Dark Heresy: Lost and Gone Forever

[Aneurin]

Cat

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After a time wandering aimlessly around the station, Cat winds her way back to the aviary loaded down with interesting and less-than-interesting gossip as well as an idea of the man who runs the place. Osborne doesn't count.

After staring curiously at the towering brown stems and the exotic plumage that surrounds her for a few minutes she realises that the others are nowhere in sight and goes in search of a map of the area, in particular one that indicates where the rooms might be. Her bag's starting to get heavy.

OOC: Going to head to the rooms first to look for the others and put away her luggage.

[LeSwordfish]

Lorr, Scythia, Mordicai

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Adrienne blinked at Lorr, clearly unsure what to make of the question. "I am skilled, diverse skills, knowledge economical, psychological, genealogical, physiological, geographical, numeralogical. Nine injections a day to maintain IQ, I speak all Calixan gothic dialects including hive dialects of Tarsus, Sibellus, Gunmetallicus..." Lorr realised if he didn't stop her, she'd simply continue listing abilities indefinitely.

"Good, good." Osborne replied to Mordicai almost as if he hadn't really been listening. "So you're the Tybalts, yes? And Larisel Abraxius, unless I miss my guess?"

"Lucien."

"My apologies. You and your brother both have that striking Abraxius look, you know. And of course, Lady Van Haal."

Isadora smiled at Osborne, and he bent to kiss her hand. "Do feel free to circulate and socialise with others. We've got some very interesting gentlemen here- a scion of house Krin, two Tranchian coal magnates, and I believe that's your brother speaking to Octavian, there?"

Lucien craned his neck to see. "So it is."

"Destined for great things, that young man. Was the journey difficult?"

Cat

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Following the signs discreetly marked, Cat headed to the room on their ticket, Suite Three-Nine. The accommodation seemed to be laid out in a curve around the dome: A door from the dome lead into a large lobby of the same sense of comfort and gilding as the cabin or the elevator. One wall was a window onto the dome's lower level, another was set with mirrors to make the lobby feel less cramped. As Cat proceeded along the corridor, she was reminded sharply of the station's history- efforts had been made to expand the corridors and remove the constant tangle of piping that would be expected in a station like this, but an experienced eye could easily spot flaws in the red and gold facade.

In addition, there were an awful lot of cameras, bug-eyed clusters of pict-stealers in corners. One turned to follow Cat as she passed.

Suite Three-Nine was on the third floor, and one wall was given over to a grand window looking out over the Aviary at treetop height. Cat made eye contact with a Brooksnipe perched on a leaf, which chittered and fluffed up blue-green feathers at her. The food chain was not her thing, but she dimly remembered that birds and cats weren't noted for getting on.

She began a quick survey of the suite. Five rooms- two individual rooms for the "nobles", a bathroom, a living room with cushioned chairs and a holoscreen, and a second bedroom, noticably less luxurious, for the servants. A "welcome pack" lay on each bed, with a (nearly useless) station map, and various information on calling valet-servitors. Their cases had been brought up, and were piled in the middle of the room. From the look of things, the others had already been- the shower was drying, wet towels were hung over the backs of chairs, and Scythia, Mordicai and Lorr's cases had been opened.

Map/Information pack

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Okay, so I haven't drawn up a map. But I think most of it can be described fairly easily.

Station is a cluster of cylinders, with gravity acting towards the bottom of the cluster, perpendicular to the cylinder's axis. Only two cylinders are open to guests, with the others seemingly given over to the vast amounts of machinery required to keep a station like this running.

The dome is in the topmost cylinder, and the accommodation is built around it. The entertainments are either in the dome, or built into the rest of the cylinder, along with the medical bay and such, plus a spider-web tangle of corridors and access routes, many of which are generally restricted to servants and station personnel.

Entertainments available include:

• Gymnasium
• Sports courts, some in zero gravity
• Something called a "Cantus Bath".
• Concert band, performing in various public rooms.
• Deck games and board games.
• Portraitist
• Multiple bars and restaurants.
• A professional gambler, and a small casino
• Barbershop,
• Tailor
• "Gentlemen only" smoking room
• Tour of the aviary
• Void-suited tour of some of the mines.
• A theatre, with different shows on a regular basis

Most of these entertainments are only available at certain times.

The introduction pack implies that the rest of the group might be at a meal at this time: the map can easily tell you how to get there.

[Caimheul]

Isidore

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"I am fairly certain the answer to this question will be the same as when I made the same offer to the others of my order, however I still feel obligated to make the gesture. Should the minor assistance of one trained in basic first aid in any way alleviate your burden I would be happy to oblige. I know I would not be allowed, nor advisable for me to attempt to replace either of you, but if my assistance as a medtech or nurse would help ease your burden I would be happy to spend what free time I have assisting you. I fear that otherwise I shall become quite bored during my companions' time here, as the recreation offered by this station does not interest me. I much prefer the thrill of obtaining knowledge and honing my skills in the various crafts I have accumulated over the years. Regardless, should not a station such as this have at least a third individual to aid in manning the medicae? While unaugmented human body can easily work twelve hour shifts, does not fatigue plague the end of each shift? My understanding is such weariness can lead to decreased motor functions, slowed reaction times, and increase the likelihood of an accident." Isidore postulates.

[LeSwordfish]

Isidore

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Byron laughed, not unkindly. "Sorry. That would be very against regulations." She stifled back a yawn. "But thank you. We should have four, but our junior left, and then Andreszj retired, so we're waiting on replacements. Next week, they say. As they've been saying for two months now."

[Malachite]

Lorr, Scythia, Mordicai

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Adrienne blinked at Lorr, clearly unsure what to make of the question. "I am skilled, diverse skills, knowledge economical, psychological, genealogical, physiological, geographical, numeralogical. Nine injections a day to maintain IQ, I speak all Calixan gothic dialects including hive dialects of Tarsus, Sibellus, Gunmetallicus..." Lorr realised if he didn't stop her, she'd simply continue listing abilities indefinitely.


"My goodness," Lorr cut in. "That's an impressive list. I fear that my employer is rather less well off than your own - I am left to do my best with what the Emperor has given me. Physiological - is that medical?"

[Caimheul]

Isidore

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"Quite understandable, however should you need some form of unofficial assistance, I predict I shall have a large quantity of free time while my companions fritter away the day in leisurely pursuits. Bah. In my own experience "next week" tends to mean an indeterminate time in the future in bureaucracy speak. Although, their lack of motivation to replace your former co-workers is rather surprising to me, given the rumours I have been hearing of illness plaguing the guests at a higher than average rate. Isidore states conversationally.

[LeSwordfish]

Lorr, Mordicai, Scythia

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"Broadly, broadly speaking yes."

Isidore

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"You can't trust all the rumours you hear." Dr Byron seemed singularly unskilled at dodging the question.

OOC If you want to get that information out of her, it'll be an interaction test, please.

[Aneurin]

Cat

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With a careless motion, Cat sends her bag flying across the servants room to land on a bed which, whoever may have previously claimed it, is now hers. It lands with an odd clinking sound.

Pacing the room, Cat shrugs off her flak jacket letting it fall to the floor with a 'phlumph' of folding fabric. In passing, she snags a welcome pack and idly leafs through it, glancing more at the pictures than reading as she walks back in to the main room to inspect the aviary and its brightly coloured birds once more.

It is, however, noticeable that she doesn't shed the twin sabres hanging at her hips even as she wanders the private suite in a bodyglove. Sighing irritably, Cat abandons the welcome pack on a desk and stalks over to a discarded map to examine that instead.

...a meal. Well, trust them to think with their stomachs rather than exploring, Cat thinks, glancing again out of the window. A formal dinner sounds dull in the extreme, and while 'gentleman's smoking room' sounds like it will be a great deal of fun, it will also likely lead to trouble - which is quite often a regretable side effect of fun.

Well, at least she can see if the aviary tour's on now and get a look at the birds. Gathering up her flak jacket and fussing over it's hang - the ensemble can be quite uncomfortable if the swords are held at the wrong angle by the folds of the coat - she walks swiftly out of the room with a last, lingering glance at the vivid scene beyond the window.

[Caimheul]

Isidore

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"In point of fact, I came across this information in an official Adeptus Mechanicus document, outlining possible dangers to traveling tech-priests." Isidore lies, hoping to extract more information.

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OOC: Fair point, time to use his ONLY Interaction skill: (1d100)[58] TN 30 +/- Unknown Bonuses

[Betrayer]

Scythia, Lorr and Mordicai

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"The ride up was tolerable. I was glad to have a shower when I got here though." He looks around, wondering about food. "Will you be joining us for dinner?"

[LeSwordfish]

Cat

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The dome was almost empty, with a few scattered men smoking cigars in the simulacra of a warm summers evening. Some of the birds seemed to be performing an evening chorus, and three Slickbacks were looping in the treetops, cooing to each other like lovers.

The tours weren't on until tomorrow, a pimply steward informed her, but if she wanted to look around, he was happy to give her the guidebook. He rooted around under his desk and passed her a slim, glossy pamphlet which ran through most of the birds and plants in the dome, with quick descriptions, pictures, and factoids. For Cat, who rarely saw vegetation larger than lichen-mould, it was an eye-opener.

Isidore

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Byron looked a little concerned, and Isidore caught himself wandering how much the denizens of the station knew about the information leaking to the outside world.

"We've had a few illnesses." she said, warily. "But nothing to be worried about."

Scythia, Lorr, Mordicai

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"Afraid I can't." Osborne said smoothly. "I've already promised my company to those gentlemen over there, but I shall make a point to dine with you some other evening." He glanced up and around the room. "Terribly sorry, but I must move on now. On behalf of all of us here at Xanadu, I hope you all enjoy your stay."

And with that he was gone, Donner trotting in his wake like a dog. Isadora took a sip of her wine, and managed to make the gesture look meaningful.

"He's always been quite charming." She began, conversationally. "Well, so I hear." She sipped more of her wine, and leaned out of the way as a red-suited waiter with laid down a set of menus.

Secret agent double-roll-seven

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(1d100)[86](1d100)[93] vs (1d100)[66]

OOC: Once again, apologies that this is late and brief.

[Caimheul]

Isidore

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"That is a relief to hear. I know sometimes official reports blow things out of proportion to encourage caution. I do apologize for intruding upon your rest, and will hopefully not bother you further this evening." Isidore says with a slight bow, before leaving the medicae. He next seeks out a representative of the hospitality team, as not filing for financial restitution would seem odd following his complaint to the Magos.

[Malachite]

Lorr, Scythia, Mordicai

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Lorr nods at Adrienne's answer, clearly expecting her to expand on her duties. When she doesn't, there is a brief, uncomfortable silence.

"I see," he says, a little uncertain about how to continue. "Your master is fortunate to have such a talented servant."

He casts about for a moment, looking for something else to talk about.

"Do you know any of the others here?" he continues after a moment. "I've not had a chance to meet any of the other servants yet."

[Betrayer]

Lorr, Scythia, Mordicai

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"He certainly seems it." He picks up a menu and starts perusing it idly. Not particularly caring what he gets, he decides to have the first thing from each section, but keeps looking at the contents to keep up appearences.

"So you've heard? Do you have friends in common? Or just from visitors to this place?"

[LeSwordfish]

Isidore

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Returning through the station back to the dome, Isidore found that it seemed to be closing up for the night. The dome was almost empty, with a few scattered men smoking cigars in the simulacra of a warm summers evening. Some of the birds seemed to be performing an evening chorus, and three Slickbacks were looping in the treetops, cooing to each other like lovers.

"A complaint about the servitors?" The pimply young man at the information booth in the dome asked, looking like a man watching his chances of leaving early that evening ebb away. "I can get you a form to fill in, I suppose. What's the problem, exactly?"

Lorr, Scythia, Mordecai

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"Friends in common." Isadora mused. "I suppose you could say that."

She took another sip of wine and sat in thoughtful slience for a moment, breaking it only to place her order with the waiter. As he left, the malfian gave Mordicai a significant look.

"While I've never heard of the Tybalts, I suppose one must take an interest. Tell me, what interests does your family have? Do you own land?"

---

"I don't know anyone, not anyone." Adrienne said, seeming to chew on the words for a second before spitting them out.

"I know some folk." Lorr half-turned, to see the bodyguard of the Khayyer-Addins, the wiry man with large glare-shades, a sharp suit, and two of the largest bolt pistols Lorr had ever seen. "Over there" he began, pointing with a lazy finger, "is Osborne, who owns the place. Little way behind him schmoozin' the staff is Adie Donner, one of the stewards. Over by the serving hatch is Gendry, used to work for house Krin, left under a cloud a year back and seems to live here. We've got two malfian life-guard around, the big bastards. M'lady here"-he indicated Adrienne, who blinked at him a few times "-would be a logis-secretary, am i right? I think old man Gardinier has one of those, maybe you two can swap spaceship numbers or whatever."

It was hard to make out expression behind the shades, but his lower face looked smug. "I do my research. You'd be one of Tybalt's men, yes?"

[Caimheul]

Isidore

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"One of the luggage servitors scuffed an article of our luggage during handling. I have already spoken to the Magos regarding this issue and I am certain my companions would like to at least file an official report and/or seek financial restitution. If necessary I would be happy to return later with a completed form." Isidore responds without malice to the young man.

[Malachite]

Lorr, Scythia, Mordecai

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"I don't know anyone, not anyone."

For a moment Lorr feels a wave of pity and sympathy wash over him - loneliness is not such an unfamiliar emotion for him either - but then the bodyguard interrupts. As the intimidating man points out various people around the room, Lorr takes mental notes. Always useful to know who you're dealing with.

"I do my research. You'd be one of Tybalt's men, yes?"

"You've done your research well. I'm Master Tybalt's aide and body-servant. Lorr's my name.

[Aneurin]

Cat

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With a brief nod at the steward, Cat saunters off down the pathways of the aviary with book in hand. She's not really doing anything per se, so much as being - and what she's being is conspicuously present, making herself a part of this little world.

Oh, and she's being curious. These bird things really are interesting, though it's still hard to fight down a flinch reaction whenever one of the birds passes close by - in the underhive something flying over your head is virtually never and indicator of something good.

Gazing aimlessly at, well, everything, Cat continues her wandering down the pathways until she spots something concealed in the foliage that could very well be the way to that chemical thing Grice had been talking about - or something equally interesting.

With nothing else to do, she wanders over to try the door.

[LeSwordfish]

Cat

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Sure enough, her sharp eyes spotted a hatchway in the foliage, half-hidden in the rocks around an artificial waterfall. Trying not to be too conspicuous, she eyed it up. It looked like it was held locked with a battered padlock, and it was a significant distance off the beaten path. Should someone walk past, she'd have a difficult job explaining why she was climbing on the rocks.

OOC: Security test please, and Concealment or Silent Move if you want to be sneaky.

Lorr, Scythia, Mordicai

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"Quint." The bodyguard shook Lorr's hand, gripping firmly. "Visited before?"

Isidore

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"Just a moment." The young man went through a low doorway into a back room. Isidore heard some irritated muttering, and a few seconds later he returned with a form and a pen. "Fill this out, and hand it to any of the stewarding team."

The form looked to be built on the standards of the administratum: not difficult to fill out, but long and involved and very, very dull.

[Caimheul]

Isidore

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Upon recieving the forms and the pen, Isidore accepts them cheerfully. "Thank you! I shall endeavour to have these returned in a timely fashion." Isidore says with a slight inclination of his head before returning to the room.

[LeSwordfish]

Isidore & Cat

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As Isidore returned through the trees he nearly wandered clean into Cat, who was frowning at a pile of rocks around a small waterfall, which, on closer inspection, looked to contain a small metal hatchway, sealed with a padlock.

OOC: You two are now in the same spoilers.

[Caimheul]

Isidore & Cat

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Immediately upon spotting the hidden door Cat is in the process of studying, Isidore looks for anyone else nearby or any cameras pointed in their direction, attempting to hide his actions as simply taking in the sights around him. "I presume you intend to investigate that further? No specifics now obviously." he says with his vocoder on its lowest setting.

[Aneurin]

Cat & Isidore

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"Certainly," she says brightly. "It's a very interesting specimen. Would you mind taking a step to the left, so it doesn't feel overlooked?" She adds, turning to give Isidore a wicked grin.

Using the tech-priest's augmented bulk as a crude form of cover, Cat darts up the rocks to where the door is situated - as swift and silent as her namesake. As if by magic, a complex tool appears in her hand and she sets to work on the rusted lock.

Rolls;

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Security;
(1d100)[71] vs 43 (Fate reroll to 97)

Silent Move +10;
(1d100)[36] vs 53

Concealment;
(1d100)[89] vs 43

[Malachite]

Lorr, Scythia, Mordicai

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"Quint." The bodyguard shook Lorr's hand, gripping firmly. "Visited before?"

"No, first time for me," Lorr replies. "It's an impressive place, isn't it? I never expected to see so much life on an asteroid. So, as a man who's done his research, is there anyone here I should be wary of?"

[Betrayer]

Lorr, Scythia, Mordecai

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"Not primarily. We've got a bit of land, but mainly metal exports and food imports. You know, shuttle runs up to and back from Chartist ships, and even the occasional Rogue Trader. I'm not really particularly familiar with the details." He repeated the overview of his fictional family's income's to Lucien, sipping his wine.

"What about the Abraxiuses? Do you control land yourself?"

[LeSwordfish]

Cat and Isidore

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The door proved irritatingly resistant to Cat's tools, and having to keep her grip on the rocks didn't help. Up closer to it she could see the writing on it- she couldn't read, but she recognised the universal symbols for "toxic" and "keep out"- one's she'd ignored before.

Back on the path, Isidore shifted slightly awkwardly as voices passed nearby, on the other side of a stand of red-stalks, chattering about a game of battledore. A close call.

Lorr, Scythia, Mordicai

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Avoid the malfian bodyguards." the bodyguard said. "See the boxes on their necks? Voice-control boxes. They've probably got injector rigs implanted in the head too. Gland-guard, they're called. Voice-commanded, hyped to the gills on chems. I fought one in a duel, couple years back. Took three bolt rounds to bring down. Never piss off those malfians, let me tell you."

---

"We have many interests." Abraxius offered vaguely.

Isadora raised an eyebrow. "Anything as interesting as rogue traders?"

"Very interesting."

"Like what?"

Isadora winked at Mordicai. Abraxius looked thoroughly sour. "Private. Delicate matters."

[Malachite]

Lorr, Scythia, Mordicai

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"Since I don't have a bolt pistol, I think I'll take your word for it and steer clear of them," Lorr remarks with a wry smile. The smile slips as he takes a glance back at the dinner table. "Unfortunately, it looks as though Master Tybalt is not exactly endearing himself to whichever Abraxius that is. I do hope there won't be any need for violence. I expect Master Osborne would disapprove."

[Betrayer]

Lorr, Scythia, Mordicai

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"Oh, I understand entirely." Mordicai nodded knowingly. "Discretion is central to a lot of our business. I obviously wouldn't discuss any of the details of our clients. Still, what sort of business, in the broadest strokes? Exports? Construction? Production?"

He leant back in his chair and sipped his wine again.

[LeSwordfish]

Lorr, Scythia, Mordicai

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Quint gave a short, mirthless laugh. "You could certainly say that. I hear there's a pretty big security presence here. Start a fight and he'll have you chucked out of an airlock. Or catch a mysterious illness. Or something."


"Import. Export."

"Of what?" Isadora asked, with a crushing lack of delicacy. As Abraxius replied, the food was delivered to their table, gently steaming platters , jugs of vibrant sauces.

"Assorted items. We take no responsibility for what we carry, of course."

Isadora snorted. "You don't need to be so cagey, we aren't the inquisition."

[Betrayer]

Lorr, Scythia and Mordicai

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After carefully watching Lucien's reaction to this exclaimation, Mordicai turned to Isadora, laying a hand on her arm, as if to placate her.

"Come now. I'm sure their products are just something embarrassing." He paused, and made an expression as though a thought had just struck him. "Or maybe, something Lucien feels would offend our delicate sensibilities. We've all had to haul metaphorical Grox Dung once or twice. Or literal Grox Dung, for that matter."

"What are your own interests?"