Evervigilant 8

<Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilant_GM> Sirens echo as more district Sanctionaries arrive at the scene.
<Vigilant_GM> A senior Sanctionary - his station marked with a brass trimmed oath cog - exits the enforcement vehicle, and paces towards the patrol arguing before you.
<Vigilant_GM> Closing the distance, his eyes glance the xeno carcass.
<Vigilant_GM> His yes go wide, and he unholsters his side-arm, pointing it at the would-be assassin.
<Vigilant_GM> "EVERYONE STEP BACK!"
<Vigilant_GM> The patrol initially on-scene turn to face their superior, and begin to create a perimeter. One approaches the senior enforcer, and informs him that they're quite sure the Viper is indeed dead.
<Baird> Taking a step back Baird gestures towards the Xenos corpse "Xenos or not I don't think it can live without most of a torso".
* Velam taps on his dataslate nervously, or it hsould be said he is trying to no longer be nervous via data input.
<Vigilant_GM> Unsatisfied, two rounds exit his side-arm, goring the face and side of the creature at your feet.
<Vigilant_GM> He cautiously approaches, holstering his side-weapon.
<Vigilant_GM> He looks up at you for a moment.
<Vigilant_GM> "Take these men into custody. Search surveilance footage and identify any other witnesses for detention."
<Vigilant_GM> Looking down at Nitrous, he adds "call for medical assistance; we need every bit of testimony we can get."
<Vigilant_GM> The lower sanctionaries begin to cordon off the area, and unshackle Nitrous.
<Vigilant_GM> Others approach you now, manacles  and side-arms at the ready.
<Baird> Taking a cautious step towards the senior enforcer hands raised in a non hostile gesture "I am sorry but I can't allow us to be taken in. I'm going to slowly reach into my pocket and retrieve my identification."
<Velam> The savant blanches and starts to splutter out intelligble words that none of these men have probably ever even heard in their low level educations.
<Vigilant_GM> "Stand down, off-worlder!" he calls, raising his weapon.
<Vigilant_GM> "On your knees!"
<Baird> Retrieving the Rosette while trying to explain I cup my hand shielding it from prying eyes but allowing him to see the insignia.
<Baird> "It would be very unwise to discharge your weapon at me and my compatriots sir."
<Vigilant_GM> "I... I had no idea." the sanctionary leader holsters his weapon awkwardly.
<Baird> "That's the point now isn't it? I don't need to say to keep your trap shut about this do I?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Had I known an inquisitorial investigation were under way, I would never have intervened..."
<Vigilant_GM> Silence befalls every Sanctionary within earshot.
<Vigilant_GM> They, and their leader, exchange silent glances.
* Velam grimaces as the head honcho says that. "Emperor's Balls." He mutters in despair.
* Nitrous scowls
<Baird> Swearing under his breath Baird addresses the Sanctionary in charge "Dispose of that and remember what I said about keeping your mouth shut, that goes for your men that you've so kindly involved. If any of you interfere in any way...well I don't really need to say what happens to traitors do I?"
<Nitrous> "Uncuff me"
<Nitrous> "I'm taking his head now"
<Vigilant_GM> "Yes... of course. We will do away with... this. The incinerators."
<Nitrous> "I'll actually just take it's helmet"
<Velam> He nods sagely at the head officer. "Most wise yes, sir."
<Vigilant_GM> "The incinerators," he repeats for his men, who snap out of their thoughts of imminent judgment, and get to action.
<Nitrous> "Fuck it nevermind."
<Vigilant_GM> The carcass is wrapped in thick cloth, and put in the back of the enforcement vehicle.
<Vigilant_GM> "How... shall we proceed?"
<Velam> "If I may, I would suggest you cover this up, sir. And swear all of your men to an oath of silence. On pain of death. In fact, if you would I need all of your idents." He says it all very matter-of-factly, like a clerk.
<Vigilant_GM> "Yes... yes, of course." he waves his men over as he presents his own oath cog to Velam.
<Velam> "Thank you, sir. The faster we get this over with, the faster we can all get on with our duties to His most Holy Majesty's work."
<Velam> He scans and inters the various ident cogs through his dataslate.
* Karpath ([email protected]) has joined
<Vigilant_GM> "No one will hear of this, no one," he nervously assures you.
<Baird> "Excellent. Now that that's handled continue about your duties Sanctionary."
<Vigilant_GM> Another squad arrives in a separate vehicle. The senior sanctionary tells you that it will take some time to clean- and cover up what transpired.
<Nitrous> "Hrm."
<Baird> "I'm placing my faith in you to accomplish this. Don't make me regret this." Baird turns and addresses his compatriots "Alright lets let the Sanctionaries take care of this and lets keep moving."
<Nitrous> "Yes."
<Nitrous> "Where's criminal?"
<Baird> Moving away and out of earshot of the Sanctionaries Baird leans in towards Nitrous "Alleyway where the shooter was."
<Nitrous> "Aye."
<Nitrous> "Let's get our boy."
<Vigilant_GM> You find Shiv exactly where you left him, digging through the dumpster for any valuables.
* Shiv *sighs*
<Velam> "Eugh, must you do that, and how could you even do that while all that happened?" Velam looks disgusted.
* Shiv pokes out of the dumpster and says "Is it safe?"
<Nitrous> "Yes."
<Velam> "Yes." He sighs.
<Nitrous> "Need a patch up."
* Shiv crawls out of trash.
<Shiv> "Okay, one second lawman. Let me get the medi-stuff."
* Shiv patches up on the law man and says "So how do you suppose we hide these?"
<Nitrous> "Wrap it up and I'll sling it on my back."
<Baird> "Wrap the rifle up in a spare robe and you'll have to cuddle real close to the sword."
* Shiv pulls out his disguise robes and wraps the gun with it. Shiv hides the sword under his current robes.
* Karpath stands near Nitrous, he pats Nitrous on the shoulder, "Nice shot there earlier."
<Nitrous> "Sorry I missed the first."
<Nitrous> "But in the end it worked out."
<Shiv> "Well, we have been robbed, shot at... so what's next?"
<Karpath> "We find a new place to stay."
<Nitrous> "Recollect."
<Velam> "I could use a bed." He complains to everyone.
<Vigilant_GM> The busy port does have its hubs for crew on furlough, port workers, and even officer-class crew of the mercantile fleets.
<Velam> Velam deigns to head into the district that serves to house crew on leave from their duties.
<Vigilant_GM> Services here are of varied quality, and the presence of local sex-workers, drug dealers, and other locals seeking to tempt off-worlders out of their coin is higher than in any other part of Port Gyre.
<Vigilant_GM> You arrive at an establishment with view of the Auctoriate Porteus spire.
<Vigilant_GM> Fittingly, a man calls out, "Welcome to the spire!"
<Vigilant_GM> "This here is the finest establishment for off-world men of business such as yourselves! The Spire caters to any or all of your needs, so don't let the competitio tell you otherwise."
<Vigilant_GM> "How may I be of service?" he finally asks. Your attention is drawn to a carved sculpture or a large predatory beast to one side of the lobby.
<Vigilant_GM> of*
* Karpath begins talking to the man about getting a room.
<Vigilant_GM> Negotiations look well in your favor, as the man attending asks about the nature of your business.
* Karpath brings over Velam into the Negotiations.
<Velam> "Ah greetings, sir. I am a Xenologist, in the employee of the good hunter here," he indicates Karpath. "He, of course, is an up and coming xenos game hunter, and he and his staff," Velam then indicates the team, "are here looking the next big hunt! For that matter, you wouldn't happen to know any shipmasters or and such info brokers who might know of nearby planets with big game on them, hm?"
<Velam> Velam then starts to vomit all kinds of made up stories, and information about xenos game that he either read about, encountered, or watched in pict dramas. Helps to have a hobby, eh?
<Vigilant_GM> "Why, how very exciting. We would be honored to host such a remarkable group as you!"
<Vigilant_GM> No doubt to make an impression on future customers, you are treated very generously in your accomodations. The entire top floor suite is made available to you.
<Vigilant_GM> It's only a matter of hours, you figure, until the calls enticing strangers include you as a celebrity guest party.
<Velam> "Well, not my worst lie," he says later to Karpath in a low voice.
<Karpath> "No it ain't, haven't see something nice like this in a while."
<Baird> Baird chuckling slightly as he enters the suite. "Who'd imagine you could weave a yarn that convincing Velam."
<Shiv> "I never been in anything this fancy before."
<Velam> "Yes, well, try not to put me on the spot too much, eh?" He then finds himself a shower before relaxing in bed before this guest party or such.
<Shiv> "Maybe this work has some benefits. Eh, beard man?"
<Baird> "I told ya it did Shivvy." Baird calls out his response as he heads for the washroom to cleanup.
<Nitrous> "I'm gonna shower and rest."
<Vigilant_GM> Wide window panels overlooking the central hub of the port bring in light to a comfortable lounge. Beyond it, a desk with ample room flanks the double-doors that open to the bedroom.
* Karpath makes his way over to the window as he looks out over the central hub. "Ill take one after Nitrous."
<Vigilant_GM> From this vantage point, the enormity of Port Gyre becomes clear. Dozens of shuttles of a myriad designs arrive and exit at any given moment.
<Vigilant_GM> Arbite shuttles patrol, and intercept at random - checks for contraband, no doubt.
<Velam> Velam naps on the bed once his shower is done, exhausted from the day's events.
<Baird> Being the next in the shower Baird maxes out the temperature and begins singing a song of his homeworld ina deep baritone.
* Shiv after cleaning himself up, he hides the Eldar sword.
* Nitrous hands the rifle to Shiv "You know what to do."
* Nitrous showers and cleans up
* Shiv takes the rifle and hides it.
* Karpath makes his way to the shower after Nitrous gets out to clean up.
<Shiv> "So Beard man, what is our goal? Like what does the governor or client or whatever want?"
<Baird> "The Faceless Trade Shivvy."
<Shiv> "We can't destroy the entire 'faceless trade' by ourselves?"
<Baird> "Right now we're investigating."
<Shiv> "We just have to find evidence?"
<Nitrous> "A lot of evidence."
<Nitrous> "And a source."
<Shiv> "We kinda keep killing them."
<Nitrous> "Well they were guilty."
<Shiv> "Eh, let's say we find a source and evidence. How do we contact that scary man?"
<Baird> "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it Shivvy. Now get some rest."
<Shiv> "True, true."
* Baird heads towards one of the couches to bed down.
* Karpath finishes showering and cleaning up and makes is way out and onto one of the couches in the main lounge.
* Shiv takes his stuff and stuffs it under the bed before laying down on one of the couches.
* Nitrous sleeps against the bed with his shotgun in arms
<Vigilant_GM> SOME TIME LATER
<Vigilant_GM> Ringing wakes you, the few comms panels across the suite glowing.
* Nitrous wakes up "WHO GOES THERE!!"
* Baird blearily getting to his feet a moves over to the comms panel to accept the call.
<Velam> "Imperatoris per hoc quod fecisti!" He yells as he awakens from the disturbance, clutching a pillow. "Eh...what?"
* Karpath wakes from his sleep, he then sits up.
<Baird> "H-" Baird clears his throat loudly "Hello?"
<Shiv> "Gimme 3 more hours...."
* Shiv rolls off the couch.
<Shiv> "FECK!"
<Vigilant_GM> "Good morning. This is your courtesy rise call. You have ONE parcel of correspondence awaiting you in the lobby. Fast-breaking services will be made available upon request until noon. Thank you for choosing the Spire."
<Vigilant_GM> The glow on the panels fades away.
* Shiv heads to the restroom to fresh up.
<Karpath> "Well that's really nice of them."
<Baird> Glancing around at his groggy compatriots Baird addresses them after clearing his throat once more. "Looks like we have something downstairs waiting for us. Also they said they could arrange food until noon. Volunteers to head down there?"
* Velam yawns and mumbles to himself as he get's dressed, activating his servo-skulls with a voice-command. "Excita Sororitas."
* Shiv gets his stuff and the xenos blade.
* Nitrous uses the bathroom
<Velam> "I'd be pleased to serve, once I've had recaff." He grumbles.
<Nitrous> "Grub time."
<Velam> "We have to go down for the recaff right? So we might as well all go down..."
* Nitrous heads down to eat
<Shiv> "Let's go."
* Karpath follows Nitrous down to eat as well.
<Baird> Dressing quickly Baird heads down towards the dining area for the repast stopping along the way to retrieve the parcel.
<Vigilant_GM> The Spire is rather more busy than you recall when you arrived. The dining hall is housed on the only lower wing with open window panels, letting the morning light in.
<Vigilant_GM> The parcel awaiting you is a small package in neat dark-red wrapping.
<Baird> Seeing that it is an actual package Baird takes it back up to the room before joining the others for the repast.
* Velam finds himself the biggest cut of recaff available before finding something to eat once they're in the dining hall.
<Vigilant_GM> You are seated by waiting staff on your own semi-private corner, away from most other guests. Your only company in this section appears to include a merchant in vibrant colors, and a ship's captain and bridge staff.
<Vigilant_GM> Fresh asortments of food are brought to this section, where you may select whatever is to your liking from the hot-plate.
* Nitrous takes a wide variety of items
* Karpath grabs a few different things from the assortment of food and begins eating.
<Velam> Velam grabs some small sausages, tubers, hotcakes and orders a pot of recaff to be brought over.
<Vigilant_GM> Baird is seated with you, along with a beautiful young woman who is taken to the merchant's table.
<Vigilant_GM> After a while, the Merchant calls out.
* Shiv takes a lot of food and recaff as well.
<Baird> Baird eyes the woman appraisingly before taking his seat and pulling assorted meats and biscuits from the plate.
<Vigilant_GM> "What brings such an illustrious young sportsman as yourself to a place like Port Gyre?"
<Nitrous> "Hrm."
<Velam> Velam chukles to himself between bites and sips of recaff.
<Karpath> "A Hunt my good sir."
<Vigilant_GM> "I see... I see." he nods.
<Vigilant_GM> "Many dangerous beasts on the port?" one of the ship's officers on the other table inquires.
<Vigilant_GM> His companions chuckle.
<Karpath> "That is yet to be seen." he comments.
<Baird> "What better place than to pick up rumours of dangerous beasties than a port." Baird fires back
<Vigilant_GM> "And," the merchant interjects, "the young man has friends in high places here!"
<Vigilant_GM> The officer grunts and turns back to his companions.
<Vigilant_GM> The merchant gives a wink in your direction.
<Vigilant_GM> "You must be very talented," he comments.
* Shiv is stuffing his face
<Vigilant_GM> He sips down the rest of his fine amasec.
* Nitrous eats and drinks
<Karpath> "Indeed." He says as he takes another bite of his meal.
<Vigilant_GM> "I hope you don't find it intrusive. But I couldn't help but notice your servant carry up that parcel." he chuckles. "Any man who corresponds with Lord Guljian is a man I would like to know! What is your name, sir?"
<Velam> The savant stops mid-chew and looks up at the man before he looks around at his group of compatriots. The older man then looks to his plate and continues to eat nervously.
<Vigilant_GM> "Fire! Fire!! We must evacuate now!"
<Baird> Baird swears under his breath.
<Vigilant_GM> Sirens and ringing alert everyone to the evacuation.
* Nitrous get's up
<Shiv> "THE FECK!"
* Nitrous runs back to the room
* Baird gets up from the table and heads back towards the suite to check on the gear.
* Karpath stands up, "If you will excuse us." He then makes his way up to the room.
<Vigilant_GM> As you reach the stairs, you are stopped by people rushing downward.
* Velam stands as well, he bows his head to the others before following his group.
* Shiv follows behind Baird.
<Vigilant_GM> An attendant cries out to you, "gentlemen, you must not go back up! The inferno rages on the higher floors!"
<Nitrous> "Out of our way."
* Nitrous shows his arbite badge
<Vigilant_GM> "This isn't a matter of clearance, sir! The fire has spread in a most unnatural fashion!"
* Shiv puts on his rebreather.
<Vigilant_GM> As soon as the last person descends, he too makes an exit.
<Baird> Baird straps on his rebreather to counteract the smoke.
<Velam> "I think I'll stay down here."
<Nitrous> "I'll stay down for now."
<Vigilant_GM> The building begins to crack and shake as parts of the structure begins to collapse.
<Karpath> "I will stay here as well."
<Nitrous> "Fuck this."
<Karpath> "Never mind everyone out."
<Shiv> "Let's leave."
* Karpath then makes his way out.
* Nitrous leaves
<Baird> Feeling the building begin to break apart Baird rethinks the plan to investigate the room and heads outside.
* Shiv makes his way out
<Baird> Unbuckling and storing his rebreather as he does so.
<Vigilant_GM> Outside, the crowd gathers, looking on as the Spire is consumed by a vengeful fire.
* Shiv puts his rebreather away. He says "That asshole is gonna follow us till we die."
<Vigilant_GM> Its owner, the man who greeted you, falls to his knees.
<Velam> "Emperor preserve us." He holds his servo-skulls close as he watches the inferno blaze.
<Vigilant_GM> The roof collapses, and with it... your suite.
<Vigilant_GM> Not long after, the wings follow.
<Vigilant_GM> The central structure remains, but it is engulfed in flame.
<Shiv> "Let's... Just go."
<Nitrous> "Yup."
<Vigilant_GM> An auto-carriage driver calls out to you.
<Vigilant_GM> "Are you the hunstman?"
<Karpath> "Yes, We need transport to the Officio Auctoriate Porteus."
<Vigilant_GM> "Hop in! Let me get you out of here!"
<Velam> "Aye, that would be lovely." Velam takes a seat in the back.
* Shiv takes a seat as well.
* Nitrous takes a seat in the back
<Baird> Baird follows suit and hops in.
* Karpath gets in the vehicle.
<Vigilant_GM> Centrally located, the main holding of the Auctoriate Porteus is an imposing building of dark rockcrete and plasteel. It's spiral stands tall above other structures on central Gyre.
<Vigilant_GM> THE VEHICLE ARRIVED
<Nitrous> "let's go."
* Karpath makes his way out of the vehicle, he then thanks the driver.
* Nitrous mosies along
* Shiv exits the vehicle.
* Velam nods his thanks to the driver before exitting the vehicle. Savant Harti looks up at the imposing building of bureaucratical might. "Well..."
* Baird exits the vehicle following his compatriots.
<Vigilant_GM> The doors open and close as scribes, merchant consortium representatives, and officials from the Governor's office enter and leave in a busy stream.
<Velam> "Well, it's been a very long time." He clears his throat.
<Karpath> "When was the last time?"
<Velam> "Many years. I was on a research station for more than half of my career. Before that it was a very stuffy administratum building in the capital of some humdrum Imperial world." He says with the wave of a hand.
<Vigilant_GM> When you walk through the doors, what you find is a veritable cathedral to information. Servitors carry scrolls and tomes to and fro, while scribes busily arrange them by theme and category.
<Vigilant_GM> In many ways, for Velam, this feels like home.
* Velam inhales the various smells of the building, ink, parchment, old recycled air, starch, and many other various pleasant and awful odors.
<Velam> "Right, so where to start...where to start..."