40K Dark Heresy: The Danse Macabre

[Feil]

Confused and disappointed, Liza frowned. He would explain if he wanted to, but she wasn't sure, now, if she wanted to hear what he had to say.

[Raj Ahten]

Lazarus concerned himself with looking over carefully the rest of the team. Since he knew little about the mission itself, he could at least try to get some feeling for the people he would be working with.

Some killers in this bunch, practically bragging about how willing they are to snuff someone. Hopefully these arbites know something about investigations instead of the usual just busting in the skulls of those that look at 'em funny. Oh yeah, then we got the psychers. They're talking about seeing the emporer's soul and shit. I wonder if our betters deighned to give us a medic. Doesn't look like it.

Lazarus's scowl deepened a little bit with that last thought.

So far it's all just talk though. I'll have to see how it goes on the ground. Hopefully some of these guys know what they are doing and are on the level.

[Block]

Zakary nodded in agreement with Gelt, and after mustering himself with a noisy 'ahem', inflicted his irritating nasal voice upon the gathering.

"Yes, well, quite a good idea. I'll start? Zakary Knapping, at everyone's service, or at least in theory. I've a rudimentary but working knowledge of a number of topics of interest, and I'm a fair to decent shot with a stubber, if I do say so myself."

The robed young man then nodded to himself, satisfied.

"Well Adept, what do you know of the world we're about to touch down on? Anything useful about what type of situation we may be walking into? Any local delicacies that just have to be sampled?"

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

"Well Adept, what do you know of the world we're about to touch down on? Anything useful about what type of situation we may be walking into? Any local delicacies that just have to be sampled?"

Zakary frowns and pointedly clears his throat, evidently offended by something, his voice clearing indicating as much.

"Well, sir, I'm afraid I'm just as much in the dark as you are. I'm not exactly privy to the ins and outs of, ah, Inquisitorial," he says the word with visible discomfort, "Business. Hm, myes, quite. Besides... knowledge is hardly an asset to waste on the, mm, careless."

[Block]

"Well Adept, what do you know of the world we're about to touch down on? Anything useful about what type of situation we may be walking into? Any local delicacies that just have to be sampled?"

Zakary frowns and pointedly clears his throat, evidently offended by something, his voice clearing indicating as much.

"Well, sir, I'm afraid I'm just as much in the dark as you are. I'm not exactly privy to the ins and outs of, ah, Inquisitorial," he says the word with visible discomfort, "Business. Hm, myes, quite. Besides... knowledge is hardly an asset to waste on the, mm, careless."

"Carefree perhaps my friend, but not careless," Verum laughed. "I did not ask you for an Inquisitorial secrets, whatever those are, simply asked if in your work you had come across any background information that may give us some clue as to what it is we're supposed to be doing, but if you insist, I suppose it will have to wait."

[RIPP_n_WIPE]

Tired the nonsensical speech Octavius finally spoke. His voice was of moderate tone, with a slight rasp in it from the dryness of the cabin. But he carried an air of authority, not unbecoming of one who wields the hammer of the Emperors law against those wish to buck it.

"We are here to become acquainted," An action Octavius was not eager to participate in. "not to ponder on an investigation of which we know little or nothing about. There is little use in querying amongst ourselves for information about anything relating to the case. Hives are massive, sprawling, communities unto themselves. Unless one of us has ever actually been to the this hive, it is a dubious thing at best to attempt to glean information from one another. Let us get our boots on the ground first. . At the very minimum, let us wait until our handlers or chiefs tell us what we need,before we start worrying about what we know or don't."

[Academia Nut]

Grinning lopsidedly, Quintos says to the arbitrator, "Ah my friend, I can see you were an excellent arbitrator, always running down your quarry, always in motion; never saying a word while having to sit long hours on a stake-out rather than chat with your fellow officers of the Emperor's law; always doing your paperwork quickly and efficiently, never taking time to crack a crude joke about at the expense of the heretics you rounded up that day. Your team mates must have loved your tireless purpose in the lull periods. No wonder you were selected for this mission."

[Vehrec]

Serghar snorted at his fellow arbites statement. When he spoke it was with a low voice that had a more pronounced rasp than Octavius. "In my 20 years in the Adeptus Arbites, I've never seen an operation run as loose as this. And that's saying something considering what I've seen. I honestly think they just mean to turn us out without any instructions and see what we do."

He paused for a moment and then pushed on. "As for me, I'm Serghar Gelt, Arbitraitor for the past 20 years. I joined up to lessen the burden on my poor mother and enforce the Emperor's Justice." The capital J was audible, an odd trick of emphasis. "I've seen a lot of terrible things, done just as many and tried to stop myself from thinking about them with rotgut. It worked for a while, but then they scooped me up and dropped me in here with the rest of you. I'm out of practice, but I've been working back into shape since I sobered up. Please avoid making loud noises as I still think I'm partly hung over." There was no sign of mirth, that last half joke was delivered in the same low smoker's rasp as all the rest.

[RIPP_n_WIPE]

"Gelt? Fine name for a servant of the Will. Draconicus" Replied Octavius giving a salute.

"Indeed though, this is a loosely run operation." ignoring the grunts statement. "Though from what I have heard, within the inquisition this is not all uncommon. Apparently "inquisitors" squabble and fight amongst one another. Followers of an individual vendetta as opposed to the service of the Will. For such people, order and regimen are not of primary concern. Thus it should not be of a suprise."

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

Zakary swallowed hard, his expression nearly turning green as he listened to the callous criticism of the Inquisition. For a moment he considered staying silent, probably the wiser course of action, but something prompted him to speak up.

"Ahem, yes, excuse me. Ah... with respect, ah, and this is just a suggestion, mind, but, um... Perhaps it would be best if we showed our new master a little respect and, ah, gave our benefactors a little credit, yes?"

[Raj Ahten]

"In my 20 years in the Adeptus Arbites, I've never seen an operation run as loose as this. And that's saying something considering what I've seen. I honestly think they just mean to turn us out without any instructions and see what we do."

Lazarus grunted in agreement and said,
"I've been thinking along the same lines. They want to see what we do when all we've been given is a name, and that the name might be linked to heretics. I'll tell you what else I'm thinking; the sooner we get off this fucking can the better. Even if we are going to a shithole hive on a mission we devise ourselves in order to be tested in a way which hasn't been explained to us. At least we will be able to do something."

Lazarus was surprised the other Arbite had ignored Quintos's jibe. Maybe Quintos would keep at it.

Not that I would test an arbiter in such a way, but he does seem like a stuck up bastard.

[Hawkwings]

At the arbitrator's comment about the Inquisition, Camillia shot Octavius a dirty look. Raising her voice, she declared "You dare speak of the most holy of His servants so lightly? Who are you to judge those who have the Emperor's ear? Who are ordained by His hand? Who have His confidence in all that they do? You speak of things above your station."

Camillia let the accusation hang in the air for a moment. The silence was sweet like rotting flesh and burned like strong brew. She didn't need psyker talents to recognize the unspoken question being asked of her, the same one that had been left unanswered earlier. Camillia rolled up her left sleeve and showed the underside of her forearm, revealing the symbol of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica tattooed into her flesh, the eye piercing into all that looked.

"Yes, I am a psyker. Sanctioned by the Adeptus Astra Telepathica. I have touched the earth of Holy Terra, and felt the presence of Him around me."

[Block]

"Well now, isn't that interesting? And I agree with the Adept and the lady, a little more respect might be in order, we're almost certainly being monitored, and if half the rumors are true, you're going to pay for what you say if you're not careful, Arbiter or not."

Turning to Camillia, Verum smiled and said, "So Camillia, you're a psyker. Fear not, I think we all hold our own little secrets, and you will find that you are among friends here, or at least comrades in arms. Tell me, what sort of training do you have in the psyker's arts? And what was it like to touch the Emperor?"

[RIPP_n_WIPE]

In his heart he laughed. Rare such a feeling to him was. Only in the swift and brutal remitment of justice did he ever feel true happiness and completness. Too, though did he at times find pleasure in those ignorant of the law. Or yet in those who thought by their posistions that they were somehow above the Will or free from it's servants criticisms.

But his face denied those before him the inner workings of his heart. His face was cold and not without a hint of malice.

"I know not truly of the inquisition. Only heresay from my betters at the Precints. Thus in my words I may have erred. But I do know that none are above critiscm, much less the law and those who serve it. Save of course He who created it. I serve none but He and I serve Him through His Will. No one is my 'master' especially an inquisitor. Ones such as they are only vessels through which I may better serve His Will and carry out His justice."

"And as for you," he said turning toward the tool "truly blessed are you for having set foot upon that which houses His throne. Indeed to be in his presence is greater still. But none know his ways save those who serve His Will. The body is great, but the mind greater still. Therefore, the mind of our God-Emperor is naught but manifested in his Will. It is He and this that I serve alone. Things above which there is naught extant. So I do not speak above my station. I speak only as a servant of His Will, the law."

[Vehrec]

Serghar stiffened as the conversation moved into familiar territory. Oh, this was familiar maudlin terrain to him they had stumbled upon. "I have spent a long time thinking about things like this on long dark patrols."

Hesitating for but a moment he pressed on speaking quickly and urgently. "The Emperor has not made His Will plain to men since he walked among us, before he ascended to the Golden Throne. Ten thousand years is a very long time. Long enough for His voice to become muddled. Long enough for the corrupt to twist his words and shelter behind them at times. I can see the apeal of the Inquisition, of settling it all with a single blow in the night."

With that said Gelt turned his face away from the others and spoke in a softer tone. "But that is not the way things should be. The wheels of the Emperor's Justice ought to turn and grind all who stand against them to dust. It should not be done in the shadows but in His light." His body seemed to shrink in on itself, suddenly looking tired and ten years older than he had moments before.

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

"I know not truly of the inquisition. Only heresay from my betters at the Precints. Thus in my words I may have erred. But I do know that none are above critiscm, much less the law and those who serve it. Save of course He who created it. I serve none but He and I serve Him through His Will. No one is my 'master' especially an inquisitor. Ones such as they are only vessels through which I may better serve His Will and carry out His justice."

Visibly mustering his courage, Zakary addresses Octavius with all of his (admittedly feeble) poise and authority.

"'If you cannot speak well of your Master, be silent,' as they say. Ahem, yes. As I daresay an Inquisitor," he again fumbles with the word almost superstitiously, "Has the authority to do as he or she pleases with you, with any of us, for whatever purpose imaginable. Our lot is not to question, but to serve. Ahem, mm."

His awkward tirade finished, the scholar shuffles off meekly, looking a little flustered.

[RIPP_n_WIPE]

Octavius nodded in approval.

"Well spoken, officer Gelt. Such is the true meaning of his will. Alas though, it be not our comission to interpret or divine, but merely to serve His Will and execute His judgement. The wisdom of my elder I will not ignore."

Turning to the others Octavius speaks again. "I may have mispoken. Indeed sir in my zeal" referring now to the scrivener "I may have sounded like an accuser, though such is not out of line of one in my profession. We are all servants of the Emperor, only in our capacities do we differ."

[Hawkwings]

The arbitrator, Octavius, his speech was true, yes, but reeked of self-importance. And then there was the issue of the man being a hypocrite, unless of course he actually was as devout in his life as he made himself out to be. And Camillia very much doubted that.

She didn't much feel like arguing at the present, so she simply said "You may find your purpose in whatever way you choose. Apparently that has worked out for you so far." and turned to address Verum.

Verum, now there was an interesting fellow. He didn't seem too bothered by the fact that he was in company of two psykers. Also, this was the second time he had called her "lady." Camillia liked that.

"We all bear our secrets, yes, but some secrets are hidden better than others. This mark identifies who I am, or at least, enough for most people. Your secrets are better hidden, locked away in dark recesses and guarded ferociously by weapons and walls. My secret is no secret at all."

Suddenly changing tone, Camillia continued "As for my abilities, I have talent in the ways of flesh and nerve and life. I am but a student, so my talents and control are not fully developed yet. But before I was sanctioned, I was a Cadian Whiteshield, and I still retain my skills in soldiering."

[Raj Ahten]

Lazarus listened silently when the others recited their oathes, saying how they lived only to serve the Emporer. He was not impressed. He had heard many oathes and speeches before; 90% of them were pure bullshit.

Let's see how all of you act when the chips are down or when you're not in front of an audience.

As Camilla finished up Lazarus decided he might as well introduce huimself as well.
"I'm Lazarus Wolfe. I'm just a grunt, but I can drive a Chimera if anyone gives a shit."

[Academia Nut]

Content to sit back and listen after being ignored, Quintos re-entered the conversation as it appeared to slack off again, his point having been made and now he had a new one.

"Well, I can see from all of this that we are in agreement that we truly are a sorry, disorganized lot with a diverse collection of skills, some more subtle and immediately useful than others.

"I will however note that I suspect that if we all trundle out of this craft in a large group we will immediately draw unwanted attention to our activities. Now, perhaps such attention will be useful, but as they say in the Guard 'the largest shellings just make the rats scurry deeper. I do however note that we have a cleric, an adept, and a techpriest amongst our number, all of whom could have any myriad of legitimate things to do on behalf of Captain Greis that would involve hurrying about and asking all sorts of questions. Of course, they would require an escort. And should they have much business to do, I could see an escort detail or two being left in a bar to while away the hours with nothing better to do than listen to the local gossip."

[Block]

The arbitrator, Octavius, his speech was true, yes, but reeked of self-importance. And then there was the issue of the man being a hypocrite, unless of course he actually was as devout in his life as he made himself out to be. And Camillia very much doubted that.

She didn't much feel like arguing at the present, so she simply said "You may find your purpose in whatever way you choose. Apparently that has worked out for you so far." and turned to address Verum.

Verum, now there was an interesting fellow. He didn't seem too bothered by the fact that he was in company of two psykers. Also, this was the second time he had called her "lady." Camillia liked that.

"We all bear our secrets, yes, but some secrets are hidden better than others. This mark identifies who I am, or at least, enough for most people. Your secrets are better hidden, locked away in dark recesses and guarded ferociously by weapons and walls. My secret is no secret at all."

Suddenly changing tone, Camillia continued "As for my abilities, I have talent in the ways of flesh and nerve and life. I am but a student, so my talents and control are not fully developed yet. But before I was sanctioned, I was a Cadian Whiteshield, and I still retain my skills in soldiering."

"An interesting talent, and a most useful one. Hopefully we won't need it on our little adventure. Then again, where the thing we're not working for goes, trouble is pretty much sure to follow. As for driving a Chimera Lazarus, if we need weaponry that heavy, I think we might be in a bit over our heads. Then again, it might be fun."

Looking around the room, Verum noticed a couple of people who had yet to introduce themselves. He cocked his head slightly, shrugged and turned back to the group.

And I do believe that our disposition of forces is completely up to the Captain, Quint, but we shall see yes?"

[Academia Nut]

Nodding, Quintos says, "Well of course, I was simply suggesting that we prepare for all eventualities now and not look like a pack of juvies turned loose in a factorum on a schola trip should the Captain expect us to prove that we don't need our hands held. It is far easier to abandon a plan than make a new one on the spot."

[Block]

"Ah, a fair assessment of the situation. In fact, if the lady and I were to hit a local watering hole, simply leaving the ship as tourists, I could get some people talking as she read them for the truth of their statements. Perhaps Liza and the bald shapeless one over there could do the same thing? If we're supposed to be body guards, the Guardsmen should probably stick with the Captain. That's my analysis anyways."

[Academia Nut]

"I believe that we are sticking with him as his guard only so long as he desires our presence, which if I remember his words correctly, he will be turning us loose at the soonest opportunity to go about our business. We are bodyguards in name only it would seem. Of course, since we are dealing with those who have fallen from the Emperor's Light in some way, I would not be surprised if we were called back to serve as actual bodyguards... at the worst possible time of course," Quintos then furrows his brows as if in a displeasured memory before waving it off.

"In any case, there are many paths we can take in this investigation, it would be best to mark them as we see them and group ourselves appropriately for the various eventualities. For example, while I think you and Camilia could perform such activities as gossip gathering in a bar, I fear that our bald friend Varnius may stand out more than we might like. On the other hand, I was raised on a Shrine World, so if our cleric friend decides to investigate, I may make a suitably pious and zealous bodyguard."

[Hawkwings]

Camillia scoffed at Verum's last statement. She liked the man, but he was sadly ignorant about her line of work, as was everyone else except for the other psyker, Camillia suspected. While she had Verum's attention, she said "I am not a lie-detector, and I suspect Varnius isn't one either. The workings of the mind are far harder to probe than anything else, save for things that must not be spoken of. Any 'reading' I could give would be based on nothing but guessing. Still, the plan is workable. I think that we will not find anything about 'Silvanus' at a local establishment, but we may catch word of a suitable information broker that we can follow up on."

Listening to the Guardsman speak, Camillia followed up, saying "And with that, it seems like all of us have suitable cover stories for our purpose on planet. Except for the Techpriest, but I'm sure a representative of Mars could find suitable diversions easily enough."