Dangit, with 30 BS and only one bola, I'd really like a way to give myself better than 30% odds. Is there any chance that properly distracting it would help? Or that there's actually a bonus for hitting an unawares target buried somewhere in the book?
((Unaware/Surprised targets: +30
Get within 5 meters: +10
Get within 2 meters: +30
Distracting it further probably won't give you any more bonus to hit, but might make it easier to sneak closer. There are probably other ways to get more +s but those are the only ones I can immediately think of.))
"The sooner we contact the Genetor, the sooner we may solve this. Update the Ark and the other officers on the situation; we might as well head straight to the outpost after sending a forewarning."
Genetor visitation time. Send a message ahead just in case though.
You order the pilot to head toward the Genetor lab, sending a message ahead as you do so. You're once again in the air above the mountain of military might that is the fortress. After a time the guns and missiles give way to a crystal clear ocean dotted with islands that wouldn't be out of place on a garden world. In some places you can see clear to the bottom, allowing you to observe reefs teaming with life even from the air. The ocean itself gives away to wetlands, with the occasional human settlement now breaking apart the landscape. Wetlands thicken into jungle.
Your landing zone is a small strip of concrete surrounded uncomfortably close by the jungle plants. Nearby debris suggest said plants where recently cut back for your landing, likely thanks to you and the Governor General calling ahead. The facility itself is covered in plants more deliberately, with decorative dino skulls where you would normally expect human skulls. It isn't a large outpost, three interconnected buildings and the landing pad surrounded by a fence. Further back is a fourth facility that seems to be a barn, with its own separate fencing.
A red-robbed priestess comes out from the facility to great you. She looks the part of a typical techpriest with the normal mechanical augmentations. What gives her away as a Genetor is the two followers behind her, each with clearly biological augmentations. One is as large as an Ork with scales visible through the gaps in his carapace armor, but perhaps most noticeable is the two autoguns that are where his hands should be, each connected to his arm by pulsating flesh. The second moves oddly, it seems their legs have been replaced by some inhuman approximation that allows them to more swiftly and gracefully than they had before. Their iris is thin like a cat's, and their nose jaw is hidden behind a bandana mask. Both seem more like mutants than the one under your employ.
"Greetings Rogue Trader. I was informed of your arrival and purpose. I'm Genetor Hogbin, the sole researcher of this outpost." The Genetor's voice was less synthetic than that of a typical tech priest. While it still sounds man made (and not in the usual way) it sounds as if it comes from artificial vocal chords rather than a machine. "These are my workers. The larger works as my bodyguard and hunter, while the smaller takes care of the research samples." Both assistants bow at their mention.
"My profession leaves little time for idle chatter, please follow me and we'll get to business." Hogbin motions for you to follow her with her mechadendrite as she turns into the lab. Her assistants bow once again and return to their usual duties. She leads you inside her crowded lab. Every available space is currently being used to hold a sample or computer. Glass containers with vaguely-human, vaguely dinosaur, or completely unknown shapes floating around in oddly colored liquid are among the most common. Dinosaurs spread out on autopsy tables is another favorite. Paper notes take up much of the remaining space.
"Your request is an intriguing one, likely more than you realize." She plugs herself in to a data slate. "Dinos are an interesting and complex subject. You see they are not creatures that naturally formed on this planet. My current theory is that they where the result of fleshcrafting by the Eldar that we liberated this planet from long ago. This is why I'm researching them, you see. Had you asked for a living dino I would have likely been unable to produce a convincing double, but I should be able to create a simple corpse given...perhaps a week."
She turns to face you. She shows you the picture on the data pad. "And I will do so at the Governor-General's request. Fear not. It will take little attention and resources. But I am glad you came. I have a request of my own related to the Rogue Trader you are currently dealing with." Said data pad shows you a picture of said trader. "According to the rumors, he has undergone genetic enhancement with an unknown xenos origin. I believe these rumors to be true and would like to perform some research on him. If you can get me a gene sample, perhaps a hair or bit of saliva, I will give you a reward in turn. Should you convince him to come in and allow me to run tests I will reward you even greater. While my funding is not grand my knowledge is unmatched in my field. I'll happily offer an upgrade to anyone you like. Have you acquired a Dino? I could upgrade them instead, should you desire a cyberanimal."
Indaria waits for Kedia to begin to throw or to reveal herself. the moment her ally reveals her presence, she's going to attempt her bola throw at the suspicious raptor. It seems smarter, and that makes it more valuable to me. In the meantime she's simply waiting and aiming.
You wait patiently for the Eldar to make the first move.
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Topic: Rogue Trader: Laughing Gold (IC) (Read 42390 times)