Kuunyesu Marooned
Ash, Max and Acid were dispatched by Inquisitor Kovach on a mission to recover or destroy an Abominable Intelligence believed to be in possession of a pirate lord based around Boros' Folly.
The Message
The Obelisk received a message directed to Inquisitor Luque using codes over 300 years old:
Kuunyesu found. Probable AI. ?Malefic. Requesting team for retrieval of device. Local warlord in possession of Kuunyesu, is able to detect presence of ALL incoming vessels. Warlord also in possession of battleship ‘Dammerung’ plus escort flotilla; is considering raids on Handroth and Cetus as no more ships coming through Needle. Team should accept capture on arrival, disable all weapons and style selves as carrying valuable cargo to avoid ship destruction. Await contact once captured.
Whilst risky, Kovach decided it was worth the risk to send in a small team. Ash as leader and defence against possible malefic, Max as pilot and Acid to deal with the possible AI. They were given command of the light trading ship Pollaster, with an attractive-to-pirates cargo of non-Imperial juvenats, and a skeleton Imperial Navy crew:
- Navigator Soma Velint
- Commander Yevrina Torek
- 1st Mate Raniel Solkov
- Techpriest Minoris Sematin Falsten
Meeting the Contact
The mission proceeded as planned, the crew were captured, and Agent Caer Padavel made contact with them. He explained that he had been sent on a mission by Luque into the Halo Zone to investigate rumours of a device known as the "Kuunyesu". It was said to have properties that could help preserve the minds of those whose lives were being greatly extended beyond mortal span. During the trip out his ship had suffered complications during it's warp jump and he exited the warp 300 years later than expected. Despite this, he continued with his mission, eventually tracking the Kuunyesu to the pirate lord Ishmael aboard his battleship Dämmerung.
Having found what he believed to be the device, Caer worked his way into the trust of Ishmael to find out more about it. Whilst he had never seen it himself, he knew it was kept in a room directly behind the bridge that few people were allowed to enter. He also knew that it drew a huge amount of power, the area around the ship was unnaturally cold, and it was somehow able to advise Ishmael about where to be when in order to gain huge tactical advantage.
Caer asked the team about what happened to Luque, and Acid truthfully told him that he had been reported dead hundreds of years ago, however he sensed that she was not telling him the whole truth. Caer's mission was to recover the Kuunyesu and return with it for study, which he fully intended to continue despite the apparent death of his master, however as soon as they got a chance to confer in private away from Caer the agents from the obelisk all agreed that they would most likely have to destroy the Kuunyesu and recovery was not a priority.
The Mission
With Caer's help, the team accessed a computer station. Acid confirmed that there was no AI at large within the ship's systems and identified that Kuunyesu was entirely isolated, all the normal electronics within it's room were disabled. Despite this, she formed a plan to communicate with it by modulating the voltage with morse code. If the AI was able to adjust it's own power drain then it could communicate back. It did.
They learned a little from speaking to Kuunyesu. It seemed keen to escape from Ishmael who was a man of limited vision as it believed it could "help" on a larger scale. The "help" it offered was prediction and extrapolation. It would not explain it's nature however and insisted on the team visiting it in person.
Whilst the agents from the Obelisk remotely locked down doors to give themselves a free run to Kuunyesu, Caer went to visit Ishmael and propose a scouting mission using the team's captured cargo ship and it's crew. This mission would be their escape route.
When they reached Kuunyesu they discovered it was in the form of a large complex cogitator with heavy power connectors. It was definitely daemonic, as Ash's null aura prevented people within it from hearing it's speech, however they quickly discovered that those outside her aura could hear it's speech and it could read their minds.
It tried to negotiate with them, however neither Max nor Acid were willing to speak with it once they discovered it could read their minds and hid in Ash's protective aura. They all agreed to destroy it, but with little time and few resources struggled to work out how. Acid managed to open an ejection port to what they believed to be the core of the device, and they placed an explosive device disguised as a rind that Ash had acquired on a previous mission on the end of a rod and forced it down to the device core. It is likely that Kuunyesu was destroyed but they had to flee the pirates attracted by the explosive and were unable to confirm the kill.
Meanwhile Caer had killed a lesser pirate captain to claim dominance of the pirate crew on the Pollaster. When the rest of the agents arrived they un-docked and departed the Dammerung. Given the likelihood of immanent discovery, they had to leave in a hurry whilst avoiding the gun arcs of the battleship. This caused instant suspicion amongst the pirates. Caer and Ash killed those on the bridge, and Acid locked out the bridge doors, however she could not bring herself to vent the rest of the ship to space as Techpriest Minoris Sematin Falsten was in the Engineerium and she could not isolate him in time. Instead she cut of the air supply to the ship, which would eventually lead to unconsciousness, but not in time to prevent 27 angry pirates from breaking down the doors and storming the bridge. Ash ordered her to vent the ship and Acid complied.
Aftermath
- The agents escaped Boros' Folly and returned to the Obelisk.
- Kuunyesu was believed to be destroyed but it is unconfirmed.
- Acid has suffered significant mental trauma from her actions.
- The Dammerung is still at large.
Communications
+++TO: Inquisitor Michael; Inquisitor Drake
+++FROM: Ashar Lear
+++SUBJECT: Agent Dietersmann
Drake and Micheal,
I wanted to write to you about Acid, as I know you and she had concerns about her conduct on your last mission with her.
On our most recent mission she behaved very professionally, and her creative thinking proved the key to our success. She needs training but she followed orders and did very well. I just wanted to let you know so that it is a matter of record.
Yours,
Ashar
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Winifred Deitersmann
+++FROM: Ashar Lear
+++SUBJECT: Well done
Acid,
You know you did great, right? It was difficult but you did the right thing and it saved all our lives.
Also you're basically a genius so there's that.
Let me know if you want help training or anything
Ash
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Inquisitor Michael
+++FROM: Winifred Deitersmann
Dear Michael,
I know this isn’t something you want to hear after our talk, but I don’t think I can do this. I was never meant to be in the field, and you never asked me to be and this is something I asked for but I think I’ve made a terrible mistake.
I’ve been doing all the training like we discussed and we both know I’m not going to be a fighter but I thought I’d be ok to be confident and defend myself. I’ve been running drills with Amon and it was going well and we specifically worked on not hesitating when I have to pull the trigger. But we always talked in terms of enemies. Nobody ever talked about killing friends.
I knew this mission would be dangerous, and even though Ash and Max were going to be the ones doing the fighting I knew there was a chance I would end up having to shoot pirates or something, but I just had to kill a friend. And when it came to it, when I had to push the button to kill 30 pirates and save all our lives, but it would kill a friend, I couldn’t do it, and we all would have died but Ash shouted at me and I did it and now I’m a fucking serial killer and a friend murdered and also a fuck up because I couldn’t even do that right. And then I fell apart and cried and hid under a desk like a fucking child and then Ash hugged me like a child and I cried and now we’ve got away I went to a cabin to sleep but actually I’m hiding in the air vent because I’m scared that someone is going to come looking for me an order me to kill another friend. Which is so stupid because I know that won’t happen but I’ve made the worst of all choices. I failed to do the duty and sacrifice someone to save the mission and fucked up being an agent but then I killed him anyway and Ash is going to write a report and tell everyone what I did and everyone is going to know that I'm the person who kills their teammates and I know it and I’m not going to forget because we talked for days on the way out and I just pushed the button and now Sematin’s dead and I don’t know how I can do that and I can’t
I’m sorry. I don’t know how to carry on like this. I owe you everything I have, but I don’t think I have this to give.
Winnie
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Agent Lear
+++FROM: Winifred Deitersmann
Dear Ashar,
Thanks.
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Agent Lear
+++FROM: Fabricator Acetae
Agent Lear,
I trust you have completed a satisfactory mission and this missive arrives whilst you are within acceptable parameters of health.
Whilst you have been away I have been drawing up plans for concealing a firearm in your artificial arm as requested. There is no problem concealing a pistol sized weapon within the forearm portion of the arm, however it will be necessary to sacrifice some wrist and grip strength as the actuators will need to be reduced and/or moved to make room. Nothing drastic, a human level of strength will still be available. Upper arm strength will be unaffected.
I have some options for you to consider. A laspistol will be straightforward and reliable. A hellpistol would give you more power but require more maintenance and have limited much more ammunition (unless we add extra power packs in the upper arm at a sacrifice of strength).
A solid projectile weapon would require an ejector port to expel empty cases, which could cause a problem if you wear clothing over the arm as the cases could get trapped and cause a jam. Not worth doing for a regular projectile that is no better than a las weapon, however could be worth doing if you wanted the extra destructive potential of a bolter.
I know you favour a plasma pistol, and that is possible but tricky. The problem is the heat generated. Given the requirement for concealment, I have drawn up some plans involving part of the arm’s casing being ejected prior to firing to expose the coils and allow cooling, meaning once you had started using it you would no longer be able to conceal its nature. Wearing clothes over this arm during use would almost certainly cause an overheat, and even if all goes well the heat of the plasma shots passing in such close proximity to the delicate machinery of the hand is liable to destroy it.
A hand flamer is very doable, as is needle or web. I do not currently have the technology required to produce a small enough graviton or melta weapon, although both are theoretically sound. Scaling down any form of explosive launcher small enough would essentially just be a bolter.
If none of these options are acceptable to you, you could perhaps ask Inquisitor Michael if he has any other suggestions.
Naturally to maximise your potency we should speak to Sister du Puy about how soon she can schedule in removing your other arm, and then you can choose to have either two of the same weapons or two different options.
Building a firearm into your leg would seem fruitless, however I could certainly modify it to have a concealed compartment suitable for a grenade or small weapon which you could withdraw and then use normally.
Let me know what you wish to start with, although given enough time I could make multiple options for you to choose between depending on the nature of your mission.
Praise the Omnissiah,
Fabricator Hephastus Acetae
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Inquisitor Kovach
+++FROM: Inquisitor Michael
+++SUBJECT: Winifred Deitersmann
Nikolai,
I assume you've heard the news from the Folly. It appears the mission is over, I just wish we knew if it has been successful. Do you intend to send in another team to investigate further or are you handing this over to the fleet now?
Less important, but more persoanlly relevant, have you heard about Agent Deitersmann? I'm afraid her first kill was a friendly kill. Technically there were also a few dozen pirates in there at the same time but obviously that's not the part she's taken to heart.
I'm have faith she can recover, she survived being enslaved to underhive scum and emerged a greater person for it. Nevertheless I'm keen to support her in any way I can. With that in mind, I'm wondering what your plan is with Amon.
He's a potent combat asset and a powerful psyker and I can't imagine you're willing to allow such a rare and potent talent to sit on the sidelines baking cakes whilst the arch-enemy remains unbowed and the survival of the Imperium hangs in the balance.
I suppose what I am hoping for is some guidance or gem of wisdom about how best to rehabilitate a psychologically damaged Agent. Folk wisdom suggests time is the best healer, but I suspect there's more to be done. A broken bone will heal in time but unless set right it will heal incorrectly and the limb will be crippled.
Yours,
Gregory
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Inquisitor Michael
+++FROM: Inquisitor Kovach
+++SUBJECT: Dammerung
Gregory,
With or without a confirmation of the kill, the risk to the fleet remains severe. Even if the 'Kuunyesu' has been removed from the equation, capturing the Dammerung via naval engagement would, at best, leave the battleship itself crippled, and potentially therefore stranded in Boros' Folly.
Various possibilities present themselves.
The crudest would be to bait the pirate-king into a place of our choosing beyond the Vascoda Confluence and engage his fleet conventionally, then (assuming victory) move the ship down calmer warp routs to the Aureole at Kaprun for, presumably, years of repair work. This would undoubtedly cost us at least some Navy vessels.
Another option would involve the covert deployment of an agent (probably via Threadneedle insertion pod, fired at extreme range by a ship that would then retreat away from the Dammerung's guns). Once aboard, the agent would deploy a biological weapon. It would need to be slow-acting, such that the crew would be asymptomatic initially, allowing for maximal spread. This would likely be a one-way trip for the Agent, although they might be able to use one of the battleship's own escape pods and await rescue following the disabling of the crew. There are obvious pitfalls with this strategy, not least of which that such weapons often have unintended consequences and are hard to control once released, particularly in such a big ship. One cannot simply purge by opening all the airlocks as with a smaller vessel - it is far larger and more compartmentalised.
Yet another option would involve the deployment of specialist military assets, probably astartes, in a boarding action. It would take a long time - days, at least - for a small team to purge the entire ship, and they would need frequent resupply; a dangerous proposition given that disabling the bridge would not disable the Dammerung's weapon systems, making resupply extremely hazardous.
Finally, and I doubt this is a realistic option, we petition an Astartes chapter for substantial aid. A strike cruiser would be insufficient to the task, as it would be crippled long before it got within boarding range, but a battle barge has far more substantial shields, and might therefore be able to withstand the approach. It would then deploy overwhelming numbers of astartes in a mass boarding action. The three companies of astartes carried by a battle barge would only be outnumbered by forty to one by the Dammerung's crew, and would therefore likely triumph.
As you are a man of considerably more military experience than myself, I hope that you might yet propose a better strategy. Certainly we must decide upon a course of action given the threat posed by Ismael Grisht and his crew. I will respond to the matter of Ms Dietersmann's health in a separate message.
Sincerely,
N
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Inquisitor Michael
+++FROM: Inquisitor Kovach
+++SUBJECT: Agent Dietersmann
Gregory,
With Amon I am following a strategy I've employed for many years. It appears similar to the strategy employed by Eidan with reference to Agent Zelenko. First, they are given time. Next, they are given therapy. Finally, they must choose, without encouragement or coercion, to return to active duty. Allowing them to decide gives them agency, which in turn reduces stress. You described Amon as a potent asset, and I believe you to be partially correct in this assessment, but: without a desire to do the work, an agent is not an effective asset. Soldiers can be ordered unwillingly into a fight and can still be effective; this is not true of agents of the Holy Ordos.
If Amon never has a desire to get back out in the field, I would not want him in the field. Despite his physical prowess he would be a danger to the rest of the team, just as a weak strut can be the downfall of a whole building.
It is a sad fact that not everyone copes with the demands of the job, and whilst we lose some assets to enemy action, we lose others to madness. I'm sure you've seen the same among the military. Ironically it is often the best agents - the ones with a gift for improvisation, and a knack for survival - who are lost to madness rather than violence.
Of course, one does not blithely accept such losses. When Agent Dietersmann feels ready, Gaius has considerable experience in psychotherapy and rehabilitation. He has been of great service to me personally, and to other agents in my employ through the years.
Another thing that may be of some use is to have other members of the team point out that there is a shared responsibility for what happened. It was undebateably the correct decision, and as I understand it the decision was made by the operational executive: Agent Lear. Studies show that people are better at processing guilt when they do not feel solely responsible, and if Agent Lear wishes to further her career, this is one nuanced area where she must learn to lift the burden of responsibility from her underlings onto her own shoulders. As an experienced officer, you might be well placed to advise her on that front.
I hope my remarks have been of some utility; should you need anything further you will be most welcome, as will young Dietersmann.
Sincerely,
N
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Inquisitor Kovach
+++FROM: Inquisitor Michael
+++SUBJECT: Dammerung
Nikolai,
A military man indeed, but not a sailor. My first instinct is to form a council of war and bring in Admiral Tryphosa or her chosen representative to give us their assessment. We could then use our authority to bring the necessary forces to bear, whatever they may be.
The Astartes could indeed be an option, but they are better optimized for planetary assault than naval encounters, although certainly they are shockingly proficient at boarding actions. I cannot imagine any chapter would be keen to put their ships and soldiers at risk for such a mission.
The other options you have suggested also seem viable.
Something I had meant to ask before now is how would someone go about requesting a deployment from the Officio Assassinorum? I’m sure you understand I’m asking from two different perspectives here.
Yours,
Gregory
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Inquisitor Kovach
+++FROM: Inquisitor Michael
+++SUBJECT: Agent Dietersmann
Nikolai,
Ah, I think Gaius’ skills are the missing tidbit I was looking for here. I had no idea he had such skills.
I am quite content to give Winnie all the time she needs. I never hired her with the intention for her to be a field agent, and she will still be of great service to Himself even if she never again steps foot in the field.
Yours,
Gregory
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Inquisitor Michael
+++FROM: Inquisitor Kovach
+++SUBJECT: Dammerung
Gregory,
A summit seems wise; to that end I've sent word to Admiral Tryphosa.
The deployment of an operative from the Officio Assassinorum becomes increasingly impractical the farther one gets from Holy Terra. One must identify a target worthy of the Officio, then send a message via astropathic relay with a magenta-level security ident lock (generally only available at planetary capitals on well-established Imperial worlds). For an operative to be deployed, two thirds of the High Lords must vote in favour of the action, at which point the agent is dispatched from their temple on Terra. This far out, from sending the communication to execution of the target, one would expect at least a month or two, even with the sprint-ships used for the purpose.
Should this process not be followed, the individuals responsible for improper deployment of the operative are tried and then executed for high treason.
I can guess, but why do you ask?
Sincerely,
N
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Inquisitor Kovach
+++FROM: Inquisitor Michael
+++SUBJECT: Dammerung
Nikolai,
Twofold. Firstly because I wondered how viable it would be to request an agent for this mission, either an infiltrator from Callidus or perhaps modifying your bioweapon suggestion with an operative from Venenum. However whilst I believe the successful recovery of an intact battleship would be worthy of a deployment, the timescales do not line up.
Secondly I am curious about our recent near run-in with an Eversor and how they may have been deployed against what appears to be a relatively minor target.
Yours,
Gregory
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Inquisitor Michael
+++FROM: Inquisitor Kovach
+++SUBJECT: Dammerung
Gregory,
One option would be for the Navy to blockade the entrances to the Needle whilst we wait for the assassin to be deployed. That works minimise the risk of losses in a direct confrontation, but leaves the rest of the sector vulnerable.
Another option would be to avoid engaging with the Dammerung even if it enters our territory, and accept some losses to civilian shipping. It is technically an option, but hardly optimal.
Regarding the deployment of the Eversor against Hanri Gilsran, there are only two possibilities:
(1) Another Imperial agent called in a legitimate hit on Gilsran, and we are unaware of a much more serious infraction on his part.
(2) It was an illegitimate deployment, which would suggest the misuse of a major asset for someone's gain. The only person able to arrange that would be either the master of the Eversor Temple, or one or more of the High Lords. Such individuals, so far removed from us and subject to such scrutiny, are beyond our practical remit, and moreover I have every faith that they are to be trusted.
Sincerely,
N
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Inquisitor Michael
+++FROM: Inquisitor Kovach
+++SUBJECT: Culture
Gregory,
It seems I have remained within these four walls for a psychologically inadvisable amount of time, and am off the understanding that the Sejanus Symphonic Orchestra are playing Kielov's 9th this week. Would you care to join me?
Sincerely,
N
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++TO: Inquisitor Kovach
+++FROM: Inquisitor Michael
+++SUBJECT: Culture
Nikolai,
Sounds delightful. I’ve never heard a live performance of Kielov's 9th.
Yours,
Gregory
+++MESSAGE ENDS