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General => Play-By-Forum => Graveyard => Topic started by: Silhar on April 21, 2010, 15:13

Title: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on April 21, 2010, 15:13
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Prologue : Hell beneath.
"I'm not afraid of high. It's just unsettling, a possibility to spit my lungs away before I'll meet the ground."


Planet Thyss.

Until the end of M39 and the beginning of M40, a backwater somewhere rimward from Lathes.
Despite, sometimes pleasant, tropical climate, mostly settled by orks. And malaria.
Today, after a discovery made in M40.002 by some misled expedition, an important corner of the galaxy.
The reason is a deposit.
Rare black marble, so much loved by noblemen from the whole Calixis sector, especially Malfian nobility, is being mined here.
Few trading houses have forseen the potential very quickly. Now, the whole place is worth approximately a small battlefleet.
Its loss would result in global unrest, that is a certain thing.
Perhaps this is why the Inquisition are interested in the place recently. Ordo Hereticus were almost as much expected as a rain in the midday.
But... Ordo Xenos ?


The green-blue globe of the planet is visible perfectly in the light of stars through the large, round-shaped window, the only one in the square hall around a hundred square metres you find yourself in.
Despite "The Madman" trading ship being an ancient work of Mechanicus steelshapers, the room does not look too much rusty or shabby, even if almost unfurnished. Banners of crimson red with a cog-wheel mark and those of white, wearing a golden "I" hang on the wall opposite the fenetre, some oil-painting illuminated by two lamp-packs right between the canvas makes a good impression along with a hulking round table of steel, with an Adeptus Mechanicus symbol carved in the middle. There are around eight not really comfortable chairs around it.
On the other walls massive door of steel can be seen, one on each, being in peaceful symmetry.
This is where you were told you are going to meet your new employer, the Magos Militiant Interrogator Mordecai Van Bohr.
A chronometer above the painting ticks silently, reminding you that the Interrogator is a bit late already.
Minutes pass in silence as you wait for your further fate to be revealed.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on April 21, 2010, 15:27
In the corner of the room, slender women sat. She wrapped herself tightly in a drab robe, and kept her head down, so that all you could were moderately long, ashen hair covering her face. Next to her, large backpack laid, almost as big as she was.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on April 22, 2010, 10:51
Dressed in his Adeptus Arbites' uniform and combat armour, Ramirez took a seat opposite to the window, removed his backpack and loosened some of his armour's straps. As soon as he did that, started to examine every individual present in the hall, one by one, presuming about their abilities and advantages. Afterwards Ramirez took his time, relaxed, and coolly contemplated the view of the planed behind the window with his face apparently emoting nothing but patience.
Deep in his soul, Arbitrator was most cheerful, for once again appeared an opportunity to serve his Emperor.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on April 24, 2010, 05:59
The doors opened, and a late arrival stomped on in, not trying to be the least bit careful about its heavy footfalls. Though it was wrapped in rags covered with blood and dirt, it had the unmistakeable figure of an Ork - big, broad shoulders, hunched back, stooped posture... The creature also had an impressively thick collar around its likewise thick neck. It stomped over to one of the chairs, jingling with loose metal pieces held somewhere about its person, probably in the large backpack slung over one shoulder.

Eventually it settled in a chair with a grunt, and a creak of protest from the chair. Its beady little red eyes studied those present for a while, as if appraising them for whatever purposes, then rather unceremoniously dumped some of the contents of its pack onto the table - a very peculiar collection of mechanical and electronic parts, among them what looked like a bionic eye and a couple of large batteries. Since the others at the table didn't seem to warrant the Ork's attention, it set to trying to bash the various pieces into something useful.

Ork mechanics in action. A fascinating show, to be sure.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on April 27, 2010, 15:16
A few minutes passed through on intensive swearing, sounds of metal bashing against metal and iron-glass, scratching heads and other mek-activities, finally resulting in a part of a table turning red-hot for a while, as an open bionic visual sensor cast out a thin burst of red light. Ork's facial expression changed from heavy, teeth-clenching concentration to cheerness in a blink of an eye.

Nothing more could happen, though, as iron gates in the wall of the room opened with a loud hiss, revealing three strange figures in the depth of corresponding room. Dim light oozed through the portal, casting shadows on the floor of iron.

One of three humanoids, one of two clad in long robes, the only one with visible mechadendrites - at least one arm, hanging idle in the air, stepped forward, his steps echoing loudly in the silence that came as strangers appeared.
Around 1,80 metre high, thin, spacious robes of crimson red almost making him drown. A little metal plate flashing with few diodes, visibly straying from the neck.
As he walked to the light, his features became more visible.
Around forty years old, judging from the handsome, long face, suprisingly bearing no filration mask - but emblazoned with a short triangular beard of dark blonde instead, bald head bearing tattoos, those reminding slightly of some tech-scheme. Only the backhead seemed to bear hair, slightly long and pretty much in disorder. The man had his left eye bionic, its red circle shining warmly, as if in opposition to steel-like apple of the right one. Cables and wires coming out from the sensor's body blended with his fluffy mullet. Ironic smile danced on the Magos's thin lips as he looked at you. He raised his right hand in a gesture of greeting, showing it is not of weak flesh anymore. Bolter-mechadendrite waved also with a silent yell.

"Ah, so those are my humble subordinates, no ?", he uttered merrily, smiling. The artifical, cybernetic timbre of his voice sounded awkwardly, its low-frequency waves bouncing from the facets of steel and making weak-stomached feel uneasy. "I beg you forgived me for me being late. Important matters were holding me back.", he added after a while, more seriously.

You can see a servo-skull flying nearby the woman in the room's corner. It gives away a few loud cracks, then starts translating the Tech-Priest's words into some other than Low Gothic language, supposedly its higher, more noble version.

"I am Magos Militiant Interrogator Mordecai Van Bohr, faithful servant of my mistress, name of which you are not meant to know... for now, and of the Omnissiah, Machine-God, Father of All Knowledge. I, and so are you since now, am working for the Holy Ordo Xenos, task of which is to neutralize any threats for the Humanity coming from the outside."

He pulls out a data-slate, grunts, and continues after a while, looking at the device from time to time.

"No time to waste. Let us proceed with the briefing, if you please.
Only a few months ago on a mining colony there, on Thyss...", the Magos pointed at the window with his iron hand, "...authorities started noticing a series of wierd accidents happening to local workers. Accidents, mostly lethal, as our sources say, were irrational events, but happening oftenly enough to cause suspicion. Regulars like to say about a curse over this place... We suppose that it might be linked to recent Ork activity in the region - and a strange building and plant complex uncovered recently on the planet's surface."

Interrogator placed his hands on the table, leaning towards you.

"I must express my deep regret that our information about the site and those happenings is strongly limited, so that you shall have to examine it all by yourselves. Your goal is to identify, and possibly neutralize the reason of those strange phenomena. As you might cogitate, the place, being an important mining site of the black marble, is being watched by agents of noble houses. If we do not accomplish our task as soon as it is possible to accomplish... Well, just imagine."

"You, Arbitrator, are expected to stay here for a little longer. There are a few important matters to discuss before you depart. The rest is dismissed. My assistant shall lead you to the hangar and provide you transport to the site, answering every single question of yours. Come, Inertia, my dear child, do your work and may Omnissiah bless you."

Another figure emerges, the other one following her with loud screeching sounds.
Inertia appears to be young, good-looking and short red-haired woman in her middle twenties. Her flesh shows not many signs of implantation, with an exception for a little plug coming out of her head's side and electoos on her palms. A gun-servitor walks behind her, sweeping the place with its rotten eyes.

"Yes, Magos. Follow me, acolytes.", the young pilot says with a light smile, leaving the place through the other door.

Magos Militiant turns on his heel, starting to walk back and forth through the room, until everyone except the Arbitrator leave the room.

He scratches the back of his head, muttering under his breath : "Where, by the Throne's Omnipotence, are all the missing servitors ?"

* * *

The hangar appears to be a huge yet cramped and shabby hall about half an hour of walking from the briefing room. Entering through the mass of huge steel door (bearing, naturally, a Mechanicus sign carved in the middle), you almost become stunned by the brain-tearing racket of engines roaring, mechanisms grinding and pilots taunting to each other. Bright, warm light out from the lamp packs hanging from the ceiling high above makes your eyes tired, and a vivid scent of smoke scratches your lungs. It is suprising that anyone can actually work here around eight hours a day and remain in good condition. In fact, it is impossible...
Around a dozen spacecrafts of a lander class can be seen, being in various condition - from full functionality (one) through medium damage (five) to complete wreckage (three or four).
All over the walls you can see huge packs, chests, barrels and other containers, perhaps bearing fuel and junk. Loads of servitors bustle around, busy with conveying, repairing or simply wandering around without a purpose. Few tech-priests dressed in robes of crimson entact rites over the machines, blessing them, fixing them or simply ranting and raving at boisterous servitors.
You take a walk through the room, sometimes almost losing sight of your guide. Finally, you reach the destination.

The Aquila-class lander appears to be in good condition, despite being old and mildly worn out by usage. You can see few bullet holes on its wings and hull, luckily scars not deep enough to pierce the steel completely. Painted red (paint is barely visible anyway) and marked with both aquila and cogwheel signs does not look too reliable, but compared to others... well, seems like you are all at luck.
Inside, as you take the stairs and walk through the doorway, you are welcomed by a peaceful silence, indeed a grace collated to the noise outside. Four couches covered with mousy hide on both sides of the hull, a ladder up (perhaps, leading to a gun-tower), the cockpit is not divided from the passenger-room - you can see numerous blank screens and diodes, surrounding a console - a good load of colorful buttons, four levers and a manipulator. The whole contraption seems complicated.
Inertia comes inside and places herself comfortably on a pilot's seat, looking at you.
You notice that servo-skull still follows the woman with a huge backpack, occasionally spitting out a beeping noise or a whirling, silent sound of its engine.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on May 02, 2010, 16:31
The ork got up with a quiet grunt once the briefing was done, gathering up the various items he'd brought before stomping on after the pilot. He does make a brief detour at one point to collect the rest of his possessions before turning up in the hangar bay - namely, an ill-fitting suit of flak armour (painted bright blue and decorated with ork glyphs, an oversized axe, and what could be best described as a sawed-off heavy stubber.

The ork doesn't seem to take well to the silence, and fidgets constantly on the too-small shuttle seat, looking back and forth. Knowing the primitive nature of orks, it's probably just eager for the chance to rip the head off something, and is muttering something to itself in its own crude language. And giggling occasionally.

Ork giggles are not a pretty sight.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on May 02, 2010, 17:05
The eldar, even walking, still kept her head bowed. She was intimidated by the ork, and afraid of the human. And she felt poorly. When finally raised her head for a second, you could see fresh brand burnt into her cheek.

After entering the shuttle, she quickly found herself a place in a corner, and again curled up her knees. Soon, she collapsed into shallow slumber.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on May 03, 2010, 06:04
The Arbitrator joined rest of the team after a few minutes. Whole the way to the shuttle he was thinking some issues over in silence, but seemed to got rid of those doubts that had afflicted him during the briefing. He visibly felt more confident than before.

In the shuttle he let his companions rest for a while, and then began a conversation breaking the silence. His voice was calm but emphatical.
"I hope you all understand Low Gothic." - he began - "If we are to cooperate as a squad and to survive this mission, we ought to get to know something about ourselves. Without it, the task will be a failure in advance. I shall start to encourage the rest.
My name is Ramirez Zenth, I am an Arbitrator of Adeptus Arbites born and raised in the Gunmetal City on Scintella. By Magos Interrogator's authority I am your leader during this mission. I do not mind using guns - after all I am a Hiver and my gun is my life, nevertheless the main advantage of mine is the ability to gather information. I would also like you to tell me what are your feelings about our objectives. Of course despite my leadership, any advices and suggestions are welcomed. Keep in mind that our good cooperation is the key to survival."
Ramirez kicked back and waited for someone other to take up the issue.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on May 03, 2010, 06:32
The servo-skull gave away a silent beep, a crunch, and translated Arbiter's words into High Gothic. Those cracks were noisy enough to wake the Eldar up and perhaps irritate the rest.

Inertia put her feet on the console, leaning back on her seat and lighting a lho-stick. "Wake me up when you'll be ready to start.", she sneered with a soft voice, closing her eyes.

Outside, some nervous tech-adept drew a shotgun and disposed of some particularly badly programmed servitor. There was a rain of sparks and the machine fell to the ground, leaking oil.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on May 06, 2010, 05:33
After half an hour of waiting in silence disrupted only by the Ork's giggles (most annoying), the Arbitrator was deeply irritated.
"OK, fine." - he drawled - "I shall not force you both to talk. If your wish is to be treated as slaves, very well then." He shook his head with disappointment.
Then he turned himself towards Inertia and woke her up:
"Miss Inertia, start the engines if you don't mind. And I would like to have a word with you. Do you prefer now, or maybe later?
It's about the planet, the mission, the circumstances, and generally about what should we expect when we get there."
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on May 06, 2010, 06:04
With a shrug, Inertia plugged herself into the console with a jack straying from her head, muttering something under her breath. For a few seconds she seemed completely absent.
Then, the engines started and the console glowed with a hundred or so colorful diodes.
"Flight control ? Owl One demands a permission to start.", she said, unhanging the microphone from the cockpit's ceiling.
"Checking clearances... Done. Permission granted. May Omnissiah lead your paths.", the radio cracked in response.

Engines roared and the whole vehicle trembled as it slowly went through the gate. Then, a highly unpleasant moment of taking off...
After three minutes, you already were in the deep space. Noise of roaring engines stopped being so intrusive.

"Autopilot is online.", uttered the console. Inertia turned to you.

"What do you wish to know, Arbitrator ?", she asked.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on May 06, 2010, 06:45
Ramirez sat closer to Inertia for the talk to be more comfortable, and asked his questions:
"There are a few matters I need to know. Should we expect a warm welcoming down there, or should we not? What shall be the fastest way to communicate with the Magos Interrogator and send him some reports? Are there any individuals we can thrust on the surface? Are there going to be any troubles with finding a hideout? And what can you tell me about the colony itself?"
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on May 06, 2010, 07:32
"Well, well, well... Warmth of the welcome will probably depend on if you clearly explain who you are - or not. I am afraid that workers down there are pretty much afraid of Inquisitorial agents. No wonder, in my humble opinion... I would be rather prudent on introducing yourself as Magos' servant.", she responded cautiously.
"For purposes of communication you could use the transmitter here on my ship. I know the connection quality may not be the best, yet... Possibly well enough ?
On finding cover and trusted individuals... Well, Mole's Hole is a canteen popular with the workers and its owner, Marcus Lane, seems to be reliable enough. I would try asking there. And trusting anyone in the camp... You know, people go mad at each other recently so I'd be cautious about that.", the pilot finished with a sigh. "You just can not predict how someone'll act in a quarter or two. Stress fucks good with one's mind."
"Anything else ?"
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on May 06, 2010, 08:41
Ramirez seemed concerned, he knitted his eyebrows and was silent for a while, meditating on something. After a while he continued:
"It shall be difficult to avoid getting the Xenos killed, without explaining who we are in general. Especially since they have been facing some troubles with Orks. Troublesome indeed." - sighed the Arbitrator - "I was told that you used to work on the surface. In your opinion shall the inhabitants be as eager as usual to shot Xenos on sight? And this Marcus Lane... could he become an informer of a kind apart from granting us a place to stay? Oh, and was there any other investigation maintained before? I'm curious who could support us with some more detailed information about those weird incidents. Apart from that, from your statement I infer that you are going to stay on the planet surface for some time, are you not?"
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on May 06, 2010, 09:32
Softly and quietly Sulyen entered the cockpit. She seemed oblivious of discussion.

'I apologize to interrupt you, Master' she said slowly, surprisingly, in low gothic that was understandable, even if mangled and oddly accented. 'But please, tell me what services will be required of me?'
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on May 06, 2010, 09:46
Ramirez turned himself towards the Eldar, he was evidently cheerful that one of his companions decided to speak.
"It depends on your abilities and skills Miss, that is why I asked you both to say something about yourselves. But if you prefer not to, then for now just tell me how should we call you? For calling you 'Eldar' or 'Miss' every time seems to me a bit impractical." - he paused and nodded - "Before I give you orders, I must know what tasks you are suitable for."
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on May 06, 2010, 13:08
'You can call me whatever you like' she replied. 'My name is Sulyen, and I doubt that interest you. I am survivalist, I know how to survive in the wild, if that what you're asking for.'
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on May 06, 2010, 13:27
Inertia smiled lightly with a mark of sympathy as the Eldar entered the cockpit, and then responded :
"On Thyss' surface we wage a regular war against Orks, which eagerly attack our outposts. Especially... Especially during the last month. Bizzare, this started around when we've discovered those... ruins.
Lane... Well, he's a bartender. We might assume that he is around well-informed about what happens in this place, no ? Ask him if it becomes possible. And information... The only thing coming to my head is to ask workers by themselves, but... Oh, never mind. It is you who is working for Holy Ordos, right ?"
Her pleasant smile had shown her extraordinarily white teeth.
"It seems like I am going to stay there for two, three days if need arises and nobody calls me back. Why ?"
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on May 06, 2010, 14:14
"Very well then." - said Ramirez towards the Eldar - "So... Sulyen, are you familiar with any kind of weapons? Can I count on you when we encounter a combat situation?"
Then the Arbitrator answered Inertia's question: "You said we can communicate with the Magos via your ship's transmitter. I wanted to make sure for how long this possibility will be available. And what about the people's tendency to kill Xenos on sight? Hopefully not too intense."
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on May 06, 2010, 18:04
The Ork in the meantime seemed caught up in his own thoughts, not bothering much with what the little fleshy things were saying. Only occasionally he muttered to himself, "Heh... gon' get some top bitz now... gon' make Gork an' Mork da biggest shoota what an Ork done built..." followed shortly by more mad giggling.

Well, at least the greenskin looked to be in a good enough mood about being sent into a possible warzone.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on May 08, 2010, 01:02
"Perhaps the society is not much tolerant. I do not know about the Eldar - perhaps, if dressed thickly enough, people won't catch the diffirence. But Orks... I'm afraid some trigger-happy eager guards might get in your way much too hard.", the pilot scratched the back of her head, fiddling with her foxy hair for a while. "Special care might be demanded."

The lights flicker on the console as you leave "The Madman" behind, drifting through the dark, cold void. Blue-green Globe of Thyss is getting closer and closer... And so does the feeling of uneasiness somewhere deep, in the soul's bed.
With a silent hum, ship systems give out an announcement :
"Fifteen minutes to contact."
Then they fall silent again.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on May 09, 2010, 11:56
Ramirez nodded towards Inertia - "That is just what I was thinking about." Then he asked the Eldar:
"Have you got anything to prevent yourself from being recognized as an Eldar?"
Finally, the Arbitrator sat opposite to the Ork and said loudly, with confidence:
"Ork, I hope you can hear and understand me. If you haven't heard it yet, I AM your leader now. So you must not attack unless I give you such order. You must behave calmly and not attract too much attention, otherwise you shall get yourself killed! Understood?"
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on May 10, 2010, 10:11
The ork seemed to at last take notice - though it could simply be the raised voice drawing its attention. It grinned a big grin, filled with yellow, irregular, and very large teeth.

"Humie wiv big skullz over 'im say you boss?" the greenskinned brute snorted, reaching out an empty hand and giving the Arbites a testing poke in the shoulder. "Softie. See if you not get 'ead ripped off. Maybe care den," it said after a few moments, its rather tiny green ears giving a twitch at the mention of trigger-happy guards. "Humies wanna fight, we gives them a right good thumpin'!" it snorted again, idly patting the shoota by his side.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on May 10, 2010, 14:49
The Arbitrator looked and was pretty surprised. He did not count on such successful communication with the Ork, in fact he was so astonished that he did not react to the 'testing poke'. He thought for a moment and answered:
"Well then. For now it will just fit me if you won't do anything stupid. Like charging someone unprovoked. Or going for a little bashin' because you feel bored. I don't need a triggerhappy martyr in my team. Therefore I hope you shall listen to my orders so I wouldn't have to use... ultimate arguments. Those fatal ones." - ended Ramirez with a firm facial expression, however he didn't seem eager to blow up his companions.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on May 13, 2010, 09:08
Seeing the Ork close on her, Sulyen took a step back, getting closer to Ramirez. Apparently, she was still afraid of this beast.

'As long... as long as I have hood on, I doubt that your people will notice what I am' she muttered to the arbitator.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on May 13, 2010, 13:28
"Very good, the Emperor looks at us most favourably. Now, the only problem is the Ork. But since it is impossible to conceal so recognizable silhouette, we can only pray for some fortune. Unless we provoke a street fight, everything ought to be all right.
Now, both of you, do you have anything more to add before we land? Any suggestions, proposals, requests?"
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on May 20, 2010, 15:16
Hearing that nobody is up to ask any questions more, without one word Inertia turned on her seat towards the console, once again plugging into the system and grasping the wheel.
"Autopilot is offline.", announced the machine loudly, through the cracking speaker. "Two minutes to contact."

"Fasten your belts, boys and girls, it might shake a bit...", sneered the pilot, her voice changed a little, perhaps because of communion with a spirit of the machine.

Behind the windows, everything became more and more bright and the air inside the cockpit started seeming warmer, to a point it almost twitched. Silent hissing of hot metal could be heard as you were advancing slowly towards the surface.

Servo-skull turned around nervously with a silent beeping noise, as if frantically checking the hull's integrity.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on May 22, 2010, 13:45
The Arbitrator was not very pleased seeing none of his comrades eager to share one's thoughts.
He left the cockpit, sat on his place and braced for landing.
"Well, squad, the first stage of our initial mission begins in a moment. We shall not fail. Emperor prevails!"
"By the way, whose property is that servo-skull?" - he asked more casually after a while.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on May 26, 2010, 15:20
The Arbitrator's question hanged in the dense air as you passed the edge of the planet's atmosphere. It appears that evening is to come soon. For now it is bright yet, but the sky is already turning red, being covered in few ragged clouds - but from the east there is a wall of dark ones closing in slowly. Perhaps the night is going to be rainy...
Suprisingly, the air did not get any less muggy than when you were getting into the globe. It is actually hard to breathe, and it is just the evening. Who knows how it shall be in the midday ?

A quick glance down through the window reveals the landscape of some dangerous beauty. The most of the globe visible to you, if not flooded by extraordinarily clean water, is covered with dense, thick jungle. The land is extremely uneven, for now you are closing in to the mountain zone, its bare edges high in the sky as you descend.

This is when the story begins.

"No clue where the outpost is...", sneered the pilot clutching the rudder as half an hour of flight passed in the dense air. "And somehow I can not establish a connection with it. Something must be wrong with a radio..."
But her further suspicions couldn't be revealed.

Gunfire.
You can hear bullets ricocheting from the hull and in a lucky shot cracking the window - its shards soak the Eldar in an intimidating storm, its loud crack ringing in your ears...

"Orks !"
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on May 26, 2010, 15:58
"Emperor damn them! I'm not very familiar with airfight, did we take any severe damage? And how long can we withstand them firing at us?" Ramirez though surprised at first, then behaved as befits a commanding officer.
"And how is it possible you cannot find the outpost?! Thought you've been there already quite a few times!"
"Squad, brace yourselves. It is possible that we shall land in the middle of a fight, so I want you to be ready for combat. Let's stick together and no one shall get hurt. Probably. I hope you know which side of the conflict you are fighting for, as if not, I shall kill you myself."
"Eldar, are you alright?" - he asked Sulyen noticing her rained with shards.
After giving the orders the Arbitrator checked his guns and awaited Inertia's answer.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on May 28, 2010, 15:42
The Mekboy seemed to become more lively at the sound of gunfire. To him, it meant there'd be stuff to loot down below. Already he was grinning like a madboy strapped to giant rocket booster; when the window next to the Eldar blew out, he let out a loud, bellowing laugh.

"Haw! Little humie flyers, fall apart soon as ya whack them!" he observed, with the typical Orkish wit. Rather than bracing himself, the Ork began to rock back and forth in his harness, eagerly awaiting being let loose to smash some heads, and repeating, like a very loud mantra, over and over, the same three words...

"'Ere we go! 'Ere we go! 'Ere we go!..."
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on May 30, 2010, 07:18
Hearing arbitator question, Sulyen nodded. Her vestments spotted several bright red spots from tiny splinters of glass puncturing her skin. 

'I am not wounded in the way that could interfere with my usability' she said, pulling out a large shard of reinforced glass from her shoulder.

'We could drop here, in the wild' she added after a while, mumbling and uncertain if she will not get punished for daring to suggest something 'If we find some sort of solid ground, I would be able set a camp there. Then, we could reach the safer place on foot, unnoticed.'

She gave the arbitator a fearful glare, looking for any sing of anger on his face

'I- I apologize for speaking unasked' she stuttered. 
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on May 30, 2010, 13:01
Shock. The whole machine trembles.

Sulyen's words drown in a sudden, loud and unsettling roaring of flames as the far left engine explodes, turning into a portable ball of fire, growing with each second. You can feel supernatural heat allocating in the cockpit. At the moment, everything falls dead silent. It gets to you after a while. Nothing got more calm, bullets swing in the air still and still. You regain hearing after few seconds which seemed like eternity. The burdening noise of combat bombards your brains with pain.

Your pilot seems unaware or careless of what happened. Still sits in the seat, clutching the wheel, despite slugs ringing against the hull

Like a rain in the middle of a summer...

You get to know what happened when the air smelling like burning meat comes to your lungs, scratching them from inside. Inertia bleeds from the ears, nose and mouth. Her eyes sparkle, prying on the console spitting sparks and smoke. The explosion possibly caused a local shortage.

This is the price of communion with the machine. Its spirit shares everything - even death... You feel your guts twitching and turning inside-out.

It appears your spacecraft is heavily damaged, under fire and likely to crash in any moment. Moreover, the pilot is dead.

You head towards a wall of stone, growing rapidly in the middle of the front glass.

"...tical s-s-s-system malfunction-function... bzzzt... stem malf..."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on June 03, 2010, 16:06
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Ramirez was just about to say something like 'You did nothing wrong' to Sulyen when the hell unleashed.
At first he was shocked and stared at the pilot's corpse, but he got over after a while, yet still was unable to approach to Inertia's remains.
The Arbitrator tried to rapidly calculate chances of survivaland eventual options of breaking free from this contingency.
A few seconds was enough for him to reach some fearful conclusions. So he started shouting the orders, still trying not to look at the dead pilot.

'Ork! Can you fly a ship like that?! If you can, land this piece of crap immediately!' - In his soul Ramirez begged the Emperor for that wish to come true...

'Eldar! Shall we survive jumping down to the surface from this height?' - he doubted it, but it was the best idea he hit on by that time.

While waiting for the answers he appraised the time left until crushing onto the grey rock in front of them. The results was not optimistic.
Either way, he grabbed his equipment and prepared to jump through the window, if that one is really necessary.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on June 03, 2010, 18:15
The ork simply grinned at the question, shaking his head. Then, rather abruptly, the greenskin pulled free from his harness and leapt towards the closest exit from the craft, apparently preferring to take his chances with the ground than with shoddy human work. His "mantra" had changed a bit, too...

"Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go..."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on June 04, 2010, 15:09
The eldar shouted in terror, and grabbing her sack, she stuffed herself even deeper into the corner of the crashing ship's interior.

'I-I-I don't know! Don't know!' she shouted towards Ramirez.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on June 05, 2010, 15:53
'Survivalist...' - muttered Ramirez quietly to himself with deprecation.

He glimpsed around for the last time seeking for something useful that was not yet taken, and approached the Eldar.
'Stick close to me, Eldar, for we ARE jumping RIGHT AWAY.' - while speaking, the Arbitrator grabbed Sulyen's hand and pulled her towards the Ork, trying to move as fast as possible.

'Ork! You jump first, then we shall follow you!' - said and clapped the Ork's shoulder. Then he prepared to jump immediately after the Mekboy in order to either grab him too, or just fall on him, hoping that this big green piece of meat will break their fall, and they shall all survive this insane move.
'Emperor aid us...' - he whispered.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on June 09, 2010, 14:15
Being grabbed, Sulyen immediately fell flabby, and did not oppose being dragged.

'I'll jump, sir...' she said.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on June 09, 2010, 14:30
The Ork didn't seem concerned with the fate of the two pink-skins sharing the falling shuttle with him. He simply wrenched open the hatch of the craft - not the most difficult task, as they weren't made to withstand enemy fire and Orks tugging on them at the same time - and, without even bothering to look down, dropped through into the rushing air as soon as the way was open, cackling for a moment before the roar of the wind snatched that noise away.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on June 09, 2010, 14:59
You make it outside barely in the last possible moment before the wreck slams against the bare rock, spitting fire and molten steel with a loud, painful roar. Scraps of metal and clusters of rock fly around, cutting the air filled with vivid, choking smoke, giving away a loud, whirling sound. The Omnissiah's hollow bird of steel dies a death of a true martyr, taking His acolyte along...

Luckily, in the second of impact you found yourselves far enough to avoid the storm of pellets, slashing heavily everything in their way. But still, the overwhelming heat could be felt easily.

Underneath, there were trees.
Somebody is truly smiling upon you for now. Just hope that the smile was not a sign of irony...

The Ork stopped on a thick branch of an enormous plant. The wood protested with a loud crack, but, suprisingly, withstood the fall.

Unfortunately, the Arbitrator and the Eldar followed a split-second later. The tree has suddenly lost his temper and you kept on travelling down its trunk, hopefully losing some of an impact's energy.

Thud. Thud, thud.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Act One : The Longest Night
"Strange is the night when black stars rise
And strange moons circle through the skies
But stranger still is...
...Lost Carcosa."

After you regain your senses, it appears that it's getting dark already and the sun is slowly sinking behind the horizon.
You, scratched, beaten and still reeling from the shock, but still alive, find yourselves on a mountain plain, from three sides shielded with stone crags. There's a tiny forest here, and silent whispering of rushing water can be heard from a nearby river - and a waterfall.
The wreckage is hammered deeply between rocks, still sparking from time to time. Few chunks still burn, lying on a plain, along with scraps and pieces of machinery which were thrown out during the impact. A pillar of white smoke raises high into the sky.

You would feel at ease if not these traumatic moments you came through a while before... And a little item nearby on the ground.
With a feeling of relief you realize that a skull in the grass does not belong to any of you nor a pilot either. It's a malfunctioned translator servo-skull, few wires plucked outside and bone badly shattered - the cogitator unit is clearly visible from between the shards.

You have no idea of where you should go now and how much time may it eventually take.  And it seems like radio unit is burnt to chunks and smashed to bits if not better...

The sky slowly turns black, dark clouds rush from the north bringing rain. Slightly cold wind is blowing, bringing the smell of fire and molten metal.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on June 11, 2010, 07:29
The Arbitrator jumped out from the shuttle immediately after the Ork, but even so he did not entirely avoid the shockwave nor the heat of the explosion.
Therefore he was a little dazed for a while. He regained full consciousness after a second and realized two facts: The ground was approaching rapidly, and he let the Eldar loose. On the moment, Ramirez considered the first issue more distressing.

There was hardly a time for reflections, so he did not undertake any complex tactics,
just tried to break his fall by any means necessary. That included screaming, spreading widely his limbs and desperately grasping branches in his range.
Surprisingly, it helped a lot for there were many bouncy branches on the Arbitrator's way down.

In the result, the ground impact could almost be called pleasant after the latest events.
"Thank You, Immortal God-Emperor for watching over me." - whispered Ramirez when he learnt that was still alive and apparently unharmed.

After a while he recalled that there was a warzone all around. As he was trained, he got up quickly with gun ready to fire, and scouted around for enemies.
Seeing none, he checked if his companions are roughly all right, aiding them if necessary.

Finally the Arbitrator sat down with his weapon prepared and guarded till the squadmates regain consciousness.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on June 11, 2010, 14:44
The roar of the explosion faded, giving way to the sound of falling Ork, a steady "Waaaagh!" at that point near the late-middle "a" part. The sound was then suddenly cut short by a loud grunt and the crack and creak of strained wood as the Mekboy's bulk got caught on the branch. He might have been happy to stay there, even, had someone not chosen that time to land on his back.

*snap*

The descent was marked with noise of further branches snapping along the way, punctuated by ever more colourful swearing from the greenskin, culminating in a full-body impact that shook some more leaves from the tree, and left a vaguely Ork-shaped impression in the ground. A few moments later, the Ork's shoota landed on the ground with a dull thud. Another moment after that, the choppa followed suit, embedding itself in an exposed root with a satisfying thunk.

The Ork displayed a simple and effective method for checking his condition. He got up, probably throwing the two pink-skins who landed on him off his back. He straightened up well enough, no bones broken that he could tell. The green brute sat up, shook his head much like a dog might, spat out a few chunks of soil he'd bitten off during landing (along with a few teeth, which he promptly gathered up and stuffed in his pockets,) and cackled.

"Good start," he observed, gathering up his weapons. Something else caught his eye, though - the remains of the servo-skull. Reacting quickly, the Ork leapt at it, snatching it up and stuffing it down his backpack with the rest of his "tools".

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on June 15, 2010, 16:32
On the Arbitrator's face appeared a sign of relief when he saw the Mekboy getting up and realised that at least one of his comrades is apparently unharmed. He gave a discreet sigh and thanked the Emperor once again.
"Ork! I'm glad you're fully functional. I see you have already looted that servo-skull. How do you think, is it possible to recover some data from it's internal memory? We could pobably make a good use of those." - said Ramirez without getting up from his makeshift stool.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on June 16, 2010, 11:05
Eldar was the last to fall. Why she tried to slow her rather rapid descent by grabbing onto one of the branches, her weight combined with the weight of her backpack snapped it, sending her plummeting to the ground. She did not make the impressive sound like the ork did after hitting the dirt, though.

For a minute or two she remained in place, seeming stunned, though she managed to recover and assume a standing, if somewhat shaky stance.

'M-mmaster?' she stuttered, looking dazed at Ramirez.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on June 17, 2010, 08:05
"Sulyen! I am content that you stood up on your own for that means you are still quite operative. Though I would rather you sat down and take off your gear. At least for a few moments." - said Ramirez towards the Eldar and waited till she sat down. He was apparently gladsome seeing both of his inferiors almost undamaged.

"Good. Now, tell me if you are injured. Oh, and one more thing: just before the shotdown you asked me for forgiveness. There was no need to. I really appreciated, and I shall in the future, individual thinking and speaking one's mind." - said the Arbitrator to encourage the Eldar and calm her down.

After that Ramirez stood up and turned towards both his companions and said:
"OK, in this circumstances our main goal is to survive and get to the nearest army's outpost. In my opinion we should stay here for few hours or whole night to have some rest, and then set out. But Sulyen" - said directly to the Eldar - "you are the survivalist, so you opinion is essential. What are your ideas and proposals?"
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on June 17, 2010, 08:31
So you got up and eventually regained senses, despite the pain radiating from few grazes and scratches realizing that your fate could be much worse than this. It could be raining, could it not ?
And as you stand on your own legs and discuss matters of acting further, you also get to understand why was the day so sultry.

Raindrops. They fall one by one as the downpour gets closer and closer with a loud rustle. After a while you are all soaking wet.
What's more, water pouring from the sky extinguishes the fire consuming a shipwreck half-dug in the mountain's wall. With a noisy hiss, the coiling column of white-yellow smoke gets even more thick... thick and visible from afar.
 
In the distance, you can hear the rolling thunder.

The harbinger of things to come...
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on June 17, 2010, 15:06
Sulyen quickly regained her wits, even if she was still all sore. She looked at the night sky, wondering how long it was since she was in the wilds for the last time.

Definitely too long, she decided after a while. And while she was still humiliated and disgraced, she felt better than for the last few years.

Then, she reminded herself of her duties. Without a word, she took off her blood soaked, torn robes, and pulled off a new suit from her backpack. It was tight environmental bodyglove, painted in camouflaging patterns. She quickly changed into it.

'Master' she finally spoke, with her usual weak voice, albeit bit more confident than before. 'What are your orders for me?'
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on June 17, 2010, 15:49
The Ork held up the skull by one of the cables hanging from it, giving it a light shake. "Huh. Might recover somethin' from it. Ain't gonna be mem'ry, though," he said with a chuckle, and quickly set to work prying what mechanical pieces he could out of the servo-skull, and stuffing what he could get into his backpack, apparently not concerned much with the rain. He just jumped out of a shuttle with no parachute, some water wasn't about to worry him.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on June 22, 2010, 16:15
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Ramirez seemed to be quite anxious in gesture but his face expressed nothing but determination. He walked nearer a tree to at least partially cover himself from rain.

"I shall repeat my question, although I do mind doing so. What in your opinion, Sulyen, should we do now, as our main goal is to reach the nearest safe place, probably an army's outpost. Before, I considered staying here for a while to get some rest. However, in this circumstances, I mean the rainfall, it is possible that we should better leave immediately without attracting any unnecessary attention. I would rather prefer avoiding combat situations.
I strongly hope you will be able to pinpoint the direction. What say you then?"

"If you have anything to say in this matter, Ork, I shall also listen to your opinion." - he added towards the Ork after hearing Sulyen's answer.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on June 22, 2010, 16:26
Sulyen nodded.

'Master, do you have any sort of map that would give us the location to the army camp? Otherwise, it would be hard for us to find it, not to mention possible danger of being attacked by Orks or wildlife' she said. 'Also, I am afraid that this rainfall won't stop soon, and will repeat daily. We need to accustom to it.'

She looked around.

'We should move in case someone is tracking the shot down vehicle, but not too far. Then, we could start reconnaissance.'
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on June 23, 2010, 02:21
These words are barely out of Sulyen's lips as distant taunting comes to your ears.

"Ya make haste, dem 'ummiez gotta be cloze !"
"Left-right-r... Uhm. One-tw-... Whatevuh. Muv yr assez, puny scumz !"
"Orkz ! Orkz ! Orkz !"
"Orkz high !"
"For da war-boss ! Skulwhacka izz da bestest !"
"Go high yaself, shithed !"
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on June 23, 2010, 11:43
As soon as the Arbitrator heard the enemies' outcry he got up and immediately prepared to set off saying meanwhile:
"Enemies are approaching, move-move-move team! Grab your gear and go! I bet there is too many of them! Let's get the Hell out of this place!
Eldar, you're leading the way. I doubt if you consider it possible for us to defeat them in battle however if you do, then find a place to prepare an ambush.
Otherwise, just get us as far away from here as you can."

Ramirez prepared his gun and examined the rear for hostile Orks while retreating.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on June 23, 2010, 13:34
The mekboy looked downright disheartened by the prospect of retreat, though he grabbed up his sack of shiny bits and his weapons in short order, following the two humies.

"Awh, can't we stick around an' shoot at dem for a bit? Just a little?" he objected, bringing up the rear of the retreat.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on June 23, 2010, 14:23
'Your will, master.' she whispers, picking up her backpack.

She takes the lead and trying to avoid the orks, she leads the team out of the area.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on June 23, 2010, 15:55
The Arbitrator grinned towards the Ork and said:
"There shall be plenty of other opportunities to shoot at them. But as you have already noticed those bad Orks are just too many for us to manage. At this moment attracting their attention is not a good idea I suppose, for they would tear us apart. Agreed?"

"You know Sulyen, I appreciate your commitment, but you should really speak your mind more often. I mean it. For example now." - told Ramirez to the Eldar after a minute of silent retreat. On his face there could be seen a flash of boredom immediately replaced with anxiety caused by the nearby danger.

As he was following the Eldar survivalist he was also scouting around the area on their sides, leaving the rear to the Ork.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on July 31, 2010, 15:11
After some time, around half an hour of hasty climbing through the mud and smooth, wet stone, after falling to your knees several times - you make it to the mountain spire, barely catching breaths and seeing each other in the mist. Tired, dirty, scared and wet to the last scrap of material, yet it seems like your luck didn't run out yet - your foes were left in the rear, and your footsteps vanished in the intensive rain. Beasts' howling of disappointment still echo in the distance, the only way they can reach you... for now.

It remains a secret, how Sulyen did manage to forecast the direction orks were coming from. But this matter does not have much to concern you, for at least you are still alive, free and breathing - although breathing shallow, definitely in need for a rest, at least only for a while.

The planet's weather conditions are not going to give up, all in all, not to mention giving you some time to regain your senses. It's still raining heavily, streams of water pouring down the spire, stronger and stronger. Lightning flashes are still visible, roaring thunders almost deafening because of the height you are at...

A lightning bolt turns the nearby tree into a huge torch. It burns for a while, then extinguishes in the downpour.

The dense mist and inpierceable darkness covers everything. One couldn't see a tip of his nose. In the daylight, the mountain top would make for a perfect lookout point.

But... it's night.
The bloody darkest night. Who dares to check what lurks in the dark ? Who makes it back outside to tell the tale ?

And you have no clue of where to go now.
It's a matter of time before your foe finds you. Pray for it being orks.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on August 01, 2010, 15:36
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Ramirez was almost exhausted when they finally reached the spire. He shook off his backpack, heavily sat on a stone and said:
"Brake... A short brake..."

After a while spent on deep breathing and massaging his neck, the Arbitrator continued:
"OK now... I think we should set a camp somewhere here, possibly in a place with some cover. I'm thinking of something like a great rock, a cave, or a bunch of dense bushes. As you have already noticed, this spire is a good lookout." - Then the Arbitrator turned directly towards the Eldar -"Sulyen, you did great job leading us here, thank you." - After that he paused for a while, staring at the horizon.

"With the dawn we should be able to spot some signs of civilisation - an allied outpost, I hope. At the moment, we have other issues to manage with.
Sulyen, please find the best place to set our camp nearby.
Ork, maybe you have some suggestions, or just want to speak your thoughts?"

Zenth stood up, covered his gear to protect it from rain. Then he took his gun and started guarding the area, picking up his eyes and ears to notice ahead any danger.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on August 02, 2010, 04:50
Hearing the words of his commander, Sulyen bowed her head in obedience. She fatigued by the march- apparently she fell out of shape during last few years.

'Your will, Master'she said, and quickly glanced at the surroundings, looking for an appropriate spot for the camp. Soon, she found one: a huge rock that protected (at least a little) against the wind and rain.

Within minutes, she managed to set up a strange-looking tent there. Next few minutes she spent on burring some strange device in the dirt nearby. Finally, she approached Ramirez.

'I did what I could, master' she reported, panting heavily. 'The are seems to be safe.'

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on August 03, 2010, 14:50
"I be thinkin' we could've thumped dem boyz but good," the Ork replied with a snort, stubby ears twitching as he stood in the rain. The long run didn't seem to have tired him the slightest bit. Neither did the rain, for that matter... of course that meant if there were Orks in pursuit, they might be expected to have similar stamina.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on August 09, 2010, 16:13
Zenth nodded towards the Eldar.
"Very good, that is just what I was thinking about."

"Before deciding anything, we should have a meal. Unfortunately a cold one, as setting fire would rather not be a clever idea."

Ramirez sat with his teammates and consumed one portion of his rations. He was very tired and ate in silence, but still tried to examine around for any sign of danger during the meal. When he finished, he thought some issue through and then said:
"OK now, there is my plan: first watch is yours" - the Arbitrator pointed out his Ork companion - "I am afterwards, and you are last, Sulyen."

Zenth stood up and started walking towards the tent. He clapped the Ork's shoulder and wished him luck -"Keep your eyes and ears open wide, my big, green fellow. Wake me up when the time comes."

In the tent, before falling asleep the Arbitrator told Sulyen - "Get some rest. We set off at the dawn."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on August 19, 2010, 15:15
"Ooh, gots yerself a big fancy plan... bet ya'd muck it up if ya added anything more to it," the Ork snorted, the sarcasm just dripping from his voice. His input given, the greenskin moved off a short way from the camp to dig into his own rations. He didn't want the pinkies to try and nick any of his home-made food, after all.

The Ork didn't really care much for the idea of setting up watches, so while the rest of the party went to sleep, the Ork busied himself with trying to make a skullcap out of the servoskull. Maybe he could fit an extra killy laser eye or two in it as well. Three killy laser eyes were better than one, after all.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on August 28, 2010, 06:22
Scav, so much involved in smashing pieces together, did not really pay attention to events taking place around. At least the work was proceeding forward and the Mekboy's contraption was slowly gaining a visible shape. The question arises - if functionality as well.

The sounds of heavy bashing, ringing and chiming along with the rain's whispering additionally drowned the roar of a crude engine somewhere nearby. When intruders came into vincinity, Ork couldn't help but only raise his head and see.

Four shadowy figures of a hulking size, striking and bringing fear. The stench, although quenched by the downpour, was hard to bear anyway.

One of the Orks steps forward and adresses Magork with a loud roar, loud enough to wake the rest up.

"Ye ! Ya thar ! Hu'z da boss ?"
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on August 28, 2010, 07:00
Whereas the instinct for most humans would probably be to reach for their guns, the instinct for an Ork was slightly different. The crumbling servoskull still in his hands, the mekboy looked around quickly at the other Orks, determining that the one talking was the biggest (or at least the loudest...)

"You da boss?" he ventured, with that goofy grin typical of mekboys the universe over who'd been asked something important when they were actually thinking about big explosions and not listening at all.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on August 28, 2010, 13:31
Orks were not the silent creatures, so they managed to drag Sulyen out of her light sleep by mere being around. As soon as the Eldar realized what is going on, her heart begun to race like crazy. Those beasts were terrifying her.

Struggling with her fear, she climbed out of the tent, leaving Cortez still sleeping in warm bedroll- her own, and the only one the party had, and tried to conceal herself somewhere among the rock or foliage, hoping that it will be enough to keep her from the Orks sight.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on September 06, 2010, 15:16
Ramirez was not so vigilant as the Eldar and he was sleeping far less light. When the noise managed to wake him up, she was already gone. But before he managed to wonder where she might be, he heard the sounds made by the Orcs coming.

The Arbitrator decided that fleeing would not be honorable and fight meant certain death. He chose something in the middle. Fortunately, his gear was in the tent, within his reach, so it didn't take long to crawl outside with his trusted gun in hand. After a quick glance at the Mekboy, Ramirez tried to get to the nearest cover undetected - silent and fast, before the enemies arrive. He was hoping for a cover more solid than the tent, but some slump of bushes would fit him too.

From there he would observe the situation, ready to react, should the need arise.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on September 18, 2010, 10:33
"Noo, ya idiot, hu'z YER boss?!", taunted the greenskin, taking a step closer and raising his fist, armored and spiked. "Speak or..."

Luckily, both Ramirez and Sulyen remained unsighted, as the remaining three Orks laughed at the Mek, each of them caring neither about an Eldar running swiftly nor Arbite preparing for combat. Their senses drowned both by heavy rain, loud shouting and pitch darkness, none of them saw any purpose in leaving such a delicious occasion to laugh.

Then, silent humming in the background, unheard and uncared, turns twenty times louder - into a brain-damaging alarm-like screech. Perhaps the Eldar's hasty steps triggered the contraption buried in the ground half an hour before.

"Whuzzat?!", roars the huge Ork, looking around. As far as one can see in the darkness, its face shows a mark of suprise - or slight awe.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on September 18, 2010, 13:10
The mekboy's face turned into a grin of realisation, and he happily pointed a finger straight up at the sky. "Boss up dere... got 'isself a 'uge krooza, too... Told Magork to get down and find some good bits for bigger shootas for da krooza an' do some other stuff, so..." the mekboy shrugged. "Can't argue wiv' da boss, ya?"

At the noise, the mekboy flattened down his stubby ears a bit, shaking his head. "Dat ain't one o' mine..." he said, looking about as confused as the rest of the orks.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on September 20, 2010, 15:01
Zenth swore noiselessly, when he heard the strange sound and realized that is attracted the Orks' attention in the bad way. He looked around quickly and examined the surroundings for the source of both upcoming troubles and the sound.

The Arbitrator prepares for a rough fight and aims at the biggest greenskin in the band, that one which 'talks'.
Then he awaits the right moment, dangerous situation or a miracle, whatever comes earlier.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on October 06, 2010, 09:59
The greatest Ork pushes Magork off his way as he advances further into the camp, his steps resounding with a splashing noise as he treads through the puddles.
He comes closer to the tent, finding the source of the noise. Few loud gunshots later, there is silence again. The beast tears the tent's entrance wide open. He glares around the hideout for a while, then bursts out roaring:
"Ooh, da 'ummie! What we gonna do, boyz, wif da stupid Mek hangin' 'round wif pinkiez?"
The loud laughter of four thick throats echoes a split-second afterwards.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!", they answer with a powerful chanting.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Aramilllion on October 10, 2010, 10:54
"I think this is the moment I was waiting for... Emperor, guide my hands." - whispered Zenth. He looks around trying to find the Eldar and give her the order to attack.

He aims at the greatest Ork's head, and fires a short burst with his Creed-9. The Arbiter keeps shooting until the Greenskin is dead.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Gargulec on October 15, 2010, 15:18
Sulyen shrieked in fear, seeing her master attack. She was not ready for combat, she was not ready for a fight, she was not fit for it! She was weak! Frail!

Concentrating all little of his willpower, she managed to draw her tiny laspistol, but her hands was shaking, and she was just to afraid to pull the trigger.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Xander Morhaime on October 15, 2010, 16:02
Magork had put up with these blunt, uninspired Orks for long enough. They couldn't see the Grand Plan, couldn't hear the voice of Gork (or was it Mork?)...

They had to go.

"Thump 'DIS!" the mekboy yelled, raising his shoota, pointing it in the Orks' very general direction, and letting loose. No short, controlled bursts - Magork simply pulled the trigger as tight as it would go and held on.
Title: Re: Garden of The Dark PBF - Main Thread
Post by: Silhar on October 16, 2010, 09:28
The Ork leader taunts loudly, as Arbitrator's slugs pierce his skin and bone. He falls to the ground with a loud snap, leaking blood, with a silly facial expression.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)