40K Dark Heresy: The Danse Macabre

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-02-13 10:08pm

"My apologies, not being a psyker myself I am not familiar with the limits of your abilities. I do not expect to find any information in the first or second place we stop. I believe Liza knows what I'm talking about. The type of person we need will find us."

Academia Nut · Post by **Academia Nut** » 2008-02-13 10:09pm

Bowing his head slightly, "Very well good lady, if such things are beyond your capacities, then we shall speak no more of them. As to our friend of Mars, well..." Quintos then gestures to the bulkheads around them, "I am sure a techpriest looking for... hard to find parts to soothe the spirit of the ship, or any of the various machine spirits here, would not be commented upon."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2008-02-13 10:20pm

That all sounds pretty good. Don't like the idea of splitting up into that many groups though. We'll all probably end up lost or ambushed by heritics or some shit.

Lazarus kept his concerns to himself and adressed the nervous adept,
"Zakary, you're in the Administratum right? maybe there is some record on what we need in there. I'd be willing to escort you."

Best start with a safe job; if anything one does with the inquisition could be considered safe. I might even be able to convince the fellow to teach me to read. I'll have to ask him about that in private. Damn it, probably no time for that now though

Feil · Post by **Feil** » 2008-02-13 10:25pm

"We might make use of a library, particularly with an adept or an arbitrator to help us gain entry, if we spend a bit of money. I've been in one once. It was... awe inspiring. So many books and maps, all organized somehow.... Information about 'Silvanus', whatever he or it is, might be found there."

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2008-02-14 12:39am

Xerxes sneezed loudly, the first sound he'd made since being assembled with this motley band of acolytes. This drew the attention of some of them to look at the grizzled-looking Guardsman who was leaning against the wall out of the way.

"Oh, excuse me, I didn't mean to interrupt," he said in mock apology. He dabbed at his nose with a dingy looking scrap of cloth, then took out a whetstone and began honing his combat knife.

"You all can keep debating what to do, I'll just make sure you don't get yourselves killed doing it."

Losonti Tokash · Post by **Losonti Tokash** » 2008-02-14 12:51am

A bit of feedback escaped as Nixios began to speak.

"Yes, she is right. I doubt we will find much on this 'Silvanus,' but it is an excellent opportunity to educate ourselves about this particular Hive."

At Xerxes' comment, the techpriest gave an almost imperceptible nod. Even before his augmentation he'd never been one for social graces. Since then, his dislike had gradually formed into a general contempt for the very idea of small talk. Nixios had so far managed to convince himself that more information might be revealed to him about his new compatriots, but as time wore on he became increasingly doubtful.

Feil · Post by **Feil** » 2008-02-14 01:19am

Yelizaveta paused. She might have read him wrong - there wasn't much to read, really - but she could have sworn the Techpriest was eager to begin studying. Surely such as he must have seen a library before. The monumental piles of books, the cogitator-catalogues, the data-slates that offered links to thousands of texts stored in the memories of their potent little machine-souls....

Her eyes widened as an almost incomprehensible thought began to form.

Just how fast can this tech-adept read?

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2008-02-14 03:13am

Xerxes held the blade up perpendicular to his eye, making sure the edge was honed to his liking, then sheathed it and took his weight off the wall, walking over to the rest of the group.

"I'm 'Bent' Xerxes, by the bye. Most just call me 'Bent'. I still don't care what you folk decide on as our first move, but I'd like if it were decided on before we land."

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2008-02-14 06:42am

Raj Ahten wrote:Lazarus kept his concerns to himself and adressed the nervous adept,
"Zakary, you're in the Administratum right? maybe there is some record on what we need in there. I'd be willing to escort you."

A little surprised at being addressed, Zakary fumbles out an awkward reply. "Ah, yes, well, ahem, sort of." Frowning, he quickly realizes that that's probably insufficient, and amends his statement. "That is to say, I nominally have some ties to the Adeptus Administratum, yes. Though in practice I spent more time dodging Greenskin war parties," he mumbles a quick oath about xenos and a benediction to the Emperor under his breath, "Than actually scurrying up the ladder of Administratum prestige, so I'm not terribly sure how useful I will be. Nonetheless, I would be honored to have your assistance in this task."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2008-02-14 10:13am

"Well Bent, as far as I can tell the plan is for everyone to split off into little groups and attempt to find some information about how in the hell we are supposed to proceed. Some will try and find information brokers. Some might try official records. Then I gather we'll all meet up and see if anyone knows anything new. It ain't much of plan but its something."

Throne, this op is fucked.

Lazarus then turned and adressed Zackery,
"Look anything you know about the Administratum is more than I know. doubt they'd even talk any of the rest of us bastards."

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2008-02-14 10:39am

"Very good then! It's a plan."

Zackary nods, pleased.

SylasGaunt · Post by **SylasGaunt** » 2008-02-14 11:02am

Havelock had remained silent thus far through the conversation. Not from any lack of things to say but rather to work out the personalities of those he would be working with for the time being. When one was to preach, it was important to know who your flock was and this seemed as varied as any he'd found in the underhive, and in many ways a far more challenging one than the ragtag bands of gangers and hooligans he was used to.

"I would be quite pleased by your company Quintos. My apologies for my long silence, I merely wished to gauge what I could of my companions before letting my lips off their leash. I am Brother Havelock of the Ecclesiarchy."

If the drawing of the group's attention flustered him at all he didn't show it.

"Each of us it is plain has our potential sources of information. Were we in my home hive I would gladly offer to probe the underhive depths, but unfortunately I do not know much of the local gang power structure." A slight shift in his position pulled one sleeve up slightly, exposing the cuff of the almost violently colorful jacket he wore beneath, a relic of his time spent preaching to the lost souls of the underhive. If he hadn't had his robe on any arbitrator from home would likely have found it odd how the grox-leather wasnt' colored all over but rather had clusters of cloth patches sewn into it, each cluster the colors of a different hive gang, each a memento of a sort of honorary member status he'd recieved once he'd convinced them to hear his words rather than take his money.

"While I do agree that splitting into groups gives us a better chance of being isolated an ambushed.. defeated in detail is the term used in the Guard I beleive?" He raised an eyebrow to the guardsmen but continued speaking. "We do however have the advantage of surprise as it were and it is important we do not waste it."

He considered. "Perhaps our friend from the Adeptus Mechanicus will provide us a great boon then. Most of us have easy groupings with which to fit, as well as sources to probe such as the local ministries in my case. However we are also an extremely varied group.. one sure to attract attention should we leave together as has been pointed out.. but we will draw equal attention if we all meet together anyplace that can be seen. However.. well few places will refuse the presence of one of the Adeptus Mechanicus, at least not in a Hive where repairs can be few and far between. Perhaps then he could be the go-between for our groups? We could come to him in the course of requesting repairs for objects and in turn drop information with him and get updates on the investigations of our fellow acolytes."

Feil · Post by **Feil** » 2008-02-14 12:01pm

"I like the general sound of that, Cleric. One thing, though.

"If those who want to kill us are doing the job right, they'll watch us all. Either we identify our tails and lose them or kill them, or we act like what we're supposed to be - dismissed bodyguards. If nobody is trying to kill us yet, than to anyone who happens to see us sees just another band of thugs. But thugs don't regularly visit the temples of Mechanicus. Tech-adept Nixios could disguise himself easily as a thug and meet us somewhere in the mid-hive or underhive. It would be considerably more expensive for us to pass ourselves off as anything else."

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2008-02-14 12:50pm

"Bald men are not that uncommon on the worlds of men," said Varnius. "I can do my part, although I may need to change to more appropriate garb if I am to blend in, depending upon the local. I have some skills at stealth as well as healing that may prove useful."

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » 2008-02-14 01:44pm

Without warning, Captain Greis entered the room, tugging at a formal dress uniform that he had clearly not been wearing earlier. If his mood before could be called gruff and dour, the mood he was showing now was clearly foul. "Right then, you've all met each other and managed not to kill each other. Very good. You're now peers with my penal squads. Next we'll see if we can upgrade you to Ogryns. Grab your things and come with me, we're about to make planetfall."

Without waiting, he moved through the area with a purpose, leaving the team to scramble for their things and follow behind. It would only take a short while, but eventually they would find themselves in a hangar, a military landing craft, bristling with weapons waiting for them with its loading ramp open wide.

"Strap yourselves in and try not to get sick on the way down. This is my favorite landing craft and if your breakfast ends up on it, I will make you lick up every drop," He moved into a central seat and strapped himself in, waiting for the others to do the same. Once the twelve acolytes were in, the ramp closed shut and the craft rumbled into life. Over the engine roar, the Captain bellowed at the assembled team.

"Once we are planetside, stay in a loose formation around me! Look sharp and do not talk unless ordered to do so by a ranking officer! When I dismiss you, you will be lead to your quarters. From that point on, if I need to contact you, I will do so in person! Remember that! I shouldn't have to tell you to be careful who you trust! We know next to nothing about this corruption, so it is up to you lot to figure it out!" He paused for a moment as the ship shuddered violently. "Now hang on! This is where the ride gets fun!" A grin of pure joy washed across his face as he gripped his harness.

Academia Nut · Post by **Academia Nut** » 2008-02-14 01:53pm

Variously nodding and saluting at Captain Greis' barked orders, Quintos straps himself in and immediately closes his eyes, taking on the appearance of rest. He wasn't exactly the blase veteran about all of this he wanted to appear like, but it was a useful coping mechanism. If he could make himself appear relaxed then at least he wouldn't be worked up over the others thinking him a panicking ninny.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2008-02-14 02:04pm

Lazarus had moved onto the transport in an unhuried manner. He had all his equipment on him already; and besides he never hurried if he didn't have to.

At least we'll have someplace to sleep when we get down there.

He hadn't been but on half a dozen drops, and had not found them fun. At all. He'd never lost his lunch on one at least. Lazarus just scowled deeply on the ride down and tried not to think about the ship burning up in the atmosphere.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2008-02-14 02:06pm

Varnius had little in the way of possession to secure. He hurried after the captain and strapped himself into the lander. His stomach fluttered as the lander lurched violently, but he kept himself under control. He had earned worse at the Schola Psykanna.

Losonti Tokash · Post by **Losonti Tokash** » 2008-02-14 02:13pm

With some minor trepidation, Nixios secured himself in his harness. It could have been interpreted as a fear of reentry, but a lifetime aboard various spacecraft had left him largely immune to the disorientation and nausea that was associated with low-gravity environments and space travel. He simply didn't like planets.

After a glance at the other acolytes and a quiet prayer to the various machine spirits responsible for their journey, he relaxed and tried his best to listen to the ship.

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2008-02-14 03:21pm

Looking rather queasy at the prospect of planetfall, Zakary nonetheless does his best to gather his things and strap himself in in a timely fashion. In an attempt to keep himself from losing his breakfast, the young scholar begins mumbling litanies and prayers under his breath.

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-02-14 04:07pm

Being somewhat used to shuttle landings, Verum still looked a bit uneasy. Sighing, he muttered to himself, "Not the friendliest looking craft. People see us walking out of that, how likely are they to want to talk to us? But As the Emperor Wills and all that." Plastering a clearly forced smile onto his face, he looked around to his companions and said, "Well this should be an adventure, anyone want to place bets on how many bounces on landing?"

SylasGaunt · Post by **SylasGaunt** » 2008-02-14 04:34pm

Havelock did not look near so jovial at the sight of the craft. He was a hiver at heart and was never much for the sensations of take-off and landing.. at least it wasn't as bad as the wilderness. He was the kind of man who had little business being away from some kind of civilization.

He kept his grumbling to a minimum though as he made for the craft, took care in securing his hammer and settled in for the descent, mumbling a quick prayer to the Emperor to keep him from losing his breakfast on the way down. He firmly believed the Captain meant his threat.

"We do as the Emperor Wills..."

Vehrec · Post by **Vehrec** » 2008-02-14 04:48pm

Serghar stopped outside the shuttle to fasten his shotgun securely to his belt and leg with a trio of straps before boarding. He could remember half a dozen assault missions without really trying, several of which had involved flying transports. His tiny amount of gear was all well secured to he paused before strapping in to make an offer to the others.

"Who wants a smoke when we're done?"

Feil · Post by **Feil** » 2008-02-14 05:33pm

Yelizaveta ran her fingers through her hair without thinking about it, brushing it over to better cover her diminished left ear. The ship quaked around her, but that didn't matter.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2008-02-14 06:50pm

Xerxes secured his weapons and strapped himself in mechanically, repeating a routine he'd had drilled into him. He had a bad feeling about how this op was going to go, but he knew it wouldn't do any good to keep worrying about it.

"Emperor guide and protect your servant," he mumbled under his breath.