The Price of Corruption

[Fangar]

OOC: Right there we go, we'll use the other thread for ooc discussion and char profiles etc. If you want to join post in the OOC thread first (unless you already have)

The Planet of Regelis III glimmers in the great void of space, the atmosphere is clear, or at least clearer than some imperial planets with their city size factories that spew out thick black smoke that smothers and chokes the population. Regelis III is different, its land mass isn’t dominated by huge cities with spires that pierce the clouds so they almost reach space, instead there are cites dotted across the planet with populations in the millions they are by no means small. The planets main attraction is trade, huge amounts pass through the system attracted by the low levels of piracy.

The small Imperial transport was stationary in orbit as it waited for its turn to descend through the atmosphere. The ship was the same as so many that waited in orbit, the traffic control in the space ports ensuring that landing were conducted properly. The transports hull was streaked with small scratches and chips, signs of prolonged use, its cargo and passengers were simple’s affairs small goods and insignificant persons. Silently the transports engines fired up, a low rumble that echoed through the ship. Slowly the ship began its decent the hull becoming lighter and lighter turning from dark colours to oranges and reds as the ship penetrated the atmosphere.

As the ship broke through into the atmosphere and entered the night side of the planet, the crew began the slow levelling out. With a roar the transport descended at extreme speeds the engines roaring as they compensated and tried to slow the rapid and gravity aided decent of the hulk of bulkheads that was the ship. Quickly passing though clouds the transport approached the city that spread across the land like a parasite. In the night gloom as well at the bright glow of the city a set of straight lashing lights guided the way to the space port, huge spot lights guiding ships in and out. The transport was illuminated by the light of one of these and it began it final decent on to the designated landing pad.

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From the tall spire that stood at the centre of the city, surrounded by similar but smaller buildings, the governor of the Regelis system sat in his high backed chair looking out the full length window in his office. The governor could be described as a man of average stature, though comparisons to a round ball have been made by those who look unfavourable at him. Despite this he governs the system with a firm hand, making up for his size with charisma and passion. Swinging back to his desk he turned away as another ship landed, the small profit that it would bring meaning nothing to the man.

He looked at various dataslates that sprawled across the desk detailing small events, a fire in one city, a slight decrease in the production of the gas extraction plant orbiting Regelis I, but of most importance was the report from the northern arctic pole of the planet. A research team had discovered ruins deep below the ice and were planning to dig down. With a look of deep concentration he read the report, smiling at its end. Perhaps it would aid his plans.

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As the boarding ramp slowly thumped to a rest, the hydraulic pumps releasing a hiss of escaping gas, the passengers of the transport slowly filed off, papers and such in hand ready for the check points waiting within the building of the space port. Amongst the crowd of passengers a man dressed in simple clothes hurried through the check point’s intent on his own objective. Ignored by the security apart from the checking of papers he was assumed to be some sort of messenger or perhaps someone seeking work. Silently he filed through, blending into the crowd of the busy space port.

[Adamare Von Libervitz]

It was another night on the world of Regelis III, the gloom of the planet a usual sight to all who lived there, the pollution from the various factories blocking out most of the light from the planets moon.

"Yet another night..." Inquisitor Steed of the Ordo Xenos muttered to his hulking companion, an alien Bounty Hunter, aliens were tolerated on this planet but only in the slums the Inquisitor now walked through. He was heading deeper into the corrupt and dirt filled under city, also known as ‘the old quarter’, it was a place filled with prostitutes, various dodgy looking dealers of arms and poisons and even the occasional gun-for-hire. The buildings consisted mostly of assorted hab-huts as well as some shops and the common sight of a tavern/inn where the factory workers went after a hard days work.

Steed strode into one such establishment this very night, his usual carapace armour and weapons exchanged for an ornate rapier, a tight pair of breeches and a white jacket lined with braids and two pauldrons. His cover as an off world merchant had helped him many times before but it was blasted hard being without his MIU linked melta atop his left shoulder, the gun having been removed with his armour.

The alien was none other than a relative of the famous Krashrak, also known as the Stalker; he had travelled with the Inquisitor ever since having his life saved during one of the Inquisitors more infamous exploits.

“So, you have information?” He asked the rough looking man sat before him, no one else taking any notice of such a large figure and his alien bodyguard, “depends, do you have the money to buy me some drinks” if that was all it would take them yes, the Inquisitor could see it was going to be a long night…

[aellyssyn]

Aelly had been sent to Regelis III only a few days ago to discover what kind of goings on were taking place there. She was also instructed to use any means necessary to put an end to any plots against the Imperium. She loved when she had the option of doing anything she wanted. That just meant she could blend in even more.

She had been briefed that there had been the discovery of some behind the back trade shipments as well as the discovery of some ancient ruins. She was to try to get in close with the Governor and see what he knows. Another part of her mission was to weed out a possible rebellion on the planet and quell the situation.

Aelly had done her best to look and act like someone of a little more importance than someone who was from the slums so that she could interact with more people with higher positions. She dressed herself in what seemed to be the norm for the status of the people she was copying. The people regarded her as one of their own. Some would try to sell her goods while others of higher status would look down on her.

[Fangar]

In the night of Regelis III the constant stream of people from the space port provided clear cover for those who would rather not be seen. With care the human who, dressed simply, passed through the check points quickly winded his way through the crowds turning down streets that would confuse and lose any strangers, but this man had planned the route carefully, memorising the turns and distances needed to be travelled. Finally he reached the destination.

A hab block built with imperial efficiency, it was the same as the one next to it and any one on many worlds. Walking up the worn steps the man peered at the list of residents until finding the one he was looking for; Jebediah Sturme. Pressing the button by the name the man waited, and then the speaker crackled. Leaning close the man spoke.

“Trust is not given…”

“…it is earned.” Replied the voice from the speaker, there was a click as the door unlocked. Entering he heard the door shut and lock behind him, unconcerned he mounted the steps walking to the first floor then the second until stopping on the third. Walking down identical corridors until he found the right one the man knocked. There was the sound of bolts and chains being drawn back then the door opened, slowly. Inside it was dark but there was a darker shape, one of a large man that spoke.
“Hands behind your head,” said the man, and there was a click of a weapon. The man did as he was told and entered the apartment with his hand behind his head, as the door closed the light came on and the large man with the gun lowered it and relaxed.

“Get those hands down.” The man put down the gun and embraced the man he had just held at gunpoint, “so what brings you to by humble abode Inquisitor Cavek.”

“Well I believe that this home isn’t yours and that it’s owned by a friend of mine and that I told you to be here.” Said Cavek with a smile, something quiet rare and was exclusively reserved for his closest companions.

The large man sat in one of the chairs of the apartment, “Yes well where you point I go. So what’s going on?”

“Soon, but first did you get my things?” asked Cavek, the large man nodded. “And if I’m not mistaken Drill Abbot Jebediah you do a lot of pointing yourself.”

Jebediah smiled at the remark as he rose and opened the door to a storage compartment before dragging out a large obsidian coloured case. Cavek approached and patted his friend on the back, reaching under his clothes Cavek pulled out a small disk held round his neck by a chain, his Inquisitorial Seal. Placing it in the front of the case the lid flipped open revealing dark coloured clothes, pulling these aside several weapons were revealed. A stubber with shot selector, a pump action shot gun and his force sword sheathed in a dark material that was engraved with various signs and signals. Reaching down he felt the recognisable hum from the hilt.

“Now will you explain?” asked Jebediah. Cavek nodded and the two sat round a small table.

“Well I was contacted by another Inquisitor about certain events on the planet several moths ago, and as you know I sent you here to check the temperature. After further investigation I decided to come here myself, that’s why I sent my things to you. I didn’t want to arrive and have the full fanfare job so decided to come by subtler means.

It appears that several key members of several organisations on the planet have been ‘killed’ during raids on illegal cults, implicating that they were members. But this doesn’t seem to be the whole story. That’s why were here to poke our noses in. But what is interesting is that a member of the Officio Assassinorum has been sent here.”

Jebediah sat bolt upright. “You’re sure?”

“Yes, without a doubt. Just as we are aware of their presence so too are they of ours but our identities are safe. She has been given a beacon” said Cavek removing a small box from the case, “the twin to this one. If their identity is compromised then they will activate theirs, letting us know. Their mission is to find and kill the leader of dissident groups, who ever that may be, and to aid us in our investigation if need be.”

Cavek finished and Jebediah just stared, “not asking much are you…I’ll get some drinks” Jebediah rose and began to search for two glasses.

[Adamare Von Libervitz]

“…and that was all they’d tell me” the drunken man across the table let out a stinking belch and lay back as the Inquisitor went over the information he had just been given. It seemed there were now two potential threats or allies on the planet as Steed saw it, one was an Officio Assassinorum operative whilst the other was another Inquisitor who had been due to arrive just this evening.

“Erm, would you come outside with me please Fredrik?” The large man across the table nodded wearily, he probably would have done anything in his drunken state, Steed and his alien bodyguard helped the man outside the tavern and led him into a dark ally. It looked as if Fredrik was aware of where he was for the first time “hey…this isn’t the tavern” he muttered as he clutched his arms around his shivering body.

Only the cracking of bone was heard for a moment before the drunken smugglers body hit the freezing cold floor, his neck completely snapped by the bounty hunters iron grip “come Gahrek, we have a meeting to keep” the pair left the body and began walking toward the governors office, behind them the smugglers body was set upon by peasants…

[luy22]

An Imperial Gunship, colored black with a shark face painted onto it's front, flew towards Regelis III. It passed several space stations and flew up and over some larger Imperial naval ships.

Zal woke up from a bump and looked around the interior. He was in his small makeshift bed, a few cloths on the floor with animal furs. He got up, rubbed his eyes and went to the cockpit.
"Care to be a bit more gentle with the flying?" The Kroot turned. "Oh, you would like to fly, Human?" Zal didn't know how to fly, and Ko was the one who stole this vessel in the first place. "Arg, nevermind, take us down easy, PLEASE. We don't need anymore local trouble."
The gunship shot through the flames in the atmosphere, avoiding all patrols. They passed the clouds and the glare of the bright city at night made Zal squint a bit. The ship finally touched down on a large laughpad. Above and below what looked like civilian landspeeders flew through the city. Jax grabed his bags as they got off the front boarding ramp. He looked around at this odd city in awe. He hadn't been to a Human civilized world for some time now.

The two walked along a rusty catwalk, up some stairs and walked into a large building. There was an Imperial Officer with two gaurdsmen at his sides sitting a desk. "Hmm.. xenos and Human.. What do you want?"
"We need a place to stay for awhile."
"Hrmph." The officer stared at the Kroot while he talked. "Very well, you're going to have to buy a vehicle from the garages though." Zal nodded, he and his companion turned to the door. Zal threw him some money. "There's a modified Imperial Thunderhawk Gunship out on that launchpad, anyone tries to steal it, shoot them. The officer nodded once again as they made their way down the hall to the airspeeder vendor. A large bulkhead door slid open to show a medium-sized garage. To the left were landspeeders of all shapes and sizes, to the left were bikes and jeeps and other wheeled vehicles. Zal made sure nobody was around so that his Kroot companion could hijack a landspeeder. The one they stole was a closed cockpit. They started the engines and sped out into the traffic lanes of the city, looking for a place to stay. "Thank the emperor we got out of that one, mate." The Kroot turned to him. "Yes, indeed." "And thanks again for bringing me back to Imperial space." "It was my pleasure, human." Zal nodded as their vehicle landed outside a tavern building. Zal and Ko got out and looked upon the tavern. Around them was the massive city. Since it was night, they could make out the faint distant shapes of large imperial freighters and warships. They both stepped into the tavern. Zal had his hand on his sword, just incase...

[Fangar]

Cavek and Jebediah sat and talked, catching up on events since there last meeting. Finally Cavek placed his cup on the table firmly.

“I think we need to pay a visit to an archive building to study the information that is officially released.” Said Cavek

“You’ll be lucky, during daylight hours they’ll not let you at the stuff you’re looking for with out….” Jebediah trailed off, Cavek knew what he meant he would have to use his Inquisitorial Seal and that brought all kinds of attention that they didn’t need at this point. “But we could leave now, I know of a way in.”

Cavek raised an eye brow and Jebediah explained that there was a maintenance access door below ground that they could break in through, the problem was that as soon as the door was open the authorities would know. “This would give us 20-30 minuets until the Arbites are knocking on the door; do you think it’s enough?”

“It’s better than none at all” said Cavek rising.

Quickly the two old friends went into action preparing them selves. Cavek slung his shotgun holster across his back, deciding to leave his sword, stubber and usual clothes in the obsidian case, leaving him wearing what he arrived in. Jebediah two collected his shotgun before tucking something into the folds of his habit that covered his large body. “This’ll help get us in.”

The city was quiet as they both stepped out into the street, Jebediah told Cavek to wait whilst he brought his vehicle round. Soon they were speeding through the streets the vehicle passing quickly through the dark streets of the city. Looking out Cavek saw allsorts of miscreants and beggars wandering the streets – the planets nocturnal population. Finally Jebediah pulled into a small dead end alley. Stepping from the vehicle Cavek felt the dirt of the alley crunch beneath his foot. Buildings towered round on three sides the brickwork black and stained by time and pollution. On the walls faded posters proclaimed the Emperors word: ‘Watchful Citizens are safe Citizens’, ‘Redemption is found through Service’

“Over hear” said Jebediah calling over Cavek to a manhole he was prying up, “Down we go.”

With a smile Jebediah led the way down with Cavek following, as Cavek slid the manhole cover they were plunged into darkness. Then below where he guessed Jebediah was there were cracks and faint glows began to remove the gloom. In one hand Jebediah held several glow sticks; he dropped them down to the sewer floor. Upon reaching the bottom Jebediah handed Cavek a small lantern probably only slightly larger than a grenade. Looking behind him Cavek peered into the gloom, the lantern in his hand only illuminating for around 2 meters before being swallowed by the darkness.

Leading the way Jebediah and Cavek travelled through the twisting tunnels, Cavek casting glances over his shoulder every now and then. Finally Jebediah stopped and put his own lantern down, turning to a grill n the wall he gabbed it with his large hands. With a grunt he pulled, the muscles beneath his clothes bulging. The grill bent then came free from the wall.

“Not far now.” Said Jebediah retrieving his lantern and stepping through the hole that the grill once covered.

After travelling for around 10 meters Jebediah stopped in front of a sealed metal door, the rivets covered with grime and filth. Just to the left a keypad jutted out of the wall. Removing a small black box that Jebediah had previously said would help them get in; he placed in over the keypad. Upon contact a small red strip lit up with 9 digit sets scrolling across. Slowly the 9 digits stopped. With each successful number found there was a beep that echoed through the tunnel. Then after 2 or 3 minuets there was a click and hiss from the door as it swung an inch from the wall. Pulling it open further a staircase was revealed with blue neon strips lighting the way. Removing their shotguns from holsters Cavek and Jebediah mounted the stairs.

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The governor of the Regelis system Sulla Amellius was pleased with the days work. The expedition in the arctic would begin excavations as soon as the equipment arrived. Trade boomed and everyone was content, at least for the moment. On one side of the room Sulla’s Head of security Dimitry Kristov stood unmoving.

“Dimitry did the secretary ensure the invitations to the ball were sent out.”

Dimitry nodded. Sulla liked Dimitry, he was loyal and steadfast obeying orders quickly and without question and showing amazing initiative and times that astounded Sulla.

“Could you have my motorcade ready, I’ll be leaving in a few moments.” Dimitry quickly began speaking into the comm. placed in the sleeve of his jacket.

Just as he rose from his chair to leave a small buzzing came from his desk. Pressing a button a screen rose up and a face appeared.
“My apologies Governor but it appears that 5 or 10 minuets ago the archive building on 33rd street in Haven district was broken into. Records indicate a maintenance door being accessed. From what we can make out until our connection was broken by whoever it is they were searching from information concerning the events from the past few moths and further back.”

“Thank you.” replied Sulla closing the communication channel. Striding from his office Dimitry followed, two more body guards who stood out side the door following. Walking down the corridor there were few others about, only a small staff that had to be maintained round the clock and those who were required to be there when ever Sulla was present. As they entered a lift Sulla spoke, “Dimitry I want you to take a few men and go to the archive building on 33rd street in the Haven district, and capture who ever broke in. The Arbites will have been informed so try to keep things as clean as possible.”

Entering his blacked out limousine Sulla lowered one window.
“I’m counting on you Dimitry.” With that the limousine sped off accompanied by the other cars of the motorcade.

[luy22]

The two walked through the tavern, and down more stairs and out onto the dark streets. "Those officers better be keeping an eye on our ship." Zal muttered. Anytime a begger came up to them, Zal pushed them away. Soon the companions walked over a bridge. Benath the bridge was a river and from here they could look up at the higher areas of the city. "This city is quite large." Ko said. Zal agreed.

[Adamare Von Libervitz]

“33rd street in the Haven district…” Steed mulled over this new information and let a sure smile become visible on his features; it seemed the governor’s head of security was heading there at this very moment.

Gahrek had tapped into the governors comm-lines and it seemed something had been discovered that might prove useful. The Inquisitor nodded to his Xenon companion “Gahrek, I think you may have to go into hiding my dear chap” the alien clicked its mandibles and spoke in a language made up of small clicks and roars “return to our hab-unit, I shall meet you there when I am done” the Xenos understood and began heading down the back alleyways of the city.

It seemed Sulla was sending his head of security Dimitry to take a look at the scene, he watched as the security officer and a few men of the governor’s security detail mounted an armoured Arbites squad car and headed toward the scene.

Slowly he walked through the quiet streets until he came across a rather large man-hole, taking a small object from his belt and typing in some co-ordinates until a beeping emerged and a map came up. It was a cheap roadside city navigator but it would tell him were 33rd was, and as he continued walking until he ran, the hunt was on.

[luy22]

Zal and his alien companion travelled through one large part of the Haven district, buying and selling goods to beggers and traders. It was now that dawn was rising. The two soon reached 33rd street and looked around. "This place sure is strange, aint it?" "Yes... It is." Ko replied. These buildings were very tall, as dawn rose, more skycars flew above like dozons of insects in a hive.