Evervigilant 9

<Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilant_GM> The Offcio Auctoriate Porteus, where the most complete records in all of Gyre are kept - where the Emperor's bureaucracy keeps an eye on all activity coming to and from Gyre and Hive Desoleum.
<Vigilant_GM> The interior would suggest that the Adepts therein worship the Emperor through the gathering and storing of knowledge, with no record too mundane for entry into the Auctoriate's extensive tomes.
<Vigilant_GM> Servitors with limbs fixed at angles permitting their singular task of carrying the burdens of their Adept masters roam to and from various hallways attached to the main spire structure where you now find yourselves.
<Velam> It was a beautiful sight. So very beautiful to the Savant's eyes, but also dangerous and forbidden in a way, but there was no helping it for poor Velam. He'd have to keep a tight leash on himself to not want to sift the archives here for everything he would want and more. His breathing, if one was paying attention to such a thing, started to become heavier as his mind went into overdrive at the possibility.
<Velam> "Magnificent...isn't it?" He asks to no one in particular with wide eyes. His hands automatically hold his servo-skulls close, not unlike the way he would hug close smaller siblings.
<Nitrous> "Hrm"
<Shiv> "Magnificent? It is just dusty old books."
<Baird> "It's...something alright Velam. Not quite sure bout magnificent though."
<Velam> "Just dusty- JUST DUSTY OLD BOOKS!?" He splutters at the scum. "You haven't the smallest idea as to what these 'DUSTY OLD BOOKS' even contain, and I doubt your small little mind would even understand." It seems you've touched a nerve with your savant.
<Vigilant_GM> Representatives of the Desoleum Consortium of mercantile families enter, carrying copies of manifests as mandated by local and Imperial Law.
<Shiv> "I know how to read, smarty pants. If I can't sell it, I ain't getting it."
<Velam> "I am surrounded by plebians." He mutters to himself in high gothic.
<Baird> "I'm sure they all contain a veritable wealth of information Velam. Just ignore Shivvy the best ya can."
<Karpath> "Reads some interesting books in my time, though not as old as any of these most likely."
<Baird> "I find it makes life easier."
<Velam> He sighs and rubs his temple, his little servo-skulls flitting about the hem of his cloak and robes. "Anyhow, shall we proceed?"
<Shiv> "...Isn't that your job?"
<Baird> "This is your show Velam, if anyone can find what we're looking for you can." Glancing around at the others briefly. "No offense to them but I don't think sifting through information is their or my strong suit."
<Velam> He nods to himself as he thinks about how best to proceed. "Too true Baird, and no offense to you and everyone but I wouldn't trust any of you to do so...or treat the vessels of information with the proper respect."
<Baird> "We certainly wouldn't Velam." Baird chuckles under his breath after he responds to Velam.
<Vigilant_GM> "If that bald fuck asks me to come back one more time, I swear I will phase my business away from Gyre!"
<Vigilant_GM> You overhear a man in an ornate, naval-like uniform call out to his aide as he marches into the building.
<Velam> "It seems to me, we should follow him, eh?" Pointing at the yelling man.
* Karpath looks over at the man, the uniform is familiar to him. "Yes we should follow him."
<Shiv> "Follow strangers in uniforms? Got it."
<Nitrous> "Yes"
<Karpath> "His uniform is that of a Purser's Mate which means he has to be providing some records to the port authorities as of now most likely."
<Vigilant_GM> The man's aide struggles to keep up, carrying a veritable tome of records -with strands of attached parchment spilling out from the thick leather binding- snaking through the spire, and into what must be the busiest wing of the Officio.
* Velam leads the party in following the supposed merchant? If anything Velam at least looked like he belonged here.
* Baird falls in step following the man in the naval uniform.
<Vigilant_GM> At some point you realize that the walls on each side of the massive wing are a sleek metal... enormous vault doors that have been left open for centuries.
<Velam> While keeping a close eye on their quarry, Velam starts to record all he sees in a flurry chattering to himself, like a child in a confectionary shop.
<Vigilant_GM> You lose sight of the tradesman in the crowd, but it's clear. You are now at the adequately-named Manifest Vaults.
<Vigilant_GM> Orderly queues begin to form past the mobish formation near the entrance.
<Vigilant_GM> Hundreds of people long, this creates a logistical nightmare.
<Velam> "Now where to start...where to start..."
<Baird> "Alright Velam is there anyway we can circumvent these lines."
<Velam> "There should be...give me a moment, Baird."
<Vigilant_GM> Floating servitors emulating the form of cherubins approach the queues seemingly at random, interacting with certain individuals who are allowed to bypass the clutter.
<Velam> "Ah, of course, that must be there method here." He inputs a code into his data-slate, and one of his servo-skulls flits away, aiming at the nearest cherubin to make contact.
<Vigilant_GM> Velam's dutiful sister stops one of these archivist cherubins, and after a brief moment is followed back to your group by the child-like floating figure.
* Velam shivers involuntarily. "I think I prefer skulls to these...things." He smiles up at the thing either way though as it approaches.
<Vigilant_GM> ++YOU ARE CLEARED TO PURSUE YOUR QUERY, BROTHER ARCHIVIST++  A disturbing organic-metallic voice calls out from the floating corpse child.
<Vigilant_GM> It floats off to the side of the queue, followed by the pair of servoskulls.
<Baird> "Guessing that's you Velam?"
<Velam> "Indeed." His chest swells with pride and he follows after the cherubin.
<Shiv> "Did have have any idea what is going on Beard man?"
<Vigilant_GM> You are taken to a side-chamber, and up a spiral stairway, where the walls are themselves filled with documents of all kinds.
<Vigilant_GM> Every step upwards sees another category revealed. From stone imports, to tech-adept reports.
<Velam> The savant is in awe as he follows along.
<Velam> "Simply magnificent."
<Baird> Keeping his eyes open Baird keeps watch on the people passed as the group ascends as the dusty tomes interest him none.
<Vigilant_GM> At last, the landing above opens up to the inner workings of the Vaults. An entire century of archivists busy at work, filing away the most recent manifest reports.
* Velam the Savant looks around, noting all the brother and sisters of his calling, he approaches the least busy one. "Excuse me archivist, might I ask directions to archival section with trade deals relating House Guljian?"
<Vigilant_GM> "House Guljian," he repeats, without looking at Velam - his eyes firmly on the documents being passed to him.
<Velam> "Indeed, or perhaps the archives containing trade details for the noble houses of this hive."
<Vigilant_GM> "My limited knowledge on the matter tells me the Manifest Vaults are presently processing recent information that may of interest."
<Vigilant_GM> He looks down at one of the documents on the far left of his long desk.
<Vigilant_GM> He picks up a page, and shows you.
<Vigilant_GM> It isn't House Guljian, but it does contain information about imports bound for a noble house. It is dated as of 50 years ago.
* Velam reads over the page either way, scanning the contents in full detail.
<Vigilant_GM> He hands you another... and another.
<Velam> Velam of course reads each and every page handed to him, his eyes zipping to and fro as he scans it, much like a machine scanning code.
<Vigilant_GM> Nothing of interest appears to be present... until you notice one detail.
<Velam> "Hmmmm interesting," he notes it in his data slate, the pages and said data slate in the crook of his arm. "Very interesting." He looks back to the archivist. "Thank you. I assume that is all you have with you, brother?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Presently. But you may join the cloister should you wish to keep on your query for the next few years."
<Velam> "Alas, my present calling wouldn't allow it, despite the appeal." He sighs. "I thank you, brother. May the Emperor guide your hands."
<Vigilant_GM> "And yours."
<Velam> He regroups with everyone. "I might have a lead, a very gross error. Manifests that would have you believe that the same cargo on the same shuttle was being moved on two different recorded flights. A lead, eh?"
<Velam> He of course keeps his voice low as he shares this with his group.
<Karpath> "Interesting indeed. This is the best we got so far."
<Velam> "I'm afraid to say, but it's better than nothing."
<Vigilant_GM> Combined information now amounts to easy bribery at the Officio, and records showing an abnormally-versatile shuttle.
<Velam> The savant shares that details are to be had with the group, suggesting they head to the mercantile platform first since it's on the way.
<Baird> "Alright well lets get back on the street and continue our work. I'm usre our patron is getting impatient for results."
<Vigilant_GM> Your way back is uneventful. The incident with the would-be assassin has been effectively covered up, and all has resumed as normal.
<Vigilant_GM> As before, shuttles land and take off tirelessly and in patterns determined by the lighter-traffic controllers.
* Karpath begins asking around to find out what ships are around and still in orbit.
<Vigilant_GM> A mix of bribery, and petty theft allows you to uncover a fairly exhuastive list of the vessels in orbit.
* Karpath hands over his info over to Velam.
<Vigilant_GM> Neither of the voidships Velam uncovered previously are in orbit.
<Vigilant_GM> However...
<Vigilant_GM> Somehow, 341 Beta-Sky appears to have logged flight-plans.
<Vigilant_GM> The shuttle that belonged to two voidships, appears to belong to neither.
<Velam> "Well, that's certainly interesting." He shares this info with the group.
<Vigilant_GM> Platform Tertius-9.
<Vigilant_GM> The logs are clear that its next drop will be at this destination - not a kilometer away from your destination.
<Vigilant_GM> It is due to arrive in the next six hours.
<Velam> "To Platform Tertius-9, His Holy Majesty seems to have smiled upon us."
<Baird> "Guess we should take the opportunity to gather supplies and survey the landing area for a good vantage point."
<Velam> "Supplies? Such as ammunition or the like? We should not tarry for too long. Six hours sounds nice and long but can go by in a snap of the finger.s"
<Nitrous> "Need ammo."
<Nitrous> "Sniper Rifle is running out."
<Velam> "I'll just follow along then."
<Baird> "Once we have more information on what the shuttle might be carrying and how long it will be landed for we can formulate a cohesive plan and equip ourselves from there."
<Nitrous> "Gonna scout the area."
<Baird> Baird begins to attempt to gather more information on the shuttles manifest and how long they'll be on station.
* Velam uses whatever information Nitrous was able to gather as a base for tactical advice for the best vantages and ambush point that would help deal with what may come with the shuttle's arrival.
* Shiv sneaks around and to 'borrow'.
<Shiv> some items
<Vigilant_GM> From all accounts (and picked pockets), Baird and Shiv have gathered that it is expected to be a quick drop. Perhaps passengers, or small amounts of cargo. Though nothing any clearer than that emerges, a familiar name does pop up - Holthane.
<Vigilant_GM> It appears that the shuttle's last delivery was for Holthane; a picture of routine smuggling emerges for this shuttle.
<Vigilant_GM> ...and its unknown crew.
* Shiv whispers to Baird "Holthane? Didn't he die?"
<Vigilant_GM> The efforts by the rest of the Acolytes are less fruitful, as patrols working for the merchant houses make their approach difficult, lest they arouse too much suspicion. They have, however, gotten a look at the dropoff platform, and have become aware of its layout.
<Velam> "His death wasn't that long ago. Could be this is a later delivery after that one? It does mean we are on the correct path, however. We dealt with Holtane since he was a lead on this merry trail we're on."
<Vigilant_GM> Time passes by, and the shuttle is set to arrive in a matter of minutes.
<Shiv> "So... what's the plan? Get onboard the shuttle? Search the cargo?"
<Baird> "Seems so."
<Baird> Sanctionaries begin moving into the area to run interference with the merchant guard so they are kept clear of the platform. It seems as though the Proctor came through at Bairds request no questions asked. In fact he seemed eager to get on Baird's good side, most likely having something to do with the rosarius and the threat against him and his men should their lips flap idly.
<Baird> "Alright it looks like the Sanctionaries came through, lets get up to the platform so we can be there to greet the shuttle. Nitrous take up overwatch and make sure no one escapes. Velam you going to be ok to head up with us?"
<Nitrous> "Aye."
<Vigilant_GM> A singular modified Arvus lighter descends, at this moment, retro-thrusters controlling its descent.
<Vigilant_GM> The dock workers head to their stations, one of them crawling into the platform crane.
<Baird> Baird begins moving up the ramp with a purpose.
<Velam> "I suppose so, if I need to I can hug the ground." He seems ill at ease, but he should be used to the danger now. Working for the Inquisition is dangerous work of course.
* Shiv follows behind Baird.
* Nitrous takes his position at the bottom of the ramp
<Vigilant_GM> The pilot is seasoned - you notice the lighter speeds up at a critical stage of the descent, only to use its momentum at a sharp turn to bring it to an elegant and speedy halt, hovering a few meters above the platform - perfectly centered.
<Vigilant_GM> The dock-workers look on at you, with surprise. You are not welcome here.
<Vigilant_GM> Finally, the shuttle touches down, and the engines begin to idle ever-softer.
<Vigilant_GM> The mag-locks click on the rear ramp, and the atomspheric pressure within hisses out, as the gears slowly open the ramp.
<Baird> Standing on the platform and waiting for the ramp to lower Baird places his hands on his pistols.
<Vigilant_GM> Nitrous watches his comrades walk up the platform, and places his eye on his weapon's scope - as the ramp reveals the contents within the lighter, he sees a large upright box chained to two escorting figures...
<Vigilant_GM> ...until Nitrous is blinded.
<Nitrous> "Motherfucker...."
<Vigilant_GM> Blinded by the bright flash of light that engulfs the platform as the shuttle detonates in a violent explosion.
<Nitrous> "MOTHERFUCKER!!!"
<Vigilant_GM> He watches as his comrades are blown back by the terrible blast - acolytes and dock-workers alike thrown like ragdolls.
<Vigilant_GM> And yet... Nitrous can see movement. A sign of life.
<Vigilant_GM> From the thick smoke, Nitrous can see a figure crawl out of a damaged pod.
* Nitrous takes aim at the moving target
<Vigilant_GM> The explosion victim's long and lanky body is twisted, its skin leathery... all clothing burned and blown off.
<Vigilant_GM> With a shriek, shackles around its limbs are disintegrated.
* Nitrous starts firing
* Nitrous fires a round into the creature
<Vigilant_GM> A ripple in the air not a meter in front of the writhing body materializes as though a crackle of violet-red energy.
<Nitrous> "EMPEROR DAMNIT!!!"
<Vigilant_GM> With a grotesque twitch of its neck, the unnatural entity materializes several meters in the air.
<Vigilant_GM> With another shriek, it dives off the platform, to the tunnels below.
* Nitrous barfs and drops his rifle
<Velam> The Savant groans pitifully as he regains consciousness, his servo-skulls hovering just above his head like concerned birds. They, much like him, are singed a bit, but for the most part, unscathed. "What- what happened?" He asks to anyone listening.
<Velam> He then looks around, noting the burning wreckage of the shuttle, and his recovering comrades. "Emperor have mercy."
* Baird groans in pain as he regains consciousness coughing and flinging curses.
* Shiv coughs up blood and groans in pain. He slowly gains his consciences.
* Karpath slowly regains consciousness from being knocked back. "Did someone forget to hit the breaks on that ship?" he says as he rubs his head.
<Shiv> "What the fuck happened?"
* Nitrous after he stops vomiting he says "That sucked."
<Karpath> "What in emperors name happened?" he sees the entire shuttle destroyed, fires burn all around.
<Nitrous> "Ship blew up."
<Baird> "Guess we should ask Nitrous...he was the one on overwatch."
<Nitrous> "Why..."
* Nitrous lays away from his puddle of puke
* Baird staggers to his feet and begins helping the others to their feet. "Lets get off this platform and find out what the fuck happened."
* Shiv starts patching up his wounds.
<Velam> "We need to leave, we need to leave right now."
<Shiv> "One sec. Imma bleedin',"
* Karpath get up and begins making his way over to Nitrous.
<Baird> Heading down the ramp after helping the others up Baird begins yelling to Nitrous trying to figure out what happened.
<Nitrous> "Ship blew up. Deamon came out. I puked for a while."
* Nitrous points to his puke puddle
<Baird> "DAEMON?!!? Are you absolutely fucking sure Nitrous?! This isn't something to joke about!!"
<Shiv> "A fucking what?"
<Nitrous> "How else do you explain it flying into the bottom and BRIGHT RED ENERGY PROTECTING ITSELF?"
<Nitrous> "IT JUST ABSORBED MY BULLET"
<Vigilant_GM> Sirens are triggered.
<Baird> "Fucking hell."
* Karpath turns as he hears the sirens, "That.... That cant be good."
<Velam> The old savant's face goes paler still. "D-Daemon? Emperor...Emperor have mercy on us all."
<Nitrous> "Fuck no it isn't"
<Vigilant_GM> Sanctionaries are the first to arrive on scene. Consortium guards close behind.
<Vigilant_GM> Weapons are drawn, and a cautious approach characterizes their deployment.
* Nitrous can't really move
<Vigilant_GM> Engines shriek, however, as a Precinct interceptor hovers above, slowly descending in a spiral around the platform.
<Vigilant_GM> ++CLEAR THE PLATFORM! THIS IS ARBITES JURISDICTION!++
<Vigilant_GM> Rappel-lines drop as it hovers in place, and adepts of the Arbites begin to deploy.
* Nitrous rolls away slowly from the puke puddle
<Vigilant_GM> As one approaches, he removes his helm. A familiar face - Intelligencer Actem.
<Vigilant_GM> He immediately commands his men to push the local authorities back beyond the Imperial perimeter.
<Nitrous> "Yo."
<Baird> "Intelligencer. Your timing is excellent, we need a ride."
<Nitrous> "Napkin."
<Vigilant_GM> Actem pulls Velam -who just happens to be closest to him- by the collar. "My arrangement with Kurst does not include covering for destruction of port Gyre infrastructure!"
<Baird> "Actem you will remove your fucking hands from a member of The Emperors most Holy Inquisition! This is not the fucking time or place to air grievances! WE HAVE A FUCKING PROBLEM!"
<Velam> The savant, despite his size, squeaks as Actem pulls him down. "I-It's not as if we planned for this to happen! And there is a bigger problem..." His eyes looks desperate and fearful. "A D-Daemon is loose, if Nitrous wasn't lying." He says this last bit as a whisper to the intelligencer.
<Vigilant_GM> The word doesn't seem to register at first.
<Vigilant_GM> Daemon.
<Nitrous> "Absorbs bullets."
<Nitrous> "Makes you puke."
<Vigilant_GM> When Actem's face goes pale, however, his grip also becomes weak and loose around Velam's collar.
<Velam> "I wish I w-were lying." He says in desperation as the man let's him go, and he bends back to his real height.
<Shiv> "..."
<Baird> "Nooooow you understand. So step back and get us on that Interceptor. We need to get our report to Kurst fucking now!"
<Nitrous> "No running."
<Shiv> "By the Emperor."
<Vigilant_GM> He brings up a hand to his ear. "EXPAND THE PERIMETER! FOUR KILOMETERS IN EVERY DIRECTION!"
* Karpath shuffles over to Shiv.
<Velam> "Nitrous! Where did it go?!" He screams at the man, now just thinking on it.
<Nitrous> "Tunnels below."
<Velam> "Oh no, oh God-Emperor damned no."
<Vigilant_GM> "CREW! DISPENSE CLIP HARNESSES!"
<Vigilant_GM> From the hovering interceptor, harnesses are dropped.
<Vigilant_GM> "Strap in."
<Nitrous> "Don't look at directly."
<Baird> Stepping forward Baird fixes the harness to himself.
* Karpath grabs a harness and staps Shiv in.
* Nitrous points at puke puddle, "Or that happens."
* Velam straps himself in with shaky hands.
<Shiv> "The fucking FUCK, Baird!"
* Karpath he then straps himself in.
<Shiv> "You could have warned me."
* Nitrous straps in wobbly
<Baird> "NOW IS NOT THE FUCKING TIME SHIV!"
<Karpath> "Oh well then, I guess is your welcoming package shiv."
<Shiv> "FUCKING...I BETTER GET A BETTER ARM."
<Vigilant_GM> "I knew Kurst's arrival meant worse news than having to tolerate the dry fool..." Actem clips back onto a line.
<Vigilant_GM> He gives his line a sharp tug, and begins to ascend upward.
<Shiv> "AND A TRUCK WITH GOLD RIMS."
<Nitrous> "and some more ammo."
<Baird> Following Actem's lead Baird gives his line a tug.
* Nitrous tugs
* Velam does the same as well
<Nitrous> "It's go time."