<Before briefing - Depths of Nightfall> @Colapse "Equal amidst Astartes?" Valu asked, in surprise and suspicion as he rose to his full size, being significantly smaller than the Astartes clad in power armor. "Forgive me to be so blunt, but. That sounds too good to be true. But I have learned one thing once under a talented captain. Actions speak louder than words. And considering that my life is in your hands, especially now that I'm no longer in a shape with which I can easily escape... I shall do as you say and see where it leads me. After all, I have nothing to lose anymore. And as long as the Imperium gets to suffer... That is all I need to know." Valu bowed and then stepped a bit closer. He could have sworn a shadow just tried to grab him and pull him in to devour him, like these corpses before. But this Phocron was here, which meant he knew how to navigate this labyrinth, how to survive down here. "But in order to your bidding... I... Well we... Need to get out of here." There was sincere fear in his voice, shuddering as a pair of red orbs stared at him. <Briefing> @Jorimel Valu by now had his paper bag replaced with a crappy flak helmet and ballistic mask and goggles. They were so scrapped, that one of the lenses of the goggles was completely removed. But at least it would offer some protection. Then again the cracks, at least from the inside, of the helmet suggested it's true condition and it might very well break on him. But hey! It looked better than a paper bag over his face. He stood right-behind Satharn, looking up at the Night Lord and awaiting his instructions. He heeded no attention to Phocron for the simple reason that he didn't want to imply a bond between another Astartes and the medics services - outside of his obvious tutelage received by Ukris of course.
Erelak listened to the briefing, whilst also looking around at the other members of the assembled group. It did appear that certain members were observing him, but he made no sign of noticing this. The team, made of astartes, humans and even beastmen, was an interesting composition to say the least. Once the options for the mission were given, Erelak spoke. "My own preference would be to join the fight to the command deck. My jump pack would not be suited for the tight lower levels of a mining facility, and I am very eager to spill blood!" After stating his preferred team, he glanced once more to those who appeared to be looking at him, before turning his attention back to the briefing. He ran his hand across the side of his chainsword too. Getting the chance to kill was pleasing, especially when there are imperial lapdogs concerned.
The Scourged Astartes stood with arms crossed during the briefing, the details of the mission being absorbed with thoughtful silence. After their meeting with the Night Haunter, he had disappeared into the ship to locate his own room. Somewhere that only the creaks of the ancient vessel and the power that fueled it could disturb him. His armor had been seen to at some point during the transition, cracks and seals patched up and made airtight once more, the insane carvings and twisted warp speak etched into his ceramite settling down as their vessel was once again made whole. "I shall join Ausarius on extracting the Admiral. It should prove interesting to see why such a high ranking Imperial officer joined the Black Crusade's cause." His helmet inched in the direction of his human charges, who he hadn't seen nor spoken to since their encounter with Curze. Attelus still considered them his responsibility in all of this, until they were set to survive in the ancient husk of the Nightfall.
Following her encounter with the Blood Sister, Xaviera had been able to locate quarters for herself and made herself decent again --- cleaned herself up and patched tears in her clothing. She had not found Attelus again since the meeting with the Night Haunter, but a rush of relief flooded through her when she entered the briefing chamber. She filed in and fell silent, listening in on their new hosts' briefing with a certain resignation about her. Once it came to the matter of separating into teams, she looked to Attelus at his statement. "It should, my lord," she agreed demurely, then stepped forth and addressed the Thousandth Son. "And I believe I should come with your party, my lord sorcerer. These people have suffered rejection from their Gods and their faiths in the Long War may have faltered, but I might be able to guide them back. Such is my talent."
Satharn bowed and his fist crashed against his armour in salute. Throughout his gene-father's speech his hearts had beat faster, at first with the surge of adrenaline caused by the life-risk he was taking. Then, as the Night Haunter spoke, he felt an unfamiliar surge of pride and - and the faint ghost of hope. His Lord had not forgotten him. He was not lost, not sunk entirely into despair. He still had a plan for his sons and he still knew the way to righteousness. To justice. To honour. He stood straight, and for a moment he was too full of churning emotions to speak. Then he found his voice. "I will not let you down, Sire. For its penance, we will make the Imperium bleed. We will be the scourge that cleanses, the punishment that brings the guilty to justice." Satharn bowed his head, once, as much in salute as deference to rank. "Ave Dominus Nox!" He turned on his heel and left the chamber, his hearts singing. The Night Haunter had dismissed him not in sad want of remembrance this time, but with instructions and he had work to do. He must be ready to serve. What use the Night Lords if they could not follow wherever their liege wished? He would seek out Viator and let the preening Astartes give him the mission briefing. His Lord had his own business to attend to. He closed the door lightly, replacing his helm and hiding his most uncharacteristic expression: a smile. Arriving at Viator's gathering, Satharn listened impassively, for once keeping his acid tongue to himself. If the fallen Astartes had his own way of doing things with pomp and flash, tonight Legionary Tem, Fifth Company, Fourth Claw, did not care. He was to serve his beloved Primarch once again. To anyone skilled in reading body language, the Night Lord looked more at ease and less weary than before. He might even, to the very perceptive, seem a little upbeat. He nodded as the Slaaneshi gave out the two missions. "I'll take the low road," he said, his soft voice tinted with humour this time that didn't involve anything sharp or deadly. "After all, stealthy work in confined spaces is what my Legion does well." He turned to Valu. "So, are you coming with me, then, little medic?" It didn't seem to be a comment on his height. In fact, it almost sounded like an affectionate diminutive. Almost; Satharn was still a Night Lord. But it was more friendly than not.
@Jorimel "If such is your wish and offers me a chance at redeeming my life debt, then gladly so. I yet have to prove to you my talents as a medic, although this might be a moment to do so, milord." He inclined his head in a slight bow, loading his last rifle through, making sure it was ready to give hell to the imperials. Valu was not going to admit that he understood only too well the terrors a night lord could bring. Neither was he going to bring up his allegiance to Phoroc, nor the fact that he had experience in stealth missions from serving the Comorrites. Instead he would utilize each of these things to hopefully impress Satharn and redeem his debt.
@Kalle The Prosperan glanced down towards the human after being spoken too, staring upon Xaviera for a moment. The teal eyeslits almost felt like they were judging the cultist, thinking on her words and intentions. It wasn't long that he finally did speak up, his voice remaining quite calm. "Perhaps; but keep that for afterwards. It may be best to avoid trying to convert them simultaneously, until we see that she's mentally accepting enough of your teachings; once she agrees to join us, however, we shall see." Ausarius soon straightened his back and gave a nod. "I may also need your skill in hitting things; I doubt that we'll be allowed to simply walk in and do as we please."
@Vlayden Feeling the Prosperan's gaze on her, the psyker's darkly purple eyes met the teal slits and held his gaze, even though there were no eyes to truly meet. Her fair face was unmarred by deception --- whatever she was saying, she exuded confidence and faith. "Of course not, my lord," she answered quickly. "But this admiral and her men may be more inclined to trust one of their own, rather than yourself or one of your exalted brethren. To be called upon to serve can be... intimidating, before one sees one's purpose."
"Just," Ausarius quickly replied, "as they may be more inclined to believe words of deeds and reputation, rather than ones of faith. Convert them after we have secured their loyalty and trust. I'd rather bring her whole, rather than in chains or amputated." "...If the matter at hand is faith of course, we may see that either you have no need to convert, or we shall gain a follower for your Gods like no other."
<Couple of hours later; Asteroid prison - upper part> @WanderingJester @DeranVendar @Taec @Grall_Stonefist @High_Adept_Zeth "So I'm telling you man, you gotta come with me and Lee to the "World's End" tonight after our shift. Everyone will be there, even Jane and her friends, and know what that means?" "You know I don't like that bar, right? First of all, we need an hour to get to it from up here and they allow all those miners in. I really can't stand it, Jane and her friends or not." "Yeah but where do you think we'll get that sweet stuff they sell down there? You know nothing can get in as long as our good ol' Judge has his way. Fucking idiot, he's on Spider's payroll and still acts all high and mighty." "Maybe he's just enjoying getting payed from both sides. Anyway...hey, what's that?" "It's nothing, the entire network is acting strange for the past hour, Either it's not working at all or there's some crazy echo in the background, though I gotta say I haven't heard it myself. Most likely cog boys are slacking, as usual, they most likely intentionally broke it so they get all those pays the boss owes em..." "Shut up man, I'm not talking about com channels. Look...there! It's too small to be a meteorite and it's moving too fast. Damn, I think...I think it's heading straight for us! Call the Arbites man, raise the alarm!" "But how when the coms are not working?!" "Oh...shit." Explosion engulfed the hangar as Phocron opened fire with the Stormbird's missile pods, blowing up the doors and landing right in the middle of it. Since the attack came completely out of the blue, various workers that were refitting space crafts made for mining the distant asteroid rocks were incinerated or blown out into outer space before the generator formed the void shield and pressure was normalized. A small army of servitors was activated and went in to try and put down the fires while the security team that was stationed in the area responded to the explosion as well, ten strong squad of human soldiers reinforced by a number of combat servitors went in, the normal staff you would use when trying to take out fugitives or deal with a party of unwelcome guests or even those guests who came, dropped off the "convicts" but didn't want to pay for prison's services. Of course, if they knew what they were dealing with they might've brought more troops from the barracks, but as it turned out they were hardly prepared for what stepped out of the ancient attack craft. They were dumbstruck for a moment as the creature they saw walking down the assault ramp was pretty much the most beautiful thing they ever saw in their life. Long platinum blond hair, perfect face, kingly posture, armor so bright that it was almost like a vest of gleaming gold. Perfection incarnate. "Aw, how nice, they brought us a welcoming party," Viator strolled out of the Stormbird, his weapons not even drawn as he watched the guards entering the room and the effect he had on them. The spell wouldn't last forever though, but he didn't seem to care at all. "Alright, go forth and deal with these upstarts, show me if I was right to save your miserable lives. I'm going to find us some kind of a map, or even a guide," he told the rest of the group and headed off towards a nearby control room overwatching the hangar were two humans were looking down with their mouths open. As he made his exit so did the guards started shouting and they began opening fire on the group leaving the transport, whatever influence the Scion of Slaanesh had on their minds was now lost. Welcoming party: Human guards: 10 (las-weapons), Combat servitors: 4(HB)/4(HB)/4(CHS+CHS)/4(CHS+CHS) Corbulus:12 Orghast;12 Erelak:12 Sobek:9 Gorzkha:9 Conditions: <Asteroid prison - lower part> @Jorimel @Uriel1339 @Skarboy @Kalle @Vlayden @Vulpas While the group attacking the central base of operations of this asteroid prison entered the enemy's location without too much subtlety, the group heading for the main objective used the "back door". Caestus assault ram was in general quite a dangerous vessel, since it could soak lots of damage and was quite maneuverable, not to mention it was bristling with guns, so if they were attacked they had a great chance of surviving it. As it turned out, once Warpsmith Bo'kar unleashed the "Nightfall's" mechanical "scream" and shut down prison's communications, no attack crafts flew out to intercept them, no AA guns opened fire. The trip through the void was quite dull but perhaps it was for the best for it allowed them to find the point of entry without a problem and once the ram hooked in with the side of the asteroid, Nero who now acted as their driver and gunner, activated magna-melta and blasted their way into the asteroid's interior. Ramp dropped and they were in. From the information they had on the base's interior they planned their attack in advance, however while lots of it could be told about the Admiral they were going to capture and the general position of the defending stations, not much was said on the actual layout of the tunnels - Phocron, their local Alpha Legionary infiltrator simply stating that due to the mining operations pretty much being done non-stop, the mapping of such place was almost impossible, so they would have to use their own skills to get out and find the prison sector holding madam Augustine. But before that happened they had to deal with the local fauna. "I think I read movement," Nero couple of seconds later after he dropped the hatch, the tunnel they ended up in was completely unlit and it looked thoroughly abandoned at first. Ausarius was the first one to sense something was wrong, Xaviera being close second as both psykers felt the foreboding, their instincts telling them they better move. Everyone else saw it as well as a tide of fur and blood came at them from the darkness. Rats, or if you could even call them these things like that, the size of a large dog and huge sharp teeth appeared in the tunnel and charged the group, they must've had a bad luck and hit a nest, or Nero was simply a lousy pilot. Most of these things went on foot (and on four legs) but they were couple of them scaling the ceiling, with an additional set of arms that ended in bony blades they looked like a mix of these rats and some ugly spider-like creature, What was also problematic is that he couldn't really use the weapons aboard the ram due to the close confines of the tunnel, the firefury missile launchers would probably come handy right about now as, past the charging rats they could see a shadow of something much bigger barely fitting in the tight tunnel, struggling to get closer. Minions of the Horned Rat: Giant Rats:40 (Horde) Rat Ogre:10 Spider-rats: 3/3/3/3/3 Ausarius:12 Satharn:12 Attelus:12 Valu:9 Xaviera:9 Fera:9 Conditions:
