Vigilant_GM> "Secure the corpses, and anything else that's loose. Strap in."
<Baird> "You heard him boys, let's get shit tied down."
* Nitrous goes to secures the corpses
<Tony> "Got it"
<Baird> "Pile the corpses in the bunk room."
<Baird> "Seal the door."
* Tony helps Nitrous secure the corpses into the Bunkroom
<Vigilant_GM> You hear the engines reconfiguring themselves, warning lights blinking in the cockpit.
<Vigilant_GM> "Ten seconds!" the pilot calls out.
* Nitrous straps into a seat
* Tony runs for a seat and straps in
* Baird straps in and holds on.
<Vigilant_GM> A short burts of acceleration is followed a split second later by speed that pushes you back against your seats; lifting your head from the rest becomes impossible. A single loose fire-containment kit buzzes across the cockpit until it slams to pieces in the rear compartments.
<Vigilant_GM> ++Prepare for rapid desceleration.++ the pilot announces over the internal vox.
<Vigilant_GM> On the dashboard, an overheat warning flashes.
<Vigilant_GM> When the reverse thrust is punched, it's as though gravity shifts forward, amplified tenfold.
<Vigilant_GM> Through the viewports, a massive, majestic voidship separates from the main umbilicals connecting it to the geostationary orbital station above Desoleum.
<Vigilant_GM> Enormous, spire-sized plasma engines glow hot blue as the behemoth moves away from the station.
<Vigilant_GM> The pilot flicks switches on the vox system and keys in a code followed by a clearance request.
<Vigilant_GM> After a minor tongue-lashing, he is given clearance and vectors to one of the voidship's lighter bays.
<Vigilant_GM> Moving into position, the pilot announces your imminent announcement.
<Vigilant_GM> "Listen. This landing isn't exactly sanctioned. And neither are you. Once I'm paid, I'll try to get you back down to Desoleum. Stay out of trouble."
<Baird> "Preciate it."
<Vigilant_GM> After intermediate minutes, the constant shaking of the shuttle's movement comes to an abrupt halt, jostling the cargo compartment as it shakes forcefully. Immediately, the roar of the engines dies down, replaces a moment later with the sound of hissing steam and clanking metal as the rear access ramp lowers, revealing a large metal chamber - a cargo hold. Several additional lighters
<Vigilant_GM> sit nearby, clamped into their docking cradles. Across the surprisingly empty chamber, a number of servitors stack crates and shipping containers, seemingly oblivious to your arrival.
<Vigilant_GM> The pilot busies himself with shutting down the shuttle's systems and providing instructions to a group of servitors who approach, ready to tend to the shuttle.
* Tony begins to observe the area trying to get a idea where to start
<Tony> "Hmm, we are a bit behind, I think getting a idea of the situation would be the call here, we will also need to lay low."
* Baird unstraps and gathers his gear, preparing to head out of the shuttle bay.
* Nitrous follows suit
* Tony unstraps and follows behind Baird and the others
<Vigilant_GM> A jungle of wires, cables, and pipes hangs from the ceilings, descending along the walls and through passageways like creeping vines.
<Vigilant_GM> You hear distant murmurs, voices speaking as one in a single cadence.
<Vigilant_GM> "Glorify the Immortal Emperor, for His all-seeing vision," the voices become clearer as you follow the corridors out of the cargo bay.
<Vigilant_GM> "Praise the Immortal Emperor, for His unending Rule," one voice clearly above the rest, amplified by a laud-hailer, comes from a small woman in robes marked with the holy aquila and the iconography of the Adeptus Ministorum. Her flock, pilgrims of every stripe, follow along with her reading of scripture, not noticing you enter.
<Thesse> "Hail the Immortal Emperor, for He is the Lord and Master."
<Vigilant_GM> The flock of pilgrims remains fixated on their teacher and the Emperor's Prayer as though it were the first time they were exposed to His living light.
<Thesse> "Worship the Immortal Emperor, for without him we are nothing." She ends the prayer with the blessed sign of the Aquila.
<Vigilant_GM> "...for without Him we are Nothing," the pilgrims end. It is hard not to be moved by such display of faith, by so many different souls, so far away from their homes. This is what a true servant of the Emperor's dedication looks like, to guide those souls into his light, wherever they may be.
<Thesse> "Ave Imperator!"
<Vigilant_GM> A servitor crane passes by on ceiling-mounted rails, hazard lights flashing. In this light, you see her face is covered in a devotional tattoo. A skull's features overlaying on hers - the mark of one of the Sisterhoods of Thaur.
<Vigilant_GM> "Ave Imperator," the pilgrims enjoin heads bowed.
<Vigilant_GM> With the littany now complete, the pilgrims slowly disperse. Some to their semi-permanent homes along the chamber or in adjoining sections.
* Tony looks to Baird
<Tony> "Think she might know?"
<Baird> Seeing the sermon dispersing Baird glances around. "My thoughts exactly. I've still got some of those coins, who better to ask than someone from the planet where they come from."
<Nitrous> "Yup."
* Baird walks forward towards the woman who led the sermon and calls out in an unobtrusive manner. "Sister. Can we have a moment of your time?"
* Thesse inspects on her servo skull to see if the candle needs replacing. She sees a new face approach and responds "Yes, my child. How may I help?"
* Baird makes a face at the word 'child' but quickly shifts his facial expression to a friendly one. We actually had a few questions about your home. “Thaur if I'm not mistaken? Preferably not here however as it pertains to a sensitive matter. You do deal with those things right? Being a priest and all."
<Thesse> "Oh, are you new pilgrims from Desoleum?" She sounds excited and immediately asks "Was your forefather from Thaur?"
<Baird> "Not mine, no. But I'll explain everything once we can talk properly sister."
<Thesse> "Hmm, I see my child. There's not much privacy down here unless you wish to confess any 'deeds'. In which case, there are the confession booths."
<Baird> "Unfortunately my compatriots are involved directly with the questions and such and it would be a mighty tight fit to get us all into one of those. Perhaps if you quarters that would be more accommodating? Sorry to inconvenience you like this sister."
<Tony> "Me and Jack could have a look around, and ask some questions if you need Raolin."
<Baird> "I'd rather us not separate just yet if we can avoid it."
<Thesse> "We could try the priesthood quarters and see if it is free."
<Baird> "Excellent, please lead the way sister."
<Vigilant_GM> The scent of incense fills the air as you enter a chamber with devotional art where an old fragile man speaks to a younger missionary.
<Vigilant_GM> "Mortality is not the end, my son."
<Vigilant_GM> "We must heed Saint Ignacius's writings. Study them, and find guidance."
* Thesse whispers to Baird "Father Lazarun is currently using the room. It would be rude to interrupt him while he helps one of our brothers."
<Vigilant_GM> "Thank you, father," the missionary bows before taking his leave.
* Thesse approaches Father Lazarun and says "Excuse my interruption, Father."
<Vigilant_GM> "Sister Thesse, how good it is to see you. The Emperor's flock has been tended to?"
<Thesse> "Of course, Father. The sermon went well today. But, I need a favor."
<Vigilant_GM> "Oh?" the old man lowers his spectacles.
<Thesse> "There were these new arrivals who came in today and wished to speak to me about Thaur in private. I was hoping to use these quarters and answer the children's questions."
<Vigilant_GM> "Bring them in, Sister Thesse. Together we can guide these souls," he nods.
<Thesse> "Of course, Father." She walks to the doorway and tells Baird about the situation.
<Thesse> "I believe this is as close to privacy as you'll get. Plus, Father Lazarun would be able to answer your questions."
<Baird> "The issue is that this is a very private matter..the fewer who know the better really. Perhaps I can explain this to him?"
<Tony> "The more information the better I will say."
* Thesse invites the trio into the quarters. She responds "Of course, my child."
<Vigilant_GM> Father Nessiah eyes the acolytes enter with Thesse.
Father?"
<Vigilant_GM> "I will return to Thaur another coffin to be interred in its holy soil. My body has slowed, and will soon decay. Never a disease, never an ailment; the Emperor has been kind to me, but I know it to be true in my advanced age. In these years, young men, I have learned much. Much about human nature. The nature of the soul. And I have learned to protect His flock, and His servants."
<Baird> "If you're serious about serving the Emperor. Then your presence is welcome." Baird takes a seat across from the old man. "Jack. Please make sure no one will eavesdrop via the hallway. Tony, can you sweep the room for listening devices?"
* Nitrous waits outside the door standing guard
* Tony begins patting down the room for any devices after about a few minutes of searching he looks to Baird
<Tony> "We are clean"
<Baird> Baird nods and with the door and room secured Baird fishes his rosette out of his pocket and places it on the table in front of the priests.
<Vigilant_GM> His old hands hover over the identifier tag's symbol.
<Vigilant_GM> "His Holy Ordos..." he lets out.
<Baird> "I know this is sudden but we have questions and we need to cut to it. Enough time has been used to secure a safe meeting spot." Baird again digs into his pocket, this time retrieving the final bone coin he had and places it on the table as well before removing the rosette and returning to his pocket in the same movement.
* Tony takes a seat to give himself a small pause of a break
<Vigilant_GM> "Thaur. Birthplace of Sister Thesse, and my final resting place," he explains.
<Vigilant_GM> "And also, our next destination."
<Vigilant_GM> "You have been on pilgrimage to its holy grounds?"
<Baird> "We needs information on the smugglers who use those coins. They smuggle artefacts off of Thaur to who knows where and we know some of them recently arrived. As soon as two hours ago, presumably with some in tow. We need to find them. They are not only desecrating the sacred ground of Thaur but also corrupting and spreading heresies throughout their shipping lanes."
* Thesse is silent and very concerned.
<Vigilant_GM> "Heretics and defilers on board this vessel?" his brow furrows.
<Baird> "This is where our investigations have led us. They were slightly ahead of us unfortunately."
<Baird> "Now we need to stop them and secure the artefacts in their possession. We need any information you can provide on where they may be storing these, as they are likely to be nearby."
<Tony> "Any information you have on those Smugglers, would be a great service to the Emperor."
<Vigilant_GM> "I am not a fighting man, my son. I am not a sturdy man. But I do have the ear of His flock on this vessel. The thousands of souls who traverse the endless void to find the light. Thousands of eyes. Thousands of ears."
<Vigilant_GM> "I will assist in what way I can, and will make up for my limitations. Sister Thesse," he turns to the distraught woman.
<Thesse> "Yes, Father?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Go where my legs will not take me. Turn the stones my old bones will not permit me. Aid these servants of His Will with your youthfulness and fervor. Join me in this, the final Calling of the Emperor before I am to join him."
<Thesse> "I understand, Father. I will aid them as best as I can wherever it may lead. In service to your words and the Immortal Emperor."
<Vigilant_GM> "And, one other thing. Do not allow Confessor Graves to discover their true mission."
<Baird> "Bend the eyes and ears of your flock father. We will begin to search for the heretics as well." Baird cocks an eyebrow. "Who is this Confessor Graves, does he need to be rooted out as well, perhaps a co-conspirator?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Nay, not corrupted. A younger man, with the passions of younger men. A firebrand of skill, and a fervent incriminator of blasphemies and heresies real of perceived."
<Vigilant_GM> or*
<Baird> "Ah, so just not a soul for subtlety. I understand father. Sister Thesse, grab your gear, we have work to do."
<Vigilant_GM> "Go with the Emperor, my children," the preacher solemnly intones making the sign of the Aquila.
* Thesse puts on her armor and grabs her backpack.
* Baird makes the sign for the Aquila and heads towards the door. "Thank you again father."
<Vigilant_GM> Massive shutters abruptly slide into place across every viewport to the ship's exterior.
<Vigilant_GM> The background noise of the vessel's plasma engines, a sound that cuts across the decks, abruptly ceases.
<Vigilant_GM> A moment later, a prickling sensation causes the hairs on your neck and arms to raise - the Gellar Field is activating.
<Vigilant_GM> With a gut-wrenching shuddering, the vessel seems to tilt without moving, stretching in impossible ways before sharp warning klaxons blare on every deck.
<Vigilant_GM> The Oath Unspoken leaves reality behind and enters the Warp for the world of Thaur, the Acolytes now truly on their own.