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The scrap of paper you have pulled out of your pocket is covered in obscure runes and sigils that convey no meaning to you whatsoever. You will need to search out a scholar who can understand these symbols, however it is unlikely you will be able to find one within the time you have on the planet during your investigations.

As you read the note, you feel a vague sense of unease that soon passes, and the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end for a second.

"Is this Jek fellow OK?" Var asks. "Is his hair supposed to be like that?"

"Me an' 'im grew up in dis hive togeva, tho I always been da tuffa one. He was on a table gittin pricked and torchered by da gang boss, wen i found 'em. E'll be foin once he gets some food an' a nap in em."

Uriah rolled his eyes, then stood up and moved over to the couch. "Well, while the rest of you were painting the town red, I went out and got a job, 'cause I though we needed the money." Uriah looks over to Var and his new outfit "I guess not" Uriah sighed at the hard work he did, only to be outstripped by his teammate killing gangers and looting the corpses. At least today wasn't a total waste. "I also saved a man's life, he was being attacked by two muggers. I chased them off, although I wished it didn't have to come to shooting at them."

"I also made some money." Isaac said sitting upright. "And I did not "paint the town red""

"Well, you painting something red" Uriah referred to the revolver that Issac had been examining earlier. However, he just shrugged and turned on the pict-screen. "Hey, if anyone of you are looking for something more steady, the Bloated Grox needs someone for their 'Drive you home' program of something."

The screen flicks on to show the interior of a rather clean looking Hab being built in by a group of mindless servitors, who are replacing the comfortable-looking furniture of the Hab with tables and chairs that are made of the finest synth-wood. One of the servitors is placing enourmous wax candles around the room, another is screwing an iron chandelier into the ceiling, and one is placing a couple of synthetic skulls in tasteful areas around the room. The walls are in the process of being painted a Matte Black and you see what appears to be a dry ice generator being installed in the corner of the room.

Uriah raised an eyebrow at whatever was showing "what the heck is this?"

Isaac's eyes roll around in thier sockits. A few beeps could be heard before a very metallic voice says "DOES NOT COMPUTE"

"Screw whatever this is" Uriah said, then changed the channel.

The pict-screen flickers, showing a completely different scene for a fraction of a Second. Only a few of you saw it before it changes to show an enourmous column of Imperial Guard arrayed in pristine dress uniform marching to a soul stirring anthem. The scene changes to show a unit of Imperial guardsmen firing their lasguns at an unseen enemy as the flag of the Laskinian 4th regiment flutters above them, carried by a smartly dressed soldier who is looking into the sky. The music continues and the scene changes yet again to show a priest of the Ecclesiarchy walking along the arrayed lines of a regiment, flicking holy water at them as he goes, a squadron of Leman Russ battle tanks rumbling behind.

The Scene changes yet again to show a Commissar sitting at a regal desk with two banners behind him - one with the symbol of Laskin emblazoned upon it, the other with the double headed eagle of the Imperium. He looks up from signing a sheaf of papers and rises from his seat, coming towards the camera. A gleaming bolt pistol shines at his hip "Greetings, loyal citizens of the Imperium. I am Commissar Caerahm Pallock of the glorious Laskin 5th Regiment. I want you for the Imperial Guard. Your nearest recruiting station is being shown below. Remember, it is every citizens duty to serve the Imperium of man, and there is no better way to do this than in the ranks of the Imperial guard, where you can destroy the enemies of the Imperium with fire and steel, where our foes are crushed beneath the feet of our infantry and the treads of our battle tanks. If you value your life, the lives of your families, and the Imperium, join today."

Var chuckles... "No one on the telepict ever said our new employeer was hiring."
He turns to the group. "How did you people end up in the employ of our new master?"

"I cannot say right now in these circumstances. I also wish not to say it. That is the past, this is the now"

"Well," Var says, "That's very scary. I was arrested by our master after trying to hijack a heavy transport. My crew and I used to make loads of cash on taking down the heavy trucks coming into our old hive."

"One day we saw a really juicy looking one and went to work. RPGs on the wheels, det cord on the doors, shot up the guards and escort vehicles very nicely. Inside wasn't thrones, it was papers, most of which were then burning."

"Who shows up right after? Inquisition Storm Troopers! They waste my crew, but I got away with nothing put a scratch." Var lowers his collar to show off a healthy las burn scar.

"M'lady captured me at the medic's shop two days later. I was told I owed the Inquisition 35 Milliion Thrones, and I could either pay up, or work off the debt. I choose work, since I'm a man of my word."

Uriah changed the channel again, then looked over to Var when he asked how they were employed to the Inquisition. "I wish I could say they took me for my skills, but that would be a lie. Back home, there is a Rogue Trader that visits the planet often, he said it reminded him of home. Part of his crew, a small family of void born, had ventured down to the surface and I guess the the people there didn't know what void born were, because there was a mob with torches when I got down to the market place. I tried to stop them, they get mad, I try to save the family. Locked ourselves in the church stockroom. after about three days, the Rogue Trader found out and started taking matters in his own hands, with help from certain Inquisitor we know. Nearly took her head off with the crossbow when she busted the door down. Good thing I'm a bad shot. So the family is safe, but know everyone on the planet wanted by dead. So I was offered a job here, and I accepted."

"as for me." felix looks up from his squabbling over the meager pay out.
" I was on the same crew that var ran with, i mostly picked up contacts and found buyers for our 'discounted' merchandise."
he turns back to the pile of thrones. " anyway the good lady traced it back to me after the operation went foobald. and made me an 'offer that i couldn't refuse' so to speak. either work for the inquisition or be shot for 'conspiring to commit heresy'. obviously i chose the former."
he pivots to face var. " you shoulda told me about the courier job, i coulda made some great profit from the looted gear." he says with a scowl on his face. " instead i got stuck blasting rats in the lower habs."

Var gives a comicly hurt look at Felix. "You were messing around the hab and I couldn't find you. I'll cut you in if we ever find Haartock."

Solomon turns around and in between pouffs on his lho stick, begins to speak. "Me past ain't nuthin eksightinh like yoo gents is, I was pulled from me penal fiyateem and told dat I was goin on a "suicide mission to earn me freedum 'n redempshun', Oi 'ad no idee dat dey ment dis gak."

"That's a fine point, and we know you'll do your duty," says Var.

Var asks Solomon, "How does one get to be on a penal fireteam?"

"I think a better question would be, what did you do to get into the penal legion?" Chazzick revised.

"That's another way to put it.." Var admits.

" I yoosta drive da Chims e'ereywhere, and after we 'ead back to HQ fer some fuel, we'd throw down onna bit cards an' gamblin such. I wagered me ol' months pay on me 'and, I 'ad da Ehmpra and da Astropath wif three Inquisitas, and the LYING DAWG HAD THE SAME 'AND FRUM ANUVA DEKK!!" He blared as he stood up, obviously worked into a rage.

His face flushed red and he sat down, continuing his story.
"Anyways me an' 'im 'ad sum words, an' by words I mean "fisticuffs" as da Commisar called it. I ended up killin da bloke afta he fell back on a Leman Russ shell. Roit thru 'is back, Eh,pra rest 'is soul. Soze dey told me it was eeder da legion or da bolt hole."

"That's quite an interesting way to get into the legion." Chazzick replied.

A sly smirk grew on his face as he queried "Anyone up fer some cards?"

"Not much of a card player, actually," Var stammers, as he subtly walks through the room until Felix is between him and Solomon. "Maybe one of the other Guardsmen is up for a game..."


"Well, chaps, I've had a fun day, but I should get some sleep. I recommend you all do the same."

Uriah sighed. Blackguards, everyone of them. He knew that accepting this job would take him far, far out of his comfort zone, but to work with such base villainy? Uriah knew he would simply have to endure these hardship and keep his faith in the Emperor complete. It's, however, unfortunate the the only other intelligent and morally stable person here was a Tech-priest who most likely hated the cleric's guts and...appears to be shorting out. He turned off then pict-screen, then waved his hand in front of Issac's eyes to test to see if his reflexes were still working. "Hey, are you OK?"

Felix's eyes light up at the prospect of some "honest" gambling. " why sir I'd love to play a hand, my half of the pay out from today's job against yours." the scum pulled a grubby pack of playing cards out of the recesses of his coat and places it upon the table.

"Great Idea" Chazzick said to Var as he began lifting himself up, "Good Night all.".

"Well Felix Imma take up yer kind offa, get ready to pay out!"

Isaac eyes snap to Uriah, as soon as the hand starts to move in front of his face. He grabbed Uriah's hand "Do not presume I work like such base technology. Or that I would be the 1st out of us to malfunction." He lets go of his hand.
"Get some sleep. You'll need it."

"And you two" He points at Felix and Soloman "I would think that you would be better served by resting than gambling. I wouldn't want to sort out a schism in our numbers from this little game"
Isaac goes and lays back on the bed.