Callidia points out the las burns, "There were weapons discharged in this room. It seems someone felt they needed to defend themselves..." She then looks around one last time for any other clues they might have missed.
The angle of the shots and the pattern of blasts shows that whoever was shooting was over near several piles of overturned furniture. It would seem that the shooter was close to the wall when they were caught.
A quick check on the auspex reveals...nothing. No power or cables, no strange materials, not a void...just blank metal. It doesn't quite seem right when the rest of the room is riddled with voids, pipes, metal imperfections.
New construction?
"I believe the shooter took cover behind these pieces of furniture." Callidia walks over to where the shooter must have been crouched, searching behind and under the furniture, under cushions, etc.
It is extremely difficult to see. If you didn't know that something was there you'd never find it, which is how the Arbites missed the smaller hidden chamber. It takes an impressive level of deceit to get overlooked by the Verispex.
The panel, once found, slides aside smoothly. Inside is a safe of some kind. It is, of course, locked. A keypad sits, blinking.
Jackpot. Or a trap.
"It might be rigged. Might not be. But this is likely special. That is a lot of effort to conceal a decoy. I'm going to try and get it open."
Vasyl gets to work.
"Let me help"
The safe is not trapped, but it is stubborn - Vasyl is unable to get past it, even with Laszerus' aid.
Definitely worth something.
"We don't have endless time here. Maybe we'd be better off to cut the safe out from the wall and get out. Or even cut through the safe."
Vasyl tries to work out with the auspex the full dimensions of the safe, and any weak points.
"We could try shooting it open" Lazerus says taking out his Hellpistol
"Unless anyone has any better ideas?"
As he works, Vasyl comments:
"Hellpistol might over-penetrate and scorch whatever is inside. But it's a nice last resort to have handy."
Vasyl is unable to crack the safe. It might be doable over time, but the combead crackles. "Cleaners are approaching the doors. Shall I delay?"Afan asks.
"We can return, better to have the time to deal with it properly than be rumbled. It's remained unnoticed til now after all."
Vasyl nods.
Fair.
Over the microbead, he replies.
"No delay needed. Leave and meet soon."
To the others, he says:
"Let's go. Now."
"Las fire would only alert them to our position. Lets hide the safe again and go"
It took a moment, but the cleaning team made it into the front area of the shop as the acolytes re-hid the safe and prepare to pull out. How to get out of the building was now the question. Simply running would reveal someone was there, simply due to noise. Stealth took time. And violence would need to be swift to avoid confrontation with the team outside, and would almost certainly draw more scrutiny.
"Afan identify the entrance they came in."
"Vasyl, I imagine you can jam a locking mechanism a lot quicker than open it? That should give us some time to leave by another way. If it can look like a natural event it would be best."
Not ashamed to admit, never been in this type o' bind... if you need me to do something or move somewhere... happy to oblige.
Otherwise, best I can do it stay out of the way.
"I also expect you have some experience at evading this sort of problem Vasyl so feel free to advise us. I'm just improvising with the assets we have."
Good, swift thinking.
As soon as Lothar has suggested jamming the lock, Vasyl all but hammers it. Though with considerably more skill behind his movements.
"Climbing down the side works. I have spider pads, no lines or rope. Let's get to a window on a side the van can't see and get out."
Afan reports they have entered through the front entrance and into the front of the shop.
Locking the door, and re-arming the trap, is a simple matter for Vasyl, and opening a window that leads to the rear of the building is a simple matter too.
The building is old enough that climbing down should be an easy enough climb.
Out.
As Vasyl affixes his spider pads by the open
"I hope you have grapnels or pads. It makes getting down a lot safer."
Then he moves his frame out the window, perhaps a little practiced at the maneuver.
The hiver moves swiftly down the side of the building, seeking enemies and cover as he does so.
Easier said than done, Jene whispers.
As quietly as she can, the adept Dick's out the "window" and begins to scale down the exterior.
"I'm afraid I didn't bring my grapnel, you can't anticipate every outcome of an expedition." Before descending Lothar clenched his teeth expecting to potentially fall at some point.
Callidia looks out the window dubiously for a moment before following the others out and trying to climb carefully down. No great athlete, she is grateful for the rough exterior of the building.
Lazerus jumps out the window and climbs down the rope.
"Well that was close"
Having failed to intercept the cleaning team, and not having heard much of a burst of action from the building, Afan heads to the woman standing out in front smoking.
"Do you have a moment sister?"
The team makes it out the window, but it's rushed, noisy and not at all pretty. If there's anyone to notice your escape then they noticed.
~~~~~
The woman took a drag on her lhostick and looked over at Afan. "Sure, whatcha needing stranger?" She seems relaxed, most likely because she has backup so close.
Vasyl moves his gun from his belt into his hand as he seeks to cover the others during their descent.
Afan is surprised by the lack of concern the woman shows. Usually his very presence is enough to put the common soul on edge.
"Might a man bum a smoke on a day such as this?"
Lazerus will gather his powers incase the woman attacks Afan, muttering mantras under his breath
"Sure, why not?" The woman tapped out a lhostick, although she paused for a second before holding her hand out. A hint that they weren't as comfortable as they acted? "What brings you out here, anyway?"
Vasyl doesn't notice anyone watching.
So far, so tolerable.
Is everyone on ground level at this point?
Jene lands inelegantly, detangling herself from the others. Dusting off, she waits for direction.
In a most undignified manner, Sister Callidia clambers down the building and actually falls the last few feet into a sprawl on the pavement. Getting back to her feet and tugging the skirts of her disguise into place, she curses softly about the necessity of wearing them.
The team is on the ground, although it's a little unclear as to where exactly you are. As with many Hives these smaller, non-vehicle pathways get little priority when building. The passage is narrow, and it is difficult to know exactly where it will come out.
Once everyone is on the ground, Vasyl quietly says to them:
"We need to get out of here. Down the passage, but point out any alternative you spot. Many eyes make easy break-in, and all that."
Got to be ready.
Afan smiles as he accepts the stick. Lighting it, he pulls a drag off the little moment of happiness and looks the woman dead in the eyes. "I could lie, tell you I was hoping to run into a beautiful woman in this forsaken place. I could say I have been on a long trip searching for my soul mate and fate has brought me to this place. But, the simple answer is I am just passing through on my way to meet my boss and enjoying the short time of peace without the constant annoyance of my co-workers." The simple truth is always better than the open lie.
The woman's eyes flicked to the van. "Thankfully, I like my co-workers for the most part. They're good at what they do." Her eyes flickered over to a side alley as the Acolytes exited from the back, causing her to frown. "Where did they come from?"
"That would be my boss and his entourage... you could say he is taking a scenic stroll through a hive. Don't ever take up a position in employ to a Lord..." the man sighs as he starts walking towards his crew, turning his head to finish his quip."the pay is nice, but someone always gets it in their head to tour away from the spires for some Emperor forsaken reason or another. Worst part is I can't shoot him myself without filling out paperwork afterwards." It is hard to tell if the man is joking or not as he walks away.
The woman watches Afan go, and then heads back into the van. It's hard to say how much notice she, and the watchers in the vehicle, take of the group, and whether she believes Afan's explanation, but you all escape without a pursuit.
"Does anyone have confidence that they could tail that group? They likely have a vehicle as well so bare that in mind. If we could identify who they are associated with it would be useful. If they work for the Arbites thats one thing but they could be cult members."
"We're out, with no bullet holes in us. Things could have gone worse."
No need for false bravado around these.
"I could give it a shot. But confident? Nah. Still willing to give it a try if we get a vehicle pronto."
Vasyl looks around for a likely target for a break-in or hijack.
"No need to worry about that. I bought one before we got here.
Though it's not very good."
Lazerus points to the beat up car he bought earlier
Why not? We can withdraw if things get messy.
"Good job, Sawyer. Then let's do this. Unless someone has objections right now. Keys?"
"They might be in there a little while... are there any vehicles in the area that have no connection with us that could be- discretely acquired?"
Lazerus will take you their notes of the last incident, the ledger and what they just found for any clues
Vasyl turns to Jene.
"Astrid, care to help me look around for likely catches?"
She seems to have some skill.
Still a bit rattled... Jene starts to scan the street.
Its easy enough to find a likely victim. In fact, it's possible the owner wanted it stolen, as its sitting in a small alley away from prying eyes. The only way to make it easier would be to leave the keys in the chunky green ground vehicle, but it should carry you all.