40K Dark Heresy: The Danse Macabre

[Feil]

"If it's alright with you, I think I'll stay here while others go to the Quartermaster," Liza said. "I probably already have a reputation that won't help anything."

[Academia Nut]

Nodding to Nixios, Quintos says, "I would be honoured to assist you caretaker of the machine spirits, come with me, I'm sure we can find it. Perhaps the firing range too. I feel a bit rusty and I know that the spirits of my guns itch to unleash their fury at times."

[Block]

Now outside, Lazarus continued once a few more people had gathered around.
"I wouldn't trust anyone at this base. We don' know anything about them, or how they operate. The rooms might also have ears"

Not that I know anything about all of you, but that is not the damn point.

"Basically I think all we need is some sort of check in system so we know if somebody goes missing and we can share information. If the Quartermaster is kind we might even be able to get a vox or two, and perhaps some ammo as well."

Doubt it though. They don't give up anything.

Overhearing and leaning in the door frame Verum asks, "And if they're listening inside, why wouldn't they just listen in on the Vox frequencies they give us? In fact, why wouldn't they be listening to us now with a parabolic mic? A check in time, and perhaps some dead drops might be a good idea however."

[Losonti Tokash]

With a nod, Nixios moved toward the door and waited outside for Quintos.

[Raj Ahten]

Adressing Verum, Lazarus said,
"If they are that set up on us this mission is fucked frrom the get go. I mainly want a vox so if we get into some shit we can tell someone about it. Hell, we might be able to scare up some ammo if nothing else from the quartermaster, 'specially if we can con him before someone tells him not to touch us with a ten foot pole. As far as check in times go, Uh I don't know. Once every day? I don't really have much experience with all this spy shit. Just paranoid commisars."

Turning to those going to the quartermasters, Lazarus said,
"Good luck. See if you can get us some microbeads; I was never issued one."

[Block]

Adressing Verum, Lazarus said,
"If they are that set up on us this mission is fucked frrom the get go. I mainly want a vox so if we get into some shit we can tell someone about it. Hell, we might be able to scare up some ammo if nothing else from the quartermaster, 'specially if we can con him before someone tells him not to touch us with a ten foot pole. As far as check in times go, Uh I don't know. Once every day? I don't really have much experience with all this spy shit. Just paranoid commisars."

"I would suggest once every day as well, and you're right I doubt we're being that closely watched. Then again considering our current circumstances, who knows. Doesn't matter much. If you can get anything from the quartermaster go ahead Lazzy, I'm not familiar in dealing with them really," Verum chuckles, "Throne, but I'm thirsty."

[Academia Nut]

Following behind the techpriest while looking over the various signs that lead towards the Quartermaster's office, he asks, "So my good man, do you have a name other than 'techpriest'? I do not recall hearing it. Although if you want me to address you by your title, I suppose that is no problem, it is just typically I find it irritating if someone calls me 'Hey grunt!'."

[Raj Ahten]

"Alright lets try in check in every morning at first light then I guess. Let's try and spread the word on that."

Lazarus then hurried to catch up to the rest of the group heading towards the quartermasters.

By the emporer, I'm sounding like a damned Sargeant. I can't believe it falls to me to try and organize this fiasco. Looks like at least half this bunch have some idea about what they are doing. I just hope the arbites don't think they can do it all on their own. Got to make sure we have at least some coordination; hopefully that will lessen the chance of me buying it if somebody else fucks up. Not that organization can save me if I fuck up.

[Losonti Tokash]

Nixios paused for a moment before he picked his stride back up and continued. "My name is Nixios. What you call me is, of course, your own choice."

[Block]

Seeing an opening as the others walk away, Verum motions to Liza, "Could you come outside with me for a moment my dear? There is something I wish to discuss with you if you wouldn't mind."

[Academia Nut]

"Nixious it is then. Ah, here we go, the Quartermaster. Hmmm... we're going to need ammo and comm gear at the very least, but let's try and see if we can't requisition a groundcar or at least a bike to 'help expedite Captain Greis' business'. Now, Quartermasters deal with techpriests more than the average grunt, but try and look self-important, annoyed, and impatient... just don't push him too hard. Good Arbite, bad Arbite sort of thing, and we'll see how far we can get. At the very least try and make sure that the spirits of whatever we get have not been compromised for fell purposes," Quintos says, lowering his voice for the last part.

He then knocks on the door and asks, "Anyone on duty here?"

[DPDarkPrimus]

Xerxes finished looking at the base map, satisfied he had memorized the layout well enough to allow him to get from any place he'd have any reason being at to any other without having to stop and ask for directions.

At least there's another Guardsman with the Tech Priest. he thought.

He stepped outside, not to join any conversation, but to listen and observe the others. If a group decides to investigate somewhere else on-base, then I'll go along with them.

[Feil]

Liza put her hands in her pockets and followed Verum outside.

[Block]

Liza put her hands in her pockets and followed Verum outside.

Leaning in close, Verum whispers, "Look, like I said, I'm trying to draw attention to myself. I want them to come to me. I know it seems like a stupid idea, but here's where it gets a little more intelligent. I would like you to follow me, and if she agrees to join me, Camillia. See who takes an interest, who starts following, who suddenly has to rush off when I drop the name. I would like you to watch my back, I know you have the skill, but can I trust you?"

[Feil]

Liza put her hands in her pockets and followed Verum outside.

Leaning in close, Verum whispers, "Look, like I said, I'm trying to draw attention to myself. I want them to come to me. I know it seems like a stupid idea, but here's where it gets a little more intelligent. I would like you to follow me, and if she agrees to join me, Camillia. See who takes an interest, who starts following, who suddenly has to rush off when I drop the name. I would like you to watch my back, I know you have the skill, but can I trust you?"

"I'll go with you, but I don't think anybody else should be involved. You usually work alone, no? Well, your drawing attention to yourself has been drawing attention to the whole damned party. I made a blasphemer of myself trying to cover for you, and it was my own fault for being careless with my tongue, but it still was because you couldn't see that the things one person can do and get away from can get twelve people killed.

"If this Sylvanus person - thing, whatever - is big, making a big show about it could lead to some genuinely bad things happening.

"I admit that I don't like you much, but I'll give you another chance. We're all servants of the Emperor here. I'll watch your back, and pull your ass out of the fire if you run into more than your looking for. But I'd just as soon you, and maybe me, were the only one who died if you end up over your head."

Liza paused. "One more thing - we talk to the adept and his guardsman friend about it first. They seem to be the only ones who haven't had any major mess-ups, yet."

[Block]

"That sounds like a fair assessment of the situation. I'm not asking you to like me, just work with me. As for involving the others, the reason I wanted the psyker was because a merchant on business, trying to relax, wouldn't be alone. I've hired... people to be my companion before when needed. This is a game I've run more than once. Maybe it would be a good idea to involve the guardman and the adept, I just worry about the adept's... stomach for what may need to be done."

[Feil]

"That sounds like a fair assessment of the situation. I'm not asking you to like me, just work with me. As for involving the others, the reason I wanted the psyker was because a merchant on business, trying to relax, wouldn't be alone. I've hired... people to be my companion before when needed. This is a game I've run more than once. Maybe it would be a good idea to involve the guardman and the adept, I just worry about the adept's... stomach for what may need to be done."

"Then it's settled. We'll talk to Zakary and Lazarus tomorrow, and see what they have to say."

[SylasGaunt]

Havelock paced around the room, mumbling a prayer under his breath to bless the place and forgive his young and headstrong compatriot for her blasphemous tongue.. more for the benefit of anyone who might be listening than for any real concern. In his experience the God Emperor was forgiving of such minor transgressions, particularly from those who were doing His work. It didn't hurt to do the prayer anyway through.

With that done he began to plan, trotting out the door with all his belongings on him as he headed for the quartermaster's office and his 'escort' in the form of Quintos. He certainly wasn't about to go wandering into a strange hive alone.. besides he would need to ask about the local ministries, and he needed an extra pair of pants for something he had planned.

[DPDarkPrimus]

Xerxes watches Verum and Yelizaveta whisper conspiratorially for a minute or two, before walking up to them.

"Look, I don't know what you two are planning, but if it involves you running your mouth off like you did with the lieutenant," this was addressed to Verum. "Then you're going to need me along to make sure you come out in one piece."

[Hotfoot]

Quartermaster's Office

A slightly overweight man in a Guardsman's uniform came from behind a back room and looked out through his cage at the group. "What the...you're not from around here, are you? Can't be new recruits, you wouldn't have a uniform yet. Name, rank, and commander, gents."



***


Elsewhere

The Arbitrator had little trouble finding the precinct. An adept at the desk looked up at an officer quizzically as Octavius introduced himself. The officer grunted and looked at the lesser Agent. "Interesting, I wonder which transport you came in on," as the Officer spoke, the Adeptus scanned Octavius' ID and nodded. "It is good to see our brothers from across the stars, but I wonder, what is it you wish to speak of here? It's not common that we have a lone agent coming unannounced and so forcefully asking for information."

[Feil]

Liza turned, startled. She looked at the grizzled Guardsman with new respect.

"I agree - and I could definitely use a second fighter to pull his ass out of whatever fire he stirs up. We were planning to try this tomorrow evening at the earliest - I already promised* the cleric to help protect him with his current mission, but if the rest of your stealth skills are as good as the one you just demonstrated, I'd be grateful to work with you."



*off camera

*okay, apparently the post that precipitated this one never happened.

[Academia Nut]

Saluting, Quintos says, "Private Quintos Havelock, attached to Captain Greis from offworld, and this is Techpriest Nixios, on similar assignment. We came here to see if we could sort out a few procurement issues."

Coughing, Quintos explains, "Now, I don't exactly know who was in charge of this thing up on the ship, it's all very byzantine at times and I'm just a simple grunt, but it would seem that the majority of our comm gear got left behind, intentionally. Now, apparently this was because we don't know about the rules and regulations on such things on this world so we decided not to 'step on anybody's toes', but frankly that's a load of grox shit and I think some juniour lieutenant is just covering his ass. So, I'm here to see if it would be possible, amongst other things, to requisition about a dozen comm beads so that we can remain in touch with base at all times, even when on errands for the Captain."

[DPDarkPrimus]

"Outside the barracks"

Xerxes smirked, bemused. "Stealth? Maybe you just need to work on watching your surroundings. I just know how to shoot things well."

[Raj Ahten]

"Quartermasters"

Lazarus had finally caught up to the rest of the team. While Quintos talked up the Sargeant, Lazarus poked around the building. Maybe there were some supplies he could "Borrow" that weren't that secure. Such as something waiting to be picked up or checked in around back. It was a long shot, but he had seen guys hit pay dirt this way before.

Normally I don't do this type of shit, but I'll be damned before I do mission like this before trying every available method of gettiing gear. I doubt the captain authorized us anything anyway.

[Vehrec]

Wordlessly, Arbitrator Gelt had stowed his gear. And just as wordlessly he had nodded his assent to the other officer's suggestions. One of the first few sensible things the other man had said. With that done he did something that apparently nobody else had the common sense to do- He stayed in the room and started going over it with a fine toothed comb. When that task was done, he planned to finish a much more important one-getting some damn sleep. Second shift for 20 years gave one a very unusual sleep cycle.