Erwin gaze goes from Dral, Dammek, Seito and back to Cade. There is no trace of glum, nor misplaced pride on Erwin's face. He nods and starts talking in a very controlled, staccato kind of way, for once abandoning the loose and foul language that you've come to expect from him. "About 10 minutes ago, we broke contact with our target. Our captain ordered a sigma5 retreat. When we were regrouping for our next hit, we were flanked by 3 to 5 hostile machinemen. Medium targets, armaments axes, high velocity targets. We were suprised and took immediate fatalities. Our return fire was uncoordinated and the machinemen closed in for another round. I got hit in the leg and went down. My squadmates were killed to the last man." Erwin sighs and continues in his normal style. My best guess is that it was a counterattack from our main target. A certain techherder named Nemesis."

Erwin doesn't wait till the acolytes respond, but picks up his lho-stick, accepts the lasgun from Dral with a curt nod and says: "So lock'n load, my friends. We've got some frakking machinemen to slaughter."

Dammek's eyes widen. His day keeps getting worse and worse. First the lady with the mechadendrites, now whatever on earth a 'machine man' is... Give him an Ork any day. Sure, they're eight feet tall and nearly immune to las-bolts, but at least they're dim-witted and can be easily tricked. Machines are methodical and unnaturally precise. If things go south, he could only hide from a machine for so long before they caught him and tore him to bits...

He shakes his head to get the image out of his mind. Trying his best to look like a tough penal legionnaire, he readies his laspistol and combat blade and grunts affirmatively. He had a whole lot of questions for Erwin, but they could wait until they weren't in mortal danger.

Seito keeps her cool, excelling under pressure but internally as nervous as she had ever been in her life. The adrenaline beginning to pump through her system seemed to be about to make her hands shake. That nerve-wrenching, gut-feeling that sends prickles throughout the epidermous as nerve-endings fire off like hanabi in the night sky.

She was momentarily transported to a battlefield that reminded her of her childhood; starburst artillery shells pouring razor sharp fragments of shrapnel on entrenched Imperial lines had looked ever so much like the fun hanabi of her childhood.

She snapped out of it, her left hand popping the cylinder feed of her hand cannon as she deftly removed the ammunition inside of it. Just as quickly she popped a speed-loader on her belt and re-loaded the weapon: Man-stopper rounds. If what they were facing were indeed "machine men" as the newcomer had called them, the extra penetrating power of the special rounds might come in handy.

She braced the weapon with both hands and looked to Cade, thinking about what she had said to him when they were looking for Asterius' trail.

"Not it."

No way was she going to be on point.

With a firm grip on his lasgun, Erwin looked for a point of entrance. He'd prefer not to use the main door, so he scanned his surroundings for windows, or perhaps a crack in the wall where they could slip through. He also checked the roof. With his grapnel they could perhaps move on top and thus gain the higher ground.

[awareness 33 - 20 (untrained), need a 13 - rolled a 48 for 3 degrees of failure]

Erwin relised that he'd better proof to be a worthy addition to this group. He was low on bargaining chips and was pretty sure they didn't really trust him. He grinned bitterly and thought 'but then again, I wouldn't trust me either.'

Failing to find an advantageous avenue for an assault, he asks: "Anybody an idea to get into a prime position to start blasting?"

I ready my las-pistol and stand beside Seito and look expectantly at our Cade, Dammek and Erwin.

While they prepare I take out my Auspex and scan the building for life-forms to try and get a rough direction.

[techuse unskilled, int 36 - 20 unskilled, target 16; rolled 32; 2 DoF. If I am reading Auspex right the scan for life forms shouldn't require a roll, but is used to interpret other information returned]

Cade scanned around briefly. "There's probably a few out here, but I'll have to take a look inside, obviously." He remarked. That was his territory. Finding grounds to pick some good shots from. But it was useless if he couldn't take a look at the interior of the building, decrepit as it was. He really did miss his long las now. But that was how it was. No time for that. Cade slid his sword back into his belt, and retrieved his las pistol again. "After you." He said to Erwin.

Erwin moved over to the door of the building and readied his lasgun. He would try to open the door as quiet as possible, but if that plan would fail, immediately roll to the side, hopefully behind some cover. Clicking the selector on full auto, just in case, he puts his left hand on the doorhandle.

[silent Move untrained, Ag 38 -20 untrained, target 18; rolled 88; 7 DoF]

Upon opening the door, Erwin fumbles with the handle and lets it slip. A loud metallic cloink is the result. Erwin immediately follows through and rolls to the side, trying to check his surroundings for hostiles.

[Awareness untrainend, Per 33 -20 untrained; target 13; rolled 30; 1 DoF]

Erwin moved over to the door of the building and readied his lasgun. He would try to open the door as quiet as possible, but if that plan would fail, immediately roll to the side, hopefully behind some cover. Clicking the selector on full auto, just in case, he puts his left hand on the doorhandle.

[silent Move untrained, Ag 38 -20 untrained, target 18; rolled 88; 7 DoF]

Upon opening the door, Erwin fumbles with the handle and lets it slip. A loud metallic cloink is the result. Erwin immediately follows through and rolls to the side, trying to check his surroundings for hostiles.

[Awareness untrainend, Per 33 -20 untrained; target 13; rolled 30; 1 DoF]

Erwin seems to be the loudest intruder that ever entered a building. The doors handle rolls through the big room you entered to the other side, making loud noise. At the end of the room, on a carpet, it comes to a very sudden stop.

Erwin doesnt hear anything special, but it seems strange to him that the handle stopped so suddenly.

I ready my las-pistol and stand beside Seito and look expectantly at our Cade, Dammek and Erwin.

While they prepare I take out my Auspex and scan the building for life-forms to try and get a rough direction.

[techuse unskilled, int 36 - 20 unskilled, target 16; rolled 32; 2 DoF. If I am reading Auspex right the scan for life forms shouldn't require a roll, but is used to interpret other information returned]

You get some weird information as you scan for live formes. You get some, but their signatures are very weak and flickering. You cannot tell exactly where they are, but there are at least half a dozen of them.

I put the Auspex back on my belt harness "I am getting some pretty weird readings, life signs are feint, there are at least 6 inside the building."

I take up a position beside the entrance and wait for at least Cade or Dammek to follow Erwin inside before going in myself.

Cade followed right behind Erwin, scanning the area immediatel for cover, or good sniping points. Or perhaps traps. Anything at all that could be either used or served as a threat. He didn't bother to try and cover up his entry, as Erwin's entrance would have warned everyone all the way down the street that someone was here.

[Awareness test, need 39, rolled a 9 for 3 DoS]

Cade followed right behind Erwin, scanning the area immediatel for cover, or good sniping points. Or perhaps traps. Anything at all that could be either used or served as a threat. He didn't bother to try and cover up his entry, as Erwin's entrance would have warned everyone all the way down the street that someone was here. [Awareness test, need 39, rolled a 9 for 3 DoS]

(It is even 4 DoS I think)

On the street behind you, a cat is scared away by the noise, and you can hear something very dampened below you.

You also get aware, that the carpet, where the doors handle came to lie all so sudden, seems to have way less dust on it than the rest of the room. You also can see footprints in the dust that lead towards the carpet.

Cade followed right behind Erwin, scanning the area immediatel for cover, or good sniping points. Or perhaps traps. Anything at all that could be either used or served as a threat. He didn't bother to try and cover up his entry, as Erwin's entrance would have warned everyone all the way down the street that someone was here. [Awareness test, need 39, rolled a 9 for 3 DoS]

(It is even 4 DoS I think)

On the street behind you, a cat is scared away by the noise, and you can hear something very dampened below you.

You also get aware, that the carpet, where the doors handle came to lie all so sudden, seems to have way less dust on it than the rest of the room. You also can see footprints in the dust that lead towards the carpet.

Seito moves in long after the Cade and the newcomer Erwin do. She finds cover immediately (if none is present she waits outside the door, using it as cover).

She gets a firm two-handed grip on her pistol and makes ready to send anything hostile straight to Hell.

Cade glanced at the carpet and muttered in a low voice. "We're not alone. Someone's been here very recently indeed." He stated, advancing into the room. There didn't appear to be a lot of cover, so Cade, rather shamelessly, stood behind Erwin so that any shots fired at Cade would have to go through a meat shield first.

The room itself doesnt offer much for cover. After you enter, you come into a huge central room, which has a door on the opposite wall. The room seems to be almost the complete ground floor, and the door leads to a small stairway.

The room you are in is almost emty. Besides the carpet, there only is a box full of litter, and some graffiti on the walls, that seem to be mixed with a dark red substance at some areas.

An old rusty lamp is hanging from the ceiling, but there is not much hope it could be still functional.

Erwin scans the room for movement. Not picking up anything he moves to the right and huggs the wall. Quickly he moves to the door, checking the stairwell for hostiles.

[awareness 33 -20 untrained; target 13; rolled 68; 5DoF; this is becoming a habit >.<]

Erwin scans the room for movement. Not picking up anything he moves to the right and huggs the wall. Quickly he moves to the door, checking the stairwell for hostiles.[awareness 33 -20 untrained; target 13; rolled 68; 5DoF; this is becoming a habit >.<]

The stairway looks empty. Upwards it looks like not being in good shape, downstairs, towards the cellar, the stairs look much more stable...

[awareness roll, target 33, rolled 78; 5DoS]

Not noticing anything of note Dral moves into the entrance hall, his las-pistol at the ready. Dral had never fired his gun in anger before today and felt very nervous at the thought of more fighting all in such a short space of time.

Looking around the room I take note of where my colleagues are and take up a position by the entrance door covering the rear. I take the odd nervous glance over my shoulder to ensure I hadn't been left alone.

A sudden breeze makes you shiver.

Was that a silent whisper ? You are not sure.

Erwin sees no trace of possible hostiles and relaxes a bit, lurking on his lho-stick. He closes the door of the stairwell and focuses his attention on the carpet. Cautiously he approaches the thing, trying to determine what is wrong with it.

[Awareness test, target 38; rolled a 42 for a basic failure]

Dammek moves into the room with the other Acolytes, nervously sweeping his gaze around the room. He stands slightly to the side of the rest of the group so that he has a clear view of the opposite door. He glances upwards -- how high is the ceiling in this room? Are there any notable features like windows, chandeliers, or balconies? If there's nothing notable about the ceiling, he raises his laspistol into an Overwatch position covering the door at the opposite end of the room while Erwin examines the carpet.

As he does this, Dammek asks: "Erwin, tell me more about these... machine-men. What did they look like? Were they big and clunky or sleek and fast? Did they use any tactics like flanking or ambushes, or did they just charge your group?"

Seito takes a cue from Dammek and sets up on the opposite side of him in much the same manner. At the very least, they have some sort of over lapping firing field, and while it may not be much it was better than being caught with their pants down. She sets up her overwatch just as he does and scans the room for anything and everything that her psyche is telling her is lurking in the shadows.

[Awareness, Per 38; rolled 65; 3 DoF] [setting up Overwatch]

[Awareness test, target 38; rolled a 42 for a basic failure]

Dammek moves into the room with the other Acolytes, nervously sweeping his gaze around the room. He stands slightly to the side of the rest of the group so that he has a clear view of the opposite door. He glances upwards -- how high is the ceiling in this room? Are there any notable features like windows, chandeliers, or balconies? If there's nothing notable about the ceiling, he raises his laspistol into an Overwatch position covering the door at the opposite end of the room while Erwin examines the carpet.

As he does this, Dammek asks: "Erwin, tell me more about these... machine-men. What did they look like? Were they big and clunky or sleek and fast? Did they use any tactics like flanking or ambushes, or did they just charge your group?"

The ceiling is about 2.5m high, no balconies or chandeliers - there are 2 windows, one at the same side you entered, and one on the side to your right hand. Both windows are so dirty that you cant see through them.

As Erwin is tiptoeing around the carpet, he spares Dammek a glance. Dammek might notice that Erwin's eyes widen a bit when he sees the explosive collar. "They moved like frakking, E-ver-sars , mister Boom. You wouldn't believe the stunts these machinemen pulled. One moment I'm dodging a low blow, but the next moment I'm crippled by a cheap shot from the right. Quick buggers, these machinemen." Erwin rolls away the carpet and clicks with his tongue: "Look here fellahs, I found me another entrance. Probably more promissing then those stairs."

Erwin pauses for a second as he gently tries to open the trapdoor, pulling at a heavy metallic clap. "I can't seem to move this motherfrak. Can someone come and help me?" Erwin's metal lasgun cloinks against the hatch. "Emperor's wrath! This thing is mag-me-tic ."

As he waits for someone to come over, he looks Dammek back into the eyes, lurking again from his lho-stick. "There was something odd about these machinemen. I've never liked the fraggers. Back home they said the ghosts of the people were still in those con-trap-tzions . But these... They really seemed alive... I wonder if this so-called Nemezis is behind it all."

[strenght test to open hatch; target 44; rolled a 56; with no help and challenging target 1DoF]