40K Dark Heresy: The Danse Macabre

Academia Nut · Post by **Academia Nut** » 2008-02-17 04:30pm

Transit station

Absorbing Serghar's comment, Quintos nods and says, "That makes a great deal of sense. I wouldn't be surprised in fact if we got order to make blind drops like this for others later on. If you have multiple teams working in isolation then having one get compromised would not endanger the entire mission."

Lowering his voice conspiratorially, "Or we're being watched and graded. Let's not do anything stupid... or at least not more stupid than some of our comrades."

Hawkwings · Post by **Hawkwings** » 2008-02-17 04:31pm

Camillia accepted her glass of the alcoholic beverage, but only took small sips as she mostly nodded in acknowledgment to Verum's speech. The one-sided conversation wasn't particularly out of place, judging by some of the other patrons around. She tried to not look to curious about the bar around her.

Vehrec · Post by **Vehrec** » 2008-02-17 04:37pm

Gelt glanced at Quintos and muttered under his breath, "Doing something more stupid than what some of them have done would be difficult to be sure. What ever happened to keeping your head down?"

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » 2008-02-17 05:00pm

The Quenched Wench

The conversations were mostly hushed, but once the drinking started, voices became raised. The first story was the bragging of one man of how he saw an Adeptus Sororitas naked in the underhive. The lewd details continued for some time...

"Oi, dat weren't no Sororitas, you skel," One man blurted out.

"Oh yeah? Were you there?"

"No, but ain't you heard? There's summa kind o' witch down in the Underhive, ain't you heard?"

"Traitor's spit, what?"

"Yeah? Ain't you felt it? The weird chills? Voices with no bodies? People bein' there on moment, then gone the next. It's haunted, and that witch you saw was part of it."

The conversation continued for Verum's ears, but little more of value was said. Meanwhile, Varnius heard another conversation in hushed tones.

"Well it's no wonder they're pushing up that far, now that the Magistarium 'round this sector is gone. Arbites won't even let other spires send nuffin this way to help, just said they'd get in new recruits."

"Well I guess they're worried about any more traitors. Who knows who else that gang has their fingers in?"

"Which gang?"

"Dunno, Simmus or somesuch, what's it matter? Bunch a rotters, the lot of 'em. Don't give a whit about the rest of us."

"Sounds like nobody gives a whit, if the Arbites won't stop the gangs from tearing everything apart..."

Administratum Building

The Servitors allowed the group inside, and before long, Zakary was able to find a data terminal. "Oh, hum, excuse me a moment, gentlemen, I need to do some basic review of my files, this will just take a moment..."

After several minutes of searching through the terminal, he raised his eyebrows and muttered, "Oh my..."

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-02-17 05:13pm

The Quenched Wench

Verum smiled, a witch in the underhive was a common rumor, and people always had a habit of disappearing. It might be worth checking out though. If nothing else it was a place to start. There WAS one more thing he wanted to check out before leaving however.

"Barkeep, how are you my friend?" Leaning a little closer, Verum asked, "Anything interesting happen in the area recently? Anything unusual? Such information would be... worth your while."

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » 2008-02-17 05:17pm

The Quenched Wench

"Y'mean like some scummer I ain't nevah seen 'fore now asking questions? Nope, nothing like that lately," The bartender spat behind his counter and raised an eyebrow. "Look, y'want anuvver drink or wot?"

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-02-17 05:28pm

Hotfoot wrote:The Quenched Wench

"Y'mean like some scummer I ain't nevah seen 'fore now asking questions? Nope, nothing like that lately," The bartender spat behind his counter and raised an eyebrow. "Look, y'want anuvver drink or wot?"

"No, my friend, I think one bottle is enough for my lady friend and I tonight." Finishing off his drink Verum stood and walked out the door, subvocalizing "Watch who gets up to follow," into his commbead. He walked in the general direction of the nearest entrance of the underhive, loosening his blade in it's scabbard. As he reached the end of the block he stepped around the corner and pressed his back against the wall, waiting for a message from those still in the bar.

Feil · Post by **Feil** » 2008-02-17 05:30pm

Administratum Building (ALPHA)

Cyrine had been standing by the door, doing her best not to fidget. Her orange hair and streetclothes looked perfectly ordinary on the street, but in here she was obviously out of place - she felt it, and everybody knew it. Such was her state of mind that when she heard Zakary say, "Oh, my..." she winced, interpreting his surprise for disappointment. But when she turned towards him, she saw him peering intently at a data console, eyebrows raised, and realized what he had meant. Her pulse quickened as she walked to him, taking care to give the indifferent adepts a wide berth, and peered down at the console.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2008-02-17 05:37pm

The Quenched Wench

Varnius finished his beer and slid the appropriate amount of currency over. "Need that. Thanks." He got up to leave, brushing passed his comrades on the way and signaling them with eye movements that he had learned something useful.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2008-02-17 05:42pm

Alpha team, at the Administratum

Lazarus had spent the long wait keeping a close eye on everyone who came in and out of their area of the building partly to pass the time, and partly as a security measure. He gave the adept some space to let him work and so they wouldn't atract as much attention. It now looked like Zakary had found something.

Thank the Emporer. I hope it is worth all the waiting and bullshit we had to go through so far.

Lazarus scanned those working in the area, to see who else, if anyone, reacted to Zakary's discovery. Lazarus was as curious as anyone, but he was also patient. That was one quality being a guardsman could teach you. He would wait until they left the building before asking Zakary about what the adept had found.

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-02-17 05:52pm

Outside the Quenched Wench

Relaxing slightly, Verum waited for the rest of the group to catch up so they could discuss their plan.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2008-02-17 06:05pm

Outside the Quenched Wench

Varnius spoke quietly to his comrades. "Local Magistarium is gone and the Arbites can't handle the underhive overflow alone. Gang named something like 'Simmus' is making moves. That's too close to our target to ignore and, even if its not them, we'll be doing the Imperium a favor by taking them down a peg and up arming ourselves."

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-02-17 06:19pm

Outside the Quenched Wench

"And I heard a story of a naked witch in the underhive, not an uncommon story, but one worth checking out, especially if people are disappearing and not leaving bodies," Verum said. "Shall we go hunting?"

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2008-02-17 06:27pm

Outside the Quenched Wench

"So we have another reason to explore down there," said Varnius. He activated his microbead so he could contact the rest of the group. "We have some clues that suggest we should check out the underhive and its safer to do that in force."

Hawkwings · Post by **Hawkwings** » 2008-02-17 07:39pm

Outside the Quenched Wench

"Going into the underhive isn't going to be a smart move, unless we go in a large group, and are armed well." Camillia commented. "And a witch causing disappearing people? That does not bode well for any who choose to investigate."

Turning to the other psyker, she said "On the other hand, a local hive-gang should be well within the realms of the ordinary to safely take on. And perhaps one will provide more information about the other."

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-02-17 08:24pm

Outside the Quenched Wench

"It's just a bunch of gangers and a single heretic my lady, surely we can handle their like. We were not selected for our skills in baking and farming," Verum said with a smile. He shrugged, pushed himself away from the wall with a foot and stood up straight. Shifting his weapons to the exterior of his borrowed coat, Verum made ready for battle.

"But I suppose if you'd feel more comfortable gathering the others, we can. Do you want to head back to the assembly point?" Verum asked looking at Camillia.

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2008-02-17 10:50pm

Administratum (ALPHA TEAM)

In hushed tones, Zakary quickly summarizes what he learned, saving details for some place safer to speak.

"Ah, well... it would seem I've uncovered quite a bit. I'll, um, try to keep it brief, you understand of course, the walls have ears and whatnot. Or auspex-augmented servo-skulls. But, yes, ahem, anyway:

"It seems crime has been rather up recently. The local law enforcement was purged by the Adeptus Arbites on account of apparent cooperation with the criminal elements of Hive Callous here. Smuggling in particular has been a problem. A certain gang, whose name might be familiar, seems to be a major player in this respect.

"There also seems to be a relation to Hive Ferrundus, on the other side of the planet. A certain individual with a similarly familiar name seems to have ganger ties dating back about a century, but any further information on that particular entry seems to be curiously lacking."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2008-02-17 11:07pm

Administratum, Alpha team.

Finally. We have an actual target, Gangers. We can get this clusterfuck moving

It was time to get together with the rest of the team and figure out what moves they could make. Hopefully one of the arbites or the bounty hunter would know the best way to take down a gang. Lazarus wasn't that eager to go back down to the underhive, but he feared failing the inquisition infinitely more.

Besides, its not like any one else is going to deal with this mess, with the local enforcers being corrupt, imagine that.

Once they were away from any prying eyes (or ears) Lazarus said to the rest of the squad,
"We should head back to the roudezvous point an hook up with the rest of the team. Good find Zackery; This mission is finnally going somewhere."

No use using the ear buds, their spirits probably can't reach far enough to talk to the rest of the team.

Feil · Post by **Feil** » 2008-02-17 11:16pm

Administratum (ALPHA)

"Aye. That was impressive, Zakary."

Cyrine gestured to the console. "Do you have some way of taking this down, or can you remember it all?"

The Adept indicated the latter. Cyrine raised her eyebrows, but said nothing - she was already beginning to expect and rely on the Adept's formidable data-handling abilities.

She leaned forward and lowered her voice. "Draconicus seems a decent sort, for an arbite, but I don't think he really gives a damn about anyone's well being, ken it? It might be better not to tell him quite yet, if you ken what I say. Just for a while."

Hawkwings · Post by **Hawkwings** » 2008-02-17 11:20pm

Block wrote:"But I suppose if you'd feel more comfortable gathering the others, we can. Do you want to head back to the assembly point?" Verum asked looking at Camillia.

"Definitely. Going into a dangerous place without telling others your plan is risky and foolish. Besides, it is not as if we are on a strict schedule. We can also exchange information, which may lead to new connections being formed."

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-02-17 11:24pm

Outside the Quenched Wench

"Very well Lady. Though I am anxious to take action, if you think it's wise, we can gather with the others," Verum said. He shrugged and began the walk back to the hab block across from the Transit station.

RIPP_n_WIPE · Post by **RIPP_n_WIPE** » 2008-02-17 11:29pm

Outside the admistratum building was much better kept than he expected. On Sodom the administratum was inside the precinct, impossible to trust to the hivers.

Octavius had decided to stay outside the building and watch for any suspicious activity related to the groups traveling together. When they finally came back outside he approached them with questions.

"So what did you find?" he said in a hushed tone. "Anything on whatever that Silvanius is? Is it a person or a gang or what? What about the local arbites? Do they have anything on gang activity operating out of the local guard unit?" He was eager to know all they had found. He felt the excitement of an investigation on the move beginning to well up within himself.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2008-02-17 11:59pm

RIPP_n_WIPE wrote: "So what did you find?" he said in a hushed tone. "Anything on whatever that Silvanius is? Is it a person or a gang or what? What about the local arbites? Do they have anything on gang activity operating out of the local guard unit?" He was eager to know all they had found. He felt the excitement of an investigation on the move beginning to well up within himself.

Lazarus thought a little bit before responding.
Well, I got to tell him something. We're going to need every damn man we can get if we are raiding a gang in the lower hive.

"We got a target. As far as we know it doesn't involve the local guard, as much as you would love that."

Lazarus paused for a second, locking Octavious squarely in the eye.

"Fuck it. A lot of folks around here don't care for your methods. You started off by heading out all on your own and alienating the local guard. We need to know you are going to be with us on this. Working as a team, no lone wolf shit. Frankly, we also need your skills. So, where do you stand?"

There I go acting like a sargeant again.

RIPP_n_WIPE · Post by **RIPP_n_WIPE** » 2008-02-18 12:18am

Raj Ahten wrote:"We got a target. As far as we know it doesn't involve the local guard, as much as you would love that."

"Fuck it. A lot of folks around here don't care for your methods. You started off by heading out all on your own and alienating the local guard. We need to know you are going to be with us on this shit. Working as a team, no lone wolf shit. Frankly, we also need your skills. So, where do you stand?"

Octavius almost ignored Lazarus after he heard that there was as yet no connection to the local guard. But Octavius was sure they'd find something. Boot scum guard grunts can't keep themselves in line as is and a penal legion only the more so. All he wanted though, was some excuse to send those law breaking guard gangers to face the Emperors wrath. He would find something that the guard did wrong. Some fine detail that would render them vulnerable to scrutiny under the law.

He then recognized the other half of Lazarus' statement. He was in a good mood and any normal man would have smiled. But Octavius was not one for facial expressions or friendly poise.

"I do not know you, or anyone else in this 'team'. All I know is the law and investigations as we Arbites of Sodom hive of Utopan Septimus. How can I trust any of you. Only one of you are an Arbites and that is the closest comparison I have to anyone who might know His Will. My job and my priority is the investigation and I will complete the investigation whatever way I see fit. If I deem it in my favor to work with you people I will. If not then I won't. As for the guard, they make choices. The men in that regiment are criminals. If they choose to make the local authority arrest them then they make the choice to be under suspicious and thus they alienate themselves from the Arbites, not the other way around. It is our job to investigate, to judge, and to execute judgment against ALL who go against His Will. I serve His Will and His Will alone and I have been sent here by that Will to serve Him. I will do my best to serve Him the way I know how. Whether or not that is acceptable or comfortable to anyone else."

Octavius put down his duffle bag. "At this moment I have deemed it in the best interest of the investigation to work with you. So you can utilize my service to the Will to further the investigation."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2008-02-18 12:27am

Lazarus's perpetual frown turned into a look of pure displeasure. He adressed the arbite in a low, seething tone.
"Oh you think your so special don't you? How the fuck is your situation diferent from any one else on ths team? Nobody fucking knows anybody else. But We've been put together and we all have to make the best of it asshole. You want to go investigate the local regiment? Fine. go ahead. Just bear in mind they aren't our mission. Sylvanus is. So when you get shot for not doing as you're fucking told, you have no one to blame but yourself. Something else for you to ponder. Since you don't know anybody else on the team someone might decide you are a liability and cap your ass. Get over yourself. This shit is bigger than any one of us. Fuck it, it's bigger than your precious arbites as well. We're working for the inquisition motherfucker."