Dark Heresy - Wisdom is the beginning of fear.

[Jak Snide]

Aristarchus' Room
Aristarchus mulled over what Cryvus had told him, quietly contemplating the few details before speaking.

"Vai Seth is a warlord of sorts. An adept turned prophet, and one with a considerable army of the faithful. The Ordos have watched him for some time, as they would any man who can draw thousands to his cause with nothing more than charisma and zeal, and have found no taint. An absence of evidence is not evidence of absence however, as you have shown. He was a one-time ally of the Abbot, but that was many months. Those men were undoubtedly his, but I wonder if it was he who sent them. If Seth wished to destroy Stern Hope he could overwhelm those here with sheer numbers. Either those men were drawn away from his flock and compelled by some other force or Seth was only able to send them. His army travels on many hundreds of vehicles; fuel is always a problem. Perhaps he could only spare enough to dispatch one of them to Stern Hope?" He paused, his fatigue beginning to show once again.

"What course of action would you recommend?"

---

The Cargo Hauler

Mikolas checked the interior of the vehicle, discovering nothing except an unpleasant odour that seemed to dwell on one side of the cabin.

---

The Cog Workshop

Crisis and Xerxes entered the building, the wooden door creaking on its hinges as it was pushed aside, to find a sparse interior. There were a few signs of a tech-adept's practice; tools of varying familiarity strewn across a pair of workbenches, small pieces of machinery left half assembled and an official looking plaque hung on the wall, stamped with a the cog symbol of the Mechanicus and declaring the right of it's bearer to undertake works of Least-Technocraft. Finally there was a lone figure who slumbered on a sturdy looking bed, shotgun leaning against the wall nearby. Both of them recognised the man as one of those who had fought the raiders upon the main road.

[Ben Smash]

Xerxes turns quietly to Crisis, hand upon his shoulder, "This may turn out to be one useful tech-adept, mate. If I recall, he 'kin handle himself in a fight. Perhaps a little persuasive interrogation might bend him towards our purpose and even get him working towards our cause. Besides, I'm sure both our weapons could use a tune-up. Shall I handle the negotiations?"

Xerxes winced visibly as he moved past Crisis, it was becoming more and more evident that he wasn't exactly the picture of health; in more facets than one.

[Christian]

"We need to confront him..." Mithras grumbled as he looked at the Seer with a sour look on his face, "ally or not, pure or not, it was his men that came here. Either he knows of it, and we'll find out why and what he knows, or he doesn't... in which case, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to find out what drove his men to throw themselves against the walls of Stern Hope."

He wished desperately for some amasec as he slid his gloved thumb over the leather strap keeping his lasgun over his shoulder, all of this was just getting to be too complex... but he could appreciate how this was the kind of work that needed to be done. If the enemy was just some greenskin horde, there wouldn't be need for specialist; the gauntlet of the Emperor or the Astartes would be able to handle that. "But if they are as many as you say... we need to make sure we won't be killed on sight."

[NamagomiMk0]

Crisis, writing tools in hand, quickly wrote out a response before Xerxes could get too into his work;

'No interrogation. We just need to secure repairs for the truck that the feral got incapacitated in the last battle. That is all.'

[Kelne]

"Agreed," Cryvus said, "Yet events will not cease their flow whilst we chase him down. It would be a mistake to assume Seth is the only shell in the enemy's magazine. Somebody must remain and watch over the cathedral."

[Jak Snide]

The Cog Workshop

The man in the bed stirred about the same time as Xerxes was reading Crisis' hastily scrawled note. He opened his eyes lazily and regarded them both for a moment before who they were finally registered with his brain. He was sat bolt upright a moment later, eyes sweeping over himself to make sure everything was in order and on his feet a second afterwards.

"G'day, uh, milords." he said, looking unsure of himself and running a hand through tussled brown hair in an attempt to make himself more presentable.

---

Aristarchus' Room

"The consecration of Cathedral is our highest priority." the seer announced. "The Voicer is a matter to be handled either with great delicately or an army at one's back. We would also be required to locate him, which would be an impossible task to achieve in our limited time frame given our lack of aircraft. Once we have established a bastion of faith upon this blighted world we can requisition additional aid and look to investigating Seth fully. For now, though, we must remember our ordained duty and stand guard. Though perhaps...tell me, what are you thoughts on Esha Raine?"

[Capntastic]

Following his nose, Mik cautiously began to try to home in on the source of the odor.

[Christian]

"The woman with the riding warriors?" Mithras sighed as he peeked once more at the narrow slit of the door, "She seemed sensible... and she knew what was going on." He gave a little shrug, "we should seek her out. If only to hear her."

[Ben Smash]

Xerxes stiffened officiously, having been regarded as "milord." He made a point of straightening his jacked and leaning in uncomfortably close to the Workman

"mmmYes, I guess it is a good day, now that we've found you. We seem to be in a spot of trouble and my friend and I think you're the man to help us out of it."

[Jak Snide]

The Cargo Hauler

Mikolas found what he hoped was a rotten piece of food underneath one of the passengers seats. A battered looking power pack lay nearby, the barely visible light of its miniature glo-sphere indicating it was almost drained of power.

Aristarchus' Room

"I do not trust her fully." The seer responded. "She has been an advocate of the Imperial Creed among the Ashleen and a supporter of the Abbot ever since he came to these lands. She is also a local wise woman, steeped in ancient superstition and practices bordering on the occult. The servants of dark powers are often skilled at misdirection and hide in plain sight. As you noted, however, she has hinted at a knowledge beyond what we possess. I would have stopped her from departing but attempting such would have only led to bloodshed. Kos'ke and tribesmen were certainly prepared for such."

"Raine has a steading along the Western mountain pass. If our transportation had not been sundered in the fighting it would be possible to reach her and return before the consecration this eve. As it stands we will have to face whatever threat presents itself at the ceremony before confronting her."

The Cog Workshop

"How can I be of service, milord?" The man looked uncomfortable, as those used to serving tend to do when confronted by distant and powerful superiors. "If'n your needing your arms tended to I can do that."

[Capntastic]

Seeing nothing too amiss, Mik began the task of activating the machine, and trying to dislodge it from its predicament. If what he figured about machine spirits was correct, this thing would have one Hell of a headache.

[NamagomiMk0]

Crisis wrote out something hastily, before he showed it to the workman that Xerxes started to talk to...

'Our weapons are in no need of maintenance. However, our truck that a certain Feral in our group had gotten incapacitated in combat, is in need of repairs. I would be pleased if you could assist with that, so that we would not have to walk all the way to Port Suffering after the end of the mission.'

[Kelne]

"So be it then," Cryvus said, "Yet there is another topic I would raise with you. You have spoken of a coming miracle. Can you elaborate upon it at all?"

[Jak Snide]

The Cargo Hauler

Mikolas settled himself in the driver's seat brought the machine to life with practised familiarity. The cab shook around him, the heart of the machine grumbling somewhere beneath him. A quick attempt at reversing let him feel how badly lodged the vehicle had become. He spun the wheel back and forth, testing what resistance the gate's frame was giving. After a few minutes of experimentation he aligned the wheels just so and gunned the engine.

The hauler tore itself free of the gate with a worrying creak of strained metal, but the structure held. The machine spirit's protests quietened now, dropping to a low-pitched thrum as it idled just outside Stern Hope.

The Cog Workshop

"The transport?" the tech-adept asked nervously. "I'll have a gander, milord, but I can't promise anythin'. Took quite a hit in the fightin' and the beast's spirit seemed to give out short afterwards. I'll do what I can, but chances are you'd need be speakin' to a Mech-Wright."

Aristarchus' Room

The seer smiled enthusiastically in response to Cryvus' question, his dark mood banished.

"I cannot say more, but my reading of the Tarot prior to the Plainsong Ceremony revealed the coming of some great occurrence or miracle. Have faith, for there must be a reason the warp would seek to thwart us here. Once the consecration is complete we will undoubtedly be able to strike out at the darkness from a position of strength."

[Ben Smash]

Xerxes coughs loudly, both in a sickly and annoying 'pay attention' manner.

"Crisis? A word?" Xerxes snakes his arm around Crisis' shoulder and pulls him to the edge of the workshop near the door, out of earshot of the technician.
"First off, what the hell are you doing flashing the inquisitorial shit to some local who we're not even sure is on our side; we could have just used my Arbites badge! Second off, we can just drag him to our vehicle, gun to temple and force him to fix it, since he may just need the proper motivation. Lastly, he offered to fix up our rutting weapons, even a killer like you can appreciate a deal like that! I'm sure you're going to start scrabbling some sour reply as soon as I stop to take a breath, so hear out my "happy middleground." You want our old transport fixed, but it was a Crap-heap before we used it, I say we get some weapon tuneups use a little authoritative muscle to have this nice man lead us to the nearest vehicle available to commandeer. Then you can wave about your inquisitorial credentials around like it's your wee pecker. Might as well announce to the whole town what we're doing..."

After that substantial scolding Xerxes releases Crisis from an increasingly tightening grip and calmly, almost blithely, walks to the workman and inquires as to what weapon-services he offers and what weapons he might have available; begins to press his aforementioned "happy middleground" agenda.

[Capntastic]

"Haw! Good, uh, spirit!"

Mik was pleased that at least one vehicle survived the battle. What use is winning a fight if you have to walk home like a chump?

He then urged the machine onwards through the gate, towards the damaged truck.

[Kelne]

Cryvus nodded thoughtfully. Consulting the tarot would have been his next suggestion, and he could hardly question Aristachus' interpretation of it. And yet...

That complacency, he felt, was coming to the fore again. An assurance that they would triumph in the end, for their ultimate victory had been revealed to him by the Emperor. It was a complacency that distinctly worried Cryvus.

"Pehaps," he said, "Yet there are layers at work here. Our foe is old and cunning, and I would be wary of declaring victory. Nor can we be sure that all of us will live to see the miracle. Miracles and martyrs walk hand in hand, and the fortress unguarded belongs not to the sons of man."

[Jak Snide]

The Cog Workshop

Xerxes quickly discovered that the tech-adept was all too happy to acquiesce to any request the arbitrator might have and even more on edge than before after his private conversation with Crisis. He carefully mentioned that the settlement had no vehicles of their own; the only ones present are the truck the acolytes rode in on and the large machine that had smashed open and become stuck in the East gate. He then quickly moves onto the subject of weapon maintenance, seemingly eager to avoid any potential repercussions for being the bearer of displeasing news.

The Cargo Hauler

Mikolas began to move the vehicle towards the gate once more, the spirit continuing to emit a healthy growl, before he set it to idle and examined the opening. He could see a few people watching from within Stern Hope, but that wasn't what had caught his attention. The gate was only barely wide enough to accommodate the large vehicle he currently commanded. It wasn't looking in too good a shape, either. It was holding, but a small error on his part could result in in all coming down on top of him. He begun to align the vehicle as best as he could and proceeded to ease it through the opening.

(A Very Easy test for Mikolas, and since he's trained and not under real pressure he succeeds automatically. It'll take another round of posting for him to reach their old truck, though.)

Aristarchus' Room

"If we are to die martyrs then let is be as we stand guard to ensure that the Consecration proceeds inviolate." The seer's voice had taken on an edge, his strangely coloured eyes scanning Cryvus for signs of cowardice. Once satisfied that his fellow sanctionate had not spoken out of any fear of death he continued in a more reasonable tone. "I have no doubt that the forces of darkness will amass to strike then, keen to spoil the supreme advantage we will wield once the ceremony is complete. That we remain vigilant this day is of critical importance."

[Christian]

"With all due respect, seer..." Mithras gruffed as he ran a thumb along the strap that kept his lasgun hanging from his shoulder, "we need the help of others to protect this city. We have lost our only machine spirit that aided us before and many of the defenders have been killed or wounded. It is the Emperor's will that we defend the ceremony, but..." he picked out the lho-leaf package from his chest-pocket and put one roll into his mouth, looking around for his set of matchsticks. "We're going to have to find help if they stage another attack like this. Maybe just sending one or two men to find Kos'ke and his men to help us while the rest remain behind to fortify and prepare the villages to dig in. We can question the woman after this next attack."

He coughed as the first burning puffs of smoke made their way into his lungs, before slowly exhaling it with a grim look on his face, "the Emperor help those who help themselves.."

[Capntastic]

And thus did Mikolas urge the machine onwards, into town, blaring the horn to signal his return.

[Ben Smash]

Recognizing the horn and the rather haphazard way it was sounding off Xerxes allowed his creepiest of smiles to sneak forth unto his face. "Well Adept, it seems we wont be needing the whole of your services after all. However what can you do about my weapons? And could you spare some ammo? For the good of the Inquisition, you see. And is there any way you could reinforce our noisy vehicle?" After shooting a rather smug grin to Crisis he turns back to the adept in his most sinister voice and says "Thank you for your cooperation."

With that he peeks his head out of the shop to see what he can see.

[Jak Snide]

The Cargo Hauler

As the horn blared out several notes at near-deafening levels Mikolas placed them as the opening verse of "Emperor, We Abjure Thee," a hymn he'd heard more than once since leaving his homeworld. A quick glance outside of the vehicle told him that he'd gotten the attention of pretty much everyone in the settlement.

The Cog Workshop

The tech-adept had nodded along and was about to answer Xerxes when the musical barrage hit them all. Crisis and the tech-adept followed him outside and, once they'd cleared the workshop enclosure, caught sight of the large vehicle the raiders had arrived in crawling to a halt near their own disabled truck.

"Your friend seems to have found alternative transport, milord." the tech-adept noted.

Aristarchus' Room

"Kos'ke will undoubtedly be with Raine. He would not leave her unguarded after recent events. As such, we will have to wait until-"

The seer's words were cut short by a blast of hymnal noise.

"Vandire's Sins, what was that?" their superior muttered, rising from his bed and making his way outside.

(If/when Cryvus and Mithras decide to follow Aristarchus they'll find him outside the Crying Clotta, staring at a large transport vehicle with a bemused expression, a reaction mirrored by several dozen other onlookers.)

[Kelne]

Cryvus looked out upon their new transport with the faintest of smiles upon his face. As it turned out, Mikolas had indeed been quite capable of solving their problem on his own.

"Understanding is a three-edged sword," he remarked sagely.

[Ben Smash]

"Yes he does, able bodied and well mannered for a feral, eh Crisis?" Xerxes remarked as snidely as possible.

"Adept! Is there anything you could do to reinforce our transport? Perhaps rig a few Plasteel plates to the chassis? And about my weapons..." Xerxes trailed off and began fumbling with his Armaments to see which one was most ready for an upgrade.

[Christian]

Mithras stared at the machine in a mixed sense of dread and relief. Part of him disliked the idea of using a machine spirit so recently employed by corrupt traitors, another part of him was relieved that they had found a way to traverse to Ko'ske's camp. He looked over at Xerxes and then at the adept, coughing once after the Arbiter finished and added:

"And perhaps... a rite of consecration... or something." he gave the adept a kind of pleading look, "perhaps clenase its spirit a bit...?"

[Jak Snide]

The tech-adept looked even more flustered than before thanks to the addition of a third person making demands on him.

"I'll do my best, milord, but if'n you want a proper cleansing you'd need to take her to Port Suffering for a proper tending to." He turned to Xerxes again. "Ah, forgive me milord, but we don't have that sort of material on hand. And it would be mighty disrespectful for one such as myself to be bolting stuff onto the machine without its consent. Your weapons I will tend to gladly, of course."

(To clarify things and speed them up a bit; the tech-adept can perform maintenance and on any Solid Projectile or Las weapon for you, though the more weapons you give him the longer he will take. The mechanical benefits of such work are unknown to you, but you'd expect it to keep your weapons functioning. He won't customise or alter the performance of any weapon. He's got no experience in such a field and for one of his station to alter the workings of a las-tech weapon would be a minor tech heresy.)

(Edit: I'll move things along to post-maintenance and Xerxes' ammo grabbing this evening, but what are the acolytes' plans now?)

[Jak Snide]

Those acolytes who wished to have their weapons tended to found that the tech-adept Crisis and Xerxes had sought out was quite accommodating. While it was only basic maintenance that he provided the man was thorough and skilled at the few rites he knew. Xerxes saw that all three ammunition drums for his shotgun were filled, the shells being the only plentiful variety of ammunition in the workshop. Those with las-weapons were pleased to discover a charging station and the tech-adept managed to scrounge 5 bullets that were the right pattern for use with Crisis' hunting rifle. Two of the townsfolk stopped by midway through maintenance, depositing the weapons that had been stripped off the dead raiders.

(All las weaponry is fully recharged. Xerxes now has a full magazine loaded into his shotgun, as does Mikolas, and they have 2 and 1 spare magazines respectively. Crisis has regained a single mag of hunting rifle ammo. There are also a large number of lasguns of various patterns and charge packs up for grabs should any of the acolytes wish to claim them. Finally, those who chose to have their weapons tended to have them returned looking almost as good as new.)

[Capntastic]

Mik was content with his new ammunition, and thanked the technician graciously. He then, putting off his idea of a nap, set to busy himself however he could. He figured that the hauler could use some cleaning, however rudimentary his grasp of it was, solely to remove the stench.

[Christian]

Mithras reluctantly let the adept check over his weaponry, citing how the maintenance and care of a lasgun really is the responsibility of the guardsman given it, but agreed to let him give it a look-over.

Once that was done he gave the stripped lasguns from the invaders a scrutinizing look and picked out a charger-pack or two, fiddling for a bit before he handed them to the adept. "Would it be possible for you to perform a small rite of cleansing while we are away? I feel uncomfortable using the equipment of these raiders unless they are cleaned from the influence of heresy... if it is possible, of course."

Satisfied that everyone seemed gathered, more or less, he gave the others a nod. "Alright, where did this conversation get cut?"

[Jak Snide]

The Cog Workshop

The tech-adept nodded in response to Mirthas' question. "Of course, milord. Wouldn't be proper for ones such as yourselves to be using tools tainted by the touch of heretics." The ex-guardsman turned to his fellow acolytes; Aristarchus was not present, having chosen to forgo having his laspistol to and instead remaining within the Crying Clotta. Mikolas was also absent, the giant of a man having wondered off somewhere.

The Cargo Hauler

Mikolas hauled himself into the cab of the vehicle once again and quickly set about removing the offensive lump of matter. Grabbing it with a rag he rolled down the nearest window and dropped it outside. Looking about for additional filth something outside caught his eye.

Mikolas:

Spoiler:

The height of the cab grants you a view unavailable to someone standing on the ground. Ahead of him and atop the hill, a figure staggers through the doors of the Cathedral and collapses into the arms of one of the milita standing guard outside.

[Ben Smash]

Xerxes was almost overjoyed by the sight of the adept's support and the showing of plenty. His eyes grew wide with uncertain purpose upon seeing his companions load up for what he though might be a large conflict. Cinching his equipment firmly to their proper spaces, Xerxes seemed renewed yet thirsty. A series of cracks sounded as he flexed his fingers and jerked his head & back. Jumping up and down like a school boy loosening up for a playground brawl, this was a man with purpose.

"Well, Crisis, it seems we're well stocked against your namesake, eh? Hah," It was less a chuckle and more of an unseemly bark, "And you my dear adept, you have shown to be quite worthy of your position!" Xerxes spanks the Clip of shells about his waist, "Say, you ever have any experience in a live-fire situation? Care to?"

Oddly enough instead of staring the man down or generally creeping him out anymore, Xerxes turns tail and heads for the vehicle, whistling "Emperor, We Abjure Thee."

[NamagomiMk0]

Crisis, as per usual for his behavior, seemed to show no discernible emotion behind the mask as he allowed the technician to perform maintenance on his weapons; all of them slug-firing as opposed to the more common lastech that inhabited others' armaments. The mask even concealed everything aside from a nod as he took the clip of rifle shells, slipping them into the combat webbing that his bodysuit and cloak are oh-so-accessorized with. However, behind that mask was a glare reserved for Xerxes at this point in time.

As the arbiter began to leave the workshop, the assassin began writing down on a piece of paper as Xerxes had finally left. When finished, he walked up to the adept, showing the note to him.

People, Crisis found, could be divided into a number of small groups. First were the enemies. Then the insufferable, the annoying, the unimportant, those who were useful for their traits or talents, and those who derived respect due to a position of power.

Then, there were the few in number who existed outside of these divisions:

'Your work is commendable, to say the least, adept of Mechanicus. Please accept my apology for the behavior of my companion there--I never wished him to behave this way towards one of your order, but he had different ideas about how to interact with you.'

[Kelne]

Cryvus frowned somewhat at Xerxes' cheery behaviour. Another person who didn't quite seem to be acting in accord with the seriousness of the situation. Aside from ensuring that his own weaponry was fully charged, he had not taken up the armourer's time. Faith would serve him better than any additional gear he might have acquired.

One thing he was certain of - he did not want the entire group traipsing out to loom over Raine. They were hoping to persuade her to tell them of what she knew willingly, after all. Nor did he want to leave the settlement undefended. True, the Voicers were thoroughly dead, yet not all threats were obvious. Or indeed physical.

"Xerxes? A word," he said, stepping over to intercept him.

[Jak Snide]

Cryvus had only just caught up with Xerxes when cries of alarm and panic began to emanate from atop the hill which the Cathedral rested upon. Crisis and Mithras, still within the workshop, were alerted by the shouts. The tech-adept, midway through thanking Crisis for his needless kindness, stood with his mouth hanging open as the bellowed words fully registered within their minds. The Abbot Skae had been attacked and wounded.

Cryvus, Mikolas, Xerxes:

Spoiler:

You see lay-priests dashing out of the Priory and up towards the Cathedral, one of them carrying a bag of medical supplies. Glancing around Stern Hope you can see and hear the panic that has begun to grip the hearts of the populace.

Mikolas:

Spoiler:

Your elevated position continues to grant you a commanding view of the situation. The man who staggered out of the Cathedral, the Abbot apparently, lies on the ground next to the double doors. The two milita standing watch are yelling their lungs off, screaming for help.

[Capntastic]

Mik stuck his head out the window, and hollered to his associates.

"Hey, best get in; looks like some trouble's brewing up at the Cathedral!"

[Ben Smash]

"Rutting Damnation! Well gents?! Now or never, the Emperor's people need us."

Xerxes offered his arm up to Mik for in a "Pull me in" sort of fashion. Not content to wait the few seconds he haphazardly dumps himself in the passenger side and prepares his weapons. Resting his shotgun, readied, on the door window-frame.

"BOYS!? We're needed! Let's roll!" Xerxes yelled out.

[Christian]

Mithras wasted no time, the commotion could mean only a few things but most of them meant trouble... and then the confirmation, the abbot was hurt.

"Emperor's bowels!" He cursed as he flung the burning lho-stick to the grund, stepping on it as he gripped the lasgun he'd just been checking over in his left hand, hoisting himself up on the truck with his right, his backpack swinging haphazardously from his shoulder.

"Are they back already!? Crisis, get on board!" He yelled to his mute companion as he fastened the chin-strap of his weather-worn helmet. "No rest for the wicked!" he said with a scowl on his face, releasing the safety of his Mars-pattern.

[Kelne]

Cryvus moved quickly, heading straight for the cathedral rather than bothering with the transport. The distance wasn't that great surely, and it might well be quicker to just go on foot.

[NamagomiMk0]

Crisis glared at Mithras as he was yelled at. He knew what was implied, but the truth of the matter was simple. There was no way he was getting on-board

...especially not with the Feral's LAST attempt to drive something in a situation even remotely resembling an emergency.

Stowing his writing tools, the assassin shook his head as he unslung and readied his combat rifle...and then started to dash off towards the Cathedral instead. Anything to not be in a vehicular accident--given that the last fight was any indicator.

The distance wasn't that great anyway, and he was notably faster than the others. Maybe not faster than the average vehicle, but definitely faster than the other Acolytes. The fact that he'd get to be away from Mik even longer was merely a perk.

Crisis steeled his resolve; Any and all who opposed him...while they may or may not fear the God-Emperor, they WILL fear him in the end...

...if they're alive long enough to feel fear.

[Jak Snide]

Crisis was the first to reach the Cathedral, outpacing his fellow void-born easily and was half-way there by the time Mikolas goaded the vehicle into motion. The abbot lay on the ground between the two guards, both men pale faced, panicked and hoarse-voided from shouting. Skae was pale and breathing listlessly, his white chasuble stained crimson with blood. His voice was reed-thin as he spoke and his words only audible to the gas masked shooter.

Crisis:

Spoiler:

"A dark shape...form of a woman. Fought and prayed...Emperor protect me...never believed she could..."

The man lapsed into unconsciousness as Cryvus drew near and the other acolytes disembarked from the hauler which now dominated the road up to the Cathedral.

Mithras, Mikolas, Xerxes:

Spoiler:

As you climb down from the vehicle you see Aristarchus burst from the front of the Crying Clotta, looking around in confusion for a moment before spotting you and running as fast as his legs can carry him towards the hill.