What's your gut about it? He got what was coming to him, or unwitting victim?
But the way, how are you for pistols that are easily concealable? My frame doesn't allow my to pack much hardware.
Vasyl thumbs through the file, eager for information.
The man scratched his chin. "Pistols aren't my thing, but we carry a few. One would be a Palatine. Short range but rapid fire. It's a base case, since we'd decorate it for a customer. Costs 200 thrones as is. Another would be a bolter cane. A single shot, but it's a Bolter shell. If they ain't in power armour they'll know about it."
Shrugging, he added, "As for him? Seemed fine. I wouldn't be shopping at some heretic place. But he sat on enough drugs to keep the whole hive buzzed. Maybe he was doing some stuff that weren't technically legal."
~~~~~~~
Vasly finds that the case file doesn't contain too much. The victim was Alamara Khavara, 38, and a life long resident of the Hive bar a pilgrimage 5 years ago. There were a few records that suggested the Enforcers had been looking at him for illicit substances, but nothing ever went very far. No record as to why.
The chems found around him have been determined to be partially Xenos in origin, species unconfirmed at this point.
If his customers liked him, competition took him out, then? Seemed over the top brutal.
200 seems fair enough, but I'll have to put some scratch together.
Vasyl sees if there are any references to other files or cases.
"Take your time, I've got a couple to match other gear. No rush." He shrugged. "As to the murder? Heretics killed him. Probably wanted some of the drugs or the like too. I don't think your average apothecary gets offed like that. Maybe he was into illegal stuff, and his competitors took him out. I don't know."
~~~~~~
Vasyl rummages through other recent files, and finds something interesting. Several high-end tech shops on the East side of the Hive have been broken into, and only very unusual items have been taken. Vasyl notes from the list that it seems to be the materials for a high-powered, heavily focused transmitter.
This is more like it.
Vasyl returns to the index, seeking any references to highly tech-wise criminals or gangs.
Certainly, the local Enforcers and Adeptus Arbites presence have it well under control. Sterling reputations and all.
But this sort of thing could cast the wrong light on the hive and give visitors and merchants pause. Or authorities reason to come down hard upon the hive. None of it, good for business.
It's like to get to the bottom of what really happened and why, so that all that bad publicity can be avoided. Obviously, in not from here. If you could help us with a local's perspective... I'd be appreciative.
You look like a mad that likes things orderly, logical. Things need to fit. Anything about the stories as you've heard them seem flaky... tenuous?
There don't seem to be any gangs who touched much technology since one a decade ago, when the Adeptus Mechanicus found and...disciplined one that was stealing there devices. The lesson was good enough that no one has dared until now, and thus the crimes have confused the Enforcers. Still, whoever it was has ignored much more valuable items, suggesting a goal.
~~~~~~
"Heh," the Artificer snorted, "Nothing but the nobles running out of thrones is going to put a dent in my buisness model. You think most folk can part with 200 thrones for a pistol, even here?" He gave you all - and your disguises - a Look. "But most of them don't go heretic huntin', either. So eh. From a local's perspective, was it was some weird crap. Everyone knows about the church part, so it was obviously a snub at us Imperials and Him on the Throne. Not many like that in this Hive. Not many muties, either. I'd say you wanna look at whose been arriving from off World."
Jene snorts. You got a mirror?
Lothar perused the goods and let Jene do most of the talking. "Or at least from beyond the civilised sections of the hive. There are always sections cut off and full of strange ideas, as always stories of those who eke out a living in the lands outside it's iron halls. Many would hold dearly to the Throne but you can never be certain."
Then there are those that abuse their per, by turning a blind eye... if not directly assisting.
With so much bureaucracy, it's difficult to know where to start looking. But, if off-world is the source... It would be someone with at least some access or influence concerning ingress and egress.
Sorry, thinking it loud. I do appreciate your time, citizen.
Vasyl seeks any hint of survivors or criminals related to the "disciplined" gang.
Vengeance, perhaps?
"There's always stuff in the Underhive, yeah. You could go take a peek if you want, but we don't have as much of them as most, I hear." He jerked a finger to the side. "Mirror over there if you want one."
~~~~~~
Vasyl suspects that one of the normal criminal causes is not the cause here. Perhaps someone else might find a use for a long-ranged transmitter...
Red priests? Nobles? Hmmm.
Vasyl has one more look, away from gang activity, and seeks information on "problems" with Red priests or nobility, though he suspects the enforcers may be short on such.
While there is almost nothing on the Tech-Priests, as they police themselves and Hereteks by ancient right and law, there is some information on the nobility. Not a huge amount, but basic notes on most of the major nobles in the Hive and things to watch for and pass to the Arbites.
Vasyl looks for any nobles with off-world pretensions - and the wits to pull them off.
"Off worlds? Any of those visit your shop in the last while?"
Vasyl sees that almost all of them do, to one degree or another, but considers the first part of the task that the inquisitor gave them.
~~~~~
"A couple. Hired guns, mostly." The artificer shrugged. "Some of the nobles don't trust local types. Ties to whoever might lead them to betrayal and the like." He paused. "Said they bodyguars, anywhere."
Vasyl tries to cross-reference the deeds of the nobility with the fate of Menesk's team.
Hung, imagine that... folks not trusting each other. Damn, in security. That's just messed up.
You know which high value target, ehem. I mean noble. Jene places ten thrones on what passes for a counter. It ain't much, but if the info is good, there's more.
Vasyl can't find anything between the two, but the items had started going missing after Menesk's team was attacked.
~~~~~~~
The man sighed. "Lassie, it's not exactly the Emperor's work to knock off nobles. You said that was your interest. Were you lying to me then, or doing somethin' now?"
Vasyl looks around that date, seeing if anything stands out to him as a clue as to who started changing behaviour.
There is nothing direct, except a small note from the naval forces in orbit. A strange signature had been seen a few weeks at the edge of the system, but the follow up investigation had found nothing.
"The God Emperor's work is it's own reward. But extra compensation when possible isn't inherently wrong." Lothar added while perusing the wares.
Xenos? Or xenophiles? A stealthy vessel giving a coded signal...hmm.
"Mol, let's see if the server room is clear. Navy noticed a weird signature at the edge of this system but didn't find a ship. Doesn't mean there wasn't one though. Server room might have more information. "
Maybe I wasn't clear... I'm not after anything illegal or even unethical, and I'm certainly not against Him on the Throne.
I'm after understanding what happened and trying to prevent similar incidents. Your understanding of local attitudes and common practices is helpful.
"Right." "Molineux" heads out at the pace of one who is supposed to be there. His eyes on the floors and his feet moving as if he has some place to be very soon.
Vasyl and Afan were able to move over to the server room without any problems. It seemed that they were still alone down here, for now. The server room door is unlocked, from what you can see.
~~~~
The Artifcer grunted at the two - slightly contradictory - answers. "Not sure how much I can help with that. We're a Hive, better off than most. As your friend pointed out, we got some dregs in the Underhive. Got some dregs on top, too. Still, we've got millions of souls here, and that's just this hive. Planet has about 30 billion people last I checked, and a lot of 'em ain't like me."
Good.
Vasyl quietly advances into the server room, seeking notes written by foolish or lazy technomats or unsecured cogitators.
Lazerus take a look around the room, admiring the weapons
"This is some high quality weapons you have here. You must be very skilled. I heard that some people claiming to be inquisitors came to this planet recently. Did they stop by here and stock up?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The techs, true to form, had left a reminder to the admin account login. Vasyl is able to log on to the system, but there are still a lot of files still hidden behind individual passwords.
~~~~~~~
The Artificer made the sign of the Aquilla. "Ain't saying nothing about that. No one with any brains speaks about the Inquisition. Never know who they might be. Never know what they might hear. Hell, heard stories where someone's wife or husband or side piece was a voice in the ear of an Inquisitor, got jibbed for what they said at there very own dinner table." He looked at you all. "Hell, you could all be Inqusition for all I know."
It's a start.
Vasyl sets to work, seeking any information about the incident with the navy and any strange events afterwards that might shed lumenglow on events.
There have been several attempts at infiltration in the past. The only conflict that emerged was when the Imperial Navy cornered a crippled Eldar ship. It had been abandoned, and seemed to have been trapped, as it exploded when boarded.
Vasyl tries to correlate that incident with the times of tech-theft.
Vasyl can't see any correlation - the last one was before the murder, while the tech-theft has taken place after it.
You can call me Astrid. Thank you, citizen. For your time and advice. She smiles, giving a nod.
The hiver tries another tack.
Unusual prisoners. Like the survivor of Menesk's team. Perhaps on the books, perhaps under a faked name, perhaps evidence of a prisoner off the books.
If there was anyone hidden in the system this precinct is too small to have access to that information digitally. Vasyl considers what he has seen. It would seem more likely that the criminal raiding the stores for parts might be who you were looking for.
Vasyl and Afan also heard footsteps coming down the hall.
~~~~~~~
"Kanarstein," the Artifcer said. "It's been interesting to meet you all."
"Mol, it's time to exit. If someone sees us, snuff them. Otherwise, we just leave."
Jene smiles, her features not dramatic in any way... not beautiful or exotic, pretty... enough.
Interesting times we live in, the God-Emperor keep you.
Vasyl and Afan saw the door to the other room closing as they leave the room. Luckily they didn't seem to have notice you.
~~~~~~~
Jene can recall that the Mandre Family supplies most of the Soylens Viridian to the Eastern part of the Segmentum Fleet. They have a small but significant fleet of there own vessels for bulk haulage for this task, and there own House troops. It is only their relative newness to power that keeps them from being seen as a Great House
Afan smiles as the Emperor smiles upon them this day, he would not have to slay a loyal servant... at this time.
Fine by me. Bodies leave questions.
Vasyl motions in the direction of the exit and gets moving.
Vasyl and Afan were able to get away without a problem. All that was left was to meet up and plan.
"Good work, Mol."
Over the comm-bead and team frequency, he inquires:
"Lex here. Meet where?"
Lothar nods as if finishing his inspection of the items. "I'll have to consider my options, you may see me again artificer."