Evervigilant 1

<Vigilance_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilance_GM> You adjust to your new reality, for this is the first time the Throne has called upon you, and you alone, as the group chosen to carry out His work. Again and again your thoughts turn to the words of your Master, a mysterious figure to even those few of you who have been in his presence: Everything is a test.
<Vigilance_GM> Reinforcing this idea, and further impressing upon you the enormous responsibility now on your shoulders, little in the way of guidance was provided to you. Inquisitor Mortem, it is clear, expects you to succeed... or die. More than once this ideal has been reinforced - the unworthy die as a blessing to the Imperium, for those truly capable may take their place.
<Vigilance_GM> Only hours ago you were told for the very first time where it is that you are being transported. Hive Desoleum.
* Thomas crumples the communique up into a ball tossing it down. As soon as it lands he pulls a laspistol from it's holster and shoots the crumpled note.
<Vigilance_GM> You read through the communique left to you, and try to narrow your focus. Mortem's lack of interest in the details of *how* you will accomplish your task provides you with an inviting, yet terrifying freedom, for through him does the Emperor judge your actions.
<Vigilance_GM> You can hear the chatter from the cockpit as the crew announces its arrival to the authorities on Desoleum, and receive their approach instructions in turn.
* Karpath finishes reading his note, he then pulls out his shock maul and burns the note with the electrified end.
* Velam reads through the not, his eyes scanning it over easily and quickly. Years spent reading aand sifting data make this more an instinct than anything. As does committing it to memory. With that, he holds it up to 'Nelli', one of his servosulls, who lights it aflame with one of the many tools adorned on her. It lights instantly and burns to ash, and he lets the note go as the flames near his fingers. He watches the
* Velam motes of ash as they drift to nothingness.
<Velam> "Quite interesting," he muses to himself, before pulling his dataslate out to help him remember the  details of Hive Desoleum.
<Vigilance_GM> An in-built terminal pops out from one of the sides. It is a request from the inquisitorial transport's crew as you approach the planet. The query is, perhaps, confusing at first.
<Vigilance_GM> Who are you?
<Vigilance_GM> It is the first time since your induction, you realize, that you have been asked this question. And yet it is anything but a simple one.
<Vigilance_GM> A rune-pad extends forward, in front of Velam.
* Velam startles for a moment, so absorbed was he in reading about the Hive. The adept puts his data-slate away as he looks to the rune-pad expectantly.
<Nitrous> "This is Nitrous Timor"
<Karpath> "I am Karpath."
<Velam> After reading the message, he keys in the names of the various people as they introduce themselves. He of course adds his name last.
<Uriel> "Uriel, executioner of the unholy witch." he says, taking great pride in his title
<Thomas> "Baird."
* Velam rolls his eyes at the honorific Uriel uses.
<Nitrous> "I believe you're the scholar?"
<Uriel> "Let us pray for the divine protection of the Batlle-Lord, who has blessed thou with a rightious task in his war against the chaotic scum." he says, before kneeling and murmuring one of many blessings against corruption
* Karpath adjusts his hat and Aquila pendent as the seem to have shifted.
<Vigilance_GM> ++///CONFIRM CREATION OF IDENTIFIER TAGS: Nitrous Timor, Karpath, Uriel, Baird, Velam...?///++
<Karpath> "Confirmed."
<Nitrous> "Confirmed"
* Velam shakes his head before keying the affirmation rune on the pad.
<Vigilance_GM> The shuttle makes a sharp turn, entering its descent pattern.
<Thomas> "Confirmed"
<Vigilance_GM> The terminal retreats back. A tray replaces it, containing the newly-minted identifiers. Each with a subtle inquisitorial marker - the rosette of Inquisitor Mortem.
<Vigilance_GM> Rolling down the tray almost immediately after, five small tablets - the Emperor's Mercy.
* Velam hands them out, taking his own and hiding them within his clothing.
* Uriel grabs his identifier, grimacing at the look the tray and forign robotic beings, he is still wary of the living metal
* Karpath picks up his identifier and tablet.
<Nitrous> "Hrm"
<Karpath> "Something the matter?"
* Thomas steps forward and takes his items from Velam also stowing them inside his clothing out of sight
* Nitrous grabs the tag and tablet
* Thomas is now known as Baird
<Nitrous> "......"
<Vigilance_GM> ++Strap yourselves in. Atmospheric descent commencing.++
<Uriel> "Must we use these devices?" he says, concerned at the thought of trying to navigate the small electronic with mailed hands
<Nitrous> "Work with what you got knight"
* Karpath takes a seat and straps in.
<Velam> "If you are to serve The Emperor's most holy Inquisition, yes." He says simply. One of his servo-skulls nods in the air, as if to support it's master's words.
<Baird> "You could always remove the gauntlet before using it.."
* Nitrous gets ready for landfall
* Uriel snatches the tablet, shooting glances at the responding acolytes
* Uriel strappes himself in and begins to quietly pray for protection again unholy thoughts
* Baird settles himself in one of the seats securing his harness for descent
<Vigilance_GM> The shuttle begins to shake.
* Velam straps himself into the crash-seat of the shuttle. He make sure his two servo-skulls are also stashed safely. "Now now, come along girls."
* Uriel sneers "they do not live."
<Vigilance_GM> As the atmosphere becomes denser around the craft, its flight path is upset - slowly adjusting to the new medium.
* Karpath finds joy in the desent as he is reminded of the many times he has had to fly a ship into atmosphere during the war.
<Vigilance_GM> The atmospheric gas around the shuttle is heated to a bright glow.
<Vigilance_GM> The engines appear to shut off at this moment, the pilots allowing gravity to do the work of descent.
<Uriel> "Blessed ground, how I have missed thee."
<Nitrous> "Come on let's go"
<Nitrous> "Where we heading to boss?"
* Karpath looks at Nitrous, "We aren't even on the ground yet."
<Velam> "It almost feels routine." He smiles to himself. He'd been shuffled around plenty in his long career as a researcher.
<Vigilance_GM> Slowing now to a steady rate of descent you see it. Hive Desoleum. It is a monster of a construction. Even up here in the very heights of the atmosphere it stands tall. Your eyes can trace it down to its base.
<Velam> "Fascinating, yes, quite interesting." He notes, his fingers twitching to pull the dataslate out and record what he sees.
<Uriel> "May we purge this city of the cursed powers." he says, eyes intently fixed on the Hive
<Vigilance_GM> That is, until you realize what you perceive to be its base is simple cloud-cover. The hive no doubt continues for kilometers below that layer.
<Nitrous> "This is gonna be fun"
<Vigilance_GM> At last, you see the dense traffic of shuttlecraft leading to the upper hive access pads.
<Vigilance_GM> Entering the traffic you are soon cleared to land, in a short final descent.
<Vigilance_GM> When you touch down, the engines are left to idle, and fade away, allowing the ramp to lower behind you.
* Baird quickly unstraps himself gathering his equipment and heading towards the ramp
* Nitrous untraps and heads out
* Karpath unstraps from his seat and makes his way to the ramp.
<Nitrous> "Ground for you knight"
* Uriel Clanks down the ramp as he surveys the strange world around himself
* Velam clicks the release rune on his crash-harness before rising and collecting his servo-skulls. He follows the other acolytes out and down.
<Vigilance_GM> Around you, servitors and human serfs alike carry cargo and passengers to and fro the landing pads.
<Uriel> "Why carry the heads of the fallen?" he ask Valem, eyeing the servo-skulls
<Nitrous> "They do useful things"
<Baird> Turning and addressing the group as they descend the ramp after him "Any of yall have info on this place? We need to get set up with a place to crash first and foremost."
<Uriel> "Warm them to keep their distance, or feel my blade." he says, gripping the hilt of his blade
<Velam> "That, and it always best to venerate those of your family. In this case my sisters. They were very good at their services to the Imperium. In this way they continue to serve, but in this case, they assist me." He pats them both on the top of their skulls. "It's also comforting to have them nearby."
<Velam> "Yes, yes of course"
<Vigilance_GM> Behind you, the shuttle's crew interacts with the local maintenance workers.
<Vigilance_GM> From this moment forwward, you are alone.
<Uriel> " They still serve, even in death." he nods at the skull "admrible."
* Uriel begins to stalk forward "Do we know the location of these deaths?"
* Karpath takes a moment to think about this place as, his mind working to draw up any information he has.
<Karpath> "To my knowledge of the place, the noble families of Hive Desoleum live in the Apex, but as for House Guljian I wouldn't know, it could be possible that they are located in the lower hives as my knowledge of this place is limited to the Upper and Mid hives.
<Nitrous> "Another glourious hive world"
<Velam> "I agree that we should find a place to settle down, then I can see if I can't find soem contacts at the Administratum to gather some ground work information."
* Nitrous checks in with local law enforcement for info
<Karpath> At least his knowledge from his days apart of the Anzaforr Dynasty which he doesn't speak of comes in somewhat handy.
<Nitrous> "We need a quiet place to stay junior"
<Nitrous> "Any suggestions?"
<Velam> "Perhaps an apartment in the middle-hive?"
* Karpath tries to think again about where they could say but could only think about a dog.
<Karpath> "I got nothing.
* Baird shouts over to one of the maintenance crew working on the shuttle "Any of yall know an alright motel nearby?"
<Vigilance_GM> A commotion springs up just off the side of the landing pads. The maintenance crewman looks away from the drama unfolding, and looks at Baird.
<Vigilance_GM> He eyes you for a moment.
<Vigilance_GM> "An offworlder like you should be careful about asking for accomodation in the upper hive like that," he says looking around.
<Uriel> "Shall we ask assistance of the local lord? They might have a better understanding of the deaths that plague their holdings."
<Vigilance_GM> "Head mid-hive, if you don't want any questions. Merchants of the consortium are always eager to serve your kind."
<Velam> "There are many of those, Mr. Uriel, and none would be bothered by a few among billions."
<Vigilance_GM> "The local lord?" he laughs, joined by his peers.
<Baird> "Appreciate it." Baird makes a conscious effort to restrain himself from shooting the crewman.
<Baird> "I can see hospitality is not a specialty of this place."
<Uriel> "I do not take kindly to mockery fools." he says to the maintenance workers
<Vigilance_GM> The crewman puts his hands up in front of him, "there's no need to escalate this, outsider."
* Velam shakes his head. "It would be our best bet to seek assistance from the consortium for a place to live...discreetly."
<Vigilance_GM> Another of his coleagues makes a comment under his breath, prompting the rest to chuckle.
<Velam> "Uriel, remember your duty."
<Nitrous> "Calm down knight"
<Vigilance_GM> The first, lowers his hands again, 'drawing' a wrench as though weilding a blade.
<Vigilance_GM> The entire crew then laughs openly.
<Baird> "Alright lets go, no matter how appealing it sounds Uriel..and believe me..it does..respect isn't something you can beat into them."
<Nitrous> "Shrug it off, we got a job to do"
* Karpath looks to Baird, I agree with Velam, we can find them just under the Apex of the Upper hive as well as the Mid Hive."
<Uriel> "Fools of weak faith do not concern me." he seems to say in agreement with his comrades
<Vigilance_GM> As your attention turns away from the mocking locals, you see the earlier commotion drawing to a close as an autocarriage is searched for contraband, and its passangers are arrested.
* Uriel pushes his way towards the autocarriage, looking for what spurred the arrest
<Velam> "I assume there's a lift-station to move us down to the mid-hive, nearby."
<Baird> "Hold up a sec..I think I know that guy.." Peering intently at the people being arrested
<Vigilance_GM> It is clear by the way the vehicle is broken up that the men being detained are soon to be punished for attempting to smuggle items into the upper hive.
<Baird> As recognition sets in turn towards Nitrous
<Shiv> "THIS IS CLEARLY A MISUNDERSTANDING, SIR!"
<Baird> "You got Judge knowledge right?"
<Vigilance_GM> Out of seemingly impossible spaces in the carriage, must amount to hundreds of pounds of contraband are removed.
<Shiv> "I have done no crime."
<Baird> "Think you can help me convince those to let the one thats yellin go?"
<Vigilance_GM> The cadre of enforcers strikes the scrawny one yelling, and begin to apply manacles.
<Shiv> "SCANDLOUS, OUTRAGOUS!"
<Baird> Beckoning to Nitrous, Baird begins approaching the Judges
<Baird> "Hold on a second there fellas"
<Nitrous> "Enforcers!!!"
<Vigilance_GM> "In breach of Lex Desoleum title XXI, articles 299 through 310, you are hereby---"
<Vigilance_GM> The enforcer stops.
<Vigilance_GM> He stands to face your approach.
<Nitrous> "My Comrad here has a statement to make"
<Vigilance_GM> He eyes you, thoroughly.
<Vigilance_GM> "Offworlders."
* Karpath watches from a distance, "Well this is going to be interesting."
* Velam pulls his dataslate out and starts to record, his fingers tapping away silently. His two servo-skulls hovering to either side of him, the humm of their anti-grav generators a constant.
<Baird> "There seems to be some kind of misunderstanding gentleman.." Leaning closer and bringing my voice low "He's apart of an ongoing investigation. I've been working with one of your Judges. I need that man." Pointing at Shiv
<Vigilance_GM> His hand rests on a shock-baton by his hip.
<Nitrous> "Indeed"
<Vigilance_GM> He turns to look at Shiv, squirming rebelliously in his shackles.
<Vigilance_GM> "Him..."
<Vigilance_GM> He looks back at you.
<Baird> "That is correct sir"
<Shiv> "Poor me, mistreated and labeled a criminal."
<Baird> "Mislabeled my ass... you're just useful..."
<Nitrous> "Silence Witness"
<Nitrous> "We have need of you"
* Shiv defeated, he keeps his mouth shut.
<Vigilance_GM> "I trust the scum will be brought to adequate punishment once he has outlived his usefulness."
<Nitrous> "His sentence will be swift and final"
<Vigilance_GM> He turns to the cadre and nods.
<Vigilance_GM> Shiv is lifted by the underarm.
<Vigilance_GM> His manacles are unlocked.
* Uriel watches the drama unfold with a curious grin, he turns to Velam "Who is that man?"
* Nitrous locks Shiv with my manacles to me
<Shiv> "FECKING ASSHOLE!"
<Vigilance_GM> "He's the precinct's problem now."
<Velam> "No idea," he says in a quiet tone.
<Karpath> "Who knows, at least no one I know."
<Vigilance_GM> With that, the enforcer turns back to disassembling the transport.
* Shiv starts coughing.
<Nitrous> "Let's go criminal scum"
<Baird> "Ushering Nitrous and the attached Shiv back towards the group I nod to the Arbites that handed him over "Your gthe Emperor's work"
<Shiv> "Emperor's work?"
<Shiv> "Gunman, what are you up to?"
<Nitrous> "High level stuff"
<Shiv> "I didn't ask you, lawman."
<Velam> "I hope we have a use for this..." the adept looks the disheveled wretch up and down. "This citizen."
* Karpath looks at shiv, "So who is person." he says to Baird.
<Nitrous> "No idea"
<Uriel> "Is he connected to the murders?"
<Nitrous> "Baird?"
<Shiv> "Murders? Me? Nope."
<Baird> After getting out of earshot of the Arbites Baird turns towards Shiv "Gettin by Shiv..I see your life hasn't improved much..though I am shocked you left home"
<Vigilance_GM> One of the scribe's servoskulls scans Shiv head to toe.
* Shiv whispers to Baird "My home... kinda exploded."
<Vigilance_GM> It returns to its master, printing a list.
<Baird> "Rough. Don't suppose you got a place we can hole up in buddy? Call it a trade for gettin ya outta that spot of trouble." Thomas chuckles softly
<Karpath> "So he's and old friend of yours? Lets hope that this doesn't complicate things today."
<Vigilance_GM> Crimes committed by the suspect. Smuggling charges, nearly all.
* Velam rips the list off from the mouth of the printer attached to Melli. "Let's see..." His face pales as he reads it.
<Nitrous> "May I see that list after you?"
<Shiv> "I was with staying with employer most of the time and this job, as you can see, went to hell."
<Velam> "Dear Emperor above." He hands it to Nitrous before tapping nervously at his datapad.
<Baird> Turning to address the group Thomas explains. "Old friend is close enough"
<Nitrous> "Why would smuggle Infant testicles?"
<Shiv> "Hahahaha, so that's what those were."
<Uriel> "What is this filths worth to us?"
<Shiv> "ANYWAY, Braid, buddy, friend, I might have a place to stay."
<Baird> "I see it really is like the old days haha."
<Baird> "Excellent. Well..lead on Shiff."
<Nitrous> "Standard protocol dictates you should be in prison for life."
<Shiv> "Sure, thing bread man."
<Nitrous> "But apparently we need you for whatever reason"
<Baird> "Well our situation aint standard Nitrous"
<Velam> "The Emperor leads all walks of life to a purpose." He intones.
<Shiv> "Standard protocols says to kiss my ass, Lawman."
<Nitrous> "Lead on criminal"
<Vigilance_GM> You are notably out of place in this district of the Hive, but soon Shiv leads you to the mid-hive access lift.
<Shiv> "Well, it would be easier for me to move without these bindings."
<Nitrous> "Negativo"
* Shiv sighs.
* Nitrous grunts
<Uriel> "Run and I'll kill you." he says to shiv, indicating to his sword.
<Vigilance_GM> The lift is packed with materiel, and people alike. You barely have room to breathe as the old and poorly-serviced gears begin to modulate the descent of the platform down.
<Nitrous> "And I''ll shoot you"
<Shiv> "I'm sure you will."
* Uriel kneels and mutters a quick prayer to the Battle Lord for protection on his moving death trap
<Vigilance_GM> Coming to a halt, the hive sector opens up to a large and thriving district.
<Vigilance_GM> Certainly more run-down than the upper hive, it nonetheless stays maintained by the consortium.
<Vigilance_GM> The low-held bars are opened up, allowing you to exit the platform.
* Uriel quickly moves off the platform, glad to be on solid ground once more
* Karpath makes his way off of the platform as he looks around.
<Velam> "Marvelous, these safety bars are not found on all hive-lifts, most other hives I've been don't seem to have them installed. Fascinating." He records that in his dataslate as he follows along with the group.
<Vigilance_GM> Soon after you reach the Chartist's Lodge - located centrally in the foreigner friendly mercantile district.
* Shiv coughs and says "Release me, my wrists are chafing from the bindings."
<Vigilance_GM> It isn't luxury, but it is a large and comfortable location for those staying long-term.
* Baird steps off the platform glancing around and raising an eyebrow at Velam's musings.
* Velam doesn't notice Baird's attention, concentrating instead on taking notes of all the new, and weird things he's observing.
* Nitrous steps off the platform and absorbs the surroundings
<Baird> "I don't think the cuffs are necessary at this point Nitrous."
<Vigilance_GM> Offworlders from all over the Sector thrive here, and the many styles of garments as well as the low-gothic variants spoken are a testament to this fascinating fact.
<Nitrous> "All right"
* Nitrous uncuffs the manacles
<Nitrous> "You lose him you buy him"
<Vigilance_GM> "No vacancies," you are unceremoniously told as soon as you enter.
<Shiv> "Sweet freedom." He rubs his wrists.
<Uriel> "Poor decision." he comments as he looks at the recently freed man
<Baird> "I believe you're up Shiffy. Don't leave me standing here cock in hand.. get us those accommodations"
<Shiv> "Fine, fine." He walks to the front desk and says "We are guest of Aldus Merrin."
<Vigilance_GM> "Trader Merrin is not here."
* Karpath waits to see if Shiv can get them a room.
<Shiv> "Listen, I know. I am one of his employees staying in this... fine establishment." He searches through his things and finds a contract.
<Vigilance_GM> The man raises an eyebrow.
<Shiv> "YOU IDIOT, CAN YOU NOT READ!"
* Karpath rolls his eyes, he then steps up to the counter.
* Baird approaches the counter "Excuse the manners of my friend Shiffy"
<Vigilance_GM> A tall, wide-shouldered guard steps forward from the corner.
<Baird> "We would just like our room as we work for Mr. Merrin"
* Uriel moves between the group and the guard, sizing them up
<Vigilance_GM> The man behind the counter shakes his head at the guard, putting him at ease.
* Shiv starts to pout like a child.
<Velam> The adept's eyes shift around nervously, as he continues to record what he sees. Though his taps come about more slowly than earlier.
<Vigilance_GM> "Very well. I trust you have the keys. Second level, corner door on the left."
<Baird> "Appreciate it"
* Shiv starts to head upstairs.
<Baird> Turning and ascending towards the room Thomas tips his hat to the man behind the desk
* Uriel thuds his way after his comrades, eyeing the guard one last time
* Karpath nods, turns, and follows Baird up the stairs.
* Velam follows along.
* Shiv tries to open the door. "My keys are stuck."
<Karpath> "Have you tried turning it the other way?"
<Vigilance_GM> With help from one of the scribe's servoskulls, Shiv is able to open the lock.
<Uriel> "Fool, can't even unlock a door."
<Shiv> "SEE! I got you boys what's you want."
<Velam> The adept pats his servoskull on the head. "Good Nelli."
<Nitrous> "As crminals go... You're dissapointing"
<Shiv> "Shut up, knight."
<Uriel> "Adress me as Uriel worm."
<Shiv> "Also, same goes to you, Lawman."
* Karpath takes a look in the room before entering.
<Vigilance_GM> Beyond the door is a comfortable living space, with a working desk and plenty of storage room.
<Baird> "You did, preciate it Shiv. Although..if you were interested in some...better employment you could assist us in our job"
<Vigilance_GM> Through yet another door is a single large bed.
<Karpath> "So who is getting the bed?"
<Vigilance_GM> Lists, notes on parchment, maps... all are scrambled about. Along with clothing... clothing far too large for Shiv.
<Shiv> "My employer should be going to... prison right about now. So yes, I would like a new job."
<Velam> "Quite the decor." He idly taps on his pad, noting the choice in taste for this type of establishment.
<Baird> "I suppose the one that has the most delicate constitution"
<Nitrous> "I call couch"
* Karpath enters the room and takes a seat on the couch.
* Velam wanders the various rooms, looking around and noting what resources are available.
* Karpath tilts his cap down and takes a moment to rest.
<Velam> "I would hope you will consider my age and allow me the bed, gentlemen. I am sure we can sleep in shifts given the confines."
* Nitrous rests against the couch back
<Baird> "All yours Velam." Baird says as he moves towards the chair in front of the desk
* Shiv tries looking throughout the room for an cash or jewelry.
* Velam makes an excited noise as he collects up the various notes and lists organizing them on the desk. "Mr Shiv, was it? Your employer is exactly who we were working for, or at least his lists were."
* Uriel removes his plate mail and claims a spot on the floor before spreading out a fur trapping of some large animal which he uses as a bed
<Velam> "We have our first lead gentlemen." He points to the name on one of the lists. On it is printed the name of their first lead, 'Lans Guljian'
<Baird> "Any location with the name Velam? Or would that just be to convenient..."
<Shiv> "Lans Guljian? Lans...? Not sure who that man is."
* Shiv hides his ill-gotten goods in his jacket.
<Velam> "Let me work." He says in an irritated tone as he cross-references. His two servo-skulls circle as if in excitement as he works.
* Uriel Underneath the armour the man is a ashy grey and covered in scars, he wears a simple black robe and a necklace with a single large canine tooth.
<Shiv> "Hey, bread man. Catch."
* Uriel pulls out a small book of scripture and begins several small rituals to honor the great battle lord
* Shiv throws Baird a lho stub.
<Uriel> "Prayer is a powerful tool against the dark forces." he says to his comrades, almost expectently
<Velam> "Right, right. So to surmise he is a man of the peerage of the Apex, a noble. But we knew that. But more interestingly he is going to be at a party, the third such event to be hosted for the nobility." He points a finger at Shiv, while still looking at his notes. "This man's employer is the usual supplier for the rare and illegal goods and substances provided at this jamborie."
* Baird holds up his hand reflexively in an attempt to catch the thrown object, unfortunately due to the poor hand eye coordination of Shiv it falls short and lands at his feet
<Velam> "I think we have our first in." He says in an excited tone.
<Velam> "However, I must say." He clears his throat. "Shiv, it's no wonder the list is so long on your record. Some of the stuff you and your boss have moved would have you executed instantly on seven different planets."
<Uriel> "I am sanctioned to carry out holy executions." he adds
<Shiv> "To be fair, smartie pants. I don't even know what I move. There's items that need to be shipped and cash exchanged for these services."
<Shiv> "By whom, Knight? Who is it that you work for?"
<Uriel> "The Grand Battle Lord."
<Velam> "If you are the kind of degenerate I have met on countless ocassions, you know damn well what you move. You just convienently forget." He waves a hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter. We're going to need you if we're to get into this party."
<Shiv> "Fair enough, smartie pants."
<Shiv> "Battle Lord? Beard man, what have I been roped into?"
<Karpath> "A good old time." Karpath says, still somewhat napping.
<Shiv> "Good times involves doing Obscura farts out of a whore's ass."
<Baird> "It's prolly best you don't think to hard on it Shivvy" Thomas mouths the words "Feudal World" to Shiv
<Shiv> "Ah."
<Shiv> "Smartie pants. One problem. Our load of 'equipment' and my employer are probably rotting in some jail."
<Shiv> "This was our grand haul. Our means of the good life till we were stopped by those arbite assholes."
<Baird> Directing his attention towards Velam, Thomas queries "Any chance he's got any other deliveries? Just so we can stock a vehicle with..something. Realism and all that"
<Velam> "Ah yes. Mr. Guljian's residence is in the lower portions of the Apex, and his delivery was to be made to Hesentanz Manor, obviously the location of the party. The other's were random drops at certain locations, no trace was to be made to hide identities for the activities."
<Baird> "So no clue as to where he's keeping his stock. Unless it's at his home."
<Velam> "As far as I can gather."
<Baird> "Damn"
<Velam> Almost as an afterthought he records all of his gatherings into his dataslate.
<Velam> He sets his dataslate down a moment and ponders. "Ah! Yes! Yes, of course. Emperor bless me."
<Velam> "Gentlemen, this Manor, Hesentaz. It is also in the lower reaches of the Apex. And it wouldn't make sense for some noble to have his residence listed as a delivery point. The Manor has to be Guljian's residence."
<Uriel>  "What?" he inquires, finally looking up from his rituals
* Velam laughs to himself. "Oh dear me, how did I not see it sooner?"
<Velam> "It's all very logical now that I've thought about it. We won't even need to worry about the party, well at least not as of yet."
<Shiv> "Why is that, smartie pants?"
* Karpath starts to stretch as he finish his short nap and sits up right on the couch.
* Velam sighs. "Besides your client, why would your boss have damning evidence of some other nobles residence for these deliveries? He wouldn't. Guljian gave your boss his manor for the biggest delivery."
<Shiv> "Somethings been nagging me this whole time, Baird."
<Baird> "Whats that Shiv?"
<Shiv> "My questions about this employer has been 'defected'. I have no idea of the pay. As far as I am concerned, you got me out and I lead you here. We are even."
* Shiv starts moving to the door.
<Shiv> "I have 'needs', Mr. Beard Man."
<Baird> "You can walk out Shiv..but I can promise ya.. the pay is good"
<Baird> "That's what should matter Shivvy"
* Shiv stops for a moment and pulls his hood down. He says "Pay?"
* Karpath prepares to get up from the couch, but waits.
<Shiv> "Enough pay to get me to Snope's World and a truck?"
<Baird> "More than."
<Baird> "If you'd really wanna downgrade to a truck.."
<Shiv> "Downgrade? My truck was amazing! You saw it in person."
<Baird> "As amazing as you think that was..you could have bigger...better.."
<Karpath> "You could have a space truck!" Karpath chimes in for no other reason then just to keep Shiv from leaving.
<Uriel> "These servent of the Batlle Lord are indeed strange."
<Shiv> "Bigger? With two autocannon mounts? Side Heavy Flamers?"
<Vigilance_GM> You then hear the lock on the door rattle.
<Baird> "Plenty of tank chassis out there you could build from to accommodate."
<Nitrous> "I AM THE LAW"
* Nitrous snores out loud
* Velam slips his dataslate back it's place on his belt before he finds a place to hide, drawing his laspistol in the process.
<Vigilance_GM> "Boss, are you alright? What's going on in there?!"
* Uriel slowly reaches for his sword
* Karpath looks over, he gets up from his spot and moves into a position to hide behind, his shock maul in hand and ready.
* Uriel stands slowly and quietly
<Baird> "Move into the adjoining room everyone"
<Nitrous> "Moving"
<Vigilance_GM> The lock finally gives, and the door opens loosely. Yet no one enters.
* Shiv gets his las pistol out and dives under the bed.
* Velam chooses the bathroom closet as his hidey-hole.
<Vigilance_GM> It slowly inches open.
* Nitrous preps the shotgun
* Uriel leaves his plate and follows into the adjoining rooming
<Baird> "We'll be here for support Karpath." seeing the pilot ready his maul
* Karpath nods to Baird.
<Vigilance_GM> Once fully open, Karpath can see a hand holding a hand cannon peek in as the man slowly enters.
<Karpath> In that moment he swings his Shock maul at the man entering the room, he hits him square in the chest, the electric field strikes shocking the man as he drops his gun and also drops to the floor stunned.
* Baird quickly moves into the room scooping up the dropped firearm and training it on the stunned man
* Uriel rushes forward And attempts to restrain the man
* Nitrous manacles the man on the ground
<Vigilance_GM> He is limp from the shock to his system.
* Shiv continues hiding.
<Vigilance_GM> Restraining him is a simple affair.
<Nitrous> "Halt Criminal Scum"
* Uriel quickly and smoothly grapples the man and slaps some cuffs on him
<Baird> Looking sideways at Nitrous "He's...he's already halted..."
* Karpath makes his way over the man and looks up and down the hall to see if there is anyone else but sees no one and enters the room again.
* Uriel takes his blade and holds it above the mans head, waiting tensly for events to unfold
<Vigilance_GM> The man's breathing becomes strained.
* Karpath close the door behind him as he enters the room.
<Vigilance_GM> Coming to, he turns his head from side to side.
<Vigilance_GM> "What's this? Who are you you?!"
<Uriel> "Silence."
<Vigilance_GM> He squirms.
* Shiv peeks his head out and says "Is it safe?"
<Nitrous> "Maybe"
<Vigilance_GM> "Fuck you! You have no idea who you're interfereing with!"
<Vigilance_GM> "You'll all get tracked down and hunted like dogs."
* Velam pokes his head in from the bathroom and hesitantly leaves it's confines, though he does not holster his weapon.
<Baird> "Should prolly shock em again"
<Uriel> "Maybe, but first you will tell us everything you know."
<Nitrous> "Who are you working for?
<Shiv> "Wait, I think I saw him."
* Shiv crawls out from under the bed.
* Karpath makes his way  over to where the others have the man, his shock maul still in hand. "I wouldn't mind if I had to."
<Vigilance_GM> "What I know? I know you're all dead men!"
<Baird> "Hired gun of your previous boss Shivvy?"
<Vigilance_GM> "Whoever you work for... he's a dead man too!"
* Uriel lays the blade lightly on the mans neck
<Shiv> "I saw him when I got on this miserable planet. One of Aldus's contacts I think."
<Nitrous> "Better people have tried and failed"
<Uriel> "Answer every question and you keep your head."
<Baird> "If he keeps up this caterwhaulin someone is gonna notice"
<Vigilance_GM> "Are you Nerrem's men? Cloudboys? It's over, okay! Fucking enforcers raided. The haul is gone!"
<Shiv> "OUR LOOT!"
<Vigilance_GM> He shoots a glance at Shiv.
<Nitrous> "And I will turn you over if you don't start answering our questions"
<Vigilance_GM> "You little shit!" he says, spitting at the last word.
<Vigilance_GM> "I knew you'd rat us out, you sniveling fuck!"
<Shiv> "Fecking, feckity FECK."
* Uriel presses the blade down harder "Quiet." he says, also shooting Shiv a look
<Shiv> "Rat? Me! Never, we got caught."
* Velam nervously goes the window in the bedroom and looks out it for anything out of the ordinary. He sees nothing though.
<Shiv> "Listen, my friend. Aldus and I got caught. These associates of mine got me out of custody. Aldus and the rest were not so lucky. We are all tense as shit here because that haul was all of our pay."
<Vigilance_GM> He stops squirming for a moment.
<Vigilance_GM> "Yeah? They saved your scrawny ass, and not Aldus?"
<Vigilance_GM> "Let me out of these fucking cuffs."
<Shiv> "You have no idea, how hard it was to get me out. The idiot in the Enforcer suit was suppose to get Aldus out, but he fucked up.""
<Vigilance_GM> "Let me out you dumb shit, or this room will be your death."
<Vigilance_GM> "Priest boy... or whatever the fuck you are," he says to Velam.
* Velam quirks an eyebrow at the man. Containing his nervousness.
<Vigilance_GM> "Looking out the window, you see the autocarriage in black and blue stripes," tell your friends how many angry men are standing around.
* Velam looks out the window again, searching for said vehicle.
* Velam clears his throat. "Gentlemen, there's at least a dozen men around the vehicle he described. Three openly armed."
<Vigilance_GM> He says nothing now. Only grins.
<Uriel> "Only a dozen?"
<Baird> "Grin all you like. But if they come in...you don't make it out"
<Velam> "They seem to be waiting."
<Vigilance_GM> "If I don't make it out now, they're busting in here. Pull the trigger."
<Velam> "They're all arming, we need to make a decision." The nervousness is starting to come back into his voice.
<Baird> "If you wanna head back down there and get in your little vehicle with all of your friends then we'll let ya. But if they come up you're the first casualty. Cause it seems like... you're the one that sold Aldus out..snooping around for where the other goods might be..just trying to make a clean out with some extra on the side from your now incarcerated boss.."
<Baird> "Pathetic"
<Vigilance_GM> "And what I'm telling you is that if I don't pop my head out right now, we're all dying in here."
<Baird> "Nitrous get him up."
<Baird> "Bring our friend over to the window."
* Uriel extends the keys to the cuffs in an outstreched hand
<Vigilance_GM> "Uncuff me."
* Nitrous sticks head out of victim out the window
* Nitrous uncuffs perp
<Vigilance_GM> "Hey! Hey!"
<Vigilance_GM> He waves out.
<Vigilance_GM> "Just need a minute. The fucker hid it well!"
<Vigilance_GM> "Hurry the fuck up. The shuttle won't wait!" he gets in reply.
<Vigilance_GM> He closes the window, and turns.
<Vigilance_GM> "Right. Listen..."
* Velam chuckles nervously.
<Vigilance_GM> "Aldus is fucked. You know that," he says to Shiv.
<Vigilance_GM> "We want our pay, and want out. That's it. If you were any smarter, you'd do the same."
<Baird> "Then we're on the same page friend"
* Shiv sighs.
<Vigilance_GM> "And because you missed out on the rest of the shit up-hive, don't get any ideas with that Guljian freak."
<Vigilance_GM> "Word is he lost his fucking mind, and won't leave his estate."
<Velam> "What do you mean? What happened up-hive?"
* Karpath raises and eyebrow.
<Vigilance_GM> He just shakes his head.
<Vigilance_GM> "Look, you don't want any part in it. Just get offworld."
<Shiv> "Great. This was a bust."
<Vigilance_GM> He moves towards a stack of tomes Aldus left.
<Vigilance_GM> He slowly reaches for a knife, showing it to everyone in a non-threatening manner.
<Vigilance_GM> Opening up a hidden compartment in the hollowed tomes, he pockets its contents.
<Vigilance_GM> He tosses a bundle of the local 'Scrip' to Shiv.
<Vigilance_GM> "Use it to get out of this shit before they find you."
<Vigilance_GM> With hands raised, makes for the exit.
<Shiv> "T-Thanks."
<Vigilance_GM> Passing by Uriel, he makes some sort of barely-audible comment.
<Vigilance_GM> Finally, he exits.
* Karpath watches as the man exits. "Well that was interesting."
* Velam pulls his dataslate out and furiously begins to tap at it.
<Shiv> "There goes my chance to leave... So about that truck."
* Baird moves forward and closes the door re-securing the lock.
<Nitrous> "What are the regulations on armed vehicles?"