New Ambitions 7

<Expanse_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Expanse_GM> "So," Lady Ash says, with a quick nod towards the structure, "shall we?"
* Zog scratches his head.
<Cato_Artaega> "Sounds reasonable, of course as my guests you wouldn't mind surrendering your weapons."
<Expanse_GM> "You have your father's humor, Lord Artaega. Surely you have his pragmatism, too, to say nothing of the sorts of courtesies to peerage that are expected of people such as we." She says, then looks over Cato's shoulder.
<Expanse_GM> "Well armed brutes, but are they truly prepared for what we are to find inside?" she says with an expression of pity on her face.
* Cato_Artaega raises his hand to signal to the armsmen to take aim. "You do remember who needed rescued from some Orks yes? Also it is not a request I can concede upon I am afraid."
* Tyruss raises his pistols slightly at Cato's signal.
<Expanse_GM> She extends her hand back, easing her men whose instincts are to take aim. "It was no request, Lord Artaega. It is simple pragmatism. You know well that I have studied this phenomenon for far longer than you have known your bearings about the Expanse. You may put this to use, or you may continue on this belligerent path."
* Rey_Lasky brings his pistols up to bear.
* Tyruss takes a half step forward and whispers quietly to Cato. "She is fairly confident when she speaks thus Lord Artaega. She is quite sure she is more knowledgeable than any of us and confident it shall be of use inside the structure."
<Cato_Artaega> "I suppose the important question is how permanent of an arrangement are you looking for as your knowledge could certainly be valuable in the expanse." The hand remains in the air.
<Expanse_GM> "Truth be told, I was far more eager before being treated like another of those beasts," she says nodding to the greenskin corpses. "I had full operational discretion on Port Wander. Do you imagine such non-lethal fire would have been your welcome had I decided not to afford you the courtesies your station befits?"
<Rey_Lasky> "Captain, she seems to be truthfully insulted by the lack of unreturned courtesy."
<Galivan> The Master-At-Arms stands firm, arms behind his back, steely gaze locked with the opposing force, his armsman around him.
<Expanse_GM> "Yes. She does," Lady Ash underscores with a sharp tone.
* Cato_Artaega Scowls glancing at Rey, but lowers his arm. "Caution is simply another aspect of pragmatism."
<Cato_Artaega> "And weapons fire is hardly ever compared to courtesy, let us go."
* Rey_Lasky lowers both his pistols.
* Cato_Artaega turns towards the structure allowing his frustration to reach his expression momentarily.
<Expanse_GM> "A matter of degree, Lord Artaega," she replies, nodding her men to advance with her.
<Galivan> "Remain vigilant." He says to his troopers.
<Expanse_GM> "Sir," one of the junior officers replies with a nod.
<Valarian_Stukov> "Khekking Chevek's"
* Tyruss nods at the young scion's decision and holsters his weapons.
* Valarian_Stukov lowers his Assault Stubber following the Lord Captain
<Expanse_GM> "Before we step within," Lady Ash says coming up to Cato's side, "are any of your brutes warp-touched?"
* Cato_Artaega raises an eyebrow. "Shes hardly subtle..."
<Expanse_GM> She pauses for a moment, trying to read Cato's body language.
<Expanse_GM> "Truly you don't know the difference between them and psykers?"
<Expanse_GM> "Well, no matter. If there are any amongst your troop, and should you care for their comfort, perhaps it is best they remain outside."
* Zog chomps on a ration pack.
<Cato_Artaega> "Warp-touched is hardly a specific term, but I believe we shall be fine."
* Cenva_Benetek looks at Cato and softly says "I'm not a psyker nor a mutant... My lineage is pure."
<Expanse_GM> Lady Ash turns to Cenva, and nods. "I dare not doubt it, Madame."
<Expanse_GM> Awkward ceasefire agreed, the explorers and their new companions move across the dry, sandy, staticly-charged ground towards the crystaline structure. Lady Ash becomes engrossed, as though a scholar about to step into a mythical and ancient librarium.
* Valarian_Stukov checks his Augur Array to see if it is still operational
<Expanse_GM> Cato and Lady Ash begin to make their way up the ivory-white steps until the energy-charged gates are reached.
<Cato_Artaega> "This structure is unique from this empire and quite breath-taking compared to their other works. What do you know of it?"
<Expanse_GM> "Until recently, I knew all a person could save its location. I have you to thank for completing my knowledge."
<Expanse_GM> Centering herself in front of the gates, she adds, "Perhaps you should step back."
* Cato_Artaega nodding to the guards. "Gentlemen I do believe the lady needs some privacy, what are you expecting?"
<Expanse_GM> She produces an impossibly white strip of cloth, and wraps it around her forearm, where it stiffens into a vambrace of sorts. "The structure will reject our intrusion. I must numb it to our presence."
* Cato_Artaega takes a few steps back with her guards giving her space to work.
* Tyruss raises an eyebrow at the production of the cloth and begins mentally taking notes on the entire process.
<Valarian_Stukov> "Cenva do you feel anything?" [Rogue Cant]
<Expanse_GM> She cautiously raises her now-covered forearm, and takes a small step forward. When no reaction comes, she takes a second cautious step towards it.
* Galivan waves the armsman to fan out and set up a perimeter.
<Expanse_GM> Then, the crackling energy from the gate extends violently outward, striking Lady Ash.
<Expanse_GM> Yet, like a lightning rod, it is drawn to her protected limb. It lingers and swirls, until the gates themselves become still, energy withdrawn.
* Cenva_Benetek responses back to Valarian "Val, I can't speak Vostroyan. You know this."
<Cato_Artaega> "Fascinating...."
<Expanse_GM> She turns to Cato, then. Amazed by what has just happened.
<Zog> "Pretty..."
<Tyruss> "It truly is Lord Artaega."
<Expanse_GM> "Right. Be sure anyone entering remains tightly grouped. Once inside, it is easy to get lost. Forever," she says with a nod.
* Zog stays close to Tyruss.
<Cato_Artaega> "Galivan, have your men hold the entrance, I won't force anyone to accompany us who doesn't wish to."
* Cenva_Benetek stays near Valarian.
<Valarian_Stukov> "Captain."
<Tyruss> "I'll be accompanying you if you'll permit Lord Artaega."
<Galivan> "As you command, Lord-Captain."
<Valarian_Stukov> "My Arrays are no longer operational."
* Cato_Artaega approaches Ash, the enthusiasm beginning to catch.
<Expanse_GM> "Join us," Lady Ash affirms to Tyruss. "And be amazed."
<Cato_Artaega> "Of course of course, I would not deny anyone the opportunity to explore such a structure."
<Expanse_GM> With a step forward, the gates open invitingly. A blinding white light radiates from within; no floor, no ceiling, no surfaces of any kind are discernable.
<Expanse_GM> She cautiously steps forward, amazed at every step she is able to take within.
* Cato_Artaega lifts his visor to allow himself to see more naturally following closely.
* Galivan relays his orders to the men, before joining the party to explore inside. "An interesting wonder," he says in a mild tone while observing the light from within.
<Expanse_GM> Armsmen assemble outside, creating a defensive perimeter.
* Tyruss steps forward with Lady Ash and Lord Cato, beckoning for Zog to remain close.
<Expanse_GM> "Incredible..." you can hear Lady Ash say under her breath.
<Cato_Artaega> "... I don't know what I'm looking at..."
<Expanse_GM> "Step closer," she beckons.
* Rey_Lasky moves up with the group keeping close.
* Cato_Artaega attempts to move inline with Lady ash, to see what she is seeing.
* Zog follows closely.
<Expanse_GM> Suddenly, the sense-assaulting luminoscity, becomes a tranquil sea of light, though no surfaces are visible, it is clearly a construct... a construct of light and energy. It is a magnificent, and grand creation, seemingly alive with images spinning and dancing around your heads.
* Tyruss follows Cato closely and speaks idly as they catch up to Lady Ash. "I'd wager this is a pocket dimension of some variety, I've only read of such places of course, but to see one such place with my own eyes..."
<Tyruss> "This is a momentous moment Lord Artaega."
<Expanse_GM> "It's all... here," she turns to Cato. "This is all knowledge. Pure knowledge."
<Cato_Artaega> "I... shouldn't of had my doubts..."
<Valarian_Stukov> "Then explain to me Lady... what is your definition of True Knowledge?"
<Galivan> The arch-militant narrows his eyes as he looks around, impressed of the spectacle sure, but no really understanding the significance of what he's looking at.
* Tyruss stares and intently studies the spinning and dancing images.
* Valarian_Stukov keeps his focus on the guest
<Expanse_GM> "It is a mirror," she goes on, eager to share her knowledge. "It mirrors the space around it, and time itself."
<Expanse_GM> As you gaze into the mirror the images begin to merge and spin until you are engulfed by a sea of stars and planets. Worlds slip through your fingers and the icy void brushes your skin as you peer like a celestial god across the whole of Magoros. With a little effort, you realize you can move events forward and backward in time, watching the drying star slowly flare back to life and
<Expanse_GM> the worlse once more teem with activity.
<Cato_Artaega> "...this is exactly what we needed..."
<Expanse_GM> Finally you find what you are looking for: the arrival of the Righteous Path. Tumbling from a rent in the void, you mark its passage until it crashes into a cluster of asteroids out among the Shard Halo. Moving time back to the present, you can see it still; frozen and waiting beneath the ice.
<Tyruss> "The Righteous Path reveals itself Lord Cato."
* Cato_Artaega smiles "I know."