The Thirteenth Hour - Part 2: The Carnival of Blood

by DM B  

Timestamp: 6.161.000.M42

Location: Xicarph, Quaddis, Golgenna Reach, Calixis Sector

Situation: Still looking for Xerza

Body: Somewhere below Inquisitor Karkalla dies a final death in the service of the God-Emperor. His heart still and his soul soars away to whatever fate awaits the dead. If the souls of the faithful really do go to stand before the Throne then Karkalla surely is one of those.

The elevator basket continues upwards (a few times it moves sideways, once it even goes down a bit) for a very long time. There are levers and buttons and whatnot that you can push, but without any knowledge of how it works it's jut as well to leave it to the fates to determine your final destination. Relatedly: Trying to make it out on foot would have taken weeks at best.

---

The basket finally comes to rest in a dimply lit room half-filled with a mixture of small crates and various junk. One largish door stands ajar, allowing light (daylight maybe?) to filter in. Haxtes remains motionless and hidden until he is sure the room is clear. Then you get up and exit the basket. Judging from the look of things this place is usually locked and quite possibly guarded - but the door is unlocked and open and there are no guards about. No live ones anyway. There are two dead ones lying behind some crates. Both have been savaged by something very strong. An orgyn perhaps? Did Heron and his men come this way and clear a path for you? One has a purse with a handful of Throne tokens in it, stuffed down his underpants, but otherwise there is nothing of any value. Maybe a few items of clothing if you fancy a change?

Peering outside you quickly get your bearings: You are in Xicarph. You can see the great crystal dome rising above the city, shutting out the polar cold. It's in the middle of the day - the sun shines brightly through the crystal panes of the dome? Or maybe it is night - at this time of year the sun is always shining on Xicarph. And the parties never stop. Something you remember from your briefing.

At the apex of the dome rests the Hub - which houses space traffic control, the Arbites fortress and the offices of the Colonial Regent among other things. It is the symbol of Terra's rule over this place. You may want to go there, but remember Karkalla's warning - the heretics have infiltrated the Adepta.

More specifically you are in the northwestern quadrant, the outer ring. Also known as the Collapsed Palaces. At some point there was a great disaster that left this section of the city in ruins - and it has never been rebuilt. Instead it has become what amounts to Xicarph's slum district - overpopulated, poor, without Adepta control, overly colorful, sometimes heretical. It seems even more filled with people and color than you would have imagined. An people seem in a very light and festive mood.

The spaceport lies on the far side of town btw - at least twenty-five kilometers as the cyberraven flies, but much further on foot. You not even sure if going there would be of any use at the moment.

---

You need to decide what to do. Try to find Xerza's man. Look for the Heron. Contact the authorities. Learn more of the city and it's people. Look for other Haegum agents. Just be careful. They got to you before, they might do it again. Come to think of it: Be careful with the telepathy - it all started out with some astropaths. You don't want the same to happen again.

But first of all: You need a bath. Some stitching. Food. Drink. And preferably some sleep. It might sound like luxuries, but there is no telling what challenges await - and your current physical and mental state is not conductive to epic endeavors.

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Categories: Adventures, Chapter 3 - Tattered Fates, Adventure 3.1 - The Thirteenth Hour Tags: grand festival, quaddis, xicarph
 07/14/12 02:00:00 pm,

71 comments

Comment from:
Haxtes, whos physical state( He spends most of the time mortally wounded and on drugs), Plans to get in contact with the maiden, he can eat, sleep and get band aid there. ( Lets not get started on the mental bit just now.) As for the plan, it has not changed, it is to find the mistress and get her bacon out of the frying pan. Now if she has left a agent here to meet Haxtes then that agent must have a plan for contacting Haxtes when he comes dirt side, and the only place he can be sure Haxtes will come is the space port, so Haxtes goes to the space port by public transport, he gets a cat on a stick from a street vendor.(makes good eating) He will contact the maiden and get a pickup from the space port.
07/14/12 @ 14:14
Comment from:
The Collapsed Palaces sector does not have much in the way of public transportation. Most people walk. The more well-off (there are not very many) hire rickshaw carriages. You stop by a street vendor on your way, ordering some cat on a stick and some beer to wash it down with. The vendor, and old and balding man with very dark skin, inquires if rat will do. But when you insist upon cat he manages to find a skinned and gutted specimen of what looks like cat. Quickly cutting it into pieces with a large cleaver he dips the meat into three mixes of curry, puts it on a spit and then sears it on a hot-burner. It tastes surprisingly good. The beer is lukewarm and stale, but given the circumstances it washes the cat down quite nicely thank you. While preparing your meal the old one is constantly talking about the Grand Festival. You're not really paying attention, but your trained mind still pick up a few pieces of info: It is the time of the Grand Festival (aka the Festival of Tattered Fates, the Grand Carnival of Blood, the Passing of the Black Star, etc). A social event that takes place only once ever five or six decades, as the heavenly bodies of the Quaddis system aligns just so (the Grand Conjunction), throwing the world into an extended solar eclipse. Xicarph is overflowing with the rich and powerful and their retinues, plus hordes of wannabe rich folk from all over the Golgenna Reach and beyond. They are partying like crazy in the never-ending daylight of Xicarph's polar summer. It all ends with a masquerade ball that takes place during the following eclipse - the common people just rave through the streets wearing masks, but the lords go to an elaborate party in the Colonial Regenct's palace - the Manor of Gabriel Chase Haarlock... You take the rest of the cat with you along with another bottle of piss-warm Chango and go looking for transportation...
07/14/12 @ 16:40
Comment from:
Ah a belly full of curry cat (Haxtes would have eaten Rat but did not want to disappoint the local culinary expert), a bottle of piss-warm Chango in his hand (thrones in his pocket to call home), walking down the crowded streets looking for a way off this planet before the carnival of blood starts (there will be cultists and worse there Haxtes thinks). Life is good in the dark millennium.
07/14/12 @ 16:49
Comment from:
Now that you're out of immediate danger your body has time to catch up with all the bad stuff that's happened to it :-) The worst part is your foot. It throbs like Nurgle has taken up residence. Putting pressure on it is nearly unbearable (and Haxtes is NOT a whimp - he normally thrives on a bit of pain). You stop to ascertain the situation near a make-shift fountain . It's more like a broken water-pipe actually, but the locals have dig a pit around it an lined it with masonry. Not pretty, but functional. Locals, mostly women, come and go with loads of fresh water. The most killed manage to balance entire barrels of water upon their heads. "Please sir" a middle-aged but till attractive woman in colorful skirt and blouse addresses you "I see you are in need of some cleaning, but if you would just step away from the fountain I would offer you a bath in the privacy of my back yard." You catch your reflection in the water: Your face i very gaunt and very very dirty. A cake of blood, filth and beard. The rest of your body is no better. "Please."
07/14/12 @ 18:10
Comment from:
Just to make Haxtes`s priority and plan clear: It is to make it back to the maiden.( Transport, rickshaw if he can`t walk) If Haxtes cant make it back, cos he is wounded( Then he will try to find drugs to keep him going and or bandages) If he is dirty he will clean of the worst of it. If he needs new clothing he will buy some ( If he has the thrones if not he will kill some poor sod in a dark corner and take clothing) Trusting even talking to strangers that he does not talk to first gets him to a new level of paranoia. ( the reason for this is as you have pointed out: There is a cult here hunting him and they have gotten him ones already and they are good at what they do, far better than Haxtes is) when faced with opponents that are better than you, you run or you die.
07/14/12 @ 18:28
Comment from:
Ah, yes, I think that his priorities are very clear and that his motivation is very strong. I just keep hinting that his status is less than optimal (actually it pretty shitty). You've had some food and drink. You've tried to clean up - but now this woman doesn't want you to soil her drinking water. Same goes for the rest of the crowd - only they are not so polite. Just looking at you sullenly. If you manage to get cleaned you might be able to purchase passed on a rickshaw. But you'll need to kill or steal to get enough funds for the entire journey. And nothing of this does fix your fatigue or wounds. Anyway: If you want we can fast-forward through the city. I'm sure that Haxtes will make it one way or the other.
07/14/12 @ 19:31
Comment from:
Haxtes point of view: He knows from the Inquisitor( and I quote:-): Be very careful Haxtes - these heretics have infiltrated the Adepta here on Quaddis and their warp-powers are considerable. Trust no-one but yourself. Find your Mistress. Then call down the wrath of the God-Emperor upon these heretics. The Deathwatch. The Malleus. Whatever is required.- Thats a big order of fire the late inquisitor ordered put down on this planet. 1.So they know every move Haxtes has made, guards are dead( with money on them to help him along) 2.The leader of the cult let it be known that he knew Haxtes was there but let him go. 3.They let him meet the inquisitor and they let him escape so why ? Haxtes thinks the answer to that question is so that they can follow him to the one lose end they have( no not Haxtes) The mistress, now that can be wrong but that's hes working theory. Following that line of thinking then meeting with a contact is a bad idea, leading them to the mistress is a bad idea. Getting back into orbit and regroup seems like a good idea. No need for you to fast forward, Haxtes takes in the sites and files it away for later.
07/14/12 @ 19:48
Comment from:
Poor heretics - so much distrust coming their way all the time :-) --- You settle for a quick wash - grabbing a metal canister you empty it on top of your head. Rivulets of filth flow down into the street. You haven't been this dirty since wading knee-deep in the bodily fluids of the dead in the Gorgonid Mine on Sepheris Secundus. A robed man with a fiery red beard (going to silver) pushes through the throng. Or rather his two flagellants makes room for him by lashing at those blocking his way. He shouts out: "Leave the man be witch! Can you not see that he is one of the righteous. He wants nothing to do with your kind." The woman sets her fist on her hip and retorts: "Am I a witch now? Because I offer to wash a dirty man? Or is it because I whore for a living? Get lost Obadiah Psalter, we do not want YOUR kind here."
07/14/12 @ 20:58
Comment from:
Heretics has it hard I agree no overtime and the boss is a devil :-) As the washerwoman/ witch / whore and the good father(burner of children) haggles over the price of a good whore or burning( Haxtes don`t stay to find out) Haxtes slips away from the crowed and finds transportation.
07/14/12 @ 21:02
Comment from:
You dodge the couple and hobble your way down the street, only to come face to face with some street muscle and their boss - and bald man with multiple facial tattoos. Between your let, your attire and your smell you're ticking out like a sore thumb - or a drunk, blood-stained heretic in a templum full of Sororitas. "Careful there mister. You lost? In need of something to clam your nerves? Papa Grist can help you if you got the coin." The world has started to wobble and spin. It feels like the fates are conspiring to draw you down into the mud. The harder you pull away the more outlandish the characters they send at you.
07/14/12 @ 22:40
Comment from:
"I know just where I am sweet cheeks, I`m right where I want to be and you and your worms are in my way." Haxtes start shooting before the wobble and spin takes him down. P:s The fates can take it up the ass :-)
07/14/12 @ 22:46
Comment from:
How did you know that fates like it up the ass? Oh, that's right, you've played with them before! :-) Your lightning quickness and unerring accuracy is transformed into a slow syrupy dance and an blast form the shotgun that's more or less completely random. You think you hit something, but it might have been someone else than the goons. Next thing the shotgun is twisted aside and a shock glove is applied to the side of your head. Normally anyone trying a move like that would had one head less and you would have been untouched. But these are troubled times... Darkness. --- You dream of monsters. People. Those things that Haarlock kept under the House of Dust and Ash. Pale things with swollen bellies, massive noses and stubby legs. They wear hats and masks and pretend to be nice - but you see them for the trolls they are. --- Voices. "I am NOT a witch you moron. My mother and my little sister was, and they went on a ship to Terra, but I'm NOT. I even have a letter from the Arbites proving it. It has a seal and everything. How many times must I say it!?" "If not a witch by nature, then a heretic by association." "Please you two...clam down or I'll have Crackmarrow and Bliss do you both." Darkness. ---- You wake upon a hard wooden bench. Bodily status: Better. Mind: Better, but a little confused. Soul: Steadfast as always. The criminal is there. Then one you tried to shoot. He has some small pellet-wounds in the face, but is otherwise unharmed. "Ah, our patient is awake. How are you feeling sir? Between the two of them I think Obadiah and Melua managed to fix your foot and the other injuries. You're also full of stimms right now, but I see such substances are not unfamiliar to you. They are on the house." You're reasonably clean. Your clothes have been roughly mended. They hang on a stool nearby. "Crackmarrow has cleaned your guns and honed you blades. That las-lock is pretty ancient - it could fetch a good price with the right sort of collector." The priest and the whore appears through a doorway. You're in a smallish shed that seems to serve as the whore's bedroom. From the next room you hear the sounds of a small bar. "We realize you are no doubt in a hurry - but we would ask that you listen to us before you go. It has to do with the Beast House slavers and the Heron. Afterwards, if it was a waste of your time, I'll make it worth your time sir. A hundred thrones and a carriage to the edge of the district."
07/15/12 @ 15:50
Comment from:
You dream of monsters. People. Those things that Haarlock kept under the House of Dust and Ash. Pale things with swollen bellies, massive noses and stubby legs. They wear hats and masks and pretend to be nice - but you see them for the trolls they are.- one can not outrun this type of monster, they are nimble more nimble than is natural on those short and stubby legs , mind you there is nothing natural about them, no sir. "I`m not in a hurry at all what ever gave you that idea, I`m here for the carnival, I`m going as the assfucked hobo. But for a hundred thrones towards my costume and chango budget I`l listen to a tail about beasts and birds "
07/15/12 @ 20:59
Comment from:
"I'll explain then." He holds up a hand to stop the whore and the priest from speaking. "You healed him, but get to do the talking." Another thug enter the room carrying a brace of Chango and some more skewers of cat, this time with some vegetables in the mix. "A street rat saw you crawling out of the Beast House hole. He came to me. And I came to see you. Had to see what kind of man could make his way out. See if you had some tale to tell - or if you cold be of use to use. That simple really. Only you were in a pretty bad shape, but you had spunk. So I had Obadiah and Melua here put you back together. She's not a witch" he looks hard at Obadiah "but her mother taught her some medicine, no? And Obadiah here helped drive out some 'unclean spirit' or some such." He takes a swag of Chango. Obadiah and Melua use the short pause to start arguing. She talks of your wounds and the things they pulled out of our foot. Obadiah talks abut the dark spirit that was sucking your dry of life - but he banished it back to the outer dark by the light of the God-Emperor. Papa Grist continues: "As you say we have a problem with beasts and birds here. Specifically jackals and herons." Melua: "I'm telling you again: Marcus Vulpa is NOT the cause of all this evil". One of the thugs gives Melua a little bitch-slapping. "Shut the fuck up Melua. I'm doing the talking. This Marcus was a local boy - and one of Melua's favorite customers up until a while ago. He was a nobody, but he had a big dick and the balls to use it. Got mixed up with the Beast House, but he was no-one special up until a couple of years ago. Then he started making all these off-world deals and bringing in crazy xenos beasts like you've never seen. Rose in the ranks and became one of the Quaddis House masters - the Jackal. Then he starts getting into all other kinds of shit in the Palaces. MY kind of shit. The House has always had a presence here - the Palaces is where they haul things up and down from the Red Cages - but they never crossed onto my turf. And here come Marcus the little shit and I can't even touch him. You know why? Because if I do my men get eaten by xenos predators. So I go see my go-to guy and he say he'll get help for me. And he does. Sends a dozen bruisers loaded for ogryn. Worst crew in all the city. And you know what happens? This other slaver, this Heron mask just appears out of nowhere and the bruisers start fucking killing each other like they all gone insane. Vilest sorcery I ever saw in my life! So the Jackal takes over my business and makes it so that Meluas business dries up completely. He wants freebies or she's not having any customers at all. So Meula here becomes a washing lady and wise woman. What a step down the social ladder! And what's in it for the Heron? Well lo and behold, he's something of a preacher himself. Creates himself quite a congregation. First here, be then he moves on to more opulent areas - and the Jackal follows with him. What we want is some god-damned justice. These two folks have screwed this neighborhood royally and now they are doing it to the rest of the city. I want them dead and I'm willing to pay good money. And I think you're the man to do it."
07/15/12 @ 22:57
Comment from:
"Well that was a fine story, they do sound like dangerous men, killing hard men left and right, Now I don't understand why you want to bring me into this, I`m no bruisers loaded for ogryn, I cant even shot that shotgun straight ahead. No you don't need me you, I`m here for the carnival, you will see me out here every day drinking chango and eating rat" "I was on my way to the carnival and this place to get drugs and chango when I fell into a hole in the pavement and spent throne knows how long to climb back out of those basket tunnels" "You can keep the laslock and shotgun as payment for the spirits and all"
07/15/12 @ 23:14
Comment from:
Mye god humor her nå! --- With a sight from Papa: "You tell him Obadiah." Obadiah: "There is more. We - all three - have had recurring visions of your coming. I didn't recognize you beneath all the filth, but Melua did. And before you say something: I'm a trained priest. I was born and raised on Maccabeus Quintus, Drusus' sacred world. I've traveled many places and seen things. I know the difference between visions and false dreams or witchcraft. We all saw a man coming up from below. A man who had broken free of slavery. A liberator. A destroyer of enemies. A hero." Melua interjects: "You are like a spider, are you not? Dark and deadly? Crawling up from below to sting your enemies?" What a funny crew. They are talking about good ole Parsifal. The blood of Haarlock. Symbol: Black spider. Crawling up from the Red Cages below. Yeah, if you were him you'd no doubt top to help them and reap some 'glory' in the process.
07/16/12 @ 09:57
Comment from:
Haxtes looks at the trained priest: " I get those type of visions too after a few chango and some putrid rat on a stick with extra hot sauce" "I don't understand Melua, are you on drugs ? I know I`m a little worn but I dont look like a spider do I ?" "If thats is all, then I`l go out side and sit in the light and have a beer, work on getting my costume back to hobo standards" Haxtes gets up to leave
07/16/12 @ 10:11
Comment from:
Haxtes sits down outside on some garbage and drinks a chango and sums up where he was, where he is and where he is going. He knows that the mistress was/is here and that she was/is in some sort of danger, but that was months ago if not a year, Haxtes don't know. He knows that the beast cult, has xeno, witch and maybe warp help and that they are good, the best Haxtes has ever seen. He knows they let/helped him escape and that they have controlled his every move to make him come here. Haxtes knows that the leader had him cold down bellow, He touched his mind and after that by some miraculous event Haxtes knew that he had to go to the mistress. under the big sign that said fenced in prison. There was no mistress but a friendly inquisitor( a long time friend and confidant of the mistress, Like Globus come to think of it), the inquisitor knew who Haxtes was and(naturally) spilled the beans right away- told a fine tale and then said that he needed to run to his mistress post haste.(helped him escape, gave no money but he did have a convenient melta bomb to make a fine diversion). After taking the basket here(convenient that it stopped where the guards was killed and had money for Haxtes, almost like they where pre programmed)' Then out of the blue a friendly trio takes Haxtes down and spin a even finer tale, asking him to take money just to make sure that he can travel where the cult is leading him. Haxtes opens a new chango and takes a long pull. The cult is leading Haxtes towards something and so far Haxtes has played along like a nice boy, but no more. Haxtes will stay right here. He will not go near the maiden, the spaceport, or the cadre. no need to let the cult get there hands on more of us is there ? He concludes that he has been compromised and therefor cant trust that the cult is not controlling not just his actions, but his mind. Haxtes finish the beer and open a new one.
07/16/12 @ 11:44
Comment from:
The more Haxtes thinks about it the more convinced he becomes that he is indeed being manipulated. That someone is indeed trying to steer your fate toward some specific end. The feeling of manipulation is so strong you can almost feel the tattered strands of fate being woven around you, trapping you, pulling you in. But just by leaving the good Samaritans behind you feel that oppression lifting somewhat. You haven't really paid much attention of all this farseeing business of Tancred's, but you've learned one thing: Directing the events surrounding just a single person - you in this case - is singularly difficult. They can try, but as long as you stay ahead of their little game they can't force your fate. The chango tastes quite good. When water dripping from the roof is all you've had for months chango becomes damn good. In fact, chango is quickly becoming your no. 1 brand.
07/22/12 @ 22:43
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You've left the shotgun and the las-lock behind - much to our saviors' consternation. You've also refused their money. On the plus side you've got several blades, large and small. Recently honed. You're clean, you're clothes are on semi-dirty, you're not dying of injuries - and you're well fed and watered.
07/22/12 @ 22:46
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Haxtes takes the smaller of the blades and cuts a nice cut on his forearm, savoring the pain and missing his pain glove. On the subject of the one ting Haxtes has learned on mind control: - difficult yes, impossible no, and as for the trying part they have so far done very good so good in fact that Haxtes cant notice when they are in his mind. Haxtes knows that the second he knows that he is compromised he must fall on his sword and part the veil for him self, its the way of the veiled hand. Haxtes looks on the blood dripping from his hand, makes a second cut to clear his head. Falling on swords are a bit dramatic(And useless) for Haxtes taste so he knows there is but on path open to him, return down to the beast house and start killing them until they are all dead or they kill him. (when they are all dead follow the path to where they are hide when not in the beast house and follow the kill them all plan). Third cut seals the plan, it is good, It is Haxtes and Haxtes alone, killing in the darkness- it can be no other way. Haxtes gets up and walks to the basket room and takes a basket down below.
07/22/12 @ 23:06
Comment from:
Oh it will be beautiful. It is the end of being a pawn of others. It is the end of following, being led and the role as prey. It is back to the basic of giving and receiving pain, and Haxtes knows pain. Its back to hunting. It will be rivers of blood, it will be the life, ambitions and dreams of his enemy's flayed and laid bare before him. They we will know fear, pain and death- and it will be beautiful. Nothing is more beautiful than a fearful death, the veil parted and a bloody gift before Haxtes`s gods throne. oh it will be beautiful.
07/22/12 @ 23:58
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Falling on you sword would not work - Fate Points! You'd just wake up in bed, care for by some simple and goodhearted clerics of the Imperial faith :-D --- Pulling some levers and pushing some buttons Haxtes sets the elevator basket on a course for the underhive. Or so you hope - you've no idea how to properly set your destination...
08/25/12 @ 11:57
Comment from:
As Haxtes descends into the bowels of the city he can feel heavy chains of fate slipping away. Whether it is some psychic effect going away or something more fundamental Haxtes cannot say for sure. What IS sure is that once again you a free to do as you and the Emperor wills it - your fate is once again a tattered sail torn by stormy winds, and no longer bound to the dictates of this Heron-masked man. Or it could be yet another deeper level of manipulation...but you cannot really believe that (despite your natural paranoia): For if it was true it would mean the Heron is as powerful as a god and would have little use for these ploys in the first place.
08/25/12 @ 12:14
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Haxtes blinks his eyes, feeling like a month has passed, like a long sleep has been finished. It is time to let blood for the Throne, for the mistress and for Haxtes. They will know why they fear. They will know death. Oh it will be beautiful (It will be just retribution, always is).
08/26/12 @ 08:25
Comment from:
Now that the grip of the Heron Mask upon you fate you are once more a free man (relatively speaking). And along with that freedom comes a greater appreciation of your surroundings. As you flutter through the halls and corridors and tunnels and walkways your other sense start to pick up the beat of the dark heart of the city of Xicarph. Vast unseen mechanisms linger in the deep, power flows along strange conduits, and great tracts of the underhive are arranged like a great clockwork. From time to time it will rearrange parts of the subterranean landscape, in ways large and small. Towards what you do not know, but it resembles in no small part the other mad workings of the House of Haarlock...
09/24/12 @ 07:59
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Haxtes hunts the hunters, using a variety of techniques and whatever arms he can lay his hands on. It is back to basics. To before the Veiled Hand. To when he first learned to hide and hunt and kill. You don't need fancy techniques or fancy weapons - you ARE the weapon. Without your murderous instincts you would be here. That is why you survived Protasia, that is why first the Hand and then the Inquisition sought to use you. And the Heron Mask. But you do not easily serve. If you did you would not be the man you are. You serve only those you choose to serve, and only for as long as they honor that bond of loyalty. The list is very short. You serve the mistress. Not the Tancred fellow, not the Inquisition or the Imperium for that matter. Perhaps you also serve some higher power. Khaine. The Emperor. Both. Neither. It is not decided yet. You could be entirely free of course. You could run and not look back. You could find old Tobias and really be best heretics forever. But you've tasted that freedom and found it lacking. What purpose is there in freedom? Freedom to do what? Loose yourself in an orgy of blood? A lifetime of depravity and excess? Become a sorcerer of chaos and loose your self and soul to the warp? Give up your flesh to the grandfather of all in return for life eternal? No, that way only damnation and ruin awaits. You would not pursue 'freedom' only to end up a slave to darkness. Nor is the middle ground and option. You could take the Maiden into the Koronus Expanse and never be seen from again. You could conquer a lost world. Start your own dynasty. Drink fine local wines. Gouge on local food. Ravish the local maidens. Then wither. Die. Turn to dust. Be forgotten. These things are not for Haxtes. You are your own man and your purpose is death. But you will choose to make those deaths matter. You will choose what to make of the time allotted to you, what destiny to purse. You will NOT merely be another leaf on the winds of change. Your fate will not be a tattered strip of cloth - it will be a great banner proudly and defiantly unfurled before the storm.
09/24/12 @ 08:22
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During your rest periods you dream. Ominous dreams. In one dream you are back on Solomon, floating upon the raging acidic sea, clinging to a piece of wreckage for dear life. When the storm finally still it is only for the worse - for now you can sense the gargantuan shape slowly rising from the dark depths... Next you in the deserts of Iochantos. Lost and blinded by a sandstorm your only hope is following some of the shale crows to the nearest source of water. Not a good thing perhaps, seeing as how the Crow Father likes to act through those wicked birds. But as the wind dies away the crows scatter, scared away by something emerging from below the sandy dunes... Your are on Acreage. The city of Olrakan is under siege by the joint armies of Prince Orcan's enemies. But worse: The streets are walked by men who are not men. The Worms that Walk have come among you to reap their gruesome harvest of human flesh. You've holed up in Olrakan's cathedral, praying for a miracle, praying for the Angles of Death. But they do not come. For even the Astartes fear that which now rises from below the still dark waters of the swamp. It dark light consumes all - human and slaught alike. Only a handful of men are left alive - if men they can still be called; their flesh has been marked and their eyes are those of beasts.
09/24/12 @ 09:26
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On to more pragmatical matters: You could stay down here forever. Stalking and killing. But it would be an exercise in futility, because it will accomplish nothing. So at some point it must end. Anyway; through a little bit of interrogation-torture and a whole lot of observation you've come to believe that your fellow inmates may have escaped the dreary underhive: Perhaps they are now caught up in the Heron's web, perhaps not. If they are...better them than you! Of more interest is a familiar psychic presence. Faint, but detectable. Since your little fling on Corax you have had a rather intimate bond. Saving you from having to grope around in the dark it does. Odessa is down here, keeping a low profile, but definitely searching for something - you perhaps. And where Odessa is Ignace is never far.
09/24/12 @ 14:23
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Clockwork town of Haarlock does indeed sound like something Haxtes does not want to know more about, but he fears that he will know a lot about it before the end. Tobias is Haxtes lifeline, until Haxtes kill him (or joins him) that's his way out and freedom does not sound that bad - just a tad boring. Haxtes don't like dreams; they are the whip that the mind control bastards use to influence and control actions. Yes, the stalking and killing in the dark must come to a end - if Haxtes's target is no longer here (Heron Mask) then Haxtes will move up after him. The blood hunt ends when the target is bleed out. He will not contact the other prisoners (he sees no need to have to baby sit them). He still doesn't feel safe and sure that he is not under some foul influence to contact Odessa. But of all the cadre the two of them are the best so they don't need Haxtes to babysit them.
09/24/12 @ 15:22
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No need to contact her. If you know she's here then she knows you're here. Simple as that. If she really needs you (and what woman doesn't?) she can send you a letter or something. Maybe a carriage to pick you up. You ascend to the streets of Xicarph again. Days have passed since last you set foot her. Days have passed and the mood of city has changed for the worse. Where the was once gaiety and merriment there is now a sense of urgency with a strong undercurrent of violence. Something dire is about to happen - only it is not the calm before the storm, you're already caught up in the high winds. Those dreams of yours...they are not dreams at all. They are premonitions. Something is coming. To Quaddis. Soon. The citizens of Xicarph sense it too, even if they do not realize it, caught up in this traditional celebration of theirs. --- Haxtes moves through the city, more or less at random. He glides effortlessly though the crowds. His appearance changes as he goes - best not to fall to deeply into any one role. You are armed with whatever suits your guise. A few blades. A gun or two. Yourself, the most lethal weapon of all. You've avoided any attachments and entanglement, but you've little to go on regarding your prey. Where might he be? What are his goals? How to frustrate him? --- Even the Arbitrators have come down from their fortress high above. They try to help the local enforces keep a semblance of order around key objects. In that they are largely successful. But their numbers are too few and elsewhere chaos reigns. --- You spot more members of the cadre. Jarra acts the part of a brawler, defeating an endless series of commoners braving the ring to win a few coins and the accolades of the crowd. Maxi hobbles around as the circus moron - he makes a fine display of it, going around filthy and bare-chested, his hideous scars from the slaught attack giving added credibility to his part. So the cadre is in place. Waiting for something.
09/24/12 @ 21:59
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Before Haxtes can find his target ( or his target finds him) he needs to get a message from the dead inquisitor Karkalla out to the ordos xeno and maleus as he wanted.(Ordo hereticus is out in force and out in deep water as usual so no need to message them) Haxtes will go to the Abrites fortress and see the head judge, give the message and make sure it gets sent. That way the Throne can strike at this planet even if Haxtes fails in killing the Heron mask.
09/24/12 @ 23:43
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Speaking of the Law: A squad of Arbitrators drive past on heavy bikes - including one with a sidecar and heavy bolter mount. While a Precinct-Fortress will have many weapons in the armory they only break out the military-grade hardware when the situation has become very grim indeed. Do you wish to make contact with the Judges here on the ground or do you have some other plan for getting up to the Precinct-Fortress high above?
10/02/12 @ 12:09
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The Inquisitor probably wanted the message out as soon as possible, so Haxtes will make contact here below and ask to be taken to the fortress.
10/02/12 @ 14:53
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You hail the Arbitrators using a few simple gestures you've picked up during Haegum training sessions - most Precincts will have their own signs, but the basic ones are pretty universal. It's not a perfect mode of communication, but it's good enough for having them notice you without Haxtes doing something that would attract unwanted attention. The chastener squad stops and deploys in a defensive formation. Their leader, one Proctor Ramiles as declared by insignia and nametag, queries for your name, ID and intent.
10/02/12 @ 15:02
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"I`m a agent of his Imperial Majesty`s most holy orders of the Inquisition and my intent is to be escorted from this place to your leader in the fortress, it suits me to leave at ones Proctor Ramiles"
10/02/12 @ 15:05
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Since you have no symbol of office or any other way to identify yourself you are subjected to an ID scan: One of the officers pulls out an auspex-like device that reads key biometric data and compares them to the Precinct's ID-ledgers. His whirs and hisses and clicks as it processes the data. You wonder for a moment what Venus would have thought about such a primitive - yet functional - device. Abrites officer: "Sir, I have two probably matches. One for Rogue Trader Jax Guilliman. The other for Lord Inquisitor Melbinious, MIA, presumably deceased." He holds up the scanner for his superior to see the results. Proctor Ramiles: "Well Sir, whomever you are you warrant a trip up top." Turning to his men: "Gunders, double with Malk." The heavy bolter gunner vacates his seat, freeing it for Haxtes. He locks the bolter in fixed position first - you don't think you're supposed to tamper with it :-)
10/02/12 @ 15:39
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"Thank you Proctor Ramiles, time is of the no small importance so please as they say step on it " Haxtes eyeballs Gunders and looks down on the tiny bolt that locks the bolter in place, Gunders knows that his beloved bolter is a pin pull away from abuse from the nasty Inquisition man.
10/02/12 @ 16:05
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His beloved bolter, fingered by a stranger...I hope you see how bad that would be! :-D Speed is mediocre at best. People generally get out of the way for the Judges, but the streets are crowded and the crowds rowdy. A couple of time the officers lash out with shock mauls and one time stun gas is used, but those are the exceptions - the rest of the time you flow slowly forward, aiming for one of the main avenues that will bring your to the cupola's edge. Speaking about the cupola: High above, beyond the crysteel glass panes you can see two planets slowly start to align across the polar sun. The festival will reach it's culmination once all the planets and moons blot out the sun.
10/02/12 @ 18:51
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Approaching a largish square filled with party-goers you see that there is something amiss: The crowd is becoming agitated and fearful - like the people have sensed danger and is slowly reacting to it. More and more people are starting to move directly towards you, pushing forward to get away from the square. They are no threat to you, but they do slow you down even more - and you are driving toward whatever has them running scared.
10/02/12 @ 19:01
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"Find a way around this crowd Proctor, we can not get bogged down"
10/02/12 @ 20:42
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The Proctor considers for a moment, then barks out a series of orders. Most of the judges get off their bikes, switching them to autopilot. The wedge formation tightens up into a speartip of heavy bikes and riot shields. Shock mauls rise and fall. Shields knock people senseless. Bodies are run over by bikes. It's very effective. Proctor Ramiles' squad is very disciplined and well trained, you have to give them that. The pressure lessens as you push into the square proper. It's a couple of hundred meters to each side and filled with stands and booths and tents and whatnot. Several arterial roads converge here, plus numerous minor ones. There are still hundreds of people about - either they are oblivious to whatever danger the others perceived or they are too dumb drugged or drunk to care. In the heart of the plaza there is a mammoth statue of a saintly figure. It's features are remarkably similar to those of Parsifal of Acreage. Your guess is that it is a statue of one of the Haarlocks. Perhaps the fellow that colonized this place. Not that you're a savant or anything, but your gut feeling tells you that it is so (and by 'gut feeling' we are talking about your intuition, not the other gut feeling you get when stabbed in the gut with a sharp object).
10/03/12 @ 08:25
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The judges mount up again. Perched high up on the statue's shoulder you see a hunched figure. Its form flickers and ripples - one moment it's there, the next it phases out of existence or becomes just a blurry smudge. You can't really make out any details at a distance of more than 300 meters - but your experience tells you it is a hunter. A hunter searching for his prey. No more than 50 paces away a familiar face dashes from the cover of a tent to that provided a tinker's stall: Jebediah Octavian Hoare. He's followed by another familiar face: Melua, the prostitute/witch/whatever from the slums. Quickly you reevaluate the situation: Some of the remaining people have remained behind on purpose. A mixture of trained hunters (Beast House people) and another group (as yet unknown). They are blending, hiding, waiting. Not for Jeb or Melua, but for the thing that hunts them. For a moment you can feel fate trying to wrap it's clammy fingers around you again... Proctor Ramiles: "Move out. Maximum cruise." And with that the judges carry you away from the scene, steering towards one of the arterial boulevards that will take you to your destination. You have wind in your face for the first time since entering this accursed city: It takes hold of your gray locks (has it really been that long since you cut your hair?) and tussles them. Twisting, tossing, turning. A symbol of your own tattered fate...
10/03/12 @ 08:48
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Fate is what you make of it, until you reach the end of the line, and then its over no need to put more into it than that. Haxtes fights the world fang and claw all the way, he knows there is a price to pay for make your life a killer and a render of souls He will be back down here soon, after the message is sent and he has re armed, the hunt will go on- until the pray is dead or the end of the line is reached. Haxtes smiles as he curls his hand into a fist.
10/03/12 @ 23:03
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Soon you are rushing along a wide raised boulevard, aiming for the edge of the dome. Incredulously the road continues up a ramp and up the wall of the dome. There is a heavily armed Arbites security checkpoint at the junction. You are allowed to pass :-) Your chauffeur explains, with the conviction of an ignoramus, that grav plates - much like those found aboard starships - line the road. That's why you can drive straight up the wall.
10/04/12 @ 09:16
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The colonial command cupola occupies the apex of the dome - a ribbed lump of ceramite and crysteel. What passes for Adeptus presence on this world can be found here - flight control, orbital command, astropaths - the Adeptus Abrites. The bike carries you to one particularly grim-looking part of the command complex - the Precinct-Fortress. It could probably hold a 1000 judges in relative comfort, but you suspect their number is but a fraction of this. 100? 200? Not much than that. You've taken to see the local Marshal. Under a heavy guard mind you - they don't know exactly what to make of you. Only that you're important enough to warrant a visit up top. Marshal Grimes is...something of a surprise. He's in his riot gear, but his helmet is not on so you can appreciate his rugged features. He looks so much like Maxi's unrefined brother that it's either a cosmic fluke or closely matching genes (yes, Haxtes knows what a 'gene' is - it's the holy code residing inside the body that decides exactly how different people look - mutants have deviant genes', therefor they are no longer fully human). Grimes, looking up from a dataslate (no doubt containing information about you - such as they might have): "So, who are you young man? Are you really an agent of the Holy Ordos? There is no way you are this Lord Melbinious, but Proctor Ramiles seems to think you might still be affiliated. And what is your relation to Rogue Trader Jax? You match genetically, but a closer analysis reveals you are not him."
10/04/12 @ 09:29
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"To start with the last first, I have every confidence that the enforces of our beloved Throne can put together a team of investigators and come to the bottom of the mystery of how two men can have a genetic match, but are not the same. As for your second point I`m not Lord Melbinious. I have a message for you, your astropath and your 1 officer from the noble lord. As for me I`m a Interrogator in the holy Ordos. So if your 1 officer and head Astropath can come we can get this show on the road."
10/04/12 @ 15:11
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I'm guessing that the officer you're asking for would be the ranking member of the staff of the Colonial Regent of Quaddis? There is no Regent of course, haven't been for years, but the staff is alive and well - and presumably has a leader. Let me know if I got that wrong! --- A man steps forward. You had taken him for a minor tech-adept, but apparently he's not: He's an astropath. It has been a while since you miss-evaluated someone so badly: You should get your act together. Robed man with empty eye-sockets: "He speaks the truth. He is related to Trader Jax. He is not Melbinious. And he is indeed an Interrogator of the Holy Ordos. He is also death's right hand - his coming has been foretold in many of my readings of late." To signify his last statement he flashes one of his Tarot cards - Death in the guise of a black-clad assassin.
10/04/12 @ 22:15
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No no - the judge's first officer. If all powers of darkness agree that the adepts are compromised Haxtes will keep contact to a minimum. "Right adept now that you have cleared that up, I`l' let you in on a little secret, we of the Ordos don't like witches like you blabbering about us, who and what we are. So from now on speak only when spoken to, ok? The throne commands you to send a message to ordo xeno and one to ordo malleus from the lord Inquisitor Melbinious. Stating that the adeptus are compromised and that the planet's fall to Xeno/warp powers is imminent and that appropriate guard/Astartes forces are needed. (If the late lord gave Haxtes codes he passes them on if not, then it just has to go out on the lords good name :-) After that you Marshal Grimes will send a message to what every fleet assets the Throne has in this system putting this planet on a strict quarantine. No ships in our out without orders from the ordos. Then you will give me access to your Armory. After that you let me out to get on with my job and then Marshal Grimes you seal your self in here and keep the light of our holy throne shinning as long as you can."
10/04/12 @ 22:31
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OK. Marshal Grimes is the head Arbitrator on Quaddis. Maybe I didn't make that clear enough. And the robed dude is the head astropath. So I guess that you don't need a third man? --- The blind man nods. He looks rather pleased with himself though. For having finally met the man in his cards so to speak. Grimes: "The planet has no naval assets. Only a planetary defense grid controlled by the office of the Colonial Regent. I'll be sure to pass along your orders and make sure they are understood - and carried out. Astropath Nomar: "There are ships...owned by corporations, rogue traders, high officers, nobles of distant worlds...they could be called upon to defend Quaddis if it comes under attack." Grimes: "Yes, they could. If they have the balls to stick it out for one another. I rather suspect they will take aboard their charges and flee at the first sight of trouble." Astropath Nomar: "I think you underestimate the peers of the Imperium." Grimes: "Perhaps. But experience has shown the high and might to fight only when there are no alternatives." Astropath Nomar, looking grave: "This time there may be no alternatives Marshal. As we discussed previously - the warp has fallen deathly calm and I suspect that any ship trying to travel away from here will get nowhere." Grimes. "Again, I have never heard of such a thing. But I will grant you the benefit of doubt this once." Astropath Nomar: "Neither have I, neither have I. But it is still there; the dullness in the warp that weighs so heavily on my mind and turns my signals into whispers." Grimes: "Very well." Turning to Haxtes again. "We shall do as the Lord Melbinious wishes, but for it to be possible the Ordos must help us." Nomar: "For weeks now a strange calm has come over the warp. I thought that it might have to do with the Conjunction, but if so the effect has never been described before by any of my predecessors. I've not received a single message for many days. I can still send, but it doesn't reach very far - not to the closest world by a long shot." Grimes: "We have discussed asking some of the ships for aid. Those with their own navigators and astropaths. They won't be able to travel very fast or far, but if we can string them out and use them as astropathic relays we might just be able to get a signal out." Nomar: "But we lack the clout and authority to make them cooperate. But with the will of the Inquisition behind out 'requests'...are you willing to put your Lord's name to this task?"
10/05/12 @ 13:10
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Btw: You didn't get any codes from Karkalla, except the one secret cipher he used to identify himself with. But if you use the 'Lord Melbinious' name in your transmission it should set all sorts of red flags off over at the Tricorn.
10/05/12 @ 13:20
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Once you've decided what to do Proctor Ramiles will take you to the armory while Grimes goes to the Office of the colonial Regent and Nomar tries to get a message out.
10/05/12 @ 13:45
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No need for a third man, it was just a precaution in case of traitors. "You can use the Lord Inquisitors name as you like, this situation is grave and it merits a grave response. You know best Marshal what needs to be done when a planet is likely to fall to the forces of darkness, I`m sure you have protocols to follow and prisoners to give the Emperors mercy so that they can not be sett free if your fortress falls. I will leave that up to you, same for the blockade and message out, that is your table not mine. After going to your armory and signing out a few items I will go out and bring the light of the Throne to the warp spawns behind this. They may think them self safe from harm here in the eye of warp calm. They are wrong." "I will stop by after arming and hear your progress report, oh I forgot marshal if any one stand in your way implementing this feel free to shot them, the crime is heresy, the verdict is guilt by association, the punishment is death, signed Lord Melbinious"
10/05/12 @ 21:15
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The Marshal looks exactly like the type for this kind of job! He goes about his business while the astropath attempts to make arrangement for his astropathic relay. Ramiles takes you to the armory. It's fairly well stocked with typical Arbites equipment, but before you turn into a mini-Maxi Ramiles has something to show you. A standard Imperial container sits to one side. It is locked with a curious mechanism that includes and inert servo-skull. It also bears the spider emblem of House Haarlock. "The contents of this container was taken from the Manor of Gabriel Haarlock and locked away at the orders of the Inquisition, following the death of the last Colonial Regent. It is only to be opened if there is a new Regent." You can see the Inquisition seals. They are unbroken. Only to be opened by the rightful Colonial Governor of Quaddis they say. By orders of the Holy Ordos. The seal of Lord Inquisition Melbinious was used, pressed into the still-warm flexiplast used for the purity seals.
10/05/12 @ 22:51
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Well it get opened now that's for sure, no need to have it here. Apart from that Haxtes gets two bolt pistols, plenty of ammo, a power blade, a mesh Armour( can be from the evidence room Haxtes don't care) a Camilioline cloak. a few hand grenades and some knives, first aid kit, rope, well you know the usual kit.
10/05/12 @ 22:56
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Indeed I do, indeed I do. The servo-skull comes to life while you are examining the seals and a greenish scanning ray plays across the room. It lingers for a moment on Haxtes, completes the sweep, and the the skull speaks: +++ Identity confirmed. Disengaging safety protocols. Stasis-field cooldown initiated. Vortex charge disarmed. Stand by... +++ The locking mechanism starts to unwind and the doors swing open to reveal...
10/05/12 @ 23:09
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a room with a ledge above the door ? :-) Sorry had to post that :-)
10/05/12 @ 23:12
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Of course there is a ledge - with a daemonic spider lurking...but Haxtes is so cool that it doesn't dare attack but flees to the warp, taking the ledge with it :-) --- +++ cache unlocked. You may proceed Interrogator Guilliman. Compliments of Lord Inquisitor Melbinious. +++ The servo-skull self-terminates. A pale light fills the container (OOC: It's pretty much a standard cargo container like you find all over the world - only this is a STC container mind you) revealing it to be filled with all sorts of stuff. Books, scrolls, artwork, jewels and other bling, various melee and ranged weapons, fine robes, a nice walking stick, a compact wortex warhead, a stuffed xenos beast with six legs - it's kind of cute, like a house-cat with two extra legs. A nalwood-looking pistol case sits upon a crate of high-quality amasec. The Haarlock symbol is upon the lid. Inside are two bolt pistols. They are exact copies of There Will be Death and There Will be Blood. You can kill with any bolt pistol, but these two kill even better.
10/06/12 @ 18:09
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There is a variety of ammunition available for the pistols (can of course be used with ANY bolt pistol, not just these two) - standard armour piercing mass reactive explosive of course, but also Kraken-pattern penetrators, Metal Storm-pattern proximity fragmentation (you haven't tried those, but they are said to work well for crowd control), Plasmatic-Incendiary, and most interestingly a set of Hellfire bolts and a kit designed to allow them to be loaded with a variety of toxins and chemicals. You also get a good laugh when you see a box of rubber subdual bolts...
10/06/12 @ 18:17
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No not the ledge, not before I got me 5 copper :-) oh well life goes on . Haxtes grabs his guns and smiles a wicked smile. "Sometimes fate fucks you hard but sometimes it gives to tool to hand out a good fucking too" "Proctor I`l need access to this case after the fortress gets sealed do you have a safe house or something that it can be placed in ?"
10/06/12 @ 18:18
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Haxtes dont use rubbers :-) but a part from that he brings the load kit, poisons and two mags of each type.
10/06/12 @ 18:20
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A variety of hunting/sniping weapons are mounted on one wall, including two las-weapons that could work well for Haxtes. One is a very heavy model and the other a standard type Haxtes is already familiar with.
10/06/12 @ 18:22
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Haxtes takes the one he is familiar with and asks the Proctor to have the other one transferred as a back up to the safe house.
10/06/12 @ 18:24
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The standard Imperial container is 12 meters long, 3 meters wide and 3 meters high. Even when empty it weighs several tons. Ramiles: "I can arrange to have it brought to any location of your choice. Either a city-mansion if you have one, the spaceport or one of the Arbites strong-points down in the city." The man has, for some reason, gone down on one knee and is averting his eyes from you. Having a worshiper is always nice, but why this behavior.
10/06/12 @ 18:28
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"Get on your feet you look like a two throne whore on her knees, ask your boss if you lot have a safe house something used for undercover work or the like and have it shipped there, And keep it quiet I don't want every cultist in this shit pot of a planet to know where it is" "
10/06/12 @ 18:31
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"Thy will be done Master." He gets up. The walking stick turns out to have a hidden power blade, a one-shot bolt launcher in the tip and a miniature power field generator in the hilt. The generator is so small it can't last long if the field is attacked, but its a nice touch. Not something you'd carry while prowling, but Baron Illeville has use for such items. You don't have time to rifle through the thousands of item inside the container, but a few more catches your eye: A series of portraits in various styles and formats. They all depict a man looking a lot like yourself. In one 'you' are a Speaker at the Quorum of Protasia, in another a Flag Lieutenant of the Imperial Navy, there is even one with a greenclad Space Marine that has your features. You in a greenish robe with symbols of the Grandfather cunningly woven into the fabric. You as a black-clad Interrogator of the Ordo Xenos. Several more. These are normal portraits - not the psycho-reactive type that Parsifal found on Solomon. Weird. You gather more mundane items from the armory. Knives. grenades. There is no fine xeno-mesh for you, but a armoured jumpsuit is almost as good. For good measure you add a leather-and-flak coat and a light carapace helmet with photovisor and rebreather. Anything else before you go?
10/06/12 @ 20:44
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Ramiles: "We do not have any chameloine. Best I can do is one of these holo-projectors. It's used by Arbites observers and snipers. Works best if you're stationary and is a bit bulky..." It looks useful, if a little clunky. A box that can be strapped to the forearm or put in your belt. Plus some wires and projection nodes. Oh well, you to it into your utility bag.
10/06/12 @ 20:58
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All things Haarlock are weird, Maybe life is a cycle and Haxtes has walked this path before, maybe its all a cunning scam. who knows. Haxtes puts the portraits back. and turns to the sniveling two throne whore. "It will do, now what do you have in the personal shield section(Haxtes does not mention the Barons new fine walking stick) ?"
10/06/12 @ 23:42
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The judges have a few semi-portable shield generators available, but these beasts are not something Haxtes wants to carry around. Proctor Ramiles to the rescue: He offers you the use of his 'symbol of undying loyalty to the Throne'. Which turns put to be a adamantine necklace of the Imperial two-headed eagle. Cunningly woven into the amulet and chain is a miniature shield generator. Ramiles claims that it's always 'on' and that it's save his life more than once. He also claims it doesn't require any power to run, but that it will shut down for a variable amount of time if overloaded. Once he was shot five times at point blank range with a heavy stub pistol and there was not a scratch on him. If - and you're not entirely convinced - his claims are true this trinket is nearly invaluable, for it contains several greatly miniaturized archaic technologies. And how did your two throne whore come to own such a trinket? It was handed down to him by his fellow conspirator - an unbroken line of Arbites that have watched over the container for generations, waiting for a servant of Lord Melbinious to return. As was foretold no less.
10/10/12 @ 14:15
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The outer door opens along well-oiled tracks. You're fully kited. You took the time to consume two field rations so you're hydrated and fed. No crippling injuries. No mind-numbing fatigue. In other words: You feel great! You take two steps forward and then you are falling towards the city below. The dome recedes behind you and the buildings grow bigger by the second. The people in their garish party-clothes are less visible now that darkness is falling, replaced by the countless light of a city of millions. You pull the chord and aim for a suitable landing spot. Been a while since you last did that. Must have been back as Sepheris Secundus. Nasty piece of business that. But so is this. Then again...when is the business of the Inquisition NOT nasty? What now?
10/10/12 @ 21:21
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Foretold indeed, just another Harlock cult. Nasty ? I have no idea what you are talking about all in a days work. Now, Haxtes needs to find his target,(and kill it) hopefully before the planets align and the whole place goes to the Eye in a hand basket(But Haxtes does not place a lot of faith in hope, so it will most likely be after but the deed is the same and a corpse is a corps) So eater the targets cult will lead him there or the "Friendly" helpers will tell all so back to the square. Oh and if Haxtes sees that hunter thing he shoots first and asks later... much later( more like never). So in short plan is to find lead cultist, before planet falls if possible, no price too high, no amount of dead maters, just the targets death.
10/10/12 @ 22:17


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