Monday, June 9, 2014


Dark Heresy.

A Frigid Beginning.


Hoyland's Hope
Hive-World: Segmentum Ultra





Chapter 3; 




NPC: The Genestealer, it's orders given looks around for the strangers the outsiders to select its first target to protect the brood.


Fenrila : She looks wide-eyed and then looks at Cain. "Run... it sees me."


NPC: The Genestealer turns to face Fenrila, the bright light, the shiny, glorious light and charges irregardless of the crowd.


Fenrila : She just froze and couldn't do anything, hardly even move to get out of the way. "It's coming... coming for me."


NPC: The bite takes Fenrila deep in the shoulder and for a deep horrifying moment she feels the tongue probe the wound and a searing agony.


Fenrila : She screams, "NO! GET IT OUT! GET IT OUT!"


She screamed, while surprisingly calm and actually not afraid of the giant beast with scything arms and a raping tongue.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain recoils in fear from the beast his mind just a teensiest bit more unhinged from having witnessed it as he responds to its attack. "OY IF ANYONE IS GETTING HER PREGGERS ITS ME"


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : "Only cuz I can't put a bun in her oven!" Rat snaps, turning to address the new threat and the scene before her was grizzly, earning a chill running down her spine. That thing did that to Fen... Like it was nothing! She needed an escape route, she looks about wildly, the doors were all barred and the windows welded over with metal... But she had a lascutter! Why hadn't she thought of it before! "Cover my ass!" she shouts, darting pass the scuffle to the window, swinging her bag off her shoulders as she went to get at the item. If Fen was lost, then at least a few of them could get out... Maybe... Hopefully. Where was the fething mechanicus priest with their backup?!


Fenrila : She whimpered and cursed, biting her lip, she knew what to do now as her hands automatically went to the pocket with the pillcase and she popped it open, taking the pill in her hand. She whimpered, she didn't want to die but she could feel it... she could feel the pill as a weight too. No she wasn't going to go out like this. She gulped and drew upon the powers of the warp.


She felt the warp course through her, guiding her aim as she looked transfixed at the mouth of the Xenos. "Hey you fething filth... have a snack." She cursed whispering as she tossed the pill at it.


NPC: The pill looked like it was about to bounce clean off the creatures head when, against all odds, it breathed at the moment the pill smacked up near the nostrils on its face, the pill shot up into its nose and presumably its lungs and yet it seemed unaffected.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Keying his Microbead Cain pulls something from his belt. "Guys. Close your eyes."


Hal: Hal closed his eyes. But then opened them again because it felt silly to do so, what was Cain up to? They were all acting so strange.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: With only a moments thought Cain armed the Photon Flash Grenade and tossed it towards the Genestealer shutting his eyes and hunching down turning from the effects.


The people within the blast effect screamed as the Genestealers roar in agony at being blinded struck out from the grenades flash.

Without pause Cain activated the Stummer on his belt.


She looked horrified at what that thing did to Fenrila but they were not out of this yet, she looked around, it seemed above to where the exit was and where Rat was working on something was a way out, but near her there were still many robed individuals and even some armed bouncers in the distance. So perhaps she needed to make herself a target. She walked with determination to the nearest robed heretic and shot at him point blank range. Hoping this would give the others time to escape.


But her shot goes wide and she looked even more fearful, had she not prayed to the emperor today?

Cortez Sigismund: Cortez rounded on the attacker that had come at him from behind and brought his bolt pistol up Holding down the trigger to discharge the weapon more than once into the foul hybrid that stood before him.


NPC: The hybrids leg explodes in a shower of gore and eruption of blood the tiny splinters of clothing and bone scything through the air, though Cortez's armour prevented him being injured by the improvised shrapnel.


Cortez Sigismund: "Sit, Stay, Good boy." Cortez said with a grin as he saw what the bolt pistol had done


NPC: As the hybrid drops dead his robes open exposing an arm that could only belong to a genestealer and a face only a genestealer-infected mother could love.


Hal: Hal was still running, he was almost back and had the teleportation rod in his hands, why the others deemed this a situation to plant it already he had no idea but they could take the wrath of the Inquisitor, he was blameless after all, just following orders like a obedient Tech-Priest. With a murmured prayer of forgiveness for treating it as he had to, he pressed the activation rites.


Hal: Successful he let loose of the rod on the ground as he continued moving while drawing his hell-pistol.


NPC: Suddenly there is a crackling red flash three times as the Inquisitor and Brother Mortis and Brother Vanidus teleported in near the beacon.

Hardian engaged his own helmet comms to the team channel. "Ok. Explain the situation."


Hal: Hal turned and bowed, "Apologies inquisitor I was merely following orders, apparently there is, according to my comrades, a dire situation within the club there also appear some agitated individuals with guns in front of us, how curious."


Fenrila : Fenrila looked at the Genestealer and felt the taint within her spread still. "Gene... Genestealer... bit me.... Fuck you Hal."


Hal: He blinked and frowned. "Why did none of you report a genestealer to me? How wasteful to not share such data. But that explains matters."


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain began an short, but clinical report. "One purestain, it has bitten Fenrila. Couple hundred potential hybrids."


NPC: The Bartender with the Webber once more aimed trying to hit Cortez with the Webber.


NPC: The Bartender's shot rings true ensnaring Cortez and sending him crashing to the floor immobilised and helpless.

Suddenly most of those enemies present rush forwards, towards the Genestealer.


The three at the door begin to beat on the Ceramite Portcullis with the butts of their weapons. It was then that the team noticed all those in the club seem to have gone wild-eyed and concerned.


And that was when Fenrila noticed the Genestealer beginning to, of all horrifying things, melt before her gaze the very flesh and bone coming apart as it screams in agony only to choke on its melting entrails as it drops dead still melting at Fenrila's feet. "Get away from it Fen!" Cain calls out. The Life-Eater virus was notoriously infectious.


NPC: Brother Vanidus had listened into the reports and strode forwards a few feet and simply opened fire on the three near the door with his bolter.


The cultist standing right in front of him collapsed as his ribcage emerged from the front of his chest to taunt him.

Brother Mortis stepped up and also worked to rake them with Bolter fire. "FOR THE EMPEROR!" He roared.


The bolt shells simple exploded the other two bouncers without even a pause.


The Inquisitor however was only a man. Only a man carrying an Inferno pistol striding up after hearing the reports he looked at the offending ceramite door. "Pathetic Xenos scum." And fired his weapon at the portcullis.


The portcullis began to distort and melt under the heat put out by the Inferno pistol, the pistol designed to be a threat even to tanks having little trouble opening the entrance.


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Hearing the brothers over the commlink, the bickering and now the sudden bursts of light and other various sounds, Rat forsakes the entire idea of grabbing the lascutter in favor of shifting further back, towards the opening, though not without firing a shot off at the bartender who had caught Cortez, "Sij, you're losing your edge."


Cortez Sigismund: "At least I have one." Cortez shouted back


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : "Use it to get your ass free, then. Please. I would've never been snared by one of those pathetic guns."


Cain "Grim" Callidon: "No, you get snared by people leaving out shinies." Cain snorted over the microbead, using humour to conceal his deep concern for Fenrila.


Fenrila : She looked at the puddle that was the genestealer and she felt relief before her worry returned, but they weren't completely out of the woods yet. With a hiss of pain she raised her hellpistol in her hand and fired a shot after a moment of aiming at one of the approaching cloaked weirdos.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: The cultist crumples down dead with a shot through his neck.


Cain waited a moment. "Brutilla quick, head towards Cortez!"


She obeyed and ran as fast as she could, pushing people out of the way.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Now seeing Brutilla move clear, but before she could finish her own round Cain unleashed another sweeping blast of his flame pistol. "Burn you Xenos loving freaks, may the Emperor shit on your souls from a great height!"


Most of the civilians within the blast were slain outright from the flames.

But the Hybrid heading their way was not.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Though the fucker caught fire.


Brutilla von Solarus : Feeling the heat dogging her she took a wild shot at a robed cultist.


Cortez Sigismund: Cortez meanwhile struggled with the webbing that encased him, tring to get free of the substance and wondering where in the name of the emperor the bartender had even gotten such an exotic weapon.


NPC: The Bartender with the Stubber mocked over the bar. "You seem to be in a bind friend. Let me help you." Cortez hears the sound of a shotgun being racked.


Hal: Hal runs, trying to catch up to the inquisitor and the space marines to see what in the blazes was going inside the club, were they doing one of those curious 'orgy' things that somehow involves procreation with multiple people all at the same time?


NPC: The events suddenly turned for the worse for the Hybrids and suddenly there was a stampede for the other exit as one of the Bartenders hit the release on the doors opening the portcullis at the other end.


Meanwhile Cortez could hear the Bartender coming around the bar.


The rest of the armed attackers struggling to get through the crowd.


Brother Vanidus enters the chamber shoving past Hal before aiming a single shot at the Bartender's head.


Brother Mortis moves in. "You weren't at practice drill at 03:00 Vanidus. It shows." He attempted to do the same.


Vanidus looks askance at Mortis. "Did you check the sights during morning rites Brother?"


Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: Hardian walks in between the brothers and looks at the Bartender.


A barrage of Force Bolts leapt from the Inquisitors outstretched hand, a hand occupied by a crackling blade etched with deep runic letters.


The Bartender and two armed cultists nearest Cortez simply exploded into pulp as they were pummelled by the Inquisitors vast mental will. "Investigation team. Withdraw."


The Inquisitor looked every bit as powerful as the Marines next to him, despite being a good two feet shorter.


Cortez Sigismund: "Sure sir... just give me a moment to get free of this gunk..." Cortez replied as he wriggled in the webbing


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Ignoring the Inquisitor's orders for now, seeing the way cleared... well, and coated with pulped cultist... Rat runs to Cortez's side, drawing out her bolo knife to cut him free. "Hold still..."


NPC: The webber's webbing wasn't so solidly stuck as it seemed the blade of the knife removing the webbings worst effects, though now she had the gunk all over her hand and blade preventing her from letting go of it.


Cortez Sigismund: "My thanks, Cybil," Cortez said as he looked at her hands.... "I suggest we follow the inquisitors orders and get out of her, we can fix that later." He said refering to her hands.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain looked at Fenrila. "Get out of here, we'll get you help before you succumb. Or i'll give you the peace of the Emperor's light before the taint can take it from you. I promise."


Fenrila : She looked at Cain, fear in her eyes and she just nodded, turning around and ran.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain thought about flaming the group again. But he followed orders instead heading outside, and thoughtfully, and doubly carefully, put an arm around Fenrila helping conceal her, and her wound, from the sight of anyone that might be about the streets.


Brutilla von Solarus : She too followed the inquisitor's orders, seeing the angels of death had arrived with him to cleanse this place of Xenos taint.


Cortez Sigismund: "Go." Cortez said to Cybil as he raised his pistol and aimed at the nearest hybrid. "I'll cover you." He said be fore he opened fire.


NPC: The cultist drops down dead in his own robes as a genestealer arm it had been concealing was blown off.


Hal: Hal turned towards Fenrila, looking at the wound and gestured, bitten by the purestrain you claim to have witnessed inside? His Medicae Mechadendrite was twitching.


Fenrila : She winced and nodded, lookign fearful at those needs of his. "Yes. Uhm... Hal I prefer this looked at later..." By someone much more skilled perhaps she thought to herself.


Hal: He nodded, "Of course." And calmly raised his hell pistol, aiming at her face but not pulling the trigger, yet.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain looked at Hal, as he shielded Fenrila a bit more. "Put that way Hal, it was bad enough when you shot Dave. If she starts to turn i'll bring the Emperor's peace to her myself."


Fenrila : She looked wide-eyed at the gun, shivering.


Hal: He turned to look at Cain, cocking his head as if curious and then lowered the pistol, shaking his head in a dissapointed fashion.


NPC: The Hybrids and Cultists continued running as the still frazzled ones with weapons attempted to cover their retreat opening forcing themselves through the crowd.


And then Brother Mortis and Vanidus stepped forwards lowering their Bolters. And then the roaring of fully automatic fire began.


The group of armed cultists and the burning hybrid were annihilated by the barrage of extremely expensive ammunition.


NPC: A haunting breeze rises up around the Inquisitor as more bolts of force leapt from his mind at the retreating enemy.


The bolts ripped out and destroyed seven more enemies of the Emperor as Hardian smote them with his mind. Now the enemy was in full rout.


Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: With that the Marines began a relentless advance as the rest of the team escaped the building safely. "Return to your inn. I will join you soon. Then we will see what ... treatment... is in order for Fenrila's predicament."


The constant sound of bolter fire echoed in their ears as they were forced to leave.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Hal: Hal turns to the inquisitor, "The Mechanicus was sending two Prateroian units to assist me, us with these developments, they would arrive shortly I imagine."


Cortez Sigismund: Cortez stormed out of the club and up to Hal, drawing his latheblade and positioning it at the tech-priests throat as he did. "Give me one good reason why i should sever your head right now mechanicus." He growled. "You disregarded evidence and refused to follow orders. Had you not been so obstinate Fenrilla may not have been injured in the first place!" He added, clearly quite angry as he pressed the blade just close enough to pierce skin but otherwise do no damage.


Hal: Hal blinked and looked at Cortez. "Four reasons I can offer, Sargeant Cortez. Reason 1." K-9 growled, "K-9 would not like it. Reason 2, I have a imperial hell pistol pointed at your stomach. Reason 3 you disobeyed a direct order of our inquisitor to not engage the genestealer cult. Reason 4 the inquisitor might take offense to your disassembly attempt of myself."


Cain "Grim" Callidon: "That's what he said to Dave." Cain told Fenrila sagely.


Hal: He blinked. "Addendum, reason 5, it might be that Fenrila's only chance of continued survival lies with me."


Brutilla von Solarus : She sighed and stepped next to Cortez, "It matters not, not now, put down your pistol Cortez, let the Inquisitor handle this. This whole investigation has turned into a mess."


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain looks at Rat. "No, if one shoots the other you don't get to have their stuff." Before she can speak.


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat narrows her eyes on Hal, giving a rude gesture of her hand to Cain. "You left us, without consent. You left us in this den. And then you wasted time when Cortez told you to get back..." She grits her teeth, eyes flickering between Cortez and Fenrila. They both could be dead by now, if only by a few seconds chance that the inquisitor arrived in a timely fashion. "If she dies or turns into one of those things, you better lock up tight as you can, cog heap and pray to your scrap god I can't get past it..."


Cortez pressed the blade a little closer as his anger was obviously not subsiding. You don't have a single empathic thought in you do you mechanicus, you care nothing for any of our lives, and that I consider a danger to the Cell as a whole. If you can't work with us, as a team, instead of just doing whatever you want I suggest you request a transfer." Cortez said with barely controlled fury.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain looked at Cortez and could see that he wasn't about to just back down that easily. The Guardsman, a veteran of the front line, was unlikely to be that easily swayed. "Cort, we've got bigger problems to deal with I want to get Fenrila back to the Bishop before one of those escaping cultists decides to follow us."


Fenrila : She was still holding her hell pistol and shot it in the air. "ENough!" She shouted and shuddered. "I am not even sure if I should not have been shot yet, can we just obey the inquisitors order and get to the lodgings, if I am not a liability and they can't... track me... with this, what they did to me." She bit her lip and then turned her pistol around ,extending the handle of it towards Cain. "Take it, my sword to."


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain took the weapons gently. Not certain that she didn't hit some poor bastard on a floor overhead somewhere with that shot.


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat looks at Cain, a bit irritably that he was so ready to back down on this when he was always placing himself as Fen's protector. She sighs and carefully pushes against the flat of Cortez' blade, moving it away. "C'mon, Sij... They've got a point... We need to get Fen away from here..." Her attention snaps to Hal as he prepares to speak, "Shut up, now! You aren't helping yourself."


Hal: Hal blinked and lowered his pistol, then holstered it. <"K-9, tail wagging mode."> The Cyber mastiff let out a bark and started wagging its cybernetic tail. "I agree with Fenrila."


Cortez Sigismund: Cortez's eyes never left Hal as he slowly withdrew the blade before slamming it home in its sheath. "I advise you don't test my patience further Hal, You are right your skills are still needed, But if i think you are putting this cell in danger again I won't hesitate to let you speak in your defence." Cortez said before he turned away and startead heading back to the Bishop


Hal: "Duly noted sergeant Cortez." Hal said to his back and walked after their cell leader.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: As the team began the walk back Cain turned to Cortez. "Cort, regardless of your thoughts on that matter. I think we handled that all the wrong way." Cain began. "We leapt in there, ignoring Fenrila's ill feelings because we wanted this done with. I think next time we need a new approach..." And he paused. "You and Rat if someone needs to get in quiet, the rest of us in supporting positions, if what Fenrila said to me is right, it was her presence that compromised us all, that and they let Brutilla in knowing that she was a phoney." He explained what he'd overheard in more detail.


Cortez Sigismund: "We were certainly ill prepared." Cortez replied. "And now the cult know we're about. I suspect it will take some time before Fenrilla can be cleansed of the bite. we should spend that time gathering intel as quietly as we can."


Cain "Grim" Callidon: "I know i'm not leaving the Bishop without my rifle again." Cain said with a nod.


Brutilla von Solarus : She was listening in and added her own bit. "We should... the imperial cathedral here is also a infested place I fear, before all things went wrong we heard that the former owner of the phoenix club had been taken there to met someone called 'the father' rather ominous."


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat rubs her hands on her pants, irritably before pausing, "Hey... I just realized something... All that firefight, the security clamping down... Where were the arbites in all this?..."


Cortez Sigismund: "I fear the spread of this cult has gone much deeper than the inquisitor suspects. I was tasked to investigate the local imperial guard recruiting office, I suspect the arbitrators would also be infected."


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain also shrugged. "This deep in the underhive rat, the Arbites are more likely to cheer on people shooting up fronts like that anyway."


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat turns away to spit on her hand, hoping the enzymes would break down the sticky grime as she keeps trying to rub it off. "Yeah... But I don't trust Fen to be in these hospitals... It's gotta look bad. They'll be able to find her. She should go back with the Inquisitor..." Her eyes dart to Cain, "And this deep in the underhive, you'd think that they'd be more than ready to come in and clamp down on whichever side was the weakened loser." She grits her teeth before shaking her head, "Whatever, regardless, this whole place should be purged..."


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Narrator: The team makes its way back to the Bellowing Bishop the trip taking slightly longer than normal due to Fenrila's injury, but thirty minutes after that, while Cain was trying to gently wash the wound with a cloth a tall man comes in wearing a long dark trench. It takes a moment to recognise the Inquisitor out of his powered armour. "Everyone to Cain's room." He said without any further ado into the Microbead.


Cortez Sigismund: Cortez wasted no time at the inquistors order and was in Cains room in short order.


Fenrila : She looked up fearfully at the inquisitor but took a deep breath, it was time to face the music as her parents once said, funny they said the same when the black ships came for their tithe.


Hal: Hal was standing outside Cain's door and followed in right after the Inquisitor ordered them to.


Brutilla von Solarus : She had been praying, for all of them and for Fenrila when she heard the summons and responded quickly.


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat dawdles to return, having lit a lhostick. She takes a slow drag, attempting to calm down after the events. After everyone else had filed in, Rat slips through the door and closes it behind her, staying further away from the inquisitor with the lhostick between her lips.


Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: The Inquisitor moved over across the room to Fenrila and gently grabbed her shoulder beyond the bite as he exposed, for a second so quick as to be missed, a humorous side. "This ladies in gentlemen is why you don't accept candy from strange xenos in unmarked limousines." He put on a pair of glasses and looked closer at it.


All those present could see his hand on the holster holding his inferno pistol as he transferred his gaze to her face and flashed a small light into one eye then the other. "Why didn't you take the suicide pill provided?" He asked finally standing up working to come to a decision.


Fenrila : She gulped, trying to meet the inquisitor's gaze."At that time and place, well... the Genestealer Xenos needed the pill more than I did." She blinked. "Sir." She added quickly.


Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: The first response was simply a cocked eyebrow. Then he looked at Cain who just nodded. "I must inform you Fenrila." He said ominously....

...


...

"That it was a suicide pill, not a xenocide pill. I frown on improper use of resources provided to you." He finished.


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : "Worked though..." Rat mumbles.


Fenrila : She gulped. "I apologize that erased the evidence of the genestealer to yo-" She blinked and bit her lip. "Noted, sir." She then looked at his holster. "What will happen to me now?"


Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: Hardian facepalmed. "I was joking..." He said before muttering under his breath. 'Pin a fancy I on someones chest and they're unfunny bastards forever after.' He turned to look back at Fenrila. "I will take you for treatment. If the treatment fails you will be shot in the head. I must warn you, that the odds are... not great." He said sombrely as he took a seat, though his hand still hadn't left his pistol. "And if you show signs of sympathising with them before we're done there is no helping and you will die then and there anyway."


Hal: "I could assist." Hal ventured, raising his medicae mechadendrite. "I am quite skilled with medical procedures as it happens."


Fenrila : She ignored Hal and just nodded, looking resolved with her fate, whatever happens. "Understood sir. I... I think I can confirm there is a genestealer magus... he... I think he senses me and I did him, he told me that purestrain was coming for me, called me a big shining light they wanted to have."


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain looked at the Inquisitor. "Sir, I insist on being present. I promised Fen that if it came to it i'd deliver her to the Emperor's peace myself before ... they... could taint her beyond the Emperor's salvation."


Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: The Inquisitor nodded at Cain before turning back to Fenrila. "A Magos confirmed, damnation, I hadn't wanted to believe the infection had been present long enough for one to be born. This is a bad thing, a Genestealer Patriarch will be dangerous enough without a Magos at his right hand."


He sat back straighter. "Now, before I take Ms Fenrila here for treatment, what in the Emperor's name happened?"


Cortez Sigismund: "To put it in simple terms sir. We messed up." Cortez said clearly. "We went in with little intelligence and as it turned out very little understanding of the club or how widespread this taint appears to be."


"We rushed things and in an attempt to prove your trust in us was not misplacced we got in over our heads." Cortez added after a moment.


Hal: "I would like to point out I suggested a different course of action but was sadly overruled despite my logical arguments to the contrary." Hal piped up.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain looked up. "We got intel that someone was muscling in on an underhive gang leader who ran the club, we acted on too little information, or too old, I didn't see anyone working there who didn't stand up for the stealers."


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat watches on uncertainly, dropping the last of the lhostick into a vase with water and a few flowers.


Brutilla von Solarus : She looked hard at Hal. "Then I would like to point out that Hal here disobeyed Cortez and I had to command him to use the teleportation beacon to summon you to the scene, Inquisitor, sir." She then turned to the inquisitor. "We did learn that the cathedral might be a place of headquarters of some kind, they took the old club boss there. I too have other information that it seems the clerics are tainted, notably due to my easy entry to the club dressed as a cleric of the emperor. A true cleric however."


She sighed. "I fear though, if this hivelink of theirs extends far, that if we now went to the cethedral we discover anything."


Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: Hardian considered the situation and looked at Hal debating whether to do anything. If what the Cleric said was true and he had no reason to doubt it was the Adept had to have some reason to disregard orders. But for now he focussed on the Cathedral. "Well, I picked up a new member for my Retinue after that purge that you may meet later depending on Fenrila's fate. But for now you're on ice, poke around, but quietly, for a week. Don't enter any establishment you suspect may be compromised. Just listen, in a week time I will personally go over the intelligence you've gathered and decide what further course of action you lot will have, if any, in this matter." He stood up back straight. "Fenrila, Cain, Hal, you come with me." He said leaving the room without further ado.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain sighed to himself. A moments glimpse of an Inquisitor with a sense of humour and now it was back to pole-up-arse guy. He thought to himself as he retrieved his rifle and the krak grenades he'd left behind before.


Fenrila : She stood up and smiled ruefully. "See you all soon, huh?" She said to Brutilla, Cortez and Rat. "Don't poke the hivemind while im gone." She rubbed her cheek, assuming she would be back.


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat quickly moves forward to Fenrila's side and plants a quick kiss upon her brow. "I'll see you when you're all better, Fen," she offers a small smile before drawing back and away quickly. She nods to Cain, "Keep the cog-head away from her, ya?"


Hal: Hal was twitching his Mechadendrite in eager anticipation, it was fun to experiment, if there indeed was a way to cleanse the taint of such a xenos infestation then eh would gladly observe it, or even better execute it.


Cortez Sigismund: "You recover fenrilla," Cortez said softly before the psyker left. "Your actions today showed creative thinking, a good trait to have in an inquisition agent."


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : She looks about at those who remained, brow knitting as she raises a hand to count, puzzling over the math. "Oh... We all get our own rooms, now..."


Brutilla von Solarus : "May the Emperor watch over you, for he safeguards all who show him true devotion." She quated, ignoring the fact that she was a psyker, she was a comrade above everything.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain got up from slinging his rifle onto his back. "This is still my room, and I doubt that Hal is going to get to stay wherever she'll be treated. But Rat, I recommend you bunk with Cortez for now, Hal can bunk with Brutilla, she's less likely to murder him in his sleep than you two right now." Cain left with the Inquisitor and Fenrila a moment later.


Hal: "Be sure to identify yourself to K-9 when entering my room, otherwise he shall see you as a adversary. And as the ancient terrans said, auf wiedersehen." With that he shuffled after the inquisitor and the others.


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat juts out her lower lip in a pout and makes a face at Cain's back as he left before letting her gaze drift to Cortez. She frowns at the mention of K-9 and crosses her arms. She'd disassemble that mutt into nothing but spare parts if he gave her any trouble!


Narrator: 2 Hours later.


Cain, Fenrila and Hal found themselves in a hospital with Imperial Storm Troopers guarding the door to the ward the Inquisitor had sequestered for his own use. His private Medicae coming down from the Gun-Cutter to examine Fenrila.


NPC: "Foolish girl. Never let genestealers give you hickeys, the scars last a lot longer than if that strapping young fellow there was to do it." He began going over her with an Auspex unit designed for the task.


Hal: Hal made a bow, "Can I be of assistance in the matter at hand? Or observe? It must be a fascinating procedure."


Fenrila : "I was afraid the Xenos didn't take no for a answer." She stood still and let the Medicae do his work.


NPC: The doctor turned to Hal and looked at him down his glasses. "You can bless the machines and otherwise keep out of my way unless I say otherwise. You can help, but you will be patient or become A patient... am I clear?" He said having little tolerance for those who carelessly threw away their humanity in exchange for the machines. "Now now dear. We'll see what we can do to make you well. And if we... well if we can't make you well I'm told your friend here will make your passing a merciful one before the taint takes hold. Isn't that nice of him." He said moving over to an array of instruments.


"You are afraid of needles?" He said checking her chart and turning back to Fenrila.


Fenrila : She let out a fearful sound but bit her lip. Taking a deep breath she replied, "I... yes... but more afraid of dying by Xenos infestation so I'll survive some needles I think."


Hal: Giddy with anticipation Hal started to bless the equipment in binary, while reading his own medical mechadendrite to assist.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain could almost see the fear in her eyes as he looked on and saw the doctor pick up a very large hypodermic need. "Fenrila. Just look at me." And with that he kissed her.


She blinked and widened her eyes, the kiss was nothing to speak about but it surprised her, but she didn't felt a need to slap cain. "I... uhm.. Cain, this really isn't-"


NPC: The Doctor looked on at the distraction and 'aww'd before sticking the distracted psyker in the arm with the tranquilisers laden with a heavy dose of psy-suppressors.


Moments later she was out cold.


"How sweet. Bring flowers when she wakes up next time handsome. Even if you can't kiss for shit." The Doctor chuckled.


Hal: Hal looked at Cain, "You are showing a disturbing ammount of emotion for her Cain, quite illogical of you. I had expected better from your training." He made a tutting sound.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: "Just think back to the first time you plugged into a USB port Hal." Cain remarked back.


Hal: Hal frowned, "Kissing is like a inflow of data to determine the next course of action or provide information?"


Cain "Grim" Callidon: "Definitely." Cain replied.


NPC: After several hours of work involving more needles than Fenrila would ever have been comfortable with away the Doctor turned to Hal and Cain. "You two can go back to your lodgings, I'm told the Inquisitor is waiting there at the moment, the treatment begun early enough to matter. She'll be fine in about a week."


Narrator: As Hal and Cain were headed back to the Bellowing Bishop suddenly Cain spotted someone in the distance leading a small group of nobles down deeper into the hive. Franco Del Corta.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain removed his rifle from his back and moved over to the balcony bracing himself on it as he went to one knee and began carefully aiming down the scope. Franco was wearing cheap but rich looking clothes.


He began sighting in on the noble and flicked his fire selector to the Dum-Dums and took a while to steady his aim.


Hal: Hal looked oddly at Cain, "What are you doing? This is not the time to calibrate one's sight." With a snap-hiss of the silencer the shot rang out across the long range.


Narrator: The round screamed across the distance and slammed into Del Cortas' back hard enough to hurl him two metres forwards onto his face, his spine severed and heart exploded from the force of the shot. The small cluster of nobles looking around and seeing nobody, looking frightened they headed for the elevators back into the upper levels of the hive certain that it had in fact been one of them that was the target.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: "Just a little work on the side." Cain said as he began a peaceful walk over and claimed a trophy from the body as proof to his people the deed was done.


Hal: "I see." Hal said while following, looking when Cain collected some kind of trophy, once he was done Hal shrugged wit hhis shoulders and Mechadendrite to frisk the body. "It is illogical for a corpse to keep any belongings that might be of note."


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain does a quick rifle over the body and locates a small compact needle pistol concealed in the bodies armpit loaded with a clip of darts as well as, in the mans boot, a note. Pocketing the needle pistol Cain looks at Hal.


Hal: Hal blinked, "What a strange place for a weapon, either case, shall we move on, I do believe the Arbites might wander here and I think neither of us wish to answer questions."


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain opens the note. "We are discovered, the dogs of the eagle found the Phoenix and probably the Cathedral. We have relocated into the Sewers of LV-426 prepared for our exodus. The Manufactorum is to continue as planned." Cain read aloud.


Hal: He froze and turned slowly to Cain. "They what..." HE said slowly with a almost mechanical growl.


Cain "Grim" Callidon: "We need to get this back, now." Cain said begginning a jog for the Bishop that Hal should have been able to match without a problem.


Hal: Still growling and cursing in binary Hal followed, they dared to desecrate a sacred manufactorum even further! It would be cleansed! In the name of the Omnissiah!


Narrator: After another ten minutes they entered the Bishop and entered Cain's room while he asked everyone to attend to him in that room.


Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: The Inquisitor entered and looked at Cain before turning ot the others. "I've had word from Doc Keyland. Fenrila will be ok and on her feet in a week, though i'm told Cain also tried to sweep her of her feet..."


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain frowned at the Inquisitor and cursed himself his impulse as he turned to the rest and pulled out the note he'd discovered glossing over the fact he'd just shot a man in cold blood for coin to get it.


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat watches Cain, acting aloof and as if she was hardly paying attention. She didn't care if the assassin was putting the moves of the nutcase, -obviously-.


Brutilla von Solarus : She balled her hands into fists when she heard about the contents of the note. It was glad tidings about Fenrila but this news, this confirmed it, the imperial church had been violated, the imperial creed on this world desecrated, it had to be cleansed. "I... I request permission to venture out and cleanse the taint that has befallen the cathedral and to show the loyal population of this world that a true cleric of the god-emperor walks among them who is working to eradicate the sins of the xenos that have invaded upon this world and hive."


Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: "Not alone, and not yet," Hardian said to Brutilla shaking his head. "Once Fenrila is well, I may allow the Brothers to get flamers and assist, they have probably trapped the building to the Warp and back."


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat raises her head, "I'll join, Tilly, Inquisitor Hard-i-arse, actually. If you'll allow it. Perhaps if we act now we could catch some of them in there."


She rubs her jaw, looking sidelong, "Worst case, we just scout and confirm if this is a ruse or not. I should have no problem getting close, after all."


Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: The sudden movement of the Inquisitor surprised Rat as did the knee to her Solar Plexus, the force behind it drawn back from the Inquisitors obvious full potential reducing Rat to being on her knees wheezing on the floor from the blow. "Respect cur. Is always due an Inquisitor."


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : She coughs and tries to draw in a breath, a look of pure contempt smoldering from her as she glares up at the Inquisitor. "That all you got?" she spits at his boots. "The captain slapped us around as children harder than that," she snarls.


Brutilla von Solarus : She stepped forwards, trying to interpose herself between the inquisitor and rat. "Apologize to the inquisitor Rat." She said calmly.


Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: The shot missed Cybil by a hairs breath when she dodged out of the way before the Inquisitor had a boot on her leg and pressed the barrel of his pistol into her neck branding a burn there. "Annoy me again and you'll be dealing with far worse."


Hal: Hal looked upon what is happening and turned to Cortez who hadn't said a word thus far. "Excuse me, but this probably means we have lost... what are the words, our deposit on the rooms?"


Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain meanwhile tipped the water from the Vase on the section the blast had hit to cool it down quickly. "Not if we move one of these cabinets to hide it..."


Brutilla von Solarus : "Please! In name of the emperor we all serve, stop this. My lord, I am not disobedient but if we wish to maintain any sort of secrecy then we must cease this before the staff of this establishment come to investigate."


Cybil "Rat" Threxis : She continues to glare up at the inquisitor, breathing heavily through her nose as she bites down on her urge to scream at the burn. "We both know... my breathing annoys you, Inquisitor..." She gnashes her teeth, "But hey, sooner or later, I'm sure you'll take the trash out. Cuz no matter what I can do, or what I know, or however much grime you have me crawl through, that's all I fething am to you or anyone in this room!"


Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: The Inquisitor shifted his aim up to her head. "It can be as useful grime, or the sort I remove. Your silence from now on in my presence will indicate you prefer the latter." Hardian said before holstering his pistol.


Cortez Sigismund: Cortez leaned forward and squeezed Cybils shoulder enough to get her attention before giving her a look that said 'let it go'.


Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: The Inquisitors patience had struck it's end. "Brutilla, when the time comes you may investigate and purge it with whomever here you wish to go with you, and the Brother-Marines of the Deathwatch. Until then. Be ghosts. Don't let them find you." Without further ado Hardian stomped out of the room with a thought directed at Rat. 'Don't test me again.' st me again.'

Thursday, June 5, 2014


Dark Heresy.

A Frigid Beginning.


Hoyland's Hope
Hive-World: Segmentum Ultra





Chapter 2;


NPC: The Bouncer with a Compact Autogun looked at Rat with Brutilla behind her. "Wass goin on? Only the deepest pound beat on the mutie circuit. But do you have the 'entry fee'" He said with a highly suggestive wink with a hint that there were more than one... 'entrance fees'.

Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat's lips spread into a bemused beam as she laughs before adding in gutter tongue,

Brutilla von Solarus : She walked right behind Rat, content with letting her speak to... these people she just smiled, wondering what exactly this man meant with such a tone of suggestion about the entrance fee.

Cybil "Rat" Threxis : <"Baby, you couldn't afford my prices.">
She pauses for a moment before leaning in conspiratorily, <"Besides, the cleric here already paid me for my services.">

NPC: The bouncer cocked an eyebrow at Rat. "Girl, selling you wouldn't give a mundane enough cred to buy entrance."

Brutilla von Solarus : She took a few steps forwards and looked the bouncer straight in the eye. "What is the entrance fee then."

NPC: The Bouncer looks at Brutilla and straight to the vestments and Aquila around her neck. "My apologies priestess, the servants of the Cathedral are always welcome with their pages." He bowed and waved Brutilla, and reluctantly, Rat, inside.

Brutilla von Solarus : She didn't even blink, just smiled and nodded. "Thank you, oh just to remind me, who of the cathedral had been here before, I was meant to look it up, to continue where he had left off, but not enough time you see."

NPC: The Bouncer looks at Brutilla with a sudden expression of suspicion. "It is not my place to question the Priests and Priestesses. Only admit them when they wish." He said. The other three also looking at Brutilla with some degree of suspicion, but they don't seem inclined to keep her out.

Brutilla von Solarus : She narrowed her eyes, "Perfectly understandable but if I go in there and only repeat myself with things the one before me already did I will find you." She then stepped aside, "Come along." She said to Rat as she went inside.

NPC: Once inside Brutilla and Rat are assaulted by a wall of sound. On a stage in a back corner a band is playing away on some tune that it'd take severe chaos mutation to call music, hundreds of club-goers danced and more on the club floor with several hooded figures moving amongst the crowd. To their immediate left three more bouncers guard what appears to be the way deeper into the Phoenix. Two guard what must be the secure room where weapons and other valuables are kept safe and the other guarding a pair of double-doors.

Meanwhile Cortez and Hal, waiting a short time before trying their entrance spot the Bouncer that Rat had started to speak to communicating on a microbead, his finger pressed to his ear to hear better as he spoke into the device.

Though Cain and Fenrila also notice it as they move up to try their hand.

Cain tries to listen in as the bouncer reports in while he saunters up casually.

Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain frowned, 'Sir, a lady of the cloth just made an entrance with a street urchin, she isn't what she seems to be, she lacked knowledge we all share.' Cain made no sign that he understood. But this was not a good sign.

Fenrila Wishes to know how creeped out she is 13%

Narrator: Fenrila can feel the chill fingers of an alien feeling creeping up her spine the closer she gets to the club. Something... wrong... is in there.

Fenrila : She shudders but keeps a, hopefully, brave face, looking to Cain on what to do next to get past these people.

Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain grins at the Bouncers. "Ey boys, i'm just out taking my lass on a night on the town." He carefully put an arm protectively around Fenrila so as to not spook her and hopefully reassure them. "I heard your join was burning the hive to the ground with some good pound beat so here we are. Whassay you let us in?"

Cain "Grim" Callidon Inquiry -40%

NPC: "You don't look like you're the sort man enough for this." The Bouncer remarked with a dismissive grunt.

Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain grabbed them man's collar with his Cybernetic Arm. "Look here you piss-weak excuse for an underhive maggot, if you want to disrespect me in front of my girl you damned well better be ready to back it up."

Cain "Grim" Callidon Intimidate 38%

Fenrila looked wide eyed at what Cain was doing, on one level she felt that she should be horrified but for some reason... she kinda felt rather warm and flushed seeing Cain do this on her behalf, it was acting but still....

NPC: The Bouncer whines as he felt his shoulder being squeezed by the Cybernetic limb. "DAMN DAMN DAMN LEGGO I'm sorry, sorry man, go in go in!"

Narrator: Now within the club Fenrila and Cain would see much the same thing that Rat and Brutilla did.

Fenrila : She felt her skin crawl and resisted the urge to scratch it, fearing she might scratch her entire skin off if she started. The sensation was worse inside, she now not only felt sick but that also eyes were watching her, studying her, this was not a safe place, not at all.

Cortez Sigismund: Cortez approached the bouncers with a jovial step, he'd left his helmet behind at the Bishop along with his lasgun and shotgun, he still wore his greatcoat of course, after all it had been made with careful attention to detail as more than just protective armour, with what he had paid for it the coat was a fashion statement as well. Bloodletter also adorned his hip, as much a statement itself as a weapon while his boltpistol and chain knife were under the folds of the greatcoat, not that it did much to hide the presence of the bolt pistol.

Cortez smiled like someone that had had a bit to drink already before he spoke to the bouncers.” Evening fellows, word around Hoyland's Hope is that this is the place to come for some pound, I've just come on leave from Fydae and I tell you, I could do with the distraction.”

Hal: Hal shuffled in Cortez's wake, his boltgun back at the rooms would be missed but he had 99.9% trust in K-9, which would have to make up for the only 43% he had in his mostly organic allies, Cain was excluded from that naturally at a 93% trust. He let his Medicae arm twitch, hovering it close to Cortez. He looked at the entrance of the club, a strange concept, 'club' why would organics gather packed tight in these places, wouldn't they exchange germs and other bacteria easier this way, or was this another of those curious mating rituals, some things sadly could never be explained by holy science.

NPC: The Bouncers looked from Cortez to the K-9 and Hal before turning to Cortez. "Uhm, no Servitors. Sorry. Club policy."

Cortez Sigismund: Cortez quikly held up a hand to forstall Hal.

Hal: Hal reared up, but saw the hand of Cortez blocking him and reluctantly decided not to deliver some wrath.

Muttering in binary, <"Idiotic organic meatbag waste, not recognizing a priest of the Omnisiah.">

Cortez Sigismund: "As you might have noted from... his ... reaction, he's not a servitor, one of those tech preists from up at the enclave, I dropped in there to get some of my equipment serviced and deliver a letter from another of them that was serving with my unit, this one heard i was going out on the town and decided it wanted to tag along. Don't ask me about the mutt, that I have no idea." The next part cortez leaned in closser to the bouncer and spoke in a low voice. "Besides have you ever seen a member of the mechanicus drunk, I haven't, figured this was the best shot i was going to get at seeing it in my life since he told me he wanted to have the 'full experience' as it were." he said to the bouncer as he tried unsuccessfully to suppress a grin.

"Come on, I'm sure you can bend the rules a little for this once in a lifetime chance right?" Cortez said as he offered the bouncer a 100 thron coin.

NPC: The bouncer pocketed the coin with a practised deftness, evidence alone of a great skill in bribe-taking. "Sure why not, but the dog stays outside it's got teeth bigger than my.... bullets..." He changed the word he'd clearly been thinking at the last second.

Cortez Sigismund: "My thanks, I'll be sure to let you know when my task is complete so that you too can see this rare opportunity." Cortez replied as he clapped the bouncer on the shoulder Cain had grabbed earlier. "Come then comrade." He then said to Hal, "Tell pet to stay and lets go get you that experience you wanted."

Hal: He let out a mechanical snort and turned to K-9, speaking in low gothic. "Stay with the nice men with guns." Then through his implant gave his mastiff a command, bite the man who insulted us.

The hound made an attempt for the Bouncer but failed to connect. His quick reaction equally missing the hound. The other three turned their weapons on Hal fingers now in the trigger guard.
Hal: Seeing K-9 bite the air, Hal let out a seemingly shocked sound. "K-9! Bad boy, apologies sentient." He turned to the dog and waggled a finger. Ignoring the raised weapons. "Bad dog! Return to the lodgings!"

NPC: The K-9 whines and bounds back for the Bellowing Bishop. "What in the Emperors name was that you fucking coghead?" The one it nearly bit shouted at Hal turning his own weapon on the Tech-priest.

Hal: Hal looked at the weapon, "Fascinating, compact auto-gun, yes? No known pattern to me, locally made. How fascinating, this excursion to a club has been most enlightening already." He then reared back up, still ignoring the weapons and tried to move past them after Cortez, oblivious it seems to the threat.

Narrator: Hal pauses at the sound of both Autogunners drawing the cocking handles and the pistol carrying bouncers flicking off safeties.

"You owe a little more if you're still hoping to get in after that stunt cog-cunt." The offended Bouncer remarked.

Hal: He fixed the bouncer with a stare and then shrugged. "I see, I know when a Tech-Priest of the Omnisiah is not wanted, I shall make my leave." With that he turned around and strutted off, humming a binary tone to himself. When he believed out of earshot he spoke in the commbead in acolyte cant. <"Would stand out in there, proceed, I shall return to offer support if needed."> He muttered quickly and then decided to return to the hotel, grab his boltgun and perhaps any weaponry the others left behind and wait outside the premises ,waiting for a sign of trouble.

Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain got on the microbead. "Hold your cogs. The windows have been spot welded over. Why not see if you can find one, carve it open and get in that way?"

Hal: <"Negative, do not have the correct tools, proceed, I shall emerge later. May the Omnisiah be with you Cain... oh and the Emperor wit hthe rest of you, naturally."

Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat hesitates at those words chattering into her ears and winces. Who the hell cared if some ancient dead guy was with them? It wasn't like he could -help- them.

Brutilla von Solarus : She frowned at Hal's words, what had been going on outside? She had no idea but turned to Rat. "Could you assist me? I wish to ask around about this underboss who supposedly owns the club and where to find him. We could do this together or each on their own, what do you suggest?"

Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain kept his arm protectively around Fenrila. <"What say we just poke around with some general questions, try and avoid any sensitive subjects."> He spoke loud enough into her ear to be heard over the music in the acolytes tongue. <"One of the Bouncer's made Brutilla's cover as a phoney, so we might want to keep eyes open.">

Fenrila : She nodded, still resisting the urge to scratch, shivering. <"This place feels wrong... it's not safe here. For any of us, I feel like I am being watched... by hungry eyes.">

Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain cursed for a moment in the acolytes tongue as he carefully surveyed the room.

Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain noticed that there were a number of robed figures moving amongst the crowd, and that no less than three of them were watching he and Fenrila at any one time.

Fenrila : She was oblivious about anything, seeming to instead edge closer towards Cain. "I shouldn't have come here... brought us all into danger."

Narrator: Cortez can see that thought the guards are just keeping a careful eye there are a number of figures in the crowd watching Cain and Fenrila as they move around the room. Though he would also notice that one of the Bartenders, and a guard, are watching Brutilla without so much as blinking. A sight that Brutilla herself notices though her watchers try and avoid it.

Rat notices other things as well, while she notices much the same, she also sees a suspicious lack of thrones and recreational drugs changing hands on the dance floor, and as the tune changes to a heavier beat all those present seem to change their dance in a scarily synchronous moment, except for a dozen or so who seem to be out of time to the change, reacting because their partners are.

Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain 'danced' a little closer to Fenrila. "You know darling, I'm not blaming you, but I really am coming to think that we made a mistake coming here. You're not just feeling things. We're being watched by creeper of the year candidates."

Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat tenses and calls over her commbead, <"This isn't right... I think we might have just jumped clear into the forge here, people..."> She tries to act inconspicuous as she moves, acting as if she was in it with the dancing, <"This isn't your usual coverup... Too clean for some hive-gang... and everyone is too... It seems like this is all rehearsed.">

Cortez Sigismund: Without Hal at his side, Cortez was left to improvise. watching the others was one thing, but if he just stood about his cover was likely to be blown in short order. Instead he kept his eyes open and made his way over to the bar and ordered a drink, trying to look like he was just out for a good time.

Narrator: The Bartender was busy and slid a drink over Cortez's way accepting five thrones in exchange as he moved onto another customer.
He noticed then how conversation seemed to dry up around him, people moving subtly out of the way. The words 'Outsider Unclean' flitting through his mind as a stray thought carrying a lot of resentment. Whether it was a thought of Cortez's or some strange psychic impulse powerful enough for even him to sense was another question.

Narrator: Fenrila is overwhelmed mentally by the thought 'OUTCAST UNCLEAN!' as it hammers into her mind, seemingly from every direction at once. From the entire crowd of people present. A single omnipresent manifest mind. A gestalt and connective intelligence. And then the worlds. >A beautiful sun child. I can sense you bright as a noonday sun amongst the dim lanterns of humanities morass. Come to the broodfather and learn true love.< the thought carrying massive, and alien psychic weight.

Fenrila : She gasped and shuddered, grabbing Cain's arm, the flesh and blood one, and probably squeezing a bit too hard for comfort. "It knows... it knows I am here... and it has send something to come for me, it wants me." She looked wide-eyed, fearful. "Get me out of here."

Narrator: Cain keyed his Microbead and reached for his flame pistol beneath his cloak. <"Guys... I think we overstayed our welcome. Fenrila says something's coming...">

Cortez Sigismund: <"Hal, get your metal but back here. Now."> Cortez said into his microbead as surreptitiously as he could. <"Everyone be ready, Even I felt something earlier."> he then said to the rest of the Team.

Hal: Hal stops and frowns. "Oh? What is the nature of your distress?" He said as he turned around ,snapping his fingers for K-9 to follow.

Cain "Grim" Callidon: <"This place was a thrice-damned hive of them. Hal. And I don't think we're getting o..."> Cain sent in Acolyte's Cant over the microbead before pausing.

Hal: He continued, moving a bit faster at this news. "I suggest withdrawal then, or is that impossible, you have cut off, have you been tending to the machine spirit of your commbead properly?"

Brutilla von Solarus : She looked around warily, making eye-contact with Rat, gesturing back to the entrance as she turned around to make her way back. to regroup.

Narrator: It enters from the south entrance of the building six limbs concealed beneath a thick cloak, but the way the crowd began to part for it. The Genestealer was recognisable.

And then...

With a resounding bang.

Portcullises dropped over the entrances blocking them for quick exit.

Cain "Grim" Callidon: "Join the inquisition they said. Meet new aliens they said. Kill them they said." Cain thought aloud to himself as the few normal people in the crowd began to panic.

Fenrila : Fenrila shuddered, "Hal... they are coming for us... for me... get back here!"

Hal: Hal paused, "Is the situation dire?"

Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain meanwhile began looking for a way out. <"Dire enough to near a full spin cycle on our underwear once we get out of here. Purestrain. There is a purestrain here."

Cybil "Rat" Threxis : <"Yes it is, you fething rusted bunch of cogs! A genestealer just appeared!">

Hal: "I see." He calmly replied. "One moment." He moved to a nearby terminal, plugging in and attempting to contact the Mechanicus enclave.

NPC: "Congratulations. You have reached the Adeptus Mechanicus Enclave. Please hold. There are 44'924'292 people in the queue ahead of you. Expected time to get through. 21 Terran Standard Hours. Thankyou for your patience."

The machine returned an automated response.

Hal: When he senses he got a connection he quickly spoke in binary.
"Engineer Hal for the Magos, urgent communication required, assistance required, Mechanicus only imperial forces on planet that can be trusted."

NPC: "Processing request." The communique froze for a moment.

"Hal of the Legio Cybernetica. I am R4j3sh R4m4y44n K00thr4pp4L1 how can I help you?" The voice came through, apparently a minor adept.

Hal: "Requesting direct datafeed to the Magos, pertaining earlier conversation, threat to Mechanicus found and assistance required. Not main objective as stated but dire enough and Cult Mechanicus only force present on surface that are not afflicted and can be contacted. Humbly request Skitarii defenders to protect Mechanicus interests of this world."

NPC: "I am terribly sorry. But the Skitaari are not available for petty disputes." The communication on the line paused. "However the Magos has decided to sent a pair of Praetorian Battle Servitors to assist. Time to arrival. 45 minutes. Thank you please come again." The line went dead.

Hal: "It will have to do." Hal muttered and termianted the connection, the exchange had lasted only a few seconds since it was binary. "Reinforcements arriving, 45 minutes, I continue on the way as well, see you soon, or whatever parts are left of you all, I would do my best to stitch you all back together."

Cortez Sigismund: <"Hal, wheres a emporer damned purestrain here, get back outside the club and use the beacon the inquisitor gave you. We don't have time to waste."> Cortez said quickly in response
Hal: "Is this the main nest?" Hal asked.

Cortez Sigismund: <"Main nest be damned, Follow your orders.">

Cain "Grim" Callidon: Cain just groaned. <"Hal, I don't think the Inquisitor is going to be too concerned about the semantics yet. There is a good two hundred plus cultists in here and a purestrain Genestealer. The situation is certainly dire enough.">

Hal: "I am following my orders sargeant Cortez, the inquisitor explicitly said, only to deploy the beacon when the main nest was located. If this is not the case. I cannot be of assistance with your request."

Cortez Sigismund: <"I'll take full responsibility if he's pissed at us, now do it."> Cortez added

Brutilla von Solarus : Brutila got on the comms. <"Hal, as Cortez ordered and now I... do as the man says!">

Hal: Hal sighed. "Very well, I shall deploy the beacon when I see the front entrance of the club." Silly organics, what could be so bad?

The Genestealer spots Fenrila effortlessly and begins to gesticulate to the human, or apparently human, guards of the club who begin to ready themselves to attempt to capture the team of acolytes who had so deliciously stumbled into the clutches of the brood.

Cybil "Rat" Threxis : Rat quickly backpedals several steps, towards the entrance they came through, leveling her carnodon and snapping a fire off at the closest hooded figure, "Tilly, back now! We need to get with the others!"

NPC: The hooded figure took the round with a degree of surprise as it was trying to draw a laspistol concealed within its robes.

Fenrila : She shuddered, "No, no, no, no, no!" She muttered to herself and then, for the first time, on this world at least, decided to activate her warp abilities to perhaps inspire her allies facing this kind of horror.

NPC: A faint stink fills the air around Octia smelling something like acrid burning metal.
Fenrila : She ignored the smell, feeling that the aura was taking effect however, hopefully embolden her allies.

NPC: Cain stepped up next to Fenrila and winked at her. "Let's play." He levels the flame pistol and fires at the enemy behind them before they can get organised. The intense flame leaping out to touch the heretics, and a dozen other petty genestealer cultists in the way the layer being slain outright.

The four guards struck by the flames writhed in agony before being incinerated by the Destroyer Flame pistols devastating breath.

The fire suppression system kicked on suppressing all but the most stubborn flames.
Brutilla von Solarus : She moved quickly after Rat, her fate bringer in her hand, seeing rat fire she too turned and fired a snapshot at the same robed figure.

NPC: Brutilla's shot is however collected by the neck of a poor young woman who looks terrified and simply out of place. Her screaming whimper as she drops dribbling away as her carotid artery pumps all her blood onto the dance floor.

Cortez Sigismund: With everything going to hell Cortez did the natural thing, reinforced by his training. He drew his bolt pistol flicked on the red dot sight and took a moment to aim at the bartender that was now reaching for a weapon, then pulled the trigger

NPC: Unfortunately at the very moment Cortez pulled the trigger the Bartender leaned just that little bit further over and the bolt passed into the floor ten feet away.
The two Bouncers with Compact autoguns at the entrance the team came through moved up in front of the Portcullis and took aim at Cortez as the easiest target.

The dozen rounds or so sent Cortez's way spattered into the generic members of the brood scything them, instead of the Guardsman down.

Meanwhile the Bartender turns his Webber on Cortez, the only target in easy range.

But the sticky goop fires early striking the good liquors cabinet.
The two bouncers guarding the bar flicked their weapons to full auto and attempted to gun down Brutilla, hoping to catch Rat in the crossfire.

But the bullets continued to just scythe apart defenceless brood members instead from the careless fire.

NPC: Meanwhile one of the robed figures charges Cortez through the recently 'cleared' zone.

But his knife fails to find a mark.

Another of them draws a laspistol from his robs and snaps off a shot at Rat.

The lasbolt landing in the forehead of a brood member next to Rat that didn't look much older than fifteen.

NPC: The robed figure that Rat had nearly killed wasn't done carefully aiming and firing a shot at her.

The shot however is deflected by the mesh armour, preventing it from making a nasty hole in her head.

More robed figures are forcing themselves through the crowd as well as the Bouncer protecting the Purestrain shoving and ordering more of the crowd out of its way. It wanted a clear path to the Bright one. It had a kiss to bestow upon her.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Dark Heresy.

A Frigid Beginning.


Hoyland's Hope
Hive-World: Segmentum Ultra





Chapter 1;

Narrator: The frigid air in the Gun-Cutter reflected the oft-times attitude of it's owner as it descended through the air of the ice-world. It's cold metal decks were no recipient of any more heat than was necessary to prevent illness in its occupants. The team had finally been assembled from some smaller sub-cells that Hardian had working for him previously. The six of them waited in the forward hold for their master to appear and explain the situation.

First of all, alphabetically, there was Brutilla von Solarus. A noble turned preacher, and a woman of some honour who had first attracted Hardian's attention exposing the Xenophilious nature of an opposing house.

Then there was Cain, the Assassin could be as cold as the cabin's temperature and much more deadly given time and distance.

Then there was Cortez Sigismund, a stolid and reliable soldier of noble birth with a natural air of command about him.

Narrator: Fenrila stood slightly apart as most psykers do, her power formidable, and ironically she was the least cold able to at least internalise a little of her power to keep warm.

Hal was a Tech Priest of the Adeptus Mechanicus and had his dependable 'hound' by his side as he soothed it with Binary Chatter.

Then there was Rat. Yes. There was Rat. Who after attempting to steal a sameterware vase from the Inquisitors office had been informed in oh so polite terms that if she so much as laid a finger on one more thing that was not hers on the Gun-Cutter that Hardian would remove all her fingers and have them re-attached to her forehead.

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi walked into the Cabin resplendent in black power armour, more impressive was the pair of Deathwatch Space Marines on either side of him standing near two foot taller than the Inquisitor.

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: "Congratulations, you have all proven yourself capable acolytes." Hardian said his gaze deliberately passing over Rat without stopping while he spared a moments glance for the others. Rat was a useful creature, but Hardian couldn't help but think it'd be much simpler if he shot the urchin in the head, the Arbites would probably thank him for it.

"Unfortunately, we are here to investigate a most grave matter indeed. It is suspected that there is a Genestealer Cult here on Hoyland's Hope, you'll be descending to Level LV-426 and investigating the matter. Your duty is to locate this den if it exists. LOCATE only, if you encounter Genestealers you are to immediately get out of there and establish contact with me. The Brothers with me, and I, will conduct the purge. Your sole duty is to give us a target. Questions?"

Rat : Rat pipes up without so much as a second of hesitation, "Yeah. What do I do if these two try to shoot me again, exactly?"

Cortez Sigismund : "Hold still this time" Cortez replied

Hal: Hal spoke up in binary before he switched it off and went for his flesh voice, ignoring the others. "Apologies. I forgot you were not as blessed by the Omnisiah. Sadly this way of communication takes longer but it will have to suffice, despite the flaws of it, are there any suspects of this Xenos infestation already present? Or do you perhaps have some biological markers I can present to honourable K-9 here to 'sniff' out the Xenos inconsistencies?"

Brutilla von Solarus : She sighed and shook her head, "I did not shoot you, it was a accident. Please for the love of the God-Emperor we are here to carry out his work."

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: Hardian turned to the others. "Ok, in the subject of Rat. Please, do not try and shoot her again. Anyone who takes the pleasure from me will be censured heavily for it."

Hadrian turned to Hal. "We have no samples of the Xenos on Hope to provide you with, the Xenos infestation is suspected and not confirmed, that's why you were brought in. The only actionable Intel we have is that they are somewhere in Level LV-426.

Fenrila : She was humming softly to herself, but her eyes were looking everywhere, glancing at the two hulking figures beside the Inquisitor for a moment before she quickly looked away. They saw her didn't they, they did, they must have, they have all those fancy things, those superhuman things, the could probably see her even if she was invisible. She blinked when she noticed she was biting the inside of her cheek and shook her head, clearing it from those thoughts. "How do we recognize Genestealer taint? Are they one of those races that... react... to me?"

Rat : Rat scratches her cheek. Rough crowd... "Right. Any helpful leads, then? Or just more 'go here and pray you ain't xeno lunch'?"

Cortez Sigismund : "Xeno's wouldt try to eat you anyway vermin."

Hal: Hal blinked and turned to the 'Rat' cog of this machine they were assembling. "You wish to become lunch? How curious for a organic."

Rat : "Hey, maybe then I'll have a chance to be rid of your insufferable ass then. If they go for the squeaky clean behind the ears nobles like you first, at least. Maybe loony is more to their taste, though..." She eyes Fenrila uncertainly. She was wigging out on them again.

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: Hadrian flicked a switch next to him and a hologram of a Genestealer floated there. "The Genestealer is a horrific creature, two arms that can rend the plate of Terminator Armour, a natural preponderance for speed and stealth as well as its most unsettling ability, the ability to hypnotise and modify humans to bear offspring."

"Do not understimate them or their offspring." More holograms show up. "First generation: The first generation Hybrids are born to human (or otherwise) parents, one of which has been infected. Of all the generations they resemble Genestealers most closely. They have either three or four arms.

Second generation: Second generation hybrids always possess three arms, one of which ends in the genestealer claw.

Third Generation: These hybrids possess bodies somewhere between the crouched bodies of genestealers and the humanoid shapes of humans. They appear perpetually crouched, possess two or three arms one of which might end in a genestealer claw. Some lack the ovipositor of preceding generations; these are called drones or neuters, although they can still infect other races through their blood.

Fourth Generation: This generation is virtually indistinguishable from members of the host species. They retain the hypnotic gaze of genestealers, making them rather charismatic. A "mutant" which can appear among this generation is the Magus, which takes the highest position in a Genestealer Cult, besides the Genestealer Patriarch. The first offspring of fourth generation hybrids are invariably purestrain genestealers, allowing the cycle to continue."

Cain "Grim" Callidon : Cain frowned. "How... tough... are these xenos things?"

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: "If you see a Purestrain Genestealer." Hardian replied, "Run, and pray you run faster than anyone else near you."

Rat : "Don't have to tell me twice, boss."

Brutilla von Solarus : She waited for the inquisitor to answer the query of Cortez and then voiced her own concerns. "Do we have a cover for a group like us arriving her at this point in time? And, I suppose if regular people would see any of the... generations 1 through 3, they might think them mutants, so would looking for rumours about mutants be a way to find them?"

Narrator: From the aft decks a Serf comes out and hands a small datapad to Fenrila.

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: "The Genestealer Hybrids go to great lengths to conceal their presence, the fact we have advance warning at all is a blessing. There may be rumours about other cult activities, the Genestealers often go under the guise of another Cult. As for cover. There is no pre-defined cover. The safest bet is that you're free-agents on leave." Hardian responded with a nod.

Fenrila : She reads the contents and then nods slowly, more to convince herself and puts the data-slate away in her backpack.

Rat : Rat arches a brow, looking at Hardian, "Excuse me. Isn't this a hive world? I don't know about the rest of these guys, but I would have no problems fitting in." She muses the idea, mulling it over in her head... Perhaps if everyone died she could just join a hive gang for a while. Lay low. Pick up some Thrones. Then get out of there before the Ordo decided to purge the whole place... Maybe.

Hal: The Mastiff barked and Hal petted it, cooing in binary chatter. "Yes I quite agree with the honourable K-9, we are eager to sink our cybernetic fangs into this case. Though who is our mission leader, to have a purpose, one must have a master control circuit."

Rat : "Was that supposed to be a cheap shot, scrap-heap?" Rat glares.

Cortez Sigismund : "Cheap suits you vermin." Cortez said with a grin.

Hal: Hal blinked and stared at Rat. "Cheap shot> That depends on the munition used, bolt ammo is quite expensive. Clarify please."

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: "Not her." Was the Inquisitors first response. "Cortez will be in over-all command, though if the team needs to divide for any reason, Brutilla will command any separated group."

Fenrila : Fenrila shrugged, nobles in charge? Standard affair of the Imperium, or at least they thought they were in charge most of the time... but if the Inquisitor says so, then it must be for the mission at least.

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: The light in the bay turned red. "Five minutes until touchdown, is there anything further before I issue the special equipment for this mission?"

Brutilla von Solarus : She shook her head lightly, her eyes determined with religious fervor as she considered the task... or should she say tasks ahead.

Rat : "Yes. Are you sure I can't have a transfer? Maybe to a nice cushiony desktop? I could be a paper jockey. I'm sure of it."
desk job*

Cortez Sigismund : Cortez rubbed his chin for a moment before glancing sideways at rat. "Aside from not killing the vermin and not engaging the cult are we operating under any other restrictions?"

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: Hardian looked at Rat. "Why yes, I could have your Transferred to a Penal Legion before the day is out."

Rat : "Death to all Xenos it is then, boss."

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: Turning back to Cortez. "Collateral damage in the pursuit of your duties is, I hope, to be avoided. But if necessary the valiant citizens of the Imperium should be happy to give up their lives for you to see your mission through to completion. But..."
He paused dramatically. "If there is ANY sign that this taint is real and spreads to the planetary authorities you must investigate, at all costs."

Rat : "You mean -I- might get to bust Arbites instead of the other way around? This is actually starting to sound like fun!"

Cortez Sigismund : "It is better to die for the emperor than live for ones self." Cortez said quietly to himself.

Hal: Hal was silent, though his Mechadendrite twitched in excitement at the prospect of 'special equipment'. The mechadendrite with needles that accidentally flashed before Fenrila's face.

Cain "Grim" Callidon : "I was always more partial to making them die for their leaders Cort." The assassin remarked at Cortez with a cold grin. "Hal knows what I mean."

Cortez Sigismund : Hearing the rats comment Cotrez glared at the thing and then looked back to the inquisitor, can we wound this thing so long as we don't kill it?" he asked motioning towards rat.

Fenrila : Fenrila saw the needles and let out a yelp, pushing her back to the bulkhead of the vessel and then closed her eyes, suppressing the memories.

Cain "Grim" Callidon : "Oy, careful around the ladies with the needles Hal, you're an Tech Priest, not a tattooist." Cain brushed the Mechadendrite away from Fenrila. "You ok?"

Fenrila : She blinked and looked at the assassin, just nodding. "Fine... don't like needles." She muttered and nervously looked at the tech priest.

Rat : "If he was, I'd have asked for a new electoo already," Rat shrugs, looking at Fenrila. "Hey, Nutter. Relax. It's not like he's going to turn you into a pincushion right here in front of the boss."
She pauses for a moment, "He'll at least let us touch dirt first."

Hal: Hal looked confused, not like needles? Illogical. But then turned back to the inquisitor, his various technological bits shivering in anticipation.

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: Hardian ushered forwards a few of his equerries. "The first piece of equipment," He handed on to each of the team members, a slender rod about thirty centimetres in length and five or so thick studded with runic icons in high gothic. Hal would recognise it instantly as a teleporter beacon. "Is a teleport beacon, once, if, you find a genestealer nest, get somewhere relatively open and twist the top end to activate it. Then stand clear."
The next was a small container containing a single pill. "If you find yourself captured by a Genestealer Cult, swallow this."

Hal: He held the rod in his hands, stroking it soothingly to appease the machine spirits contained within.

Rat : "It's not a fun kind of pill... Is it, boss?..."

Fenrila : She looked at the pill in her hand. She was about to ask the same question as Rat and then just closed her mouth, waiting for the answer.

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: "It's a microscopic sample of the life-eater virus, enough to kill you quickly before they can.... turn you." Hardian replied.

Hal: Hal resisted the urge to examine the pill more thoroughly, if only he had more data on the Biologus!

Fenrila : She looked at the pill hard, swallowed and then put it in a pocket.

Cortez Sigismund : Cortez glanced between the pill and rat for a few moments open consideration on his face about force feeding the vermin the pill... before he pocketed it in his vest pocket.

Cain "Grim" Callidon pocketed the pill and rod with little concern. Yet.

Rat : Rat purses her lips before putting it in a safe place. She had to seriously consider whether or not to take it now and spare herself another dreadful experience with the rest of this group... Definitely not worth it, she liked living well enough. Regardless of what the whole lot claimed about the God-Emperor, she still had her doubts she'd be anything but carrion after death.

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: Hardian turned to Cortez and Brutilla passing each a dataslate. "On this is software to take control of any Vox system in the Hive. Use it only in emergencies to contact me. And Hal, don't try and sneak one off of them to take a look. Your mechanicus already knows how it works, they're the ones who provided me with it."

Brutilla von Solarus : She looked at the pill with distaste, but from what she gathered about these genestealers and infecting human subjects, dead was preferable she supposed. Thanking the inquisitor with a respectful nod for the dataslate.

Rat : Rat eyes the dataslates, wondering how much she could get from a single one of those given its capabilities...

Hal: Hal perked up at what he heard, but then drooped his shoulders and Mechadendrite in disappointment.

Cortez Sigismund : "Try it vermin." Cortez says as he notices the look rat was giving the dataslates, he patted the chain-knife on his hip before he took his dataslate and popped it away securely on his person

Rat : "I didn't do a thing," She raises her hands innocently, looking away.

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: The light turned green. "Ten seconds to touchdown." Hardian waited before a jarring slam was felt through the whole ship. "Now, get to work, and take that thing with you." He points at Rat.

Rat : Rat raises a brow, grin spreading, "Oh you know you love me, boss. Just admit it and enough with the name calling... Unless you're into that sort of thing. I haven't had a nice rough tumble for awhile, after all."

Inquisitor Hardian Van Telserine Del Shanxi: Hardian looked at Rat. "I'd sooner tumble with a Catachani Devil than you. Without drink."

Cortez Sigismund : Cortez gave rat a hard shove towards the end of the ramp before heading out himself.

Rat : "Jealous?" Rat all but purrs at Cortez as he shoves her.
Cortez Sigismund : "You want to get shot again don't you." Cortez sneered at the rat.

Brutilla von Solarus : She stood up and followed after Cortez, walking beside him and then turning to converse. "What is the plan, ser Cortez?"

Narrator: The landing pat was high in the hive, some seven kilometres above the cloud layer, little more than platform a hundred and fifty metres across, from within the large hatch at the end a team of Servitors emerged and began hooking up the Gun-Cutter to the services as a small man approached the team, once finally outside of the Guncutter its hatches slammed shut leaving the team facing the fellow.

Hal: Hal stood up and muttered in binary cant to his Mastiff who followed loyally, a new world, a new adventure for a emissary of the Omnisiah.

NPC: The small officious man seemed to be about as round across as he was tall and spoke with a heavy nasal voice. "Welcome to Hoyland's Hope. Purpose for Visit?" He took out a dataslate.

Rat : "Pleasure," Rat purrs out instantly.

Fenrila : Fenrila quietly waited till everyone else had gone... or she thought she did when she saw Cain still there with a gulp and weak smile she stood up and nodded to him before quickly getting off, looking for danger, there was always danger, especially for one like her.

Cortez Sigismund : "Personal leave." Cortez replied while glaring at the rat.

Rat : "Why so serious, darling? It's our honeymoon, after all!" she smirks, pressing closer to Cortez.

Cortez raised his hand and delivered a backhanded slap to the rat.

NPC: "Personal leave." The Official nodded. Looking at the display. "I can see why. If I had a wife like that i'd have her muzzled.... and bathed."

Cortez Sigismund : "Id rather shoot her if she were actually my wife... make that I'd rather shoot myself." Cortez said to the official

Rat : Rat winces and rubs her cheek, "I should have listened to my mother about you! Sure, its all fine when you want a roll in sheets, but nooo, once we're out in public, you're ashamed of me!"

NPC: The man pretended he didn't see anything. "Names of yourself and party please." He asked.

Brutilla von Solarus : She turned to Rat, irritated at the display of someone who should feel honoured to be in a Inquisitorial team with her low birth and all. "Be silent and let your... husband speak."

Rat crosses her arms, looking away. Stupid nobles ganging up on her. She moves back to stand beside Fenrila, leaning back just a bit to inspect her posterior curiously.

Fenrila : She looked alarmed when she noticed Rat staring at her behind and turned to her and then tried to look at her own ass. "What? What!? Is there something on me!?"

Cain "Grim" Callidon : Cain glared at Rat. "Yes, she has an ass too. Fen may be a psyker, that doesn't make her a mutant too."

Rat : Rat presses a finger to her lips, nodding to the Priest before mimicking like she was zipping her lips. She couldn't tell the psyker there -wasn't- something on her, after all.

Hal: Hal stepped forwards and puffed himself up as best he could. "Tech Priest Hal, servant of the blessed Omnisiah and caretaker of the honourable K-9." He made the symbol of the sacred Cog.

Cain "Grim" Callidon : "Cain Callidon, with Personnel, Hiring and Firing." Cain said making the sign of the Cog.

Cortez Sigismund : Sighing at Brutilla's... poor choice of words... he focused on the official again. " Sergeant Cortez Sigismund." Cortez said before turning and gesturing towards Brutilla, "The Lady Brutilla Von Solarius," Then the psyker, "Fenrilla, imperial sanctioned psyker, and that thing... I don't know that it even has a name..." Cortez finished introducing those that had not given their own names as he gestured vaguely at the rat.

NPC: "Ah." The official headed over to Hal. "The Adeptus Mechanicus Enclave requested I pass this onto you when you arrived. So sorry for the delay." He returned to glance at the others. "Expected time of stay?"

Brutilla von Solarus : Brutilla spoke up at that, "For as long as it takes to cleanse souls of wickedness." She did not specify which souls.

NPC: The Official frowned and glared at Brutilla. "I'm issuing you with one week Visitation Authority. If your stay looks like it is going to exceed this, please see the immigration office on Sublevel 1099." He passed out some cards printed out of his dataslate and shuffled off back inside.

Rat : "Did he just say... Authority?" Rat grins.

Cortez Sigismund : "Well then.. you shutup..." Cortez said trying to forestall the rat

Brutilla von Solarus : She watched the official leave and then turned to Cortez. "A week, well then, where shall we start?"

Rat : She opens her mouth to offer her own opinion, sees the expressions on the nobles' faces and decided she really would rather not get shot at -this time-.

Cortez Sigismund : "Actually... as much as it pains me to admit..." Cortez says with a sigh. " Vermin... You're more familiar with the dregs of society than most of us, where ywould you go to start seeking mutants?" Cortez says.

Cain "Grim" Callidon : Cain shook his head. "How about inside for a start, its fething freezing up here." With that he advanced inside trying to politely usher Fenrila in before she froze to death.

Fenrila : She let out a eep and was about to hurl fire but noticed it was Cain and relaxed, a little, he was good people. "Uhm yes, inside sounds nice."

Hal: Hal shuffled towards Cortez, the token he had received clutched tight in his hand. "My apologies but I must attend pressing matters, I need to go to the Mechanicus Enclave. Perhaps I can meet up with you all to a place of establishment we can call headquarters?"

Rat : Rat nods, "Talk on the way, then." She states, draping an arm about Fenrila lazily and using her as a personal heater. The Psyker had her uses.

Cortez Sigismund : Now that someone had called attention to the temperature Cortez did start to feel somewhat chilled, so he nodded to the assasain and headed inside himself.

Fenrila : She flinched at the personal touch of Rat but again relaxed, a little. "Could you please remove that arm." She asked, trying to sound convincing but probably sounding scared.

Rat : Rat looks at her, "I would, but I'm keeping you safe, Fen. I'd tell you what from, but I'm not allowed to say."

Hal: He figured he must have been speaking in binary again and repeated the question to Cortez. "Flesh voices are such a burden... mind if I install a perfectly logical vox-synthesizer so you can commune in Binary?"

Rat : As they get inside, Rat draws away, feeling better with the artificially sustained environment. It was more like home, but still not quite there. She looks to Cortez, "You really want my opinion on this one?"

Cortez Sigismund : "As painful as it is to admit, yes." Cortez replied. as much as he disliked the creature he had to agree with the inquisitors assement of it when they had spoken privately aboard the guncutter, 'The Rat' had its uses.

NPC: A figure walked up out of the Dark, a velvet purple coat on and walked up to Cain without a steps deviance. "Ah I was told you would be arriving, we have a little something for you, good pay, needs to be done inside of a week."

Cain "Grim" Callidon : Cain pocketed the small slate. "It'll get done." He bowed once.

NPC: The man returned the bow and left the way he came.

Rat : Rat nods, "Check out the local gangs and arbites on the floor in question. Look for areas suspiciously avoided by the former or possibly of low crime rate with the latter. Could narrow it down to an lower area. I mean, hiver gangs, they have their own turfs established and tend to keep them controlled."

Cain "Grim" Callidon : Cain looked around, born on a Forgeworld this dilapidated hive hardly impressed him. "Perhaps we should see to lodging near LV-426 first, give us somewhere to work from?" And it'd give him a chance to check out the contract in private.

Cortez Sigismund : "Agreed, we need base of operations." Cortez said as he started moving to find transport to the lower levels. "Lets head out and see what we can find."

Cain "Grim" Callidon paused long enough to reverse his Chameleon cloak so that its adaptive surface was underneath leaving the black side facing out. No need to stand out.

Rat : Rat freezes as she notices the butterfly light tough as the man in passing slipped something in her pocket. She acts like it was nothing but nods, "With you on this one, Sij. Let's bunk down."

Brutilla von Solarus : "Agreed, we can make a plan from there." She nodded and murmured a soft prayer to the emperor as she walked.

Rat : Rat purposedly begins to blather nothing in an attempt to distract Brutila from her prayers. The muttering got annoying and she might just be a bit vindictive about that command earlier.

Cortez Sigismund : Cortez feels a slight tugging at his sleeve and stops to see Hal trying to get his attention. he cast his mind back trying to think of what the techpreist had said earlier before it came to him... "The enclave you said...If you must, it should be easy enough to get a message to you there, ask if your bretheren have any information about the case while you're there, we may as well cover all bases." Cortez said ignoring the second comment he recalled Hal saying.

Hal: "Of course!" He said, surprised and shocked, as if he would not ask his fellow Tech priests, they were, with the exception of Cain, the only people who he would have a intelligent conversation with.
With that he walked away, K-9 following his master.

Cain "Grim" Callidon gave Hal the sign of the Cog before he turned to make his way to the Enclave.

Narrator: The team busy working out where to stay finds several places of note. Finally they were preparing to decide, but Rat herself was a problem, being unwelcome in there.
Rat : Rat takes a chance, walking over and tapping the shoulder of a younger highborn and puts on her best flirtatious face as she leans in, "Looking for a good time, kid?" Given how stuck up the nobles apparently were being, she was going to need a new set of clothes before she was even remotely able to slip in there.

Narrator: "Always toots. What ya got in mind?" He winked lasciviously at her.

Rat : Rat smiles and leans in and whispers, "Well, I wouldn't mind a nice tumble. Could get us a room, but not opposed to the alley, sweetie."

Narrator: "Feel free to show me the goods, then we'll see." He remarked and passed her a small bottle of perfume, "And a liberal dose of that if you don't mind terribly much."

Rat : Rat bites back a comment, about to imply something about the noble and his mother with the perfume before spritzing it over herself, looking at him before promptly hooking her thumbs under the edges of her shirt and flashing the noble. "These pass inspection?"

NPC: The noble snorts and walks off. "They're nice enough, thanks for the look." And heads into the Bishop with mocking laughter.

Rat : Rat's jaw drops as she just stands there, huffing before going over and grabbing Cortez by his jacket, "Let me wear your stupid coat and someone's hat to at least get inside. Otherwise, we're staying at some place more suited to -my- tastes."

Cortez Sigismund: "Take your hands off the cloth, vermin. because there is no way in hell you are wearing my coat. Besides its far too big for you." Cortez raised an eyebrow and stared rat down while he waited for her to unhand him.

Rat : Rat releases and crosses her arms, "Just because I'm small... I could hike it up or something, you know!"

Brutilla von Solarus : "I don't think those bouncers would fall for it even if you did that Rat." Brutilla said in response.

Cain "Grim" Callidon : Cain turns to Fenrila. "Is she talking about her pants or Cortez's jacket?"

Rat : "It fooled the guards at your family's estate, Tilly," she retorts.

Fenrila : Fenrila just looked on, not understanding what was going, she just shivered again at the feeling she got when they were at that one place, the Phoenix. Cain's question snapped her out of her thoughts and she turned and shrugged. "I have no idea."

Cortez Sigismund: Cortez checked his pockets before buried his face in his hand as he listened to the others before groaning quietly but audibly, he was probably going to regret this. "lets go find a suitable merchant to get something that actually fits."

Brutilla von Solarus : "Yes but it didn't fool me once I caught up with you, best remember that." She then went quiet and simply nodded, agreeing with Cortez.

Rat : "Only if you pay for it. I'm still more than happy to stay at the Brass Icon," she snorts.

Brutilla von Solarus : After a moment of thought she stopped and turned to Cortez. "Perhaps I can stay behind while you are off to... clothe the poor. I can already start our purpose for being here."

Cortez Sigismund: "Do you have funds enough for enough rooms for the six of us?" Cortez asked , not seeing any problem with brutilla's suggestion.

Brutilla von Solarus : "I have some funds, but I imagine a extended stay will empty my purse, when joining the Ecclesiarchy I decided not to stay dependent on my family for wealth you see."

Cortez Sigismund: "I see." Cortez said as he fished out approximately one thousand thrones in large denomination coins and passed them to Brutilla. "I on the other hand gladly accept the credit line my family extends to do the emperors work."

Brutilla von Solarus : She took the thrones with a nod. "So I see... best of luck." She said to Cortez and then glanced at Rat. "I have a feeling you need it more than we do."

Rat : Rat mocks a deep curtsey, "Thank you for your concern, Tilly. It's most heartwarming." She flutters her eyes and makes a kissy face mockingly.

Cortez Sigismund: Cortez clips the rat around the back of the head as he turns to walk away. "Come on then."

Narrator: Brutilla, Cain and Fenrila headed for the Bellowing Bishop, its faux-marble facade, the nobles within drinking and making merry as more than half undressed women of exceptional, and possibly artificially enhanced, beauty made the rounds of the tables. If Rat had been present she'd have noticed the signs between the toes and inner thighs of those visible that the 'working girls' were probably kept on a retainer by drug dependency, but none of that was noticeable to the noble or psyker.

Cain being an assassin was more perceptive and noticed these small, but informative signs as he entered with the other two, not at all surprised.

Brutilla von Solarus : She took a look around, ignoring the female... staff. And walked towards the reception desk to inquire about the possibility of acquiring a number of rooms for a extended stay.

NPC: "Can I help you maam?" The man behind the desk asked. He was tall and sleekly dressed, more like a dancer than a concierge. The sight of a pistol belt bearing a couple of stub auto's revealed that he was also 'security' for any especially rowdy customers.

Brutilla von Solarus: "I hope you can." She offered a brief smile before she got to business. "I am Brutilla von Solarus, cleric of the God-Emperor and I would like to acquire two to three rooms, for two people each. I am on leave with several others, six in total, though one of us is a tech priest with a cyber mastiff, I assume he can have his... pet with him? Servants of the Mechanicus rarely like to stay away from their constructs I believe."

NPC: "So long as it doesn't oil itself on the rugs." The man chuckled at his private joke, and catching the extremely unimpressed expression from Cain pulled himself together. "Of course of course, it'll be a hundred thrones a room, the rent is good for three days, though if you plan a longer stay I recommend paying in advance." He coughed as he looked at his slate. "Room Service is extra depending on what you order, we can also provide a morning wake up call if you wish, and use of the terminals is complimentary, use of the... girls, or men if you prefer, is also extra."

Brutilla von Solarus : "I think for any extra services we need to discuss as a group... though the use of the last I decline politely, thank you. I was wondering however if I could persuade you to lower the price you are asking, we might have a extended stay and you would earn it back no doubt."

"But if that is impossible I understand, I was wondering if you could provide directions to the cathedral however."

NPC: The man began blustering before straightening his jacket, "I am afraid that is quite impossible dear lady, this is an establishment of class, if you are after cheap, the Brass Icon or Wizard of Zo is to be more your liking." He managed to say without an insulting tone, or at least not MUCH of one. "But if you're after class, I'm afraid you'll have to meet the house prices. As for the Cathedral. There is one on LV-426 in Quadran PX-942-23, the locals call it 'the Bog' it's filth, I mean residents, could give you better directions from around there."

Brutilla von Solarus : She counted out 300 thrones in front of the man, mulling the bit about the cathedral over, that was not a promising start. "Thank you. I trust the rooms are either connected to each other or are directly next to each other?"

NPC: "Certainly" He nodded. "Fine rooms facing the most open space of the court. Though they do not share doors from room to room, they are next to one another." He said.

Cain "Grim" Callidon : Cain considered the situation and decided he'd want to check out these rooms, cover the windows, move the beds so they weren't in an easy place to fire on from the door, check the balcony to see if it was possible to get into and out of the rooms from there.

Brutilla von Solarus : Brutilla handed the keys to Cain when he seemed to show a interest in looking at them, while informing both him and Fenrila she wanted to start asking some questions to the current clientele present at the Bishop about any potential leads, Fenrila offering to assist her.

Cain "Grim" Callidon : Cain checked the rooms and found that they were fairly luxurious, though as expected, the windows faced onto a Balcony. He spent the next half hour re-arranging the rooms to a security conscious arrangement and made his way back down to the main room to watch the women. Especially Fenrila, he didn't need her being tricked into ending up working for this establishment, though with her fear of needles that was a defence she had.

Narrator: As Brutilla and Fenrila circle the main floor asking probing questions, with a degree of unexpected subtlety, fishing for rumours and stories, they begin to hear numerous stories.

Cain: Cain took the opportunity to check the datapad that had been slipped to him upstairs. The image on its face burned into his mind. The target's name. "Franco Del Corta" a Press-Gang Leader who had been pressing young nobility that frequented a place called the... Cain groaned, 'Bellowing Bishop' the very pub he was in, into service as ratings for the Imperial Navy. Some notable noble houses wanted him removed, publicly.

Narrator: Meanwhile the women were able to collate their stories. One of the more consistent was the moving of suspicious figures in and out of a place called the Phoenix club at all hours. While come nighttime it was as lively as any nightclub, the stories spoke of men and women who moved around the club and people parted like the sea before them and closed together as they passed as if they had never existed. Hooded robed figures.

Many of the rumours also claim that the man who owns and runs the Phoenix Club was a major Underboss in the Rayvens Underhive Gang and that he'd been getting concerned about being 'pushed out' by these strangers.

Cain: Cain made his way over to the Terminals and typed in a message for the Enclave. "Engineer Hal, we're present in the Bellowing Bishop." Cain typed in the co-ordinates for the Tech Priest. It'd be much easier for him than directions.

Brutilla von Solarus : Intrigued and after conferring with Fenrila, the two of them decided to inquire about the whereabouts of the real owner of the Phoenix club, perhaps he could offer more insight in the matter.

Narrator: The general answers were ignorance or the typical "The phoenix club would probably be a good start."

Brutilla von Solarus : She frowned but it had to do she supposed, next she asked Fenrila to ask her with something else, hoping she would go along without asking any questions, which she did thankfully as Brutilla next tried to converse and find out about anything strange going on during the sermons of the cathedral or if the sermons had changed all of a sudden.

Narrator: Despite them having heard the rumours going around LV-426, the general tone is one of mocking curiosity, the most common response being along the lines of 'Do we look like we come down here for Church?' followed by the speaker fondling one of the passing serving girls.

Brutilla von Solarus : She frowned but nodded, at least they had found out about the Phoenix that could result in some interesting leads. She thanked her conversation partners and moved away to look out for Cain and inform him about what she and Fenrila had discovered.

Cain: Cain listened with an analytical mind. The place apparently gave Fenrila the shivers, and even Rat seemed concerned about it. And yet he was a sniper, there was little support he would prefer to offer available, but who amongst them WAS the best suited? The dirty-urchin woman...

Brutilla von Solarus : She waved Hal over as he appeared, "I suppose now we need to wait for Cortez and Rat to return, to discuss what options we have and how to use them wisely."

Cain: Cain nodded. "I have some enquiries of my own to make." He shrugged and headed for the bar.
"Hey, I've got forty thrones if you happen to have any decent information about the whereabouts of a Franco Del Corta." Cain showed the barkeep the pad's image of the man.

The Barkeep leaned forwards. "Sure, I could tell you about Franco, goddamned skinflint comes in here every damned night, pays with shaved thrones and leads the 'adventuring party' he's guiding down into the give down Abbian Way, the main throughfare outside." The bartender's voice goes to a whisper, "E frightens me, so I don't say nuffin, but if something were ta 'appen to 'im i'd not shed a tear."
Cain smiled at the man and shuffled him the forty thrones. If this Franco were a skinflint this guy was so willing to sell out, shortchanging him might just lead him to tell Franco someone was looking for him.

Hal: Hal greeted the others, eager to share data he had uncovered but something needed to be discussed first in private to Cain, moving to the assassin. "Cain, would you be so cooperative as to show me where we will be sleeping here."

Cain: Cain nodded and lead Hal up the stairs to the three rooms that they'd secured. "What is it?" He asked when he thought they were out of earshot.

Hal: "What is it?" He querried and then frowned, "I just wished to see where we slept. Oh and to inform you about some interesting data." He then told Cain, in the Acolyte speak their inquisitor taught them, about his conversation with the Magos. Informing him about the cult that uses a manufactorum and that they might be linked if not one and the same Xenos infested cult they were searching proof about. He mentioned he needed to leave a device, but not what it was for or what it could do, just that it needed to be concealed within the target manufactorum which he believed he had found the whereabouts already thanks to some investigation. He finished the tale, staring at Cain, "I would like you assistance with this, as well as your discretion in this matter. The finer details must be kept to ourselves."

Cain nodded and showed the Tech-Priest to a room that he would share with Cortez.

Hal: "Thank you, now lets rejoin the others, I am eager to exchange data as soon as possible." Hal said, excited.

Fenrila : Meanwhile while the two forge worlders were plotting something, Fenrila had nervously told Brutilla about feeling rather... unnerved at the Phoenix club when it was clear they might venture there at some point in their investigation. "That place... it made my skin crawl, I don't know why."

Brutilla von Solarus : "I see." She said slowly, thinking this over, she had to admit, dealing with a psyker did not sit well with her but Fenrila seemed devout enough. She even had a aquila tattoo, she wished to explore the Cathedral more, probably due to her given task but if it is linked to the cult somehow. They would see whenever Cortez and Rat returned. "Maybe there were other psykers there?"

Cain: Coming down the stairs Cain sat down with the others. "Fenrila, you'll share a room with me, we don't need another 'incident' after all. Brutilla, if Cortez can actually manage to make Rat presentable enough, you mind keeping an eye on her in your room?" The implication of the last rooms occupants left plain.

Fenrila : She shook her head and then frowned. "Maybe... though I never felt like that around other psykers, might be something else there that is giving me the creeps." At the others rejoining she blinked, smiled slowly and then frowned, blinking again as she looked at Cain. Was he planning something? No, no she could trust him right? She had saved his life and he was just watching out for her, that was it, yeah.

Brutilla von Solarus: She nodded again and turned to Cain. "I suppose I can do that, I just wished she could see beyond our shared past. We are both in service to the inquisition, still I think due to my heritage she likes to try and irritate me, especially Cortez for some reason." She turned around and looked for the entrance. "Speaking of them, where are they?"

Cain: "They can't be far." Cain said. An observant person would notice Cain had picked the chair with its back to the wall.

Cortez Sigismund: Cortez had tried to convince Cybil a dozen times as they traversed the levels on their return to the Bellowing Bishop, that if she wanted to pull off the part she was dressed for, she would need to stop slouching, stand up straight, and stop ogling anything shiny that passed her vision. Unfortunately he was beginning to think the street rat might be something of a lost cause by the time they neared the Bishop.

“Do me one small favour if you will,” he said in a tone that indicated a resigned suffering. “Keep your mouth closed as we enter, you may be able to look and even walk the part if you try, but your manner of speech and vocabulary would clearly mark you as a pretender.” He concluded before slowly offering his arm for her to take in the appropriate fashion.

Rat : She stops tugging at the all too tight fabric meant for those of higher-breeding that seemed specifically designed to make it impossible to breathe, walk properly or even move much at all. With a dejected sigh, she lifts a far too white arm and threads it through Cortez'. Of course she stood out even more as one born of the void with the grit all-but eviscerated by the boutique. "Very well, I will... refrain, from my usual... Or at least, try to... I suppose."

Narrator: The Bouncers don't recognise Rat as she approaches though they do recognise Cortez. "Trading up eh sir. Good move getting one that knows what a bath is sir, gagging while shagging is never fun...." His compatriot coughts. "Sorry sir. No offence intended, your party is waiting inside."
Cortez Sigismund: "Thankyou." Cortez said with a small grin as he flipped the bouncers a throne each. Who the grin was for however was not implied.

Rat : She purses her lips into a thin line, biting her tongue. Just a little further and she could talk... This was just a test, well she wasn't going to fail that easily!

NPC: As Cortez and Rat enter the club both of them can overhear the other Bouncer saying to the first. "You fucking retarded Lummox, what would you have done if he'd challenged you to a duel? Said pretty please can I shit myself?"

Cortez Sigismund: "Wait till we're with the others." Cortez said quietly to Cybil as he spotted the others at a rear booth and instead started for the bar

Rat : She blinks in confusion, wondering for a few moments why they were not going directly to the group... She gives him a questioning look, trying to stand on her tippy-toes to see over the crowd. Was there trouble?

NPC: A young and very drunk young nobleman stands up, in a very vague definition of 'standing up' and steps in front of Cortez. "You sir!" He says with a thick slur, "Stud on my sadow!" His speech effected by his drunken stupor. "I demand shatishfacshun!"

Cortez Sigismund: Cortez had seen the rules of the Bishop writen quite clearly on the wall as he entered, specifically the no duelling rule.So rather than act as many self important nobles he had met over the years, bastards the lot of them, did he instead smiled warmly at the drunk and raised 1 hand in a none-threatening manner. "Then let me buy you another round as an apology." He said jovially as he signalled one of the wait-staff over to fulfil his words.

The fellow stopped and tried to focus on Cortez. "A drinksh you shay? I shuppose I could..."

The noble then proceeds to vomit all over Cortez's feet. "You knowsh what? I shink i'm done." And passes out onto the floor... in his own vomit puddle.
Cortez can see tears in the eye of a servingman who picks up the mop and bucket from behind the bar.

Cortez Sigismund: "I'm going to need new boots now." Cortez said with a sigh. before resuming his course to the bar.

Brutilla von Solarus : They all saw the commotion from their table, thinking they needed assistance but with what followed Bruttila just shook her head, hiding a small smile.

Hal: Hal looked at the scene, frowning, to the other 3 at the booth. "It simply does not compute, why would anyone drink so much to do that without a means to neutralize the toxins? It simply baffles logic."

Rat : Rat stifles a small amused chuckle, following Cortez. So maybe this could be more her type of scene. Nobles making idiots of themselves... and ripe for the picking too!

Cain: "Early to rise and early to drink leaves a man stupid, drunk, asleep in his stink." Cain remarked in a singsong voice.

Fenrila : Fenrila just shrugged, she didn't consume alcohol... it did... funny stuff to her. "Some things cannot be explained."

Hal: Hal scoffed at that remark. Everything could be explained, it was just the question if the Omnisiah allowed it to be explained. He did not voice that out loud due to the cleric at the table, he knew how they viewed the Cult Mechanicus at times.

Cain: "Like why people would invent a game where people who understand the rules can literally never win." Cain pointed out thinking of Tic Tac Toe.

Cortez Sigismund: Arriving at the bar without further impediments Cortez signalled the bartender. "A round of drinks for the rear booth if you will, one of the better brews thankyou." He said before looking towards the booth and reconsidering... "Better make that three brews and three waters I think." he added as he considered the people in the group.

Rat : Rat curses inwardly. If he hadn't changed that, she would have been more than happy to drink what the others would have passed up.

Cain: "That'll be 123 thrones." The Bartender said as he poured three shots of Liquid of Amberic, a very high quality drink indeed, and three glasses of water.

Cortez Sigismund: "Of course." Cortez said as he fished out the thrones. It was daylight robbery but it was better not to make a fuss and keep up appearances instead he thought.

Rat : Rat raises her brow in utter surprise before leaning closer to Cortez, murmuring, "Sij, all this money you've thrown about today. A girl might think you're trying to impress her or something."

Cortez Sigismund: "If money is all it takes to impress you then i certainly wouldn't be interested." Cortez remaked dryly

Rat : She snorts and shakes her head, "No, its that prickly attitude that seals the deal, obviously. Like hugging a cactus."

Hal: Hal turned to K-9, "See what is taking them so long and guide them back to the booth." He muttered and then added in binary. <"Take samples of the vomit if there are any left by the staff and analyze it.">

NPC: The Cyberhound heads over to the pile of vomit and samples it, and is only able to relay that it's only human vomit lacking any real scientific analysis equipment before heading to herd Cortez and Rat over to the booth with threatening barks.

Rat: Rat eyes the water, tempted to see what the liquid would do to a cyber-mastiff... Or maybe that was only cyber-felines? She puzzles over the idea, moving a few steps away from the dog and shoots a glare at Hal.

Cortez Sigismund: "Call off the mutt, Hal." Cortez said over his microbead as he started towards the booth with three of the drinks, the alcholic ones specifically, leaving Cybil to bring the waters.

Hal: Hal muttered something in binary, He thought at the mastiff.

Hal muttered something in binary, 'Silence K-9, disable irritate angry neighbor mode' He thought at the mastiff.

Rat: She follows with a sigh, grabbing the water and setting them down at the center of the table, threatening to tip the water out towards Hal by absolute accident once before reconsidering it as a phantom twinge hits, reminding her of the last time she dealt with a canid of any sorts, leave alone one with far sharper metal teeth.

Hal: Sensing K-9 was for some reason going to go into full 'hell bark mode' he grabbed the mastiff by the neck. <"Quiet."> He said in binary, while muttering soothing words in binary to it.

NPC: K-9 fought the orders as a primitive part of its hound brain railed against the orders. It LIKED barking. Instead it nipped at Hal, harmlessly, but enough to convey the displeasure of its machine spirit and being quietened in such an undignified manner.

Fenrila : Fenrila covered her ears and winced. "Can't you do something about that?"

Hal: Hal stood up towering over his disloyal pet. <"Quiet K-9, or it is the screwdriver for you!">

Cain: Cain looked at the hound. "If you keep barking the bad magos will be around to neuter you."

K-9 silenced himself with a canine whine, though in response to whom, we'll never know.

Cain: "So... what are we going to do?" Cain asked as Cortez and Rat sat down and he took a glass of water watching the door.

Hal: <"Good dog, I'll see about using some sacred oil in the near future on your parts."> He blinked and noticed as if for the first time the rest of the party. "Ah, apologies. His machine spirit was irritated it seems." He then turned to Cortez. "No doubt our glorious leader wished to know where I went, well let me tell you...." Hal went in, detailing lasciviously, all in acolyte speak, about the greatness of the Omnisiah and the Enclave of his faithful on this world, until one of them probably told him to get to the point. He told them that the Enclave suspect certain activity from a manufactorum that might have a link to the Xenos infestation they are here to investigate. Finishing that he also had found the location from which they operate for further detailed investigation.

He finished with, "It might implicate that whatever they are up to, if they are one and the same, these Xenos might require vehicles for something."

Rat: All but ignoring Hal for the most of his mechanicus ranting, she pulls out the note that had been slipped into her pocket hours ago and starts her attempts to try and figure out what it said.
Narrator: As she pulls out the note she sees a series of pictures, they're probably words, but the real key was the drawing, a very detailed one, of an item that looked like it belonged in a Cathedral's reliquary. Her target for theft most likely.

Brutilla von Solarus : "I see... we also discovered something after making some inquiries." She turned to Cortez. "Apparently suspicious figures are getting in and out of the Phoenix club, hooded robed figures. Sounds like people hiding something at least. The man who owns the club, we didn't get a name, is or was a major underboss of the Rayvens Underhive gang and it is said he was getting concerned about being pushed out by these strangers. Perhaps we can locate him and find out more." She cleared her throat. "Also... I wish to investigate the Cathedral. I have... heard some concerning stories I wish to investigate if there is any truth to them." She didn't want to say more, if the faithful at the cathedral were turned, then it might cause unwanted panic.

Narrator: Hal, looking over Rat's shoulders reads in a broken low gothic. "If you can read this, stop reading over people's shoulders. It's rude and we know Rat can't read. Stupid git."

Rat : Rat perks up at the mention of the cathedral, what with her pretty drawing here in her hand, it made sense. In the acolyte tongue she answers "Both good, but I'm thinking the boss probably is still in action. The whole Phoenix Club reeks of a cover-up."

Hal: Hal mutters something in binary. <"How rude."> The pictures were rather, simplistic but when he noticed it was related to the imperial church he ignored it, not worth his time.

Fenrila : She coughed and nervously raised a hand. "Uhm, can I say something?"

Rat: "You remember how to, right?" she arches a brow.

Fenrila : She blinked, "Of course I do... why wouldn't I?" She frowned and looked odd at Rat, "What are you implying?"

Cain: Cain looked at Cortez "I think your 'wife' needs another slap around the back of the head."

Rat: Rat smirks and shakes her head as if she knew something Fen didn't.

Cortez Sigismund: "You could be right. Cortez replies to cain as he raises an eyebrow ar Cybil.

Brutilla von Solarus : She smiled and nodded to Fenrila, "Feel free to speak up." Figuring what Fenrila wanted to say.

Rat: She gulps and stops trying to play games with the psyker for now.

Fenrila : "Thanks." She murmured to the cleric noble and then cleared her throat. "That place, the Phoenix one, it... well it gave me a wrong feeling, as in my talents warned me of it, might be a good place to look but... well just guessing here, if I can feel something that gives me the shivers, then that what gives me that feeling could sense me too, just saying."

Rat: She frowns leaning in, "If anything, these Hood-guys may be the cause. Or maybe the club is in over their heads, but I don't think gangers are so into the whole deal. Not any I remember. Its hard enough to get around the arbites without inquisitors sniffing around."

Cain: Cain had been saved by Fenrila's senses before and wasn't about to discount it in any way, especially since they hadn't ordered any seafood to otherwise blame an ill feeling on. Though he was beginning to suspect that Rat preferred 'seafood' so to speak.

Brutilla von Solarus: Brutilla looked around and then at Cortez. "I actually think that if we go after the Phoenix, we should first find out where the owner is and question him. Perhaps by asking about the Rayven Underhive gang in one of the other establishments we could have taken rooms?" She looked directly at Rat. "Perhaps Rat her could be even be of better assistance with that."

Cortez Sigismund: "She'll need to change for that." Cortez said sternly

Rat: Rat raises her drink, sipping from it before smirking, adding in a joking, "Yeah, well what's in it for me?"

Cain: "Continuing to work for the Inquisition instead of being shot in the head by one of the two nobles here seems like a good offer Rat." Cain remarked in the cant taught to them.

Rat: Rat purses her lips, glaring at Cain and shifts a little away from Cortez and Brutilla, <"Now, now. Let's not get trigger-happy.">

Brutilla von Solarus: She looked shocked at those words of Cain. "Excuse me, I wouldn't shoot anyone for such a thing, unless they did commit acts of crime or heresy that warrants such action." She shook her head.

Cortez Sigismund: "I might consider it..." Cortez said before taking a long drink.
Hal: Hal cocked his head, "Do share your considerations, illustrious and illuminated leader. Where will we continue our investigation." Meanwhile the water in front of him was still untouched.

Rat: She gives a hurt look at Cortez before draining the lost of her liquor in one long pull. Setting her glass back on the table she stands, "Fine. Let's go check out the club, then. We're just wasting time here at this point."

Cain: Cain turned to Brutilla <"Refusing to do the duty of the Inquisition given her would be both treason and heresy. Executionable offences."> Cain pointed out.

Brutilla von Solarus: She looked Cain in the eyes, unflinching. "I am aware, but she was not refusing to do her duty, she was asking for a reason, which we just gave her, her duty to the inquisition." She took a small sip from her drink.

Cain: <"Exactly my point."> Cain grinned.

Narrator: Of all the people to walk into the bar next. Franco Del Corta came waltzing in through the bar entrance and looked around surveying the bar, he noticed the group of acolytes and moved on, they looked too able for his schemes and settled on a group of partially drunk nobles, about nine of them and began to ply his trade.

The others at the table would have noticed, for a moment, Cain's sudden shift in attention.

Cortez Sigismund: "4th gens can sometimes manifest psychic abilities, Cortez said putting down his glass. "That could account for the feeling Fenrilla had. that and robes would be a relatively easy method to hide the differences of the appearance of and 3rd gens. the Pheonix seems like a good bet, for information if nothing else." he said before scratching his chin in thought. "I wonder if maybe we should split into two groups however." he then added

Rat : She frowns, leaning in closer to Cain and inquires, <"Someone you know and we should?">

Hal: Hal eagerly leaned forward, his mechadendrite accidentally brushing against Rat's shoulder. "Apologies." And he let the mechanical arm rear up again. "I would strongly suggest a team going to investigate what I uncovered."

Cain: Cain watched him out of the corner of his eye. <"Just a job."> Cain answered Rat. <"That's all I can say for now.">

Rat: She slaps the mechadendrite away with a snarl, moving back. Machines should be bolted to the wall and stationary, not moving about willy-nilly like this! <"Got it. Don't need to know anymore than that.">

Cain: <"I'd recommend against splitting up however, these ARE genestealers we're talking about, the more we divide our firepower the less likely we are to easily walk out of encountering one.">
Brutilla von Solarus : "I don't know if we should split up actually, from what we have heard, these are not easy to handle if we encounter them in a fight. But it is up to you Cortez, you have overall command." She finished saying with a determined nod Cain remarked.

Cortez Sigismund: "Our orders are not to fight, simply locate, we are the eyes of the inquisition in this instance, not its arm." Cortez reminded them, "If it does come to a fight of course you are correct, one has to consider all options though."

Cain: "I'd rather take extra time to work as a team than halve the time it takes and get half of us killed." Cain said. Mostly meaning himself, he wasn't as resistant to damage as, well, anyone else on the team, even the dog was harder to kill than he was.

Brutilla von Solarus : "THat might be the wisest course of action, well then, where do we head first? The Phoenix? Or perhaps first investigate the whereabouts of its owner, he might be there but if he fears he was being pushed out maybe he would have relocated to a safer location?" She shrugged, "I might be mistaken in my thinking of course."

Cortez Sigismund: "Very well." Cortez replied, "Let us check out the Phoenix first then shall we. Depending on what we find there we can look at checking other places."

Rat : <"I say we keep rust bucket here waiting on his place til last,"> she smirks, having taken note of just how much he was putting pressure on the group to go to the Enclave.
Hal: He looked at Rat, his expression unreadable and retreated back, his mechadendrite twitching lightly.

Cortez Sigismund: "As I see it we could head out now, though considering the time we may get their well before 'expected' times." Cortez said to the group with a sort of dismissive gesture. "Or we could wait here a few hours, prepare a little more and then go. Which do ou each prefer?"

Brutilla von Solarus: She shrugged, "I am fine either way."

Cain: Cain shrugged. "I'm easy, when we're ready though the nightlife might give us more cover. Clubs tend to be quiet during the day."

Fenrila : She shuffled her feet under the table. "I think it might be best I stay away from that place if we investigate it, or stay outside, because I wouldn't want unwanted attention be drawn upon us due to my presence."

Cortez Sigismund: "I beg to differ Fenrilla, Your presence may be all the warning we get if our quarry is indeed there." Cortez replied to the psyker

Hal: "I also wonder if such places, often receive visitations from people of my order, though I suppose I might simply be a associate forced to tarry along as if nobody cares about a servant of the Omnisiah."

Fenrila: She just shrugged, "Don't say I didn't warned you I suppose." She murmured, proceeding to finish her water.

Rat: Rat sighs, crossing her arms, "Fen, relax. It's better if you stick with us, the Hoods are one deal, but there's no telling with the gangs around here... Besides, just because we end up there together does not mean we have to look like a group. Perhaps better we don't. Otherwise, it might be harder to get any information."

Cortez Sigismund: "Cybil is right, once there we may want to mingle seperately or in groups of 2, we can all stay in contact with our microbeads after all.

Cain: Cain nodded. "I'll guard Fenrila from excessively touchy-feely clubbers."

Narrator: For a few hours the team prepared itself for it's planned excursion into the dangerous nightlife of the Phoenix club, the light outside not changing much due to light from the surface not generally reaching that deep into the hive anyway the majority of lighting being the glowtube lighting across the underhive.

Making their way they found the Phoenix Club ong before they saw it, the sounds coming from within suggesting that they had a mutant 'pound' band in live playing.

The exterior of the bar was a heavy Baroque, and disgustingly purple painted facade of a building with no windows visible at all, only crude sheet metal spot-welded over there they once were. Outside of the closest doors they could see four men stood guard. A pair of them, closest to the door, sporting pistols as the other two wielded compact autoguns.

Rat: Rat adjusts her weight, having changed back into her streetwear (and feeling so much more comfortable thanks to that,) and now had her Carnodon concealed in the folds of her clothes, brass-knuckles hidden beneath the surface of her gloves as she strides up to talk to the first of the bouncers, "So what's the house special tonight? Anything fun?"