Dark Heresy: Cell Achates

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The Sister Novitiate shoots Iudex a scowl. "I am well aware of the prices of poverty. And I wasn't questioning their motives, I was simply making an observation on how organized the so-called riot was. In fact, I would say that what they did was an oddly tactical maneuver for what would should be a few groups of poor." Her hand grips her flamer tightly, though she doesn't move it at all. "Think about it, Arbitrator. In your years of service, have you ever seen multiple gangs come together for just a riot? Not to mention the fact that the GRM were essentially baited into an ambush. I have only heard of such maneuvers done by the those of the Astra Militarum, or perhaps the Militarum Tempestus."
 
Iudex noticed how Elleantra tightened the grip on her flamer. His rifle stood on its butt in between his legs, with his hands holding it around the front of the stock. "You give people too little credit Elleantra. Is that the limited knowledge of military tactics your order provides its soldiers? Or do you know nothing more than running forward with fire and brimstone to back you up?" He took a long pull from his lho-stick. "Tell me, have you ever walked through a gang filled slum with a badge on your chest and a rifle in your hands?" His generally relaxed and care-free demeanor hardened. "Because I can tell you this with absolute authority, if there is anything that can unite the scum of the world, its the opportunity to kill the good men and women trying to uphold the law." With his somber message delivered, Iudex returned to himself and addressed the Corporal. "I would like to thank you once again for being such gracious hosts." Gundyr spoke with a combination of amusement in his voice, and embarrassment on his face.
 
Elleantra's expression turnd from stern concern to amusement. "And I assume you know the hearts and minds of every criminal that you wish to bring in? Well, allow me to give you a glimpse into their thoughts, Arbitrator. Contrary to how things may seem to you, people, even those united under a common goal, do not like being ordered around by enemies. This goes double for those without military training or orginization. I highly doubt that, due to their proximity, these "gangs" would have had the coordination to pull off such a maneuver, let alone being able to pressure the local populace in assisting them with it. I truly pity the Adeptus Arbites if their training is truly so lackluster as yours, as they would never be able to see beyond the performers for the stage and play itself." She leans back, a smirk on her face. "And two things for you to remember, Arbitrator. First: Insulting any branch of the Emperor's Holy Ecclesiarchy is sure to earn you a heretic's branding. And second: You will have to learn to read between the lines if you are to be more use beyond that little pea-flinger you call a weapon. Am I understood, Iudex Gundyr?" Her gaze turns serious as she finishes her sentence, clearly not pleased with the man's words.
 
Wilhelm turned to Elleantra, "And let me tell you something cloistered one. This is a man who's worked the slums, I have for my family, worked with them. They will HAPPILY take orders from rival gangs to attack arbites or their like. It is no wonder the Adepta Sororitas are considered so drastically out of touch with the flesh of the Imperium if you truly believe your nonsense." He was speaking plainly, without any rancor behind it, "It is also no surprise that the Adepta Sororitas are so disliked by the majority if mere words think to make you resort to threats. Or should I point out that threatening an agent of the Adeptus Terra," He deliberately omitted any reference to the Inquisition, instead relying on the implication that they were in fact sent by the Adeptus Arbites main fortress on holy terra itself, "is not subject to a heretic's brand, but execution?" He cocked an eyebrow at her willing with all his being for the hint to go through to her.

"He is right and you are blinkered and wrong, or perhaps we could spend an hour recounting the times that the Perfidious Eldar, or even Necrontyr, have stood and fought with humanity against more pressing foes like the Tyranid or arch-heretics from the Eye of Terror?" He wondered if their cloistered education would even encompass that.

"The gangs hate each other yes, but they hate the Adeptus Arbites and planetary authorities much more and will joyfully work together to engineer their deaths." He continued before turning to Iudex. "But in the same breath Iudex, Elleantra does have a point, given the other circumstances we were sent to investigate it may be that the timing and circumstances involved here are more insidious."

Wilhelm turned to the officer. "Tell me officer, has there been any evidence of a leadership behind the riots, and possibly connected events?"
 
Merrez simply listened to the others speak for a while, enjoying the familiar feeling of the Chimera, not used to being in on the discussion of such matters. But he was part of the team, wasn't he? He was, at least by his own regard, not on the bottom of the command ladder of this squad, and he had experience.

"Gangs can be surprisingly tactical. They might not have nearly as formal training as proper soldiers, but a bunch of thugs, armed with small arms, in familiar terrain can do surprisingly heavy damage. And even more so because people tend to dismiss them as rabble, underestimating them." He chuckled slightly to himself. "I've seen the bottom layers of hives being surprisingly untouched during some attacks. If the gangs decide to stop squabbling, and work together, they're quite a force to be seen, with lots of people willing to join." He said, before going quiet again, wanting to hear the officer's response.
 
The corporal was about to answer Elleantra when Iudex cut in. He nodded at Iudex's thanks, but refrained from entering the conversation, reluctant to step into their argument. He shrugged in response to Wilhelm's question. "I don't know, sir, that's information's above my pay grade. That said, I don't think any of this was premeditated. Things probably just got carried away. If the gangs or someone did plan this, the Arbites are already looking into that, just in case." Turning to Merrez, he added, "They definitely are crafty enough to do something like this. I'd just question why, though I'm glad I don't have to."

The tank lurched to a stop and the driver called back, rather unnecessarily, "We're here, sir." Corporal Kelick nodded to the two gendarmes in the back and they popped the back hatch open and disembarked. Outside stood a grand skyscraper, taller by far than those surrounding it. Surrounding the building were riot barricades and prefab defensive emplacements, apparently only put up recently, patrolled by armed guards, dressed in camouflage pattered dark grey and blue flak armor and fatigues.

The Corporal followed the Acolytes out of the tank. "Welcome to Spire Fantz. Since Master Fantz has expressly forbidden the presence of gendarmes upon his estate, and because he has pull with the Hereditary Officers, we can go no further. Emperor guide you, Arbitrators. We'll await your return."
 
Canto exited the tank, considering the conversation that had just transpired. The conflicting points of view did not help to clarify the situation, but the report was detailed enough that they should be able to parse it all at a later point. The clash between Acolytes was really nothing new and not something Canto readily cared about save for when Xenos or Psykers were involved...

With a curt nod towards the Corporal, Canto responded "The Emperor protects, Corporal. We shall return." While he knew this to be the correct response, it still felt wrong to address the Ommnissiah this way. He chose, however, not to dwell much on it, and rather took to checking how the guards had reacted to their arrival, trying to discern anything he may detect that could prove useful.
 
At first glance, the guards seemed idle and of casual demeanor, but upon closer inspection, they were clearly alert and many of their eyes were on the Acolytes and their escort, as well as the surrounding streets. One guard, bald save for a comm-bead headset, was talking to no one, a clear sign that their presence had been called in to whoever was in charge. Finally, an errant breeze kicked up a corner of an innocuous tarp set up behind the fortifications, briefly revealing the guards had a tarantula sentry gun set up outside.
 
Narrowing his eyes at these developments, Canto would turn towards his disembarking colleagues, humming in thanks to the Chimera that had safely brought them so far, and he would notify the first person he saw leaving the vehicle of this, with word to inform the rest...

A bit much, wouldn't you say, Lucial Famz? What are you hiding...? We will know soon enough. Nobody denies the Inquisition.
 
Larl left the tank and took a good took around. Was this mere merchant so powerful? He had underestimated him, and hadn't kept his suspicion as he would've usually, or didn't the Inquisition itself know any better? No matter. Just stick with your squadmates, you'll be fine. And they will need you too. Those words entered Larl's mind, and he calmed down once he had been able to properly think about it.

Curiousity got the better of him, and Larl added upon the questions list - "Just how powerful is Mister Fantz? Way we heard it from briefing, he seemed to be a run-of-the-mill trader as opposed to the kind of guy who can order people around."
 
Merrez saluted the corporal as he disembarked, and without hesitation, he started walking towards the tower. If they'd wanted them dead, they'd probably have started firing already. And if this Fantzy-pants knew of the Inquisiton, and had connections with it, he'd know better than to mess with them.

"Probably not just a local trader then. Rogue-trader, maybe? Those guys tend to be freakishly rich and powerful." He suggested to the others, before approaching the bald guard, and used his most authoritarian tone. "We're here to meet Lord Farnzy. We've got an... appointment." He did his best to let them know who they were, without saying it, so he'd know if they knew.
 
Iudex made his way to the gate with the rest of the party. "Well, supposedly he is going to assist us in our investigation." A sly smile came over his face, "I doubt he would invite us in only to betray us. No one is so stupid as to so publicly attack the Inquisition. Even lowly Acolytes like ourselves."
 
The guard listened impassively. There was an awkward, but brief pause before he replied; he was most likely receiving orders, considering his headset. "Head on inside." He jerked his head in the direction of the doors. The Acolytes entered the building. Inside, the lobby was quite ornate with polished black marble floors, ornate pillars, detailed bas reliefs in the walls depicting scenes of battle and victory and several stained glass windows, each with soldiers in a variety of military fatigues. A large statue of a kneeling man holding a power sword and reaching out with his empty arm dominated the vaulted chamber, his outstretched hand conspicuously missing a hand. Guards stood in the corners of the room, and by all the doors, and several scribes dressed in robes the same blue as the guards manned a large circular desk at the center of the room.

A door in the back opened, causing the guards to snap to attention. A woman in a black coat with silver highlights and short dark hair exited and strode towards the Acolytes, boots clicking on the marble floor. "Welcome, Arbitrators. To what do we owe this unexpected visit?"
 
Phillipe stepped forwards, "We are here to see master Lucius Fantz, one Mistress Heneria Case had arranged for us to see the master of the house in the belief that he had intelligence related to an investigation." He said, taking the part of the group's savant seriously.

"It wold be most appreciated if you could expedite a private audience in a chamber protected from vox-thieves and other listening devices. This matter is of some urgency and I would hate to file Form 602-7A citing a grievance against House Fantz for any obstructionism displayed, but we have been put under a lot of pressure to see this matter resolved." He held his hands apart apologetically.
 
"Of course. If you would follow me, please." The woman guided the acolytes back towards the door she entered from. The guards once again snapped to attention at her approach. As the doors opened, it became apparent that it was a lift. Another pair of guards inside the lift clicked their heels as she entered. The woman deftly fingered the runes on the control panel and the lift ascended the spire. "We have many such chambers here. We call them Commutaria, as they are predominantly used for important business deals and sensitive trade negotiations." Once the lift reached it's destination, they traveled through several halls, passed by a number of guards and entered a chamber, rather spartan and professionally bare compared to the rest of the building, but still quite comfortable. As soon as the doors slid shut, the woman accessed a panel on the wall, causing a low and soft humming to suffuse the room. Her voice changed from her polite professionalism to perturbed annoyance. "You had to mention Heneria by name?" She sighed disgustedly. "At least your Arbitrator cover appears solid, at first glance. Not bad for rookies." She looked bemusedly at the acolytes' reactions before introducing herself. "Seneschal Larrange, House Fantz." She sat on a chair, legs crossed, awaiting responses.
 
"My apologies. But we have no idea who knows what. It seemed prudent at the time." Phillipe bowed apologetically.
 
The Seneschal sniffed, her bemused expression never leaving her face. "No matter. It's not exactly a secret that Lucius used to work with the Inquisition... or that he still does, on occasion. It's just a little extra work for me. Besides, I can hardly expect much from Heneria's rookies. How long has she trained you? One month? Two?" She chuckled. "I'm surprised she trains you at all. She really ascribes to the sink-or-swim teaching method, which considering her augmentics, surprises me to no end how she manages to stay afloat."
 
Canto kept quiet as the group made its way inside, past the guards and up the spire. He would note the ever-present guards; it seemed a little like overkill, but these suspicious types never really felt safe enough in his experience. The craftsmanship of the place seemed top-notch as could surely be afforded by this Lucio Fanx; the statue a reminder of ego and power.

When the Seneschal introduced herself in the secluded room, after she and Philippe exchanged 'pleasantries', Canto would step to the side, making sure he was visible but not at the center of of the group, and thus, of attention.

With a nod and placing a hand on his chest, Canto would say: "The Inquisitor does as she must, Seneschal. Canto Azorius, good to make your acquaintance. You have worked with the Inquisitor before?"
 
"Mhm. Guess the cat's out of the bag." Larl stated planely as he realized that their cover had been blown, by an ally, perhaps? She had announced her name, but was that her true identity, or one to bait them into a more devious plan she had prepared? He decided that it would be for the best to withhold his true name, and spoke out : "They call me the Doc. I can look mean, but I'm primarily for sewing gun holes shut and replacing lost limbs with better ones." It was half-true, it's just that he left out his name, so even if she did take offense to it, she'd hopefully not lash out too badly. Larl knew that this would be a good time to find answers, and thus asked a proper question to her-

"Say, Seneschal, what information have you gotten so far regarding the assignment, any patterns, specificities, times or..?" It was best to keep it vague. If she had the same mission as them, she'd give them information. If not, then she'd be none the wiser.
 
Seneschal Larrange elected not to stand for Canto's introduction. "As do we all, Arbitrator, as do we all. Yes, I have worked with the Inquisitor before. I'll spare you the details; Lucius will no doubt bury you in minutiae. He does so love to talk."

The Senechal glanced over to Larl when he spoke. She pulled a dataslate from her coat and began to read it. "Now, as for your investigation," she looked up from her dataslate. "Mutants, was it? The gendarmes you've been in contact with have been most indiscreet. Since this is the first I'm hearing of any such Inquisitorial interest, I don't have anything for you at the moment. It would help if I knew what exactly I'm looking for. If you could recite your orders, verbatim if possible, it would speed my inquiries. Of course, if you don't trust me, what I already know is enough, 'Doc'."
 
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