"I must inform you that Jeeves here isn't exactly outdoor type. As great he is at polishing silverware, a trait running deep within his family tree, he can't handle all the dustiness and disorder of wilderness. Just seeing my mud-crusted boots after I return from hunting gives him paroxysm. He often says such unruly environment is no right place for high-born. If he could decide, I wouldn't be allowed even to pick up the newspaper from doorstep!" Baron Veldt chuckles while his butler just nods affirmatively. Redness on Veldts cheeks increases very slightly. "Lord Xander, are the porters arranged beforehand, or are we expected to hire them once we reach one of the local settlements?" He turns to the Rogue Trader. While he travels light-weighted, surely Xander doesn't expect him to actually carry his materials all by himself.
Xander glared at the noble. " You are here to work. This isn't a pleasure cruise. If you need porters you either bring your own or aquire them on your own. Landon you know what I want for resukts if any of them are lacking persuade them how you feel appropriate. "
"Right ho. Now then, I shall take my leave to prepare for the landing." Baron Veldt excuses himself and leaves the room, butler in his wake. That was bit rude, I say. Does he expect us to form a exploration expedition with just 8 people? We need porters, guides, serfs, guards, vehicles, material, food, life stock. Local knowledge of topography. Flora and fauna expert. Workforce to recover and secure the founding. Catalogs for the discoveries. Is he up for the task, I wonder. Amadeus enters his quarters and marches to the dressing screen. He begins to undress his jacket behind it while speaking to his butler. "I'm thinking about choosing the jungle suit this time. It is versatile and convenient at the sea too. Have they scanned the atmosphere yet? I hope it is not too humid. Constant moistness is repulsive, not to mention how it causes even smallest cuts to fester. Ah, pack the insecticides! And mosquito nets. Who knows what diseases those buggers carry. Hmm, I need at least dozen Ratings, even if natives are willing to help. Contact Warrant Officer about the matter, will you? Oh, and wake up that little rascal, I will need help putting on the hunting rig."
With Xandar explaining that their job was to basically go and nab the world's technology, Theta-Xi hummed with approval, it would surely be a useful task... Even if she was somewhat appalled that Rad-protocols were being authorized without even slightly realising that unleashing such horrors might cause the locals to destroy their technology in spite if they were smart enough to realise what the team was after. Still, there was the Magos's question to answer, and it was one that merited a much more discrete answer, so the Skitarius instead replied via the Noosphere: "Simply put, I am here at the behest of the Magos Juris. There were.... Questions raised about Xander's willingness to advance the Quest for Knowledge." Hoping that would satisfy the Magos' question, there was then the matter of working in a team... Given that the Astartes had already laid claim to the Magos, Karinitha realised that meant she was the only one left with a real understanding of technology (and even what she knew was mostly learnt from hard experience and second-hand observation of the Tech-Priests going about those rites). So she said "Given the current distribution of the team, I will work with Veldt, Tyesha and Marcus as a more overt force."
"Don't you worry, I have yet to disappoint you and I do not exactly intend to do so anytime soon. Depending on what we may discover, I may bring you an entire cogitator and perhaps half an army." He grinned and flexed his arms, getting a bit excited on the idea alone. "Just make sure to keep Tyesha and Marcus in line. By the seems of it you may need to resort to shock one of them into unconsciousness. Try to move in two-unit teams with the mutant and the witch not being in the same group, yes? Theta-Xi 258." An Astartes was not as limited to call designations and he wanted to get that sense of superiority across to the combat-mechanicus unit, it was always good to be on their good side. After all it is not a Space Marine who commands Titans, but the Collegia Titanica.
@GoreWrencha Tyesha's face turned into a slight frown upon hearing that Jeeves wouldn't be accompanying them on their little quest. "Aw, I'm going to miss you Jeeves! You're spoon polishing abilities will be sorely missed." Oddly, she sounded quite sincere about this. "Anyways I'm sure you'll look dashing in whatever you wear my dear. And you have Ratlings with you? I knew a Ratling once. Such a sweet drug dealer he was. To be bad he died." She gave a simple shrug to the fact, acting as if he wasn't a dear friend of hers. Hearing Theta/Karinitha agree with her idea for the group made her clap excitedly, suppressing a giggle when she heard Skyruss would be joining them. The Emperor was merciful indeed. @Uriel1339 @Vulpas And then Landon stuck his big pale face where it didn't belong once more, always trying to bring down her down. Her eyes narrowed into small purple slits as she glared at him from beneath her hood. "And Vex dear, make sure to find a way to remove that stick that's wedged itself into our dear Landon's ass. The poor dear seems to think he's in charge of us."
"I am very well aware that only Xander is in charge of all of us. But unlike you, I actually think of the operations success and not just on my own entertainment. You mortals after all still crave such very simple ... Satisfactions. Your happiness and comfort being more important than the very operation you are hired to do. People like you and Veldt are reason why the Chaos Gods can actually grasp a hold on human souls." Landon noted with his arms crossed, such a brave little woman. Even if she had no concept of respect, she would earlier or later notice that Landon's way of life was superior, his service record being more than prove of that.
A dark laugh emitted from beneath Tyesha's hood as Landon ceased talking. "You speak as though you know me. I've fought the Dark Ones every day of my life. No genetic enhancements, no super human strength. Just me and my will. I've fought and suffered every day of my life. Do not squawk about things you know nothing of Bird." Her voice had a dangerous venom in it, and there was a small silence left hanging before it seemed her personality flipped. "OH MY EMPEROR! I almost forgot Pearl! Pearl dear, where are you?" A small meow seemed to come from beneath one of the seats, and suddenly a small black panther cub bounded towards the spryer, excitedly hopping into her lap, purring as she began to scratch its head. "Don't worry sweetie, I'd never go on a trip like this without you!"
"I tell you that because I do know. Do you truly not think I have not read your local files? Oh Tyesha, you are so naive and think I am only playing high and mighty. And do not dare to think that you know me. Believe me, if you knew the truth... Your soul would shatter, for the void would at last have found you." He grinned wide. "But I suppose you will find out one day, perhaps after you regained your powers. Just know that I may be perhaps the only one on this vessel capable of aiding you to get them back... If you are not better off without them anyway." Landon was just as mysterious as he was serious, still awaiting the Magos final response, since he wouldn't leave without a final decision.
"If you think files and papers show who a person truly is, then you must be truly bad at your job." Tyesha didn't even bother to look at Landon, as her attention was completely fixated on the adorable ball of fur on her lap. "And the only thing I know about you is that you're a dreadful bore. Isn't that right Pearl! Yes he is, yes he is!" She picked up the affectionate cub as she said so, nuzzling her nose against his. He was simply to cute to ignore.
