IC: DH The Purity of Sacrifice

[rax]

"I will watch over this," Hound states, taking one of the coins and slipping it inside his robe. "Though I do not foresee bribery being of any use in dealing with the Magos, Acolyte Luis is not incorrect in pointing out that gelt will smooth the way in many other cases."

[dojango]

Luis takes the other coin and tucks it away in his pocket. "Magos likes to get paid," he says. "And the flunkies at the Credit Guild never turn down a gift."

[rax]

"Fifty thrones is pocket change to a Magos, Acolyte Luis. He may find a use for such sums, but as a bribe to loosen his vox-box about anything of substance, I have my doubts that it will have any effect," Hound explains to Luis.

[Bennosuke]

After efficient preparations, the first group (Hound, Null, Mort Mallory, and the psyker Marcella) wind their way through the crowded narrow streets of the mid-hive. Even ten kilometers out, Forge Enclave Omnicron-5038 comes into view, towering over the hab blocks, pubs, and simple manufactorum buildings. Pistons the size of a small house pound up and down, and black iron chimneys belch dark toxic clouds into the covered sky. The crowd of uniformly dressed hive workers thins as the the group gets closer and closer, until while walking on the dark cobble stone, the acolytes are alone winding down the dark brick that leads to the heavily fortified security fence.

At the gate, a series of towering poles with crackling bolts of blue electric current running between them, the acolytes are stopped by four guard servitors. The four hulking monsters are simian monsters of knotted muscle and bulging sutures, bristling with high-tech artillery and whirring chain weapons. As the four acolytes come to a stop, a single servitor lumbers forward, a smoke belching grille where it's ribcage should be, and its muscled arms fused to the autocannon protruding over its shoulder. A robotic voice chimes from the chest grille, "Strangers, please identify yourselves and your purpose approaching Forge Enclave Omicron 5038."

(OOC: Banana, is Marcella still in her Credit Guilder uniform???)

************************************************** *******************************

Left by the others, Arl and Luis instead make their way up the hive to the Reserve of the Credit Guild; a gilded building designed to look like a towering Tree of Life that stands at the base of Spire Ra-es. Even from a kilometer away you can hear the buzzing and clanging of a million mechanical keys typing out millions of receipts and dossiers and bills. Unlike the Forge Enclave, as the acolytes approach, they are caught up in the press of gold robed guilders pushing through the narrow streets, like a hive of worker bees. Each one moves with similar purpose and aggressive need, indifferent to the movement of those around them. And the entrance to The Reserve is six towering revolving doors, decorated in shimmering diamonds and lined with starbursts of gold and bronze.

Inside the lobby of the Reserve, Luis and Arl find themselves standing in a towering open room, floored in black and white checkered tile. The sound of a million footsteps echo in the cavernous lobby, belonging to the press of robed adepts. A marble work desk, a kilometer long separates the lobby from the various hallways leading into The Reserve, various weapon detectors creating entrances through the bar guarded by armored planetary enforcers. No one seems to pay any attention to Luis and Arl, at least till they step up to one of the security terminals.

(OOC: As I asked Banana, are Luis and Arl in disguise? Should be a lot of fun having the two feral worlders on their own.)

[dojango]

Luis has gone to the trouble of having his Credit Guild cloak and uniform laundered. The blood-stains, the layer of underhive grime, the mysterious stains... all gone. The yellow cloak almost looks golden again. He shoulders boldly up to the security guards and says, "Got a meetin' with HR, can you point the way?"

[Wyndeward]

Luis has gone to the trouble of having his Credit Guild cloak and uniform laundered. The blood-stains, the layer of underhive grime, the mysterious stains... all gone. The yellow cloak almost looks golden again. He shoulders boldly up to the security guards and says, "Got a meetin' with HR, can you point the way?"

Arl followed Luis quietly, his equally laundered Credit Guild cloak over his shoulders.

[Bennosuke]

The Enforcer standing guard at the weapon detector entrance seems surprised when Luis addresses him. He's dressed in the same matte black and grey uniform and flak armor as those that had guarded the underhive train station, and held across his chest a combat shotgun. He shrugs and gives the two supposed guild members a confused "why are you talking to me face" as he allows a stream of other gold robed guild members to pass through the silent weapons detector. The contraption was like a large metal door frame, made of rods of steel and copper wrapped in rubberized electrical cords and decorated with flashing green LED lights. Finally, realizing that the two were not simply going away, the Enforcer (his badge reads Enforcer Gulimar Lopech) replies bluntly, "Uh, take the elevators up to 4 and follow the signs," pointing with a gloved hand to a hallway that was studded with a series of elevator double doors.

[LairdMaon]

At the gate, a series of towering poles with crackling bolts of blue electric current running between them, the acolytes are stopped by four guard servitors. The four hulking monsters are simian monsters of knotted muscle and bulging sutures, bristling with high-tech artillery and whirring chain weapons. As the four acolytes come to a stop, a single servitor lumbers forward, a smoke belching grille where it's ribcage should be, and its muscled arms fused to the autocannon protruding over its shoulder. A robotic voice chimes from the chest grille, "Strangers, please identify yourselves and your purpose approaching Forge Enclave Omicron 5038."

Regulator Mallory, dressed in his Arbitrator kit complete with unloaded shotgun slung across his back, steps forward to the extended servitor. After several seconds of looking for something eye-like to address, he stares into the grille and speaks up. Holding up his Arbite badge, he says, "Official Adeptus Arbites business. Stand aside and let us through. Failure to comply with Arbites duties may result in additional fines, penalties, and executions."

[BananaPhone]

Marcella

Marcella had come along still in the guise of her Creditor's uniform. The story was much easier that she was returning with other authority figures to ensure that the weapon destruction had been completed, as agreed.

As always, the Psyker lingered in the centre-back, her green eyes watching as they were stopped and the Arbite stepped forward to flex his authority.

[rax]

Hound stands behind Mallory and nods in agreement as he announces their business. "Please announce the presence of Regulator Mallory, Verispex Adept Hound, and Adeptus Mechanicus representative 0x880804-Null to Magos Petrovskii. This Credit Guilder is a material witness," he adds with a brief nod at Marcella.

[Bennosuke]

"Request declined," the servitor replies in emotionless monotone, "The Adeptus Arbites are under the auspices of the Adeptus Terra, and therefore do not hold any authority over the Adeptus Mechanicus." The servitor turns to face Mallory, so that it's massive autocannon is levelled in his direction. The group hears the engine of the massive cannon hum to life, forcing the servitor's vox to speak up in volume, "Unless you have a warrant signed by the planetary government or the High Office of Hive Hapheastein, you have insufficient authority to enter the premises."

(OOC: EDIT because Rax's post came in before mine)

Hound stands behind Mallory and nods in agreement as he announces their business. "Please announce the presence of Regulator Mallory, Verispex Adept Hound, and Adeptus Mechanicus representative 0x880804-Null to Magos Petrovskii. This Credit Guilder is a material witness," he adds with a brief nod at Marcella.

The servitor suddenly turns its attention to Null, as if the automaton had not noticed the tech priest standing with the rest of the group. "Welcome 0x880804-Null," the servitor says, now ignoring the rest of the acolytes to speak directly to the tech priest, it's weapons powering down, "Please provide full identification." There is a wet sucking noise as the servitor's left arm suddenly becomes freed from its point of attachment on the mounted autocannon. The limb's stump has a series of ports, though there is a clear bronze rimmed jack that the servitor is offering to Null to place a data-communicating wire.

[dojango]

Luis gives the guard a thumbs up, adjusts his bow and quiver slightly, and gets in the stream of workers, heading for the lift.

Spoiler

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In addition to his armor, he has his bow and arrows, his axe, and the flintlock pistol.

[Blindfolded Ape]

The servitor suddenly turns its attention to Null, as if the automaton had not noticed the tech priest standing with the rest of the group. "Welcome 0x880804-Null," the servitor says, now ignoring the rest of the acolytes to speak directly to the tech priest, it's weapons powering down, "Please provide full identification." There is a wet sucking noise as the servitor's left arm suddenly becomes freed from its point of attachment on the mounted autocannon. The limb's stump has a series of ports, though there is a clear bronze rimmed jack that the servitor is offering to Null to place a data-communicating wire.

-Null gives a small bow as he steps forward. "I would be honored to vouch for these authority figures. While they are uninitiated, they do have reason to speak with the Magos." He chitters in binary as he brings his arm up, a small mechadendrite holding the port rising to provide his own identification, as well as permitting for much more rapid communication between them. Organic speech was simply too inefficient for what they needed to say.

After they verify -Null's identity, he communicates their purpose through the connection. "We are here to meet with the Magos regarding a delivery entrusted to him but a day-cycle or so prior. They have their own concerns regarding security, and as such would prefer to discuss this matter with the Magos personally rather than risk spreading information beyond where it needs to be known."

[Wyndeward]

Luis gives the guard a thumbs up, adjusts his bow and quiver slightly, and gets in the stream of workers, heading for the lift.

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In addition to his armor, he has his bow and arrows, his axe, and the flintlock pistol.

Arl falls in behind Luis, his stub pistol concealed beneath his Credit Guild cape.

[Bennosuke]

The officer pays no mind to Luis' "thumbs up", as the two acolytes begin to walk past him. Though Luis walks through without excitement, the moment Arl walks through the large metal doorframe that is the weapons detector, the machine begins to clang and alarm, making the noise of cat being strangled and thrown against a wall, while flashing white and green lights. Though most of the nearby yellow robed acolytes avert their eyes in an attempt to mind their own business, the stream of guilders that had been heading for that entranceway begin to divert towards other security points.

The officer who had answered Luis' question is immediately on him and Arl, shotgun ready though not aimed at the two. Even as other guards begin to divert towards the two the guard yells over the claxon cacophony, "Oy, what have you got there?"

************************************************** **

Null's communication immediately appears to alleviate the concerns of the towering servitor. The hum of it's autocannon silences as it disconnects the communication cable from the tech priest. "Thank you acolyte of The Omnissiah," the servitor says placidly, returning it's arm stump to its weapon. It mechanically turns its head from Null, to the others, then back again. It asks flatly, "Clarification required, why did your companion attempt subterfuge?"

(OOC: Please give me a Persuasion roll. If Null answers he takes it at +30 with your answer.)

[Wyndeward]

The officer pays no mind to Luis' "thumbs up", as the two acolytes begin to walk past him. Though Luis walks through without excitement, the moment Arl walks through the large metal doorframe that is the weapons detector, the machine begins to clang and alarm, making the noise of cat being strangled and thrown against a wall, while flashing white and green lights. Though most of the nearby red robed acolytes avert their eyes in an attempt to mind their own business, the stream of guilders that had been heading for that entranceway begin to divert towards other security points.

The officer who had answered Luis' question is immediately on him and Arl, shotgun ready though not aimed at the two. Even as other guards begin to divert towards the two the guard yells over the claxon cacophony, "Oy, what have you got there?"

Arl presents his (forged) credentials "Collections agent, just returned from the Underhive." As he speaks, he pulls back the hem of his cloak with his left hand to reveal the pistol. "I need to check my piece."

[Blindfolded Ape]

-Null retracts his own cable, servos whirring lightly as he does so. "While it is only a partial attempt at subterfuge, they did not want to draw undue attentions to themselves beyond the optics of the Magos himself. While this one can understand the Magos' requests for information of those who call upon him, it would be pertinent to express discretion in this matter. Rest assured that they will behave themselves more properly before Magos Petrovskii."

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Fellowship of 28, let's do this

(1d100)[27] vs 28, +30 from GM ruling. Not sure if Binary Chatter (+10 on any attempt to "instruct, program, or question" servitors) would apply, but listed for potential usage

[Bennosuke]

With an equal mix of confusion and concern, the Enforcer says to Arl, "Yes... as you should know, weapons are not allowed within the premises of the Reserve, with the exception of security of course." He frowns at Arl, but it is more with distaste than suspicion. "I can obtain a security containment device to store your... belongings if you would like," he says flatly before adding in a pedantic tone, "but it would be best in the future if you simply do not bring such belongings onto the premises."

Assuming Arl agrees, the Enforcer snaps a finger and another guard rushes over with the security containment device, a large black hemp sack. This second officer holds the mouth of the sack open before Arl and Luis and announces, "Please place your belongings in the containment device."

Meanwhile, a stream of gold robed guilders try to push past the scene, most doing their best to ignore Arl and Luis, though others throw judgmental glances their way.

************************************************** **************************

"Your statement is logical," the hulking servitor says, it's voice coming mechanically from the grille on its chest. In unison with it's companions, the servitor steps back from the gate to allow Null and the other acolytes to enter. It's weapon powered down and taking a stance of neutrality, the servitor asks, "Shall I escort you to the waiting chambers of Magos Petrovskii, or does acolyte 0x880804-Null know his way around the premises?"

[Wyndeward]

With an equal mix of confusion and concern, the Enforcer says to Arl, "Yes... as you should know, weapons are not allowed within the premises of the Reserve, with the exception of security of course." He frowns at Arl, but it is more with distaste than suspicion. "I can obtain a security containment device to store your... belongings if you would like," he says flatly before adding in a pedantic tone, "but it would be best in the future if you simply do not bring such belongings onto the premises."

Assuming Arl agrees, the Enforcer snaps a finger and another guard rushes over with the security containment device, a large black hemp sack. This second officer holds the mouth of the sack open before Arl and Luis and announces, "Please place your belongings in the containment device."

Meanwhile, a stream of red robed guilders try to push past the scene, most doing their best to ignore Arl and Luis, though others throw judgmental glances their way.

Arl grimaces for a moment, then looks apologetically to the guard "My apologies for the disturbance -- too much time down-Hive."

With that, Arl surrenders his Stub pistol and waits for his receipt.

[Bennosuke]

The weapon goes unceremoniously into the bag. Enforcer Lopech turns his attention to Luis and with tired frustration says, "Anything you wanna stow?"

[rax]

"An escort to the Magos would be welcome," Hound replies.

[dojango]

Luis hands over his flintlock pistol. "It's more of a souvenir than a weapon, but go ahead and keep it for me."

[BananaPhone]

Marcella

Marcella watches as the machine-men do their little ceremonial greetings, inserting tubes into each other and demanding identifications and requesting escorts. She had to repress a shudder. The faster they got this over with, the better.

[Blindfolded Ape]

"As the uninitiated mentioned, an escort would indeed be appreciated. It has been...many cycles since I have not been in the void." Not to mention that having a formal audience gave a sense of glee to -Null's circuits, or as close as he could get to the feeling at least. "Will a secondary servitor be providing escort, or has this one been programmed sufficiently to perform such a task?"

[rax]

"Ahem," Hound clears his throat. "Not initiated as such, but I have received training in the lesser mysteries of the Omnissiah," he says, holding up his arm to show a blue steel arm band marking him as ordained laity under the Machine God.

[Bennosuke]

"Very well," the lead servitor says, stepping back and motors whirring making a lumbering attempt at something like a courtly bow. Straining to rise it says, "Please follow me." The electrified gate screeches open as the other guarding servitors step aside. The lead servitor turns and begins marching forward with heavy steps. Once the acolytes begin to follow, a second servitor turns, taking up the rear.

As they acolytes draw closer to Forge Enclave Omicron 5038, the air becomes filled with the thunderous cacophany of tens of thousands of machines booming and clanking and whirring and buzzing. The chorus grows louder and louder as the acolytes enter the first forge building and follows them through the cavernous steel hallways. At one point the lead servitor stops, extending a cable to plug into a computer monitor. The screen flashes as digits and data flash into life before sliding away. After a long moment, the lights go out, and the servitor says with what might be satisfaction, "Magos Petrovskii is in the foundry of armaments, chamber XIV," as if this was supposed to have much meaning to anyone.

The servitor again leads the group through another labyrinthine series of hallways before leading the acolytes into a massive chamber, large enough to fit a land to space vessel, filled with machines the size small homes bristling with robotic arms and tools and connected by a webway of conveyer belts. Lesser priests move hurriedly between the machines, checking auspex, and working at computer stations.

Magos Petrovskii stands at one such computer monitor, surrounded by a small retinue of Tech Priests. He and his congregation stand before the station, heads bowed, chanting in monotone binary. Petrovskii is holding fuming incense bowl by a chain, grey smoke whisping out. The retinue continue their prayer, even when the acolytes are standing before them, their two servitor escorts now standing with heads bowed in parody of the congregation. It takes almost five minutes before the prayer is complete, and Magos Petrovskii raises his head to face the acolytes. The servitor with the autocannon steps forward and says, "This is acolyte of the Omnissiah 0x880804-Null, and his... colleagues. They wish to discuss concerns they have with High Magos Petrovskii in private."

Petrovskii's lensed gaze turns first from the servitor, to Null, then to the other acolytes. His gaze seems to linger on Marcella. He does not wave away his retinue, instead speaking in front of his group, "Greetings 0x880804-Null. How may we be of service?"

************************************************** ********

The security officer with the containment sack offers an unenthusiastic "thank you", before using the draw string to close the bag.

Enforcer Lopech sighs and says, "Good. Now as I said before, HR is on the fourth floor, take the elevator and follow the signs." He points in the direction the two should follow and steps out of the way to let them pass, adding, "Your weapons will be stowed here safely till you return for them. And next time please do not bring any weapons onto the premises."

There is a massive crowd of golden robed guilders waiting to board the elevators and Arl and Luis are forced to practically fight their way through the mob to get onto an elevator. Fortunately, the fourth floor is near, relative to the 60 some odd floors listed. Even so, it is another fight to get out of the elevator. The two finally push their way into a large corridor with doors spaced out every five meters or so. Each door is labelled with a black plaque that reads the room number. One wall has rooms 401 and up, and on the other side of the hallway are doors listed as 497, 498, and 499.

Standing near the elevator entrance is a sallow faced young woman in soft yellow robes of a novice credit guild. "May I be of any assistance today?" she asks almost mechanically, her voice sounding hoarse and tired.

[dojango]

Luis leaned on the wall next to the tired looking flunky. "Yah, I need ta pull some personnel files. Can ya show me who's the best to help with that? Can you do that?"

[Bennosuke]

"I would be happy to try to help..." the girl trails off, hesitance filling her words and belying what she is saying, "I trust you have the clearance for that?"

(OOC: Please give me a Deceive roll at +20)

[dojango]

Luis flips out his ID card and then says, "Someone's been messin' with Guild business down under, and we wants to know is they traitors or is they imposters?"

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(1d100)[76]

[Bennosuke]

"Adept Jarms Dorn," the young lady says while reading Luis' falsified ID, "it does look like you have clearance... but don't you think this sounds like work for the security department?" The way she speaks says she didn't really buy the lies that Luis was trying to sell, but is too uncomfortable to call him on it. Even as she says this though, the young adept in her less ornate yellow robes, seems to be shrinking into herself.