Taking your transport to the same location as before, it's easy enough to retrace your steps. Although the Hive's lights are starting to dim a touch, representing the setting of the sun beyond, the artificer's shop is still fully lit and open. Upon entering the man himself is not present in the shop, with only the heavy security Servitor watching placidly from its corner.
There is indeed several boxes of bolter shells behind the front counter, the boxes sealed with a wax mark bearing the Forge World Opus Mecharius, along with a variety of other ammunition exotic and mundane and well crafted weapons.
Callidia puts on a reverent demeanor as she approaches the servitor, "Please summon your master. I have business with him, the Emperor willing."
Lothars mind goes back to not all that long ago when this location was one they were prepared to set on fire as a diversion if needed.
Let's see how this rolls out.
Vasyl remains watchful and quiet for now.
The Servitor beeped a brief acknowledgement and a chime sounded somewhere in the rear. After a minute or so the artificer came through to the front. "You lot again? Come back to pick something up?" He looked vaguely curious.
Callidia steps toward the artificer, "The Emperor's blessing upon you, my child. As is often the case in the pursuit of His work, life can often become dangerous; I am in need of a resupply of my ammunition and I noted earlier that you carry the desired shells. Will you serve the Emperor this day and aid me?"
"Certainly, Sister," the Artificer said with a small smile. "So long as you don't expect me to tithe you the shells you need."
Callidia returns a beatific look, "If you felt moved to do so by your loyalty to the Emperor, this humble servant of the Throne would not deny your pious gesture. He does provide for His servants, however, and I am prepared to provide a fair recompense."
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Jene looks around, trying to assure herself she isn't missing any tell-tale signs of treachery or ill intent.
And, there is another matter.
Vasyl keeps watch, indoors.
There doesn't seem to be anything dangerous, bar the massive, heavily armed and exceptionally well-armed servitor. It watches you all passively.
The artificer pulled a box of Bolter shells from behind a sheet of plexiglass and closes it again. "Bolter shells are easy enough, but too pricey to give away. Since you've been interesting, if you buy 10 I'll give you one for free, or a reload for another weapon of the same value."
He looked over at Jene. "And this other thing?" He looked around.
House Mandre had garnered a good reputation, some prestige among the Houses. An opportunity presents itself, for you, for the House.
Jene let's the words hang in the air. Letting him hear them, process and in turn gauging his reaction.
Callidia nods in understanding, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth the only indication that she is anything other than solemn at the moment, "I understand. The necessities of life are often more complicated than we might wish them to be. If you also have a magazine for a Godwyn-Pattern bolt pistol I would be interested in this as well."
"As a dedicated son of House Mandre, I am of course interested in anything that might aid them," the man replied in a voice that said the phrase had long since been drilled into his mind.
Vasyl eyes up the servitor.
Wonder what it is worth. Or how many it could kill if it turned hostile.
It's difficult to know it's exact abilities. It's clearly of fine make, but a newer model and therefore less powerful than a more venerable creation. It's hormone and cybenetically enhanced form is hulking. Unlike the truly lethal models use by the Guard or Mechanicus, this one carries a heavy stubber and what could be a powerfist, but it lacks the usual emitters for a energy field.
It would certainly be an unpleasant fight, but with planning and positioning, it might be doable without losses. And luck.
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Jene speaks academically, clinically with a matter of factness that difficult to argue with. It has come to our attention that this... world's reputation has been tainted with uncertainties, a chaos that can be categorized as unpleasant or diseased... corrupt.
If matters continue unchecked, issues will be dealt with with extreme prejudice and in no uncertain terms. I'll let you use your imagination. What doesn't take much imagination is the state of the world after that.
The loss of life, setbacks in basic freedoms, the effect on local and interplanetary commerce and a tainted reputation by association.
Jene lets that sink in.
We represent a party that would rather not see that happen. We would rather see matters dealt with surgically, tactically to both guarantee that the root cause has been excised and control immediate damage and long term effects.
That is where opportunity lies.
Satisfied with his silent assessment, Vasyl appraise Jene's speech.
Nicely done. He would be a fool to not be intrigued.
The man stroked his chin in thought. "'Tactically' suggests you wish my House's troops. I might be able to help with this opportunity, perhaps. But why come to us? The Guard, the PDF, the Navy...there are even merc bands and gangs you could hire if you wished, judging by the clothes on your backs. Why us?"
Your reputation for one, but who else would understand what is at stake and the need for discretion... precision, so as not to draw attention or disrupt suply chains and logistics?
Grunts will follow orders, mindlessly, blindly. Typical mercs, until the money runs out.
If planet side authorities were effective, would we even be having this conversation?
Interstallar law enforcement would turn the whole damn hive or world into slag. And, that is exactly what will happen if we fail. Dark days indeed.
Jene pauses.
On the bright side, House Mandre can help keep all that from happening. Prove themselves loyal citizens, elevate house standing and perhaps earn favor.
We can discuss the intricacies more, but truly... time is of the essence. Critically so.
Will you choose your destiny or be resigned to your fate?
"We need to talk out the details and soon, if this is going to happen.", adds Vasyl, breaking his silence.
As soon as the mention of the Hive being slagged was spoken, the artificer looked deeply concerned. "Alright, yeah. If you're right and this could result in the Hive being hammered from orbit then it sounds like something we'd help with, and we'll need details. What do you need from me?"
Lothar smiled enigmatically at the man "Discretion primarily. Best not to tip our hand, we'll need a meeting quietly set up with someone high in the family. Certain concessions can be made to put them at ease, I'd be willing to be unarmed as a show of good faith."
Lazerus will quickly scan the warp for any threats.
Lazerus picks up deep concern and more than a little distrust, but the artificer is being honest.
"Weapons will be fine," the artificer replied. "Between hidden weapons and psykers everyone may as well be honestly armed. They'll be other precautions taken instead." He sighed. "I assume you want speed from this? Do you have a time frame for this meeting? The more time I have the more interest I can drum up."
"Speed means less time for the corrupt and their xenos allies to act. If that helps."
That should push things on.
Who let the cat out of the airlock? Someone discrete, loyal, pious, with command of troops and transport.
You've got one shot and one shot only. Is it a communicae or do you need to go there, personally? You can make the call now, or we can join you if you wish to call upon them.
Bring your friend... Jene indicates the servitor.
"Marv?" the artificer banged the servitor on the chest. "Nah, his place is here. It's what he was made for. The House has...other tools, if so needed." Rubbing his chin again, he added thoughtfully, "Xenos, eh? Not...the other? That'll make it easier."
The other... The other what?
"The...heretics within, rather than without," he said with a small shudder. clearly meaning either mutants or Chaos - or both. "We had some issues with them, and it brought the Inqusition's eye down on the planet."
I suppose they don't need to be mutually exclusive. One could welcome the other or be an unwitting pawn. A useful idiot.
How are politics between houses?
"Calm for now," the man replied, "Most are unwilling to draw the eye of any...one right now by being the first to make a play for power, so most of the Houses are simply consolidating and, rumour has it, repairing the damage the Emperor's wrath created."
Hmm... in the eternal struggle for prominence, this would go a long way. And, for yourself... business would be good.
Any idea what heretic loose ends remain? Rumors and such, you're a shrewd man... suspicions?
He shook his head. "Too many rumours. Everyone's trying to slander everyone else, but not so much that the Emperor's wrath descends on the planet again. It means everything is either exaggerated, played down or, somehow, both."
He looked at the rest of the group. "If there's nothing else - such as weapons - that I can get for you, I'll see what I can set up." He shrugged. "Given the circumstances, you're welcome to wait or leave a vox channel I can reach you on."
No need to allow him to get distance from us yet.
"Waiting here is fine by me."
The man nodded, and opened a small, discrete panel revealing a well made vox caster. He began muttering into it, clearly trying not to be overheard too much, but what bits you could hear didn't make much sense. House Slang, no doubt. Many of the greatest houses were nations to themselves, even within a Hive, and had their own tongue to go with it. Many lesser houses developed one too, albeit more for security.
After an hour of talking to different people, the artificer returned. "I've arranged for you to speak to my causing, Valcani. Normally she wouldn't be high enough to help, but she's one of the House members who know network and tactics, and is in good standing with the Elders on account of some good sense a while back." He smiled.
"Give her your evidence of the problem, give her your plan and give her your target and she'll see what we can do for you."
"That will have to do. Thank you for your aid." Lothar considers the matter. They have no idea of the enemies holdings yet but he suspected this Valcani would be informed or could get the information. Being involved in a battle, even a small one would be a welcome respite from all of this sleuthing.
After passing the requisite thrones for the bolt shells across to the artificer, Callidia reloads the depleted magazine and, if he has one available, purchases another spare magazine. Tucking her munitions away, she waits patiently for the diplomacy to succeed or fail.
"The meeting will be mid-morning," he said, nodding in recognition of the thanks. "Is there anything else you'll need?"
"Do you have any encryption /decryption facilities. I'd like to try and gain access to the Eldar comns"
The artificer looked utterly taken aback by the idea. "To access such...would that not be heresy?" His eyes narrow slightly. "Who are you, that would dare such tech-heresy? Who have I brought into my House?"
"The device itself is heresy but if we can use it to defeat a greater heresy, that of the xeno's then we have acted rightly"
Ultimately, who we are is of little import. But, I will tell you this. We have discovered an Eldar presence, one that has corrupted important figures on this hive world. Ranking members of power.
They are kept in drugs, using and selling... judgement clouded, fools used against their kind. That is heresy.
For all we know, more Eldar forces are already here or on their way. Imagine the response from the Emperor's Navy if we do not assure them the threat is neutralized.
Jene paced.
My name is Esther, but you can call me Astrid and we... have killed Eldar, here on this world... currently. The threat is real. We can destroy what we've created or learned to defeat the threat.
Currently there are two pieces you can help with, breaking into their comms and uncovering a cloaked vessel so that we can destroy it. it is obfuscated by their damnable tech... but there must be a way we can thwart them.
Who are we? We are those who walk the line so that good citizens don't have to. Let's leave it at that for now. When this is done, we can tell you the whole truth... you deserve it.
Vasyl remains quietly watching, seeking signs that the man accepts Jene's words - or is about to do something foolish.
Vasyl is able to read the clear emotion on the artificers face. He has put enough together to have suspicions of what you are, and is clearly and justly terrified of the potential damage to his House, his Hive and his World from both the Eldar and the potential response from the...Imperial forces.
Rubbing his face with one calloused hand, he replied, "I suppose it is of no import, true. Either we succeed or devastation comes follows. I have some equipment in the back that might see your needs. Once this is done I can afford to replace it." He gestures to te door one hand, and says to the massive guard, "Marv, Guestright."
The servitor beeped briefly in response.
"Rest assured we will be held accountable for our actions and I pray to the God Emperor that our part in this unseemly work will be that of loyal servants acting with rectitude. Your concern is noted." Lothar began to move forward. "We put our lives on the line and trust our souls to the Emperor. What more can any follow him on Holy Terra ask for than that."
"May we see this equipment?", asks Vasyl.
"That is all I can hope for," the Artificer said, clearly uneasy. "The gear is in the back. As long as you have guestright Marv stop you from coming or going." He sounds quite confident that it would be possible for the machine to do so.
In the rear is a large workspace with a variety of cutting tools, augments, lectures, date displays and the like. It does include some communications equipment that could be rigged to a cogitator and used to try and interface with the Eldar's device. Lazerus is able to see how that much can be done, but accessing it will take more time.