Dark Heresy - Wisdom is the beginning of fear.

[Kelne]

Cryvus's head snapped around in the direction of the entrance, and he began muttering urgently to himself.

"Company," he hissed, "Four of them." His hand pointed unerringly to a spot somewhere around the corner from the room. Cryvus was already moving, taking up a position away from the others, with a clear line of sight. His hand stole into the pocket containing his laspistol, though he didn't draw it just yet.

Most likely, it was a group of enforcers returning from their latest outing, but the mercenaries were definitely not on their side, and a firefight was a distinct possibility.

[Jak Snide]

It was as Cryvus had feared. As those out in the corridor turned they saw an enforcer step out from behind the corner, another half-exposed, both of their autocarbines leveled at the acolytes.

"Freeze!" the one out of cover yelled.

(The map for the ground floor of the station. Green question marks represent rooms yet to be searched, the contents of which are a mystery. The objects in Locan's office, going from left to right, are a filing cabinet, his desk and some shelves with a few items scattered about them. The two objects at the entrance are a long desk and, just behind that, an empty weapons rack. Thin brown lines are doors.

For the purposes of movement any square which has half it's area free can be moved into, and the corridors are wide enough for allies to squeeze and shoot past each other within reason. Crisis, Cryvus and Gunner may ready a weapon as a free action rather than a half this round. As a final note, only Cryvus is aware of the position of all 4 enforcers/mercs right now; everyone else relies on line of sight. Declare your actions, gentlemen.)

[Kelne]

"Rosethorn, now!" Cryvus snapped.

Laspistol in hand, he leaned around the corner of the door, took aim at the easier target, and fired.

Hopefully the others would do the sensible thing and take cover as best they could.

[NamagomiMk0]

Crisis had seen and heard the Enforcer--and saw that he was caught off-guard. Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes in a visage of what seemed to be anger--both at the situation and at himself--before turning his stummers back on, and dashing behind the corner and readying his gun, auburn hair flowing behind him in the process...

Only one thought ran through his mind: GET TO COVER NOW. RIGHT NOW.

...of course, he made sure to keep an eye and ear to the other side--he was still in a corridor, and there could be more hostiles coming around to flank...

(Turn on stummers, half-action move to B20, readying rifle as a free action, pray to the God-Emperor that everyone doesn't start meleeing everything again. XP)

[Justice Augustus]

Xerxes pulls out his shotgun, and points a finger at the Warden. "Can you call them off?"

[Capntastic]

Well, apparently there were some people outside and down the hall that seemed to be trouble. Cryvus alone firing at the unseen foe wouldn't have been enough, but with everyone else springing to evasive action, Mik decided it be best to go on the offensive.

Reaching into his jacket and barrelling out the door, he pulled out a brown bottle with a grease stained rag sticking out of the top. His free hand was clutching a small metal object, which emitted a short flame. The flame, touched to the rag, caused a blessed union, which Mik made to send spiralling over the heads of Gunner and Julius, and onto the oncoming Hallway Borne foes. Contributing to the Hive's litter problem was never so much fun.

[Besyanteo]

Common sense told Gunner that if someone had just thrown someone that was on fire at people who were shooting at him or about to shoot at him, he really ought to move. Such things usually ended poorly for anyone that wasn't behind a good, solid wall. Luckily, there was a corner right there, waiting for Gunner to go and get behind it.

But he wasn't READY to go and get behind it yet. There was a filthy merc down the hallway, pointing a gun at him. Gunner just bet that he was the better shot of the two of them, and he intended to find out quickly before taking cover.

(Standard shooting action at En1, and then moving to 23 E)

[Jak Snide]

Cryvus, aware of the enemy, crouched and leaned around the door, taking aim quickly before firing. He didn't hit his mark, unfortunately, Crisis hearing the impact of the las bolt on rockcrete as he darted around the corner and into relative safety.

"Fire!" the lead enforcer yelled, and the two around the corner opened up, firing full auto. The corridor was filled with bullets, the two voidborn wisely keeping their heads down. The guardsmen in the open had no such luxury. Julius took the brunt, a few shots ricocheting or embedding themselves in his armour and almost pitching the man off his feet as he yelled in pain. Gunner's coat earned a few new bullet holes, and a pair of shots slammed into his left shoulder pad, the impact causing him to wince. He kept his cool, or as well as he could, pulling his laspistol and planting a shot dead into the chest of the merc out of cover before darting to safety. He heard the man cry out, and Mik saw the shot had been a good one as he stepped out into the corridor.

Grinning, he lobbed the firebomb at the man, and hit him on the chest, dead center. The liquid inside ignited, splattering the two visible hostiles in flames, eliciting cries of agony and, in the case of the second man, setting his uniform on fire. Jules, unable to recover his footing enough to move, dropped prone, grunting as he hit the floor, and snapped off a shot from his lasgun. The energy bolt took the man in the jaw, blasting off half his face and dropping him instantly.

Inside the room the warden lost it, curling up in a corner and crying out in despair. Xerxes didn't think he was going to get any help out of this one.

(Gunner takes 3 damage, Jules takes 5. Everyone passed their pinning test, and the Enforcer 1 has been taken down, while Enforcer 2 is on fire. Map has bee updated, declare your actions for turn 2.)

[Kelne]

"Gentlemen, we need an exit," Cryvus said, pitching his voice so that it wouldn't carry too far, "Before reinforcements arrive. Get the warden moving," he said to Xerxes, "We'll cover you."

And if the warden proved to be too much hassle, well, shooting him would constitute no great loss to the hive. Cryvus refrained from saying this aloud, as the man's nerves weren't exactly in good shape as it was.

Taking aim once more, Cryvus waited for somebody to stick their head around the corner, or for the visible enforcer to show signs of doing anything other than writhing and screaming, as people on fire were wont to do. Hopefully, the firebomb ought to make them hesitate long enough for them to evacuate the office. From there, they could make their way out of the building. Locan ought to be able to direct them to the nearest exit.

[Capntastic]

Mik began laughing. He swung his lasgun around into firing position, dropping to one knee and preparing to shoot the next person thinking it smart to turn the corner towards the laughing.

[Justice Augustus]

Xerxes nods, and turns back to the Warden. "Move. MOVE!" He grabs the man's collar and pulls him around the desk, moving towards the doorway. He pauses at the doorway, waiting for a moment to make a dash for the exit.

(Xerxes should now be in E21, while the Warden is probably in F21)

[Besyanteo]

Gunner would follow Xerxes for now, having no better idea of what to do just yet. He kept his eyes trained on the flaming hallway, in case the men on the other side got their nerve back. If they did, he was ready to fire on them.

[NamagomiMk0]

Crisis, on the other hand, brought his weapon to bear; aimed at the new Man on Fire, down along the side of the rifle. And yet one MORE reason to stay out of close combat--not that he needed one; it somehow looked seriously doubtful that his squadmate would have done something different had he been in close proximity to the two...

Of course...that was another thing for another time, as he pulled the trigger...

(Half-action Aim, firing at Enforcer 2)

[Jak Snide]

Crisis took aim carefully and fired, frowning in annoyance as his target fell from cover, writhing in pain and causing his shot to miss. The way the merc stopped moving a moment later was reassuring, however. The firebomb had certainly done it's job. Cryvus snapped off a shot as he spotted a autorifle poke around the corner, but no body moved to fill the space where his shot went. Instead a suppressing fire was laid down, forcing the man back into cover. Mik ducked low and ran back into the Warden's office, suddenly not so sure about standing in the way of a hail of lead.

Xerxes got Locan on his feet, the prospect of getting out of this alive motivating the wretch. He blurted out something about a back way out from the third floor, as they both stopped short of the door, unwilling to step into the line of fire. Gunner, however, stepped up behind Cryvus, unslinging his shotgun and firing off buckshot as Julius did his best to saturate the Enforcer's position with las-fire. The auto-fire stopped, the gun disappearing around the corner as the shooter flinched away and Xerxes made his move a split-second later, dragging Locan along behind him.

(The ignited Enforcer takes huge amounts of damage from the flames and drops dead. Most people were pinned this round, but now the suppressing fire has stopped they can act normally next round. There are no visible targets at the end of the corridor, and the burning corpse of the 2nd Enforcer poses a potential hazard if moved over. Map has been updated, turn 3 begins.)

[Besyanteo]

Gunner wasted no time. He charged into the hall way, and took up position just behind Julius. The Emperor seemed to be on his side today, as it were, and he planned to take full advantage. True, he was previously planning on taking up Xerxes' rear, but that now seemed less important than getting everyone up and moving.

He pointed his shotgun down the hallway, ready to release a hail of buckshot on anyone fool enough to come out where he could be seen. He whispered urgently to Julius:

"Get moving!"

[Kelne]

Cryvus wasted no time in making off down the hall. He didn't want to be out in the hallway when the next hail of fire came pouring out. Not that the shooter seemed willing to expose himself by looking out and aiming that fire, but still.

He made sure to leave plenty of space between himself and the corner. The others were bound to come hurtling around it in a bunch at any moment, and they wouldn't appreciate him getting in their way.

[Capntastic]

Mik made to follow Cryvus. If that little fella was gonna charge out into the hall, then there was no way he'd stay behind alone.

[Justice Augustus]

Xerxes continues moving, shotgun at the ready, letting go of Locan and assuming that the warden will follow him. "Cover and fire, let's get to a more defensible position."

[NamagomiMk0]

Crisis waited--he came out of nowhere last time, but surprises never work twice...cocking his rifle in silence, he waited for the enforcer to just TRY to come out and fire again...

[Delay a shoot action until an/the enemy breaks cover to try and attack]

[Jak Snide]

Crisis settled into his shooting stance again, keen eyes scanning the corridor as Cryvus darted past him. He saw a man dive out from behind the corner, going prone, and took his shot, but only grazed his right leg. The merc winced, his aim thrown and a spray of fire peppering the ceiling of the passage as Gunner moved out. He caught a shot in the left arm, his armour barely stopping the bullet as the impact almost spun him around. Scowling in anger, he raised his shotgun and fired.

The man's flak jacket was blown to shreds, buckshot peppering his torso and making a bloody mess of his face. He went limp, the carbine slipping from dead hands. Mikolas darted out and around the corner, Xerxes and Locan just ahead of him. Julius forced himself to his feet and Gunner noticed his injuries for the first time. The dark skinned solider was pale, blood seeping out from somewhere under his chest plate, but he didn't let that slow him down as he moved past the ex-PDF trooper and down the hall.

(Crisis hit Enforcer 4 for 2 damage, while Gunner delivers a whopping 15 damage with Righteous Fury! The burning corpse is no longer a hazard, but the Enforcer's end of the corridor is getting a touch cluttered. Gunner took 2 damage, but is still only Lightly Wounded. His shotgun is also empty. Turn 4 begins now, and the map is updated.)

[Kelne]

Cryvus paused to shout back down the corridor, "There can be no forgiveness for a traitor! Your time will come!"

This promise delivered, he turned back to Locan, "Now, which way to the exit?"

[Jak Snide]

Locan was visibly shaking now, but he managed to form a reply with his mouth.

"Top floor, emergency escape. Drop ladder."

[Capntastic]

"Ha. Alright. Upstairs it is!"

Hearing Gunner's successful blast, Mik decided to switch out his lasgun for his own shotgun.

[NamagomiMk0]

Crisis kept a watch down the hall, noting his teammates heading by as he waited--if there was another renta-merc, he may be hiding behind the corner...you never could know how many were present in such a firefight, after all...

[Delay again to fire if an enemy comes out from around the corner]

[Kelne]

Nodding, Cryvus headed up the stairs, muttering to himself. All things considered, he probably wasn't doing Locan's nerves any good. But then, he wasn't all that concerned about the man's emotional wellbeing. As long as he could talk intelligibly at the end of the experience, they were doing just fine.

[Capntastic]

Mik followed, shotgun ready to rock.

[Besyanteo]

Gunner was still half in the place of fury, wanting to go down there and beat every stupid sack of shit that was responsible for this firefight. It wasn't smart, but he wasn't particularly concerned with that. The only thing that stopped him was a fleeting glimpse of Jules' pallor. He was obviously not doing well, and honestly he'd felt better himself, if it didn't compare to what the other Guardsman had been dealt. He turned, shotgun in one hand and moved to help Jules down the hallway if he needed it. They needed to get behind someone else's covering fire long enough to get the hell out. Crisis was good enough to provide that.

(Moving to 19B, with Jules if he'll be assisted.)

[Justice Augustus]

Xerxes takes point, wincing a little as he takes his shotgun's barrel in his left hand. "Keep it tight now, by the book." He advances upstairs, cautiously.

[Jak Snide]

Crisis kept the hall covered as Gunner gave Julius some support, the wounded man grunting acknowledgement of the help. The sniper noticed the condition of the dark skinned guardsman as the pair moved by, but his attention never fully left the other end of the corridor. The remaining merc, however, was staying in cover, clearly having learned from the demise of his three fellows. Xerxes lead the rest of the acolytes upstairs, shotgun sweeping left and right as he checked corners and hallways. He found no threats, the immediate area clear.

(Ground floor map updated, and the 2nd floor map is now in play. No shots were fired this turn, and everyone is out of the hall of death. Turn 5 begins.)

[Besyanteo]

Gunner continued to help Jules along, fully intent on catching up with the others if they could manage it together. He trusted Crisis to know to follow them up in a moment.

(Moving with Jules to 7D and 8D on the second floor, and gaining any ground they can on the rest of the party)

[NamagomiMk0]

Crisis noted the last two passing by as he kept watch; just a bit more--once everyone else was up the stairs, he would then go...but until then, he would wait and watch in silence to strike...

[Same as last round. Delay a fire action for if the enemy reveals themselves]

[Capntastic]

Mik would let the others work on clearing this floor; he was gonna cover the stairs with his shotgun. Any strangers wanting up would have to get through a whole lotta shot. But, so far, he did not appear to too worried by this situation.

"Heh. Was not expectin' this sort of thing so early."

[Justice Augustus]

Xerxes keeps up the pace, leading the way up to the third floor.

[Kelne]

Cryvus likewise continues on at speed, saying, "We're alright for now, but there are four more coming in the front, and one moving to cover the rear. We'll have to be quick."

[Jak Snide]

Cryvus headed to the next set of stairs with caution, expecting the unexpected, but thankfully found them clear. He signaled Xerxes forward, the arbitrator still dragging Locan in tow. Mik kept his eyes on the way they came, soon sighting Gunner and Julius struggling up the stairs, the latter not looking so hot. Back downstairs Crisis kept his sights steady, despite the absence of movement at the other end of the corridor. Straining his ears he managed to pick out the sound of a multitude of footsteps coming from the entrance to the station.

(1st/ground, 2nd and 3rd floor maps updated. Xerxes has almost reached the rear access, and turns 6 begins.)

[Kelne]

Cryvus headed forward, taking up a position next to the exit and muttering to himself. He looked ready to fling to door open so that somebody could pop out and get the jump on whoever might be hiding outside, but was waiting for others to get into position.

Something seemed to have him on edge, judging by the way he was darting glances in all directions.

[Besyanteo]

Gunner continued to try to play catch up, helping Jules as necessary all the way.

[NamagomiMk0]

Crisis, upon hearing those footsteps, understood perfectly; gritting his teeth and noting that his fellow acolytes have gotten off the floor, he got out of his covered position, and dashed for the stairs. With the stummers still on, there shouldn't be any auditory evidence to leave behind...

...while he regretted having nothing to leave behind as a deterrent, hopefullly his presence would suggest that something may be up now--or approaching from below to be more precise...

[Justice Augustus]

Xerxes pushes the Warden towards the emergency exit. "Open it," he barks, shotgun held at a nearly-ready position.

[Capntastic]

Mik made to help get Jules up the stairs, grinning.

"Don't worry 'bout all that blood; you probably got enough metal in ya now to keep you goin' until we can get you sorted proper."