Evervigilant 71

<Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilant_GM> Though the physical banishment of the aparition subsides, all is not well...
<Vigilant_GM> In flashes of time spanning no more than a second, the chamber's guardians appear to  return to operation, only to experienc their destructions again.
<Vigilant_GM> These, what must be tricks of the mind, extend even to the actions of the Throne Agents, at times seemingly revisiting thoughts experienced mere moments ago, or seeing -again- for the first time one or another feature of the chamber.
<Vigilant_GM> It is here that in an impossible, ethereal form, you catch the broken glimpses of the Seer's past.
<Vigilant_GM> Unholy communion between the Seer and the powerful, now banished, presence in the chamber, are regular. You are able to catch windows of thoughts, intent, planning.
<Vigilant_GM> You observe as, through the Seer, the Tzeenchian warp creature's influence spread across the wastes. The nomadic tribes, the outcast wanderers, all united under the usurped ideology of the Ecclesiarchy's opposition to the decadence of the nobility.
<Vigilant_GM> Tampering with other sites accessible through the canyon system, warding mechanisms were sabotaged, allowing for the psychic communion to extend far beyond. Years of coordination, of avoiding the nobility's purges, of looting the war scarred wastes after the myriad battles fought in an obscene sport-like way. The shattered visions culminate in a present that yet exists in the past;
<Vigilant_GM> the purging of the tzeenchian form the epicenter of a call to action; a screech across an unreal dimension that is answered by an equally powerful call from within the apex of Juno's spires.
<Vigilant_GM> As the temporal abnormalities finally subside, you feel somehow aged.
* Karpath looks at his Chrono
<Velam> "In the Emperor's name." Velam groans as he holds his head.
* Davos also looks at his chrono.
* Baird glances down at his chrono before turning and looking towards the door that sealed in the group.
<Baird> "Seems none of our chronos are matching up, in some cases the differences are drastic...I am concerned this place is warping reality or our perception it."
<Baird> "The exact passage of time isn't immediately necessary to determine. For nwo let's focus on getting out of here. Reclaimator, Tabarius, see to the door."
* Almarax checks the console.
* Velam follows Rax to the console, to see what must be done to get themselves out of here. Everyone will note Velam is moving slower than usual.
<Velam> Racking his mind, and going through the picts in his spectacles Velam recalls out to open the doors. He guides Rax's hands on how to do it.
* Almarax accessed his own pict recordings but the camera was facing the wrong way at the time.
<Vigilant_GM> He decides, nonetheless, to keep the accidental upskirt on Sister Thesse. The pervert...
* Almarax does so.
<Vigilant_GM> The mechanisms groan, lifting the heavy blastdoors into their slots to create the opening from whence you entered.
<Vigilant_GM> A warm stream of air rushes into the chamber, dry, and coarse with dust and sand.
<Velam> "Back to the beginning then?" Velam turns and bends over to rest his hands on his knees. His breathing becomes heavy and labored. "I think I need a nap."
* Baird steps past the blast doors and into the dry dusty air and rechecks his chrono.
<Vigilant_GM> It marks the same way as inside the chamber.
* Karpath gets up from siting on the floor, struggling to stand.
* Baird swears a colorful oath under his breath and steps back through. "No change to the chrono outside the room. Do a search for anything useful that can aid us in our investigation before we head topside."
<Almarax> +There are more tunnels, were the flagellants came from, but they are all collapsed+
* Karpath takes off his backpack and pulls out his Diagnostor, he calls over Davos.
<Almarax> +We'd need heavier equipment to get into any of them+
* Davos walks on over and says inquisitively, "Yes?"
<Baird> "What of the console?"
<Karpath> "I need you to hold onto this for now, that fight took a lot out of me so I need to lighten my load." he hands over the Diagnostor to Davos.
* Davos takes the Diagnostor and replies, "Okay".
* Karpath puts on his backpack again, felling light enough to not be weighed down at the moment.
<Vigilant_GM> The Throne Agents spend time exploring the data available through the console, discussing the possibilities of the system before them.
<Velam> Going off of what limited info Velam has....well. "The possibility, my word. It could go beyond the planet in it's range and power."
<Vigilant_GM> A roll of thunder rumbles on the surface above, reverberating through the chamber.
<Vigilant_GM> An irregular pattern takes form, then, with concussive blasts joining in.
<Almarax> +I believe... our findings will be best complied into a report I suspect we should leave as our enemies are likely well aware of what has occurred here.+
<Almarax> +This feeds to... something... in the spire.+
<Velam> "I just hope it's nothing worse. Lord Guljian? Shall we?"
<Vigilant_GM> The ascent back to the entry hall is characterized both by its noise from without, and an eerie silence from within.
<Baird> +Double time. Back to the top!+
<Vigilant_GM> The hall above is devoid of life. Neither the Seer and his followers, nor the Maccabians are anywhere to be seen.
<Vigilant_GM> What is certain, however, is that combat rages above the canyon walls with flashes of light breaking up the darkness of night.
<Baird> ++Colonel Gelt, status report.++
<Velam> "Most perturbatory...and not the good kind."
<Vigilant_GM> ++Emperor above... is this General Guljian?++
<Baird> ++That is correct. Identify yourself. Where is Colonel Gelt?++
<Vigilant_GM> ++This is Major Berkowicz. Colonel Gelt was lost in battle. We are holding as ordered, though our position is untenable.++
<Baird> ++Understood, arrange an airlift for my team and begin strategic withdraw. We must return to the plateau and regroup.++
<Vigilant_GM> Outisde the entrance to the hall you spot several lines trailing up the face of the canyon wall, climbing equipment left behind on hooks driven into the canyon-side's cracks and grooves.
<Vigilant_GM> ++General, we do not have the assets to fulfill your orders. Climb to us before the beasts learn of your escape. They have been prowling fiercely ever since you were lost. The last several days have been especially worrying.++
<Baird> ++We are on our way to you, do you have an exfil strategy once we arrive?++ While waiting for a response Baird clicks his microbead and changes to the group channel. +Make for the climbing equipment, we climb towards the Maccabians. Zim, I know this isn't your area of expertise but can you use your....gifts to contact anyone on the plateua?+
<Almarax> "That answers some of our earlier queries...."
<Davos> "No"
* Baird swears under his breath. +Understood.+
<Davos> +My apologies.+
<Vigilant_GM> ++All elements are spread thin, General. I can only guarantee your safety for as long as you are in the central bunker.++
<Baird> ++Understood, we will devise a plan once we reach your location. You've done well holding Colonel Berkowicz. The Emperor protects.++
<Vigilant_GM> ++Brevet promotion acknowledged, General. Liaison team will see you to the bunker once you have reached the surface.++
<Vigilant_GM> Once you arrive to the top, the span of time dawns upon you as miles of earthworks surround the access to the hall below.
<Vigilant_GM> "I know you'd return," a full-helm figure says with a familiar voice.
<Vigilant_GM> Relieving herself of the head protection, Nils nods over the rest of your escort.
<Davos> "How much time has passed?"
* Baird breaks into a slight grin. "It's good to see you Kaytian." His eyes glance past her surveying the earthworks. "I have to ask, how long have we been gone?"
<Vigilant_GM> She pauses, looking at you with a sincere curiosity.
* Velam dusts off his robes as he finishes climbing up, sweat making his hair stick to his forehead and face. "Going to need a long bath after all this, eh?" His servoskulls almost nod to him in agreement as he follows Baird.
<Vigilant_GM> "I see," she blinks, processing your question. "That's to say, you have been gone for three Junian months, Interrgotator."
<Davos> "Oh emperor...."
<Velam> "Hmmmm most perturbatory."
<Sister_Thesse> "That's...impossible."
<Davos> "I'm impressed you managed to hold out."
<Almarax> "Adjusting system time."
<Davos> "The warp presents many surprises sister."
<Vigilant_GM> "This isn't my doing. The Janissaries have done remarkable work, considering..." she pauses again.
* Baird takes a deep steadying breath. "Given what we've faced it isn't impossible Sister. I need a full report on everything that has transpired in our absence on the way to the main bunker Kaytian. I need to formulate a plan."
<Vigilant_GM> "You don't know about the siege. Right. Please follow me to safety before I explain it all."
<Baird> "Time is certainly not on our side at this point."
<Almarax> "I feel my technical expertise will be more useful out here while you formulate a plan of action."
<Davos> "Should we begin drafting a plan to retreat and regroup tactically?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Yes," Nils jumps on Almarax's suggestion. "They have an inoperable Anti-Air battery on the Western side of the earthworks. If they come in for another strafe, the Janissaries will have to give more ground without the weapon."
<Baird> "Assist if you wish, but be ready to drop what your doing suddenly."
<Almarax> "On the way."
* Almarax jogs off in the direction indicated.
<Velam> "I'll follow along with you as well then. Is our own transport still around?" Velam asks Nils as they follow her.
* Almarax finds the "anti-aircraft battery" in a sorry state, not lacking in firepower but in an elegant method to aim and fire the weapons at a high elevation.
<Almarax> He is able to rig together a rudimentary firing solution using the remains of a chimeria's turret offering basic protection to the crew operating the improvised weapon.
<Vigilant_GM> Along the way to the command bunker, through the earthworks and firing positions, Nils explains that a drastic shift in the nobility's behavior prompted Orsen and the rest of Cordius-Alpha to take initiative in furthering their investigations into the hive. Inexplicable alliances struck between historical enemies among the families, and tension broke into all-out conflict when they
<Vigilant_GM> removed the Ecclesiarchy from the Hive. She explains that Blackhall was on many occasions invited to join "society dinners" and when these were refused on the advice of Cordius-Alpha, Blackhall was besieged. Though it still holds, movement between it and your location has been near impossible. The faithful have armed and a full-scale war has exploded between them and the nobility.
<Vigilant_GM> "The details were compiled for your eyes only, but Orsen did leave the data with me. I will have this made available to you shortly."
* Baird nods. "I'll need to review that as soon as possible."
<Vigilant_GM> "General," Berkowicz snaps a salute as soon as he sees you.
<Vigilant_GM> "The situation is complex, and highly mobile. Please, have a seat."
<Baird> "Colonel." Baird returns the salute and then nods, taking a seat.