40K Dark Heresy: The Danse Macabre

SylasGaunt · Post by **SylasGaunt** » 2008-02-23 11:51pm

Havelock stepped forward, looking the lead ganger up and down, sizing him up.

"Not make a mess friend. Clean one up, one that's been left far too long and is starting to stink the place up and make it unpleasant for good servants of the Emperor."

He looked at them.

"Perhaps something that's been stinking up the place for this fine group of the Emperor's citizens."

He was well aware he didn't look like anything so much as a ganger himself, and not one that was local, at least if fashions were similar to what this lot wore elsewhere in the hive.

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » 2008-02-24 12:56am

The gang leader rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Right, a mate that don't want no trouble, and a preacher, by my guess. Oi, cleric, got a name for what you want to clean up? 'Cause if'n it be me'in mine, we might have issues. We got enough troubles down here without a madman and his loopy laymen tryin' t'make pure and righteous men of us. So let's start again, my name's Grim, and I'm in charge of this surly lot. We're a little trigger happy of late. Lots of activity through this way, in case you hadn't noticed. So, let's talk about exactly why you're here, shall we?"

RIPP_n_WIPE · Post by **RIPP_n_WIPE** » 2008-02-24 03:41am

From behind Octavius quickly spoke.

"Now now mate les' not be 'avin' ostilites, you ken'? Names Druggo. We's doin' nuffin' save lookin' for some friendly 'ands."

SylasGaunt · Post by **SylasGaunt** » 2008-02-24 09:44am

Havelock shook his head.

"I would love an opportunity to minister to you and yours. The Emperor works in mysterious ways and at times He needs the services of men who are less pure than the driven snow, requiring them only to be pure in the right way."

He was taking in what the man said, picking over the words in his head.

"As for what we seek.. a place to do our work in the underhive. Work that is far more important to the God-Emperor than the quelling of gangs who may very well be minding their own business and are simply groups binding together to survive down in a harsh and unforgiving place. We mean no harm to you and yours Grim.. at least as long as you're not connected to the blight we are here to purge. I've spent much time among the gangs of my own world.. even ran with one when i was a juve, but then who in the lower levels doesn't if they can help it?"

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-02-24 10:15am

"You'll have to forgive the cleric, friend Grim. He gets a little... over zealous from time to time. My name is Verity. I had noticed the fresh impacts on the walls among the older ones that were simply never fixed. Anything that travelers should be aware of while we're down here? Or is it just a little scrap between gangs? As for our presence, well, as the cleric said, we're here to purge corruption, of a nature uncertain, however you can be assured that it is not a hunt of loyal servants of the Emperor."

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » 2008-02-24 11:19am

"Right, right. Yeh asked fer my name an I gave it, let's not git all weepy wit' each other. Might make me feel bad if'n I gots to waste yeh," He stretched lazily and shook his head. "Right, so you want to lend a hand? Maybe have a place to sleep? We all work here, we all have jobs to do. Ours is to protect the town here. Now I'm not unreasonable, but I'd be a damn fool to let you run around down here without askin' yeh to leave any weapons yeh got wit' me. Last thing I need is some crew large enough to be their own gang to run around in my town wit' their guns in hand."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2008-02-24 11:42am

Underhive

The gangers looked to be a little over a squad in strength, about ten men strong. The only weapons visable were a variety of stub pistols. Nothing really military grade. Lazarus was not particularly impressed by their weapon handling either. For once he was quite confident in his training and equipment if it came to a fight.

Something however, did concern him.

We got a damn lot of people trying to talk for us. Plus fuck giving up our guns. Thats all thats keeping us from getting jumped by this lot.

Lazarus thought of tactics for a second and then subvocalized over the earpiece,
"Say the word and I'll lay down supressive fire with the autogun."

Sorry Cyrine, I'll need that gun for a little while if we get in a fight.

Hawkwings · Post by **Hawkwings** » 2008-02-24 11:58am

Underhive

From what she'd heard about underhive gangers, she expected a group that looked more intimidating. This gang looked positively tiny and weak, if this was the best they could show. Of course, there was probably backup not too far away, and they wouldn't bring out all the shiny stuff just yet.

Camillia just stood there and took in the conversation between the gangers and her group. It seemed to be going well, judging by the fact that they weren't shooting at each other yet. She was concerned, however, about the request to turn over their weapons. With the kind of equipment the acolytes were carrying, it would be of considerable benefit for the gangers to simply take the guns and not give them back. Camillia's own laspistol was one of the lower-value weapons, but the long guns in the duffel were extremely valuable considering the violence in the underhive.

Whatever the result, Camillia couldn't give up her knife though. It was too important to keep with her. She hoped it was well-hidden enough that a search would not find it.

SylasGaunt · Post by **SylasGaunt** » 2008-02-24 12:32pm

Havelock made sure to look as if he was considering it.

"I'm not sure if that's possible Grim. As I said we've got a job to do, important and dangerous work which may require that we be armed.. and let's be frank we'd have to be damned fools to go wandering around a strange underhive with no protection."

He looked at the gangers, trying to guess at whether any had military training or military grade equipment.

"Is there some other form of collateral we can give perhaps?"

Feil · Post by **Feil** » 2008-02-24 01:03pm

There were some nasty looking shadows around where a sniper or a machine gunner could be hiding - behind that broken window, or under that half-collapsed shop, for instance - but at least it didn't look like there was anyone trying to surround them. Cyrine traced and retraced the safety of her automatic, praying that she wouldn't need to use it.

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » 2008-02-24 02:41pm

Grim shrugged. "Look at it from my perspective. Ain't many places willin' t'hear yeh out in these times. I think I might be mad for not tellin' yeh t'git out of my sight. Tell yeh what, do me a favor, an' I'll trust yeh enough t'keep yer shooters 'round 'ere. There's a gang that's been giving our lot a mess of trouble. Foul little biters, call themselves the Balimeks. Word is some of their boys got bloodied up some. Word is they're lookin' fer blood. Says t'me that most've their boys ain't home right now." Grim grinned widely.

"Now if'n you want t'cleanse, cleric, they're a prime lot, them Balimeks. Buncha blaggarts and biters, even 'ear they got some scabbies with 'em. Hit their base, grab whatcheh kin, an' come on back. Figure we'll be mates then, least enough as yeh get down this way. Whaddya say, holy man?"

Vehrec · Post by **Vehrec** » 2008-02-24 03:04pm

Gelt rocked on his heels, the first movement he'd made in a while. "Bloodied themselves you say. Tried to hold up some poor unfortunates that weren't as unfortunate as they had thought I'll wager." He was fighting to keep a smile off his face. The same gang that had wounded one of the team? it wasn't certain, but it might just be so. "You mind telling us where these Balimeks call kip and how many we might be expecting to find?" he asked, slipping back into some gang-slang that he'd picked up on Scintilus.

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2008-02-24 03:12pm

Zak murmurs quietly to anyone in his immediate vicinity.

"Balimeks? Those were the obstinate buffoons who accosted Lazarus and myself earlier."

SylasGaunt · Post by **SylasGaunt** » 2008-02-24 03:13pm

Havelock grinned nastily as he noticed what seemed to be recognition from Gelt.

"I think I see how this went.. sounds like you've got yourself a deal then Grim, provided my companions feel the same." He looked back at the rest of the group, eyebrow raised in an unspoken question.

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-02-24 03:17pm

"Sounds good to me," Verum said with a slight shrug.

Feil · Post by **Feil** » 2008-02-24 03:27pm

Cyrine frowned but nodded.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2008-02-24 03:45pm

Lazarus relaxed a little bit once a firefight breaking out at any moment now seemed unlikely. He didn't particularly relish a rematch with the earlier bunch, but at least their accuracy had been less than steller.
He subvocalized over the com,
"Alright, If we really have to. You all are the experts."

One matter did trouble him sightly.
Lazarus adressed the gang leader,
"What's your crew's name?"

Hawkwings · Post by **Hawkwings** » 2008-02-24 04:04pm

Camillia looked over the gangers again, then considered the offer. They would need a base in the Underhive, and their new "friends" could definitely provide facilities, perhaps information as well. Alternatively, by clearing out these "Balimeks", they could take over their resources.

Her decision made, Camillia nodded to the preacher and said "The plan is acceptable."

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-02-24 06:24pm

"Friend Grim, a small request if I might. Could you detail one or two of your... associates, to be our guides? They don't have to help us fight, we simply need someone to show us how to find these Balimeks was it? If not, detailed directions would be nice, we're not familiar with these part, obviously."

RIPP_n_WIPE · Post by **RIPP_n_WIPE** » 2008-02-24 08:46pm

"Sounds roight noice ta me. I's been boored eva since we've cum down 'ere. I don mind crackin' a few 'eads for a warm bed."

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » 2008-02-24 10:54pm

Grim just shrugged. "S'far as a scout, sure, I'll have one of my boys go with yeh, jes' t'make sure yeh do it. Diver!" From one of the shadowy balconies that could have concealed a sniper, a man lifted his head up, hunting rifle in hand.

"Oy! I gotcha, Grim! Gimme a tic, I'll git me things!" The man disappeared again, leaving an eerie empty space behind him.

Grim smirked knowingly at the group and looked at Lazarus. "I'm somethin' of a proud man, mate. This 'ere group is the protector's of my Lake. Grim's Loch, for short. Most jes' call us th'Grimlochs, fer short. Got the freshest water for miles in any direction, makes us a prime target, y'understand, and biters like the Balimeks jes' can't share right. Doubt yeh'll wipe 'em out, but if'n yeh can bloody them summore, that'd be right by me. Better if yeh can get some juicy toys from 'em."

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-02-24 11:06pm

"Diver's a good hider. Barely spotted him moving. He'll make a good guide, I'm sure," Verum said with a smile. Dropping his ill-fitting coat to the ground, revealing his sheathed sword, shotgun, pistol and the well made flak coat covered in patches. Grinning, and shrugging almost apologetically Verum said, "We'll certainly do our best to bloody them, and I'll bring back a toy or two for you. You just have a meal ready for us when we come back."

Hawkwings · Post by **Hawkwings** » 2008-02-25 01:18am

Camillia almost assaulted the arbiter and the assassin after their comments, First about the beds, then about the food. Granted, she wasn't a master at diplomacy, but every soldier knew that you emphasized your strengths and concealed your weaknesses. The move with the coat was a bit flamboyant, but Camillia could see how it would help them. The comments about food and shelter though, could only hurt them, if they had any effect. It was a careless thing to say, and the only thing that could be done now was to not make a big deal out of it and hope that their new friends didn't pick up on it.

Vehrec · Post by **Vehrec** » 2008-02-25 08:58pm

"Enough you two. We can negotiate later, after we've finished this job." Gelt looked at Grim with a shrug and then made an announcement. "We'll be moving out as soon as Diver gets back. Do you want him to watch, or should we send him back as soon as we get there?" Diver might complicate things, if he saw the psykers doing any Witch work. Those two should be kept as secret as possible for as long as they could manage it. Some people might react badly, and others would spread rumors that would draw attention to them.

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-02-25 10:49pm

"Who's negotiating? I'm simply saying this won't take long, so if they start a nice stew now, it'll be just about ready when we get back," Verum replied with a smirk.