Tuesday, October 30, 2018

The Fabricated Tales of Alpha Capharius - Book Two - Prep


The Fabricated Tales 
of 
Alpha Capharius

Book Two

Prep


+++Start Personal Encrypted Journal+++

Life aboard the Inquisitorial ship has been strained and not at all pleasant.  The helpfulness from the crew has been less than forthcoming; it has only been the intervention from Lord Reximus that has permitted me access to supplies and essential materials needed to perform my much needed repairs and recuperation.

After the second day of resistance from the Inquisition I approached Lord Reximus and requested the warp capable vessel found onboard Tear of Lost Dreams.  After some negotiation it was agreed upon and the vessel was surrendered into my care.  I then spent the remaining time refitting the enginerium and bridge and installed ANGUS the duplicate ships spirit from the Tear of Lost Dreams.  This process went well and ANGUS is very pleased with its new form, while still bellicose and tetchy it is nonetheless excited with the new profile it has.  The new Astropath I have been assigned to this vessel has proven acceptable, and certainly the safeguards I have implanted will ensure my and the ships safety.  I have named the vessel “Cogito Ergo Sum” (I think, therefore I am).

Well apart from the new toy I have at me and my crew’s disposal what else have I been up to?  Well the Jokaero Data has been housed into my physical frame, I’m not leaving that lying around for some deviant Mechanicus heretic to get their hands on and burn it in a fit of righteous blindness.  FELIX occasionally leaves my side these days (much like a cat) and the Jokaero Orb has developed a sense of independence and will spend its “off” time playing with it.  Often I will come into my personal quarters and find FELIX swatting the Orb across the floor only for it to then shoot into the air with FELIX then leaping up after it - literally playing cat and mouse. 

The “humanisation” of Francine is more frightening in many respects. The machine spirit has outgrown its original programming parameters and it or I am almost going to have to start to have to refer to it as she in due course.  The transmogrification that started on the Tear of Lost Dreams does not seem to have stopped.  My investigation does not show signs of the warp but of some dark-age nanotechnology which was a byproduct of the warp virus. The machine aspect of her frame is slowly being subsumed by an organic feminine look, though standing at 2 meters tall Francine is certainly not a normal female.  She continues to demonstrate extreme affection towards me, as well as jealousy towards any who attempt to steal my affection. She tolerates ANGUS as it is in the ship, FELIX she sees as a pet and will spend time playing with it.  LUTHOR she has no opinion on, though if it should become mobile like herself then an issue may arise.

My other project while resting was dealing with the insidious nature of the warp and its affect on the mind.  As my mind is mostly machine cortex and processing units I accessed the machine shops and the Fleets Techsorcists.  Reflecting the need to be able to research, study and understand the nature of the warp and its affect on technology I had to be able to quarantine this sometime deadly material and its affects from my mind and systems.  After consulting with the (surly) Fleet Techsorcists I accessed the special electronic wards needed to be put in place to resist the effects of corruption of Chaos-infested machine spirits.  I also found the schematics required for storing proscribed documents including the protocols for wiping and erasure if removed or death of …. well myself.

My other job was scouring my core of any other hidden worms left behind by the Inquisition.  I had ANGUS and Francine assist me is monitoring this process, ensuring that the job was done without any complicity (unconsciously) on my part.  I’m pleased to say that the results were positive, with my systems now showing no more Inquisition interference – I am my own man now!  Or Universe help the individual if this is not the case.

The Warp entity S.I.M.O.N. felt a shudder ripple down its non-existent form.  Some where, some when, its life had just been very seriously threatened.  Not lightly, but with such conviction that the very fabric of the warp had felt the oath take form.  S.I.M.O.N. wondered what play thing he had tampered with this time?  Oh well, there were always others to takes their place… why was it sweating?  It did not sweat!

All the communications I sent to Lady B’s father had been sent and received.  It will be entertaining to see what he thinks about the tryst between her and the cross dressing Elsie.  I do hope the ultrasound pictures of the daemon baby she’s “carrying” will brighten his day.  The news of a royal wedding will bring such joy to the dismal mutant planet.  Of course personally I’d like to just declare the planet excommunicatus and virus bomb it, but considering its location the sudden appearance of a daemon planet would not be in the Imperium’s best interest.  Sterilisation is the safest option, slow but at least the daemonic incursion will not be that likely.

Horst has been enjoying the combat and gun range I have had installed on the ship.  I have even had to set up a small manufactorum and repair bay for combat servitors as he has been dispatching them with ever increasing efficiency.

As ever, I am always concerned about my continued existence.  Should I ever lose the protection of Lord Reximus I need to be able to flee with some level of success.  I think I can do this now with the resource Lord Reximus has provided me.

Now I have to see what tomorrow brings me…

+++End Personal Encrypted Journal+++

+++Game Based Information+++
NEW TALENT: MECHANDENDRITE USE (TECHSORCIST)
The Techsorcist has chosen to alter one of his mechandendrites to assist in his duties. This mechandrite has special electronic wards put in place to resist the effects of corruption from Chaos-infested machine spirits.  It also houses a small memory unit for storing proscribed documents and is set to automatically wipe itself upon removal of the mechandendrite or the death of the Techsorcists.  When using a mechadendrite the Techsorcist gains a +10 to Forbidden Lore (Tech-Heresy) rolls, and a +10 to all Tech-Use Tests when interfacing with a corrupted machine spirit.
Dark Heresy, Daemon Hunter, A Guide to The Ordo Malleus, P59

+++Journal Update+++

Well Lady B got whiff of my communications with daddy dearest and this is what I observed… (she doesn’t know yet that I have implanted a very cunning nano-device that records her neural thoughts and passes them to me through the many vox and machine spirits that surround her.  There is literally nowhere she can go that I do not know what she thinks and feels – to be honest it’s sickening.  After watching this bit of entertainment I intend to purge this experiment… maybe)

That pig rooting, metal rotating swizzle stick of a arrrgggg…. I continue to fly of the handle, screaming such profanities to make even a space trucker blush (must ask the crew what a trucker is). The first of a fuselage messages from the planet start to bombard me from daddy dearest. “It is true what great Opifex Magus Tempus Ēmeritus (bless his soul) has reported.  Reply at once.” +++short lapse of time (3 seconds)+++ “Why have you not responded.” “Opifex Magus (bless his soul) has informed me you carry a dragonkin child!  Do you know the shame you bring on this family! Reply at once!”  “Opifex Magus (bless his soul) tells me the father is that common trash from the forest, not only that that but he’s a she! No wonder it’s a dragonkin.  Return to the planet at once!”  I grab the first poor soul who admitted to being able to fly a shuttle and literally fly to the ship flight bay.  I have abandoned all secrecy of my growing psychic powers as I enter the flight bay and select the closet lander.  Mind you I have to ferret around in the poor creatures mind to find the information, not to sure how much damage I may have done in the process.  On entering the chosen vessel I mentally pick him up and throw him into the pilot seat with me in close in pursuit with just a few growls of "get me to the surface of my capital now! Resist and i will enjoy liquifying your brain and then siphon it out of your ear". Maybe the already stupefied look on his face should have been a warning that his brain may already have been on its way to being liquefied but I wasn’t thinking to straight at this point in time.  Turning my helm to broadcast I spoke "Lady Bellashandra, leaving for emergency meeting with my father. I expect no interference and will return when done!" In a spiteful urge I focused all my rage at Alpha (all praise him – wait why did I say that, wait, no damn it… that’s not what I wanted to say curse it all…) and willed him pain, lots of pain. I don’t know if anything happened I exhausted from my burst of psyhic activity so I may not have had much left to done anything. My mind is starting to reel through all she would have to endure once she reaches the planet. The places where her old scars were even started to itch as if the nerves were readying themselves for what father may bring on her. That bloody metal/bio freak will pay dearly if it came to that. Nothing will be the same if it happens, her life may be even forfeit. But he shall die in agony and be torn asunder never to be returned in any form of life. But he had the protection of Lord Reximus, she would have to be careful if she plotted against him.  Her musings were interrupted by the slurred voice of the dying pilot “landing.. site.. coming into.. range M'lady”, snapping out of her red film of death, she started to regain composure ready to meet her father. The crash landing was one that you can say was at least one you could walk away from, she hoped someone would come and get her.  With a sense of perverse humour she said to the dead pilot “you shall wait for my return pilot, you are not to move from this spot till I say so, do you understand?”  While the dead could not speak the landers machine spirit replied with a static or stammered yes as she left the cockpit.......  (was it her imagination that the voice sounded so much like Alpharius?)


+++End Journal Update+++


+++Start of Updated Supplemental Journal+++

+++Intercepted transmission+++

A deep low cackle is heard emitting from the speaker system only some words are decipherable.

####€€€ mutant ####### will pay dearly for ######% I will devote your worthless sss### be a fraud mortal #### your pathetic disguise won’t stop me I know ##%#%% I will capture you and %%%##} you ###%###

Well I immediately put my lower brain function to work while cleaning the bog and let it decide what the background message was.  I do enjoy a word puzzle left by S.I.M.O.N.

Let’s start with ####€€€ - 7 letters for something mutant? Okay crappie seems to be the logical word association with this.

Next is ####### - 7 letters for something after mentioning a mutant? Clearly scumbag, for what else can a mutant be.  After all I know a few and scumbag is the best description for them.

Right going good so far – first bit deciphered!  Crappie mutant scumbag will pay dearly for

Okay next is ######% - 7 letters for a word to pay dearly for maybe?  Expense?  Mutants certainly rack up expenses and debts everywhere they go, sounds logical.

I will devote your worthless sss### - 6 letter word this time for worthless? Refuse/Trashy/Crummy good choice either of them.

Be a fraud (I’m thinking the translation module stuffed up here and that it should be “be afraid”) mortal ####

Ah #### is an easy 4 letter word meaning shit!

Your pathetic disguise won’t stop me I know ##%#%%

Hmm a 6 letter word this time, oddly enough “bugger all” won’t fit in!  Let me think on this one…

Got it Avatar I will capture you and %%%##} (oh dear that is rather impolite)

6 letter word for fornicate off? Shazam, really that came up with a 48% probability?

###%### 7 letter expletive? Dratted with 70% probability?

In the end the message reads as translated (don’t blame me I’m just the messenger!)

Crappie mutant scumbag will pay dearly for expense I will devote your worthless refuse/trashy/crummy be a fraud mortal shit your pathetic disguise won’t stop me I know Avatar I will capture you and Shazam you dratted

My filtration linguistics would render this message thusly.

Crappie mutant scumbag you will pay dearly for the expense accounts you racked up in my name. I will devote my resources to proving your worthless refuse/trashy/crummy credit ratings to be a fraud you mortal shit(s). Your pathetic disguise(s) won’t stop me I know your Avatar(s) I will capture you and Shazam you dratted (apparently some warp act of sexual depravity to unmentionable to transcribe.)

+++End of Updated Supplemental Journal+++

+++Personal Journal Update Additional+++

The joy of being a genius is well being a genius.  I have cobbled together a unique device that with the aide of ANGUS monitors any psychic communications that are made around persons I deem of interest to my immediate survival.  Of course Reximus knows of my endeavors and even pointed out some improvements to my device – truly a man of many talents, a man I hope to emulate in many ways.  So I pick up this very timid psychic probe late one night as most of the ship was at rest - a gentle feminine probing began at Reximus.

"Mr Reximus, are you there? Hello Mr Reximus.”

The next was clearly not intended to be part of the message and showed the inept training of the psyker in delivering the message.

“Are sure he will hear me daughter, tis be a strange thing to send my thoughts skyward. Very well. And no you shall not try. Your father has excommunicardo you from all of those sky people, now hush and let me try again.”

Female voice of authority attempts psychic contact.

“Mr Reximus are you there this Lady Le Roche, Rells mother we need tooo arrr communicate.”

“It is not working daughter.... it would seem this all powerful Mr Rex is not awake or does not care to answer..... fine I will find some other way to get a missive to him.”

What was happening at this time to cause such interference? Well I was testing some new equipment that might have had some unintentional on purpose consequences.  But in my defense Reximus was multitasking at the time with me as I was bringing him up to speed on not so current affair.  Okay so the fleet was conducting ship wide communication diagnostics and running silent for the span of 72 hours and my psychic dampener was probably in effect (okay it was, there you happy, I admit it).

The story continues shortly after an indeterminate period of time.

“Your contact is successful I am sorry Alpharius is distracting me with his pet projects - silly man.”
Reximus’ vox crackled to life.

“Sorry to disturb you Lord.  This is Gordon (he’s alive, alive, alive…) sir the pilot stationed at the capital. The pilot who took Lady B to the planet died in a crash landing delivering her for an audience to her father.  I am now approaching the ship and requesting docking clearance.”

Reximus psychically contacted the head of the Le Roche family.

“It is time to give Lady B the family heirloom. She is ready.”

The psychic feedback of delight from Lady Le Roche is… sickening (to say the least).

Le Roche has resorted to a different way of revenge.  Her envoy is abroad the shuttle that Gordon is preparing to dock with the main ship.  She thinks it’s a surprise, silly woman, she forgets the magnitude of a person who has dealt with subterfuge his whole life.  Nothing can surprise me, certainly nothing from this primitive backward planet.

+++Flashback+++
Colonel of Battle Control Room: General Kala, Flash Gordon approaching.
Kala: What do you mean 'Flash Gordon approaching'?
Colonel of Battle Control Room: On a Hawkman rocket cycle. Shall I inform His Majesty?
Kala: Imbecile! The Emperor would shoot you for interrupting his wedding with this news! Fire when Gordon's in range!
[Flash is on a Hawkman rocket cycle and escapes]
Kala: He's escaping, idiot! Dispatch war rocket 'Ajax' to bring back his body!
+++End Flashback+++

Reximus accessed the vox and gave permission for the vessel to dock.

“Roger that docking bay 4, glad to be back. Those blue people gives me the heebees.”

“Best stir up the captain.  Lord Reximus, I have a certain personage in cargo with me, says he will not speak to anyone bar them.”

Reximus is not happy.  He was just listening to an incredibly boring presentation from Alpharius while reading and data skimming jacking materials relating to a pretentious pretender called Horus Lupercal.   Multitasking is such a simple undertaking for Reximus.

On the mutant home world scandals are the passing norm, tell everyone not to breathe a word on pain of death and within the span of ten heart beats and its insidious intent – good or bad have travelled the globe.  Much like Chinese whispers, at each retelling, it gets a little twisted and bent until it does not resemble the original story at all. 

Lord Le Roche had decreed to banish his daughter to solitary confinement for her contamination amongst the star people.  However word spread that she was with child, and it was in the best interest she return to the planet to ensure a safe birth and continue of the Le Roche line.

+++Encrypted File Security Zeta Tibalt 9-5-8+++
The plan that Lord Le Roche and I had concocted to get Lady B back on planet and out of the hands of the Inquisition had worked like a charm.  Lady B was none the wiser (she really is a fool), certainly worse for wear from the punishments she had to wear to fool the Imperium, but it has all worked out in the end.  Reximus is pleased with the outcome.  This matter is now closed.  It also now returns to us an asset that has been languishing on the planet for some time.
+++End File+++

Of course the scurrilous few saw it as slander upon the daughter’s good name and are damned if she will be allowed to travel with these so called civilized men from supposedly the home world these people are descended from. No wonder their forefathers fled the world.

The government seeing there had been an arrangement in place with the Imperium needed to make a decision.  That required needing a person of importance from the planet to take the lords place that Lady Bell had filled. There was an individual who was available, he had fallen to the planet many years ago and the king’s men found him and brought him back to strength. As token payment the person had pledged his temporary loyalty to crown and country as he had no way to get home and the rest of his kin had died in the crash.

The lander docked with the Inquisitorial ship.  Gordon waved cheerily with the dock crew, expressing how happy he was to be free from the mutant scum on the planet below.  The cloaked individual exited the lander and was greeted by naval security (heavily armed and armoured) and escorted to Lord Reximus’ quarters.  Oddly enoughly I was there in attendance, strange how the universe turns…

Reximus and I looked upon the individual standing before us. A tall lithe person with a natural grace way beyond that of a normal human.  Reximus and I looked at each other, both expressing extreme disappointment. 


“Not another one we both exclaimed!”

+++End Personal Journal Update Additional+++

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Blind Pig Games Club 27th October 2018

I was literally like death warmed up on Saturday.  Sluggish, deathlike, almost my usual self.  Then the games started and I perked up.

First game on the chopping block was a quick one between Pat and I, Onitama. Highly recommend it to all, a great two player game - first person to blink loses, which means me.

Second game was Photosynthesis, which Jason brought along.  Players were Pat, Scott, Jason and Myself.  Winner placings, Jason (73), Scott (63), John (35) and Pat (17).  I thought I was being cunning with the game and spreading myself out with the seeds, and denying other players the point scoring sections of the forest.  Yes that did work, but I left it to late to start growing and earning points myself in the end.  I think a second game is in order now that we've had a taste of the game mechanics.

Source: BoardGameGeek
Last game of the day was one which Mick brought along. Argent: The Consortium. We played with the full five players and it took us I think just under 4.5 hours to complete the game.  For a worker placement game it was complex with its amount of interactions or acquisitions available.  Still it was a decent game, a fair amount of skullduggery from some of the players (too be expected). 

Source: BoardGameGeek
Next club meet is Saturday 3rd November 2018.

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Star Wars Adventure - Opening Story

What is recorded here is the player information for the start of a Star Wars roleplaying campaign.


“What is this backwater hellhole you have navigated us to?”

“Don’t ask me, the damn navicomp went on the blink just as we entered hyperspace.  I’d demand my money back, but the Hutts aren’t known for warranty repairs.”

+++machine code blurts out+++

“Apparently we are in the Aduba system.  Never heard of it?  Pull up the galactic map for me.”
“Well it appears we aren’t in Hutt space – which is good news, but could we be any further from civilization?  Teth seems to be the closest system with anything like a decent support base.”

+++machine code blurts out+++

The ship shudders in sympathetic rhythm to the computers distress. There would appear to be some malfunction in the hyperdrive and fuel loss.  It will require landing on Aduba-3 and the organization of repairs at what is little more than a single controller space port.

Computer Data: Aduba-3 or Aduba III is a planet in the Aduba system with three million citizens and a starport. It is mostly covered by desert and plains. Most of the plant life on Aduba-3 has grown thorns as forms of protection. Located along the Triellus Trade Route.
Tun Aduban is the largest city and only spaceport on Aduba-3.
The spaceport consists of one control tower, manned by a PK droid. No landing directions are given and there are no landing pads; incoming ships merely find a spot in the desert. The population of Tun Aduban comprises mostly of drifters and unlucky spacers. The city had little to offer beyond cantinas, brothels, and merchants selling goods. Places of interest included the House of a Higher Power, Locru's Central Saloon, and Spacer's Hill.
Landing fees are 100 Credits, payable to Shalla Torwyn the city administrator.

On approach to the spaceport you notice there are several ships already “parked” in haphazard formation.  You land on the out edges of the parked vessels, keeping 500 meters between you and the nearest ship.  It’s about one kilometer to the control tower, where inquiries directed to the ancient PK droid advise you that Administrator Torwyn can be found at Locru’s Central Saloon.  It takes you 15 minutes to locate the Saloon and the Administrator who demands 150 credits landing fee.  Your pilot argues the fees, outlining the published fees.  The response given is that the increased costs have not been updated since the rise of the Galactic Empire – almost fifteen years ago.  Grumbling, and noticing that the Administrator has several thugs to back up his demands, you give in and pay the fee.

As you are in a Saloon you decide to wet your palates and take in the ambiance of what is said to be the high water of “civilization” on Aduba-3.  It is now you are approached by a group of individuals, an middle-aged male human, a female humanoid with four arms and long, pointed ears; and a humanoid droid.  The droid appears to be the spokesman for the group.

“I am General Jasha, my companions and I are seeking transport to Nar Kaaga.”

So starts the story…

Friday, October 12, 2018

CHAPTER ONE - Collected stories 1 to 7 of The Fabricated Tales


Here is the collected links to the first Chapter of Alpha Capharius. 

If you haven't read the tales then you will find this post a handy option to searching through the back posts - and more than likely reading them backwards... clearly the sign of the heretic!

Thanks for reading.

Session One
Saturday 12th May

Session Two
Saturday 16th June

Session Three
Saturday 7th July

Session Four
Saturday 4th July

Session Five
Saturday 18th August

Session Six
Saturday 8th September

Session Seven
Sunday 7th October


Wednesday, October 10, 2018

The Fabricated Tales of Alpha Capharius - Part Seven

The Fabricated Tales
of Alpha Capharius
DC-12-9/5/9/ZT5F412A0
Part Seven

S.I.M.O.N. basked in the glory of its mischief.  It had to do so little to achieve its entertainment.  These mortals and one not so was keeping it busy with distractions and intervention.  It hoped that they would at least provide one blink of its eye before they were gone.

+++ Personal Encrypted Journal+++
After finding out that our stash of stolen equipment was fake and trapped, we had to settle for the booby prize of Fabio.  Need I say that this was by far the least favourable outcome I desired?  The taint of this ship continues to afflict us, yet I seem to be unaffected by what afflicts the lesser beings.  I am though now certain that I have achieved a greater integration with the Jokaero interfaces and can now perform any task I set my mind to with absolute faith in its success.  I am infallible.
+++ End Encrypted Journal+++

The condition of Fabio is acceptable, though he has lost a toe and his manhood to the cultists in the resulting effort to rescue him.  He does seem rather pleased of his continued existence and smiles whenever mention of his torture is raised.  I think he must have enjoyed the whole situation, but that creepy third eye must go.  The sign of the mutant is too obvious and if he continues to mutate then there may come a time when “it” will have to be dealt with.

An exceptional and welcome outcome was Horst coming out of his delusional conversation with his weapons.  It would appear that the battle has knocked some sense back into him and he now sees them as little more than pieces of inanimate objects.  A pity this occurred as I was going to enjoy tampering with them to give them the personalities he so thought he communed with. As to the two mutants, well they continue to act as the primitives they are.  Dull, boring and certainly predictable. 

Some debate raged as we discussed our next move.  The motive of going to the bridge was not high on my priority.  I needed to secure a way of leaving this ship and making an escape out of this doomed sector of space.  My argument to the group was that we needed to secure an exit strategy and this would require a ship.  This brought up the whole reason why we were on the ship in the first place.  The others believe that they still owed loyalty to Blackthorn, I however knew that there would be no loyalty shown in return.  I told them of what was more than likely to be our fate should we return.  It would be dissection tables to ascertain how we became enhanced, and if that did not kill us then the execution as being a danger to the status quo of the Imperium would.  Yet the others argued the mission would be achieved and that they would take their chances afterwards.  Ignorant fools.  I was only mollified by the assurance of Reximus that he would not see any harm come to me and by extension the others (not as important, but acceptable to a degree).

A couple of things occurred after the decision to resume the journey to the bridge.  Firstly I recalled that the ship was in preparation to make a jump into the warp – not good.  I also intercepted a communication from who we thought was our “controller”.  I ignored the signal only to then receive another contact stating that she was able to see who else was in the vehicle.  This spooked me as I was certain that the system shocks and successful self repair had removed all traces of Imperial interference.  Clearly I had missed something and immediately launched a counter attack system protocol to track down and remove the interference.  I was of course successful in achieving this.

My ploy to keep everyone the dark about the communication was not successful, I had to worry about the fact the individual was also a psyker.  The psychically gifted or touched felt themselves being sought and located.  Reximus made it clear he knew what I was doing and suggested I enlighten the group as to what was transpiring.  Another heated debate occurred over the mission parameters, and it almost came to weapons being drawn before Reximus defused the situation with his assurance he would handle matters.  I then opened communications and began dialogue with our erstwhile masters.  Coordinates were provided as to where to meet.  I decided a small detour to a terminal accessing the ships spirit was in order; I needed more information as to what was waiting for us at the end of the journey.  ANGUS was pleased with my communication and provided limited information which was reduced thanks to the Interrogators destruction of equipment in the location.  ANGUS dispatched a servitor on my suggestion to ascertain the area, but it was destroyed upon entering the room, though it did provided limited data before destruction.  Sixteen bioforms were recorded in the area, eleven humanoid, five enhanced humanoids.  I am concerned with the trigger happy response by our “welcoming allies”.  ANGUS was not at all pleased with the destruction of its servitor and demanded that the intruders be made aware of its anger at the continued interference in its operations.  I assured it that this would be done, I just hope I don’t get shot delivering the message.

+++ Personal Encrypted Journal+++
ANGUS has proven to be a most able ally when I have had the opportunity to communicate with it.  For a system so ancient, the wisdom and knowledge I have been able to transfer to my systems has been incalculable.  Hidden away from prying eyes of the Inquisition I carry the seed of ANGUS’s AI, all I need now is a ship capable of warp travel and my safety is assured.  Am I not a genius?
+++ End Encrypted Journal+++

We arrived at the location and found the Interrogator ‘Thorn [Ed: ‘Thorn or Rosethorn in this case is one of quadruplicates, and for the sake of their multiplicity all of them are identified as ‘Thorn.] flanked by a squad of ten naval troopers and five Adeptus Astartes of a Chapter I am not familiar with.  With my usual leadership style I followed the last out, first in rule, not paranoid at all.  It was to be a Mexican standoff, if the primitives knew what that meant.  ‘Thorn identified each of us, I had left WOE (safely inside and out of sight) and LUTHOR with instructions to open fire should any violence be directed at us or more importantly ME!  Reximus took the initiative and advanced out to meet ‘Thorn who attempted to use her psychic powers.  Reximus smiled and uttered “we’ll not have any of that.”  He walked pass the Adeptus Astartes and human troops and I noted that they visible relaxed in his presence, which pleased me no end, I just wish I could have relaxed as a result of this parlay. They then exchanged words which I failed to detect and did not allow me to view the verbal interchange; less I lip read the situation.  ‘Thorn is cunning, but Reximus even more so as he directly fed me the exchange to keep.  True to his word Reximus protected us from any direct threats, though there were certainly indirect ones made at us on the whole.  ‘Thorn demanded transport, which I or ANGUS supplied – I hoped she enjoys the trolley ride to the bridge. With that done and at the urgent behest of ANGUS we “fled” the location and made our way to the bridge.  I ignored the communication signals that ‘Thorn sent my way requesting better transport – a small win in a greater war is always to be cherished.

+++ Personal Encrypted Journal+++
A recording of part of the exchange between ‘Thorn and Reximus.
IT: I demand you identify yourself.
REX: You demand.  You can demand nothing you insignificant quisling.  I enact authorization code “FDR Alpha S”, you will now act by my wishes.  Stand your troops down while I discuss matters with you.
IT: (enters authorization code – response is agitation, perhaps fear) Your code appears to be correct, how can you prove you did not gain this code by foul means.  Prove to me you have the authority to do so.
REX: (raises his left hand and shows her a Sigil of his authority) I am the Sigilittes Right Hand, I have the power to go and act according to the power given to me by Malcador and the Emperor.
IT: (clearly fighting an urge to argue further, relaxes for reasons she can’t fathom) Yes Lord, I accept your authority.
+++ End Encrypted Journal+++

The fear of greater defenses prior to reaching and breaching the bridge proved to be found less than reported. The knight and maniples of automata defenders were not evident?  My relay to ANGUS brought the answer; it had fed LUTHOR a alternate route which brought us almost to the very bridge itself.  The secret transport elevator and highway known to only the Captain and ANGUS was a most auspicious outcome, allowing us to debark at the door unmolested… well apart from ‘Thorns screams over the communicator.

Entry to the bridge proved easy and difficult at the same time.  Somehow against all odds and a rigorous protocol of countermeasures I was infected by some form of Heretek techno-virus.  I was rendered incapable and had to rely on WOE to guard me while I combated this pathetic invasion.  Not only did I render it impotent I also noted its nature and stored the counteragent for future use.  While this was happening the group observed what was inside the corridor.

The bridge section, corridors, floors and walls were covered in warp maddening growth which afflicted the senses.  Lady B deployed her flamer and cleansed an area, which elicited a wailing in the ether, an unpleasant yet innocuous attack that did little but distract the psychically gifted.  Literally the bridge was alive with warp derived life forms, with pustules, buboes and signs of twisted visages.  The flame did cleanse the area, and it would appear that there was sufficient fuel, as long as Lady B had the “otherworldly” resources to power it.  More signs of the mutant could not be more evident, her dangerousness was growing more obvious as time progressed.

Elsie moved forward to scout ahead and found that the corridor was also guarded by a ceiling mounted defense turret.  His quick reflexes prevented him from being stitched up by autocannon shells, providing just the needed distraction for Horst to place a well aimed shot into it’s mounted, rendering it inert.  The scouting continued which revealed that each corridor section housed some form of ceiling turret, an autocannon or missile system.  As I recovered my mobility and function the first serious attack occurred.

A blow by blow account I will not include, it was one though which enraged Reximus for the first time since we joined him.  The first encounter revealed to us the fate of Lady Celina the ships Fabricator General – she had been infected an overcome by the Heretek techno-virus.  A spherical warp entity manifested in the entry corridor and sprayed the location in a fluid very much like blood.  Its affects were detrimental and inflicted a system shut down on WOE.  It was while I attended to WOE I suffered another attack and temporary incapacity by coming into contact with the contaminated material.  The warp sphere destroyed the warped creature that was Lady Celina attacked, and her attack was directed at WOE.  As I recovered from the contamination I looked upon with distaste and mounting rage the attack on WOE.  In my rage I drew my Inferno pistol and shot the warped creature, vaporizing its left arm and dealing it a death blow.  My attention was then focused wholly on saving WOE.  My internal cogitators were screaming alarms, and warning me of the possible contamination and the futility of saving the machine spirit.  However I am a genius, I had the antivirus protocols already loaded, all it would take was determination and a will to succeed. Any lesser person would have written the machine off, any other Adeptus Mechanicus Adept would have deemed it not worthy of saving.  I, though would not sacrifice the spirit I had come to bond with, it was my ally and dare I say soul bonded mate.  With WOE machine spirit screaming in agony I worked on saving her spirit and machine housing.  I succeeded!  As I stepped back to survey my handiwork I was lifted up by WOE and kissed.  Well this was an unforeseen outcome, it would appear that the virus had done some transformation which resulted in WOE obtaining a living metal face and more or should I say less mechanical features.  The kiss was her spontaneous sign of appreciation in being saved.  Am I not a genius, an ally worthy of association, a foe to be feared!  Mess with my mechanoid allies and servants and my wrath is without bounds.

+++ Personal Encrypted Journal+++
Reximus later told me that the ships Fabricator General was one of his many loves, a woman of great passion both in bed and in her duties.  She had an especially keen mind and wit that matched his own, he deeply felt the loss her death evoked.  He did not blame me for her death, she had truly died once she had become infected with the techno-virus and the warp tainted environment of the ship.  I was now her replacement, I had been given the tools to restore technology to the role it was meant to have.  Not a small task, but one I’m certainly capable of enacting,
+++ End Encrypted Journal+++

Right, back to what the rest of the plebs were up to.  This will probably be short as they are certainly not as important as ME or in the next of much “character” space.  As I recorded prior, weapon turrets were everywhere.  They were dealt with in an efficient manner.  It was the corrupted mechanicals that were to cause more concern.  It was discovered that there were still a few stasis grenades, and these were deployed with perhaps less wisdom than desired.  LUTHOR had grown impatient at being left out of the fight and with the weakening of the outer wall by missile detonations and ammo explosions it forced its way towards the bridge, autocannons blazing.  Elsie discovered another function of his enhanced suit upgrade, essentially developing an exo-armour frame.  More surprised was he in finding out that it also contained a displacer field which moved him out of danger and into an ideal position to loot.  So this now meant that three of the group now had power fields of some sort as protection,  I will have to work on something for Horst, his (or Reximus’ spare suit) armour is taking a bit of a battering.

The infernal denizens of the warp corrupted nature were destroyed.  The resulting conflagration which occurred when the stasis grenades dispersed was significant.  Several wall sections were blown away, and the continual low level psychic scream cried out in pain at the continual destruction of the warped terrain.  With new and unknown sections of the ship being exposed, more warped entities appeared.  Most curious was a trio of creatures that morphed into a final entity after each stage of destruction.  As one was destroyed it joined with another, when the next barrage cleared the final two merged into the last creature, which Reximus smote with his hammer.  He was still in ramage mode and was destroying any wall between him and the bridge as he advanced implacably to the final deadly encounter.

Before that was to occur another startling and disturbing transformation occurred.  Fabio the cursed proved to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, his corrupt and warp tainted being finally broke free of it fleshy human container, revealing to all his or now its hideous form.  Thankfully it proved less revolting than his previous form and only Horst was overcome (briefly) by the revelation.  Fabio’s new form uttered its first words – “must feed”. This did not bode well, and Horst and I scrambled to eradicate this daemon host from reality.  We had almost destroyed the host, but a burst of fire from WOE had the deleterious effect of damn well healing the creature. Before another assault could be launched Reximus took charge and bound the daemon.  He informed us that the entity of Fabio had been destroyed utterly, the daemon which had taken form was now subdued and contained.  At this the fleshy out skin of Fabio knitted, rather imperfectly, back together – providing a patchwork appearance.  Need I say it was an improvement on his previous appearance, oh and his single chest hair had grown back! 

Another serious outcome from the battles was the destruction of Horsts beloved lascannon.  Thankfully it was cut cleanly and with my gifted talent I see no problems in repairing the weapon, once I can access a proper workshop.  Though when that will be is yet to be seen.  Elsie appeared from one of the adjoining rooms and tried in vain to hid the newly looted pieces of equipment he had located.  Reximus needed time to rest after binding the daemon ty’hu’knic’bio and directed us to examine and secure the other rooms prior to storming the bridge.  This provided excellent advice, providing us with additional weapons and equipment. 

+++ Personal Encrypted Journal+++
The fate of Fabio is a cautionary tale for those who too closely embrace the darker nature in their soul.  Driven by excesses of violence and lust Fabio had drawn to himself the attention of those that dwell in the warp.  The daemonic entity ty’hu’knic’bio is a typical example of those who fall and allow themselves to become weak in mind and spirit.  The blood spilt in the arena was just the start, his success lead to his vanity being stoked and stroked by those who admired him.  Slowly at first the voice was subtle, appearing as just a suggestion he thought was his own – but as time progressed the voice started to become more vocal and demanding.  Initially it lent his foresight, then strength but in the end it was the warped vessel he provided.  Fabio may still exist.  Somewhere trapped in a nightmare construct of the daemon on making… or is it one of his own design?
+++ End Encrypted Journal+++

Reximus did join Lady B and the daemon ty’hu’knic’bio to search a perplexing room of hanging bodies.  This sacrificial room provided the barrier blocking any scans of the location, both psychic and mundane.  It was torched as a result and the unpleasant nature that permeated the location dissipated.  I started to receive communication requests from ‘Thorn, which I ignored.  Her continual bleating and dire threats were almost hysterical in nature.  The mode of transport selected had put her far behind and denied her any access to potential secrets.  The last room that Reximus found was a warded room that Lady B was unable to enter but the daemon ty’hu’knic’bio had no difficulty in doing so.  In the room was a pedestal with a book resting on it.  It was initially thought this was one of the books Reximus desired, but it proved to only be that of Lord Thalaneus Delmarus.  I guess the mission for ‘Thorn was complete.  Destruction of the pedestal revealed the real book, leaving only one more to locate.  Also found was a most foul Athame, which Reximus declared should not have been in the Captains possession.  I seem to have neglected the fact that a box containing a heart shaped pendant had been discovered.  Reximus placed the Athame into the box declaring “that the dagger will feed the heart for now.”  What this means in the future when the Athame runs out of contained souls I know not.  Time to worry about that at a later date.

We could no longer put off the final assault on the bridge.  LUTHOR my ever eager ally had continued it brutal assault towards the action, knocking down walls and forcing its way down corridors.  I was going to have to spend some time repairing this faithful machine for the service it had provided.  Reximus with a devastating blow from his hammer knocked down the final wall separating us from the bridge and what it contained.  The bridge was dominated by a massive bloated form that had tendrils between it and the melded bridge.  These poor individuals were little more than meat puppets that operated the many functions on the ship.  Melded flesh and metal, many threads of some fibrous material spread to the consoles and into the ships decking.  As with the corridors the warped terrain existed here as well.

LTD: Welcome Sir Percival, you should not have been on this ship!  I neutralized all your agents you had planted ahead of our leaving Terra. 
REXIMUS: Foul creature, you have perverted the mission.  Tainted the experiment He initiated.  You have doomed the colonists and damned you and your followers souls for eternity.
LTD: Why do you fight us Sir Percival?  Cannot you see the wisdom and power that the warp can provide.  There is nothing wrong with this, it is a source that can be tamed, enhanced and provide countless opportunities to free the individual from the shackles of mortality.  See, look at your companions, even now they sway in their determination. SHRIEK!!!!!!!! All but one I see can be brought over in time. BUT why is that mechanicus individual alive, it should be dead… wait you cannot be, the twins are both dead… the geneseed destroyed.
REXIMUS: Fool, he is under my protection.  Arthur declared you must pay for your crimes!  You are guilty of (long list of crimes which no one knows and are clearly from the past).  The punishment it oblivion.
LTD: I will live forever, I am bound to the warp…. Hahahahahahahaha
REXIMUS:  Hahahahahahaha, attack now.

And so the monologue between the primary factors was over – the battle commenced in earnest.  Elsie was directed to find the last book that Reximus required.  And so the battle raged, yet over the sound of our combat came the noise of battle and the screams of the dying coming from behind us.  It was then that my contact with LUTHOR ceased.  Leaving the trained killing machines to destroy the daemonic form of the Captain, WOE and I retreated to ascertain why LUTHOR had ceased to be.  It was a well we did and I discovered our Inquisitorial “masters” had finally caught up – but not without suffering casualties.  The daemon dubbed Licky had returned, it slaughtered the mundane human troops and was now at work with the Adeptus Astartes and ‘Thorne.  WOE and I added our not inconsiderable firepower to the engagement.  In the resulting firefight ‘Thorne was killed.

+ + + File log Omicron, vermillion level access code input required + + +
+ + + Access granted. Welcome, Interrogator Blackthorn + + +
+ + + Initiating data scan + + +
+ + + Data scan complete, transferring selected file 34/F/RT/235/ACDC + + +
+ + + File transferred. Subject header “Loss of Insertion Team 14” + + +
+ + + Dated [redacted] + + +
+ + + Beginning vox transcript + + +
“The loss of Insertion Team 14 lead by Interrogator Rosethorn is currently unresolved.  Recovery and autopsy of the team has proven inconclusive the exact cause of the deaths of some team members.  The taint of the warp has been found on all wounds inflicted on the personnel with the exception of Interrogator Rosethorn whose death was the result of a dark matter energy weapon.  No member of the team was issued or had access to this level of technology.  I can only conclude that Insertion Team 3 was culpable in some manner.  Considering the ill will directed at the Inquisition by one individual in particular I have come to the conclusion that he and the team are to be held responsible.  At present they are protected by the grace of Lord Reximus who appears to have overriding authority of Inquisitor Lord Theodore Rex III.  Termination writs have been prepared and will be executed on this team once a pending request for appeal has been granted.”
+ + + Mem-bank entry log ends + + +
+ + + Thought for the Day: Heresy begins with a single action. + + +

+++ Personal Encrypted Journal+++
It was indeed fortunate that ‘Thorn was destroyed by WOE in the battle with the daemonic entity designated Licky.  At the time I was not aware that she was one of a set of quadruplicates.  I certainly hope that she is not some cloning experiment which has been endorsed by the Inquisition.  One was bad enough, the fact that there are more and that they are hostile to ME is disturbing.  Yes it was unfortunate ‘Thorn was killed, however her actions towards LUTHOR clearly shows the normal paranoia which permeates the unbalanced minds and organization of the Inquisition.  I shall have to devote even more resources to monitoring and insulating myself from further threats.  More importantly I must protect WOE, LUTHOR and the Jokaero material. 
+++ End Encrypted Journal+++

The battle on the bridge was an almost one sided affair.  The daemonic form of the Captain was being reduced back to his or its base form.  Yet while the battle raged a tear in the fabric of reality and access to warp space was beginning.  A baleful eye was seen staring out at the battling group, before withdrawing and the appearance of multiple limbs pressing against the tear, attempting to gain entry to the real world.  This was not good.  Elsie had retrieved the last book and had delivered it to Reximus.  His instructions then were to protect him at all costs while he performed the rite to banish or more likely vanquish the daemon.  The daemon Licky had fled my presence, sensing its master’s dire need.  It did not make it in time to stop the outcome.  The books were placed in numeric order as chosen by Reximus and Lady B under his command burned the pile with her flames.  At this point a number of things occurred, the daemonic entity Licky screamed and uttered vile curses as its form was reduced to a heart shaped gem.  The pathetic form of Lord Thalaneus Delmarus was revealed as a withered and pathetic man, screeching his hatred as he was terminated with extreme prejudice.  Finally the warp tear snapped shut, denying whatever was attempting to come through entry to real space.

+++ Personal Encrypted Journal+++
The significance of the heart shaped pendant has only now become obvious to me.  Earlier Lady B found the final (perhaps) aspects of the psychic armour she wears.  These were a heart shape gem, the same as that which the daemon Licky became on its masters demise and a ring of unusual nature.  When Lady B succumbed to the lure these devices had on her and attached them to herself, she discovered that she had full control of the morphing aspects of the suit.  My surmise, as well as that of Reximus is that the suit is daemonically powered.  As long as the wearer was strong in mind and spirit, it could be harnessed for the benefit of all.  Should the wearer lose the battle with the daemon within, then…
+++ End Encrypted Journal+++

The duplicity of the Inquisition is astounding.  Feeling that they could not secure the ship, they decided to destroy it.  I discovered this after communing with ANGUS.  The only way to stop the transition to warp was to return to the enginarium and assist the ships spirit.  I came up with the plan to save the ship and the situation, yes ME!  With the assistance of ANGUS we directed the remaining servitors to locate and disarm the demolitions that had been placed about the ship.  These devices were rendered inoperative and safe.  ANGUS was with my assistance able to safely shut down the warp drive and stop the ship from entered the warp.

The threat that the Inquisition had clearly become angered me.  I accessed the ships weapons manifest and was able to determine the ship possessed more than sufficient firepower to destroy the Inquisitorial ship, though how we would fare against the remaining Imperial ships was debatable.  The need though to unleash this option was overruled by Reximus as he decided to open communications with the Lord Inquisitor Theordore Rex III.  Operations then came to a conclusion with the safety of the team secured.
  
+++ Personal Encrypted Journal+++
Rewards were handed out for our actions.  The Inquisition begrudgingly accorded each of us the rank of Interrogator, irking the remaining ‘Thorn’s no end.  Reximus was bemused by these titles he thought of as petty and demeaning for the work we had undertaken.  To this end he gave each of us a title and rank that he believed was commensurate to our position and skills.  We were to be addressed as Praetor by others in the Inquisition.
Lady B became in ōrdinem equestrem recipere, the Knight Subditus – the changeling.
Elsie became vi et armis, by his force and arms, Ferreus Manica Linteum, the metal glove in velvet.
Fabio/ ty’hu’knic’bio became Infernus Lucifer Iūnior, the infernal Lucifer, junior grade.
Horst became Interfector Aquila Oculātus, the killer with the eagle’s eye.
Greatest of all titles went to me Opifex Magus Tempus Ēmeritus, the wise man of time and machines.
WOE was christened Equesitis Metallumae, the Lady of Metal Knighted.
LUTHOR was christened Bellum Movēre, the provoker of wars.
+++ End Encrypted Journal+++

+ + + File log Omicron, vermillion level access code input required + + +
+ + + Access granted. Welcome, Lord Inquisitor Rex + + +
+ + + Initiating data scan + + +
+ + + Data scan complete, transferring selected file 8324/RT/29F + + +
+ + + File transferred. Subject header “Appearance of Sir Percival” + + +
+ + + Dated [redacted] + + +
+ + + Beginning vox transcript + + +
“My fellow members of the Inner Council it is my duty to report that an individual has come forth claiming to be a senior member of the Sigilitte Malcador’s personal staff.  His authorization codes while ancient have been accepted by Inquisitorial decoders.  I have at this time no authority to revoke his seniority nor question his directives.  I am forwarding the supporting data.  This individual changes the balance of power within our organization.  I await further instructions in dealing with the threat.”
+ + + Mem-bank entry log ends + + +
+ + + Thought for the Day: Strike first without compunction and all else will be forgiven. + + +

Inventory Session 7

Crate – power sword, type unknown
Crate – large two-handed hammer
Crate – Auto-grenade launcher, 8 shot (loaded with stun). 10 reloads – 2 x Melta, 2 x Plasma, 3 x Krak, 3 x Frag
Crate – Haywire Rifle - 10 clips spare. 6 shot clip.
S/-/-, 1d10+3, Pen 3, Tearing (x2 damage and penetration on mechanicals: Toughness test or shut down.)
Crate – Cube of unknown specifications, similar to last one encountered.
Crate – Acid Shotgun – 5 clips spare.
                S/-/-, 2d10+10, Pen 8, Blast 3, d5 damage for 3 turns.
Crate – Heart shaped pendant that melds into Lady B’s armour.  Ring also associated with armour.
Crate – Shock Mauls x 12
Crate – Soft (ribbon) sword, an assassins weapon, appears as a belt, fools detectors.
Crate – Rad grenades x 24
Crate – Wooden box with red crystal.  (Reximus warned – DO NOT TOUCH OR USE)
Crate – Crystaline blue spear.
Crate – Heavy flamer – 1 spare fuel.
                S/-/-, 1d10+5, Pen 4, 30m, Spray (as shown or beam – x 2 damage)
Crate – Assault cannon
                S/3/-, 3d10+8, Pen 6, 20 shots, Tearing, Unreliable
Crate – Auto-shotgun, 1 spare clip
                S/5/-, 1d10+5, Pen 3, Impact. 3 hits equal knockback 3, larger 4 hits, largest 5 hits - smaller 2 hits, tiny 1 hit.