Callidia looks around at the others, "I must admit that I am not well practiced in subterfuge. Up to now the Emperor has seen fit to give me a much clearer path," she pats the grip of her bolt pistol as she says this last bit. "So please forgive if my questions are too obvious. As a nobleman's retinue, it should be appropriate for me to play the part of a bodyguard? So it would also be appropriate for me to remain armed and armored and simply conceal the obvious symbols of the Adepta Sororitas?"
Plausible... it wouldn't be the first time I've served as valet.
Nobility do stick their noses in everywhere.
"I like the "noble investigation" plan. I have some experience with disguises and accents, so a hive tech cover works. Callidia, you would suit as a bodyguard, though the sororitas patches would stand out a lot. They scream "devout warrior of the God-Emperor" and *that* is not subtle enough for this job."
Callidia offers a friendly smile toward Vasyl, "Just so. I will not deface them, but I can conceal them. Alternatively, perhaps the Inquisitor can supply temporary replacements that are more commonplace?"
"We should not spend too much of the Inquisitors valuable time on more minor details I think. If she has no further desire for our immediate presence?" Lothar politely suggests... lest they incur her wrath.
"It depends on how affluent and connected we want to appear to be. Bring your standard gear for when the time comes but in the mean time my flak armour would offer some more discrete cover. A fresh coat of paint to change the heraldry and unit markings on it too... I shouldn't be parading around giving clues to my identity."
"Some will think you retired guard, or at least equipped from surplus. Seems reasonable. Flail and laspistol will be fine... a bolt pistol, someone is being generous but possible. A new holster perhaps? More non descript. Particularly blatant displays of devotion may set off a few red flags for them." He tries to gauge Callidia's reaction.
"Vasyl I'm thinking the new bolo should be fine though keep it towards the small of your back in rougher areas perhaps? Mesh cloak and one of your pistols. If you're some tech adept the rifle might be overkill... Callidia might be able to heft it around on a strap, it would seem more fitting."
Jene hesitates, as they are about to leave...One last question, if I may.
Outside of your command, Sir... who besides Inquisitor Menesk, knows we are en route?
Afan continues to sit quietly, watching his new companions and sizing each of them up. He meticulously categorizes each and files his opinions away for future use.
"No one else knows you're going," the Inquisitor replied with a small, wry smile. "Even Menesk doesn't know the details of who is being sent, on the unlikely chance that the problem was somewhere on his team."
"As for you, Sister, you could also take a more traditional clergy role," Davidya suggested. "Many nobles have there own Chaplain to guide them on spiritual matters. It would not be so unusual to see one in their retinue." And the Clergy of the God-Emperor were a militant lot.
Nodding to Lothar, she returned to her seat. "Once you've decided on your disguise, go and see the quartermaster. I'll forward the mission details to your cabins so you can plan. Your transport will leave in the morning." Leaning over her paperwork, she added, "May the Emperor guide your hand."
Nodding thanks in acknowledgement of the Inquisitor's thoroughness and logic, Jene exists resentfully.
Nodding thanks in acknowledgement of the Inquisitor's thoroughness and logic, Jene exists resentfully.
Aye, we had best leave while smiles and nods are still showing. It's good that she is being careful. We get to live longer.
Vasyl nods, and rises from his seat.
"Goodbye, Inquisitor."
***********************
"So, we've good notions for disguises. A noble and his retinue, investigating. Decently equipped but not so much it draws every eye and knife in the hive. I suggest that we add aliases to the mix."
"I have some knowledge of chemical and training as a merchant. Perhaps I could pose as a Pharmacist to indulge the lord. It would also be an excuse to keep me out of sight, there are those that would recognize me even in disguise"
With that Lazerus leaves
"A good excuse as to why we might end up trying to source various chemicals as the need arises."
"Lex, a technomat. Which I am well trained in.", Vasyl notes.
Perhaps they will be surprised.
With the required supplies requisitioned and the shuttle equipped, the heavy frigate that had recently become your home dropped you off at the edge of the Archaos system and, the more gentle journey in real space gave you time to research.
Archaos, a standard enough Hive World with something of a philosophical bent, is your current destination. High production rates, massive quantities of natural resources and a close association with the Forge World Opus Macharius has left it in a strong position within the Drusus March, which has in turn given it a reputation as a planet of thinkers and dreamers.
Crime is relatively low, as the standard of living is reasonably high for an Imperial world, with lower than usual rates of mutants and psykers. Much of the crime seems to be more philosophical than proprietary, the theft of thoughts and ideas - and patents and mechanical processing, for those more interested in thrones.
There is a heavier than normal presence of the Adeptus Arbites and Ministorium, and an abnormally high rate of heresy of all kinds. Some thoughts should not be followed, no matter how tempting. A purge a decade ago has led to the current nobility acting very correctly, but there are suspicions that for many this is a front.
The killing you have been sent to investigate is on Acheron Hive, one of the smaller hives focused on food production. The notes suggest that it has an impressive level of greenery for a hive, with a large number of orchards and hydroponic facilities producing a number of other luxury foods.
As the shuttle comes into land, the massive structure of the hive swallowing the shadow of the flier, you can see a small group of customs officials awaiting you. If you had any last-minute planning to do, now was the moment.
Lots of greenery? We faced plant-covered enemies on Insidias Minor.
"Lex" checks over his gear once again, ready to play his part.
Drugs... the final frontier. His setup could support a "healthy" plant based drug trade.
Scat happens when rich folks get bored and start seeking new... heights. Be they thrills or truths.
Sprawling law enforcement and administration means that the right hand may not know what the left hand is doing. Easier for things to go unnoticed.
Jene wonders what it is they will be paying particular attention to, at this check point. She accesses her data slate.
From what Jene can determine from the records, the biggest part of the customs inspection will be making sure everyone has the correct papers to be there. As a food development facility, this Hive is something of a source of luxury, and many of those tired of soylens veridians, or those who think they can turn a profit stealing them, try and sneak in.
The latter are the more likely to succeed as they will be able to pay for any cargo that they wish to remain uninspected go through without scans.
Still, it is cargo leaving the Hive that is much more likely to be checked. Getting in, so long as you aren't smuggling people, should be easy enough. The backgrounds you have been provided were made by the Inquisition, after all - they are not the standard fakes that any drone could spot.
Lazerus is huddled in the corner of the shuttle, far away from Afan, his head in his hands.
He lifts his head momentarily, his features pale and drawn.
"If this goes badly I can suppress the costumes offices memories, at least temporarily, to give us a seconds go as long as Afan isn't near by.
The cleaner environment could be responsible for the lower rates of pysker or mutant, give me a minute to gather my thoughts to confirm"
I've reviewed the credentials provided, they should hold up to typical scrutiny. And, so far as we know... no one should be looking for us.
Beside, you look like you're dealing with enough.
Jene tried to remember if the Cestelle Alliance had interactions or competed with this world... she accessed hey data slate for anything that would jog get memory.
Noxious conditions are certainly a factor in creating psykers and more physically obvious mutants. That this world seems to contain relatively low amounts of toxins is likely a factor.
It is quite likely the Cestelle Alliance would have some kind of presence here. Although not the agri-world they usually prefer, the advanced food making methods no doubt used by such a Hive would be intruiging to a semi-Noble house that focuses on food production.
"Lex" speaks up.
"Good to know, Esther. I suggest that once on the ground, we keep detailed talk until we're in more secure surroundings. And pharmacist, take care of your head."
Damn, but close quarters could be an issue between him and "Molineux".
"Molineux" looks over his gear and waits for the team to debark and get on with the mission.
Callidia pages absently through the slightly more ornate version of the Imperial Creed as the shuttle makes its way to the planet for a few minutes before putting it aside and checking over her weapons. As she takes each, clears it, inspects it, reloads, and replaces it in its holster, she recites several passages of the Imperial Creed from memory.
Little experience in investigations and subterfuge leaves Callidia with little to contribute to the conversation. For now she seems to content to follow the lead of the others.
'Jebediah' waits to get off the shuttle. This inspection shouldn't be too challenging, any odd bits of gear are eccentricities his station should allow he felt confident... hopefully it would prove less dramatic than the last hive world he had been on. "The reports aren't completely up to date so lets not let them colour our investigations too much. A useful source of information but let's stay alert to the situation before us."
As the shuttle landed with a gentle thud and the landing ramp lowered, the Noble Lord and his Retinue disembarked to meet the customs officials.
The meeting party was made up of a trio of Adepts from the Adeptus Administratum at the front, and a squad of impressively burly troopers behind them who, while standing at attention, didn't look like they were expecting trouble.
"Our greetings to Hive Acheron," their leader announced in melodic tones, "And the Emperor's grace in your time here. Our apologies, but we must ask for your travel documents and that a cursory inspection of any cargo that you wish to bring onto the surface."
Lazerus darts out of the shuttle, eager to get away from "Molineux".
"Of course, my names Sawyer and here is my documents"
"Lex" keeps quiet for now. But does pay attention to the surroundings, and the body language of the customs group.
Let's see how this plays out.
When they're up...
Jene produces identification and authorization that is not hers from a small portfolio, and obviously belongs to the older male. Then she produces hey own from a pocket.
I present Jebediah Oberfinkt and I am Esther Krug. Thank you for your hospitality.
Afan pulls his identification and readies for his turn. A dispassionate "Molineux, problem solver and personal duelist."
Jebediah smiled politely, struggling against the customs officials is not worth the effort so made some polite small talk and let them be about their business. "Yes thank you. Are there any highly regarded sights to be seen?"
Callidia steps forward when it is her turn to be processed, making the sign of the Aquila before producing her documents, "The Emperor's Light upon you, I am Sister Jessith of the Missionarius Galaxia."
Regardless of whether he notices anything interesting, Vasyl continues to move forward.
He pulls out his necessary papers, neatly folded, and looks the customs officials in the eyes.
"Lex. Technomat."
The adepts scanned through the documents provided - quickly butb efficiently, splitting them between the three. After a few moments they seemed to agree and passed them back. "These seem to all be in order."
"If you are only taking personal posessions then I believe we are done here. Your travel documents allow you free movement for thirty solar days - after that you will need to visit the Administratum facilities to get an extension." The adept made a note on a data slate. "Do you have any residence already set up?"
Vasyl remains quiet.
We'll find digs if we need to.
"I'll survey the available options for something suitable shortly, thank you."
"As you wish. We would suggest that you find somewhere reasonably soon, but a registration of address is not required for such a short stay."
Vasyl falls into line near Lothar, as a technomat servant might.
I want to be away from these. They aren't likely to rumble us, but the risk isn't zero.
The party is able to head out of the spaceport as the shuttle is moved, via a massive hauler, into a storage hanger to keep it out of the elements. The streets outside the spacedock are bustling, with heavy transports lined up to offload at the docks. The streets are lined with support facilities and businesses.
The murder site was located several levels below. Transport was going to be a priority if you wished to move quickly. A base of operations would also be wise - a suite of hotel rooms or an apartment would each have there own advantages.
Or perhaps information would be the first order of business...
"I think an appartment might be best to avoid prying eyes. A suitable transport... as well as something more nondescript might be a good idea. Let's start trying to see what are more common patterns and colours being used by local businesses and individuals."
"We could also secure an unused area to squat in for less savoury tasks. Some consideration on how to dispose of bodies if it comes to that might be wise. Any other ideas or suggestions on how we can attain those?"
"We might be able to rent a warehouse in a the lower hives for our unsavory tasks but I don't know much about how to go about buying one. As for our cover I think we should start be booking appointments with some of the authorities here. Maybe discreetly ask about rumor of inquisitors in the area. Possibly imply that we want to meet them as a cover for us asking about them.
Perhaps we should start with the Arbites?"
I like it. Thinking. Though I'd best make sure Lothar is on the same page, being a noble.
"Let's make sure not to get any accommodation too obvious. No mansions, no opulent stuff. Draws too much attention. Underhive in general is handy for the grim business."
"Meeting the 'biters is risky straight up is risky if they even get a whiff we're faking. Remember what happened to the last Inquisition cell."
"If you can find who it is we must remove to deal with this matter, I will remove them. I will follow so you are not harmed while you ascertain our quarry."
"An official residence for anyone doing a basic investigation is why I suggested the appartment. Renting a warehouse, setting up somewhere discretely for dirty work not associaed with our cover was what I was thinking."
"It would seem to me avoiding groups that had been previously contacted would be a bit much for now. Asking about the Inquisition seems very suspicious."
"The original leads are a bit cold but checking out those areas might still prove insightful. The previous team didn't have much chance to investigate. Our quarry may have grown complacent in the mean time."
Jene waits until she sees another driver/valet, or someone that might be... She approaches them.
Unexpected stop, boss man wants something nice, but not too fancy... Rich get richer, know what I mean?
What would you recommend that's easy to get to and from, time is money.
The local considered for a few moments. "They got some new apartments on the outer walls to rent, if that's what you fancy. Or there's big hotel, the Viridi Deversorium near all the hydroponics bays."
"The apartments sound good"
Much thanks, I'm Astrid.
Jene moved back to the group with the info, explaining that it seems we've found both locations we are looking for.
Hotel first? Only the best for Jebediah. Then a group or all can surveil the apartments and their tactical advantages?
"How well scrubbed up are the apartments and hotel? Gilt furniture?"
Get info before we move in.
The local's tone made the hotel seem refined, maybe luxury, upper crust... Probably saw Jebediah and where I came from.
Apartments seem working class, and closer to where the jobs are.