<Sirius>

Narthecium's drill slowly began to grind through the rocks. Of course, the item wasn't made for drilling earth but at the moment, it just had to do. As the passageway began to open up and Sirius got lost in the dull process of trying not to mess up much and create bigger hole in the wall than needed, which would take out a significant part of the crevice and make it collapse in a chain reaction that would probably bury him alive, suddenly he was washed in light.

From up where he initially began his descent, he could see a figure using similar lamp to lighten up his form, down in the pit. He couldn't really see the face of the newcomer since whatever device (or bulb) he used prevented Sirius's helmet from disassembling the spectrum and piercing through, so he ended up with the reaction of a man looking straight into a sun, which hurt his eyes. But despite all that, once the newcomer spoke he instantly recognized that voice, for it was the same one that haunted him in the depths of the Ork Krooza.

"Gnawing at the rocks like some little bug, is that what you ended up with?" the newcomer mocked him, "Still, since you like it, I suggest you hurry up," the mocking turned into a laughter as he poured something in the crevice, the liquid slowly began dripping onto the Apothecary. Sirius's suit instantly shouted out warnings as it registered substance known as Prometheum getting in touch with it. It was still in inert form, but it could change at any moment, the only thing it needed was a spark from the drill (which wasn't that likely to happen) or better yet, the one pouring it in the first place needed only to lighten it up and Sirius would end up being cooked alive.

<The Apothecary>

He decided to not reply and continue with his drilling. The mocking was a distraction and would be the cooking alive be the other's goal, he already would have done so. Instead the Son of Guilliman thought it was a way to make him accelerate his process, pushing him to get further into this underground cavern by blocking his only exit. The Codex Astartes even dictated so, if you want to push your enemy in a direction, block all other exits except one, you will always know where he will move to. What an ironic twist.

<Feron>
"Up and over Everyone, seems we're all on the same page. If there is something worth investigating in there I've a feeling we'll be finding ourselves entering at a later time anyways, for now primary objective has priority. Volorox you've got point, Draconion want you right up after him, have your familiar keep close to watch for anything suspicious. Rest of us will be right behind you, watch for weakened metals or loose grips, would suggest only those lighter armored attempt to use whatever hand holds we carve on the chance our weight presses this beast to its limits. " Drawing forth both Skull Splitter and his combat knife he nods to their forward team. "Dorallius you'll have rear guard for our ascent, once we're half way up start climbing yourself. "

Unsure if these people would understand Carlath's rather sophisticated terms, 'Deubarth' decided to fill in: "The Thousand Sons are great giants among men, wearing strange armour of blue and yellow. Often they wield great eldritch power, ever seeking to increase it by finding such artifacts."

<Moon - Renate Walburga Brandt>
"Let's hope the elevated height doesn't make us more vulnerable to winds or exposes us should there be enemies around." The Sororitas commented as she stood guard, not letting go of her flamethrower until she would be required to holster it for some climbing action.

++Affirmative.... Interrogative: Why are these ships at the surface with multiple battle wounds? These ships could not and have not landed, they were brought down. I have never been drilled on a Librarian, but human or even organic life would be unable to sustain here. Possibility for subterranean life is present. Seeking out further information through hull examination. Commencing Data transfer if any further explanation is found.++

As Ixtab communicated with his brother he walked into one of the more whole ships. Pushing down one of the bulkheads to clear an opening. Mostly dust stood in his way, but he scanned everything he could for anything he could. Now he had his Power Sword out, to him it seemed paranoid, but the Ranger had made him more cautious. It was only 98% chance that no living being could live here...

"Affirmative, Commander," says Draconion, glancing up at the sky towards where he knows the drakeling to be and emitting a tendril of thought.

A moment later, a tiny speck descends from the sky, chameleonic scales shifting shade and hue as they change to blend with the rusted metal of the ship's hull. The little creature clings to the tip of a spire rising high above the rest of the wreck, snapping at a local vermin peeking curiously out of its hole for a quick snack before settling down to watch the team, invisible now against the metal of the spire.

@Vulpas
"After you, Brother Volorox," says Draconion cordially, waiting for Volorox to make some headway before bouncing up with huge, telekinesis-assisted leaps, floating gently from handhold to handhold to test them for sureness. Those that are firm, he marks with a tick in white chalk, while marking hazards with a red X. Where handholds are wanting, he cuts them into the hull as best he can, employing his force sword where his combat knife is insufficient.

<Carlarth, Sigismund>

"Thousand Sons, giant men, ancient devices?" Hoga raised his eyebrow, looking as if he tried to comprehend their exact words and the meanings behind it. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean, but perhaps I'm not the best person to speak on that subject. Sages of Alexandria might know more, for their job is to investigate the ancient legends of all sorts. However, I know one term you mentioned - the Emperor. He is our God as well, but we also call him the Golden King and we worship him in our city. As for those chained outside, they are my captives. They are enemies of Alexandria who survived the battle of Gordun and are now being transported back in the city to serve us. It was either that or killing them all, so I think the penalty was just. Tell me, are there more of you out there? Sorry, but I find it hard to believe only two of you managed to survive the dunes without any equipment or supplies whatsoever," Hoga nodded towards them and their meagre equipment, consisted of mainly wargear and no food or water.

OOC @Loldoom @lord-watchman I would need a post from you in order to push things for both you and the rest on the planet


<Sirius>

As the fuel dipped on his shoulders and head while the laughter continued, the "makeshift" drill punched through the rocks, just enough for the Apothecary to squeeze through, completely ruining the paint in the process and busting his shoulder light in all that hurry. But what was one simple bulb for a man's life? Evading just in time as the crevice behind him burst in flames, Sirius was thrown off his feet as he ended up falling a dozen meters more in the ground, finally meeting the hard earth face first. Once again darkness and once again solitude, the blackness of the underground cave pressing at him from all sides.


<Ixtab>

As Skitarii entered the broken craft, his scanners returned something like this:

string Mark = Imperial Light Cruiser; {type = null;}
int codenumber = null {Writeln = "impossible to know without reaching mainframe";}
boolean lifesupport = 0; {(int toxicity)ToString.Writeln = "air is clear and free of radiation, except the usual and expected quantity from the broken power drive. Chances for something to have survived the crash are less than 0.23%";}
string layout = "Broken pieces of furniture, entrance gained in possibly former barracks. No signs of bodies. Gear thrown all around the place. No signs of struggle. No weapon damage besides the armament which hit the ship.";
string causeOfTheCrash = "Heavy damage suffered in void combat. What kind of weapon exactly is unknown and impossible to scan as the ship had been thoroughly stripped clean by something, possible cause reported flamestorm which burns the moon.";

OOC if you wish to continue with the rest now is the time to catch up. If not, you'll remain somewhat behind them.


<Rest of the Moon Team - Climbing Phase>

And so their climb began. Volorox was first, using his jump pack to traverse the air quicker than the rest. The ship was big enough that he could already make an assumption that he will need to spend at least 20 minutes of nonstop going up in order to reach the top, which meant the others would at least need around few hours. That is, if everything goes smooth as silk.

Funnily enough, for once it actually did, of course not counting the time they spend in searching for the right way up. Despite the sturdy build of the ship's exterior, enough time had passed since it had seen a proper maintenance which was felt as couple of pieces fell of the moment some of them touched it. Draconion's actions proved quite valuable here, as Librarian had marked those places that were safe to climb so others didn't encountered many problems.

However somewhere near the two thirds of the ship's height they encountered first and only serious issue. The way up was blocked by a part of the ship that had been damaged in a way its interior jutted out at least 300 meters straight on their path, placing those without a jump pack and a significant psychic potential (and of course wings) in a bad spot. They could perhaps try to use their muscles to hang below the part of it and somehow traverse it, but it would require lots of strength and real climbing gear, not simple knifes and eager hands, although it could be done. The other option was to go around it but then they would once again lose time as the part sticking out was quite wide and of an ugly shape. Of course, there was always the possibility of entering one of the nearby holes and going through the insides of the ship, perhaps trying to find some ladder or a staircase, but that would of course be a gamble since they couldn't really know if that way would be both shorter and safer.




<Fenix>

Scouting around didn't give Fenix much information, or perhaps that was the wrong way to put it. Empty desert surrounded them for miles in every direction except for where the city was supposed to be located, where she could see glimpses of architecture. The only thing out here was that road where the natives had set up the camp while their leader is done talking with Carlarth and Sigismund. Also, Dart's scanning of the soil indeed confirmed that this was simple sand they were standing on, without any special properties. The last thing that was also interesting is that during their scouting, they didn't encounter a single animal out here (not counting those that natives use), probably because the climate was quite harsh and inhospitable.

<Feron>
"Volorox, Draconion continue pressing toward the objective at speed. We'll be a ways behind you. Ixtab, have you found something back there? " Noting that one of their Skittarius was currently a ways behind his brow furrowed with mild irritation but overall left it be, best to have what eyes and information they could. "Zeth, Sister Renate lets dive into one of those holes and try to find a quicker way up, Dorallius and Ixtab catch up when you can, if we don't find any means of advance shortly we'll duck back out and just have to go around. Unless someone here feels extremely confident about their demolition skills that they could get us a hole or just collapse apart of it without bringing down this entire vessel. "