Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum
0520124.M42
The stormbird makes it descent through the atmosphere of Desoleum and you can see the massive Hive in the distance. Surrounding the hive are areas of desert and acidic seas that could only be formed from waste liquid spills and the such. A disgusting sight but you've seen worse in the worlds of the Imperium.
You and your comrade are the last survivors of a lost company once part of the dreaded Hrax 33rd Regiment. Due to the cirumstances and your dutiful actions in slaughtering the Orks you were given a leave from the Imperial Guard.
The Guard and their wisdom decided Desoleum would be a good place for your retirement and here you are. The stormbird lands somewhere below mid hive where you were told is where most outworlders reside and your greeted by some landing serfs.
"Welcome to Hive Desoleum Lieutenant Aubrey Knight." the serf looks over to the huge Ogryn and is a bit taken back with the look of shock on his face.
"Be at peace, citizen. Chopper won't hurt you unless you try to hurt him first. Tell me, what is the latest news of your great hive?"
Aubrey took a moment to observe his surroundings and get his bearings while listening to the serf before him.
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum Shuttle Bay
0520124.M42
The serf looks a bit confused and tries to regain his composure.
"News is your to be taken to quarters where you will be given free room and board for one week at which time it will be your responsibility to find a job and pay for your own expenses. Plenty of opportunities for someone of your qualifications."
"Then lead the way. Chopper is getting hungry."
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum Shuttle Bay
0520124.M42
The serf nods and looks to see if you have any belongs but don't see anything except what your carrying. He leads you out of the shuttle bay area and into the hive proper and the first thing that hits you is the smell. The smell of billions of people living together in a small area and it's not pleasant! Chopper rubs his nose and grunts.
"Stinky place"
The serf chuckles "You'll get use to it."
He leads you through the busy alleys and street passing numerous different type of shops until you reach a tall structure with some people hanging outside.
"This is where you will be staying. Class A accommodations." he snickers at that a bit.
"But seriously they could of put you up into something worse. I'm sure you'll be fine here with your friend."
"My old C.O. used to say that home was where you dropped your last clip. I have no doubt this place will be just like home soon enough."
Aubrey turned to Chopper.
"Let's get checked in and meet the new neighbors. This should be amusing, to say the least."
Aubrey turned and stalked up the stairs to enter the structure before him. His nose crinkled softly at the tang of unwashed flesh.
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Hab Block 25837.03
0520124.M42
You have no problems getting you room access code and make your way to it to rest before doing whatever it is you wish to do. The room is small, 2 bunk pretty standard. No kitchen area just resting and bathroom.
There are a few data access ports in the building that you could easily do some searches for possible job opportunities and such.
Aubrey sighs.
"Looks like work before lunch, Chopper. I will look to see what is available for people of our talents."
Aubrey went to the nearest data port and began a search of the classifieds.
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Hab Block 25837.03
0520124.M42
As your utilizing the data port some junkie walks up to you and Chopper. He's wearing tattered clothing with tattoo markings all over his body and his face is covered in piercings.
"Hey man, spare a lo'stick?"
He looks at Chopper closer when he asks and grins a bit showing rotten teeth.
"Don't see many of these big lugs in this area."
You can obviously tell he's probably not from this section of the Hive based on the others in the area.
Aubrey looks at the man trying to bum a lo' stick. His first impulse is to be rude, but he stops himself. He takes a deep breath before muttering "Sorry. Don't smoke."
He continues looking through the classifieds as the man continues to ramble on.
"The 'lug' is my best friend. Don't disrespect him, or I'll let him twist your head off and use it for sport. Now, what can I do for you?"
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Hab Block 25837.03
0520124.M42
Chopper just grins down at the little man while Aubrey talks.
He looks to Aubrey again. "Hey man no disrespect intended!"
His eyes go a bit wide as he notices all the metals on your uniform.
"Hey! Are you that guy? You know the one who was like last of his unit? Took out a whole buncha greenies and stuff? on some wacky green planet and things? I heards some rumors someone famous was comin ere! HEY EVERYONE IT'S THAT FAMOUS ARMY GUY!" he yells the last part really loud.
Aubrey's eyes narrowed as he looked at the screen, his trigger finger twitching of it's own accord. He took another moment to calm himself. He didn't need to buy himself trouble with the Arbites until he could afford to buy his way out of it. The man was an annoyance, but he hadn't done anything to earn a Death Mark yet.
"The name is Lieutenant Aubrey Knight. Now, I'm really busy here, and I hate repeating myself. What is it that you want here?"
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Hab Block 25837.03
0520124.M42
The man smiles wide eyed. "I knew it! I knew it when I saw that goon bring you here! Man it really is my lucky day!"
He calms down a bit before continuing and makes a serious face. "I bet your looking for work on that there screen arn't ya? How about I find ya a job making more than any of those jobs ever could? Huh huh? You and your friend here I'm sure could make a killing."
"Doing what?"
Aubrey finally turned his full attention to the man.
Cringeworth Filthington III
Hive Desoleum - Under Hive Pleasure House
0520124.M42
You sit at a table watching the girls dance sipping your brew and you notice other patrons glancing at you periodically. Your reputation for a cheat has hindered your game quite a bit down here. The girls know your loose with your tongue but not your thrones and the men may slit your through if you try one of your schemes on them. Life is as it should never a dull moment.
Across the room a fight breaks out between two burly men who were trying to get the attention of one of the dancing girls.
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Hab Block 25837.03
0520124.M42
He lowers his voice some. "Well you see, my boss needs some muscle and you and your friend here are some serious muscle. There been some troubles in the under hive between some of the gangs and we need someone neutral to take care of some business for us so it doesn't look like it came from us you. Since your no longer with the suits and need some thrones as I'm sure they took oh so well of such a great hero like you." He says the last part a bit sarcastically. "You understand?"
"I understand that I should be talking numbers with your boss instead of jawing here with you. Lead the way to the big man and we'll see if we can't reach an understanding."
Aubrey hefted his duffel bag and waited for the man to lead the way.
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Hab Block 25837.03
0520124.M42
The freaky man nods once and you spot 2 gruff looking men wearing red tattered red robes, almost clergy like, looking and pointing in the direction of Chopper. You can hear one of them say "What the hell is that mutant doing up here!"
Aubrey turns to look at the two men.
"Chopper, don't kill them unless they threaten us with weapons."
He steps forward to intercept the two men.
"Chopper is with me. Chopper is always with me. Wherever I go, he comes with me. If you have a problem with that, then you have a problem with me. You don't want to have a problem with me. We killed 227 greenskins just last month because they wanted to kill me and my friend. I have no problems putting holes in you, too."
He slowly unsnaps the flap on his uniform holster. As he rests his hand on his laspistol, he grins.
"Call him mutant again, and I'm going to get insulted. Do you wanna see what I can do when I feel insulted?"
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Hab Block 25837.03
0520124.M42
The two men eye Aubrey up and down seeing his weapon and medals of honor on his uniform. One of them spits on the ground at their feet and pulls the other away. "Not worth our time brother." the one leading them away says as they move into the crowds.
"I knew you were the right guys for this job! Take no s*$* from no one!" the freak says to you. "Names Sketch by the way, lets go now."
"If there's one thing I can't stand, Sketch, it's a bully. Now, take me to your boss."
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Unknown Location
0520124.M42
Sketch leads you through the hive weaving in and out of different locations. You see all walks of life here, some noble born, some as low on the chain as can possibly go and then some even lower than that the further down you.
After about 3 hours of traveling Chopper seems to be getting a bit agitated from all the traveling through the cramped hive. He's definitely not use to this but pushes on as he watches your back.
"Were almost there." Sketch says.
A few more turns and bends you come to a shop in the middle of a very busy area. There are 2 goons outside who have a lot of body modifications and tattoos much like Sketch. They nod at him and let you and Chopper in.
Inside is so bizarre that you hear Chopper snicker a bit at what he sees. You see people getting tattoo's and piercing all over their bodies. Also body modifications like you have never seen before. Pleasure and Pain has no description of this place when it comes to modification.
A voice shouts from across the room "Welcome friends! Come come!"
When you look toward the voice you see a very muscular woman with a pink mow-hawk and tattoo's/piercing all over her body. She barely wears anything and has a bolt pistol holstered on her side.
Aubrey steps forward, indicating that she should address him in the coming negotiations.
"My name is Aubrey Knight. Sketch tells me that you might have some work for a man of our abilities."
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Unknown Location
0520124.M42
She grins wide as Aubrey approaches and the giant Chopper behind him.
"You surely do look like a man of many skills." she reaches out with a hand when you get close enough to touch you but Chopper steps between you and her as if protecting his master and she backs up a bit.
"So loyal! I dig it. Please have a seat." she sits down in her sofa like chair and there are other comfortable looking seats near here where you may sit.
You can feel the others in the room watching you and Chopper. You get a feeling they don't trust you but they are loyal to this woman and probably wouldn't do anything unless she said so.
Aubrey nodded at the woman before pointing out a piece of furniture that looked like it might hold Chopper's bulk and nodding towards it. He then took a seat directly across from the woman.
"Let's talk business, first. We can discuss my other qualifications later. What do you need done, specifically? Then we'll discuss how much you'll pay."
Cringeworth walks over to the area where the men are about to fight
"come on, spill some blood already lets see a show."
while the two men are engaged in fisticuffs C.W. grabs the piece of @$z the men were eyeing by the hand exchanging a few thrones
"Lets go somewhere a little quieter shall we love" he says with a smile, winking.
Cringeworth Filthington III
Hive Desoleum - Under Hive Pleasure House
0520124.M42
The woman gives CW a look of disgust when he walks over with his proposition. "No way slug! I know who you are Mr. cheat! Hands off!"
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Unknown Location
0520124.M42
"All work no play I see. Maybe some play after the work is done then." she grins a bit showing gold teeth in her mouth. "Some people took something of mine and I want it back. Now normally I would just send my boys to get it but you see this is a big tricky because I don't want to start a war down here. Not good for me, not good for them and definitely not good for the rest of the hive down under. We want this item returned to us quietly without them even knowing it was us who did it."
Aubrey looked around at the men and women around them. Yeah, subtle wasn't exactly a catchphrase around here.
"What is the item, exactly? Where is it located? How many targets between us and them?"
"Such a shame Ms. The one time I actually have throwns to spend in such a fine establishment you go an sully such a rare occasions by calling me names. Enjoy your evening with them bloodied brutes there. "
Cringeworth goes to the bar and sits down mulling over his agenda
"Barkeep, you know of any work needing to be done around here and bring me another drink"
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Unknown Location
0520124.M42
The woman smiles wide. "It's an ehm... Old family heirloom!"
She crosses her legs and you notice they are extremely muscular.
"It's a small box when you open it plays music with a little figure inside that spins around. Shouldn't be that hard for someone like you and your friend to get back."
Cringeworth Filthington III
Hive Desoleum - Under Hive Pleasure House
0520124.M42
They barkeep eyes Cringeworth. "You got thrones buddy?"
After you toss show him your money he hands you a drink.
"I hear there some trouble with some of the gangs down here. Maybe some rich folk could use some extra protection from the recent violence been erupting more than normal. It's like folks been loosing their minds faster than normal recently."
Aubrey eyes the woman suspiciously.
"Who has this..... old family heirloom, and where can I find them?"
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Unknown Location
0520124.M42
"A Babyface who calls himself Lord Pain." she leans back in her chair and crosses her massive arms.
"You probably don't know much about the gangs here since your new. He's one of them high noble boys who isn't heir to their fortune so thinks he can suit up, come down here and be one of us. Bunch of punk b!@&$es trying to take out their mommy and daddy issues on those who weren't born with silver spoon in their mouth."
"I need a guide to go and find him. Sketch will do in a pinch, though I would prefer someone less conspicuous. Now, for the important question. What's it worth to you?"
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Unknown Location
0520124.M42
"How does 500 thrones sound. Should be a fairly easy job and since I'm in a generous mood I think that's very reasonable."
"600 sounds better. Heroes of the Imperium don't come cheap."
"I dont know whats worse playing body guard or dealing with the scum here. Either way I have to get out of this shyt hole...
C.w. raise his glass in Salute to the barkeep
"Minus your fine establishment here good sir. Any known reason for these outburst of violence? Gang territory expansion, young ones trying to prove their rank? A woman?
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Unknown Location
0520124.M42
The leader grunts. "Fine, 600 it is!" She spits in her hand and holds it out to shake yours.
"Sketch can tell you general location these thieves normally hide out but we don't know their actually hideout location. Your gonna have to do some investigating."
Cringeworth Filthington III
Hive Desoleum - Under Hive Pleasure House
0520124.M42
The barkeep shrugs a little. "People are restless. From what I hear the big wigs have lost contact with most of the Imperium due to some crazy warp storms but what do I know. Just rumors I hear. Gangs taking advantage of less law bringers roaming around down here."
"If we have to find it, we're gonna need operating capital. Half up front. Sketch can come with us, make sure we do the job the way you want. That way there are no misunderstandings, and he makes sure you get your money's worth. You agree to that, and we'll go get your music box."
Aubrey spits in his own hand and holds it out.
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Unknown Location
0520124.M42
She grins and shakes your hand. She then snaps a finger and one of her goons comes by and pulls out a data chip handing it to you. You easily confirm the thrones are in it with your own equipment.
Sketch looks a little on edge but you can tell he will not disobey his boss.
"Alright, Sketch. Lead the way."
Aubrey scoops up his duffel and signals Chopper that it's time to go with a quick nod of the head.
C.W. downs his drink and continues watching the fight
.oO(No laws huh means I can do a lot of damage in these parts. Locate these gangs and commence a hostile takeover and unite them all under my umbrella... nah not at all my style. Just gon create choas and watch it implode)
"Barkeep let me buy a bottle of your finest cheapest drink"
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Unknown Location
0520124.M42
Sketch nods and leads you out of the building. The gang member give you sideways glances as you leave but do not say anything to you or your companion.
Sketch doesn't say much as he leads you through the hive which is a vast network of alleys and streets that all look the same to you after a while.
Cringeworth Filthington III
Hive Desoleum - Under Hive Pleasure House
0520124.M42
The barkeep checks your thrones and hands you a bottle from under the table. it looks like sludge and probably tastes like it but it will probably doe the trick if your looking to get drunk off your ass.
The fight simmers down when one of the men is knocked out cold and some others drag him out of the pleasure house and things go back to normal.
After a few swigs and your feeling good there isn't much left for you to deal with here perhaps decide it's time to leave.
Awareness Check:
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Unknown Location
0520124.M42
It feels like Sketch is taking you around in circles. There have been a few things you could swear you have seen since you left with him about an hour ago.
Aubrey draws his laspistol and hides it by his thigh. Using military sign, he warns Chopper to beware danger.
He points the laspistol at Sketch and calls out.
"Hey, Sketch. You lost?"
Aubrey Knight
Hive Desoleum - Unknown Location
0520124.M42
Sketch looks at Aubrey and sees the laspistol pointed at him and Chopper with his axe in hand.
"Woh buddy what are you doing?! I'm trying to take you where you need to go that's all. Put the gear away dude your going to draw unwanted attention."