StarDestroyer.Net BBS

"We have a prisoner we want to bring along in case we have more questions for him or need him to do something useful, like identify a suspect or check a corridor for tripwires. Wanted to see what the two of us could come up with in terms of restraints -- we don't have the manpower to keep an eye on him all the time, and I don't know how long we'll need to hang onto him so I don't want to just chain him into a chair and leave him. Of course, whether or not the captain of our vessel is even willing to let us keep him on board is another question, but I expect he can be reasoned with. We can at least come up with some preliminary ideas."

I still say one of those explosive collars would be fun....

"Explosive collars, I think that we have, somewhere down in the supply room, if you're interested."

"That's probably for the best," Mithras said. "Might as well go get one of those and fit out the prisoner with one."

Mercurius eyed the two. "You do realize that explosive collars inside a confined environment, even a transport such as ours, is a recipe for disaster? It would be better if we convert one of the interior storage compartments into a holding cell. We can use the explosive collar as a failsafe, but it shouldn't be the primary means of keeping our prisoner secured."

He tapped his dataslate, bringing up the notes he had taken on their shuttle and pointed towards part of a sketch of the layout. "This compartment here looks like it would do nicely."

The Proctor wandered off briefly, and came back with a small box full of hinged bands of steel with slight bulges where the back of the neck would be, "We've also got one with some stupifying drugs. Hit the button on that one, and your witch doesn't know if he's coming or going..."

"Explosive collars...guillotines for those who lack time and, admittedly, enormous automatic cleavers." Ajax shakes his head with a wry smile as he looks over the box of collars, "Or, if you prefer, guillotines with collateral damage. How much collateral damage, proctor? What's the radius?"

"It's a small charge. About the same as a laspistol impact, right at the back of the neck. Usually takes the head off without really hurting anyone else."

The guardsman walked over to examine the crate of explosives. He picked on up carefully, turning it around to examine its construction. "Hmm, yes, these'll do nicely. Bring the prisoner over here and let's be done with this."

The Proctor nodded, heading up onto the deck again, and whispering into a handheld vox set he took from the table, resulting in the heavy duty thuding of the helicopter descending, as two of the remaining guards unlocked the cell with the chosen prisoner in it. It had begun to rain lightly, droplets of water splattering against the wide landing pad harmlessly.

Eli made the sign of the Eagiliia as he entered the safety of the metal beast. water falling from the air? he had seen steam leaks poach someone in seconds, or acid disolve them, one couldn't be sure with water leaks, I mean if the water leaks purhaps the air might?

Crom put on an enthusiastic tone at Eli's curiosity.

"Ah, Eli! You have gleamed upon one of the primary factors of life on a rock! This blue tinted liquid is known as water, and it helps keeps us nice and moist for the grox's! Now, you can try to touch it if you must, but I'm afraid contact with the mysterious chemical without protective equipment will cause your skin to burn through in a most unpleasant fashion!"

no, Crom, I know what water is, it's one of the things along with air, and food that people need to live. of course natural water is tinted red in colour, and tastes bitter, from the blood shed by martars, and the steel he and his primarchs placed in the souls of the shipmothers. It is this "Leaking" that concerns me, not this transparent stuff. <isn't oxidation a wonderful effect, and trust me as often as ship water is recycled your talking definate salt and iron contamination)

Pausing a moment as he boards the helicopter and overhears that exchange, Darien looks like he's about to speak, then seems to think better of it and with a shake of his head continues into the aircraft.

Ajax hmms thoughtfully to himself...and then collects several more of the explosive collars from the box, the handy-dandy portable automated guillotines vanishing away into interior pockets in his coat. That done, he trails the others out to the waiting helicopter.

Mithras helped with moving the prisoner onto the helicopter, prodding him with the tip of his sword. "Just think citizen, you're doing the Emperor's work now! And if you fail, your head at least will join Him to bear judgement." With the wretch secured in the predetermined compartment, he took his seat alongside the 'witch-hunters', removing his helmet and setting his weapons back under his seat.

The enforcer hurried to sit, seeming to appreciate the motivation provided by a sword in the back. As the witch hunters boarded, the staff of the ecclesiarchy vehicle set about to making it fly once more, with glances of mixed fear and disgust to the prisoner.

"Lords. Where would you go now?" one of them asked...

"Hmm? Oh, we're going to get you some elevation and then chuck you out into a volcano."

Before the fellow could respond in any real fashion, Crom put on a grin.

"Naaah, I'm just messing with ya. No, what we're going to do is have you betray your master, your friends, and your sense of decency as we make you do so while wearing an entertainers jumpsuit. You know, the baggy yellow ones with those red spots all over them..."

Mercurius swiftly cuffed Crom on the back of the head, then eyed the crewman as he addressed Crom. "Don't confuse our flight staff with the prisoner. They have not failed us yet, and I would like to see that you not render them so senseless with fear that they are unable to discharge their duties."

He scrutinized the crewman in detail, noting the relief in the mans face. To him, Mercurius spoke. "Ensure that our prisoner is kept confined to that compartment unless I or one of my comrades is performing an interrogation. Also see to it that he is sufficiently sustained to survive our interrogations."

Crom smacked his forehead.

"Warp blast me! See, I thought we were taking the entire establishment prisoner. Silly me."

The copilot edged away from the obviously psychotic witch hunter who had a more than slightly disreputable air, and looked at Mecurius, "and our destination, Sir? Back to the starport?"

"No, not yet. Tell me, where are the nearest ports for watercraft?"

"Spergen's your best bet, I'd think Lord. It's the only place with a large harbour around here. There's some fishing in the town, and it's also a pit of vice used by offworlders of a more adventurous type who feel like braving the north sea. Shall I make course for Spergen?"

"Please do. And if the fool continues to give you problems, let me know, he will be dealt with. You have no reason to fear us, loyal servant of the Emperor. Let us know a bit more about this place if you will."

The copilot bowed, and disappeared up a spiral staircase for a moment, before returning, "We are now en-route to Spergen. I do not know it well, I must apologise, Lord, but like much of this world, offworlders are a mixed blessing. It is said that it's popular amongst the young and wild ones, whose piety is always to be questioned. I imagine there would be many clubs, and houses of ill-will, as well as establishments dedicated to gluttony. I have brought the Askepelion Great Book, which may tell you more," he said, holding out a small book (despite its name) held open near to the end:

SPERGEN: Town, northern port, population: 13,329

This town is most notable for the availability of a safe harbour in the northern sea, and built around this harbour, and a single freshwater stream. Spergen is three centuries old, and its industrial output has traditionally been the Grand Drusan fish, which gains its name from a local legend which claims that Saint Drusus was served such a fish at the town, though this is almost certainly apocrythal.

In the last century, the town has grown significantly from a small fishing settlement by the consturction of a number of more rugged cruiser-barges, capable of braving the region's waters on most days. These are chimeras, bred by combining fishing vessels and cruise ships.

Spergen is home to a single platoon of the Askeplion PDF, and one small enforcer depot. Beyond these, it is largely lawless, though as with all of Askepelion, offworlders bearing passage ribbons are unlikely to be molested due to the Carta Gratificari.