Evervigilant 62

<Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilant_GM> The engines already fired up and idle, Mordecai at last arrives. This day, as the last several days, he and the Blackhall astropathic choir have been kept busy near every hour of every day. Mortem's stay at the Manse has revealed in some degree of proximity the amount of oversight required to maintain the seemingly inexhaustible web of contacts and resources with which his Throne
<Vigilant_GM> Cells are able to operate.
<Vigilant_GM> Apologies, Interrogator.
* Almarax is performing some of the final rites required for safe flight before taking his station inside the guncutter.
<Vigilant_GM> Palid as ever, Mordecai's fatigue is nonetheless physically manifested in the lack of color on his skin, and the drooping muscles on his face.
<Baird> You were doing your duty Mordecai. No apologies are necessary.
* Karpath checks over the Cutters systems.
<Karpath> "Great job on the repairs Alrax."
* Velam goes over the many notes he has about the cell, and their current mission. "Hmmmm hmmmm, hopefully not so dicey this time." He comments to himself as his servoskulls orbit around him in the gun-cutter.
* Sister_Thesse storaging and shifting thru her gear, trying to find what will work the best.
* Claire is sat down looking at the Locket Tony gave her, mostly quiet.
* Almarax once plugged in sends a brief binary signal for the hanger to be opened.
<Baird> +Take us out Julian.+
* Karpath waits for the hanger door to open up and then moves the cutter up and out the hanger doors.
* Davos prays to the emperor for success.
<Sister_Thesse> "Since we are gonna in disguise, I think I will need to well..." She points to her skull scar "This."
<Baird> "I'm sure someone can help you with your makeup Meryl."
<Vigilant_GM> In short time, the engines relieve the landing struts of the heft of the bulky craft, lifting you high above Blackhall in a tight clockwise pattern, until holding an East-bound direction into the wastes.
* Claire closes the locket and puts it away then looks to Thesse.
<Claire> "You need a bit of help then?"
<Karpath> +We are en route sir.+
<Sister_Thesse> "Thank you, Claire. I think I will have to hide the hair as well."
<Baird> +Understood Julian, keep me apprised.+
<Vigilant_GM> The heated air currents over the wastes threaten to roll the cutter if not for the corrections of its operator.
<Claire> "Alright then want me to do you pretty? to an event or what you want?"
* Sister_Thesse chuckles a bit and says "I think as natural as possible would be fine."
<Claire> "Alright then, we will see what I can do then"
* Velam keeps himself strapped in continuing to review operational notes.
* Claire pulls out her *Makeup kit" and gets to work
<Vigilant_GM> A particularly severe patch of turbulent air catches the cutter, aggressively shaking, and listing it to the port side as it begins to lose altitude.
* Karpath seeing the cutter starting the lose altitude and list to its side he gets to work. "Oh no you will not."
<Vigilant_GM> Applying differential thrust between the engines, and pulling hard on the control column to starboard, Karpath is able to correct the drastic atmospheric disturbance and bring the craft to a new heading, slowly descending as the predetermined landing zone is identified; a canyon of dry, red-orange dirt splitting wide along the side of a stony ridge of forming mountains.
<Karpath> +Sir, we are approaching the landing zone, should be there shortly.+
<Baird> +I read you Julian, keep an eye on those winds and make sure they don't smash us into the canyon.+
<Karpath> +Will do, this reminds me of the time I had to transport some cargo and had to fly through high winds. It was terrifying.+
<Vigilant_GM> As the cutter descends closer to the surface, the arid dust kicks up in a wide circle on the area below.
<Vigilant_GM> At last, on the viewports of either side of the craft, the horizon rises with the descent into the protection of the canyon.
<Vigilant_GM> Now in the shade of the tall walls of this geological formation, the cutter touches down, engines put to rest.
* Almarax begins running diagnostics to be sure the rough handling caused no issues.
<Velam> +Steady on, you have precious cargo down here.+ He voxes to Karpath and his rough flying.
<Karpath> +Don't worry, she will hold.+
<Baird> "Alright Meryl, Claire, let's get this started."
* Karpath sets the engines to idle +Good Luck you three, will keep the engines hot if you need help.+
<Velam> +Saint Cordius guide your footsteps comrades.+
<Sister_Thesse> "Hopefully, this goes smoothly."
<Baird> "The Emperor protects Sister."
<Velam> Once the guncutter is landed Velam unbuckles himself and stretches. "Ooooh, I think I'm due for another juvenat treatment, eh?" He asks the servoskulls. They bob as if agreeing. "Pah."
<Karpath> "Alrax, make sure to keep checking that auspex for anything."
<Almarax> +Nothing, the machine spirits sight is limited+
<Vigilant_GM> The auspex readings inside the cockpit flare up, revealing that the walls of the canyon are made up of dense metallic compounds. With the friction of the dust being blown through the geological gap, a strange electromagnetic phenomenon is created, rendering the Auspex virtually blind.
* Claire finishes her work and pulls up a small mirror and shows Thesse
<Claire> "So what do you think?"
<Vigilant_GM> Indeed, as Thesse, Claire, and Baird disembark there is a lingering static energy that can be felt in the air.
* Sister_Thesse takes a look into the mirror and says "Great work, Claire."
<Karpath> "Well that's going to be useful." +Letting you know we won't be able to really help with any early warning.+
* Sister_Thesse exits the guncutter.
* Baird flanks Thesse as she exits the vehicle.
<Sister_Thesse> "Hmm...do you know where we are going?"
<Claire> "I might have a good idea where."
* Claire takes point
* Sister_Thesse follows Claire.
<Vigilant_GM> Claire leads the trio down further into the canyon, following its natural flow.
<Claire> "Thank you for the Ceremony by the way."
<Claire> "Heh sorry, Figured to break the dead silence a bit."
* Baird shrugs. "He was one of us. It was the least he's owed for his service to the Emperor."
<Vigilant_GM> The descent creates a perpetual twilight, as the sun's rays never fully enter the gap. Combined with the howling winds that pass through from one end to the other, these is a constant chill in the air.
<Vigilant_GM> This combination of effects has the group encounter the flickering glow of flame against one of the canyon walls several kilometers away.
* Claire halts the party for a moment
<Claire> "Hold up, let me see who is up ahead"
* Claire pulls out the Catachan Special and uses the scope to have a look ahead
* Claire looks to scope that is clearly not cleaned more bothered about that
<Sister_Thesse> "I think I see a light coming from that path over there."
<Baird> "To the front then Sister. Lead us in."
* Claire quickly is cleaning the lens as she holsters it away after it is is done
* Sister_Thesse goes towards the path where the light is coming from and says "Most likely a torch or something."
<Claire> "I would, Tread carefully"
<Sister_Thesse> "Got it."
* Velam makes his way to the main deck where Almarax and Karpath are. +Have they made much progress?+
<Karpath> +Well we are mostly blind via Auspex currently because of the interference.+
<Vigilant_GM> The walls and grooves carry sound very effectively, and soon you can hear voices coming from the light source.
<Karpath> +We can use the vox to at least try and contact or listen in so if something happens we can move.+
<Almarax> +They will be no further than 10km from us currently.+
<Almarax> +I'll tune the guncutter's cockpit speaker into their comms.+
* Karpath walks over to Almarax, "I need you to tune into there frequency so we can at least try to listen in so we can know if they need help. Also key them to have there comms on at least if possible."
<Almarax> ++Almarax to landing team - suggestion to keep your comms open so we can hear if something goes awry++
* Claire Whispers to them
<Claire> "We are being watched, they see us and are hiding from us."
<Baird> "Call to them Meryl. They are kindred spirits. Servants of the Emperor."
<Vigilant_GM> A dropping figure lands with a thud a few meters away. The man carries a medium blade, with a curved cutting edge that gleams as it catches the sky's light.
* Karpath sits back and wait for the landing team to key back in.
* Baird drops his hand to his holster, waiting for any more sudden moves from the figure.
<Sister_Thesse> "We mean you no harm. We are simple offworlders seeking an audience with the Seer."
<Vigilant_GM> He reaches across his face with his off hand, undoing the cloth covering across the bottom half of his face. "No need, Sister," Keller says dropping the face covering. The death cultist sheathes his blade and takes a step forward.
<Vigilant_GM> "Interrogator," he greets with a nod. "Orsen is looking forward to speaking with you. Come, by the fire."
<Sister_Thesse> "A friendly face is always nice to see."
* Baird nods and pulls his hands from his sidearm. "Lead on Keller. The timetable has been moved up. We have no time to waste."
* Claire hovers over her sidearm for a moment then lowers it once it is revealed they are friendly
<Vigilant_GM> Without a word, he leads you up to the group ahead. Before arriving you realize that Cordius-Alpha is not alone. A group of outcasts, and a pack animal also share the comfort of the fire. Orsen takes a knee by the fire, conversing with an elderly man.
<Vigilant_GM> "They say we have little. In truth, the Seer tells us the truth. They are ones who drown in poverty, poverty of the soul," the old man asserts as Orsen nods understandingly.
* Baird follows Keller and approaches the fire with Thesse and Claire.
<Vigilant_GM> Suddenly, a man falls back against the wall of the canyon, firmly gripping his head. He grunts loudly in pain, causing alarm to everyone gathered.
<Vigilant_GM> Orsen gets on his feet and rushes to his side.
<Vigilant_GM> "It.. it's fine. I'm fine," Mikael says, unburdenning himself of all head wrappings.
<Vigilant_GM> Apologies, Interrogator. Minor misunderstanding.
<Baird> It is fine Mordecai. Your vigilance is welcomed.
<Vigilant_GM> "My brother is afflicted with these episodes, pay it no mind. The result of trauma sufferend in childhood," Orsen is quick to explain away to the other camp dwellers.
* Karpath sitting there for a bit with no response from the vox, then it comes back to him who is on the cutter with them. +Aelious, any updates from the team?+
<Vigilant_GM> In an instant, Mordecai is able to show in visions what just ocurred. Mikael, knowing not who was about to approach, attempted to infiltrate the minds of the three Throne Agents. An instant reaction from the Astropath to stop him delivered a more punishing response than was intended.
<Vigilant_GM> +They have established contact with Cordius-Alpha.+
<Karpath> +Good keep us updated if something goes wrong.+
<Vigilant_GM> Weary of the new arrivals, the locals keep their eyes fixed on Sister Thesse, Claire, and Baird.
* Claire weary keeps her eyes on the locals staying close to Thesse
<Sister_Thesse> "Greetings, we are weary travelers from distant stars, seeking an audience with the Seer."
<Vigilant_GM> The old man rises with help of a young woman.
<Vigilant_GM> "What is it you that brings you to find the Seeker?" he says, with a finger risen in front of him.
<Sister_Thesse> "We seek to learn the Truth."
<Vigilant_GM> He nods, lowering the risen hand to his side. "The truth, yes. Yes."
<Vigilant_GM> "Yet the Seeker is not among us," he adds with a shake of the head.
<Vigilant_GM> "We travel to him. We travel a challenging path, to be worthy of his wisdom."
* Sister_Thesse whispers to Baird and Claire "Should we travel with them or do you have other ideas?"
* Baird whispers back. "Offer them transportation. The Emperor provides after all." Baird cracks a smile underneath his helm.
* Claire whispers to them "They might refuse, if it is a great journey itself to find the wizard."
* Sister_Thesse turns to the old man and says "My companions and I are willing to offer you and your people assistance on your journey. We have transportation."
* Sister_Thesse whispers back to Claire "True, but at least we can offer as a nice gesture."
<Vigilant_GM> "Transportation?" the old man replies.
<Sister_Thesse> "Yes, sir. We have a ship."
<Vigilant_GM> "You blaspheme!" the younger woman by his side hisses, "Blaspheme!" the word is echoed another three times by others in the camp before being silenced by a gesture of the old man's hand.
<Vigilant_GM> "You corrupt yourselves with the material influences of those hive-bound souls who know no other way."
<Vigilant_GM> "Walk with us, towards the truth."
* Sister_Thesse looks at Baird "I guess we are walking Markus."
* Sister_Thesse giggles a bit.
<Baird> "We shall. Allow us to call forth our other comrades. They shall make the journey with us. There is a safety in numbers."
<Baird> Tell everyone to ready their equipment and meet us at the camp. Yourself and 'Julian' will remain aboard the Cutter for overwatch.
<Claire> "Many others seek the truth, so let us go onward and make ourselves worthy of the Seer's Wisdom."
<Vigilant_GM> Mordecai turns to the cutter's occupants. "Disembark, and join the Interrogator."
<Davos> "Understood."
<Karpath> "So all of us?"
<Vigilant_GM> Not you.  He sharply replies.
* Karpath sits there blinking for a moment. "Ok."
* Almarax unplugs himself and makes ready his equipment, the optical mechadendrite tracking - almost sadly - the locker with his thunder hammer.
<Velam> "Cordius' balls, I knew in my bones I was going to have to walk in this..." Velam disappears to change his clothing back to that of his old administratum robes and mesh-cloak combo.
* Claire looks to Baird and Whispers to him "Is it wise to bring the Cog boy among folks like these?"
* Almarax sensing a strange unrest in the air decides to bring his thunder hammer afterall, keeping it in its case.
* Davos get's ready to head out.
* Baird contemplates for a moment. "I think it's better to produce him now rather than later. Especially if the future situation is tense or hectic."
<Velam> "Everyone ready?"
<Davos> "Yup."
<Karpath> +Good luck you all.+
<Almarax> "Let us go."
<Davos> +Don't crash.+
<Velam> Velam leads the way, hoping the walk won't take too long to catch up to the Interrogator.
<Karpath> +You guys want my Multi Compass?+
<Sister_Thesse> "Think they will know where to find us?"
<Claire> "I am sure they will be fine."
* Davos grabs the multi compass
* Almarax snatches aggressively and without love.
<Sister_Thesse> "I hope so."
<Velam> +We have it, it seems, take care.+
* Karpath looks as Davos walk off with it. +Well a yes please would be nice.+
<Davos> +You offered.+
* Karpath rolls his eyes, +Well try to say in contact with us then.+
<Vigilant_GM> With Velam at the lead, multicompass in hand, all but Karpath and Mordecai reunite, ready to make the journey to the outcast Seer.