40K Dark Heresy: The Danse Macabre

[Feil]

Cyrine winced. She'd been content to let the two men fight, and they were keeping their voices down as the foursome walked briskly back towards the meeting point. But bringing up the Inquisition in the middle of a public street, even if it looked like nobody was paying attention...

[RIPP_n_WIPE]

"The inquisition," Octavius said "is simply another institution which serves Him. They seek out his enemies covertly. While this is fabulous, they are still not beneath scrutiny. There have been occasions where the inquisition has failed to follow the law in their methods and the Arbites has had to correct them in that respect." He continued "I do not have the experience to take it upon myself to challenge and inquisitor nor, do I pray, I ever have to. But they are nothing special as far as organizations are concerned. Though we, the Adeptus Arbites and the Inquisition, are most certainly higher than other unmentioned utility organizations."

Picking up his duffle and continuing with his the group he continued. "I have no reason to cause antagonism with you people. I simply do not know you people. I have been told to come to a strange world with strange individuals at the behest of an exceedingly abstract organization, the inquisition. The only thing I do know is what I have been taught. 'When you are in the midst of disorder, find order.' the first maxim from my progenum. If I see confusion amongst those around me I will see ways to return order to my group. I will never abandon a mission, nor those with whom I am charged. But I can not tolerate disorder. And I will consider every possible solution to my investigations. Even if it means challenging the guard."

[Feil]

Administratum > Meeting Point (ALPHA)

"Emperor," Cyrine hissed, "is everyone deaf where you come from? Do you want everyone to know who we serve? I don't think anyone's heard you yet, but if you keep it up the whole hive will know there are agents of a certain organization running around, ken it, and pretty soon some bounty hunter will put a round through our heads and claim a pretty penny from a ganger or a heretic or whatever the hell it is, so maybe you two should refrain from mentioning our employers from now on, please, ah?"

[Raj Ahten]

Nearby the rallying point, team ALPHA

As if the arbites, the inquisition, or anyone else around here has anything to do with the Emporer's will. God damn Fanatic. The Inquisition does what ever the fuck it wants. He is probably one of those motherfuckers who shoots protesters who need food and calls it, 'The Emporer's Will.'

Lazarus again talked to Octavius,
"Do as you feel. Just consider the fact that you don't have options. Our betters didn't give this mission to you personally. They gave it to us. And I for one am going to make damn sure this mission is successfully completed as a team."

Lazarus then took Cyrine aside for a moment and said,
"Well look, I'm sorry about that. But that man, is so.... Well anyway we'll be at the rondezvous in a minute. Then we'll see if the high and mighty arbite storms off again."

[Feil]

Nearby the rallying point, team ALPHA

Lazarus then took Cyrine aside for a moment and said,
"Well look, I'm sorry about that. But that man, is so.... Well anyway we'll be at the rondezvous in a minute. Then we'll see if the high and mighty arbite storms off again."

"Tell me about it. I'm about this close from screaming at him, myself. Thanks for trying to, ah, talk to him."

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

Alpha Team

Zakary trundles along with the group, at first with the sort of blissful serenity that can only come from absent-mindedness, but as he catches wind of the brewing argument he becomes increasingly concerned. A frown spreads across his face, deepening considerably as the argument wears on. Eventually he appears quite cross and perhaps even on the verge of exploding, his face crimson with barely-restrained anger.

Swallowing his frustration, he shakes a finger at Draconicus impotently, as if to promise such righteous castigation the likes of which the arbitrator had never seen, Zak's wiry and anemic frame at bizarre odds with his current disposition.

After several failed attempts to muster up a sentence, he barks out a sharp command. "Enough of this! Let us find somewhere private to go over the leads I have, and perhaps beat the Emperor's Own Sense (blessed be His Name) into our obstinate Arbiter!"

[Losonti Tokash]

Team Primus

Nixios had yet again been lost in thought for some time before rejoining the conversation. "I do not like the idea of going into the underhive to search for a witch, as poorly equipped as we are. Were it up to me, I would first relieve the gangers of their likely ill-gotten and ill-treated equipment before descending into the unknown. However, hunting this witch would seem to me the very reason we were brought here. I am undecided on the matter."

[Hawkwings]

Team Primus
Rendezvous Point (Hab Complex)

"I would have to agree with Nixios. By getting rid of the gangers, we can gather equipment and information. Depending on how large the gang is, we may even be able to occupy whatever facilities they have and use it as a base of operations. Of course, we would probably need to gather the entire team to tackle that."

The group finally reached the agreed-upon rendezvous point in the lobby of the hab complex. Camillia checked a nearby chrono: it was nearing the dinner hour, and about the time that the other groups would have completed their preliminary investigations and met back here.

Wondering about more physical needs, Camillia checked the hab complex's housing rates, in case they wanted to rent a room for tonight.

[Block]

Team Primus
Rendezvous Point

Sighing and tapping his comm bead, Verum once again tried to signal the other group. "Adept, Cyrene, come in. We're at the Hab Complex, we have a lead and we're waiting on you lot to get here so we can follow it. Do you read?" With that he grabbed one of his ration bars and sat in a corner, back against the wall, watching the others.

[Feil]

We're at the Hab Complex, we have a lead and we're waiting on you lot to get here so we can follow it. Do you read?" With that he grabbed one of his ration bars and sat in a corner, back against the wall, watching the others.

Hab Complex (ALPHA)

Cyrine was reaching for her microbead to respond when the group rounded the corner and the people who had gone to the tavern came into view. She smiled and waved. Moments later, the groups were mingling.

"We got something too, but I think Zakary should explain," she said.

[Block]

Hab Complex

Seeing the others approach Verum waited until they gathered and exchanged greetings. Nodding distractedly Verum began, "We heard several snatches of conversation, and I noticed a couple of things. First, in case no one has noticed it, around here," he gestured broadly," the Arbites and local Magistratum presence is very heavy. Unusually so. Second, it wasn't a couple of levels down, in fact, there was no Magistratum presence at all. That, to me, means something is going on down there, and it involves the Arbites. Third, I heard talk of a witch, and people disappearing in the underhive, which seems to me something we should be investigaing, it's not an uncommon rumor, but coupled with Varnius overhearing a name very very similar to the one we're listening for, it seems too much of a coincidence not to investigate.

"The Lady feels," he said nodding towards Camillia, "that we should go down in force, and I'm inclined to agree with her, although I don't mind going in alone if need be," he finished with a shrug.

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

Once the collection of Acolytes gathers in a suitably secluded area, Zakary clears his throat. Glancing around to ensure no unwanted eavesdropping, he begins.

"Well, it is as I stated earlier. Crime has been on the rise recently. The Adeptus Arbites, as is their righteous duty, cleansed the local Magistarium law enforcement of criminal corruption not long ago. Whether this works in our favor or not is not yet clear to me.

"Smuggling has been a major problem. One 'Silvanus' gang seems to be the primary source for this. All I was able to dig up was that the goods seems to be from off-world, presumably from the local starport, and a recent sting operation found supplies of weapons amongst the goods.

"The name 'Silvanus' also turned up a few hits from Hive Ferrundus, which is located on the other side of this planet. This individual seems to have been a fairly prolific ganger, but nothing else out of the ordinary. However, those reports were all about a hundred years old. I was not able to find any description beyond that, nor any picts.

"I have a few theories at this point, given what we have learned, but I will reserve the bulk of them until we have more information. For now, I highly recommend my team moves to investigate the starport discreetly. The other teams should pursue their leads in a likewise clandestine manner."

Satisfied with his impromptu briefing, the scholar nods and turns to Draconicus. Words would be had, oh yes they would...

[Feil]

At first, looking into the starport sounded like a poor idea to Cyrine. The Arbites and Magesterium would have already exhausted any leads. But as she thought about it, a dark frown settled onto her features. After a moment, she spoke.

"I'd like to know the cargo, source, and destination of whatever's being smuggled in. Well, really I'd like the adept to know, since he has the knowledge to do something with it." She glanced at Camillia, and said, "Now might be a good time to find the information broker you were talking about, since I doubt anyone else would be interested in sharing police reports with us, ken it."

Verum was looking at her with a look that indicated disagreement, so she shook her head and continued.

"I don't like it. Why would there be shipments from off world? Who would have that kind of connections? I never was off my planet before I came here. Why not just bring it in from another hive? Or another part of this one. Its, ah, big. And why would the... the Inquisition, be interested in a basic smuggling ring? Hell, I've done a little -" she glanced at the arbitrator and shut her mouth with a click.

"It's probably just a heretic or a witch or something. But off world contacts, big imports of firearms, and total infiltration of the Magesterium..." she shrugged. "I feel like maybe somebody's playing for keeps."

[Block]

"I understand the concern, however weapons and armor get smuggled to gangs all the time, it's really not that uncommon. My worry with finding an "information broker" is that any information we learn from them will cost, and since we're new, and more than likely recognizeable to someone well informed enough to have intel on our target, our identities will likely be sold to the highest bidder. At some point, metal is simply going to have to meet meat. We are not simply information gatherers, we are being tested as TRUE enforcers of His will. We must show a willingness to act on our information."

[Raj Ahten]

Meeting point

After listening to what some of the others had to say, and looking around to make sure no one else was taking an interest, Lazarus laid down his thoughts.

"Well, I think we aught to follow every lead we got on this thing; its not like we have a whole damn lot of them. That means the starport, and the underhive. We got what, one bust of smugglers at the starport? That just means somene got sloppy once, not that the operations were permanently disrupted."

Just because the commisar catches guys gambling once doesn't mean it stops happening.

"And the gangers are still getting their firepower in. Meaning we still probably got a chance of getting something over there. We can talk to workers, make official requests, fuck it forge official requests, do what ever we need to get some information down at the starport. Me may not need an information broker, as you all call it, at all."

"If all that turns up nothing, we'll have the other team down in the underhive doing their thing, making inquires. I know our preist said he was something of an expert at making contacts with gangs for one thing. If we need to use less subtle methods down there as well, so be it."

"By following every lead, and getting plenty of intel before we strike, I reckon we got a better chance of taking out our targets and living to tell the tale. Well thats just what a grunt thinks. If the rest of you with more expierience in this sort of shit think differently, please let me know."

[Hawkwings]

Rendezvous Point

"If we plan on going into the underhive, we should all go together. There's a reason underhives have a reputation for being violent and lawless. In any case though, that's a lot of risk for uncertain reward. The spaceport should be a better place to get information."

Camillia frowned, then said "Another thing. Are we sure that all of us are not welcome back at the Guard barracks? Or just the Arbites? Because if we can't go back there, we need to find other lodging facilities."

[RIPP_n_WIPE]

"Since the Arbites are directly involved it is possible that we may be able to glean some more information from them, at least anything that hasn't yet been put to the Administratum already. I spoke to a member of the local Arbites named Kalimus and he seemed in desperate need of help. Since we are both looking for the same problem I do not doubt that he would assist us."

He surveyed the groups response.

"In addition, I highly doubt that without cooperating with the local authority can we garner extra information and I do not trust hivers. If all of us or at least one group traveled to the vicinity of the precinct I could try and gain more information on this 'Silvanius' gang, nor would we want to have them think we are interfering in their investigations. If anyone wishes to accompany me I would not mind but I don't think more than two of us should go. I would recommend Mr. Zakary or Officer Gelt, simply because we have more officiate positions and it would be easier for me to explain them being with me. As far as Kalimus knows I have been attached to Captain Greis for an unknown purpose though possibly related to investigating the guard. However with another person with me and a common target, no doubt they could help us or vice versa. The rest of could check the space port for whatever they could find. We could meet again an then head into the underhive all together." giving a nod towards Camilla. "We needn't head there without as much information as we can garner from the upper levels first."

"As for the barracks, I'm rather confident the lieutenant intended all of us to be detained. We will need to report back to Greis eventually. I think we should do it when we have gotten as much as we can with what we have now, and only return when we absolutely must. That way we can give him the most information regarding Silvanius prehaps regain some favor."

[Block]

Hab Block

Verum sighed. He had wanted not to have to do this at all, but especially not so soon. He stood, stretched and dropped the pleasant mask from his face, his voice changing from it's usual jovial tone to a whisper of pure malice and hatred. "If you go near an Arbites station again, you will not wake up tomorrow," he said. "You have cost us everything! You have taken our shelter, our supply of ammunition, our access to our superior, any chance at Guard backup, and even our food."

Verum's eyes flashed with an odd tint, and his hand slipped to his scabbard, "You have taken EVERY chance to blow our cover, and while it does not appear that you have done so completely YET, I will NOT give you another chance to do so. You threaten our mission, you threaten our chance to advance within the Ordos, and most of all you threaten MY LIFE with your actions."

With the words my life, he loosened his sword in the scabbard and took a strange stance, continuing he hissed, "You have a choice, either you can fall in line with the rest of the group and stop violating every single one of Captain Greis' orders, or you will find out just exactly what my training truly entails... and even should you get past me, I don't think I will be the last."

[Raj Ahten]

Hab Block

I warned the man. We got some real fucking killers in this bunch. Hell of a god damn place for a sword fight though. Throne.

Adressing the arbite, Lazarus said,
"I'd take that man at his word."


Lazarus furtifly looked around making sure no one could see what was happening, moving to cover up the entrance himself. He also looked around the rest of the group, to see where everyone stood. He slowly undid the zipper on his duffle carrying all the longuns, in case the worst happened.

"Lets not do anything drastic gents."

[Losonti Tokash]

Nixios watched with little more than a casual interest. While he could make few guesses as to the arbite's choices, he had little doubt of the outcome if Octavius chose poorly. Nixios' thoughts turned away from the confrontation and back what was important. All paths seemed equally valid, which made it nearly impossible to make an educated decision. A very frustrating position to be in.

[RIPP_n_WIPE]

Quite calmly the Arbites made a motion toward his face. A soft cough erupted and he placed his hand back at his side.

"I have not taken any chance to blow 'our' cover. The only person who approached the arbites was myself. If anyone was in danger from them, or anyone else, it was I. The only threat I made to the mission was my miscalculation on the animosity between the guard and the arbites. That was all. Had I thought their dislike had been so intense I would not have approached the lieutenant with any of my ideas relating to the investigation and simply asked him for assistance. That was a miscalculation on my part. But now that we know what our quarry is there is no reason for us to completely skirk around the local authority. From what I was told about the previous adventure into the underhive, arbites were encountered already. It was fortunate they were willing to listen to those who were attacked. Otherwise it might have gone very differently. I doubt that if we actually come near whatever "Silvanius" is the less likely the Arbites will be flexible with simply saying 'Ah so these men work for such and so. That's fine.' What I suggested was that I not go alone, since you all seem intent on preventing me from acting upon my own. If I were with a fellow arbites or an adept of the admistratum, it would seem less obtuse than suddenly meeting a shock squad in the middle of a gunfight."

Still facing Verum and holding his gaze he says quietly. "It was an idea, composed after thought as opposed to irrational action. Please put your weapon away. By mandate of the Arbites I would be well within my rights to attack you now. But I am choosing not to that we may proceede with the investigation in earnest."

[Block]

Without making any visible motion, Verum answered, "As I would be within my rights to attack you. If the local authorities were meant to be involved they would be, and we would have been given information to that effect. As the Adept has already informed you, local law enforcement was corrupt. Do you truly think they got every officer? If they did would there still be smuggling at the star port?"

"The local authorities are NOT to be trusted. We MUST investigate on our own. We know that the Star port has been compromised, as has the local magistrate. The Guard, well... are the Guard, and who knows where there loyalties lie. The only ones we are safe with is US. And it is time we figured that out, and acted upon it."

[RIPP_n_WIPE]

"Magistarium are not Arbites. Had you paid closer attention to his words, you would have noticed that it was the Arbites that made the Magustarium pay for their misdeeds. They have shown no signs of corruption. Nor will they. The reason they can not get this under control is because they can not be everywhere at once. If they guard the port than they can not guard the cities. The presence of the a guard penal legion of all this is only going to further exacerbate this."

Almost smiling. "It is funny you mentioned the guard. Considering that their loyalties are as fickle as their weapons and that we are supposed to be housed at their base which is nothing more than a glorified prison for it's guardsmen, it's almost good that they have alienated us, lest we be in their clutches for their corruption. If we can not trust Arbites, we most certainly can't trust the guard. But no more of this. Your outburst has cost us precious time. We need a resolution. Are we going to approach the Arbites, as we should seeing as we are guests in their jurisdiction. Or foolishly head to the underhive, again to be attacked, possibly by those who now, thanks to your incredible lack of self control, might now see us as suspicious offworlders?"

[SylasGaunt]

Rendezvous

"Enough the both of you, this isn't getting us anywhere but deeper into an already deep hole."

Havelock was glad he'd caught the call to rendezvous with the others before heading into the underhive since it seemed that was soon to be the plan anyway and more guns were always appreciated down below.

"Draconius I have to say it sounds as if both you Verum are right. But we should have considered that when we got here. We have no idea who we can trust here, who may or may not have been compromised by whatever shadow holds this world in its grip. I think that we can't afford to trust either the guard or the arbites. We don't know enough about what we're dealing with."

He looked between them and then when he was reasonably certain no violence would result added his two thrones.

"I think the Underhive is going to be one of our better leads. The smuggling at the spaceport could tie in, but it may not and it also carries the risk of antagonizing the underworld elements should we be caught snooping around it or disrupt it."

[Hawkwings]

The impromptu challenge hadn't drawn much attention in the area, for which Camillia was very thankful for. However, it had affected her own opinion on the two who had just been verbally sparring. Verum had seemed decent enough before he threatened the arbitrator with his sword, and Draconius, well, in addition to getting them kicked out of the Guard facility, wasn't offering much in the way of reconciliation.

"I think the Underhive is going to be one of our better leads. The smuggling at the spaceport could tie in, but it may not and it also carries the risk of antagonizing the underworld elements should we be caught snooping around it or disrupt it."

Responding to the preacher with support, Camillia said "We are investigating heresy, so this is probably going to be a long-term investigation. We can't do this with just our current equipment and resources, we need to meet people, make contacts, get more resources, and improve our capabilities. Making contact with the underworld, though it may be offensive to some people present, will give us familiarity with the locals, and small-time crooks always have contact with those who perpetrate larger crimes."