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H hastened to his "master's" call. He quickly offered an arm for support. Carefully, he threaded the old man through the crowded train car towards the engine.

Whisphering in his ear, Lachanal asked H "You see anything strange?"

H tried to open their senses to the world around them. The smell of a women's perfume used to cover up her body odor. The sound of the electricity buzzing through the cables powering the train. The body language of a nearby adept who was fidgeting through his notes, memorizing and preparing for some future task. The thin veil of age old grime clinging to the small window wells and distorting the natural light into a twisted greyish haze. Lachanal's weight pressing on his arm, indicating that he favored his dominant leg while walking.

H let their intuition and senses guide them to anything amiss in the close by surroundings as they proceeded towards the front of the train.

"You're letting me roam freely in the train? How generous of you!" joked Parsen.

He waited for Lachanal to turn around and dropped his fake smile. As much as he didn't like being given orders or directives, looking around the train for potential threats was indeed a good move. That being said, with his eternal paranoia and his rivals wanting him dead, any wagon could turn into a murder scene very quickly. Going alone was dangerous.

"Tch. I'll show these weaklings what Parsen is capable of", he mumbled to himself.

Lighting an actually good cigar he kept for outside the streets, he opens the door and goes through it, blowing a thick yet subtle smelling smoke out of his mouth and nose. Grabbing Mirage under his raincoat, Parsen presses on.

Chapter 2: Out of the Fire, Into the Frying Pan

As the train starts to depart, you hear the zip zip sound of a long las ring out, followed by the sound of many zip zip sounds...likely return fire from the PDF guards. You see panicked civilians running in every direction for a few seconds. But then the train picks up speed and you lose sight of it all. Into a tunnel...into blackness. Down into the lower levels of the hive and the lands beyond.


Despite your chaotic escape, the train ride goes smoothly and un-eventfully. The passengers all seem like perfectly normal Imperial citizens, though many are nervous and rattled about a lot of the troubles that have plagued this world as of late (though none will speak too openly about this) .. the collapse of interstellar trade, high military tithes, another influx of refugees fleeing the approaching Hive Fleets, the persistent threat of the cults, and the paranoia of the ruling authorities in ruthlessly dealing with anyone perceived to be an enemy.

Lachanal is able to speak to a train officer, a short young lady and gets some general information on the security situation.

"There have been a few scattered attacks of late, mostly in and around the hive. Sniper attacks on officers, bombings, active shooters, that sort of thing. The cults know they can't seriously threaten the Government, but they're still trying to sting us whenever they can. Some of the Intel people think that the recent activity has something to do with the Hive Fleets moving into the sector but no one knows for sure. Who can understand the madness of heretics eh?"


A few hours later, you arrive at an idyllic small town in the country. You board a bus and then another hour later with some common men and women who appeared to be Strausberg's servants.

Finally, just before evening you arrive at the estate of Strausberg.

At Strausberg's Estate

It was a lavish home built in an architectural style comprised of wide arches and white walls, reminscent of ancient Terra's "Mediterranean region."

The home sat near a large artificial lake on one side, while all around one could see large fenced in fields, barns, and grox herds.

Once you arrive, you are greeted by a man you quickly identify Strausberg himself. He was a tall man with dark hair and a deep flowing dark beard, and he was in a suit of fine navy blue. He wore a decorative sword at his side and wore a strange arcane device around his wrist, likely a refractor field.

Strausberg was flanked on either side by two of his trusted advisors (you would have known this from the files the Inquisition provided you in advance):

Lady Ankara was an ancient woman that had lived well over a hunder years but looked to only be in her 60s thanks to rejuvenation treatments. She wore a longflowing purple dress extravagent jewelry, and long flowing white hair. She rose to prominence through marriage but was a widow now, and had seemingly forged an alliance with the young and ambitious Strausberg.

The other man was in fact more machine than man. He was also old...but unlike Ankara, also older looking, had a hunched back and had numerous augmetics. Large bulging augmetic eyes, and augmetic limbs. He covered it all up in a long brown robe and always looked down. This man's name was Tezzle. A disgraced former Tech Adept that was rumored to have been slated for conversion into a servitor after he displeased his masters but somehow ended up part of Strausberg's retinue instead.

"Greetings friends. Welcome, welcome!" Strausberg called out pleasantly. I hope you had a pleasant ride coming here, and I apologize for such short notice, but as you know, these are trying times and the hour is getting late my friends."

He motioned his his servants to approach.

"Please make yourselves at home. My servants will show you to your rooms. You can wash up, and we can all meet in the dining room for supper in say a standard hour or so."

Tambo was quite relieved as they left the train station without getting involved into the shooting, still wondering a bit of how targeted that whole ordeal really had been. A thought he shares with Lachanal and the others during their ride. Apart from that he enjoyed the view from the windows, chatting a bit of small talk now and then, if the situation arises. Overall the others would get the impression of... an old soldier who was just following his orders as they came, not expecting answers to the bigger "why?"s as he wouldn't get any thruths to that from his superiors anyway. If that is indeed true, it makes him kind of predictable as he would likely not question the necessity to kill somebody or hesitate to do so, if it was necessary for the job. Meanwhile every one of his companions would have enough empathy to come to the conclusion that he wouldn't hesitate to try and kill one of them if ordered by the inquisitor either - nice chats or budding friendships having no place in that decision.


As they arrive at Strausbergs estate, he stickts to the "foreign primitive soldier, who doesn't understand too much" routine, smiling and nodding alot and bowing deeply to Strausberg and his consorts, looking to Lachanal for potential orders. He tries to get at least a rough impression of the wereabouts of potential exits and entries of the estate and the surroundings to have two or three promising escape routes, should things go sour unexpectedly and otherwise just settles in, while the others do the talking.

"Aaaaaand here is the man himself. Strausberg, you rat...", thought Parsen. "He doesn't seem to recognise me. That's for the better, it's not like I would be welcomed if he did. Well, better blend in for now."

After Strausberg's introduction, Parsen follows a servant to his room. He decides to keep all of his gear on him before entering the bathroom, leaving Mirage right outside the shower, and entering it.

During all this time, Parsen checks the rooms. Fine aesthetics: it looks like Strausberg's ambition led him far. Further than expected, and he wouldn't be as weak and vulnerable as he once was.
It also means he survived his "baptism of fire" of business, and life as a whole. He would be very much aware of his surroundings, and would consider everyone as a foe, or at least a rival.

"Hell, was the shower the first of a series of traps? What if he kills me during me sleep? I won't let you have that pleasure you bloody Ogryn brain!"

He storms out of the bathroom, wiping himself and dressing in an instant, and makes his way into the lobby, expecting the others to arrive any second now. Hand firmly on Mirage under his raincoat, he waits in a corner, scouting his surroundings. To relieve stress, he lights another fine cigar, having finished one whole during the train trip.

After the introductions and time to settle in, the group is treated to a lavish dinner in a massive dining room.

The room and table could easily seat upwards of 50 people, however this time around it is just your group, Strausberg, his advisors, and the myuriad servants, both human and servitor moving back and forth to bring ever more exotic dishes to the table...not to mention Amasec which would have a very sweet and rich taste if you chose to indulge in that oldest of vices.

Strausberg and Lady Ankara each pepper you with small talk throughout the meal, questions about your homes, your mundane business dealings, past exploits and battles. They feign interest in what you say but it is clear that this is all for show.

Tezzle meanwhile remained silent at his seat at the table and looked down, his long cowl concealing as much of his face as possible. He neither ate nor drank anything.

Eventually, once everyone had had their fill, Strausberg beckoned for the servants to shut and lock the doors of the dining room and bid them good eve.

Strausberg. "Ahh now that we've all had our fill, it is time to get down to business." He looks to Tezzle.

"I trust this room is free of recording devices?"

Tezzle looks up and moves his head, focusing his large bonocular looking augmetic eyes on the room and each of you. Then he looks to Strausberg.

"One of your confederates...the officer has a recording device embedded in his eye. However, apart from that the room is clean."

Strausberg nods. "Well...Lachanal is it? I trust you will keep your recording function turned off now. It is afterall, as much for your protection as it is for mine."

He stands up.

"Now gentleman. For those of you not of this world, I will tell you a little of our history. Politically speaking, there are only two men on this world that matter. Governor Louisy and Cardinal Richmond. They've been here since the beginning...built this world up from nothing. But over the years they came to suspect eachother, and eventually..to hate eachother. Only one man could balance them out and keep the peace, the renowned Gaussenberg of the Administratum. Gaussenberg was a mutual friend of both men, and did a lot to smooth things over in the early years. But alas, Gaussenberg did not survive the heretic incursion that we suffered through so many years ago.

After that, the suspicions and the hatreds returned, and deepened. In truth, I will say this. The only reason why our world has not desceneded into full scale civil strife is because of Admiral Summers and the Imperial Navy Fleet she commands being stationed here. But alas...you all know what is coming. The fleet and many of our world's best fighters will soon be departing to join in the counter attack against Leviathan. And once that happens, Loisy and Richmond will have free reign to wreck this world in bloody civil war.

And that is why I have brought you hear today. I have a different proposal. It is simple...you will complete a challenging task for me within the next two nights. And after that I assure you that Loisy and Richmond will be comfortably removed from our world, with their lives AND their honor intact. Then when that happens, I will ready to step in and accept an appointment as the new governor of this world. A world that will steafastly implement the reforms of the Primarch Guilleman, and ensure peace and propserity for all our citizens.

Now what is this task that I ask you to complete?

He beckons to Tezzle who activates a holographic projector embedded in the table. A green light emits from the projector and you all immediately see a 3D projection of a compound of interlinked buildings each emblazoned with the symbol of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Then the image zooms in past a large steel blast door, narrow winding corridors, up an elevator shaft, down another hallway, and into a small room with a massive room sized cogitator bank.

"This is a high security Adeptus Mechanicus facility not far from here. Within it is a cogitator bank that controls many important things on this world. I need you to bring Tezzle to this cogitator so that he may access to it for a short time."

"The facility is well guarded by a compliment of combat servitors and skitarri rangers, and it is highly unlikely that you would be able to bribe them, so I am prepared to help disguise you all as cultists so that it will simply appear as a random attack.

"However, you each have your talents, and your resources. So I am giving you full operational control to plan and execute this mission as you see fit. As long as the mission is completed within the next two nights, then our mission will be a success, and our world will be able to save itself from a civil war...and you all will be WELL COMPENSATED by my new administration.

Lachanal had indeed turned the device in his bionics off. If anyone could ever access this, then he would be finished. He knew full well what he was doing thanks to an old trick of his: no amasec due to injuries, allowing him to remain both polite and fully operational while his vis a vis speak their hearts.

He leaned a little back on his seat to listen, and suddenly stiffend and gripped to the table when he heard that they where supposed to basically hijack a mecanicum cogitator.

He was thinking of a joke for a moment, and was full of doubt, questions, and anxiety. This was no combat crew they where. himself, though skilled, was crippled. As he was not a mecanicum official, he would need to get some form of order...

As the de facto leader of this motley crew, he felt he was the one who had to ask the questions:

"Strausberg... Even at my position I've got absolutly no idea what those things they control could be, I need to know what they are."

He left a little silence, but felt like he needed to convince strauberg it was important and a thought sparked as his brain was churning mad to find some sort of plan.

"If you can tell me, I might be able to take get some access or acquaintances through either the mecanicum or people linked to the services that are linked to these "important things". Otherwise, have you actually ever visited a mecanicum compound? These are only second to the Governor's own chamber in terms of security.

Besides, in terms of fighting force, what do you offer? Maybe at least a distraction?".

Lachanal immediatly turned to his comrades "Feel free to comment or ask questions gentlemen, it is now or never, in two nights time, we won't have any surplus of time to ponder or reconsider what we do..."

He noticed a shark's grin on Parsen's face, and a thoughtful face on the Tambo and Harlowe...

Lachanal didn't get enough time to both wrap his head around what he heard just now and think of his past - or present - loyalties, but a faint sense of "that Strausberg could very well be a wolf in a sheep's skin" screamed at the back of his head...

Just as Lachanal, Tambo had a bit of an odd feeling in the back of his had. Infiltrating and potentially sabotaging a Mechanicum node that might as well control the whole defense network of the planet right in front of a Tyranid invasion with cults running around on the planet - and "cultists" as cover up proposed by Strausberg - sounded an awful lot like exactly the thing a cultist leader would try. But he was called here by the Inquisition, so much was true at least for Tambo. So he was willing to take the risk and trust that the Inquisitor knew what he was doing and that Strausberg was just an "ambitious" noble. He scanned their host and his friends with a questioning look, than got up to closer inspect the 3D image of the compound adressing Tezzle "Can you zoom out again... turn it 45 degrees east... close in on this crevice... back to total... highlight this corridor..." and so on, starting to get a grip on the layout of the compound, potential access and exit routes and so on. Of course it was very different from his usual terrain, but in the end the tunnels and walkways were just another labyrinth like a jungle or swampland, with the advantage that the walls likely won't shift every so often.

"How many skitarii and combat servitors are present? And if they manage to sound an alarm, how long till the defenders can expect reinforcements? And can you provide further equipment? Combat Servitors are tough, I doubt that we have the firepower to handle more than one should it come to that. A krak grenade or two or some hot-shot rifles might help wonders. Also breathing equipment would give us a lot more flexibility with the access route as we could go through shafts that are not ventilated.

Lachanal listened to Tambo's questions. They were wise, but Strausberg, apparently, still wouldn't answer. He would wait a bit more, but something was off. To be fair, Lachanal would have to try and learn a bit more from Strausberg latest whereabouts... While tambo was still talking, he leaned towards Parsen "Parsen, would you be able to contact friends of yours who'd have delt with Strausberg as of recently? He seems... odd."

He then leaned towards Harlowe and passed a paper with a message disguised as a plan of what was showin on the holographics "we all now who we work for I suppose... Do you think we can contact them? Something's off"

As carefully as possible, he was trying to get everybody to ask the most acute and hard pressing question they could.

"I hate that guy's guts. If it were only up to me, he'd be dead by now, replies Parsen to Lachanal. I'll contact Markov to see if recent deals have been concluded with me in recent times, I'm not aware of everything."

Hijack a Mechanicum complex? That's more a death sentence than a mission. Especially for an old man like Parsen: he was cunning and mischievious, but nothing of a fighter himself. He could call his goons for support, for sure, but what about his reputation? If they failed, Parsen would die to the Inquisition, and if they succeeded, his name would be sullied for all eternity. Surely it would be his downfall.

Or... He could somehow start a gang fight around the manufactorum. He had plenty of rivals and making sure the building would be mistaken for a base of his own would be no small task, but still possible. And it would be easier to disguise it, compared to a full on attack.

Time was of the essence though. Markov would have to act quickly, and well. Not having things in control was a gamble, but it was the best thing Parsen could provide for the mission.

He briefly lets Lachanal know of his intention to call Markov, then gets up.

"Tch. I hope they know what they're doing. That bastard might as well be the end of this Emperor forsaken world, he thought."

"Give me a second. I will come back in a few minutes, he says, pointing to the corridor leading to the bathroom. You know how these sicknesses hit you, he winks at Strausberg."

"I hope he lets me leave and contact Markov. Otherwise, we're screwed."

H read the note and shook his head. He was confident the Inquisitor would want to keep his hands clean. That was why they contacted them, to be disposable pawns. It wasn't the first time, or the second, or.....

"Do we know the personnel who can legitimately access this site? We may need their assistance, willing or unwilling, to access the site?

Is there regular resupply or other in and out-activity? How far can do they penetrate the installation?"

How is the station powered? Is it an internal or external power source?

Where do the loyalties of the residence lie? With Richmond, Loisy, or some other planetary figure? Are there any exploitable members of the staff with dark secrets best left uncovered?

As an Infiltraitor, his primary process was to locate someone with access to the site. Then, acquire their assistance as an inside man, or simply replace them; and then go from there.

However, this complex was hardened much more than most Guild Trading Houses or Noble Compound. Plus, the "non-human" nature of the Machine Cult made impersonation much more difficult. He was certain that firepower would be ineffective in their mission, it would require subtlety, discretion, and stealth.

Strausberg's expression faultered as the questions and doubts poured in.

For a moment he didn't know what to say, and then the Lady Ankara stood up. "Dearest Strausberg, perhaps I could assuage these doubts if you would but allow me to reveal the full depth of your ignominous plan."


Strausberg paused a moment longer but then finally relented. "Fine...I suppose, if you think it would help."

Lady Ankara makes a motion with her hand and the image of a Sky Class transport shuttle materializes.

"In two days time, Loisy and Richmond will board a servitor piloted shuttlecraft to embark on a tour of the fleet before its departure."

"By implanting a viral code graph into that cogitator, we will take control of this shuttle prior to their boarding. We will overide the communication system and force it to change course, so that the shuttle will instead rendezvous with the fleet at the mandeville point at the edge of the system. Indeed to the outside world it will appear as if Louise and Cardinal are literally leading the fleet out of the system!"

Strausberg pipes up a broad smile sweeping his face. "And at that time we will broadcast a message from the shuttle indicating their intent to join the Crusade fleet and lead our soldiers in the front line against the ravenous tyrranid hordes that have invaded the sector and will implore the ruling council to begin the succession process."

Lady Ankara interjects. "Of course, they could always return home after they finally reach the fleet."

Strausberg nods. "But by then the entire populace will be hailing them as heroes. So no matter what they said, they would look like cowards if they tried to come home. It would be political suicide."

At this point Tezzler finally speaks, in a hollow mechanic voice. "I agree with Lachanal. Our friends here should be invited to explore alternatives to a direct attack. It may increase success by significant margins."

Strausberg nods again.

"Yes of course, I was just getting to that point!" He exclaims with a bit of frustration.

Let's see now...the other questions.

To Lachanal: "As I said before, you are men of many and varied talents. I trust you to plan and execute this operation on your own. If you could somehow persuade the Adeptus Mechanicus to give you all some kind of access to the facility, perhaps a last minute educational tour? If that could be arranged that would undoubtedly make your job easier."


Turning to Tambo: My spies tell me there are usually about ten skitaari on duty and 5 combat servitors with an unknown number of reinforcements that could arrive if an alarm sounds. I would guess quite a bit.

Turning to H: Excellent questions! I'll have Tezzle forward some potential leads that you could seek to exploit, as well as additional information about the facility.

Replying to the question about the Adeptus Mechanicus political loyalties: "As with all things related to the Adeptus Mechanicus, it's not clear where their motivations lie. They've enjoyed close relations with Louisy the last few years though have expressed frustrations of late with the demands of the latest tithe and it's drain on local security resources while insurgent cult activities persist."

At that he claps his hands together.

In any case, I am here to assist in any humble way I can, whether it be disguises as I previously suggested, or simply weapons and equipment. Whatever items you require, please make a list and I will make every effort to attain for you. Though, with such a short time frame, I can not guarantee it can all be provided."

He takes a deep breathe.

"And with that gentlemen, I believe our business has concluded. I will leave you in peace to enjoy the remainder of this evening and begin to plan your operation. The Emperor Protects."

The noble signaled and began to depart from the room with his advisors.

Later some additional information is forwarded to your data slates:


The facility is surrounded by thick ferrocrete 14 foot walls with walkways. The immediate surrounding area and inside the compound is under constant surveilance via servo skulls.

A single fortified gate is the only entrance to and from the compound. The gate however is automated and only requires a successful biometric scan to get it to open. Anyone or vehicle passing through however is subject to a host of additional scans. The gate is usually manned by servitors, at least one of which is a combat servitor.

The facility has about 30 tech adepts working there, however they all live at the compound and rarely depart from it.

The manager of the compound, a Tech Priest known as Logico 7 however regularly makes trips to Gallows Hive via the same passenger train that you took to get to Strausberg's estate. He usually takes the train into the hive, and then reports to the Administratum's Office of Transportation of Logistics. It is unknown however when his next appointment will be...

Every week, a ground truck departs from a logistics hub run by the Merchant's Guild. The ground truck contains all the usual supplies (food, spare parts, etc) and is driven by a normal human with a security clearance. The truck drives up to the gate, goes through the gate, parks the truck, and then servitors unload the supplies into a nearby storage shed, then the truck departs the same way.

The compound itself is a simple arrangement of four tall, 24 story high rectangular ferrocrete slabs on each side of the compound with an open plaza in the center. None of the buildings have any external markings, however Strasberg has identified the building on the north side as containing the cogitator bank, which itself is housed on 22nd floor of that building.

A generatorium a few miles away appears to provide the power needs of the compound. It is under control of the local PDF as the facility services many nearby installations, many of which are not part of the Adeptus Mechanicus. The compound however, does have a backup power source in a building on the south side of the compound.

And one final datapoint. There does appear to be a large out of service sewage tunnel that runs under the compound, with an aboveground connection that could take someone directly into the open plaza. It is unknown however if that route is guarded, and if so, by what.

While Parsen was still absent, Lachanal left Harlowe and Tambo to prepare the infiltration itself and the make a list of all necessary gear they could foresee already. Lachanal's role was to get info and insider help due to his rank, and it was what he left them to tackle.


While they Tambo and harlowe where discussing with elan all parameters of the infiltration proper, he listened carefully, hands in his pockets, ans every few minutes made a few steps, sat down, got up, to relieve the pain of his bionics somewhat.

Lachanal was quite reassured that it wasn't truly about defence networks, but that he needed to make sure of. He knew his crippled leg meant that the infiltration proper was probably not the part he was selected with... And even with bionics, there's no impersonating a mecanicum drone whatsoever for those are no longer truly human to begin with, which would instantly give him away.

He could, however, aptly set the scene for tambo and harlowe, and together with Parsen, schedule events that should help a lot draw atttention outside the cogitator room proper. Parsen and his minions could very well make up the necessary manpower..

As his colleagues were still talking, and Lachanal had lost track of what they where saying, too deep into his own thoughts, he rose, painfully, and interrupted them.

"People, I will need to go back to the governor's palace to sort stuff out. Get in touch with all the necessary offciers.

I'll first enquire if any transport is truly scheduled via shuttles for Loisy and Richmond.

If there is, then I can tell you when Logico 7 makes his appointment, when the next delivery truck is meant to supply the compound, and its route.

Tell parsen, when he comes back, to transfer all information and entry authorisations he need to set up a diversion with his gang. Especially, forward me his answer to whether or not he believes we could tackle the power source outside the compound.

Also, Make up my own excus, I must not be discorvered. I'll make contact with you as soon as I can and report on the points I just mentionned, so you can add in additional details. There's an hotel next to the governor's palace, Saint's Bonifatius Pilgrim's Abode. Go there, and hatch your plans there, and I'll meet you when i'm done. I'll depart this very hour. Emperor protects "

Parsen managed to exit the room and head to the toilets. He closes the door, rolls a towel to cover the gap under the door, and gets as far as possible from it to avoid being heard by servitors or advisors.

Pushing a button on his walkie-talkie, a red light glows and a small beep is heard. Parsen had his hand placed on top of the emitter to muffle the sound. He then speaks in the device, with a low voice.

"Markov, you hear me? Over."

Nothing.

"Markov, you there? Over".

Still nothing.

"Tch. Either I'm too far, or nothing goes out of this stupid building. *Sigh*. Whatever. I'll call him later. Let's see what the others are up to."

Parsen flushes the toilet, takes the towel he rolled before and folds it back to its original spot, and proceeds to exit the bathroom.
Heading to the room where his acolytes were supposedly still in, he lights yet another cigar.

As he opens the richly decorated door, he notices that Lachanal is absent from the room.

"And where'd our logistics NCO go?"

The others explain the situation, and tell him about Lachanal's plan to take on the power source outside the compound.

After a brief moment of rubbing his chin and thinking, Parsen answers, letting a slight note of excitement in his voice.

"That... is an interesting idea. I wasn't able to contact Markov yet, but I'll keep him in touch about this.
I don't think I'll need any authorisations. Although..." He stops for a second.

"I'll talk about this to Lachanal himself. Let's meet at the hotel and we'll talk about this. I am taking the next train for the city right now, and we'll see each other at the hotel. Have a great evening, gentlemen."

Parsen wave his hat in the direction of his allies, and leaves the manor.

The heat difference strikes the old man hard, but he needs to leave. There is no way he would stay at Strausberg's house, and the only safe place to rest was his very own home.

Fatigue was starting to kick in tough: to stay awake, Parsen resumes smoking his unfinished cigar, and waits for the train. In the mean time, he calls Markov to keep him in touch of the new plan: start to spread rumors about a large reserve of "Sky candies", a very popular drug amongst the lower classes of the hive, hidden by the "corrupt PDF" in the power plant. Hopefully, this will be enough to light the interest of gangs and create a diversion.

@ PDF Headquarters

[Lachanal gets 4 successes with an investigation role]

After an uneventful train ride back to the city, Lachanal finds a short time to rest and then returns to the sprawling PDF HQ building.

While uploading his "official" reports about grox provision contracts for the PDF and Crusade fleet to a cogitator, he manages to access quite a bit of useful data, summarized as follows.

-It is confirmed that the Governor and the Cardinal are scheduled to take an automated shuttle to visit the Lunar Class Cruiser Righteous for a tour and to rally the Imperial Guard soldiers onboard there. The boarding is scheduled to occur in two days (Just like what Strausberg said). The shuttle itself is selected at random by an Adeptus Mechanicus cogitator immediately prior to departure. (This explains why Strausberg couldn't just sabotage a transport directly. Only by taking control of the cogitator that controls ALL servitor shuttles, could he hope to make this plan work.

-Lachanal confirms that the next supply shipment to the Ad Mech compound will occur in one night, just before midnight. He uncovers the identity of the driver, a simple indentured servant of the Merchant Guild named Lenny McHenry. Lachanel also realizes that he can attempt to change the driver to another person, (like someone in his party like Parson, H, or Tambo). However, that would require a bit of arcane technical manipulation that could risk detection if he fumbled it.

-Finally, Lachanel stumbles upon a Vermilion level clearance file dubbed: "Operation, Final Solution." Lachenal realizes that it would be very difficult to access the file, but he gets an idea that it might be an indication of what the Governor has planned for this world's future...

Just then a cold uncaring voice cuts through the air behind you. You knew it unmistakenly as Commissar Gendy Helmler.

"Back so soon Lachenal. I'm surprised. I take it you fetched a good price on the grox?"

"Tell me, did you speak to that Strausberg fellow? He is an interesting one now. Young, ambitious, successful, exactly the kind of person we need to keep an eye on."

"Tell me, what treachery does Strausberg have planned? Surely you must have gleaned something from your conversation with him?"

She was toying with him, trying to get him to betray something. If she had any real evidence Lachanal knew he would likely already be dead.

The slums, Gallows Hive Sublevel B-45

[Parson burns 1 wrath to gain 2 successes to plant the rumors]

Parson's "friend" Markov doesn't sound that convinced when he speaks to him over the vox about the rumor, but says he will pass it along to the people he knows.

"Maybe a good set up for our rivals eh boss? Especially if it's bad information, wot you think about that eh, let em get chewed up and spit out by the ol PDFs?"

Parson is also able to go to his secret stash to uncover that very special thing he's been saving for a very long time. The UBER thing.

[Parson scores 6 successes on his influence roll and also earns the party one glory which can be used later by anyone. Parson can now obtain one of the following items]


Chainsword
Bolt pistol
Boltgun
Combat Shotgun
Heavy Stubber
Autocannon
Flamer
3 Frag Grenades
Flak Coat (armor)

Lachanal was genuinely surprised when the voice erupted behind him, and turned on an instant, despite his leg being crippled.

He instinctevily saluted. "My respect, Commissar".

He leans backwards on the desk to rest, and anwmswered the question in a calm, practiced tone:

"The whole affair was way easier than I expected. He is willing to make relatively good prices, I suspect he wants to get somewhat closer to the government and intends to play nice... The deal is not struck fully yet - so I'll have got some more travelling and meetings with negociators from the concurrents attached. But it is, I believe, well underway.

I must say that Strausberg himself is just as insufferable as he ever was, full of self confidence, but you hardly meet a rich merchant that is not, nowadays. Besides, I already had smaller deals with him in the past so I knew what to expect."

There he went, justified in his leaving of the palace soon. He would have loved to take a read of the Vermilion tagged file, but with the commissar at his tail now, there was no chance he wouldn't get caught red handed. However, having the trucks pilot changed to a random guardsman that would trust him as an NCO from the very imperial palace should be possible to do, arguing that the merchant guild could not be trusted, and that he feared cult activity could well be already undermining the woder society - as amply proven by the scene at the train station.

But first, he'll have to get rid of that sticky commissar... By giving him away something

"I believe that Strausberg is not completely fair in his trades, hence why he can afford to cut the prices to such a degree... He talked to me about trying to get cuts on mecanicum-deliveries by sharing one truck fleet to both their multiple compounds and us, the palace, although he would need to reroute almost everything for that. I, of course, refused, but I am worried that, with the influence he holds over the guilds, truckers couldn't get bad instructions to save money, of you see what I mean. He talked about a truck delivery that he was interested in, one to a highly secured mecanicum compound he said. I think we should swapp the guild pilots to PDF pilots just to make sure, unfortunately that is somewhat out of my reach... I wish we could do something about it.

As you rightly said, while his prices are interesting, we definitely should not let him go too far. Disrupting this could probably make him realise that maybe... His not as smart as he believes."

The lie was absolute, but as they say - the bigger the lie, the better it works.

Tambo has to accept that he is somewhat out of his element when it comes to getting access to that facility, as his compatriots seem to have much more influence and better contacts that might be of use. What he could provide would be mostly useful if things went REALLY bad and one could only hope that it never came to that. Nonetheless he won't just iddle his thumps while Parson and Lachanal got to work and would instead try to get to the entrance of that old sewage system that was mentioned in the report and have a look at that. Their time schedule was far to tight to scout it out and it was also a bit risky to do it alone, but he wants to have at least a rough feeling of the size of the tubes, what might lurk down there and maybe even have an idea which route to take should they be forced to leave the Mechanicum compound through this route.

H had been part of these attempts before. The easiest thing would be to get scan shielded crates, secure them at the pick-up facility, and then ride in those into the compound. Most "secure facilities" put their emphasis on keeping people out, once you were in the security dropped markedly. Afterall, the people inside still had jobs to do.

The trick would be infiltrating the pick-up point with the merchandise. H's approach would be simple. He, Parsen, and Tambo would use oxygen tanks, supplies, and simple red-robed disguises, and basic lock breaking gear to hide-out in some scan shielded crates. Lachanal would arrange to have them put at the pick-up. The people at the pick-up location would load them onto the truck and the driver would be none the wiser either. Once inside, the three of them could emerge from the boxes in relative safety.

From there, they could make their way to the Cogitator banks inside the facility. Tambo would get to a location to cover, Parsen's could go locate the sewage tunnel for ex-fil, and H could get to the Cogitator bank using his tools and disguises.

Once complete, they could Ex-fil via the sewage grate. A distraction could be made at the power station, cutting power, with the small break when the back-up kicks in enough time to ex-fil through the tunnel in the courtyard.

Simple in practice, but simple did not mean easy.

PDF HQ

The Commissar studies Lachanal as he provides an answer, searching for any sign of deception or unusual nervousness. Finding none, she turns around, suddenly losing interest in the conversation and starts to walk off.

"I'll add that to the file I have on Strausberg....and the file I have on you. Carry on then Officer." She remarks dryly before opening a door to another room within the vast complex and disappearing from sight.




Outside the sewer pipe



Tambo studies the outside of the sewer pipe. The pipe drains into an artificial pond filled with some kind of toxic waste, but...apart from the horrific smell, it seems to be traversable and looks like it would take him all the way in.

Tambo does however notice a neon glyph sketched into the side of the outside of the pipe. Tambo remembers seeing this very same glyph before on another distant world. It was a symbol associated with a genestealer cult. It was impossible to tell though whether the glyph was old or new...but at some point, the cult had been here.

Strausberg's Manor

At H's request Strausberg is able to secure the "scan proof crates" and red robe disguises as requested. He is also provided with a "Code draft device." A small detachable hard drive that Tezzler instructs H on how to use.

Tezzler agrees that it would be better for him to stay back and that H could be trusted to attach the device to the cogitator.

Lachanal remained unchanged, not showing any sign of his relief for fear he might be watched over and betray he had something to hide all along. Deceiving the commissar was easy job. He had been recieving every one here for so long now, and had learnt so much from the ecclesiarchy and the pdf decidving one another, or the clerks, or frankly, everyone lying to everyone, that he was kind of a master in that field by now. Sadly, he thought, the Governor himself is now puppetted and steered - by the mecanicus and a few power hungry civilians
.. This needs to stop so that the world was ready to stand in face of the Tyranids and that Loisy's vision would truly come to pass - even without his beloved master.

With the commissar's unspoken agreement to him changing the driver to a pdf trooper he can easily manipulate into picking up Tambo and Harlowe, he then proceeds to make the change, justifying it by the necessity to avoid any disruption to this highly crucial coumpound's supply.

He keeps an eye around by stopping to chew on bars, pretending to make breaks, or walking a few circles around him in the corridors, as if to relieve the pain from being static.

"Just need to do that" He thought "And then I'll go to the hotel room".

The Vermilion file was watching him right in the eyes, as if it were actively calling on Lachanal to read it. But the arcanes it would need to do this would take to long - and this time, he would not be able to just outright lie to the commissar.

"Right, the deed is done, he mumbled to himself. Now, filing in my next food related trip... There I go. Alright, work to do, supply to deliver" he chuckled a little, and left, towards the hotel, hoping none would raise and eyebrow. Or at least, do it while it was already too late.

Parsen arrives at the city to get some rest, before joining the others at the hotel. He didn't want to get noticed by any close member of his, wanting to avoid questions, so he stopped at the safehouse where he met the crew. This time, the scanner worked well.

After some agitated sleep, Parsen leaves the safehouse and calls a driver.

"Send me someone with a truck. Enough to carry long and heavy material. And send four people, I'll need hands."

Before the interlocutor could express their surprise, Parsen holsters his walkie-talkie and sets the volume to zero. He then goes to the rendezvous spot and waits for a bit. About twenty minutes later, a battered and slightly rusty truck comes from around the corner. The black vehicle stops as they recognize the boss' posture.

"Sorry for the delay, boss, we...
-I don't want to know. Let's move."

Parsen leads the scared goons to the location of his secret stash of his. Upon arrival, Parsen gets Mirage out, ready for potential opponents.

After watching their surroundings for three minutes, the five men advance towards the stash. Parsen pushes two dumpsters aside, and struggles a bit to lift a sewer plate. Underneath it lies the famous stash.

"Well, well, well... Looks like this little baby will finally come in handy, Parsen smiles.

Alright boys, that's where you come into play. Get this autocannon in the trunk, and fast. I'll take the ammunition myself.

-Boss, what are we...
-Stop asking questions and move it. Quick."

The four men manage to get the heavy weapon out, and with a bit of help from Parsen, it's quickly set in the truck. Less than ten minutes after the arrival, the weapon and its ammunitions are all ready and set in the truck.

"Good job. Get me to Saint's Bonifatius Pilgrim's Abode, and give me the truck. I'll call you a car to get out."

Parsen proceeds to do so, allowing the goons to get out without asking further questions. Before they depart, Parsen adresses them one last time:

"Tell Markov to give you 15% more this month. You earnt it. You too, driver."

Right. I'm not getting inside myself. Do I look like some kind of petty robber? I'm not agile enough, and too old for this. No, I'll provide the marksman, what was his name aleady? Tanto? Manto? Tambo, yeah, that's it. Tambo will probably know how to use this to break through weak walls, or something. Let's hope he's useful, because I can't do everything here. Tch.

Parsen enters the hotel, and greets the lady at the reception. She recognises him, and as her faces shifts into fear, he just opens his wallet and lays money in front of her.

"Get someone to watch my car. It's not the in the best condition, but I enjoy using an old model from time to time. I trust you'll do it for me, right pretty lady?"

Faking his smile as he's accustomed to, he goes to sit in the lobby, waiting for the others to arrive.

The Hotel

The group was able to meet up at a pre-arranged location, a modest hotel tucked away in a less traversed area of the middle upper hive.

For his part, Strausberg had managed to come through and by this time the group has access to all of the items that were asked for...along with Parson's "Little Friend" that was brought out for the special occasion

Once the group has some privacy they now have a last chance to finalize their plan...tomorrow night was the night before the Governor and the Cardinal were scheduled to get on that transport. So the time to finalize a plan is now...

Lachanal left the Palace and went off to the hotel. On his way their, while making sure to show clearly his portfolio as a proof that he was again on a mission, he started to wonder how on this world the inquisition managed to figure out the truth in his heart, his rebellious intents, and reach to him. He was dead certain he never spoke of it ever, he wrote it nowhere, and took part in no rebellious. That is, he had not, until now.

Lost in his thoughts, he wandered a bit too far, and had to come back a street to actually arrive a the hotel - that he paid with his own cash not to get tracked. A truck was parked in front of it, in quite poor condition to be honest.

Grunting every now and then under the pain and strain of his bionics, he made it to the private lobby that they had booked, where he found Parsen already there and smoking on an obviously poor quality contraband cigar. Lachanal had smoked in the past, but due to the medicines to treat his injuries and relief the paai' from the bionics when it got to strong, he could not anymore.

"Good evening, friend! How was the trip to here?"

Asked Lachanal in a plain, clear cut voice that said nothing of fear, doubt, trust, or confidence.

He sat on a sofa opposite that on which Parsen was already at ease, and, yet again assuming the role of the de facto brain of the raid, started hatching plans... After checking that no device where planted on the room, that is.

"Look, I changed the truck's driver to a young pdf trooper I know will be easy to intimidate into letting Tambo and Harlowe board the truck in a crate. This will allow them to get into the compound and reach for the cogitators.

Don't worry, I made sure the governor actually has got a planned shuttle trip - it is the case.

As for the power source outside to draw attention and cut lights off - I believe it is correctly guarded. But it is such an important objective that any frontal assault will put all forces inside the compound on alert... To look outside. What we probably will need you to do to let Harlowe and Tambo do their job is to simply direct your goons to set up a good diversion. Of course, if you do manage to shut it down, that'll be all the better."

He paused to let Parsen Take His grasp of it, and moved on "When this all starts, I'll probably be at work. What I will be able to do is to risk my head disrupting reinforcements to the compound in some way or another... But not much else. If you have got any idea of what I might do to further help closer to the ground, go ahead, and I'll see with Tambo and Harlowe what they would need."

As Tambo enters the hotel suite too, he goes about his usual routine of setting up a brew - the distinctive smell H had noticed earlier filling the room. Then he goes about unpacking the equipment Strausberg had provided and lets out an sppreciating whistle. "nice... looks like I should have asked for more shinies, if our benefactor provides so perfectly..." While he staches away the stun grenade in an equipment pouch, he pulls out the duelling laspistol - an ornamental dream of fine craftsmanship - familiarizing himself with the reload mechanism, sights and handle with the practice of an experienced marksman. Satisfied he holsteres it before continueing to the comm beads. "You guys are familiar with those?" he askes around and hands them out, demonstrating how they work if necessary. "They should be encrypted enough to not get immediatly picked up by the AdMech personell, but I expect some of the cogboys will get curious when we use them. So employ them sparsely, only when necessary.

I stalked out the sewer shaft a little bit. Might be an exit route, but it looks like the cults have been active there in the past. Can't rule out they still sneak around down there. So if we have another way of getting out, we should prefer it. We might still get lucky, especially as we don't intend to overstay our welcome and just cross through, but I can think of nicer past times then shooting through a horde of mutants..."

When Parson mentions the Autocannon the old soldier nods "Not my prefered weapon, but I know how to handle them. Not too different from a heavy anti-materielle rifle. Question is what we want to achive with it. Just a diversion or do you think we should knock someone out?"

As Lachanal explains the role intended for Parsen, he stands up to continue listening, and as the diversion is mentionned, his distinctive shark grin appears on his face.

"Listen there, Lachanal, he says in a soothing voice. I have the perfect tools to carry out this task. If Markov did his job well, there should be a rival gang arriving some time tomorrow to attack the power plant, thinking it's mine. When they do, we'll let the PDFs soften their forces a bit, then we'll come in. Preferably from another side. Or, if it's even possible... Through a wall."

Before he could finish his explanation, Tambo arrives and explains how the beads worked. Not accustomed to this kind of high-end tech, Parsen struggles a bit to understand at first, but ends up making them work. He resumes his explanation with the newly arrived marksman, still smiling and enjoying his cigar, even though it wasn't a top quality one.

"Tambo, you'll love that one. I've got an autocannon out of my... spoils of war, we'll say. If you can use it, we'll maybe be able to breach through the walls of the power plant while the PDFs are occupied with our rivals. Or, even better yet, if there is an advantageous position available, you could just fire straight at one of the power units, and see what it does. Maybe it'll shut the power down just like that. That would spare us the trouble of entering the plant itself."

He then drops his smile for the first time in the last ten minutes, and continues in a more worried voice.

"That being said, the diversion will most likely attract the entire complex we try to infiltrate. As Lachanal explained to me earlier, Harlowe and you will infiltrate the complex in a truck. To be honest, I don't even know how you could simultaneously fire on the power plant or the outer walls, and be inside the truck at the same time. And even if we manage to do it, the inside of the manufactorum itself will be more active than an ant nest... Any idea about the logistical part, Lachanal?"

Lachanal rubs his chin. That's a turn he didn't foresee. He would need to actually leave his workplace to be present on the spot and use the autocanon, but then, he would not be able to pull strings at the back to reroute, delay, or hinder pdf and mecanicum reinforcements.

"That's a shame... I would need to use it, I think I can figure it out. But on the other hand, that need I won't be able to support you blurring reports or sowing mayhem in some way or another... Tambo, and Harlowe, is there something I could dom from the backlines to disrupt potential threats to you or gain time? Or...

Lachanal pauses.

I'm not as stealthy as you are, but I could let you outside with the autocannon to boot, and I would enter with Harlowe... In fact, I could then use my own uniform to try and divert attention as well or unlock something... Yeah, I mean, I'm in charge of palace and thus governor supplies... I think I can arrange that... "

Lachanal was thoughtful, and sounded way less at ease than he would have wished to. But the swap was a dangerous one, seeing as he was himself crippled. However, their wouldn't be enough of their quartet if Tambo had to both infiltrate and service the autocannon.

"Do you think you could use the autoccanon to create a critical breach into the power plant, and then, if it is crippled enough, lead Parsen's boys down trhough the sewers with you? In whcih case, Parsen, the getaway will rest on your shoulders as well, as you will be the one to be outside.

Once inside, I'll try my best to sow mayhem and confusion and most importantly, direct all efforts towards the outside, rahter than the inside. I'll even tell the governor himself that there is a supply shuttle affair I would need to investigate so I can get access to the site in the first place and only be mildly suspicious. And I'll tell the commissars I'm wathcing over Strausberg boys that I suspect are trying to play around with me and traffic grox meat through the place. Yeah, sounds like an excuse... What do you people think?"