Chapter 4: Salvaging the Onslaught Part 2
Truths-Cataclysm
Interdimensional entities invaded our reality. Swarming, animalistic creatures that called themselves Forgespawn. Without warning, these implacable and enigmatic beings ravaged our homeworlds. We could not stand against them. With the last of our defenses destroyed, our hope is gone, we cast our fate to the Forge. Here, we can hide. Survive.
[Begin a Session: Influential character or faction is introduced or given new detail +1 momentum (6)]
Temura, leader of the Forgespawn Dropship Gauntlet of the Ancients, stood on the bridge of his ship overlooking the planet Fortuna in the Burning Web Sector of the Forge. Fortuna is a Vital world with a few planetary settlements scattered about, teeming with life. The population of Fortuna is 19,848.
Temura hit the ship's intercom and began to speak.
"Today we begin the assault of the planet Fortuna, a farming planet that is responsible for all food stocks in the Sector. These humans multiple like rats in the Forge, taking away our vital resources the Emperess needs to survive. She will not tolerate it anymore.
Today may we die in honor in the service of the Emperess. Happy hunting my children. Leave none alive."
Hundreds of voices could be heard echoing throughout the ship, saying one phrase over and over.
"For the Emperess"
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Tinker and Rodney tried to open the door at the end of the corridor but it was locked. Remembering the Keycard Tinker found in the lounge, he tried it on the door and it slid open.
The room was a communal living quarter. Many beds lay scattered around the room, clothes and belongings littered the floors. In the corner of the room was a Glowcat. The Keepers used them in their dealings with the public.
This Glowcat looked to be a kitten. It was on the smallish side, only about a foot long. As we entered the room it ran towards us and began bumping Tinker's leg with its head.
"Why are you here all alone Kitty?" Tinker said as he scratched its head a few times before looking around the room.
Written on the wall was a message from one of the crewmen.
Forgespawn dropship was spotted by the Outbounder. We couldn't get any other information from it before we fled. We need to find the Outbounder.
The Glowcat followed Tinker around the room as he explored all the personal belongings. Nothing of value except the message could be found within the room. There was a big barricade that would be able to block the door from the inside of this room, making it a safe haven to catch some rest if need be.
"Ok, Rodney. We need to find the bridge and the cargo hold or docking bays. That's where the expensive stuff will be if there is anything left. And keep your eyes out for more Forgespawn. I doubt there is only one on the ship."
Tinker went back to the Food storage area with Rodney and the Glowcat in tow. The door to the west was closed and they came from the east but many other passages were to the east that they didn't explore.
Tinker decided to go west while he was here and opened the door. The aroma of death and blood assaulted the senses as soon as Tinker opened the door. This was the Kitchen of the Keeper ship. A few bodies littered the floor as well as blood and guts.
Tinker searched the room and found nothing of note except for one thing that was hanging on the wall of the Kitchen. It was a glass case, and inside was an iconic six-shooter from Earth's old west. It had the inscription "Original Six Shooter held by Legendary Lawman Dusty Brown"
"Frak, Rodney. A lot of Keeper artifacts are in this ship. These items are priceless. I think we hit the motherlode this time. Once this all sells and the Grubs Alliance gets their cut, we will be sitting pretty for a long time." Tinker said as he made sure to get a recording of the Six Shooter.
Tinker turned towards Rodney and Rodney was bent down playing with the Glowcat.
"Did you even hear a word I said, Rodney?" Tinker grumbled before going to the large cabinet barricading the door to the west.
"Are ye natterin' t' me, Cap'n? I was busy playin' wit' Spot." Rodney said as the Glowcat, Spot, began licking Rodney's hand.
Sigh Tinker listened to the door to see if he could hear anything in the next room.
[Gather Information +wits: Weak Hit: 3 + 4 + 0 = 7 vs 1 | 10 the information provides new insight, but also complicates your quest. Envision what you discover. Then, take +1 momentum (6)]
Tinker could hear movement in the next room and something speaking in a very low voice. He couldn't make out the words but he could make out the language. It was Forgespawn. He listened for a moment more and heard a human voice, very faintly.
"Please don't kill me."
"Shit Rodney, there's a human in there with Forgespawn. We have to save him." Tinker said as he put his hand on the cabinet and tried to move it.
"Protocol specifically states that if a livin' crew hand be still on board a ship marked fer Salvage then said ship be indeed nah salvageable 'n ownership transfers o'er t' the livin' crew hand."
Tinker was about to say something before Rodney held up a finger to silence him.
"It further states that any Grubs that find themselves in that situation shall end all salvage operations 'n leave the derelict immediately 'n call it into the Chapterhouse where said Grub got the contract t' salvage that derelict.."
"Frak the rules Rodney, He is a human at the mercy of the Forgespawn. It is our duty to save him." Tinker said as he loosened up the straps for the big wrench he uses during combat.
"No cap'n. 'tisn't our duty. It doesn't state that anywhere in our Charter. Ye be makin' it up t' further yer owns gains." Rodney said as he picked up the Glowcat and began rubbing its belly.
"I'm not letting him die, Rodney. I've seen what the Forgeapwn do to people they capture alive when I was a member of the Venture. I don't wish that on anyone. Are you coming?"
"O' course Cap'n. I would ne'er allow ye t' enter harm's way without bein' thar wit' ye. I was jus' statin' our laws as Grubs." Rodney said as he put down the Glowcat and firmly held his wrench, ready to fight.
Tinker and Rodney pushed the cabinet to the side and rushed into the room. It was a medium-sized mess hall with tables and chairs scattered about the place. A bunch of the tables was broken or flipped on their sides, many Keeper bodies could be seen around the room.
In the corner of the room were four Forgespawn Grunts. Vicious little creatures that the Forgespawn use as cannon fodder. They weren't too bright but mean as hell. They usually carried some type of blunt weapon so they could knock out their opponents and could torture them afterward.
They were circled around a lone Keeper that was laying on the ground. His blaster a few feet away from his hands. He was bleeding from many different wounds around his body.
[Battle rolled +iron: Weak Hit: 1 + 3 + 0 = 4 vs 3 | 6 On a weak hit, you achieve your objective, but not without cost. Pay the Price. The Keeper dies]
Tinker and Rodney rushed into the fray and started swinging their heavy wrenches. The grunts were not very good fighters but always fought in packs. That was their main advantage but today, the advantage was all Tinker and Rodney.
Tinker and Rodney made quick work of the Grunts and when they were done, Tinker rushed over to the Keeper and checked his pulse, it was very faint.
"Thank you." The Keeper said in a very low voice, gasping for breath as he spoke.
"Shh. Don't speak. Let me see if I can bandage you up." Tinker said to the Keeper.
The Keeper lifted his hand and stopped Tinker from grabbing his medkit.
"I won't be needing it, my time has come in the Forge." The Keeper said as he began coughing, blood staining his lips afterward.
"Salvage code o' conduct states that in the event o' a livin' crew hand that dies in the presence o' a salvager, the ownership o' the derelict automatically transfers o'er t' the salvager if he be in good standin' wit' the Grubs Alliance," Rodney said matter of factly.
"Shut up Rodney," Tinker said as he held onto the Keeper's hand.
"You need to find the Mutara. It has vital information about the Forgespawn. That was the Outbounder we got the distress call from. Find it. All our lives depend on it." The Keeper said as he wheezed for breath.
Tinker grabbed his iron wrench. "I swear on this iron that I will find the Outbounder vessel the Mutara and retrieve the information they have on the Forgespawn and bring it back to the Keepers."
[Swear an Iron Vow: To find the Mutara and retrieve any data they have on the Forgespawn and bring it back to the Keepers. (formidable challenge). Rolled +heart: Weak Hit: 3 + 3 + 0 = 6 vs 8 | 2 you are determined but begin your quest with more questions than answers. Take +1 momentum (7), and envision what you do to find a path forward.]
The Keeper nodded before closing his eyes, his chest rose one more time as his last breath left his lips.
"Ye be the proud owner o' the Onslaught now Cap'n." Rodney said as he scratched the Glowcats head.
"Shut up Rodney," Tinker said as he searched the Keeper for anything of value. In the Keeper's pocket, he found a key. One from the olden days that unlocked a mechanical lock.
Tinker went around the room and searched everyone and after he was done he placed all the bodies together and closed their eyes. He found a lot of useful personal gear on the Keepers and decided to take one of the Grunt hammers as a trophy for his ship.
[Marked a milestone box on the challenge and vow]
[End of Session move: What will they find next in Tinker's new ship The Onslaught? Any other Forgespawn roaming the halls? Find out next time. +1 momentum (8)]
[End of Session stats: Momentum 8, Health 5, Spirit 4, Supply 5, Rodney's health 4, Progress of Salvaging the Onslaught 3 boxes, Progress on the Vow to find and salvage the Onslaught 4 boxes, Made a new formidable vow To find the Mutara and retrieve any data they have on the Forgespawn and bring it back to the Keepers (0 boxes)]
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