Beginning Of A Tale (40k)

[Darasuum]

​

Date: 8.500.999M41
Location: Port Wander
System: Rubycon II
Subsector: Drusus Marches
Sector: Calixis
Segmentum: Obscurus

the bridge was fairly quiet save for the occasional tapping and adjustment of interfaces made by the deck officers. the ship, the Tail's Tale glided through the void of space towards the battlefleet orbital station known as Port Wander. it had numerous ships coming and going at a constant rate but this did not worry the steady hands of the ship's captain who guided it effortlessly into the docking location. while larger ships often had to shuttle to and from the port the Cobra class destroyer was a raider and known for being the smallest and fastest ship employed by the imperial navy. this vessel though was privately owned and had been for at least a millennia.

"Alright, let's unload what we've got quick and clean. we'll be here for a week and then we're off again."

the voice came from the captain who looked around the bridge. after the first few syllables all eyes turned towards him and after he spoke they responded with a simple "Aye-aye." Mattheus nodded to himself pleased with how things had gone so far. hopfully the crew wouldn't do anything foolish and there were fair travels ahead.

gathering his things he walked with his coat fluttering only slightly at the hems. the man was heading towards the docking bay to receive any pleasantries or conversations with the local officials and potential business associates. he clicked his back teeth activating the microbead in his ear and told the department heads onboard the ship his whereabouts so if they needed to accompany him they would meet him before he departed his ship. it smelled like sweat and recycled air but Mattheus Von Strodde could smell potential and adventure.

@Chask274
@Asher
@Intratec

 

[Intratec]

Menials. Ratings. Crew. Servators. They all went about their assigned tasks. Some did so out of their own free will. Others did not have a choice whether due to the Machine Spirits ruling the lobotomized minds of the lumps of flesh chaste with steel and wire filament. Or the down and out Rating who's only choice was work or die. All things had and were in their place. Save one. The soft clatter of well-worn boots on metallic decking accompanied the whirring of servos and the almost quiet whisk of robes the color of dark blood. From under the cowl two bright lenses of blue-grey glow past the bird-like beak of bronze and other metals. Ventilator cells adorned either side, a steady hiss and click of breathing letting the curious know that whatever it was, it lived, it breathed.

And the too curious met twin metallic tentacles dotted with all manner of tools. One hand rested upon the haft of a staff with the Skull and Machine Half-Mask within a cog of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Their stride was unimpeded yet purposeful.

"Your Master Enginseer continues to come to me in deference regarding the duties of their staff." the tinny voice cast by a built-in vox (Likely in the mask.) lending a further air of the inhuman nature of the Mechanicus' Priesthood. Yet despite this, the voice managed to come off annoyed as they came upon the Captain of their merry band. Servitors wheeled past carrying heavy crates while the crew on loaders trailed past in their wake.

@Darasuum
@Chask274
@Asher

 

[Chask274]

The clack of combat boots on deck plating filled Marcus' ears as he walked through one of the station's numerous corridors, heading in the general direction of the loading areas. He'd heard rumors that a Rogue Trader had docked today, and wanted to see if they were true or not. After spending a couple weeks on some backwater planet putting down a greenskin infestation, Marcus was happy to be back in completely Imperial territory.

Stepping into the bustling airlock and cargo staging area, the Cadian scanned the room. Standing in his full Carapace armor with most of his wargear secured to his person in the usual fashion, Marcus certainly stood out amongst the crowd of workers and servitors.

Spotting a tech-priest and someone in a longcoat standing near the airlock, Marcus walked over, pulling off his helmet and tucking it under one arm. "Quite a rush of activity going on here. What kind of cargo are you offloading?"

@Darasuum
@Asher
@Intratec

 

[SonOfFire]

Cedrick had been pacing back and forth across the loading areas for some time now. While he seemed quite aware of his surroundings he also seemed to be trapped in a deep state of mind. It was clear he didn't work there based on appearance alone, his gray flak armor being quite worn even for the battlefield. The synth-plast shell had bits of shrapnel sticking out while several grazes were also visible on the shoulders, 2 medals were pinned to the jumpsuit underneath.

"Watch it." Not paying attention Cedrick had bumped into a worker, the worker not even stopping just shook his head and continued. Clearly in the way of everyone he decided to walk off to the side of the loading area, stopping to sit against an unusually worn wall. Spending a brief moment in silence he began to murmur something to himself, repeating it again and again once the sentence was finished.

@Darasuum
@Intratec
@Chask274

 

[Darasuum]

the man heard the steps of the explorator before he saw her. smiling as he turned the woman still looked for the most part unmodified unlike other techpriests of mars. only when she came close did one see that her eyes were artificial but looked for the most part like their organic counterparts. the rest of her body was hidden beneath her iconic red robes but he knew she wasn't as changed since it was not overly bulky and hunched over like other adepts.

"Oh, and what did he want this time?"

he continued to walk towards the dock and observe to the transference of cargo. he would hear his technological advisor out as he greeted a few of the welcoming individuals of the port. after a few more meters a stranger made eye contact after observing the unloading. he asked about the cargo and this made Mattheus eye him slightly before questioning him in return. "who's asking?" while he prefered to keep all business transactions private it was not the soldier's place to question a rogue trader since they were held in the same regard as a planetary governor. but Mattheus was not so uptight as to be bothered by such a thing. he knew that just by looking at the man that he probably was not used to such social nuances that were expected of people of high station in the imperium. even if his cargo was something trivial like rations, ammunition, or spare machine parts he didn't discuss it openly with others unless they were doing business.

the man had an accent to him, cadian perhaps. Mattheus had come across a few of them in the past and his storm trooper detachment were mostly kasrkin. but he was not the only one that interested the captain. his eyes caught sight of a man pacing back and forth. while port wander was an imperial outpost there was no shortage of enemies and adversaries here. other rogue traders, criminals, and even worse could have little difficulty moving around the hub of activity in the void. he made a mental note to keep an eye on the worn looking man.

Spoiler: OOC

@Intratec
@Chask274
@Asher
we don't need to go in order. since there's 4 of us in this thread i'll reserve the turn based system for combat most likely.

 

[Intratec]

"The continuing urging to perform unnecessary rites upon the vessel's Generatorium. It continues to tax my inadequate resources." the tinny voice replied, followed by the pneumatic hiss and click of her mask's respirator. The glow from the mask's eyes seemed to intensify as the Magos Explorator followed the Rogue Trader, her staff both a sign of her office, and very real deterrent to getting out of her way. "The vast majority of my Servitors are tasked with more important duties. I will be requesting more Techno-Mat tasked Servitors to compensate for their pious bent. Another four hundred can be found here. I've already made arrangements with the station's Mechanicus Congregation."

One of her mechadendrites snapped its metallic claw at a Rating who got too close for her comfort. "At no expense. I've favors aplenty and this was but a pittance."

"I suspect they continue to try to divert my resources because I've furnished the ship's drives with upgraded thermal couples and plasmic containment cells. The fact we will see a ten percent increase in efficiency and performance means nothing to them." her cowled head followed where the Captain looked. The bright glow of her mask's eyes narrowed to show the Magos was inspecting the careworn man among other things.

@Darasuum
@Chask274
@Asher

 

[Chask274]

As Marcus waited for the Tech Priest to finish speaking, he came to realize that the man in the longcoat wasn't just some ordinary officer from the ship like he'd originally assumed, he was mostly likely a member of the command staff, perhaps even the Captain himself. A tremor of fear and unease went down his spine as it hit the Cadian just how badly he may have overstepped with his question.

Snapping to attention, Marcus replied to the man's question in the same direct yet respectful tone he always used with his superiors. "Corporal Marcus Grimm, of the 74th Kasrkin Regiment, at your service, sir. I apologise if my question was out of line, I'm not as familiar with naval etiquette as I should to be." He remained at attention, waiting for the man's reply, hoping beyond hope he hadn't offended him.

@Asher @Darasuum @Intratec

 

[Darasuum]

"...unnecessary rites...Generatorium...inadequate resources...requesting more Techno-Mat tasked Servitors...already made arrangements" in response the Rogue Trader just nodded and waved a hand only half listening. he knew the cyborg was more than capable of doing her due diligence and was responsible. it was important she ran things by him and communicated such things with him just incase but for the most part he had confidence in her judgement. The Tail's Tale wouldn't probably exist today if the Strodde dynasty had not trusted in the mechanicus and related bodies over the ages.

but the woman was not done and spoke with him as she usually did since she had been onboard as one of the first personnel he had acquired for his endeavors. "I've furnished the ship's drives with upgraded thermal couples and plasmic containment cells. The fact we will see a ten percent increase in efficiency and performance means nothing to them." she was unhappy that her work was being critiqued and even insulted by the others onboard. Mattheus grinned in his regular charming manner and looked at the woman's masked face. "It means something to me Dez." he used an abbreviation of her first name and let her know he appreciated her efforts. normally he used people's last names but she was somewhat closer than most other crew. not only was she one of the department heads of the ship but she knew of the technically illegal specifications of the ship. it was a risk having such technology and then further modifying it even if it was to a better standard.

the rogue trader turned towards the cadian who proceeded to introduce himself. Mattheus brought his hand up to his brow and dropped it to return the salute. "Not to worry corporal. I make it a point to not discuss business accept with those i'm doing it with. nothing against you but that's just how I do things."

the man was about to continue when several formal envoys approached simultaniously. it was obvious the rogue trader wasn't welmed by the event but still accepted their greetings all the same. taking a breath to talk again another figure hobbled out of the crowd. an elderly man by the looks of him who gazed first at Mattheus then glanced at the other two warily. "Pardon me sir. I am Otto Ray. Are you of the Strodde lineage yes? it is so good to see you. thank you for coming."

giving the man a quizzical look after he produced a dynasty seal, this incited the elderly being to continue talking to explain himself more. "I worked aboard the Emperor's Testemat, under Vos Karlorn and alongside the other ships of your great grandfather's fleet." Mattheus remembered the name and the man had caught his attention. he nodded for him to continue as they began walking towards the Court of the Dead, the main market place of Port Wander.

the man coughed a few times before resuming his speach. "after a long expidition the fleet was seperated and scattered by a savage warp storm. we came to rest emperor knows where. our astropath picked up a message. at first we thought it was other members of your great-grandfather's fleet but it was an old message, an echo int he warp our astropath called it. hundreds, of years old if not older, one indicator stood out of the whole message, the Rightous Path." now this made Mattheus stop his stride for a moment and in turn Otto stayed silent for dramatic effect. if it was true then that meant the man had been waiting an extremely long time. the rogue trader would save all his questions until the end. he wanted to hear his story in full. the Rightous Path was a legendary treasure ship that had been lost somewhere in the Koronus Expanse so long ago that it drifted into myth.

"Vos Karlorn chose not to persue the tale then and there. instead we returned to here to Port Wander. he gave me the map and marker that would help any other members of the Strodde Dynasty. the Emperor's Testamet went out after the Rightous Path but never returned. i've been waiting over a century for your arrival sir." reaching inside one of his tattered pockets he pulled forth a stasis casket. it had the image of the dynasty's seal, a bear of ferocious appearance. Mattheus took it only for it to open and reveal a smooth black rock. the captain recognized it for what it was, an astropathic mnemolith probably containing the full transmission that Otto spoke of. they would need to get it to one of the ship's astropath or navigator for it to be read.

@Intratec
@Chask274

 

[Intratec]

She had been about to retort on the abbreviated usage of her Omnissian given name when an elderly fellow appeared. With flunkies in tow, she surmised. Leaving the Captain to his business, the Explorator Magos turned her attention to the surrounding area, only half listening. First a Corporal of the Kasrkin, now court functionaries? Her ire was known in the way her Mechadendrites swayed, much in the imitation of a cat's tail. That was until a certain name was mentioned. They'd come to an unearthly stop. Not so much as a twitch. Desdemona's masked visage snapped around to bore twin holes into the man then. The glow from her eyes positively blazing.

"The Righteous Path? Many a treasure hunter consider it an interstellar legend. A widespread myth. Even among the seediest or most backwater ports the peons toiling under their rightful masters hear of it." one of the metallic tendrils slithered forward; over Mattheus' shoulder and scanned the obsidian mnemolith. Completed, the Mechanicus Tech-Priestess looked up to her Captain. "Traces of DNA from several different individuals. One aberration confirmed, Psyker. Likely an Astropath. I would need to access the Strodde Family's Datacrypts to verify any latent familiar DNA. But I did detect several key markers which may link the previous owner to your family."

The Mechadendrite began to sway curiously.

"The ship's Navigator or Astropath may be able to decipher any pertinent information. I will, however, need to utilize their services to verify the organic residue on the mnemolith." retracting the metal appendage, she continued to keep pace.

@Darasuum @Chask274

 

[Darasuum]

the rogue trader listened intently as he looked between the item and its bearer for awhile. he glanced at the female magos as she spoke emphasizing the man's words which he seemed to appreciate the support of his story. his life had been dutifully leading up to this moment and now he was able to carry out his obligation after so many years.

ambient music begins to play
​

"Very well, we shall-" he wasn't able to finish his sentence before the stone was swiped from his digits by a winged creature. his gaze turned to one of surprise at the sudden loss of the item. a few people looked around and saw the sudden action. it was a psyber-raven that cawed as it took the item and dipped over the crowd. it dipped below the crowd for a moment before circling.

"shoot that blasted thing down!" he barked, switching quickly from surprise to anger the man pulled out his side arm and aimed it at the flying creature. calmly he pulled the trigger. if he and his companions fired then they would likely hit it and it was just a matter of number of shots. he led the shot and the handcannon bucked in his hands.

----​

one of them would have hit the avian cyborg creature though it fell to the ground in the crowd causing to rush over to where it fell. it hopped up ruffling its metallic feathers and hopped away though it was not holding the mnemolith rock. realizing it had probably dropped it when it had gone out of sight the man scanned the crowd. then he spotted a woman, holding the item. "Hey, that's mine!" he shouted with gritted teeth and raised his hand cannon only for the woman to draw and fire back causing him to dive to his right. he swore though he saw her drop the item to take cover herself. she was using a bolt pistol, more firepower than he had. he saw as blood spattered his clothes from the civilians in the crowd being hit. they tried to scatter avoiding the violence that had suddenly broke out in the market place. but there were more than one. suddenly a dozen other assailants that had been camouflaged in the crowd revealed themselves. they produced stub weapons and lasguns firing in the direction of the Tail's Tale crew members and company that had come to the Court of the Dead. the hit numerous citizens but didn't seem to care.

@Chask274 @Intratec

 

[Intratec]

Not willing to damage the Mnemolith, Desdemona had refrained from using one of her metallic appendages from snatching it back from the glorious cybernetic construct. Simply watching as it made to fly off, only to be shot down and losing its grip upon the obsidian tablet. A woman took it up, only for her Captain to shout his claim, and to be shot at in turn. Once more the slab was left where it lay. And in the whirl of but a moment, weapons had been drawn. Stubguns, Las-weaponry accompanied by the disgruntled shouting and hooting of the fleshy humans who would defile a sacred device.

Yet the Tech-Priestess did not duck for cover. She let a Mechadendrite take her staff. Clutched now within a cold, metallic claw. The now battle standard was raised high, and from within the robes, holes appeared. Solid slugs punching through fabric, and plunking off the toughened ceramite and armorplas of the armor she wore beneath while on such excursions. Burning bright, the blue lenses of her mask seemed to bore into the oncoming assailants as she raised an arm. From her voluminous sleeve, a Plasma Pistol suddenly appeared, quicker than an eyeblink. The ribbed, crystalline charge coils pulsated with a built charge. The weapon's thumping whine let all know what it had just done, lobbing a ball of super-heated plasmic energy at one of the offenders wielding a lasgun. Before the woman could duck for cover, the bolt of energy slammed into her center mass; melting flak vest and flesh alike. The gurgled scream of pain having been cut short by the split second it took to burn a hole through her body. What was left was a gaping hole of charred flesh and viscera exposed to the recycled air of the station.

Dropping lifeless, the Tech-Priestess moved on, a humming battle canticle buzzing from the vox vocalizer of her mask. A hymn to the Machine God. For she did his holy work. Purging the Heretics that would profane a holy relic. One of the downed woman's fellows, likely an acquaintance charged her, stubgun and bayonet leveled for a strike to the chest with a bellow. One of the metal tentacles hooked to her lower back whipped forward, smashing into the man's head with a sickening bone crunch. One that set the neck at an odd angle, the head half caved in now as the body flew a good ten feet. As her Pistol cooled, a steel caliper pulled back part of a robe to expose the dull sheen of Carapace armor. Attached to the hip hung yet another weapon. The manipulator pulled the weapon free, giving the assailants a view of just what it was. Adorned with the cog and Half-Skull of the Mechanicus, the weapon held several seals of purity, bits of parchment dangling from red wax stamped with the Cult Mechanicus insignia. Her manipulator-held the weapon aloft, a power cable trailing to some unknown power source. But it was the distinctly pitched whine that would draw attention. For when the Hellgun began to fire, it fired far in excess of what a normal Guard-issued Lasgun was capable of. Wielding longer-range, greater firepower and superior rate of fire, the weapon was one utilized by the Skitarii, soldier-fanatics of the Adeptus Mechanicus.

Firing, the Hellgun laid down suppression fire as the woman walked with an almost casual air to where Rogue Trader was taking cover. Kneeling beside him, the Hellgun peeked over cover and continued to fire. Directed by some unseen sensory apparatus. "Captain, your weapon is insufficient for the task of eliminating these malcontents." stating the obvious as her las-weapon cleaved through a rockcrete column to bite at the attacker taking cover behind it. "We should upgrade your armament at the next opportune time."

@Darasuum @Chask274

 

[Darasuum]

out of his peripheral vision Mattheus saw numerous of enemies drop, at least he hoped they were enemies and not civilians. soon he found his explorator beside him. "Captain, your weapon is insufficient for the task of eliminating these malcontents." she stated to which he replied with his own words "It will still kill them." though his words didn't mean much as his shots only hit the rockrete that the female was hiding behind leading him to swear under his breath. "We should upgrade your armament at the next opportune time." he reached towards his belt and slide a new magazine into place before responding in kind "I agree."

the Rogue trader gave her hand signals that he hoped she under stood and went to the right. all the other hostiles seemed to have been eliminated or retreated for the time being to the point where they could move up. Mattheus wanted to see who was behind this and flanked around to the right to come on the attacking woman's left. but when he got into view of behind the cover he saw nothing save for spent bolt pistol casings. "BLAST it all to the warp. where'd that harlot run off to?" he scanned the crowd, or rather the cowering remnants of the local populace as if it would give him some answer but he could only exasperate a sigh.

Grabbing the mnemolith he walked over to the other bodies left still smoldering and bleeding from the violence. under closer examination the other attackers that had been killed seemed to be wearing better attire than the standard lowlife of a space station or other human metropolis. they were outfitted like oathsworn bodyguards of a high official. their robes and colors Mattheus recognized and made his jaw clench "Fel." he said as he holster his pistol. they were armored with flak armor underneath their clothes and a carapace chest piece.

the exploitation of the Expanse has resulted in the amassing of many great fortunes and a great many vendettas and intrigues in turn. both are equally perilous in a realm where little law is recognized beyond raw power and the void of space swallows the dead without trace. in such a world no one, no matter how famed or mighty, is beyond the reach of an assassin’s hand, and the need for trustworthy personal protection is paramount. while dumb muscle and hired guns of dubious provenance are ten-a-throne, a skilled professional, or oathsworn as they are known in the parlance of the Expanse, is another matter. depending on their contract, those who offer their services as such bodyguards range in their role from simple escort duty, to laying their life down for their employer, to acting as their personal agents and ‘dealing’ with those who offended their masters. reputable bodyguards can become quite wealthy and respected themselves, assuming they survive, and some establish familial contracts which last as long as their employer’s lineage does. others specialize in dangerous locales, using their familiarity with the local environs to offer protection in that area. these fellows seemed to be of lower quality and the man that had hired them seemed to have purchased quantity first. "what do you make of this Iscariot?"

@Intratec​

 

[Intratec]

Following the Rogue Trader out from cover, the Magos Exploritor looked at her handiwork with a thoughtful expression hidden behind her mask. Her Mechadendrite lifted one of the lifeless corpses for closer examination, "Flak Armor, thermoplas and ablative layers. Likely Militarum surplus used by House Guards." tossing the corpse aside with no remorse, Desdemona examined the weapons. Her metallic tendril scanned each and when finished, she picked one up to show what was stamped into the composite material of the rifle's stock. A House insignia. One that Mattheus would recognize but she did not.

"I am no Militant of a War Convocation, this is not my area of expertise, but I believe another Rogue Trader desires what we obtained today. I will send a message to the ship's crew to be on alert. And to guard the docking bay and airlocks to the Tail's Tale. Standard load outs, lasguns, stubbers and armor." finishing, a servo skull whizzed by only to be drawn to the Exploritor after a brief blurt of binary from her vox vocalizer. The Mechanicus never ceased to amaze what they could do with the holy tongue of the Machine God. Hovering by Desdemona, she issued commands in her strange language before it zoomed away to complete its task.

"Your House has many enemies and competitors," she pointed out the obvious as a reminder, "Yet it worries me, Captain." the Tech-Priestess paused, "How did they know we were here, and how they knew about the mnemolith?"

It was a question laden with suspicion, no one should've known about their rendezvous save for the caretaker. Was it possible someone was a mole?

@Darasuum

 

[Darasuum]

The explorator observed just as much if not more detail than the Rogue Trader. Hadarak Fel is an old Rogue Trader hardened by years sailing the void and facing its perils. Over a century old, he has kept his appearance youthful (scorning prosthetic and augmentations) through a rigorous regimen of rejuvenate treatments and xenos technology. He also likes to dress flamboyantly, playing the part of the simpering noble or foppish merchant which is why even his low skilled guards were dressed as such. This carefully cultivated appearance is all designed to keep his adversaries off balance and hide his true age and cunning. One of the few surviving members of the Fel Dynasty, Hadarak has earned a dire reputation among his peers as a potent competitor and merciless opponent.

Mattheus nods in agreement with Desdemona just as imperial authorities arrive on the scene. a dozen adeptus arbites, decked out with combat shotguns and lasguns. The leader of the patrol is Targos, a heavyset Arbitrator-Sergeant with little in the way of either humour or imagination. After surveying the scene, he questions the Explorers about the attack, though this is only a formality as such random acts of violence are all too common in port and seldom investigated. Given the status of the Explorers, Targos will take some interest and kindly ask them to accompany him to the Adeptus Arbites’ Precinct Complex that he might help to uncover the identity of the assailants. The Explorers are not compelled however—their rank means that without higher authority they cannot be detained or arrested. This is something the Explorers will be aware of and know that Hadarak Fel is of similar status. "what do you think Iscariot?" he asked for her council as he looked at the bodies the arbites were collecting.

 

[Intratec]

The lenses of her max dilated and then shrunk of their own accord in response to the question. It was known the Arbites were brutal in their application of Imperial Law. Their status of course allowed them a level of carte blanche' so far as they were concerned. But getting on an Arbites bad side, especially one of middling rank may prove disastrous down the line.

"Bureaucratic Red-Tape would have us on station for weeks, Captain." came the succinct answer. "But, we cannot overlook the fact we may need Arbites help now or at a later date and time." there, she'd laid out the two most logical options and opinions that sprung to mind.

@Darasuum

 

[Darasuum]

Mattheus nodded as he heard the explorator advise him. They would follow Targos to the Precinct Complex, an imposing and starkly unpleasant place, they were shown to the offices of Precept-Marshall Kyra Valkyran. The Marshall appeared to be more annoyed to see them than anything else, but listened to their account of the events. She has to deal with this kind of thing every day: nobles sabotaging each other’s functions, merchants killing each other’s suppliers and traders starting fights over bets and brags. Things the navy has no interest in as long as it doesn’t spill over into their parts of the station or endanger their crews or vessels.

With information from Targos, she is be able to identify their attackers as servants of the Fel Rogue Trader Dynasty and members of the crew of one Hadarak Fel. "we already figured as much." Mattheus said in response. "Why don't you bring him in?" he said almost impatiently. Kyra sighed and brushed some papers on her desk before finally replying "There is no way to prove that they were acting on his orders and without solid evidence we cannot act against Hadarak, as his Warrant of Trade protects him from such minor crimes. Even the word of another Rogue Trader are not be enough. All I can do is warn them to be on their guard and offer a promise of swift intervention by my men in the case of further hostilities."

Orbest Dray, who has taken it upon himself to join the Explorers, recognizes the name Hadarak Fel and speaks up. "I once worked contacts with my old captain, Karlorn. I can only assume that Hadarak learned of the mnemolith’s existence, and wants to find the Righteous Path for himself. However, since it is inside a gene-sealed case, he could not simply steal it. If anyone besides you Captain Strodde, opened the case, the mnemolith would have been destroyed. So Hadarak probably had me watched, assuming that those who could open the case would eventually turn up. That was probably Lady Ash who held the mnemolith, she will make all haste to her master and in turn they will steer for the Expanse." his eyes were darting back and forth. expressions of guilt, fear and regret were vividly painted on his face.

Mattheus put a hand on Orbest's shoulder to calm him. "fret not my friend. we will beat them to it." turning back to the captain he gave her his regards and they would head back to the ship.

 

[Intratec]

The respirator within the mask whizzed and clicked in the silence between the conversation. Leaning on the staff, the Magos Explorator seemed to be sizing up the Precept-Marshall, studying her. Whatever the Tech-Priestess saw was her own discovery. The Arbites could've intervened as a result of the theft being against another Trader Dynasty. An investigation launched, trial held, but that would be weeks, nay, months wasted. When next she glanced to Strodde, the Magos just eyed the Arbiter one final moment before following.

When well outside of earshot, she spoke: "There was more that could have been done. The Precept-Marshall intrigues me in this." even her rebreathed seemed to wheeze in a thoughtfully pensive manner.

 

[Nor'baal]

Location - Palace of Justice, Arbites Precinct

Fiat justitia et pereat mundus​

The letters stood out against the stark backdrop of the Palace of Justice, picked out in gold; the embodiment of all that the Arbites stood for. A single vehicle moved out from the austere gates of the Palace, rain lashed down over it as the bike made haste for the docks. No ordinary natural rain was this, no - such things had long since been brought to a halt by terraforming. Instead, this rain was the creation of orbital stations, yet it served the same purpose.

It did not take him long to arrive at the docks, and the Arbiter stepped off his bike with almost liquid ease. Behind the visor of his helmet, he breathed a sigh of relief, the traders had still not left. Walking a few steps forwards, he activated his helmet loudhailer, cutting across the open space between then in the customary understated way of his profession.

''Attention Citizen!'' he declared ''By Order of the Arbitrators, I have been assigned to your vessel to act in support of your coming endeavors, and to further the investigation: Alpha-Sigma Prime 996.43, into potential tariff avoidance by a Rogue Trader House.'' he boomed across the open space, his Arbitrator Shotgun in his hands. Rain dripped off his coat, despite the fact the shower had long since stopped, over the butt of his Bolt Pistol and grip of his shock maul. Across his back, he wore his riot shield.

He hoped that his declaration would put them at ease; after all, training had always stated that the best way for Arbites to defuse any situation was to arrive in force, and thus reassure civilians that they meant no harm. Rolling up in full riot gear outside a Government Office, and boldly informing civilians to clear the area or face 'Justice' was a sure-fire way to route out criminals after all, and following that logic, he kept his shotgun ready, so as to assure these traders that no harm would come of them; for the Arbites were here.

 

[Darasuum]

"yes but I don't think it would bear worthy while fruit..." he responded to the magos as they strode back to the ship. the two eventually found their way to the vessel belonging to Mattheus's name. the Tail's Tale had completed it's loading in surprising effeciency. he would have to commend the quartermaster for the ability of the crew later. as he was about to board he heard a rumbling sound in time to see a bike belonging to an adeptus arbites halt not too far away.

''Attention Citizen! By Order of the Arbitrators, I have been assigned to your vessel to act in support of your coming endeavors, and to further the investigation: Alpha-Sigma Prime 996.43, into potential tariff avoidance by a Rogue Trader House.'' the Rogue trader listened and slowly turned his head to the tech priestess with a quizical look as if she offered an answer as to the unsaid questions he had. raising his chin he looked at the law enforcement representative for a moment before moving closer to the man so he would not have to use the loud-hailer. "Mattheus Von Strodde," he said first to introduce himself though if this man was assigned to his vessel than that meant he already knew who he was. " and who are you officer?" he asked respectfully.

@Intratec @Nor'baal

 

[Intratec]

If the booming voice, and assertive tone had any intended effect on the Mechanicum Priestess, all he'd received was a brief clack of the mechadendrite's clamp. There was no use in turning to see for herself. The authoritative miasma and being quite literally able to see behind herself told Desdemona already. It was a scrugging Arbiter. If machines could sigh in regret, she did an incredible imitation. Leaning upon her staff of office, the Priestess just shook her head.

"Perhaps next time we will not listen to my sage advice and go into the Precinct Fortress." her voice rasped more out of exasperation than actual labor. And had muttered it more for her own augmentic ears than those of Mattheus'. The Imperial Lawmen were well known for their extremes in doling out the Emperor's law. She'd witnessed it first hand a few times in her long life. Excess did not cover it. Subtly was an utterly alien concept to them. Worse of all, she had figured he'd be stuffing his nose into everyone's business. Well. She had let the Grox loose in the china shop.

Rebreather wheezing, "So," she began, the steady hiss and click of the filtration/breathing apparatus audible for all, "First the Precept-Marshall says they cannot help. And now there is an Arbiter desiring to join the entourage to see Fel brought before the Emperor's Judgement." the last said somewhat smugly. Yes, the Marshall did intrigue her. Perhaps overt assistance, the mustering of the fortress was out of the question. But, one law man could (The Emperor willing) go where an army of their fellows could not.