[19:37] <James> The Pathfinder rests in the void suspended between the twin stars of this unnamed system far beyond the known borders of the Imperium of man and stares in silence at the massive scythe-like vessel before you. You have been taught your entire life to suffer not the xenos, to distrust or even to hate the Alien but a career of balancing on that fine line between loyalty and heresy makes for
[19:37] <James> some moral ambiguity. Still, aliens you have had dealings with have been approachable, relatable in their own way. The Eldar being manipulative, the Tau industrious but pervasive, the Orks violent and aggressive. Yet, these are all traits that can be found in humans. As the expedition is locked down within the hangers and bays of your massive vessel, and the senior staff are shuttled
[19:37] <James> through the starship towards the bridge where Kurt rests recieving reports from Roland and Bharatine, there is more than a nagging jab in the back of your mind about dealing with something so alien, so distant from the emperors light or the dominion of mankind, something that you fear and may have no common ground whatsoever with your own species...
[19:43] * Kurt_Amsell 's brows is furrowed as he reads reports and views cam-feeds from the boarding parties, alternating between poring over the encounters and flicking comm-messages back and forth on a private channel with Bharatine.
[19:47] <Kurt_Amsell> "All command elements, report in. I want a status update."
[19:47] <Bharatine> Bharatine straightens up from her brief, hushed conference with Amsell and walks towards the main bridge. She commandeers the primary communications output and clears her throat.
[19:48] <Bharatine> "All boarding party crew members, please note. I have tentatively identified the creatures encountered. Very little is known of them, but they should be considered highly dangerous, perhaps even... tainted. If you feel strange, hear voices, or begin thinking unusual thoughts, report in immediately."
[19:49] <Bharatine> "That is all." Bharatine licks her lips nervously after ending the report.
[19:54] <@Dominicus> (To Kurt) \\Regnar and I are attempting to contact them now. We shall keep you appriased, Captain.\\
[19:54] * Miles (Connor@14B158F4.C013D8D1.C11262D2.IP) has joined #pathfinderrp
[19:55] <Kurt_Amsell> Kurt... well, he tries to think loudly. Be very, very careful, DeMarco. Whatever these things are, they were declared Xenos Anathema by the Imperium.
[19:57] * Kurt_Amsell clears his throat. "All other command staff members. Still waiting on that status report."
[19:58] <Jath> "I lost at least 33 men, whether they were killed or droped thier radios and got lost I cant say for cirtain though. I also brought back a.. I'll let the ones with the skinny arms determine that but it is probably a thing."
[20:01] <Kurt_Amsell> "Alright. You and Croctua do your best to locate the missing men and retrieve them. In the meantime, our psykers are trying to garner a further understanding of these... beings. Any other ideas?"
[20:01] <Bharatine> "A sample of the creature would be highly appreciated!"
[20:02] <Roland_> "After Regnar instructed us to cease hostile actions we received a communication from the ship" Roland displays the words ‘We will open diplomatic routes to discuss this situation’ on the central screen
[20:08] <Kurt_Amsell> "Alright. Roland, try and get one of the cam-feeds to get footage of these things so Bharatine can dissect that, but let's not try to produce any cadavers to dissect just yet. Jath, what's that 'thing' you mentioned?"
[20:09] <Jath> "I dont know, have Bhara look at it."
[20:14] <Roland_> Roland motions for his skull probe to follow Bharatine "that recorded Jath’s contact it could be your next best option to actually being there"
[20:19] <Bharatine> "Excellent, thankyou Roland."
[20:33] * @Dominicus having landed safely with Regnar shortly after messaging Kurt, retires with Regnar directly to the enclave, all but colapsing into his chair. "Captain" he voxes, "We made no psychic connection with them, though I understand they have voxxed you. Beware, the warp aura they give off has neither changed nor diminished. I know not what it means, but it still makes my bones rattle and
[20:33] * @Dominicus my teeth chatter."
[20:38] <Kurt_Amsell> "Very well. See to your recovery, and keep an eye on Regnar to make sure he doesn't try to exert himself. You did well. If you brought the item Jath retrieved, have it sent to Bharatine to examine more closely."
[20:39] <Kurt_Amsell> "In the meantime, we wait to see what 'diplomatic avenues' these creatures decide to open up."
[21:03] <James> There is a flicker of light on the bridge, a cold blue hue that shudders like static and appears as lines suspended in the air. Slowly, they increase and begin to take form until a form, semi-transparent stends in the center of the bridge. It doesn't take a lengthy time of researching the vox-vids or the images transmitted to the bridge of the item Jath dragged aboard the ship. It's one
[21:03] <James> of the xenos.
[21:06] <Kurt_Amsell> Kurt tentatively stands up, before deciding to see if the strange projection can hear him. "Greetings. I am Rogue Trader Amsell of the Imperial Merchant House Amsell." He waits for a response, tense.
[21:07] <James> There's a whine in your ears, that grows in pitch and sharpness before cutting off abruptly and leaving your ears ringing.
[21:09] <Jath> "Well that was fun."
[21:09] * Jath sticks his finger in his ear.
[21:10] <James> It sounds like a whisper, of someone standing directly behind you just too quiet for you to hear before you can focus on the voice now echoeing in your own mind. The borders of the Imperium of Man are not recognised here. This is distant from your place of birth.
[21:13] <Kurt_Amsell> Kurt manages not to flinch at the eerie sussurating voice, remaining impassive. "We are explorers. We seek trade, wealth and glory across the stars, above and apart from the Imperial Machine."
[21:22] <James> The Imperial Machine aims at the destruction of non-humans, eradication of culture and belief, not own it and abhor the curiosity and reason. If you misleading us, we can take it.
[21:24] * Regnar (Jonah@B2876.98A979A5.6632FF79.IP) has joined #pathfinderrp
[21:29] <Kurt_Amsell> Kurt measures his words carefully, trying to piece together the meaning of his counterpart. "We do not speak falsely. We did not detect signs of life on your vessel, and believed it was abandoned. We did not mean to cause the death of one of your own... but what of our crew members that remain on board your ship? Are they alive?"
[21:36] * Lycanthropica (Lycanthrop@sux-9AE237BB.dyn.iinet.net.au) has joined #pathfinderrp
[21:36] <James> -was no victim, all sapiens collected during incursion and past must be returned to the suite samples. We still need to check your threat to the stability of our domination.
[21:38] <Jath> "What the bloody hell does that mean?"
[21:39] <Bharatine> Bharatine clears her throat, "I, ah... believe they may be holding our troops in their labs. Along with earlier abductees."
[21:40] * Croctua (chatzilla@sux-B7BC910.kelvn3.qld.optusnet.com.au) Quit (Quit: ChatZilla 0.9.88 [Firefox 15.0/20120824154833])
[21:40] * Jath snarls, "Is there anything we can do about that?"
[21:40] <Kurt_Amsell> "We mean you no harm, but if our men our still alive then we have a duty to try and retrieve them by any means necessary.
[21:40] <Kurt_Amsell> "
[21:43] <Kurt_Amsell> *men are, god I can't spell today.
[21:50] <James> Sapiens will be returned to you what is your purpose in this region, shortly, that seek you with TYI and Genedes?
[21:54] <Kurt_Amsell> Kurt murmurs to bharatine. "Remember those terms." He then faces the hologram. "You have our thanks for returning them... We were investigating the potential for trade or mining in this system. We thought your ship was abandoned, and investigated it. We have encountered another race in this region of space, but they either refused or could not communicate."
[21:59] <Roland_> Roland displays images and silhouettes of the three unknown race's ships
[22:02] <James> Clensaen, animals, scavengers, raiders, tests. Potential future civilization, stellar technology before cultural stability, unfit to eradication.
[22:04] <Kurt_Amsell> "We appreciate the intel." Kurt pauses. "So, now that civilities have been exchanged... does your ship have anything that we may be able to assist with? We hope to demonstrate our benign intentions."
[22:06] * Regnar (Jonah@B2876.98A979A5.6632FF79.IP) Quit (Quit: )
[22:16] <James> There is a lengthy pause, and the holographic image in it's clarity so far beyond what your own devices can manage even right in front of their projectors seems frozen in time. Eventually the whispers return, and a subtle shiver rides up your spine as the multitude of voices is renewed. Transport of sapiens TYI and Genedes to subspecies outposts may be provided. Exchange for damages
[22:16] <James> rendered to exterior of ship vessel and interface unit.
[22:40] * Miles1 (Connor@E51E1472.557B1B7A.C11262D2.IP) has joined #pathfinderrp
[22:41] * Miles (Connor@14B158F4.C013D8D1.C11262D2.IP) Quit (Ping timeout)
[22:42] * Jath nudges Bharatine and whispers "The hell are they saying?"
[22:45] <Bharatine> "They're going to ransom our men back to us."
[22:46] <Kurt_Amsell> "And what do you demand in exchange for this?"
[22:52] <James> Demands stated, conditions unagreeable?
[22:56] <Kurt_Amsell> "Translation error. I think I understand. We are to transport these sapients to their outposts for you...?"
[22:59] <James> Exchanged for damaged rendered to exterior of ship vessel and interface unit.
[23:03] <Kurt_Amsell> "We do not have a star chart of the area at the moment. If you can provide navigation information," Kurt smiles and gestures in what he hopes is an accomodating way, "we will transport your cargo wherever you wish it taken. We accept your conditions."
[23:08] <James> The lights clicker and then they are gone.
[23:09] <Kurt_Amsell> Kurt looks around the bridge. "So. That went... well, it went. Thoughts, men and women?"
[23:10] <Jath> "Um..."
[23:10] <Jath> "Did we win?"
[23:12] <Bharatine> "Interesting... They seem obtuse, but why would the Inquisition be so quick to anathemise them? They seemed at least courteous and somewhat reasonable..."
[23:12] <Roland_> Roland confers with an adept who has caught his attention for a moment discussions are held then he turns to Kurt and says "sir, 50 people were just teleported into our hanger."
[23:13] * Kurt_Amsell steps from the command dais and slowly walks past the banks of consoles, ticking things off on his fingers. "Pros: We survived contact with a Xenos species that the Imperium considers either incredibly dangerous or at the least, worth keeping incredibly secret. We've been returned our men. We even have our first real contract! Cons:" He pauses mid-stride, and turns quickly. "Fifty?" He looks at Jath, a look of realisation on his face."
[23:13] <Roland_> More chatter with adepts and he continues by saying "..and I think we just got out coordinates."
[23:19] <Kurt_Amsell> "Jath, you're with me. Bring a gun." Kurt hurries out the bridge door towards the hanger, grabbing his sword from where it rests in its scabbard against his chair on the way.
[23:19] * Jath checks his pistols as he follows.
[23:26] <James> You're through the halls to the closest transport and shortly rocketting through the ship towards the hanger. The place isn't exactly under lockdown by the time you arrive, but it appears someone under you in the chain of command decided to approve handing out laspistols to some of the mechanics and has them keeping a watch over the untouched bodies whilst the remainder of the crew in
[23:26] <James> the immediate area continue with their work. It's evident straight away from the suits that things are going the way you think they're going, your missing 33 crewmembers in environmental suits are all accounted for, including some more. There's a division though, fully 9 of them are in haphazard and cobbled together pieces, some of the suits simply cutting off at arms or legs where alien
[23:26] <James> looking mechanic replacements of limbs are prominant. The final 8 are in idential clean white suits far slimmer than the others or those of imperial design, only minimal respiration and tools visible and the transparent half-dome they wear for a helm shows each groomed as well as Kurt himself, easily better than any simple spacefarer you've ever seen.
[23:31] * Lycanthropica (Lycanthrop@sux-9AE237BB.dyn.iinet.net.au) Quit (Quit: )
[23:33] * Kurt_Amsell stalks out, the nearby mechanics parting as he approaches the motley group with a grim look on his face and one hand on his hilt. The next thing he says is surprisingly loud and clear for a short man. "ATTENTION!"
[23:33] * Jath starts kicking his men to their feet.
[23:36] <Kurt_Amsell> Kurt watches the groups for their reaction, waiting until they're assembled before speaking.
[23:38] <James> A twitch seems to ripple through the group as many snap instantly out of sleep. There seems to be a moment of panic, more from your own men then from the strangers, before the humans start to rise to their feet. The non-imperials instantly note each other and move into their own groups, surprisingly more wary of each others group than of your own man shuffling amongst them.
[23:39] <Kurt_Amsell> "I am the Captain of this vessel. These," He motions towards the majority that Jath is browbeating, "Are my crew that I aimed to retrieve. However, the remaining two parties here are unknown to us. State your names, origins and purposes." He eyes the groups sternly, waiting to see which of the two groups responds first.
[23:44] * Jath quickly has his men pick up their equipment and makes sure none of the others have picked up anything.
[23:51] <James> Neither group approaches you first, but both react very quickly. The dirtier, mechanical humans gather together and seem to be speaking amongst themselves in hushed and hurried tones, before they begin peeling off their helmets. The cleaner ones, in comparrison, barely speak a word with one another as they slowly begin undoing their straps to free their heads. The mechanicals are faster
[23:51] <James> however, and the first to get his helm off and step in front of his own group, points a cybernetic arm at the bald, white suited men where the hand splits down the middle and slides back along the forearm with a visible weapon barrel aimed at the other humans.
[23:56] * GMman (Virgil@sux-DDD6EEF2.eecz1.cht.bigpond.net.au) Quit (Quit: )
[23:57] <@Dominicus> \\You go Jath!\\ Novarre mentally communes to the aforementioned Jath.
[23:57] <Kurt_Amsell> "Does my Master-at-Arms have your attention?" Kurt enquires cooly in the ensuing silence.
[23:58] <Kurt_Amsell> "There is to be. No. Hostilities. On. My. Ship." Kurt smiles a thin smile, one that differs slightly from his usual attempt at a friendly expression. Maybe it's the thousand-yard-stare that's crept into his eyes. "Without my express consent."
Session Time: Mon Sep 03 00:00:00 2012
[00:01] <Kurt_Amsell> "As they say back at the barracks," He chuckles a little off-puttingly- you don't tihnk he's ever actually laughed before- "words before murds, gentlemen."
[00:03] <James> "Are we your prisoners then? Are you with these Genides then?" One of the mechanical humans asks, as the injured one moves back into the fold of his group.
[00:04] <Jath> "I think it best that they are untill we drop them where they are going.. sir."
[00:06] <Kurt_Amsell> Kurt's eyes flick to the white-clad group. "These would be the Genides then? Making you... TYI?" Kurt raises one eyeebrow slightly. "An acronym?"
[00:07] <James> "Tactical Yeoman Inhabitants, but you pronounce it Tai now, haven't gone by the full name since the seperation centuries back"
[00:11] * Jath gives Kurt a 'oh FFS this is not our problem' look. "I say we throw one lot in the brig on one side of the ship the other lot in a brig on the other then let em stay there till we drop em off."
[00:11] <Kurt_Amsell> Kurt sighs. "Smashing. It seems that we have some catching up to do while we ferry both parties to your destinations, gentlemen." He looks at the TYI member with the blasted arm. "Sorry about the mess. I like to keep things ordered aboard my vessel."
[00:14] <Kurt_Amsell> "Master Shipbreaker here will oversee your instalment in temporary lodgings on separate sides of the ship. Once your basic comforts are seen to and we have sorted out the next stage of operations, I will request the presence of a spokesperson from each of your groups. Until then, I implore you not to venture too far from your lodgings, as we will have guards posted." He turns to walk away and leave Jath to handle affairs, then pauses and turns again.
[00:14] <@Dominicus> "Captain," Novarre Voxxes from his enclave; "Eight of the new arrivals appear to be warp sensitive, and are in fact in commune with each other, even as I speak."
[00:16] <Kurt_Amsell> "Not to keep you confined, I should add- we've a deranged kroot assassin aboard, very dangerous, very unstable." He chuckles that creepy chuckle again. "Not the faintest idea where she's got to." He turns again, straightens his jacket and strides out, waving a hand over his shoulder. "Welcome to the Pathfinder."
[00:16] * Kurt_Amsell is now known as KurtAFK
[00:17] * Jath keeps his pistol out and uses it to start waving his men and the newcomers around.
[00:30] * Jath (jono@sux-9C5E41C.qld.bigpond.net.au) Quit (Quit: )
Session Close: Mon Sep 03 00:35:26 2012