Arrival at Fimbria (Episodes 15 - 17)[]
After evicting the Dark Eldar pirates from the Mortis Carcerum, the heroes say their goodbyes and return to the Debt Collector, then rendezvous with Katje Van Noord for their progress update. They share their findings from Mortis Carcerum and gain their next assignment: pursue D'Fuckreby's new ship, the Carillon, to the Fimbria system in the Ghoul Stars. As the delegation learns more about their destination, their situation deepens.
- The crusade fleet, including the Primarchs, will soon be passing through the system.
- The status of the Inquisition is "under review".
- Luckily, Reeb's promised pardons have already been granted - by Inquisitorial Lord Melkior.
- Due to the involvment of the Primarchs, and the Inquisition's issues, they are under the jurisdiction of the Planetary Governor.
- Luckily, Zedek not only has a bit of bureaucratic wiggle room, but also has extensive contacts in-system.
Π-Braine wants to send a message to Lemuria, so as he pokes around the Magnum Aurum Victorum, he bumps into Rho Hecta, who is going back to Lemuria, and suggests that maybe a trip to Lemuria is in Π's and the delegation's future. Π-Braine gives Hecta his writeup of their encounters with D'Fuckreby, along with certain artifacts, and asks him to deliver it to his old superior, Π-thagoras. Rho Hecta shudders and gives Pi some parting words: "Where you go, you will find allies in strange places. You must listen to them... or you will not survive." On their way to the Fimbria system, the delegation does some resting, recuperating, and researching. Zedek discovers that the Mascadolce dynasty's ancient rivals, the LeCocq dynasty, frequents the system. Reeb has tea and interrogation with their Dark Eldar prisoner and then shoves them out the airlock.
On arrival at Fimbria Majoris, the delegation is invited to meet with Governor Jeremeer Zolensk. After cleaning up to the governor's satisfaction, they meet, make acquaintances, and are directed to the Prefect and instructed to break up a cult. After some negotiation, their assignment changes to simply bring the Prefect proof of the cult and they will handle the rest. They make their way to the mid-levels of the hive and encounter a hermit raving about the graffiti on the walls, which itself raves about "the great wave" and other aquatic Revelations. They then get to the office of Prefect Amalda, a kind and scatterbrained researcher who gives them all a considerable amount of useful information, and discover that she's responsible for ensuring that the passage of the Crusade through the system goes as smooth as possible - which amounts to fixing every single issue in the system before and during the passage of the fleet, such as this cult issue, that D'Fuckreby issue, and the Ork infestation of Fimbria IV's moons. As the delegation sifts through the data, they discover that the hermit, Clemens, is in the background of multiple images of the cult. Lorn uses his psychic powers to shapeshift into Clemens, and they start canvassing the locals as well as poking around the scene of a murder associated with the cult to see what the Arbites may have missed. After an encounter in a local tavern, Reeb is left to continue performing investigative work and a cursory autopsy of the body. He discovers that the cause of death was actually a power weapon and the victim was an administrator of the local water treatment plant. Reeb also discovers that certain documentation, likely reports on the water treatment process for the past three years, was stolen and was probably the motive of the murderer. They rendezvous back at Prefect Amalda's office to share their findings - Reeb beelines for the water treatment records, and gets all but the past two months, in which he fails to find anything of note. However, some review of the plant's security reveals that the sewer entrances are not well-secured. The delegation, with this information as well as Zedek's map he got from some locals, make their way to the sewer entrance to the plant. During travel, the sewer wall gives way to a cavern inhabited by the warp-travelling reptile known as a Crotalid, and no sooner is the reptile dispatched then additional beasts appear. Following a brutal battle, Reeb pulls apart a Crot and references White Dwarf, learning that they are attracted to use and abuse of psychic powers. Each delegate takes some Crot bits for various purposes, then head further into the system. Eventually, they happen upon more graffiti and Clemens, who is jotting down additional apocalyptic ravings into pamphlets. Reeb sifts through Clemens' stash, discovering some half-filled vials of narcotics. Lorn uses their shared faith in the God-Emperor to convince Clemens to assist them. Clemens points them to the water treatment plant, ranting and raving about the God-Emperor's messengers and how they will lift the veil from their eyes and similar. The delegation eventually arrives at the water treatment plant, happening upon servitors mutilated by power weapons. Reeb and Lorn don't find much out of the ordinary, but Π-Braine finds security footage of a human figure in a black bodyglove with a single red eye. They immediately happen upon two of these figures, death cult assassins, who try and slam the door on them before running off. The delegation gives chase, getting into a fight with a pack of said assassins. One of the assassins deploy a small device onto the machinery of the plant, but the assassins are dispatched before it can take effect. The gang scoops up some of the assassins' weapons and one of the bodies, and head out, locking the door behind them. They bump into a security detail and Prefect Amalda, with whom they compare notes. She says sent videos of the battle to Zolensk, and he's ready to meet with them again. Zedek offers her a business card.
The Salvage of the Carillon (Episodes 17 - 20)[]
At their meeting, Zolensk offers the delegation their desired info—the Carillon, upon it's arrival in-system, had crippling communication issues. It is currently drifting in interplanetary space between Fimbria Majoris and Fimbria II, an AdMech mining outpost. The delegation drops off some of their spare looted weaponry with the Astropath as the Debt Collector makes a rendevous with the Carillon. The Debt Collector bumps into the cruiser Marengo, which Zedek immediately recognizes as belonging to the Lecoq family. The cruiser wastes no time declaring salvage rights over the Carillon. Zedek hails the Marengo, and the answering party is Junior Crewman Snieder, who issues his apologies, saying that the unnamed LeCoq Rogue Trader only deals with captains of "cruiser or larger stature". After Zedek threatens to return in an inquisitorial capital ship, Snieder mentions that the Rogue Trader has authorized Snieder to have them perform the initial salvaging on her behalf. Zedek accepts, and as they shuttle over to the Carillon, they see multiple blast marks on the outer hull and various shadowy figures scuttling around inside. They disembark the shuttle into a pitch-black deck. After arranging communications with the Debt Collector (via a servitor repeater), the delegation moves by starlight towards the bowels of the Carillon and the bridge. Not long after leaving the lander, they happen upon a servitor containing a voxlog from one "Trusted Crewman Church", as well as a cherub servitor with a penchant for singing and cleaning. Completely coated in dried blood. And so are the halls. Moving into the spinal access corridor, the delegation follows the ship's tram track further into the ship to try and activate the tram itself. They eventually happen upon the source of a rhythmic noise they've been hearing: a servitor bashing its head on a door, repeating the phrase "We Bring His Light". However, before Π-Braine can diagnose him, the servitor starts repeating the phrase "His Light Does Not Reach" and collapses to the floor, dead. Another voxlog from Church is discovered, this one mentioning her being bruised and the crew running to stations. They also discover a wounded and shellshocked guardsman repeating the phrase "we boarded", who reveals their possession and moves to attack them, quickly being blown away by the delegation. After some debate, the delegation agrees to get the information they need and then get the hell out of there. After a firefight with more possessed crewmen severely wounds Π-Braine, a quick psychic scan from Lorn reveals that some warp presence onboard is slowly awakening. The gang then happens upon a rapid-transit maglev as well as yet another voxlog from a panicked Mrs. Church, admitting how she killed a (presumably possessed) crewmate with a coffee machine in self defense. The delegation forges a path to the maglev, happening across a fourth voxlog from Church, now dealing with a ship full of bodies and possessees. A disgusting smell heralds the presence of a veritable carpet of corpses, which Reeb slowly cremates as they walk down the corridor, exiting into a maglev station. While calling a train, a security failsafe triggers, sealing the way back. Yet another firefight ensues, with more possessed armsmen arriving from all directions claiming "we found, we found". The gang narrowly holds off the onslaught and escape on the maglev. Mrs. Church's fifth log entry is saved on the maglev, detailing an "emergency re-translation" to avoid crashing into Fimbria III, and her plans to make for the strategium. They happen upon a medical bay, which Reeb takes to happily. After loot is exchanged, the gang instructs Lt. Ransum to stall for time with the Marengo, and Lorn has a vision of his interrogation. The delegation happens upon a decapitated Eldar pirate, and beyond that the re-access the spinal access corridor, replete with a functional, albeit depowered tram, and another voxlog from Church, detailing the poor state of the strategium. They then enter, through a grand door, said strategium. The delegation sets to work, while Zedek examines the captain's throne, happening upon a Chaos Spawn and immediately objecting to its presence. The Spawn harasses them, inflicting them with terrible visions and the occasional mutation as they fight. After a bunch of near misses, the delegation emerge victorious, but at the cost of a damaging explosion that collapses Π-Braine's chest. The delegation then takes stock, with Lorn noting a inchlong tear in the fabric of the warp, and Reeb happening upon the true story of the Carillon. The ship, after completing their latest missionary mission, rendezvoused with an Adeptus Arbities station (presumed to be the Mortis Carcerum) and were subsequently requisitioned by d'Fuckreby to gain transport along the vessel's route. The ship was shortly attacked by Aeldari Corsairs, but the vessel repulsed them. The Carillon entered the Fimbria system with little issue, and d'Fuckreby requisitioned a shuttle, which was provided. 30 minutes later, the Captain performed a warp jump, in-system, with no gellar fields. After a 45-second unshielded dip in the Warp, the ship then returned to realspace. The delegation then finds a video of d'Fuckreby thanking the captain and whispering something to him. Reeb takes stock of the tactical map, noting a few pings moving from the Marengo towards the Carillon. Lorn then tries to close the tear, in doing so encountering none other than the "friendly warp creature" Shawn. Shawn warns them about inbound torpedoes, and the gang hauls it back to the Arvest Lighter and blasts away from the Carillon. The Marengo turns and departs, with Zedek cursing the poor range of the Debt Collector's armaments.
The WAAGHHams Orkisode (Episode 18.5)[]
TBW
Team Fimbria II (Episodes 21 - 23)[]
The delegation takes a few days to rest, recuperate, and chase down leads. Zedek notes that d'Fuckreby could have only gone to Fimbria II in his shuttle, and takes some time to cancel a weeklong holiday and manage his ship to a lesser state of disrepair. Π-Braine channels his inner noir and, with Lorn's help, works to untangle an unknown conspiracy. Lorn and Π-Braine disagree over the existence of a small timegap in his theory, during their time on Shady Rock. Finally, Lorn consults with the Navigator about anything she may have seen with regard to the Carillon and any trace of d'Fuckreby, and the Navigator requests assistance searching the Warp for any information. Lorn obliges (despite Reeb's protests) and discovers a trail leading to a dusty, dead world. The delegation then recieves a transmission from Prefect Amalda, bearing a report on Fimbria II and a request from the Governor to not rock the boat too much. Amalda also offers that the Marengo recently dropped off a force of mercenaries onto Fimbria II. Zedek instantly takes offense to this, claiming that the Debt Collector has superior mercenaries to the Marengo. Amalda says that she can put Zedek in contact with the nobles if he wants to offer his mercenaries to the conflict, which Zedek accepts. Amalda leaves them with a heads-up that the Governor just recieved a communique from the Crusade, and he may need their help soon. Π-Braine takes the opportunity to verify his timeline of events with Amalda, who concedes that it seems complete. Belba offers her team as mercenaries, and Zedek accepts.
Upon landing, they are greeted by one of the tech-adepts on Fimbria II. This member is a teenager named Tobias with a penchant for murder. Π-Braine immediately interrogates Tobias as to the sorry state of the facility, to which Tobias reponds with his laspistol and a claim that he is only concerned with the "components". As they enter the facility, they happen upon two groups of Kroot mercenaries and Tarellian Dog Soldiers. After a firefight, Zedek manages to hire one of the Kroot. Reeb then asks Tobias what all this "component stream" business is about, to which Tobias responds with a "card", a device roughly the size of a rectangular poker chip, and explains that if their chosen team were to slot this card into a certain slot at a certain point, their team would be allocated ownership and the resources of the area - if they join. Π-Braine and Lorn instantly perk up at the mention of points, and Zedek realizes the opportunity these resources can provide the crusade. They then head to the Information Center - which is revealed to be a cantina, packed with all the outliers and outlaws the Imperium has to offer (the "components"), and the techwrights, notably all underage. Zedek plies the bartender with backstock, determining that rounds last between fifteen minutes and two weeks. After a breif standoff, Reeb strikes up a conversation with a xenos information broker, Shiuth, who tells Reeb that the two major factions here are represented by the Kroot and the Tarellians, and that Sleigherburgo d'Fuckreby XXIV had passed through the planet, and sought a ship capable of bouncing around the system (but not necessarily warp travel). In exchange for this information, Shiuth requests passage onboard the Debt Collector, which Zedek grants. Finally, Shiuth tells them that Fimbria II is nowhere near mined out, with the possibility of adamantite and more lying beneath. Meanwhile, Lorn has been gambling with the Dog Soldiers. The stakes are raised - the services of a Tarellian squad, against Π-Braine. Π-Braine also pitches to them the idea of joining the Crusade, to which the leader, Pacha Terrier, mentions that they would first need to complete their contract and defeat the Kroot before accepting a new one. The hands are played, psychic thumbs are put on scales, and Lorn emerges victorious. This loss is blamed on the Kroot, and an ensuing barfight is narrowly avoided thanks to Π-Braine. Tobias puts Π-Braine and Zedek on the red team, and instructs them to rally at their fort. Reeb then has an idea, and joins the Kroot mercs on the blue team. Lorn also tags along. The teams then break, and rally at their forts. The two teams arrange themselves on their 2 forts, and formulate their plans of attack. After a bloody firefight and tussle with a knarloc, Lorn zips down to the capture point and drops in their card.
After the match ends, the two teams wish each other good game, the two halves of the delegation reunite, and are subsequently approached by the Kroot Shaper, "Big". Π-Braine and Zedek leave for the Red fort, and Reeb asks Shaper Big about d'Fuckreby, who replies that d'Fuckreby wouldn't "pay the meat tithe", but a woman with a flamer and power armor "saw to that". The Shaper continues saying that they were asking for a ship, months' worth of fuel, and desired to go to the outer edge of the system. Finally, d'Fuckreby seems to have left Fimbria II under confusion caused from some outsize psychic power. Π-Braine and Zedek, having exchanged words about a time Lemuria tried to blow Π-Braine and his squad off the face of a planet, ask Pacha Terrier about d'Fuckreby, who says that he bunked with the Tarellians while they prepped his ship. And after shifting enough signed copies of Zedequette to fill two-thirds of a shipping container, the Tarellian points them towards Fimbria IV, saying he was searching "for riches and points!" Zedek tries to headhunt the Tarellians away from Fimbria II, and manages to secure 5,000 for the Debt Collector. Tobias takes issue to this, demanding "replacement components", but Zedek counters with additional copies of Zedequette. Tobias also directs them to the installation's oldest adept, Elma. Reeb raises questions regarding the ships' budgeting.
Interrogation and Filtration Arc (Episode 23)[]
The delegation heads back to the Debt Collector, where Ransum mentions that they're having trouble keeping the lower decks in order, whereupon Zedek mentions the 5,000 Tarellians and Ransum raises concerns regarding food. Π-Braine and Lorn head up to the former’s office, where they talk over the match on Fimbria IV, before Π-Braine has an inopportune vision of Lord Melkior. The delegation sets course to Fimbria Majoris, where Governor Zolensk has a high priority mission for them that bears the seal of the Primarchs. Reeb also bumps into Interrogator Landon, one of Inquistor Harlan's subordinates. Landon requests that the delegation assemble, because he, and by proxy the Inquisitor, have some questions. Upon entry to Landon's temporary office, Lorn lights up, and the two meet like old friends. Landon mentions that some "chicanery" has been reported throughout the crusade, and is investigating them because their reports have been very light on details. Landon then requests information of their travels, starting at Farthum IV and continuing through the incident onboard the Carillon (and glossing over Shady Rock). He follows up on all manner of topics, from the un-deceased techpriest to the current state of Scargaris Prime (now renamed Toadius Prime) to the "family jewels" of Supreme Judge Straborsan. When Π-Braine tries to articulate his concerns regarding Shady Rock, his words are imperceptible to all but Lorn. Zedek does press his own concerns, but Landon pushes forward. He raises concerns regarding how the Carillion was placed square in their path. Landon then wonders aloud why, granted all the evidence arrayed against d'Fuckreby, there is one ship chasing him down instead of the fleet that is warranted. Finally, Landon asks about the delegation's relationship with Lord Melkior, but Π-Braine's answer is interrupted by a call from Ransum, mentioning a blockage in the septic system. Landon requests to tag along into the sewers. The sewers are again cleared, and Landon says he'll be in the system for some time. He also gives them some more details on their mission: to transport Primarch-earmarked containers of materiel to the Astra Militarum forces on the moons of Fimbria IV. The Primarch (almost certainly Corvus Corax) is disappointed that he won't be able to assist personally, but he has requisitioned supplies for the detachment. And while they won't be able to meet with the Primarch, he has heard of the delegation.
The Horrors of Waaagh Arc (Episodes 24 & 25)[]
The delegation meet with Governor Zolensk, and officially receive their assignment. The Debt Collector must haul Adeptus Munitorium materiel to the fourth moon of Fimbria IV, as ordered by the Primarch. The Debt Collector also gets to keep the cargo landers. The delegation will also land with the cargo for the sake of "morale and good cheer." The cargo landers embark with little issue. Reeb also extends an offer for Amalda to join the accounting team, who declines. En route to Fimbria IV, Reeb continues his audit, Π-Braine tries to steal a leg and sets the medbay on fire as an apology, and Lorn tends bar and teleports into said flaming medbay. Meanwhile, Zedek takes a stroll through the lower decks and bumps into the Tarellians, who have forced the ratlings out of a corner of the decks. Following the extinguishing of the medbay, the delegation goes down to see the Astropath, who sees a signficant quantity of empyrean eyes peering into the system. Eyes "new and old" and the same eyes watching "the big ship that came after the dead planet" - "the same one that was looking at us from that ship is looking at us now". Once again, the details on Shady Rock elude the delegation. A passing mention of the "Lower Deck Killer" leads to Reeb confronting Zedek over a security team that are collecting their very high wages despite them being dead for a month or two, and similar financial irregularites. Astropath Rivette, now far more comprehensible thanks to the addition of some high-quality firearms to his armory, bids them farewell as Ransum announces their approach to Fimbria IV.
The Debt Collector enters orbit over Fimbria IV-D, a forested marble bearing a roughly circular blemish of smoke and smog. The delegation and a contingent of four ratlings board the Arvest Lighter, which ferries them down to the surface. The gang notices orkoid towers in the distance as they enter final approach on the Militarum installation, and on arrival they encounter an uncharistically happy Guardswoman: Trooper River Hest, who is very proud of her Arbites brother who was sending money back to the family. Zedek and Lorn, feeling responsible, resolve to offer Trooper Hest a job onboard the ship. The delegation then meet Colonel Belia Crotwell, commanding officer of the Cadian MCCCXIIIth, who immediately starts approving the unloading, mentioning the dire need for such materiel. She offers the delegation a tactical breif, which Π-Braine notes leaves the base in dire straits without further support. A notable tidbit is that a section of the front, under the command of a Major Rathum, has fallen despite a lack of greenskin presence. The Colonel asks if they wouldn't mind tagging along on a patrol, for the sake of fresh eyes. Zedek grabs Reeb and adjourns to a side tent to ask about any forseeable issues with deploying the Dog Soldiers to bolster the lines, and his plan to offer a job to Trooper Hest. Reeb reacts with apathy to both proposals, and anger towards the general state of things. Π-Braine then offers to take Reeb to the medical tent to set him at ease, and see about replacing Π-Braine's metallic pegleg. Reeb lends the Medicae Primus, Briston, a hand while said Medicae and Π-Braine bond over shared opinions of certain forgeworlds. Zedek sees about swapping some of his Dog Soldiers for Trooper Hest, and Crotwell agrees, except for the part where she's just been sent out on patrol. The delegation bolt for the patrol's last known location.
Meanwhile, Trooper Hest's solo patol through the forest is interrupted by Ork Kommando "Kree'tunz Waaagh-Klatta", who is himself interrupted by the arrival of the delegation. Kreetunz sneaks away, leaving a band of Kommandos for the delegation to fight. Between some tricky psychic side effects and some simple arson effects, the delegation scare off the kommandos and secure Trooper Hest. However, the Militarum outpost is being suppressed by Ork flak cannons, taking down multiple incoming cargo landers and darkening the sky. Lorn gives Hest a pep talk and the guardsmen take to the walls to hold back the waaagh. The Colonel dashes over to the delegation and opens up the cargo crates, revealing a hololith message from none other than who seems to be Primarch Vulkan, but certain mannerisms (and the presumed failure of a voice changer) cast doubt on the true identity. The containers are then revealed to be full of pastries and and party supplies, much to the disappointment of all present.
The fighting against the orks rages for a month, Trooper Hest makes Corporal and has taken to the constant war well, Lorn can't stand another ratio of fondant, Reeb and Zedek are too tired to be properly pissed, and Π-Braine feels the same. The delegation meet, and receive their orders to carry out an assault against the main flak gun suppressing their position. The delegation puzzle out the probability there is an ork Mekboy with the gun, and Reeb relates a tale involving a suicide mission that bears a striking resemblance to their current situation. The first vox transmission in a month breaks through the flak field, from a most improbable source: Sleigherburgo d'Fuckreby XXIV. He reacts to the delegation's hostility with smarm and secrecy, hinting at absconding with the Debt Collector. Reeb, tired from a month of fighting and countless small annoyances and slights, and threatens to rearrange d'Fuckreby's bowels to his liking. The signal then shifts to that of Ransum, addressing Zedek , in broken speech, as "Citizen" and indicating that his father would approve of him relinquishing control of the ship. Zedek then signs on to Reeb's threat. The gang partake in Reeb's party favor moonshine and set out on their mission to suicide the flak cannon. They proceed through a gauntlet populated by the party from the Orkisode (see above) and squads of supporting Boyz, first meeting Kree'tunz again, then the Flashgit Ritzfist Back'andah, then the Weirdboy Lork (in an inexplicably festive setting) and finally squaring off with the Meganob Graka and the Mekboss Mondo in a power loader who reveals that the flak cannon's been teleported to another mountain and also this is an ambush. The delegation are quickly overwhelmed and, bearing a comatose Reeb and Lorn, Π-Braine and Zedek ingloriously retreat by diving off the cliff into the river far below.
Forty Days and Nights Arc (Episodes 26 & 27)[]
Lorn "comes to" in complete darkness, running flat out towards a pinprick of light. An old voice says "He'll forget. They'll all forget. Then they'll find him. Then we'll find him." Lorn makes it to the light source, which appears to be the Emperor's very own throne room. And occupying the Golden Throne is Sleigherburgo d'Fuckreby XXIV. He then comes to properly, in a cave with the rest of the delegation and a low fire. The more injured of the group have been tended to, and Lorn's psychic senses are drawn to a stretch of wraithbone embedded in the walls. The gang rally and venture out of the cave in a mountanous, snowy wasteland, with rings across the sky and a conspicious lack of Fimbria IV overhead. Reeb deduces that they are probably on Fimbria III, and Lorn asks Zedek if he can take a peek in his brain to figure out what happened. Zedek protests, but Lorn scans through there anyway, finding nothing of note. Reeb spots a metallic glint in the distance and they proceed to it. It's revealed to be the side armor of a shuttlecraft, part of a wider debris field. They sift through the wreckage and find a small shelter in a cave, occupied by the body of Crewman Church of the Carillon, and a vox recorder. Reeb's budding necromancy skills find another... "patient" and manage to return Church to life. She's unfortunately something of a broken record, freaking out and only saying "fuck fuck fuck fuck" until they manage to quiet her down. As they do this, they're beset by a group of ice cube golems, who are quickly melted. They are then approached by a mysterious Aeldari stranger, who bids them back to the cave they were originally in. Zedek secures a vox unit, but it's out of power. Reeb negotiates with the Eldar, who says that they've been watching the delegation for some time, and that she's here to "use them." She also says that the Farseers know of "the Fuckerman" and that their destinies are intertwined. The Eldar says, in no certain terms, d'Fuckreby has been collecting any Yngir (C'tan in Aeldari) shards he comes across. The Aeldari have been trying to grab him, but they need the delegation as they are the only blindspots to his "warped reality". The Eldar leads them to a webway gate deep in a cave, and instructs them to head into it, cautioning them that the path they're taking is through a chaos-breached section of the webway. The gang travel through, and after a moment of acclimation, proceed forward through a wooden door that only Zedek can open.
Art by LaLouLou.
They emerge into a ballroom, packed with the who's-who of Rouge Trader society. A confused Zedek is instantly mobbed by everyone, asked to dance, or for hands in marriage, or simply has his praises sung. After Zedek asks a direct question of a partygoer, they respond that this party is where "everyone who matters respects you". Including, much to Zedek's utter disbelief, his father. Lorn's psychic senses return an answer of "yes", and show a blindingly powerful figure in Captain Mascadolce Sr.'s place. The gang try to reach Zedek before the shadowy Captain does, but the ballroom warps and keeps them away. Zedek continues being tempted by the partygoers, telling him that all of this "could be real". Zedek snaps back, rejecting any deal involving his father. As the nobles threaten him with an eternity of no respect, Lorn pipes up to reassure him, and Π-Braine screams at him that "your wounds are my wounds!" Zedek then responds that the praise means nothing if it is not earned, and that "I don't need to be perfect. I just need to be a good man." The partygoers reform into demonic mutants, asking Zedek to "be perfect with us". Zedek replies that nothing could convince him that Mascadolce Sr. could love anything but himself. The obscured Captain then turns and departs, as the scene dissolves and returns to the breached Webway.
The party continue forward before happening on a sealed airlock door. Reeb considers the keypad, not knowing the combination, before seeing the prompt to set the security code. He does, and the door opens, revealing a "perfect" laboratory, the sort of facility only found on Terra or Mars, filled to the brim with anything one could ask for and servitors to carry it all out. One such servitor addresses Reeb as "Master van Horne", and requests permission to begin carrying out their next project, the destruction of a virus. Reeb sets them to their business, and investigates a desk, replete with letters congratulating him for his work against various viral hazards across the galaxy. Reeb announces his suspicion of the environment. Almost in response, the stasis units begin opening up, while a mob of undead medical staff lurch into the room. Reeb trains his flamer upon them, emptying the tank. The mob persists, but a hawaiian-shirt wearing zombie greets Reeb as an old friend. The zombie calls him "his favorite" and says the lab "could be his", and they could do "great things together", gesturing at the desk. The rest of the delegation mutter their suspicions and Reeb bursts out laughing, amusedly announcing they're being tempted by the forces of Chaos, and that they're talking to a manifestation of Nurgle. The zombie-Nurgle denies none of it, continuing to praise Reeb and his skill, and pointing out the similarities between Reeb and himself. Nurgle puts his offer in plaintext: Spend the rest of your life curing hundreds of plauges and saving billions, but after his death, come join me at the cauldron. Reeb discovers that Π-Braine was the real culprit for the inceration of his lab, and Reeb dresses him down for it, before airing his grievances at the rest of the delegation. Nurgle chimes in, saying that this temptation is unrelated to d'Fuckreby. [note to Future Polar: rewatch this bit] Zedek issues apologies to Reeb, and Reeb strikes a deal with Nurgle: try this again later. Nurgle laughs and agrees, issuing a request to halt d'Fuckreby's activities. They then exit back through to the Webway, Reeb pleased they didn't have to slice through a mob of zombies to escape.
They continue through the webway, Reeb cautioning them against incoming Tzeench trickery. Π-Braine asks about the Chaos Gods. Church then perks up, possessed by Shawn, and offers his experience with such things. He tells them that up next is a particularly angry servant of Khorne, followed by "the other one", presumably an agent Tzeench. Shawn also tells them that they'll probably make it out, as that's the will of the Runious Powers. Shawn then points out a circular hatch in the "floor" and wishes them luck.
The hatch is emblazoned with the sigil of Forgeworld Lemuria, and the rest of the delegation all but shoves Π-Braine into the hatch. Lorn imbues his powersword with warp energy before they enter the hatch. They enter into a underwater glass hallway of the sort found on Lemuria, and shortly encounter a field of dead skittarii and hear the sounds of a Lemurian Hellquid bashing something in the distance. Zedek, then Lorn, then Reeb, are offered "the power to make war" and command of "the legion". The voice then asks Zedek, Lorn, and Reeb which one of them wants "the legion to conquer all", and the legion itself appears, as a group of well-ordered bearing the hallmarks of Chaos. The voice then says that the legion was offered power. [rewatch this bit too Future Polar, Pi's temptation is con-fucking-fusing] The delegation give Π-Braine a pep talk, as the squid angrily tells Π-Braine to continue maiming and destroying. Π-Braine issues an apology for his behavior as the Hellsquid continues hammering on the glass hall. The delegation flee out the hatch and back into the webway, as Π-Braine tells the squid he's not anatomically correct. Π-Braine apologizes for his temptation, saying he can be a living garbage can at times. Lorn helpfully provides a list of all the funerals he needs to attend, and Reeb suggests this is an opportunity to prove he's more than a murderer.
Lorn begrudingly resigns himself to his incoming temptation, and the delegations soon finds the arch of a cave entrance, the chill winds of which betrays a Fenrisian origin. They emerge out onto the Fenrisian landscape, which Lorn recognizes as the day and place of his village being raided. They find the village in question, and Lorn points out the people he recognizes. A raven spooks Lorn and he hustles towards the village, as the war cries of the raiding party echo in the distance. Lorn arms the party, and the villagers seem oblivious to the threat. Π-Braine tries to talk some sense into a stressed-out Lorn, and then hands him off to Zedek. Lorn insists that this time, the party can make the difference, and sallies forth to fight. Lorn deploys various psychic powers against the horde, and has an out-of-body experience. His spirit is confronted by a shamanic cheif who informs him that they're watching "the time now, and the time then." Lorn responds with psychic powers, which the other figure shrugs off while congratulating his skill. The shaman then suggests they watch the time "to be", and the storm cloud hanging over the battle changes into the sneering face of Sleigherburgo d'Fuckreby, pushing the delegation back. The shaman mentions that his power won't be enough to stop d'Fuckreby, and the delegation will perish. He also refers to Lorn's dream of d'Fuckreby on the Golden Throne. Lorn asks why should he believe the shaman, since the others have been tempted in turn. The shaman offers the power needed to save the others. As the others push forward to the army's commanding cheiftain, the shaman continues to question if their best will be enough. Lorn asks what will happen to him, and the shaman says he'll learn everything, and save his friends. The shaman does say that d'Fuckreby poses a threat to him and his ilk, saying that he could "end the game", and with it the universe. Lorn asks for terms, saying that after d'Fuckreby is gone, no more. After the shaman says that could be arranged, Lorn extends his hand. Lorn is transported back to the beginning of the raid, sans raiders, and the exit to the webway opens in the distance. Π-Braine demands to know what Lorn did, but Lorn admits nothing, instead ablating the majority of Π-Braine's suspicion. As they leave, Lorn looks back and sees the shaman on a distant hill.
They return into the Webway, and proceed forward, discussing their trials. They then find a set of wooden double doors at the end of the webway path, through which they are pulled through into Zedek's bedroom, through the door of the Closetor. Π-Braine rifles through the medicine cabinet for radium rounds to confirm the reality of their surroundings, and Reeb looks out the window, seeing the dead world of Fimbria V, as glowing green lines light up and crisscross the surface.
Denounement Arc (Episodes 28 & 29)[]
Zedek realizes that someone's come through and cleaned his bedroom, and slept in his bed. Belba pipes up and mentions that d'Fuckreby is the room's occupant, and is in the strategium with Ransum and Tater Tot. Further questioning clarifies that most of the crew are under psychic control, and d'Fuckreby was accompanied by a woman and a "hulking brute". Gamu, also un-dominated, was paid off with "actually being able to fix the ship", in particular the defense systems. Belba advises them to travel through the sewer systems to avoid the turrets, and offers her elite "Potato Squad" to the delegation. The sewer infestation was taken care of by d'Fuckreby. Π-Braine produces a box containing frag grenades, although only one is actually present. The gang proceeds through the vents, suborns a maintenance servitor, and proceeds into the sewers. The servitor in short order declares "and my legs", locks the door, and trips an alarm. A couple Tarellian dog soldiers respond to the alarm, and Lorn uses his psychic abilities to lift the domination from their minds. After Π-Braine seizes rocket launchers from the back of sewer wyverns, the delegations is confronted by Gamu-4224.