Evervigilant 3

<Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilant_GM> The Arbites autocarriage pulls up to the Chartist's Lodge, carrying Nitrus, Baird, Uriel, and Shiv. The designated parking area welcomes the unusual vehicle, and you make it up to the room commandeered by the Acolyte Cell. Inside, the Administratum scholar pours through the various clues gathered, while Karpath looks out the window - partly to look out for threats, and partly to pass
<Vigilant_GM> the time looking at the multitudes of people both local and off-worlders that crowd the district.
* Shiv puts off his ill gotten loot on the floor.
* Karpath keeps looking out the window, "So how did it go?"
<Nitrous> "Not Good."
<Shiv> "Terrible."
<Vigilant_GM> The dark, drying streaks of blood off the Feudal worlder's armor confirms this.
<Shiv> "We didn't get anything of value."
* Karpath turns look at the others, he cock's an eyebrow, "What do you mean?
<Uriel> "The Emperor saw us through, and we still have our lives." he says, making the sign of the aquila
<Shiv> "We were there to rob a noble and fence his 'items'."
<Shiv> "And everything went to shit."
* Velam sips from his mug of recaff as he continues to pour over the various books and tomes collected on the desk. Tapping away every now and then into his dataslate. He looks up as the party returns and his face slowly turns to horror as he sees each one of them come into the apartment.
<Nitrous> "2 dead bodies and a another who ripped his eyes out."
* Baird steps forward and deposits the cumpled note and the journal of Guljien in front of Velam
<Baird> "Potential leads."
<Velam> "What by St. Cognacious' beard did you all do?" He says
<Vigilant_GM> ***EASTER EGG***
<Shiv> "Potential leads?"
<Karpath> "You got to be kidding me right?"
<Shiv> "What are you saying? What does your client want?"
<Nitrous> "Sword man decided to go feudal on the bodyguard and drag a bleeding man to our uneyed victim."
<Baird> "There was an incident with a bodyguard and one of his servants."
<Uriel> "I didn't shoot the servent."
<Nitrous> "The bodyguard no longer has a recognizable face."
<Shiv> "What were we even looking for? Beard man, what is going on? I thought this was a smash and grab."
<Nitrous> "You thought wrong criminal."
<Velam> The sage's head sags into his hands as he shakes it in disbelief. "Emperor's mercy." He looks up to them, "details, tell me everything that happened. Down to the last bolt and drop of blood." His voice is a mix of annoyance and clinical professionalism.
<Baird> "Velam perhaps you can comb through his journal and that note find us an actionable lead. To an extent Shivvy. We are wanting something in particular."
* Nitrous explains the scene from beginning to end to the sage
* Karpath eyes Uriel, "Do you fucking not know the definition of being subtle?"
<Shiv> "Oh? Mr. Stabby Knight in shiny armor knowing subtlety. Ha."
* Karpath head starts to hurt as he rubs his temples and begins to walk around the room to clear his head.
<Nitrous> "Criminal we are not here to loot the nails from the ground."
* Shiv changes out of his disguise and back into his regular set of clothes.
* Velam jumps to his feet in a furious yell. "What the hell were you all thinking! Are you trying to blow our cover? TRYING to get us killed by both sides in this conflict?" His breathing becomes ragged as he comes close to hyperventilating. He takes his seat again after righting it and tries to calm down, gulping the last of his recaff.
<Nitrous> "Well if we die we die."
<Velam> "Well..." he breathes, "What's done is done. What a mess." He huffs to himself.
<Velam> "At least...at least you got something out of it." He picks the journal and notes up from where Baird dropped it onto his desk. Velam distracts himself by starting to pour through the journal. Another way to cope he supposed.
<Baird> "There was also an object.."
<Baird> "An orb of some kind."
* Uriel suddenly looks to the window "Vehicles, somebody is coming."
<Baird> "Any markings Uriel?"
<Velam> He pauses his reading for a moment. "Yes you mentioned something like that, and from the sounds of it...logically speaking it's probably quite dangerous." He looks to Baird, his finger stopped in a place within the journal. "Where is it?"
<Shiv> "We should leave or hide."
<Uriel> "I just heard it, there was serval door slams."
<Baird> "The knight stowed it in his pack I believe."
<Vigilant_GM> You hear stomping steps near.
<Vigilant_GM> Perhaps a dozen men.
<Velam> "Keep it there." His hand darts down to the laspistol in his robes, but he doesn't get up from his seat.
* Nitrous dives for cover
<Vigilant_GM> You hear the voice of the Lodgemaster nervously trying to explain something to the unexpected guests.
<Baird> "Either the Arbites or the new "friends" we made are comin a knockin I bet."
<Velam> "Suggestions? I don't imagine jumping out the window is a great idea."
* Uriel moves towards the window, his hand reaching to the small pouch on his side containing the orb
<Baird> "Well if not the window then we stand our ground and either fight our way out or try and explain our way out."
* Karpath turns to Uriel and then towards the door to the room, he then gets Shiv to help move a dresser in front of the door.
<Baird> "If it's the Arbites we've got a shot of talking our way out..if not..well..."
* Velam racks his mind for the best thing to do, but given the recent events nothing relevent comes to mind. So he insteads finds cover in the doorway to the bathroom.
<Vigilant_GM> Loud barking with a metallic ring then echoes through the hallway.
* Karpath is unable to move the dresser.
<Vigilant_GM> You hear light stepping on the other side of the doorway.
<Vigilant_GM> In a split second, the hinges and nob on the door explode.
* Velam draws his weapon, flinching as the door explodes inwards.
<Vigilant_GM> The door bursts forward and lands just as the calls begin. "DROP EVERYTHING AND GET ON THE GROUND!"
<Vigilant_GM> The barking is now disturbingly loud as the cyber-mastiffs are led into the room by their masters.
* Shiv puts his hands are up.
* Shiv slowly gets on the ground.
* Baird drops to his knees hands behind his head.
<Velam> Balancing his options in his mind, Velam figures the best option is to play along for now. He lowers his weapon onto the ground and lays on his face, his hands folded behind his head.
* Karpath drops upholsters his weapons and the places them on the ground, he then slowly gets on the ground.
* Nitrous drops his weapon and raises his hands and goes to ground
<Vigilant_GM> Arbites dig their knees on your back as they apply manacles, their comrades pushing to every corner of the room in search for evidence.
<Vigilant_GM> Mastiffs bark in your face to keep you down.
<Vigilant_GM> "All clear!"
* Uriel stands his ground for a moment, but seeing his comrades surrender gives him little hope. He kneels and raises his hands
<Vigilant_GM> "Clear!"
<Vigilant_GM> Without a word, you are lifted, taken through the doorway, and pushed against the hallway walls.
<Vigilant_GM> They search you from head to toe, taking anything that isn't clothing from you.
<Vigilant_GM> You can see as more of them enter and exit the room as they secure everything inside to be processed for evidence.
<Vigilant_GM> Hoods are pulled over your heads all at once, and you are forcefully lead down the hallway, down the stairs, and into the cold vehicles.
<Shiv> "Baird, it was nice knowing you."
<Baird> "I don't think this is the end of our reacquaintance Shivvy."
* Uriel has quit (Quit: )
* Uriel (Mike@sux-38920F6.jcsnmisa.acd.net) has joined
<Vigilant_GM> The drive is mostly without incident. Your limited experience telling you that you're likely heading to the precinct itself.
<Vigilant_GM> Suddenly, however, the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop - you are pushed by the deceleration to the front of the compartment.
<Vigilant_GM> You can hear as some of the arbites exit their vehicles, yours included.
<Vigilant_GM> Some sort of argument ensues.
<Nitrous> "This is not standard."
<Vigilant_GM> You can hear the latches open.
<Velam> "Shush."
<Vigilant_GM> "Fill my head with one more irrelevant bit of information, and the Provost will discipline you accordingly," a man declares nearby.
<Vigilant_GM> Another voice replies, "This is highly irregular, Arbitrator. I request only that---" the man pauses mid-sentence.
<Vigilant_GM> You are taken out of the vehicle, and shoved into yet another.
<Nitrous> "Hrm."
<Vigilant_GM> The drive this time is markedly less cautious.
<Vigilant_GM> After rough turns, and sudden stops and acceleration, you finally stop.
<Karpath> "This is fun." he says sarcastically.
<Vigilant_GM> The doors open yet again, and you are brought out.
<Vigilant_GM> The surroundings provide cavernous echoes to every sound.
<Vigilant_GM> All at once, your hoods are removed.
* Karpath eyes try to readjust to the light.
<Vigilant_GM> There you stand, in front of a ranking Arbitrator, standing somewhere in... the underhive?
* Velam blinks his eyes, and tries to straighten his glasses, despite having his hands binded behind his back.
<Vigilant_GM> You realize yours is but one of three vehicles.
* Nitrous grunts
<Vigilant_GM> The larger one is opened up, as your possessions are dropped from its back.
<Vigilant_GM> The third vehicle, a small autocarriage meant to transport few people in relative comfort, comes to a stop. A man of slender build exits and stands next to the arbitrator.
<Vigilant_GM> He wears non-descript clothing of a dark palette.
<Vigilant_GM> "Thank you, Actem." he nods.
<Vigilant_GM> The Arbites board the first two vehicles.
<Vigilant_GM> You are uncuffed just as they take their leave.
<Nitrous> "What's the catch?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Silence," the man says with some innate air of authority.
* Karpath rubs his wrist as his hands are free from the handcuffs.
* Velam rubs his wrists before readjusting his lenses and looking at their 'saviour.'
* Nitrous nods
<Vigilant_GM> He hands back to each of you, the inquisitorial tags you were given.
<Vigilant_GM> "Perhaps the nature of your assignment was unclear to you."
<Baird> Freshly uncuffed Baird turns towards the pile of possessions and retrieves his. Restrapping on his holsters with pistols and pocketing his other effects he turns toward the man extending the Inquisitorial tags.
<Shiv> "...What?"
<Vigilant_GM> "When Mortem told you, as he has told all of us, that *everything* is a test, it was meant as a warning."
* Uriel rubs his wrists and stands, he moves to grab his sword while looking for the small black orb
* Velam visibly gulps.
* Nitrous grunts
<Shiv> "Test?". He is visibly shaking.
<Vigilant_GM> "And when I must intervene in this way, and disrupt my operations on this den of heresy, it reflects poorly. On you. And on me."
<Uriel> “We have failed to accomplish the Emperors will, we should be punished.”
* Nitrous grabs his gear
* Shiv runs to get his items.
<Vigilant_GM> "Bring the criminal to me," he says nodding towards Shiv.
* Karpath takes his tag, he then picks up all of the stuff, holstering his weapons, and putting back on his hat on.
<Nitrous> "Criminal to him."
<Shiv> "I swear it wasn't me!"
* Shiv slowly walks towards the man.
<Vigilant_GM> "Hold him down. Uriel, approach."
<Velam> Taking a cue from his compatriots he goes to retrieve his things from the pile.
* Nitrous detains shiv
<Shiv> "FECK!"
<Nitrous> "If he wanted to kill you he would've done it a long time ago."
<Shiv> "I figured as much, Lawman."
* Uriel Nods and approaches the Man, sword drawn
<Velam> After making sure his servo skulls are fine and intact, and all of his things are back with him and secure he watches the spectle from the sidelines.
<Vigilant_GM> "Right arm. Below the forearm," he says without inflection.
<Shiv> "THAT's MY GOOD ARM!"
<Nitrous> "Either this or at the neck."
<Vigilant_GM> He glares at Nitrous.
* Nitrous gulps
<Vigilant_GM> "I will not hear from you, on matters of justice. You, of all, should have shown the necessary restraint. Your penance is yet to come."
* Uriel Readies the blade, positioning it above Shiv’s right arm
<Vigilant_GM> A nod of the head is all you need to proceed.
<Uriel> “Emperor’s blessing be with you.” he says, before cleaving the arm from the mans body
* Karpath stands there watching, a chill runs down his spine as he awaits what will happen.
<Shiv> "A thousand and one curses on your name, Knight."
* Uriel uses Shiv’s clothing to clean the blood off his blade
<Shiv> "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
<Shiv> "MOTHER FUCKER, COCK SUCKERS!"
<Vigilant_GM> "Inquisitor Mortem insists on your continued operational independence," he looks at Baird.
* Velam shivers as he watches the event unfold, almost losing his lunch in the process.
<Vigilant_GM> "You may keep your pet. But if his limb is to be reacquired, keep him on a leash."
<Nitrous> "Yes sir."
<Vigilant_GM> Looking towards Velam now, he asks, "Focus. What is your current lead?"
* Shiv cries and tries to hold back the screaming.
* Velam straightents his glasses and clears his throat. "Ah yes, through the journal of the late Lord Guljian, someplace known as 'the Screaming Wheel' is a location where illicit deals are being had. Mayhaps where the late noble obtained the object that drove him mad. Though that is only a guess on my end."
* Shiv rips his shirt and tries to make a tourniquet.
<Velam> He fidgets and pats one of the servo-skulls to try and calm himself down.
<Vigilant_GM> "Transport will be arranged," he says with a nod.
<Vigilant_GM> "Any questions?"
<Nitrous> "Punishment for me will be after the mission?"
<Vigilant_GM> "When the Inquisitor's punishment is brought upon you, no room for such a question will exist in your mind."
<Velam> "If I may be so bold, should we refer to you as anything?"
<Nitrous> "Understood."
<Baird> "I don't think that's important Velam."
<Baird> "What is important is that we were given a second chance and should make the best of it."
<Vigilant_GM> "Interrogator Kurst."
* Shiv tries to stand and wobbles from the blood loss.
<Velam> "Ahhhh, that explains a many great things." He fiddles with his glasses again.
<Vigilant_GM> "Were it up to me, you would have seen your end. I simply yield to Inquisitor Mortem's wisdom on this matter."
<Vigilant_GM> With that, he turns for his autocarriage.
* Velam gives a slight bow in respect.
* Nitrous helps shiv up
<Uriel> “May you be bathed in the Emperors light.”
<Vigilant_GM> Before entering his vehicle he calls out, his voice echoing along the warehouse's interior, "You are hunted men! Do not force my hand again!"
<Shiv> "Lawman... I am fine."
<Vigilant_GM> His departure gives you time to gather yourselves for a moment.
<Velam> "Oh Emperor above." He sighs before remembering that he has a medi-kit on hand and goes to help staunch the bleeding from Shiv.
<Baird> "Well we should probably find some new accommodations given that our previous location isn't such a good spot now."
<Karpath> "Agreed."
<Shiv> "I don't think... I have..." *breaths heavily*
<Vigilant_GM> A nondescript vehicle pulls up. *Arranged transport*, surely.
<Nitrous> "Armless here needs medical detail."
<Velam> "I'll see what else I can do, after we board the...arranged transport."
* Shiv weakly flips the lawman the rude gesture.
<Vigilant_GM> The driver calls out. "To the Screaming Wheel", you notice the lack of a question in his voice.
* Nitrous gets into the vehicle
* Karpath makes his way to the vehicle and gets in.
* Uriel Sighs, “lets get a move on.” he says to the bleeding man and the Focus
* Uriel then enters the vehicle
* Shiv stumbles into his seat in the vehicle.
<Baird> "Guess this fuckin Interrogator has everything figured out.." Walking forward Baird opens one of the front doors and clambers inside.
* Shiv lays in his seat and his eyes are closed.
<Velam> Follows everyone in, and tries to attend to shiv's wounds. All the while he is quite impressed by the Interrogator's resources. "Most fascinating." He mumbles to himsself.
<Vigilant_GM> The driver navigates towards the lower Main Hive, where your surroundings become less populated with merchants and off-worlders, and more so with manufactorum laborers, gangers, and other more lowly faces in the grand hierarchy of Desoleum.
<Vigilant_GM> The cantina is accessible from a less-than sturdy gantry. It's a rough and windowless chamber set amidsts the sprawling array of interconnected structures that make up the midhive habways which now surround you.
<Vigilant_GM> A rusted ladder leads from the roof of the cantina up to a wide thoroughfare, some 20 meters above.
<Vigilant_GM> Even from out here, the smells and noises from within reach out to you.
<Vigilant_GM> As you step inside the Screaming Wheel, the smell of stale lho-smoke and obscura, the stench of sweat, and loud pounding music assault your senses. Even compared to the street outside, the place is dark, lit only by a few weak glow-gloves and lumen signs.
<Nitrous> "Interesting place."
* Velam wrinkles his nose. "Hive and scum and villainy more like." He mutters to himself.
<Vigilant_GM> An assortment of unsavory looking patrons fill the room, from gangers in battle-leathers, to vacant-eyed laborers strung out on chems. Few bother to look up as you enter. Behind the bar, a heavyset man cleans glasses with a dirty cloth cluched in his claw-like bionic arm. Seated at a table on the far end of the room, several well-coiffed and rakish fellows (who appear out of place if
<Vigilant_GM> nothing else) laugh as a man in manufactorum coveralls seemingly pleads with them.
* Shiv struggles to get his iho sticks and lights one. Defeated, he sits in the corner.
<Karpath> moves next to Baird, "So now what?"
* Uriel Glares at the customers as they glance at his fuedal plate “I do not like their looks.”
<Velam> "We'll want to make contact with 'the babyfaces.' They identify themselves with pale masks and exaggerated round faces. Ha, hence the name I think." He tells them in a low tone to not be overheard.
<Vigilant_GM> The manufactorum worker's knee explodes in a disturbing burst of blood, as he is shot from under the table. Though some patrons are startled and give curious glances, most show no reaction at all as the man collapses to the ground wailing in pain as he clutches his ruined knee. The men who Velam identifies by that curious name chortle at the sight.
<Velam> "Well, there you have it." He nods to the men in the corner.
<Baird> "Lets go say hello shall we?"
<Baird> "We best bring drinks."
<Karpath> "Yea, shall we then?"
* Nitrous lights shiv's lho stick
<Vigilant_GM> "What's it going to be?" the man behind the bar calls without shifting his gaze off the glass he's cleaning.
* Karpath approaches the bar tender, "We will get what they have and another round for them." He then looks over at the table with the group of babyfaces are sitting.
<Vigilant_GM> The man gives a short, grunting laugh as though in on some joke. Placing the glass down, he begins to pour.
* Shiv continues smoking in his corner. He is enjoying what little peace he can get.
<Vigilant_GM> He pours ten drinks in total, and sets them on the bar, right in front of you.
<Vigilant_GM> "Tabbing up?"
* Karpath nods.
<Vigilant_GM> He nods, and makes a note.
* Nitrous picks up a few drinks
* Karpath then takes what he can of the drinks and makes his way over to the table.
* Baird steps forward grabbing a few of the drinks and heads towards the 'baby faces'
* Velam just follows along, not really one for the drink.
<Vigilant_GM> Another of the extravagantly-dressed men stands up and crosses to the man on the floor, stabbing him rapidly and repeatedly in the gut, leaving him to bleed to death as they lauch and finish their round of drinks.
* Uriel grabs one of the drinks before downing it, seeeing the final drink on the table he downs that one as well
<Baird> Approaching the table Baird sets down the drinks in front of the men and takes a seat at the table.
<Baird> "Thought you guys could use another round, after all it's bad manners to discuss business thirsty."
* Nitrous set down the drinks
* Karpath does the same as he takes a sip of his drink.
<Vigilant_GM> They glance at you, the expressions on their faces frozen where they were.
<Vigilant_GM> "Business," one simply repeats.
<Vigilant_GM> The exchange glances for a moment, before turning back to you.
<Vigilant_GM> "Seeing as you brought gifts, do sit down!"
<Vigilant_GM> The jovial welcome is derranged, as he kicks the man bleeding to death out of your way.
* Velam takes one last look at the man bleeding to death on the floor before taking a seat furthes away from the rakish gangers.
* Uriel takes a seat, resting his blade between his legs
<Vigilant_GM> "I can't say no to another round," he says with a juvenile grin, "But... business?"
<Vigilant_GM> The grin turns into a smile.
<Vigilant_GM> "Did one of our boys do that?" another of the men says pointing to Shiv's wound. He laughs.
<Vigilant_GM> The others join in.
<Baird> "Of course. You normally chat with a friend of ours..Lans. We're here to help facilitate.. the deal."
<Vigilant_GM> "Deal?" the presumed leader asks, taking a gulp of his drink.
<Baird> "No no no, he talked too much. So he had to be taught not to let his tongue go a wavin."
<Vigilant_GM> The presumed leader laughs, and takes a gulp from his drink.
<Vigilant_GM> "So he's back for more? Our services get more and more popular!"
<Vigilant_GM> A crude jest about Hans is traded between them, but you aren't sure what exactly it is they are referring to.
-Global- [Utsuho] If anyone knwos enough about resumes to offer help touching one up, please PM Yue
<Vigilant_GM> "The thing is..."
<Vigilant_GM> "I've never known a dead man who wanted to approach me for another deal."
<Vigilant_GM> The tension is palpable.
<Vigilant_GM> He finishes his drink.
<Vigilant_GM> "So tell me. Who are you?"
<Vigilant_GM> He sets down his glass and smiles at you.
<Baird> "Someone interested in the services you provide. Mutual friend dead or not."
* Uriel freezes, the sudden sadness overwhelming him makes it impossible for him to even move
* Shiv walks his way to the table "My friend here is right. Does it matter who our 'contact' is. As long as we are interested in your trade."
<Shiv> "Money speaks, right?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Indeed..." he looks down at his empty cup.
<Vigilant_GM> "Indeed."
<Baird> "Shivvy why don't you get the man a refill."
* Shiv puts his hand out and says to this man "May I?"
<Vigilant_GM> He nods.
* Shiv takes the glass to the bartender.
<Vigilant_GM> "As it happens our supplier will have a shipment out here soon."
<Vigilant_GM> "That is. If you have the Scrip."
<Uriel> “What...why is this happening to me?” he says in a small, broken voice
* Shiv says to the bartender "Another, my good man." He puts down the glass on the counter.
* Uriel all of a sudden relaxes, slinking down into his chair and breathing heavily
<Vigilant_GM> He nods, looking over to your table, and pours.
<Uriel> “Heresy afoot!”
* Shiv takes the drink back to the table.
<Vigilant_GM> "Another obscura degenerate?" he asks pointing with his thumb over to Uriel.
<Shiv> "Correct."
<Vigilant_GM> "I can give you a good price to feed your friend's habit."
<Shiv> "Kind Sir, I am interested. But I think we have some doses for him for now." He puts the drink near him.
<Vigilant_GM> "I need to see some up-front Scrip." he says with a shrug.
* Uriel Gives Velam a pointed glance, indicating to the pouch on his side
* Shiv takes out rolled bundles of scrip and puts it on the table.
* Velam quirks an eyebrow as he unloops the pouch from Uriel's side.
<Vigilant_GM> He lays his palm on it from across the table, a wide smile on his face.
<Vigilant_GM> "We would be happy to help."
* Uriel grabs his hand before he finishes, he takes the pouch and slowly rolla the orb into his gauntleted hand. he leans in and whispers to Velam “it is acting strangely, it corrupted my thoughts and feeling. I am trusting you to be aware.”
<Baird> "Payment of course paid on delivery. Not that I don't trust you boys..but you understand."
* Uriel then pulls back to his chair and remains oblivious to the meeting ahead of him
<Vigilant_GM> He keeps his hand firmly on the pile of currency.
<Vigilant_GM> "I can do you one better."
* Velam sighs. "This is not the time and place for that." He whispers before stashing it back under his robes.
<Vigilant_GM> "Supplier, and location."
<Vigilant_GM> The others nod, disturbing smiles on their faces, too.
<Shiv> "Go on."
<Vigilant_GM> He begins to pull the money over to his side of the table.
<Vigilant_GM> "Our good merchant is one Zax Holthane," he begins.
<Vigilant_GM> "He has set up his operation on Three Stakes' Rest," he begins counting the Scrip.
<Vigilant_GM> "And for such a generous payment, here, we could direct you to that location."
<Baird> "We'd be amenable to that." Baird cracks a grin
<Shiv> "Well, Beard. I think we should handle the tab before leaving."
* Shiv gets up and says "Excuse me."
<Vigilant_GM> A pen-like object falls to the table from his sleeve. He opens up a cap, and pours a line of powder along his thumb. All in a practiced single movement, he snorts it all and extends his hand with as wide a smile as his face can muster.
<Vigilant_GM> "Deal!"
* Shiv heads over to the Bartender and says "Tab."
<Vigilant_GM> "Eleven of the amber-tar 'sec, was it?"
* Baird extends his hand and grasps the proffered one firmly
<Vigilant_GM> "Skinner," he finally introduces himself.
<Baird> "Baird"
* Velam follows Shiv to see if he can help in dealing with the tab.
* Shiv hands the bartender some items (2 golden rings and 2 doses of a 'drug') and says "No questions, just for the tab. Okay?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Decrepit area, Three Stakes', but we'll make sure you don't get lost. Zax isn't very forthcoming on account of the business and all, but he'll warm up to you" Skinner explains.
<Vigilant_GM> The Barkeep looks at Shiv for a moment, then takes what has been left on the counter, saying nothing.
* Shiv makes his way back to the table.
<Baird> "When do we head that way?"
<Vigilant_GM> Pointing to the doorway as another of his gangmembers enters, "Now!"
<Vigilant_GM> They all finish their drinks and stand. They step over the now unconscious and dying man on the floor as they introduce you to the new arrival.
<Vigilant_GM> You are introduced as potential clients, seeking more artefacts, and that you are to be escorted to Holthane's operation to discuss the new shipment.
<Vigilant_GM> Though uneasy at first, the newcomer agrees, and leads the way out. Skinner gives you a childish wave good-bye, and leaves in another direction altogether.
<Velam> As they follow, Velam records everything so far into his dataslate, muttering to himself all the while.
<Vigilant_GM> An hour's worth of travel sees you to an ill-delineated area of abandoned and decaying habs, forgotten chambers, structurally unsound passages and roadways, connected through collapsing gantries, pressure-sealed hatcways, and tunnels of corroded metal.
<Baird> Returning the wave Baird follows the newcomer.
<Vigilant_GM> Though not formally in the underhive, the state of the place is such that it could be described as an extention of it. Sights, sounds, smells, all testament to this fact.
<Vigilant_GM> Decrepit tunnels house maddened dregs, obscura addicts, where no patrols dare to walk.
<Vigilant_GM> Seeing you walk with the Babyface gangmember keeps these human vermin at bay, but they eye you every step of the way.
<Vigilant_GM> The babyface points to a crumbling manufactorum.
<Vigilant_GM> It's clear you weren't expected, and Holthane's men are especially guarded in your approach.
<Vigilant_GM> "Buyers," he says with suspicion.
<Vigilant_GM> "And you thought it appropriate to bring them here."
<Vigilant_GM> He is bald, with only an augmetic eye, and a stubble to decorate his head.
<Vigilant_GM> He wears the clothing of a merchant who must look out for his safety, for he is armed and armored both.
<Vigilant_GM> "Skinner, Zax. He told me to--" the merchant hold up a hand, silencing the ganger.
<Vigilant_GM> "Leave."
<Velam> "Sacred Emperor, it's here." He whispers to the others. "This is it."
<Velam> "This is the source of it all, gentlmen." He says in a quiet tone.
* Shiv whispers back "Would our 'client' be very interested in this, Smarty?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Source?" Holtham says, with his augmetic eye refocusing, hand slowly moving to his side.
<Velam> "By the throne, yes."
* Nitrous whispers to Velam "Has the clock struck 12?"
<Velam> "Struck gold." He whispers back.
<Baird> Stepping forward slightly Baird gestures at the merchant. "Good to see your security isn't lax. It seems you are indeed the right man to buy from. Now we just need to make sure you have what we're looking for."
<Vigilant_GM> "Right. And what is it you're looking for?" The man has a nerve of steel.
<Shiv> "My friend listen we are interested in acquiring a certain item. One that requires a discrete method. We need to discuss the item in a private setting where our fellow scholar can give out the details. It is a very delicate matter, you see."
<Vigilant_GM> "I see..."
<Vigilant_GM> his hand reaches into his coat, from which he reveals a small datapad.
<Vigilant_GM> "And how do you intend to pay?"
<Vigilant_GM> He starts to walk towards one of the scaffolding stairs, and motions for you to walk with him.
<Velam> "We have access to a cache of off the books munitions and weapons. Untraceable. If that does not interest you, we have several accounts of credit behind fake company fronts based in the markets of the Desoleum mid-hive."
<Velam> He explains as he follows along.
* Uriel glares at the man as he lists his offences against the Emperor, truely this man is no better than filth
* Shiv follows at the side of Velam.
<Vigilant_GM> "I see..." his datapad communicates with a rune console at the top of the stairs, presumably an entrance to his office.
<Vigilant_GM> A small vault opens up.
<Vigilant_GM> "If you wouldn't mind disarming here,"
<Vigilant_GM> It is large enough to house several missile launchers were it necessary.
* Velam follows his direction, taking his laspistol from under his robes and putting it into the small vault.
<Uriel> “Disarm?” If you insist.” he makes his way towards the man, unbuckling his sword and holding it in front of him as he walks towards the merchant
* Uriel as soon as he gets within range he quickly jumps forward to grab the merchant
* Karpath begins making his way up to the vault his stun maul now in his hand.
<Vigilant_GM> "I'm afraid so. Otherwise, the security within wi---" the struggle begins, and Holthane drops his datapad in order to push Uriel's attack away from him.
<Vigilant_GM> Karpath's shock-maul strike to Holthane's head knocks him out cold.
* Velam jumps back to put himself away from the violence. He grabs his laspistol in a two-handed grip and waits to see what will come of this.
<Velam> "Hold him still." He starts to rifle through the man's belongings.
<Vigilant_GM> Bolt pistol, autopistol, flak armor under leather tunic, 2 extra clips for bolt pistol, 2 extra clips of expander shells, injector w/ three doses of stimm, custom multi-key, portable vox, red-dot sight (on bolt pustol), access cog stamped with the seal of the Port Gyre Auctoriate Porteus.
* Shiv takes the vox and multi-key.
* Velam takes the access cog and examines it.
<Shiv> "Someone take his weapons."
* Baird stoops down and retrieves the Bolt Pistol the clips and the holster
* Nitrous takes the auto pistol, clips, and holster
<Baird> "Alright so someone without weapons take a quick look inside and check the situation."
<Baird> "Don't want some automated systems cutting us to ribbons."
* Uriel sighs and passes Baird his sword
<Uriel> “Be gentle.”
<Karpath> "Hey Baird, take my weapons, I'm going to check out the office." He then hands off all his weapons to Baird and approaches the door.
* Karpath then opens the door.
* Baird collects Karpaths weapons.
<Vigilant_GM> The door opens wide, and Karpath's passing through triggers a servoskull to approach.
<Vigilant_GM> It scans him from head to toe.
<Vigilant_GM> It floats away, allowing him to proceed.
<Vigilant_GM> Inside, a dormant combat servitor stands still.
* Karpath_ (Karpath@sux-9B1E62A4.sanbrunocable.com) has joined
* Karpath_ looks back to the group, "Looks automated." he says in a low tone and then makes his way in.
* Karpath has quit (Ping timeout)
<Vigilant_GM> The combat servitor does not appear to react to Karpath's movement within the office.
<Velam> "Hmmm if that's the case. Shiv, leave your weapons here. I'll do the same just in case. We're going to disarm the security so we can move everyone inside. Maybe even reprogram the servitor for later."
<Baird> "Sounds good, we'll keep Holthane company."
* Shiv puts his over his las pistol, auto pistol, and chainsword on the ground and heads in.
* Karpath_ begins looking around the room to find a way to turn off the system.
* Velam folllows. "Let's see about disabling the security."
* Shiv access the console with Velam's and Karpath's.
<Shiv> "We need a word to turn off the toaster in the room."
<Shiv> "But first, the servo-skull."
<Velam> "Good thinking."
* Karpath_ is now known as Karpath
* Shiv , Velam, and Karpath turn off the servo skull is off.
* Velam leans out the door and beckons those outside to get inside, weapons and all.
* Shiv and the rest turn off the motor functions of the servitor.
* Nitrous starts moving shotgun drawn
<Velam> Velam starts to sift through the man's dataslate as the other move in and start looking around.
* Baird heads into the office dragging Holthane inside.
* Nitrous searches the room for anything useful
* Karpath gets his weapons back from Baird and then begins searching the office for anything useful with more information on what they are looking for
<Vigilant_GM> Within the office, papers and a few dataslates sit atop an old and well-worn desk, next to a tarnished filing chest. Old cargo manifests, scribbled names and addresses, and lists hand-written in obtuse ciphers are scattered amongst ancient, brittle parchments. In the top drawer of the desk is a pack of lho-sticks, a loaded stub automatic, and three loose shotgun cartridges.
* Shiv starts shifting throug the pic feeds on the console, looking for anything useful include escape routes and vehicles.
<Vigilant_GM> The documents include records of at least half a dozen shuttle landings at different Port Gyre landing pads, as well as names of several nobles and merchants - including Land Guljian.
* Nitrous takes the stub automatic
<Vigilant_GM> The pict-feeds show the manufactorum, the shooting range, and the many entry-points to the vast complex.
<Vigilant_GM> Guards numbering under 20 overall cover these areas.
<Vigilant_GM> At this moment, however, Holthane begins to groan slowly back into consciousness.
<Baird> "Someone secure Holthane."
* Nitrous manacles Holthane
* Velam gathers all the found dataslate and notes into a pile and devours them as greedily an info addict only can.
<Vigilant_GM> "Wha... wh..."
* Nitrous ties his mouth closed
<Vigilant_GM> He struggles to speak as he slowly takes it all in.
<Vigilant_GM> He looks around, eyes wide as his combat servitor stands, useless.
<Vigilant_GM> He begins to squirm to try to get loose.
* Karpath makes his way over to where Holthane, he take his shock maul and then activates it.
<Vigilant_GM> His non-augmetic eye is blood-shot, rage and fear on his face.
<Vigilant_GM> He begins to breathe heavily, chest rising and falling.
* Nitrous takes the shotgun shells
<Nitrous> "I'm going to ungag you and if you speak, you will die."
* Nitrous ungags Holthane and starts the interrogation
<Vigilant_GM> He says nothing. His augmetic eye refocuses on the Arbiter's face.
<Nitrous> "Where did you get these artifacts?"
* Nitrous starts pulling on his bionic eye
* Uriel has quit (Quit: )
<Vigilant_GM> He says nothing.
<Vigilant_GM> Instead, he grunts in pain.
<Shiv> "Oh for the love of Emperor."
* Shiv takes the medikit from Velam and says "I'm borrowing this."
<Nitrous> "Old fashioned eh?"
* Shiv takes out a knife from the kit and guides it playfully near the Holthane's fingers.
<Velam> "Make sure you clean it when you're through." He says absently as his eyes scan through a new sheef of papers.
<Shiv> "Which is your favorite? Because I recently lost my favorite arm recently."
<Vigilant_GM> "Who are you?" is all he manages to say.
* Shiv jams the knife under his nails. "No questions. Only answers."
<Vigilant_GM> He screams in pain.
<Nitrous> "Where did you get the artifacts?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Amateurs... fools..." he says between breaths.
* Karpath grabs the gag this time and then readies to gag him.
<Vigilant_GM> "The Faceless Trade. You think this is as neat as 'where' and 'who'? You make fools of  yourselves."
<Vigilant_GM> "Ask any man on this miserable planet the same question, and you'll get as many answers as those giving them."
* Velam pauses in his information sifting, before turning to the group. "If it is the Faceless Trade, and thinking about it it's quite logical that it would be, we should ask him specifics. It's not called the Faceless Trade for nothing. This man could be supplied by anyone." He looks to Shiv, "heretics," then Karpath, "Rogue Traders," and then to Baird, "outlaws and criminals." He looks back to his work. "It's quite the
* Velam netowrk. Very impressive even."
<Vigilant_GM> "Listen to your analyst. It's clear you are amateurs - know nothing of this line of work. So, who are you?"
<Vigilant_GM> His hand shakes in pain.
* Karpath looks at Velam, he raises an eyebrow, but says nothing.
* Karpath_ (Karpath@sux-9B1E62A4.sanbrunocable.com) has joined
<Nitrous> "Who provides the wares for this warehouse and are there other like it?"
<Vigilant_GM> "I am a link. Do you understand? You may kill me today. Tomorrow another will come, and the Trade will be untouched."
<Vigilant_GM> He strains for a moment, holding in the pain.
<Vigilant_GM> "You won't tell me who you are. But it's clear you are after something specific. Guarantee my safety, and you will know something of worth."
<Vigilant_GM> "To the contrary, death will embrace me, and the Wheel will turn."
* Shiv shrugs at Baird.