40K Dark Heresy: The Recondite War

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2008-06-13 08:09pm

Eli steps out of the transport, and silently wonders if he could get away with arranging a meeting with Crom near an airlock the next time they are enroute....

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » 2008-06-13 09:28pm

"Fascinating."

Mercurius turned to face the other 'Witchhunters.' "Didn't our prisoners say they were contacted by one of the Minister of Revels men? This place sounds as likely as any other for deputies of such an office to go about their buisness."

He looked at the group. "We should all make rounds and see what we can find out about the Minister of Revels, his agent, or if he has any holdings here. I'll schedule an appointment with the shipyards under guise of a Mechanicus contract. Magnus, Eli Rielly, would you two mind accompanying me? You both are void-born, and more familiar with the ways of ships proper than I. Perhaps your perspectives may catch something that I would not immediately notice."

His gaze lingered on Scar. "No offense, Scar, but you should probably act as a bodyguard for somebody. Those scars and warpaint make you look like either hired offworld muscle or trouble."

Balrog · Post by **Balrog** » 2008-06-13 09:38pm

"We'll probably want to get in contact with the local enforcers as well, see if they know anything." Mithras adjusted the strap of his lasgun so it did not hang so loosely off his shoulder; no point in getting it stolen by the locals. "This place is a real hive of scum and villainy, if you know what I mean."

Jaevric · Post by **Jaevric** » 2008-06-13 11:13pm

Darien nods agreement, then says, "I'll go speak with the enforcers. Scar, I'm afraid the local law enforcement types are likely to look askance at you, and Mithras and I aren't the sorts to need hired bodyguards. Perhaps if someone wants to go poking around in some of the less-savory areas of town you could go with them and watch their back."

White Haven · Post by **White Haven** » 2008-06-13 11:44pm

"As for myself..." Ajax draws the last word out slowly, mulling over various options in his head as the phrase dangles in the air. Finally, he nods to himself and finishes his sentence, "If they came this way, our quarry may have left...signs...around the harbor. Signs I may be able to discern." He shrugs and barks a laugh, "Or someone will try to kill me. Either way, we learn something, yes? Granted, it may be 'Shifty Francosa doesn't like black coats,' but you can't win them all."

Zablorg · Post by **Zablorg** » 2008-06-14 01:02am

"It has been said that finding gossip of confidentiality among the common-folk is a fool's errand. And who better to go about such a task than I-"

Crom looked into his brow.

"And who better to go about such a task than I, 'Oprinus Aquilaud'?"

He frowned.

"No, that doesn't quite work. Hang on...."

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-06-14 02:40pm

"A fair assessment Tech-priest. I shall accompany Ajax and if someone does take a shot at him, I will handle them. I'll do my best to look big dumb and intimidating."

White Haven · Post by **White Haven** » 2008-06-14 06:45pm

"Sounds like a plan, then. Anyone who can't think of somewhere to poke about...well, we should probably keep someone around to watch the 'copter. And the prisoner." With that, Ajax loosens his rapier and laspistol in their respective sheaths and holsters (difficult to confuse, but you'd be surprised how many holsters the monobonded edge claims after a long night), "How far out are we, anyway?"

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2008-06-14 07:11pm

I'll attempt to get information through some "Low Sources" and meet up, and see where evidence corresponds.

White Haven · Post by **White Haven** » 2008-06-14 07:58pm

After another moment's thought, Ajax speaks up in a low voice, so as not to be overheard by the other crew, "Do we have anything aboard that looks the part of a suitably arcane and potent auspex, or similar device? It doesn't actually need to do much of anything, although it'd be useful if it lit up a few runes, but...you get the idea."

Post by **NecronLord** » 2008-06-15 03:35pm

The copilot frowned, and diappeared briefly, before coming back with a hand-held device with a long aerial; it was used but clean, and it displayed ever changing numbers on a faded monochrome green screen, "We use it for checking fuel and air pressure, Lord," he said, giving a brief demonstration of how the two large dials on either side of the screen controlled the display's baseline setting, and the cable that snaked out of the top could be used to commune readings directly to the helicopter's spirit, in order to help the pilot.

The helicopter flew on for a time, finally settling to rest on one of dozens of landing pads, populated by similar vehicles. The ramp slid down to reveal a picturesque fishing village; high lattices of steel allowing landing pads for helicopters, like this one, to be draped with great flags that shook and rattled against the rings that kept them from blowing away fully, looking like colourful billowing sails. Imperial Eagles and devotional symbols hung from the highest pads, while lesser ones were more obscure local banners. A small gaggle of local guides rushed up stairwells towards the visitors, only to look at them strangely upon discovering that they didn’t have the passage ribbons that would mark them out as honoured guests from off-world. More than a few swiftly made themselves scarce upon guessing at the group’s ‘true’ nature – Ecclesiarchy Purifiers weren’t good spenders.

The passage down from the landing pad was facilitated by a funicular lift-carriage, with glass walls, down the shielding hill wall – each was bolted to an elaborate tressle floor of rockcrete and steel that formed an arch over the stairs inhabited by dozens of would-be guides and guards who used it to pass upwards to accost rich travellers -towards the haven below. The structure the funicular cars were on would prevent them falling or swaying, even in the wildest winds.

Either way was exposed, though the passage in the cable cars was at least comfortable and relatively private…

White Haven · Post by **White Haven** » 2008-06-17 10:07am

Surveying the routes down into the main sewer -- er, settlement, Ajax purses his lips for a few moments, then asks, "So, high-profile, or low? Unawares, or spook?" He keeps his words deliberately cryptic, in case any of the various locals about is more than he seems.

Balrog · Post by **Balrog** » 2008-06-17 01:48pm

Mithras looked over at Ajax, then down at his battle dress. "Low-profile is going to be difficult. I'll head out with Darien to go check up on the local enforcers, maybe rough up some PDF boys and see what they know."

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2008-06-17 03:26pm

Well we are obvious outsiders, and though there are some of us who have skills in low sources, we are essentially "out of our Element" at this time.

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-06-17 03:37pm

White Haven wrote:Surveying the routes down into the main sewer -- er, settlement, Ajax purses his lips for a few moments, then asks, "So, high-profile, or low? Unawares, or spook?" He keeps his words deliberately cryptic, in case any of the various locals about is more than he seems.

"I leave it up to you, my investigative skills are not the best. However, as has been noted, the cover we have been given is not a low profile one, and I believe it would be unusual for Witch hunters to be seen sneaking anywhere."

White Haven · Post by **White Haven** » 2008-06-20 10:20am

"Alright then, I say we sow some fear, uncertainty and doubt, maybe spook someone into doing something stupid. Let's make a nice, visible entrance. And, er, hope that 'something stupid' doesn't include a lascannon." With a wry smile and a shrug, Ajax waves a hand towards the stairs, mentally continuiing his reasoning in a private environment safe from any ears but his own.

After all, if you don't even try to hide, people assume that you've got reason to be confident.

Post by **NecronLord** » 2008-06-21 05:24pm

Ahead, most of the group discounting Ajax, Darien and Magnus, spotted a pair of loiterers amongst the crowds that walked up and down the great landing towers, the metal of which groaned slightly in the wind. These loiterers were notable for the way they took their packs of wares off their backs, opening them, reaching in…

Block · Post by **Block** » 2008-06-21 05:50pm

With a grin Scar swung his lasgun in the direction of the loiterers, dropped to one knee and said "Go for it." Covering the strangers and ready to react at the slightest movement.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2008-06-21 09:01pm

About time I got a chance to shot something, Eli thought, making sure to keep crom between him and the loiterers of course.

Jaevric · Post by **Jaevric** » 2008-06-22 12:44pm

Darien stops dead in his tracks, expression perplexed as Scar suddenly brings a lasgun to bear on a bunch of civilians. What in the Emperor's name is he doing? Darien thinks to himself, before belatedly tearing his attention away from Scar's movements and starting to turn towards whoever the guardsman is targetting.[/i]

White Haven · Post by **White Haven** » 2008-06-22 05:17pm

Ajax has many faults and many shining points. One of the less-polished facets of his personality is the ease with which he can become distracted at times, a tendency he demonstrates via the simple expedient of turning his head to follow a pretty-looking 'guide' that's one of the crowd to approach the recently-landed helicopter. The shout of one of his comrades startles him out of his reverie, turning to face down the wide staircase with a confused expression on his face.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2008-06-22 08:12pm

Eli still using Crom as partial cover draws a bead down on the nearest of these armed traitors near the landing pad with his auto-pistol, sure the shotgun would be more effective, but one doesn't want to be firing such a weapon into a crowd, they may decided to assist the traitors against the servents of the empire.

Balrog · Post by **Balrog** » 2008-06-22 08:58pm

The guardsman had had a funny feeling about those people, but it was Scar's quick reaction that finally decided it. He quickly unslung his lasgun and pointed it towards the nearest offender. "Put it down slowly, citizen, and no one gets hurt."

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » 2008-06-23 12:30am

Mercurius tutted dissapointedly. Using the vox-synthesizer among his many Mechanicus implants, he projected his voice over the din of the crowd, ensuring that the pair of men would hear him even if Mithras' words were drowned out by the crowd. At the same time, he drew his laspistol and aimed it at the pair. "Halt! Raise your arms slowly and take a single step back from the bags."

Zablorg · Post by **Zablorg** » 2008-06-23 02:52am

"Whoops" Crom exclaimed as he swung his right knee back to take a step exaggeratedly, digging his boot-heel into Eli's shin. As he walked he turned his head back at the pirate and said "Shouldn't stand so close behind me, pal!"

He slithered his way into the crowd, drew his autogun, and pointed it at various people around him, attempting to force the civilians back to create a large "bubble" of empty street to clear the way for his co-workers and the possible violence that would ensue.