Char Li's Angels: The Skull of Saint Diana - Part XXI

We rejoin our troupe as they are still questioning Sir Bedevere Windsor Hawkwood. He discusses how he felt that while Count Innocence Decados was a man of honour (surprising for a Decados) he believes his daughter Chastity to be a far more typical member of their house. He recalls that she took great pleasure in shocking Ravennan society with a string of notable public affairs and habitual behaviour that seemed fully intended to offend and embarrass the local Hawkwood population. He is aware that she left the planet about 15 years ago but still visits on occasion.

He also dismisses any familial connection to Saint Diana or House Windsor.  To him it is no more than a familial name; his loyalty and devotion is to House Hawkwood alone.

Next the Troupe decide to question Baronet Chi-Fu once more and find that he has turned over the Engineer’s crew cell where they had imprisoned him. He is angry at both his incarceration and general treatment and rails against them.  However Kibri and Alexis are very capable interrogators and manage to obtain confirmation that “Diligence” is the name that the Baronet’s coded messages are sent to, but he does not know the individual.

The group discuss what to do and, having decided on a plan, the Troupe liaise with the Bishop and seek his authority to act (as he is now the de facto leader of the mission). However he is not immediately swayed and seeks some time to pray over the matter.  

Eventually he consents and Zillah requests permission to launch from the Charioteers Guild as they seek to rejoin the flotilla in orbit.

Once back in space the Blessed Saint Horace docks with the Tiger of Tashrak and Sir Zillah Thana, Canon Alexis, Belvoir and Kibri board the flagship to try to speak with the Lord Admiral. They are welcomed into his ready room by Lieutenant Hanso Li Halan and Sir Aldous Redwood Justinian, and share tea with the Lord Admiral Baron Chen. The Lord Admiral is obviously still recovering from the injuries he suffered at the Basilica of Saint Simeon and both he and Sir Aldous are carrying obvious serious wounds.

The Troupe outline their plan; they want to head to the gas giant moon where they now know the Wagon of Paulus that was carrying the Skull of Saint Diana was headed. They would like the support of another of the vessels in the flotilla if possible and look to the Lord Admiral to sanction the plan.

The Lord Admiral sees the logic of the strategy and is pleased that they can take some sort of proactive action.  However he counsels that since Sir Bedevere returned to his ship the Hawkwoods have taken closer watch on their ships.  It will not be so easy to slip away than it was when the Raiders originally went after the Wagon of Paulus.

They agree that the Tiger of Tashrak will create a diversion by faking an engineering emergency.  When they do so, the Blessed Saint Horace, accompanied by the Raider, Rain of Vengeance, commanded by Sir He Zheng Li Halan, will clear the area and slip away, setting course for the target moon.

While docked the Troupe transfer the custody of Baronet Chi-Fu to the Tiger of Tashrak, where he is secured in a cell in the ship's brig.  

Before departing the flagship, Zillah makes a point of visiting the physician, Brother Cadog, and picking up some of his homebrew Elixir.

The plan goes as intended and the two Li Halan ships engage full thrust and head for the gas giant’s orbit.

The journey takes about a day and a half and the Troupe take the opportunity to engage in training and restorative practices to prepare for whatever may lie ahead.
Upon the final approach Zillah uses their psychic Vis Sight, boosted by their power to Shape Senses to spot an area of energy on the surface of the otherwise desolate moon. They opt to adjust their approach to come from the “dark side” and eventually the Blessed Saint Horace sets down on the surface, within walking distance of the energy. The Rain of Vengeance remains in orbit and the Troupe emerge from their ship in space suits, ready to continue their search for the Skull…

The Troupe advance to Level Four.