Thread: Tales of the Expanse (me and DuxT)

As additional information on the defence vessels appeared on the table, Jacob was inclined to agree. Well whatever pomposity and arrogance you dealt with in the Navy, you'll be getting it even worse here, he pointed to parts of their information readouts, marking them as civilian vessels, civilian ships that well-armed out here in the Koronus Expanse, responding to Damaris' call for aid. They're other Rogue Traders. Count yourself lucky that I'll be the one having to deal with them. Not all of them, a tall robed figure by the table said, a data-slate in one hand. Hieronymus Serak, Jacob's seneschal, in charge of the economic side of their endeavours in the Expanse. That Dauntless it's a Naval vessel. The Aegis , commanded by one Lady-Captain Sylvia Locke. It's part of Battlefleet Calixis I suppose the Battlefleet here in the Expanse needed a scouting vessel. Hieronymus do I want to know how you came about that information? Jacob asked his seneschal. I'd advise maintaining plausible deniability on that front, my lord. Remind me to have a talk with Jannus when we get back to Scintilla starting to think I need to know a bit more about our intelligence network. Two days later... His Light Triumphant slipped neatly into an orbital position, managing to find a spot that would let them react quickly to reinforce anywhere the other mini-fleets faltered should the orks strike before they could get this mess sorted out. Their orbital path had been provided by the planet's orbital defence station called the Bulwark, a massive station built into Damaris' small moon. A gigantic central spine, presumably the stations reactor core and other essential systems, juts out studded with thousands of spinelike sensor masts - each with a twinkling light on the end. Girders and scaffolding are attached to parts of the main body of the station, where ships are slowly being repaired and made ready for combat under the watchful augmetic eyes of the techpriests of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Gargantuan defence cannons and macrobatteries stud the outer ring of the station. The Bulwark's commander was less-than-thrilled at news of another Rogue Trader coming to aid. Clearly Jacob's peers had made an... 'impression' on Damaris' defence forces. Credit to him that the only sign of irritation was a slight twitch of the eyebrow as Jacob had mentioned his profession and that he still went through the appropriate formalities for welcoming a Rogue Trader to their world. It wasn't much longer before the command crew touched down at Sphinx's Landing Starport at the request of the defence's commander. The ticking of metal could be heard as the gun-cutter cooled from its landing, and the smell of promethium and the fumes of ship fuel permeated the air. Scanning the area, Jacob soon spotted a groundcar in the distance and a well dressed man in an adepts robes waiting beside it. As he made eye contact with the adept, he beckoned to the crew to approach. He greeted them with the sign of the Aquila. Greetings honoured worthies of our Imperium. On behalf of the honourable Belkan Kapak, Governor of the Imperialallied world of Damaris, I welcome you to our home. My name is Jorun Alexander, aide to Governor Kapak. I have been sent here at his request to transport you and your esteemed entourage to the Imperial Governors Palace. I am also to place myself at your disposal as a liaison for the duration of your stay. Jorun gestured to the vehicle and bid them to enter. A Council has been called with news of your arrival, and all the proper arrangements have been made for your accommodations in Damaris City until the matter at hand has been resolved. Jorun paused for a moment, then added less formally, I would also like thank you for coming. On the behalf of myself... and my family. If theres anything you need, or need to know about our planet, I can help as best I can. Well, I suppose get the obvious question out of the way, Jacob asked once they were all in the groundcar, Why the general distress call? Surely Battlefleet Calixis or Koronus could have dispatched ships to aid your world. We sent word to the Battlefleets as soon as Captain Sylvia Locke's talented scouting detected the ork fleet. Governor Kapak petitioned the Imperial Navy for additional ships but was denied by Battlefleet Calixis on the basis that they are preparing their ships for a major exercise. Thus, he sent out a general Astropathic plea for aid. We have no true warships of our own. However, several other Rogue Traders have answered our call and have brought their warships with them. Jorun's summary was not filling Jacob with confidence. If the Navy wasn't going to be sending any direct help, it would make this war a lot more difficult.