Evervigilant 2

Vigilance_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilance_GM> Acolyte Cell Valerius-Sigma remains in the Chartist's Lodge, the accomodations secured by the smuggler Aldus.
<Vigilance_GM> What is certain is that Baird's associate, Shiv, has been caught up in an ugly breakdown of the smuggling operations into the upper sectors of the Hive,
and that in some way these are connected to Hesentanz Manor, and Lans Guljian.
<Shiv> "So... what is the plan, boys?"
* Shiv gets a coat and lays it on the bed and puts the dissassembled autopistol on it to toy with it.
<UrielZarr> "We storm the the den of rats and slay them all."
<Shiv> "Something more sensible. Beard man, you got anything?"
<Nitrous> "We could just ask to go in"
<Nitrous> "I am still an arbiter"
<Shiv> "I mean that's a start."
* Baird chuckles softly "Sure..worse come to worse they tell us no..providing no one flies off the handle"
<Baird> "First off lets head to the market. We can resupply and get some disguises..also a holster"
<UrielZarr> "And get something to eat, battle should be after a hearty meal."
<Shiv> "Sounds like plan." He pulls out the bundle of cash and says "This should help."
<Nitrous> "Let's get some ammo"
* Shiv sighs and thinks to himself "Payday... just think of the bigger payday at end of this."
<Baird> Strapping on the holster and tucking his ammo into a pouch Baird wolfs down the grox stew with gusto.
<Vigilance_GM> The surroundings in this district are filled with eager tradesmen, ready to sell goods and services to locals and off-worlders alike.
With some skilled haggling, the Acolyte Cell secures a meal, and gear in preparation for the investigation into Hans Guljian.
* UrielZarr eats some fried beast on a stick, concered that he doesn't know the species
* Shiv sipping on a drink after eating delicious lizard meat soup.
* Nitrous downs some grox stew
<Vigilance_GM> Arranged by the pair of outcasts, an autocarriage driver is contracted to transport the acolyte cell from their lodgings to the lower Apex of the hive at
evening's start.
<Shiv> "These robes are kinda comfortable."
* UrielZarr has quit (Ping timeout)
<Baird> "I was gonna say the same thing about my new holster"
<Vigilance_GM> The vehicle is nondescript, and blends with the traffic that flows through the hive, making for a mercifully uneventful journey up-hive.
<Vigilance_GM> Before you know it, you are surrounded by the neatly-maintained and opulent estates of the nobility. Serfs fill the streets on errands for their masters,
and the beggars that plague the lower segments are nowhere to be seen here.
<Vigilance_GM> The Precinct Fortress guards the main arteries leading into the upper hive, ready to shut these down in case of insurrection, or worse.
<Vigilance_GM> The imposing structure is a reminder to any who have business at the Apex that the Emperor's Justice is ever watchful.
<Nitrous> "We've arrived"
* Shiv pulls up the hood on his robes and puts on his rebreather. He gets out of the vehicle.
<Nitrous> "Don't attract attention criminal"
<Baird> Clambering out of the vehicle Baird tips his hat to the driver before addressing his compatriots. "Alright lets get train wreck on the move"
<Vigilance_GM> A patrol of Arbites arrives at the precinct fortress, and like clockwork, their rotation replacement boards a transport of their own, and begin their own patrol
in their place.
<Nitrous> "Let's do this"
<Baird> "Lead the way lawman"
<Vigilance_GM> (beating up the wrong guy)
* Shiv follows behind Nitrous and trying to play his part.
* Nitrous heads toward the front entrance
* Nitrous looks for a front desk
<Vigilance_GM> The large heavy doors to the administrative hall remain open, however an armed guardstation blocks entry to any unauthorized visitors in the courtyard.
* Baird follows behind the other two bringing up the rear of the group
<Nitrous> "Guard I need access to facilities here"
* Nitrous shows badge of office
<Vigilance_GM> The guard inspects the badge, and places it on a servitorized reader slot.
<Vigilance_GM> "Credentials accepted. You're a long way from home," he says handing Timor the identifier pendant back.
<Nitrous> "Indeed"
<Nitrous> "These grunts are with me"
* Nitrous heads on in
<Vigilance_GM> "Proceed to the Precinct Officio Registrar."
* Nitrous heads towards registrar
* Baird tips his hat at the guard and follows Nitrous in ushering Shiv ahead of him
* Shiv keep his face concealed and his head down while following Nitrous.
<Vigilance_GM> The markings lead you to a small chamber just off of the main administrative hall. Here, an Adeptus Arbites Provost nods you over.
<Nitrous> "Evening"
<Vigilance_GM> "Timor?"
<Nitrous> "Yup"
<Vigilance_GM> "Your arrival was not preceded by any Precinct communique," he observes.
<Vigilance_GM> "Under whose orders are you here?"
<Nitrous> "Working under a different organization."
<Vigilance_GM> The Provost turns his view to the monitor, scanning through information. "I see."
* Shiv steps towards "Excuse me, my Lords. Officer Nitrous is after a criminal who escaped justice on his planet. This is a personal matter, revenge against this scum."
<Vigilance_GM> His eyes leave the screen.
<Vigilance_GM> "A personal matter."
* Shiv nods.
<Vigilance_GM> "A miscreant who escaped justice, has filtered himself to our own Hive Desoleum."
<Nitrous> "Indeed."
<Vigilance_GM> "I understand." he nods.
<Nitrous> "Need a vehicle and access to your supplies."
<Vigilance_GM> He thumbs a data pad, through patrol schedules.
<Nitrous> "Quiet Knight"
<Vigilance_GM> "I can make a patrol vehicle available, but only for a few hours," he says, pointing to an entry in the log.
<Vigilance_GM> "I can make a patrol vehicle available, but only for a few hours," he says, pointing to an entry in the log.
<Vigilance_GM> "Wait here."
<Nitrous> "Understood."
<Vigilance_GM> The provost disappears into a hallway.
<Vigilance_GM> Out of the hallway then emerges a scribe, carrying several fresh notelogs.
<Vigilance_GM> It doesn't escape your attention, that these are bound with the markings of the Precinct Fortress.
<Vigilance_GM> The provost returns, "May these serve you well in maintaining records against the scum you seek."
* Shiv bows and takes the notelogs.
<Nitrous> "Thank you."
Vigilance_GM> "The vehicle will be in the motor pool. Ave Imperator."
Nitrous> "Ave Imperator."
<Nitrous> "Let's go"
* Nitrous heads towards the car
<Uriel> "Blessed are we in the light of the Emperor." he says to the scribe, staring him in the eyes and searching for any signs of corruption
<Baird> Following behind Nitrous Baird separates one of the notelogs from Shiv and pockets it.
<Vigilance_GM> The glare in return is unblinking, reavealing nothing but contempt.
* Shiv just looks at Baird and shrugs.
* Uriel snatches a note log from Shiv and slides it in his armor
<Shiv> "Please, stop taking my things!"
<Nitrous> "Hand me a notelog."
<Vigilance_GM> A vehicle moves into the motor pool, a plated patrol autocarriage.
* Shiv hands a note log to Nitrous.
<Vigilance_GM> A vehicle moves into the motor pool, a plated patrol autocarriage.
* Shiv hands a note log to Nitrous
<Uriel> "A glorious vessle of His will."
<Nitrous> "Everyone inside."
* Shiv gets in the driver's seat of the patrol.
<Nitrous> "Don't crash."
<Baird> "You got this Shivvy."
<Shiv> "This looks similar to my Truck. I think I can drive this."
* Nitrous heads towards passenger seat
* Baird straps in after clambering aboard
* Uriel climbs into the rear and readies to leap out on any notice
<Vigilance_GM> With some initial difficulty in the unfamiliar surroundings, Shiv eventually makes headway on the right course,
taking the acolyte cell into the hab districts of the lower Apex.
<Vigilance_GM> Not an hour later through the labyrinthe-like carriageways, you arrive at the destination marked by Velam.
<Nitrous> "We're here."
Uriel> "Steel yourself in his holy word."
<Vigilance_GM> The manse has certainly seen better days. The stonework is crumbling, neglect reflecting off the tarnished plasteel.
Above the archway housing the outer gate, lumin-globes flicker intermittently.
Beyond these, a short flight of broad stone steps lead to the large wooden doors ahead with elaborate carvings, and a brass knocker cast in the shape of a coiled serpent.
Nitrous> "I have a bad feeling about this."
<Baird> Climbing out of the patrol car Baird raises an eyebrow at the slightly dilapidated mansion
<Shiv> "Looks just like the houses that litter Snope's World."
<Baird> "The guy we need is here?" Baird asks skeptically "Why would anyone want to stay in this hole for any amount of time..?"
* Uriel Kneels and prays over his blade before turning to the decrepit lair.
<Uriel> "I say we hurry and get this task completed so we may leave." he says, expressing his displeasure in the surroundings.
<Baird> "Well who wants to knock?"
<Shiv> "One sec, let me check something."
* Shiv slowly walks up and tries to peek into the window.
<Uriel> "I will, we know not the horrors that could await us." he grasps the hilt of his blade before approaching the door.
* Baird begins moving towards the steps in the wake of Uriel
* Nitrous prepares for a breach entrance
<Vigilance_GM> Shiv's approach fails as he leans on rotting wooden fencing.
* Shiv falls and yells "FECK!"
<Vigilance_GM> The sound of this, and his attempt to regain footing catches the attention of a servant inside who looks out the window.
* Uriel grasps the knocker and gives the door three hard knocks.
<Vigilance_GM> With eyes wide, he disappears from the window.
* Shiv gets up and wipes the dirt off his robes.
<Vigilance_GM> Shortly, the door clicks, and opens slightly ajar.
<Vigilance_GM> "Who are you? What business have you here?"
<Vigilance_GM> His eyes dart nervously from Nitrous, to Uriel, back to Baird and Shiv.
<Uriel> "We are here on the Emperor's holy mission." he proclaims to the servent
<Vigilance_GM> The servant goes silent.
<Uriel> "We seek someone inside this residence."
<Vigilance_GM> After a few awkward seconds, he nods and welcomes you to Hesentanz Manor. "Do come in."
<Vigilance_GM> "May I inquire as to your identities, and the nature of your business here?"
* Shiv runs up behind Uriel.
* Nitrous "I'm Nitrous." shows arbites badge
<Vigilance_GM> "Yes?"
<Baird> Ascending the stairs after his compatriots Baird says nothing just grins and tips his hat
<Vigilance_GM> Over the railing on the second floor landing, you spot a man looking down at you, expressionless.
<Nitrous> "We're here to ask a few questions."
<Vigilance_GM> "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about, sir."
<Nitrous> "We're here to ask Lord Guljian a few questions specifically."
<Vigilance_GM> "Is he in some sort of danger?"
* Baird begins moving slowly and casually towards the stairs leading to the landing above
<Nitrous> "That's what we're trying to find out."
* Shiv takes out a notepad to jolt down notes.
<Baird> "Clearly your lord has the same concerns as us.." pointing at the man on the second floor landing
<Vigilance_GM> He turns to face Baird, and shakes his head. "I'm afraid Lord Guljian cannot entertain any visitors at the moment.
If you please, come back another time."
<Uriel> "We are not men to be turned away, we do the Battle Lords holy work, to deny us is to sin."
<Baird> "So your lord hired a professional for protection..for no reason.."
<Baird> "Makes sense." Baird says sarcastically
<Vigilance_GM> "Holy work..? Sin? Who /are/ you?" he nervously asks.
<Uriel> "Uriel Zarr, but that does not concern you, now take us to Lord Guljian at once."
* Shiv sighs and leans in to Baird and says "Mention Aldus."
<Shiv> "What my associates are saying...I mean... ah."
<Baird> "You're masters friend Aldus is a friend of ours..he's..unavailable at the moment." "We are merely here to follow up.
But that means talking with Lans. Not his butler"
Vigilance_GM> "Aldus, the merchant?"
<Vigilance_GM> Realizing the matter is one of business above his station, he sighs, and shows you into a welcome room.
<Vigilance_GM> "Please, make yourselves comfortable and wait here."
<Nitrous> "Thank you."
Vigilance_GM> He disappears down the hall and up a spiral staircase.
<Vigilance_GM> The room is pleasant enough, despite the negligence of the manse.
<Shiv> "Well, this is nice. I guess?"
<Vigilance_GM> Ageing and ill-kept trappings of finery, dust-covered paintings, tinted lamps, and a variety of decorative items imported from throughout the sector all decorate the room.
<Vigilance_GM> The servant returns, moving quickly - urgently.
<Vigilance_GM> "I am afraid Master Guljian is unwell. Thank you for visiting, but I must urge you return at a later time."
<Baird> "And I'm afraid that's not going to work Humphrey."
* Uriel Gives Baird a look, then motions for a yes or no gesture.
<Vigilance_GM> The bodyguard appears from beyond the hallway.
<Baird> "I urge you to urge Lans to reconsider. If we leave without talking to him..that's only going to open the door to more attention..which I'm sure he doesn't want."
<Vigilance_GM> "Sir, I am afraid the matter has been decided on account of Master Guljian's health. Please return later."
* Baird flashes Uriel a thumbs up
* Shiv tries a confused look at Baird's gesture.
* Uriel leaps towards the Merc with his blade drawn, trying to slap the sword out of the mans hands.
<Vigilance_GM> In a snap second, the bodyguard draws his pistol and fires at Uriel.
* Nitrous fires a shot that goes wild
* Shiv moves up and tries to bring the butler, but he slips and misses.
<Vigilance_GM> The pistol fire hits the bodyguard in the chest, just before receiving Uriel's attempt to disarm.
<Baird> Moving out into the hallway Baird fires with each hand cannon the first shot going wide but the second hitting home. After firing off his shots Baird readies himself in attempt to guards himself from future attacks
* Uriel attempts to knock the weapon from the mercs hands, but the man is able to keep his grip
<Vigilance_GM> Now in melee, your adversary strikes at Uriel with his chainsword.
<Vigilance_GM> In his urgency, the swing goes wide.
* Nitrous shoots at the bodyguard when he matrixes the bullet shot
* Shiv tries to grab the servant, but fails.
<Baird> Whirling around Baird fires his hand cannons into the servant the first hitting him square while the second shot goes astray
<Vigilance_GM> The servant screams in agony, and grips his abdomen.
<Shiv> "C'mon, Beard man. He was gonna be my hostage."
<Baird> "He still can be. I was making sure he couldn't get away Shivvy."
* Uriel Realizing that the man can no longer be subdued peacefully, Uriel brings his blade around in a horizontal sweep and cleaves into the Merc arm, he then pulls back and readies the blade for another attack " Lay down your arms before I end your life."
<Vigilance_GM> "Or I, yours."
<Vigilance_GM> The bodyguard strikes again, however has his attack parried by the feudal worlder.
* Nitrous shoots the guard in the head
<Vigilance_GM> The blast punches through the bodyguard's face, caving his skull with a sickening pop. The gore and blood cover Uriel, blinding him.
* Uriel wipes his face off frantically before turning to the Arbite "I had it under control."
* Shiv tries to grab the servant and slips on the blood. He falls.
<Baird> Advancing up the hallway Baird bends down and disarms the dead bodyguard and pockets the other miscellaneous items as well
* Uriel noticing that his comrades are strugging with the servant, charges at the man from behind and uses his armoured shoulder to bash him to the ground.
As the man writhes he grabs his arms and forces them into manacles.
<Vigilance_GM> The man simply groans in pain.
<Vigilance_GM> He bleeds from the horrible wound on his torso.
* Shiv tries to steal cash off the corpse, but finds nothing.
<Nitrous> "Knight hold onto the chainsword"
* Uriel grabs the blade from his fallen foe, testing it's balance before clipping on the belt and sheathing it.
<Shiv> "There's no cash on him."
<Nitrous> "TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW SERVENT."
<Vigilance_GM> You begin interrogating the wounded man, but before he can answer, a chilling scream sounds out from upstairs.
<Nitrous> "That's not normal."
<Nitrous> "MOVE!!"
<Shiv> "Oh, feck this place."
* Uriel Quickly turns towards the scream, he then looks down at the pitiful sinner and a brilliant idea forms in his mind. Hoisting the man up he forces the man in front of him as he marches up the stairs
<Baird> Following Uriel up the stairs Baird straps the new holster and hand cannon onto his belt
<Vigilance_GM> You climb up the manse's stairs. Around you, servants that had hidden from the violence emerge, all ignoring you and rushing up to the third floor.
<Vigilance_GM> When you arrive, servants are already in, or are entering a study on the far end of the wing.
<Vigilance_GM> By the time you approach the doors, Uriel realizes he is carrying a limp and lifeless body.
<Nitrous> "I think he's dead."
<Vigilance_GM> Seeing the sight causes the servants to panic, and flee.
<Uriel> "Good, it will bring the fear of the Emperor to these heathens."
<Nitrous> "Clearly."
<Shiv> "Let's just hurry this up."
<Baird> "Just because Lans is a shitheel doesn't mean these servants are"
<Nitrous> "What's going on?"
<Vigilance_GM> The scene before you is one of chaos... embossed books and fine quills are strewn about haphazardly while parchemtn, ink, and a lamp have been knocked from the desk, leaving only a small black orb atop it. Kneeling on the floor, a man in ripped and shredded clothes befitting a noble screams and babbles incoherently as he claws at his own face -- his lips are ripped to tatters, and
<Vigilance_GM> blood streams from the various cuts and tears across his face. Lying near him is a bloody letter opener and two pulped white globes... his eyes.
<Shiv> "Oh, the feck. I. AM. OUT."
* Shiv faints before he has a change to run. The horror is too great.
<Nitrous> "What's going on?"
<Baird> Uncharacteristically Baird falls unconscious at the site of the man and his eyes laying on the floor.
<Uriel> "Who are you and why have you done this." he demands of the bloodied man, taken aback by the scene in front of him.
<Uriel> "Shit, get them back up." he says back to Nitrous.
<Vigilance_GM> The man doesn't react to your presence at all, his hands grip his face as he inhales deep, and lets out another scream.
* Shiv awakens and is trembling.
<Shiv> "The. FECK. WHAT DID YOU ROPE IN?"
* Shiv gets up and starts shaking Baird's body.
<Shiv> "We need to leave NOW!"
* Baird jolts in consciousness "Fucking fuck... haven't seen anything that fucked up in awhile."
<Nitrous> "Stop screaming!!!"
<Baird> "Shut this guy up."
<Nitrous> "Knight knock him out."
* Uriel slowly approaches the man and lays a guantleted hang on his shoulder.
Vigilance_GM> Lans gasps, suddenly, startling Uriel.
<Vigilance_GM> He begins to mutter incoherently.
* Shiv tries to sneak away from the group.
* Uriel whips his head towards shiv as he moves away
<Uriel> "Stay put fool."
<Nitrous> "No running now."
<Baird> "Where you goin Shivvy?"
<Shiv> "Stay here. With a screaming man who's eyes are missing?"
<Baird> "Jobs not done..you want your pay right?"
<Nitrous> "I can always put you out of your misery permanently."
<Shiv> "The servants run out the mansion, we are gotta attract attention."
* Uriel turns his attention back to the man "What has happened to you?"
<Shiv> "Money is always good, but tell that idiotic lawman to do SOMETHING. He's a investigator, ain't he?"
<Shiv> "Let's get our shit and leave."
<Vigilance_GM> "Things... things great... powerful and full of wonder!" he howls between breaths
<Shiv> "What... things? The shit we were gonna get you?"
<Uriel> "What...power do you speak of." Uriel grows tense, slowly easing himself from the man
<Vigilance_GM> He laughs maniacally.
<Vigilance_GM> "...wonders past! Forgotten Kingdoms! The... white, WHITE. Cities gone!"
* Uriel slowly slips the chainsword from his sheath
<Nitrous> "I don't think he's cohearent anymore."
<Uriel> "Where are the white cities?" he asks earnestly
<Shiv> "I could tell that when I could see his eyeballs on the floor lawman."
<Vigilance_GM> He grips forward until he finds Uriel's forearm.
<Vigilance_GM> "The Orb!" he hisses
<Nitrous> "What orb?"
<Vigilance_GM> A disturbing smile forms on his face, as blood drips from his sockets.
<Baird> Amidst the inane babble Baird begins searching for some clue that could help the investigation
* Uriel sees the small orb on the desk, he leaves the man and slowly picks up the item
* Nitrous searches for evidence to collect
<Vigilance_GM> The sole object on the desk is a perfectly smooth orb of black. It is heavy, and cold to the touch - no larger than the size of a clenched fist.
<Vigilance_GM> You take the time to search for clues, looking through the scattered books, to find Guljian's journal.
<Baird> "I'd put that in your pack..touching a strange object alllways works out well.."
* Shiv starts searching quickly for anything of value.
<Nitrous> "Need a evidence bag?"
<Vigilance_GM> The pages are filled with the idle musings of a noble. Vain gossip, pages full dedicated to the commerce of the hive, you find a few entires that stand out.
<Vigilance_GM> The last entires are undated, they speak of "lost palaces", "forgotten gods," and "towers of bone", before trailing incoherently into ramblings scattered with crude renderings of unidentifiable and alien symbols and rough sketches of the vistas Lans saw in his visions.
* Uriel Stows away the black orb "I will handle this item, for it may contain taint unknowable."
<Vigilance_GM> A crumpled piece of parchment under his desk ntoes the location of the "Screaming Wheel", with a note about conducting some manner of business.
<Nitrous> "I think we have a lead here."
<Baird> Bending down Baird picks up the crumpled piece of parchment stowing it and the journal.
* Shiv takes rings, chrono, pens, and 3 doses of Obscura.
<Shiv> "I think this is an okay haul."
<Shiv> "C'mon, let's go. You got you weird... black thing. Let's leave!"
<Nitrous> "Put the things you stole in the evidence bag criminal."
<Baird> "Lets go people. Back to the squad car before the "real" police arrive"