The Oubliette
Foul vapors begin to spew forth from the wounded toad-daemon, obscuring it for a moment in a pall of eye-watering gases. When Ryuk's vision clears, he kicks backward desperately with his heels, upon seeing that the enraged horror has finally coiled both of its legs beneath it and even now is bracing to leap for him, toothy jaws agape.
The weighty, warty mass of the creature slams to the deck-plates just centimeters from where Ryuk just stood, causing the skiff to rock violent with the impact. The stench of the toad-thing is overpoweringly rancid, and both Ryuk and Vincent both begin to gag uncontrollably in such close proximity to it.
The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #779
I laugh when the Interrogator pulls out his Rosette after Uriah's.
The Arbite raises an eyebrow at Savalos' outburst and starts to mutter a rejoinder, but then turns away, the smile still on his face, shaking his head perhaps at the irony of the situation. At the bar he grabs a tanger slice, pops it into his mouth and chews it slowly as he waits for an answer to his question.
"We were going to pay a visit to him, to talk to him about what is happening on this planet. While on the the way, we heard that he was dead. You say I am single-minded in method and purpose, I suppose I cannot argue with you on that. But consider this, the stakes for your planet are high, and you do not want us to fail."
As Uriah gives this genuinely honest response, Savalos notices that the Arbiter's demeanor gradually changes. He listens and watches the psyker with what the Duct Wolf perceives to be a deeper intensity, the chewing of the fruit, slowing thoughtfully, then temporarily halted. His narrowed eyes open ever so slightly wider, ruminating over some internal thought process even as he listens. After Uriah finishes the interrogator is silent for a full minute. He finishes the fruit, gulping it down. Uriah notes that the arbitrator has been careful to maintain his distance with the captives, allowing subordinates to search or physically handle the acolytes. But now he moves in close, studying each in turn with a long, penetrating gaze.
"Trantor, you are wrong--I am not of this planet but this world is the Emperor's, and for this reason, coupled with the facts that it has a population of billions of his innocent citizens, and trillions more sector-wide depending upon its agri-tithe, is more than enough for me to be worried for what is coming. If I upbraid you for your single-mindedness understand that this is not necessarily a flaw. I wonder, however, if it is genuine or a ruse. The enemy oft uses piety as a cover for wickedness."
The arbiter looks over Savalos and Uriah one more time and continues, "I think we are almost through. A number of Arbites from Precinct 77 have been found dead. Executed. Often up close and personal by blade. I have it on good authority that the men responsible for this rash of killings are well known to you--Iacton, your compatriot, and Sigmunt Vendangio, a member of the Duct Wolf hive-gang."
Savalos and Uriah each feel their gut tighten as the interrogator draws in a deep breath, sighs, and asks, "What do you know of these killings and did you give the order for them to be carried out?"
He gives a pregnant pause as he walks away, before turning around and walking back, ultimately leaning his head in close in the space between where the two acolytes face one another. Finally, one last matter, his body language seems to say. His gaze alternates back and forth between the two as he speaks conspiratorially, the staggering import of what he next utters like a slap in the face.
"As for Governor Taius Ceprus--his murderer is your fellow acolyte, Krade's man, Iacton."
"I did not order anyone's death, but if he killed them, they are connected to the heretics who are committing malleus. for we know there are arbites who worked with the heretics and worse."
The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #779
"Trantor, you are wrong--I am not of this planet but this world is the Emperor's, and for this reason, coupled with the facts that it has a population of billions of his innocent citizens, and trillions more sector-wide depending upon its agri-tithe, is more than enough for me to be worried for what is coming. If I upbraid you for your single-mindedness understand that this is not necessarily a flaw. I wonder, however, if it is genuine or a ruse. The enemy oft uses piety as a cover for...
"As for piety, I have said to others that have challenge my beliefs, and I will say it to you, my life is the Emperor's to do with as he will. I am alive because of his will. And I work his will through my Master. If I fall, I pray to the Emperor that he has given me the strength to fall on my blade, his mercy. I have survive trials and tribulations the would have broken a lot of men. I serve the inquisition so my life is not mine to spend needlessly or recklessly, but I will spend it if that becomes neccessary."
I look the Interrogator in the eye. Leaving my laughter behind with a cold intensity that almost makes a tangible frost in the air.
He knows well if he talked with Luthos that every Arbite on that list was corrupt. That every name was provided by Luthos.
"Lets stop pissing around. Since you have been talking with Luthos. You damn well know the connection between those Arbites deaths. So why don't you ladies stop swinging your Inquisitoral Authority around like two Spire Nobles flashing throne to impress some smile girl."
"It clear you have read our files, and know my gang affliation. Even a moron can tell from my furs and my ink. So you already know the answer to your first question. I gave the damn order. I was the only one who was conscious, and not MIA. So I made the call. And I used an instrument of law and justice to carry out the Emperor's work. You don't like it. Then next time send in a more experienced team than a group on its first fragging mission."
I never take my eyes off of the Interogators, and stare into his soul.
"Your right this whole subsector is at risk. As for the Gov, I didn't see his name on the list. If Iacton found evidence afterword then its on him. And being Krades Acoltye he will provide whatever evidence as befitting his station as a loyal servant of the Adeptus Arbites of the Gov's crimes if he was guilty."
"Frankly though it doesn't sound like his work. Using Leprade as an example there was a no kill order til we had a chance to interrogate him. We need to find out how far this corruption goes, and stomp it out at all levels. Otherwise it will fester and regrow."
"So answer me this. Are you going to release us, and help us save my fraggin home. Or are you the son of a yelloback who betrayed his oaths to the Emperor, and was the other side of the Regicide board?"
"I would also like to know the welfare of Srina, since you already have Mollene in custody."
Even though I am chained. My attitude is one of defiance. They can cap me in the head, or vent me and toss me in the alley. But I know in my heart I am doing what is right. I am also relying on my confidence that K'lei-eth wouldn't have spent all that time training me to see me dead so quickly or rotting in a prison cell. Since this Interrogator knows us so well. The only way he could know us is if the Old Man handed the files to this guy to read, or if its the Old Man himself. I await the answer, and wonder if I got under his skin. Or if its the Old Man in disguise a heartly laugh.
The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #779
Due to the contrast from Savalos' previous laconic, detached responses, or perhaps due to his glare of righteous indignation, the Duct-Wolf's elaborate and blistering response creates a palpable sense of tension in the room. Likewise, the psyker holds his head high, ready for whatever judgment or fate he might receive. A few of the enforcers give sidelong glances and their grips tighten upon their autoguns in expectation of what may happen next. Only the interrogator and the faux Mollene remain inexpressive. Their captor stands at the bar and sticks an unlit lho-stick in his mouth. Quite a habit, Sav thinks even through his anger. Their unnamed interrogator stares at Uriah and Savalos in turn. He then glances back at the woman. Finally he lets out a long sigh as if he has reached some sort of decision.
Turning to the enforcers the Arbite orders, "Stand down. Release them."
Out of the corner of his eye Savalos notes that as the Arbite speaks the female's eyes narrow slightly, she begins to open her mouth ever so slightly, but then closes it again and remains silent. It is the most significant indication she is not an emotionless statue since she was playing so expertly at the role of smile-girl.
In a matter of seconds the acolytes are unbound and back on their feet again. Some of the enforcers leave the room; two exit back into the hallway, two open the double-doors to the adjoining suite. From that same doorway a few seconds later a reedy voice calls out, "Hey boss, when you get a sec I've got something. Priority target is on the move."
The acolytes rub their raw wrists and Uriah reverently returns his rosette within the folds of his robes. One of the enforcers armed in riot-armor approaches Sgt. Einhardt with a silver tray. Upon it are wet towels and first-aid salves. The guardsman gruffly grabs the tray and says, "Get the feck away from me." Einhardt sits down and starts cleaning the wound on the back of his head. Seeing the difficulty he is having, Bothle looks warily at the enforcers, and then, deciding it will be allowed, assists the sergeant in ministering to the gash.
At the bar the interrogator lights his next lho-stick and says, "I stake my life that you are acolytes loyal to the Ordos. You are free to go but I implore you to stay... I have information to share and I could use your help. Later tonight I have access to someone we all want to talk with: Intelligencer Leprade."
It is at this moment that Uriah realizes he and the others still don't even know the mysterious Arbites' name.
My expression softens when my binding are removed.
"Thanks"
As I rub my wrists trying to get the circulation back into my hands.
"Aye, well stay. Definately want to hear what Leprade has to say?"
I move to grab my copy of the vid's from Krades office.
"You'll want to watch these. Then we can really talk. So now that formalities are out of the way. Whats your name, and the name of Ms Iron Heel over there?"
Since I am going to be sitting here awhile, I throw on my furs so I am more comfortable.
"Tell us the information you have, so we know what we can tell you."
"I am Swinthosa Wardja. Investigator Intestinus, Adeptus Arbites. Here at the behest of High Arbiter Ruvos Halleon to probe into the disappearance of Desius Krade."
Relieved the two Inquisitorial servants aren't outwardly hostile after their release. The House of Mercy, The Gearbox, the Geltdown Docks... Skeit! The lethality of this pair is not in question.
"I am also servant to Ordo Malleus of the Emperor's Holy Inquisition although my master is different from yours--Inquisitor Herrod."
I chuckle at the Hiver's epithet Iron Heel and beckon my partner forward. "This is my fellow arbite and acolyte, Astrid Beij." As is typical for the no-nonsense arbiter, she simply gives a curt nod.
"Arbite Beij gave the real Mollene a very thorough interrogation. We only know Srina's name through her. Srina had given Mollene the heads up that a stranger was looking to speak to her about Leprade. Beij can tell you more but Mollene doesn't have much in the way of scruples, and always is looking out for her own best interests. She had talked herself into the notion that you, Savalos Thul, were another potentially powerful patron looking for her services."
I look back at Astrid and then at Thul, "I'm sorry but we don't know where Srina currently is."
"Tell us the information you have, so we know what we can tell you."
"I am prosecuting a case against Leprade. I need more hard evidence as yet. Also there is need for caution. My resources are limited and Leprade has arbite, ganger, and penal legion support. He has ties to the Oremor 6th Penal Legion which is why I was surprised when the 7th showed up at the Geltdown Docks. It seems that you are already aware of his connection to the Yellowbouros. Later I need you to explain what role the 7th plays."
"I do not know where Johnny Rico is. Like yourselves he has been labeled an enemy of the state and posts for him are everywhere. You and anyone tied to you are highly wanted. Your group is being blamed for everything from Krade's disappearance to starting a planetary insurrection. Leprade took the incident at the docks and parlayed that into declaring martial law. To be honest I wasn't sure of your allegiances, mostly because of the death of the co-governor. That's the one piece that didn't fit. Like you I'm wondering how high this all goes. As for the official disclaimers of your party... I now know it's a load of skeit."
"Through contacts at the 77th Precinct I learned our quarry, Intelligencer Leprade, will be at the Gran Pallazzar tonight. He has a bit of a gambling habit and is participating in a high-stakes card game. Leprade is also using the event to meet with Trizo dol'Soulard, elder of the Yellowbacks Gang. The match is invite only but using High Arbiter Halleon's name, I was able to put some pressure on the casino owner's and get myself into the game under false pretenses. I have a few passes into the gallery and hope you will be there too."
"Now listen. My aim is to gain information. As much as I would like to move on Leprade, now is not the time. I'm not sure what Leprade and dol'Soulard are up to but I want to be there when they meet."
"You'll want to watch these. Then we can really talk."
"OK. Let's check in with my tech first. Sounds like he's caught someone on the move."
As I turn my back on the pair and lead them into the next room, I have a slight twinge that I might catch a dagger in the ribs for my treatment of the acolytes.
"Pleasure to meet you both."
"You might want to switch rooms, or get rid of those numbers on the suite door. I knew I was walking into a trap before I ever got on the lift. Reaching for the microbead didn't help either."
"Would be nice if you unjammed ours so we can make contact with the rest of our team."
"Ordo Malleus, good. I'd advice keeping your people away from Johnnie Investigator. We have concerns..."
"Hope Srina is safe. She risked alot talking to me in the open."
"Cards eh? If you want to see the Snake sweat, put me in the game. He brought his witch with him as well. We definately need to keep an eye out for her."
The Oubliette
Foul vapors begin to spew forth from the wounded toad-daemon, obscuring it for a moment in a pall of eye-watering gases. When Ryuk's vision clears, he kicks backward desperately with his heels, upon seeing that the enraged horror has finally coiled both of its legs beneath it and even now is bracing to leap for him, toothy jaws agape.
The weighty, warty mass of the creature slams to the deck-plates just centimeters from where Ryuk just stood, causing the skiff to rock violent with the impact. The stench of the toad-thing is overpoweringly rancid, and both Ryuk and Vincent both begin to gag uncontrollably in such close proximity to it.
"Stand up, Launce!!!"
The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #780
Swinthosa Wardja leads his former captives into the neighboring suite, almost a mirror-image of 779, save that the decor favors soft, sand colored hues with carmine colored draperies and accents. One difference that is immediately apparent is the fact that it has been overrun with surveillance equipment; cogitators and auspex arrays set up on a series of utilitarian plas folding tables, flickering pict-screens placed haphazardly on centuries old shellwood antiques, and stacks of dataslates, paper files, and dossiers heaped in small drifts across the floor and every other available space.
An ancient, stick-thin tech-priest swivels his head, with insect-like stiltedness to regard you as you enter. Where his eyes once were is a narrow visor of shining brass with inset black glass that reflects the light from the bright glow-globes above. Tendril-like utility mechadendrites undulate over both of his bony shoulders, checking tasks and tapping at the cogitators surrounding him. The flak-armored arbitrator that originally summoned Wardja into the room steps away from a nearby pict-screen as the tech-priest approaches it, unable to mask his unease at the machine-man. Although the servant of the Mechanicus has no vox-implant, his narrow, pursed lips are somehow more disturbing than such an enhancement, compressed into a perfectly straight, bloodless white line. When he speaks, his voice is without inflection or any discernible emotive source of any kind, escaping the slit of his pursed lips with no movement of the jaw whatsoever.
'Intelligencer Leprade has entered the Gran Pallazzar via Radial Promenade #3 with a retinue of four armed men. Pict-image enhancement confirmed through dossier cross-reference that they are arbitrators of the 77th Precinct House, Vaxus District.'
Seeing the newcomers the elderly tech-priest twists a ballistic mechadendrite in their direction, covering their approach, never so much as hesitating in his speech during this threat of imminent violence.
The tall woman who impersonated Mollene, Astrid Beij, replies in a soft, commanding voice, tinged with a playful, mocking tone, "Thank you, Gereos, you can stand down, Wardja has made some new friends."
Like a wilting metal flower, the ballistic mechadendrite slumps behind the tech-priest, although it is impossible to tell from his waxen, emotionless face if being countermanded elicited any more emotion than an automated gun turret would have displayed.
The Oubliette
As the skiff steadily descends, still listing precariously to the aft end as the anti-grav emitters begin to make a strident wailing sound, Ryuk somehow intuits the importance of the half-metal man to their survival. Vincent watches in amazement as the clone turns away from the slavering toad-thing and places both of his hands upon Launce's hideously burned leg, feeling for the organic matter through the half-melted metal. Impossibly, the same green-gold emanations of the Immaterium manifested by the psyker, now diffuse and cloudy in appearance, can heal as well as harm. The tissue begins to re-knit itself, and the horribly acid-burnt skin sloughs away to reveal healthy pink flesh beneath.
With a groan made hoarse-sounding through his crackling vox, Launce staggers to one knee and begins to pull himself toward the controls at the front of the skiff.
'Intelligencer Leprade has entered the Gran Pallazzar via Radial Promenade #3 with a retinue of four armed men. Pict-image enhancement confirmed through dossier cross-reference that they are arbitrators of the 77th Precinct House, Vaxus District.'
"Gereos, deactivate the jammers." To the acolytes: "Micro-bead communication should be open."
Leaning over the bank of screens, I examine Leprade and his thugs. There you are, you reprobate, you Ubil-Tojis. You are marked for damnation.
"The powers that run the Gran Pallazar cannot afford to ignore the heavy Adeptus Arbite presence in Orcutt VII. The casino's tolerated by the Arbites who reluctantly allow their particular brand of luxurious vices as a necessary evil." I watch as the tech manages the various pict-arrays.
"The casino owners didn't have much choice; they had to let me in. They hope utter bedlam won't erupt from our surveillance operation."
I look over at the Duct-Wolf ganger. Hard to read, that one. "So let's go for the subtle approach, shall we?"
"alright I'll play it your way. Realize Trizo probably already knows your here with that witch of his."
I tap the microbead. "Were okay. Leprade just entered the building. You see anything new?"
While waiting for a response.
"Then you won't want me in the Ballroom. Snakes and Wolves are good at sniffing each other out. Would screw up your op."
"Before you do anything, you said you are looking into Krades's disappearance. Savalos, would you show them the holopic of the kidnapping, which will reveal what the 7th is connected to.
The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #780
"Then you won't want me in the Ballroom. Snakes and Wolves are good at sniffing each other out. Would screw up your op."
"Alright I'll play it your way. Realize Trizo probably already knows you're here with that witch of his."
I tap the microbead. "We're okay. Leprade just entered the building. You see anything new?"
Even though the tech-priest deactivated the jammer disabling your microbeads, there is no answer whatsoever from Kaltos and Ivaanov's team save for static.
Savalos frowns.
Switching to another channel, you test the 'bead again, trying to raise Oktammor's group in the cargo-8 outside, and he answers almost immediately, a tinge of concern in his gruff voice.
<<<"Thul! Throne! There you are! When we lost your signal we thought the worst. It has been all I can do to keep your guardsman friend here from storming the place with his autocannon. Dunkan advises you never reached him at his suite. Where the feck have you been?">>>
The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #780
"Before you do anything, you said you are looking into Krades's disappearance. Savalos, would you show them the holopic of the kidnapping, which will reveal what the 7th is connected to.
Taking the weighty tome from Savalos, Uriah begins to connect the hidden pict-corder in the Corpus Presidium Calixis to one of the many portable power supplies arrayed on the crowded tables. He then looks meaningfully at the numerous arbitrators, Astrid, and even the tech-priest in the crowded room as the holo-systems hum into life, his hand hovering over the activating stud. He then locks his intent ebon eyes upon Wardjas.
As Ryuk bends down to assist Launce, Vincent sends the hook whistling over his head and into the Toad's waiting mouth.
The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #780
<<<"Thul! Throne! There you are! When we lost your signal we thought the worst. It has been all I can do to keep your guardsman friend here from storming the place with his autocannon. Dunkan advises you never reached him at his suite. Where the feck have you been?">>>
"Got side lined for a bit. Ran into another group investigated Krades disappearance. Will head to Dunkans once everything here is ironed out. Odd the other team shouldn't have been jammed... Anyway you can remotely access the vid monitors near where they were set up?"
I am alarmed at the conversations I am hearing. What? Did we miss someone?
To my Tech I ask, "Skeit, Gereos! What's going on? And how much time do we have until the tourney starts?"
I wave off the psyker, "Hold off on that vid. I want to watch it privately, away from the others. Did you have others here in the casino? Where should they be?"
As I wait for the adept to cycle through the vid history I turn to Thul. "No, I can get you in and want you in. Figured hiver scum would be great at cards. Beij is a master at disguises. With all those tattoos and scars she will really have to do you up." I give him a wink and ask, "The Snakes would never suspect an uphive dandy dressed in powdered wig, perfume, and face paint to be a Duct Wolf, would they?"
I grimace at the thought of looking the part of a a Spire Tart. But one other matter bothers me more which I want to clear quickly.
"Wolves are the decendents of the the Imperial Regiments that won this Maiden World for the Imperium. We may live in the underhive, but we are not scum... We keep our oaths, and have always protected those weaker than ourselves."
"As for others of us here. Yeah, told you I knew I was walking into a trap. Numbers gave it away long before I looked into Iron Heels eyes."
I look to Uriah to give the specifics of our surveliance units position.
"They are at The Grey Way,The Vermillion Ring, Hypergeum Sub-level B, Cogitator Hub Cross-conduit Terminus #117."
The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #780
"Got side lined for a bit. Ran into another group investigated Krades disappearance. Will head to Dunkans once everything here is ironed out. Odd the other team shouldn't have been jammed... Anyway can you remotely access the vid monitors near where they were set up?"
There is a short delay as Oktammor confers with those best in the know about such practices among his men in the cargo-8.
<<<No, impossible, we had hoped the tech-priests at the Gran Pallazzar's cogitator hub substation would have served as our eyes and ears. The intelligence they forwarded to us before they went dark is significant, though: Leprade arrived only minutes ago.">>>
Oktammor seems to belatedly process what you just said to him.
<<<I won't be the one to look a bequeathed-grox in the mouth, Sav, and will take whatever allies we can, but who are they? Are you certain they can be trusted?">>>
The Oubliette
The rusting hook lands with a sodden splat in the toad-daemon's bile-filled craw. Seizing the wire cable with both hands as the enraged creature jerks about from the lingering nimbus of crackling Warp-lightning, Vincent yanks backward with all his might and is immediately rewarded by the feeling of the hook's curving edge sinking deeply into the unearthly flesh of the monster's lower jaw.
As the shrieking of the failing aft anti-grav emitter and the giggling insanity of the thousands and thousands of tiny daemons awaiting their fall to the surface of the dome below rises to his ringing ears, Vincent turns to the crane controls, knowing what must be done next.
Over the Microbead. "Trusted think so. Not like we swapped spit, or bleed together in a fire fight yet. They belong to another Inquisitor sent here trying to find out whats going on. Let them make introductions when Dunkan is ready. Think the Sgt should be the one overseeing security watching them considering the knocking around they gave him. Though I really think we need to find our missing team or assume the worst."
The Oubliette
Launce lunges forward, grabbing the control yoke of the falling skiff with both hands, pulling back with all his might to right it before everyone tumbles out through the cargo bed.
The black smoke from the failing anti-grav emitter darkens, and the skiff continues its slow plunge toward the sea of tiny daemons below. Bracing himself against the side rail, Launce re-grips the controls with both hands and pushes all his weight down upon them.
The Oubliette
As the crackling static from the nimbus of Warp-lightning finally fades from the squealing toad, it opens its distended jaws wide again, trying in vain to shake loose the heavy hook piercing its lower lip. Unable to free itself, it lunges forward, leaping forward in one great bound past Vincent in an effort to get at Launce again, slamming down to the deck plating just short of its intended prey, beside the psyker.
"Wolves are the decendents of the the Imperial Regiments that won this Maiden World for the Imperium. We may live in the underhive, but we are not scum... We keep our oaths, and have always protected those weaker than ourselves."
"I spoke rashly and out of ignorance. Forgive me."
Need to read those surveillance reports more closely. Good to know Imperial blood flows through their veins.
The Oubliette
As the crackling static from the nimbus of Warp-lightning finally fades from the squealing toad, it opens its distended jaws wide again, trying in vain to shake loose the heavy hook piercing its lower lip. Unable to free itself, it lunges forward, leaping forward in one great bound past Vincent in an effort to get at Launce again, slamming down to the deck plating just short of its intended prey, beside the psyker.
Ryuk channels his will into a special beam of light.
"Wolves are the decendents of the the Imperial Regiments that won this Maiden World for the Imperium. We may live in the underhive, but we are not scum... We keep our oaths, and have always protected those weaker than ourselves.""I spoke rashly and out of ignorance. Forgive me."
Need to read those surveillance reports more closely. Good to know Imperial blood flows through their veins.
"No Worrys."
"Second thought think you might want to watch the Vids first while intel is being gathered. Might save your life."
I look around at Wardja's team, and I see many similiarities to our own. Seeing that Wardja is his teams cell lead, and the one who messages back to his Inquisitor. While I do see a heavy Arbite prescene in the group. I find it strange that I see no markings of someone who has a ear to the street.
"So Wardja, you mind telling us what your groups specialities are so we have a feel of how best to support each other?"
The Oubliette
Vincent tries in vain to activate the winch as the Toad struggles on the other end of the line.
"Second thought think you might want to watch the Vids first while intel is being gathered. Might save your life."
"All right. Gereos, feed the acolyte vid to the picter in my alcove. My eyes only. Astrid keep watch here."
"So Wardja, you mind telling us what your groups specialities are so we have a feel of how best to support each other."
"There are just a few of us from off-world. Me, Beij, my tech, and couple of enforcers. Typically we are brought in to investigate arbite corruption--meaning graft, abuse of office, internal criminal activity. In a few cases, like this one, we see corruption of the other kind. I have contacts with Halleon's office and have culled through several precincts to find loyal 'bites to work with. Sergeant Luthos has been very helpful."
"But as you can see our effort is limited. That's where I need help."
I move off to the side of the stateroom to sit at my personal console. I turn the picter screen away from the others and don a headset.
"OK, Trantor, let's see what you've got."
"Before you watch, I will give one more warning, It is disturbing in ways I doubt you have ever seen."
I am quiet for a minute as Wardja sums up his groups strengths. Very efficent, and focused speciality. Unfortunately what we are dealing with requires a more diverse skill set.
"After you watch the vids. I recommend that you consider Uriah as being the lead between our two teams. Considering what we are dealing with is much broader than Arbite Corruption."
"Before you watch, I will give one more warning, It is disturbing in ways I doubt you have ever seen."
Skeit. Doesn't sound good. I give Astrid 'the look' to cue her readiness and light up a lho.
"After you watch the vids. I recommend that you consider Uriah as being the lead between our two teams. Considering what we are dealing with is much broader than Arbite Corruption."
Peculiar. Why is the Ganger wanting to establish some sort of hierarchy so quickly? Perhaps that is the way with Wolves; establish the alpha male. If so, why does Thul press the issue and not Trantor? Hm. I wonder who's the real leader of the acolytes.
I take a drag and exhale. "I am looking for cooperation, not coercion. You are free to leave this suite. But as your network on this planet is more extensive than mine I will certainly follow your lead."
I take a drag and exhale. "I am looking for cooperation, not coercion. But as your network on this planet is more extensive than mine I will certainly follow your lead."
"Cool."
The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #780
Wardja withdraws to the console and Uriah keys the activating stud on the pict-corder hidden with the great tome of Calixis Sector law. The arbitrator can't help but appreciate the irony that one more secret awaits him in the voluminous legal treatise he is so intimately familiar with.
He steels himself as the holovid of Krade's office appears on his display, but he is no way prepared for what he witnesses.
A black and white image, though crisp and of good resolution, provides a wide-angled view of an office; Krade's office, as you recall it from your initial investigation. The view is in front of the desk and captures the panoramic window beyond. The clarity is such that you can observe the reflection of the opposite side of the room, including the mirror in the wide diamantine window overlooking the spires of Orcut VII. The images are soundless. The bottom right of the screen tracks the date, hour, minute, and second in Imperial Standard timekeeping.
In the reflection of the great window, Desius Krade can be observed sitting at his desk, hands folded before his face in concentration. His exact features are difficult to make out in the reflected image, but you are familiar enough with his countenance from various other pict-cordings and holos to know that it is assuredly him.
At the moment the office appears otherwise empty.
Krade then rises, the folds of his green and gold robes of office hanging draping over his tall frame. The window's reflection shows him taking a few slow steps to the wall behind his desk, looking at a painting hanging upon it. With his back turned to you in the reflection, he smooths one hand over the ebon sun depicted in the portrait of what can only be Inquisitor Ahmazzi before taking it away, slowly, reluctantly. Turning his back to the painting, you can see his face in the reflection again. Krade then walks forward until his back comes into view of the pict-corder again, coming into focus quite clearly. He then slowly turns to face the wall he was examining moments before, as if hearing a noise.
His severe, thin-lipped mouth is curled into the beginning of a harsh rebuke or scathing, sarcastic observation. There is something about the way his mouth works that draws your attention. You try to read his lips, it appears he is muttering something.
The unnerving mirror, one you have thus far only seen in archival picts, never before in person following its removal by the imposter Arbites forensic crew, can be seen in the reflection, hanging on the opposite wall which he presently faces. Oval-shaped. About two meters tall. Bizarre, in that it is perfectly clear, even reflected in the broad window. The bleak, blackened metallic frame encircling the mirror is surrounded by motifs of birdlike claws, and staring avian eyes that remind you of the bruj-hawks of Barapsine, your homeworld.
Krade stares into the mirror, his reflection reflected in the window, and the mirror, creating a disconcerting juxtaposition, a parade of his image into infinity. Upon closer examination, however, you realize the figure in the mirror cannot possibly be the High Arbiters. The real Krade's eyes widen at almost the same moment that you recognize this.
The man in the reflected reflection is short, obese, and hideous. Naked, his face is comprised of repellent rolls of pale, fatty tissue. Squinting, pig-like, emerald green eyes stare out at Krade with loathing and hatred. The stranger in the mirror's fat, grub-like lips part in a hideous smile. The smile is one of triumph and mockery.
Krade slowly mouths in absolute silence a word that anyone, regardless of their lip-reading talents can understand.
"No."
The reflection suddenly shows an eruption of fluid from the mirror, a spraying tide of liquid filth and fist-sized, squirming chunks of rot that washes over the hideous man in the mirror. It surges out from the oval looking-glass, as if a window to hell was opened in the wall and the rotting fluid then comes into the actual frame of the pict-corder, surging around Desius Krade's knees, staining the hem of his robe. He does not back away, instead holding his hands aloft, not in supplication, or fear, but for some other purpose, his eyes closing in concentration. The man-in-the-mirror is now a dark shadow, walking backward, deeper into the mirror wall, as if a space exists within it. The meaty chunks in the tide now surround Krade, dozens of them, and horrifically, they begin to sprout arms, legs, eyes. And mouths. Dozens of tiny, hideous, needle filled maws dripping half-congealed viscera and trickling vomit. Blasphemous pustules and weeping tumors riddle the creature's tiny bodies, and they swarm the High Arbiter like a tide of starving vermin, grasping and pulling at his robes. The diminutive horrors collect at Krade's feet, tearing and pulling at the hem of his robes, actually lifting him in a standing position off of the ground and dragging him bodily toward the mirror, his concentration disrupted.
The last image of the interrogator in the frame, is a close-up of his face leaving the angle of view, his expression one of horror and surprise. But also, one of cold anger. As he disappears from the angle of the pict-corder, your eyes shift to the window reflection again, and you watch as he is bodily delivered into the gaping portal of the mirror by his tiny, repellent porters. As he passes the threshold, the pooling surge of rot and filth abruptly reverses course, like a tide with a powerful undertow, and follows the High Arbiter and the puny abominations back into the mirror, defying all the laws of nature and science.
A moment later, the surface of the mirror reverts to the same matte black surface, black as your armor, perfectly normal in all respects as if the tides of Chaos themselves had not been loosed from within just seconds ago.
You have seen enough for ten lifetimes.
The Oubliette
Vincent slams the winch control in frustration, trying to activate it, but with no success. He frantically tries again, yanking at the control lever.
The Oubliette
Launce risks a glance over the side as the skiff lazily descends, and his expression speaks volumes, he grabs the yoke with both hands and tries to steady it as he pulls backward.
Flung filth and more awful substances begin to pelt the side of the skiff from below as a shrieking chorus of hideous, wailing cries come from the thousands of daemons below. It is punctuated by the loud croaks of the larger monsters in their midst, one echoed by the toad-thing already upon the vehicle. Something large, perhaps another of the batrachian horrors, slams into the side of the skiff before sliding off back into the reeking pit below.
The toad snaps its bile flecked jaws at Ryuk, trying to engulf one leg in its maw.
Like a man driven up a short tree by relentlessly pursuing canids, Ryuk hangs on the siderail and lifts his legs again, the horror's jaws snapping shut, vise-like, just inches from his heels.
The Oubliette
Vincent slams the winch control in frustration, trying to activate it, but with no success. He frantically tries again, yanking at the control lever.
As the recording starts I cannot help but feel a sense of dread. The psyker and ganger sure want me to see this thing but they warn me too... For a second I wonder if it's not some ploy to take me and my team down but that's paranoia eating at me. I blink my eyes and focus on the screen.
Krade. What is he thinking? Deep in thought about the corruption he faces? Trying to sort out puzzles inside of puzzles, plots inside of plots.
The picture of Ahmazzi. Dare I mention to Trantor what my master thinks of the crazy old bastard?
The mirror. My eyes cannot move away from it. Those eyes. Like a bruj-hawk.
Hmm? What does he hear? I move to turn up the volume but realize there is none. Skeit! What is he saying? Need to back this up and watch that again... Who the feck is that and how the feck is he in the fecking mirror?!?!
Time stops as the mirror explodes.
No. Oh no oh no oh no oh no.....
Then everything is back as it was. 'Cept no Krade. Sitting back, I see my lho on the floor. Don't know when it fell out of my mouth.
I didn't just see that, did I? Impossible!!
Krade--Dragged inside that thing? Prisoner of a prisoner? What was that look? Fear, yeah, surprise, yeah but... anger? What a tough kalk.
Looking back at the vid-screen. I stare at the mirror. Baleful, malevolent, infected! Now it seems like the oval is the eye of a bruj-hawk. I'm the skeet-mouse about to get its guts ripped out.
The recording ends and the screen winks out. I sit back in my chair, close my eyes, put my hands to my face, and try to forget what I just saw.
I watch as the sin stick slips out of his mouth and falls for an eternity before it abruptly crashs into the floor. Turning to Astrid as he covers his face trying to blot out the horror in his minds eye I speak.
"The Investigator needs a drink."
"Launce tell me what to do!!!"
"That is what the 7th is connected to, malleus is the main thing we are dealing with. The being you saw in the mirror is The Prisoner. He must be recaptured and imprisoned, or this world faces destruction. Krade must be found so he can be his warden. If not, that will be our mission. But that is only one of the dangers to this world. The one you call The Eviscerator, was possessed by a greater power of the Immaterium, who is trying to escape this planet. The only way he can escape it is to destroy it. These are the stakes we are dealing with. We have two greater powers of the warp, in opposition, both wanting the world destoyed so they can leave and spread their taint and corruption. That is why we must lead this investigaion.
Savalos is my second. The priority is finding Krade. The next priority is recapturing The Prisoner and stopping the malleus on this planet at what ever cost. You understand your mission is secondary, except for finding information help us with the pramary mission."
In a somber tone.
"The being who was in the Eviserator, is known as the Changeling. Once the serial killer out lives his purpose its discards its host for a new skin. The Daemon has a special hatred for Juan Rico. We have strong concerns that it is now possessing Johnnie..."
The images are impressed upon my brain. I try to center myself. The maws! The eyes! What cannot be is! Focus. Remember your training.
"The Investigator needs a drink."
Yes! Help to forget the horror! How long has it been? I think of the glass. The condensation beading on the outside. The smell. The color. The taste. How the numbing will take away my pain. It will be like seeing an old friend...
Then I think of Marco. Face down in a pool of his own blood. The feeling of helplessness. The sirens. The feeling in my gut that abates but never really goes away. Marco what did I do to you?
I wave them away, "No, no. Give me a minute. I'm okay."
"...Savalos is my second. The priority is finding Krade. The next priority is recapturing The Prisoner and stopping the malleus on this planet at what ever cost. You understand your mission is secondary, except for finding information help us with the pramary mission."
Maybe my brain is still foggy but I'm not sure what the psyker is babbling about. Didn't I tell them that Halleon sent me to find Krade?
"No Trantor, we seek the same goal. Inquisitor Herrod would place me in an excruciator for a year if I did anything less."
I had hoped for a company of equals but it seems my rank intimidates them. Guess I can't blame them considering how I treated them. My own damn fault.
"I do not seek to commandeer your team but I am hesitant to place mine completely at your disposal. How about a compromise? I allow Beij to continue my operations amongst the Adeptus Arbites and Hive Gangs. I join your team as liaison and assist your investigations... under your authority. Is this acceptable, Uriah Trantor?"
"...the being who was in the Eviserator, is known as the Changeling. Once the serial killer out lives his purpose its discards its host for a new skin. The Daemon has a special hatred for Juan Rico. We have strong concerns that it is now possessing Johnnie..."
Kalk-mother-kalker. Manifestations of both Change and Pestilence loose on this planet? My mind reels at the implications. And Johnny Rico. From everything I read he was one good arbite.
Even though I state the obvious I need to verbally process what I've been told. "The prisoner from the mirror is tied to the Oremor 7th. And the Eviscerator is tied to the Yellowbouros and Leprade. Both want to unleash the warp. Got it."
I reassess my estimation of these two. Psyker zealot and hiver-scum? Skeit. More like a pair of Ga-Draught Pithounds.
"That is acceptable, but you do understand we want Leprade for Malleus and Heresy not just arbite corruption. He will be executed before we leave this planet."