Skarr Rekhardt |
"That is not going to happen. I am an Ecclesiarchy priest, you are hive filth with a sanctioned mutation. We are worlds apart in every way, shape and form. So much as we are not above or below each other. You are trying to bully your way out of a circumstance of your own construction. Your trust means less to me than this legionnaire's life to the Imperium right now. And you have yet to reveal your intentions and are evading the compromise at hand yet again. I offered you my hand as a future comrade and you returned it with a death threat rather than by simple explanation. The fact that you stand untouched by my flamer should already be a sign that I had no intention of killing you to start with but rather to understand you. And as of right now, you have only two choices. You can step back and realize that this is an event of your own shoddy craftsmanship, or you can be burned to what will soon be faithful cinders and ash because I am positive Mr. Grim is about to try to use that las weapon in hand on me as soon as I give him the chance.
Praetus, I have never been more glad to see you. I am trying fruitlessly to put some sense in this poor psyker."
Skarr Rekhardt |
"I will give you one more chance in my eyes before I condemn you. Do not make this error again. There is no need for bloodshed until we find the Pilgrims of Hayte. Consider this a clash of personal interests, and not a manner of pride this way, when we have the so-called conversation after the mission, it doesn't end with either of us dead. Rather I would prefer both of us in high spirits with stronger spirits in our hands."
Liam McGregor |
Liam, who have up until now been very quiet, perhaps stunned just a little bit that his joke about sisters of battle was taken literally, suddenly smiles and chips in.
"Besides, if'n yer arguin' ends up gettin' in the way of the mission, I'll just be puttin' a bullet in the back of yer 'eads.
That's what I'm 'ere fer."
Before anyone can react, he winks at the inquisitor, leaving the truth of his words open for interpretation and leaves.
Skarr Rekhardt |
This should have all taken place near the ship we are boarding. I stated I was going to the ship and that I was catching Seth before he left the area, not the room with the Inquisitor. Under what pretenses would a cleric start a conversation of that like in front of legitimate and respected authority?
Sgt. Solvitus A.K.A SlimGrim |
"It seems the cleric and arbiter still think they are who they were before they came here. I thought ol'Taalik made it clear, we all acolytes now, but red seems to want to push the issue. Yes, I was a criminal before I got here, but I am here. Me and Seth had different roads to come to this same destination, but we here now. Start treating us with that mutual respect or we can hash this out here and now and save time for everyone. "
Solon Modrak |
Solon had gathered what little he had, and prepared to board the ship, when he found the other cleric and one of the others arguing, rather heatedly it seemed. Finally, the conversation had reached a point that it could not be allowed to progress past. "Enough!" He bellowed. He looked from one to the other, though his judgement seemed to fall more on Skarr. "We are here to guide the rest, to keep them in the Emperor's grace, and you presume to judge? Are you going to tell me that you speak with the Emperor's voice? That you know his will better than an Inquisitor?" Solon's gaze drifted to Seth for a moment before he continued in a more measured tone. "He was chosen to stand at our side and do the work of the Emperor, as were the others. Would you make a foe of one so chosen to be a friend?"
Skarr Rekhardt |
"You presume to understand how this conversation took place to begin with. This was a stretch for comraderie that devolved into this after the psyker, Seth, lied to my face. Take that into account before you speak of this matter again.
We are still priests and judges in the Emperor's service, just as we were before we came here. You are still a penal legionnaire, and you are still a warp conduit. If you were not, you wouldn't wear that collar. Nothing has changed other than we are acolytes in the Inquisition's service now on top of that, and we are the only ones to know this. Presume to command me again, and I will show you how equal we really all are. As of now, I will show you respect so long as you earn it and reciprocate it. My name is Skarr, yours is Seth, and yours is SlimGrim, and my new-found friend here is Praetus."
Seth Loki |
"Hahaha lying my beautiful behind hahaha!!! No wonder there's so much trouble with the Imperium hahahaha!!!"
"I promise you. We shall settle this after the mission, Skarr. That much I can assure you."
In Volg Hive Dialect
Taalik Amun |
Marson has stood still through the entire argument, staring wide-eyed at each of those involved. As weapons were drawn, he recoiled into the corner of the chamber. Finally, with the threat of violence now passed, he speaks. "Umm, excuse me acolytes, but I feel a dialectual maelstrom may have just occurred. To clarify for the record, the Inquisitor under whom you serve would never take an unsanctioned psyker into his fold. Lord Amun was aboard the Black Ship onto which Seth was psy-tithed. During the journey toward Terra, Seth Loki passed multiple layers of testing and interrogation by the Adepts of the Telepathica. Seeing the potential in him Lord Amun saw fit to have him enrolled at the Scholastica Psykana, to be retrieved later to operate as an acolyte of the Inquisition should his training prove successful. Thus he is now here, having been dispatched to the Lord at the completion of his education. Do you understand?"
After awaiting any response, he looks to Praetus, "Sir, to your earlier question the cargo vessel you will be taking passage aboard is the Preacher's Promise. You have been approved for the final boarding, which occurs in 11 hours, giving you time to get settled before it departs but after the major load in is complete. I have arranged for quarters separate from both the pilgrims and the crew for you. You should have little trouble aboard the ship. In anticipation of your request, I have arranged for several different sets of clothing to be placed in your quarters aboard the ship. That said, the gangers dress in a wide variety of forms, most indicative of a specific sect. Mimicking one or the other might have unforeseen consequences. The garb of a bounty hunter might serve you best, Arbite Praetus."
Sgt. Solvitus A.K.A SlimGrim |
SlimGrim stands next to Seth continuing to eat a sandwich staring at Skarr and Praetus incase they attempt anything.
Praetus Callum |
Praetus puts his weapon away and nods to Marson.
Thank you sir. And I quite appreciate the foresight.
He turns to Seth and Slim and rolls his shoulders back.
Speaking in gutter tongue makes you sound like criminal vermin. Since such tongue, I assume, is not present on this world, I would recommend that you speak like men if you want to be treated like men. We all learn to act a role in our lives, but if we are to serve as acolytes, we serve as representatives of the Ordo Hereticus whenever we are together. We should behave as such. When it becomes useful to act like vermin, then we can speak as though we have just crawled out of the uneducated gutter.
He pauses, seeming to relax a bit.
And Cleric Modrak is correct. While we serve the Holy Ordos, we do the work of the God Emperor. Even those that would stand as criminals now enforce the rule of law. I suspect that we all know, perhaps some more than others, that when those that seek to enforce the law fail, whole worlds can devolve into chaos. The enemy, great or otherwise, stand at the gates of the Imperium, ready to slip into any place of weakness. We are the scalpels that cut out such infestations.
He turns to the Reclamator, speaking and smiling as he walks toward the ship.
On that note, Reclamator, you still have not provided your name. I don't care for details on what I am sure is some concerning past, but a name will suffice.
Liam McGregor |
Liam, having walked a fair bit ahead to avoid the confrontation turns around when he hears himself being called.
He then hides a quick grin behind his hand before theatrically cupping a hand behind his ear ant turning towards Praetus.
"Sorry there Starch, I cain't quite hear ye over t' ships engines powering up, but if'n it's important, we can talk more after take-off."
The bit about the ships engines are said whether they are powering up or not.
Praetus Callum |
Yes, Reclamator, it is that important.
He says, shaking his head.
You criminals. I will never understand your need to flaunt authority particularly when you now represent one of the greatest forces for law in the galaxy. Unless you wish to be treated like animals, you will behave as men that participate in this cell like any others. I speak in this bastard tongue so that you all can understand me. To lower yourself even further to talk like gutter trash makes it difficult to see you as anything else, his tone is measured as he continues. And perhaps you mistake this murder cult for a pleasure cult. Which is a sign of ignorance, but cest la vie. What I won't tolerate is your insistence on remaining of a criminal demeanor endangering either this mission or any acolytes that are not of your less than savory leanings. My job is to enforce Imperial Law and while circumstances have changed, jeopardizing the missions of the Holy Ordos because you have not been house trained is a crime greater than most I have previously encountered.
He goes to look for his quarters, calling out over his shoulder.
So, keep speaking as gutter trash if that you wish to remain. Just ensure that it does not risk this mission or other acolytes again.
Gaius Haxtes |
Piping up from the corner. "Gentlemen and yes I know that title is rather inappropriate considering our skill set! I don’t claim to be much of a diplomat, but I think this may have reached a critical juncture. I think Praetus' choice of words were perhaps not that well thought out, but I understand his concern. Although your shared language could, and i am sure Will, be an asset, it is difficult for us to build trust between us when we talk like this. Maybe I am too trusting in the power and abilities of our lord Inquisitor, but I can already see the wide skill set he has brought together, and if we can only find a scrap of trust to build from, then we can be a formidable force for the Emperor. If however we fail, then not only will we most likely be unable to try for redemption, due to death, but many thousands more may suffer as they are led away from the Emperor's light.
Allow me to talk to Praetus if you will and I will try and make him see logic, meanwhile why not try and build some trust amongst ourselves by the giving and gathering of knowledge. When I return I will share freely if you will and let the Emperor's light lead us to the logical path."
Sgt. Solvitus A.K.A SlimGrim |
"If you all smart as you think you are, you'd be asking how we talkin how we talk. Guarantee once we get planet side they be talkin more like me than some silver-tongued highborns. Nighty-night for now, going to get my beauty sleep.
Solon Modrak |
Solon sighed, a cleric that acted like a petulant child, and an arbitrator who believed he was a warden, what a fine group this was, that he liked the psyker and the penal legionary most of all.
When all the others were gone, Solon addressed Seth and SlimJim, "You needn't concern yourselves with either of them. If they try to make trouble, they will deal with me first." He said, tapping the chainsword at his side. "With any luck, the both of them will forget themselves, and focus on doing the Emperor's work before it comes to that."
Praetus Callum |
Once in his quarters, Praetus will change into something nondescript but dirty. He'll then set about rubbing grease from the floors and joints on his face and hair and finding a place to conceal a pistol in his outfit.
For the GM - is there any access to local media? Vids, circulars, audio broadcasts, etc? If so, he'll get as much as he can for the trip. Particularly looking at anything high class or that the government or wealthy will be watching.
Solon Modrak |
Solon smiled as a faraway look took hold in his eyes. "I don't remember if I mentioned it, it seems that I remember less and less as I get older, but there was a riot in the Hive that I came from. Well, riot might be inadequate to describe it, it had risen to a rebellion against the Planetary Governor. The Imperial Guard was called in and slaughtered all of them. That was why I became a cleric in the first place, I couldn't abide the thought of so much death over something as small as a Manifactorum accident." Suddenly, Solon looked confused, as though he realized how strange a thing he was about to say. He continued anyway though. "Now that I think about it, I first met the Inquisitor when I received my ordination, but it wasn't until much later that I became an acolyte. I do not know why he chose me though. Perhaps it was because of my order. . ." He trailed off, as though he feared boring the younger man.
Solon Modrak |
Solon nodded. "The Damned Brotherhood draws heavily from redeemed heretics, or those close to them in my case. We believe that the greatest effort should be taken to spare the lesser guilty, because we are all guilty in the eyes of the Emperor. We are all heretics of one sort or another. Even so, there is no step that we will not take to slay the irredeemable."
Liam McGregor |
As soon as he is aboard the ship, Liam hides behind a bulkhead or something else large, waits until both Skarr and Praetus has passed him by before sneaking out again.
As soon as he is outside the ship and near the trio of fellow hivers he walks over and lights up a Lho stick.
"Emp'ror on earth, t' ship sure did get a lot more stuffy fer some reason.
Think I'll catch me breath fer a moment.
So, what's up wiv ye fine gents then?"
Liam McGregor |
"Damned brotherhood eh? Ironic name that, but it sorta goes in line wiv what t' inquisitor said don'tcha think? All of us bein' expendable, even he 'imself."
Taking a long drag on his lhostick, Liam chuckles.
"Not t' fan the flames o' war or anything, but if'n we stay 'ere long an' talk, the less down t' earth members o' our group mighta become even more suspicious."
Sgt. Solvitus A.K.A SlimGrim |
SlimGrim comes out after he changes and sees Seth and the reclamator hangin. He offers Liam a hiver fist bump and lights his own Lho Stick. " So what we ta do with the two high an' mightys we saddled with? They gonna get us fragged with that B.S planet side. I don't trust that arbiter wit dat mask. What he hidin'? Those in high positions guilty of worse crimes than myself in my experience."
Gaius Haxtes |
After leaving Praetus to cool off a bit, Gaius will head over and knock his door. (Assuming Praetus lets him in) Gaius will study the disguise.
" Your disguise appears impressive. I do believe most people will be fooled, particularly if you can mimic the mannerisms and lingo as well.
I find myself uncomfortable as I feel it necessary to play the role of peacemaker, which is not something I am trained for. I understand your concerns regarding the others speaking in hive dialects, however no matter how you feel about them you may want to pick your words more carefully. 'Gutter trash' is not a term that is likely to inspire trust, and we will all need each other down there. Anyway I will leave you to your ministrations"
Gaius will then head to his quarters to clean his gear, service his weapons and research the hive, its political/class groups and its industries.
Solon Modrak |
Solon nodded at Seth's assumption. "He has likely never heard of us, the Brotherhood is a fairly young order, as far as the Ecclesiarchy goes, and has yet to receive any official recognition."
Solon shrugged at SlimGrim's question. "I understand your concern. Perhaps we could use the attitude they have to our advantage. We might send them into the spires, so they can get caught up in the webs spun by the nobles while we investigate the hive."
Seth Loki |
"Be that as it may, I am inclined to follow your lead, Solon. You speak sense and you do not allow your book-learning cloud your judgment. That I respect."
"SlimGrim, let's allow Solon here to deal with the highborn. He can clearly pull rank on them hehehe."
Volg Hive Dialect
Praetus Callum |
Praetus's door is unlocked and he smiles when Gaius enters.
Thank you Mr. Haxtes. And worry not, this is what I do.
He then switches to speaking in High Gothic.
I believe that most Adepts are trained to speak properly, yes? People are treated the way they behave. And those gutter trash should be treated as such. One of them wears an explosive collar. That should tell us all we need to know about how he should be treated. If the Inquisitor wished us to treat him as an equal, he would have removed the collar personally. That thing is a criminal so dangerous that the Inquisitor has need to remind him constantly that his life is quite easily ended. Those that would conspire with him in his bastard tongue cast doubt upon themselves.
Besides, Low Gothic is the language of the masses. Just as I do not generally speak in this tongue, they are crass for speaking in their own language so commonly. To do so amongst a cell when only two speak such gibberish all but ensures that what they conspire about must be an affront to the rest of us or a threat to the mission. You need not make peace. Criminals learn their place in the order of things, or they are put down. Peace will come from that explosive collar one way or another.
Gaius Haxtes |
Replying in High Gothic.
"You are most likely correct, I do not have much experience in these areas. However I wonder if it might not be effective to pander to their egos in order to build a level of trust. After all if they still have the criminal inclinations of their previous existences then they would be just as likely to put a bullet in us. Still I will leave it to you as you have much more experience with people than I."
Praetus Callum |
I wish you a good planetfall Mr. Haxtes. And as for pandering to egos, that is what one does to those not on one's team. Honesty is almost always the best policy among those you expect to trust to carry out missions with you. We do not expect them to bow to us simply because we are of better stock or of greater intellect. And they cannot expect that we will lower ourselves to their inappropriate behavior. But what we can all expect is to cease pointing weapons at one another and not to forget that while we may serve the Holy Ordos, some are no less vile criminal, some are no less law enforcer, and some, such as yourself, are no less learned before gaining a new appellation.
Seth Loki |
"In the underhive, might makes right. So we head on out to the underhive and knockout the toughest mofo in particularly spectacular fashion and we'd have people looking for muscle coming to us with offers, possibly including our elusive cult of weirdos."
"Moreover, our prey won't think of us as 'Inquistion'".
"Our contact onsite should be able to confirm my assumptions."
"And if that doesn't work, we nevertheless do get protection money and women in the bargain hahahaha"
"Oi, SlimGrim, you got some amasec with you there?"
Sgt. Solvitus A.K.A SlimGrim |
"Nah, I don't touch the stuff. I am addicted to Lho Sticks, but that is all. I do have some starch rations that can be used to create a cheap alcohol in a pinch we call it Bronto." SlimGrim gets close to Seth and whispers "I bet we can get some stronger stuff planet side if that's what your looking for to get us in with the right people. You are right though, I think a lot of this depends on our first contact with Rory. Once we get the downlow on the down and low we will make a solid plan."
Taalik Amun |
A pulsing rumble spreads across the Preacher's Promise, signalling the plasma drives cycling up to full power. Slowly, the ship lurches as it disconnects from the station and moves off into space. The rumble balances into a rhythm and slowly becomes little more than a subtle hum, well forgotten amidst the creeks and groans of the vessel. A few hours out the ship's pressure changes, the air becomes dry and metallic as a slight acrid scent crosses your nose - the ship has slipped into warp.
Your quarters are far more spartan than those provided to you on the station, but serve you well, being both removed from the rest of the passengers and easily defended. Marson has seen that they are well stocked with basic supplies and several sets of clothing for each of you. A beat up but functional cogitator and a few dataslates are set in the antechamber, loaded with information regarding Vaxanide, its lone hive, the ruling family, and the wilds beyond. Sadly there is little organization to any of it and it will take a great deal of research to get its full worth.
tech-use or search can be used to glean information; each full day dedicated to research grants a +5 to the check
Gaius Haxtes |
How long is the journey?
"Let me have a look"
You can see the delight on the Adept's face at all this untapped knowledge.
Tech use (43): 1d100 ⇒ 21
"Ah I see what is going! That goes there... and that there. There is a rather odd order here. Let me see what I can work out and I can brief everyone afterwards"