Fellowship of the Dice

Haxtes bows to Lamark and blesses him: "May the Omnissiah watch over you!" He looks at the weapon without disguising his awe: "There is a good machine spirit here, thank you again." Then he packs it away and says nothing for the rest of the day, unless anything special happens.

"And thank you, Lamark," Jericus says, offering the man his hand. "I'm afraid we're leaving you with a lot of work to accomplish, and very few resources. But I don't doubt that once our reports get to the Inquisition, you'll have more help than you care for. Good luck in the months to come."

Solaria jumps up in the Cargo *, turning over the engine. Hanging one arm over the window's edge, she calls out to Lamark, "We'll make sure you're rewarded for your duty and faith, Brother! Be well and tend your flock." She checks the action on her auto-carbine and the promethium gauge. Then, Solaria is ready to be off.

Damien waves slowly goodbye to Brother Lamark and the town from the back of the 8x8. He leans his head against the side of the truck and prepares for a nice nap on their ride back to the port.

Lamark waves as the Cargo 8 speeds away out of the broken gate and out into Barrens between Stern Hope and Port Suffering. The Churchman's report is secured with Jericus and with it and your's the town of Stern Hope may still have a chance; once the Inquisition returns to confirm its truely free of daemonic influence.

The ride back to Port Suffering is bumpy and dusty, but during the trip you encounter no Ashleen tribes, no Voicers, and more noitacibly no Shale Crows. You drive on through the night switching drivers out between Solaria and Haxtes and Xanthia to keep you moving on as you are eager to be away from here. Reaching Port Suffering you open up a channel to the Brazen Sky which remains in high orbit still and negotiation with the Captain you secure your return trip to Scintilla to report in to Inquisitor Sand. The Captain of the Brazen Sky confirms that by evening (now two days out of Stern Hope) a Lighter will land at the space port to pick you up. This gives you the day to rest, return the Cargo 8 to where Aristarchus had borrowed it, and generally mill about the town. Having drove through the night Solaria, Haxtes and Xanthia catch some sleep, and the rest of you choose to keep close until the Lighter arrives.

The sun is setting on Port Suffering and you leave the Administratum offices where Aristarchus had you set up when you first came. Its time to catch your flight off this planet back to the Brazen Sky and Scintilla.

Having recorded his own report in great detail already, Jericus finally allows himself to read the reports made by Lamark and those in Stern Hope who had been sane enough to make an account of what they could remember. Using the skills of a member of the Administratum, he works while the drivers sleep to collate the information from the reports into a form that Sand can use more easily. The Inquisitor will certainly want the raw data to draw his own conclusions. But some reports that analyze the data and beak it down in useful ways might help him as well.

The scribe also puts some of his most basic skills to use. Having secured some paper, he goes about recreating the widow's book from the images he took. He'd done the best he could with the pict recorder. But while the memory of the book was still fresh in his mind, Jericus works to prepare as close a duplicate as he can.

During this time he also checks in with what local authorities it is appropriate for them to report to. The Church, certainly needs to be told about the prior's death. But Jericus leaves it to Rego to make that report. Tight-lipped as a member of the Inquisition must be, he offers no more information than is required, leaving it to his superiors to determine exactly what should be told to whom. Nevertheless, he makes certain that they perform their duties to the local authorities.

When the lighter has arrived for them, he goes with the others without any fanfare, hoping that their departure will be less eventful than their arrival.

Rego remains quiet for most of the day since leaving Stern Hope. He scours his notes meticulously looking for anything for which the group could possibly be found at fault for, crossing T's and dotting I's for good measure. Then once he completes his task he begins to memorize the contents with a fervor not uncommon to an Inquisitor. When he makes his report he will be ready for their questions, unlike the last time. This time his story will become truth in the eyes of his seniors...

Back in town, Haxtes spends his time sleeping, praying as well as cleaning, and servicing his equipment (or whatever the other acolytes bring him for repairs). He keeps to himself and speaks only when necessary.

Solaria turns in her reports to Jericus. There's not much she can add to anything to she rests as best as she can. If there's time before the lighter arrives, she'll try to pick up some ammo for a couple of her slug-throwers. If not, it will just have to wait until a later date...

Xanthia also completes her meager report, submitting it to Jericus. There is likely nothing she adds to what he's already gotten from the other, but better for Xanthia to actually submit a report.

When Solaria goes to look for slugs, Xanthia offers up what she has remaining.