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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lothred" data-source="post: 4337851" data-attributes="member: 41722">Investigation techniquesLazerus rose early, performing his morning ablutions and checking that his gear was as he had left it. Felekr still slept, snoring deeply and evenly. He should be out for quite a while, yet, the Arbitrator thought, considering what time the thug had finally stomped to bed. Lazerus had slept well, but lightly enough that his erstwhile roommate had wakened him on entering the room they shared, sometime in the small hours of the morning by his wrist chrono. As he descended the staircase to the main floor, he was surprised to see that Padraig was already present and behind the bar, wiping out a greasy glass with an equally filthy rag.   “Morning, boyo, sleep well did ye?”  “Well enough, Padraig, well enough. Thought I'd go out and see what the morning holds. That is, if it's all right with the boss.” “Well, sonny, far as I'm concerned ye won't be missed until about 12. That's when the first crowd of troublemakers usually starts trickling in. I can cover for ye until then, but be ye back here by 12 or else there just might be the Warp's own to pay. Luntz can be a bit particular when it comes to the whereabouts of his employees, you see.”  “I do indeed, I do indeed. Have no fears, I'll be back in time to safeguard the Union and it's fine clientele.”  The barman chuckled and flicked his rag at the door. “Go on with yerself, then, and enjoy the light while you can. Likely ye'll be seeing little enough of it, should ye impress the boss.”  Lazerus exited the bar, pausing outside the door to light a lho-stick and take in the surroundings. With the return of the day cycle, the streets were busy with workers heading for whatever menial jobs remained in the area that they could secure. Two-man teams of armored Enforcers walked casually through the crowd, seemingly more concerned with whatever topics of conversation they were engrossed in than keeping an eye on the proles. True enough, the proles gave the Enforcers wide enough berths that they could have strode six abreast, a fact which caused Lazerus' brow to furl. While citizens of the Imperium should always be respectful of those who enforced the law, these people seemed to be outright terrified of these Enforcers. That would bear some looking in to, he thought. With that in mind, Lazerus keyed his hand vox live.   “Badge to group. Coming in.”  The Arbitrator headed down the thoroughfare toward Hab-Stack 7-17, not noticing that two of the Enforcers' casual patrol patterns had altered slightly to follow him.  As he entered Saul Arbest's former hab chamber, Lazerus was greeted first of all by a rancid stink.  “Throne, was is that foul stench?” Holding a hand to his face, Lazerus moved toward the group, who were clustered around the bed and seemed to be in the midst of an argument of some sort.  “I tell you, it's not my fault! There was precious little material undamaged by you Myrmidons to begin with, and medicae training is not among my currently loaded subroutines!”  “Myrmidons! How dare you, you metallic moron! There is plenty of 'material,' as you put it, to be gleaned, or at least there was plenty. Thanks to your fumbling butchery, naught remains but scraps fit only for a sausage-maker!”  “You take that back, you flesh-sack! How dare you denigrate my abilities with your wild talk! I didn't see you stepping up to take the samples required! No, nor you, you vacuous viper! For all your talk of death and knife work, I don't remember you offering to ply the scalpel! Nor even you, oh mighty hunter! You can hack them up well enough, but ask you for precision and suddenly the bumpkin returns! 'Oh no, suh, Ah cain't do that.' By the Omnissiah, no you can't! None of you made the least offer of assistance, yet you do not hesitate to point the finger when I, an Adept of Mars, fail to secure a viable sample of mutant tissue from these, these fleshy things! For the last time, I DON'T DO FLESH!”  “Who are you calling a vacuous viper, gear-head? I should have your tongue for that, if it even remains!”  “Now, jess hol' on a minnet there, missy. Iffen ennyone's gonna get a piece o' this one, it'll be me fuhst. Ye'll jess hafta curb that temper o' yers like a good li'l girl while the menfolk take care o' the bizness at hand!”  “I shall do no such thing!” see how they taunt you, no one takes you seriously Ophelia's hand strayed toward her sword. “I shall not 'curb my temper,' nor shall I find myself staring up the exhaust port of some man who thinks with his...”  “ENOUGH!”  The Arbitrator's voice cut through the Acolytes' arguments like a monoknife through soft butter. Though they had heard Lazerus' roar before, never had it been aimed at any of them, and the shock of it momentarily stunned them all to silence.  “I can see that something has obviously happened here, and that there is some dissension as to exactly what or who is to blame. Perhaps one of you, ONE of you, could calmly regale me with a tale.” The other four looked at each other, then Eli started speaking just as Ophelia opened her mouth. Seeing Lazerus' attention focused on the young Guardsman, the Assassin stormed off to a corner of the room, seating herself on the floor with a huff. Eli recounted the happenings of the night, including Ophelia's warning of the others in time to prepare themselves and Tauron's skill with his machete. Apparently, after the Acolytes had dispatched their attackers, they had taken the time to examine them more closely. At this point, Ishmael took over the tale, pointing out the more obvious mutations that had been inflicted on the previously human forms. Writhing masses just under the skin, now still, metal bracings bolted to joints, massively enhanced musculature, fists encased in some form of crude augmetic glove, even subdermal armoring. Most obvious of all were the heads, which were encased in a mask of sorts, stitched directly to the scalp below, with only pinpricks of red light shining from the eye holes.  “As you can plainly see, this is exactly the sort of monstrosity that Interrogator Sand wanted samples from. Unfortunately, none of those present is more familiar with the interior workings of flesh-based systems beyond how best to dismantle them quickly. Thusly, it fell to me to attempt to retrieve viable samples. Despite my best efforts, and,” he continued, glaring at Ophelia who still sulked in the corner, apparently talking to herself, “despite some other, nameless, person's attempts to 'help,' not only was I unable to procure such a sample for the Interrogator, but I believe that I may have ruined the material beyond any others' reach. For that, I am sorry, but I will not bow my head to these inferior intellects that question my abilities.” Lazerus, seeing Eli and Tauron preparing to launch back into tirades aimed at the Tech-Priest, quickly cut in. “Ishmael, my friend, you have done as well as can be expected given the circumstances. Indeed, none here can say any different, can they?” At this, he glanced at the other two, who traded a look then shook their heads minutely. “There, no feelings need be hurt. None of us are trained medicae, are we? No? Then all we can do is the best we are able. I am sure that Interrogator Sand will take that into consideration. Now, were you able to find anything of value?” “Indeed, Lazerus, if you look here, you will notice a modified microbead, grafted to the aural and vocal systems...” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  Ophelia sat in the corner of the room, her anger at the Tech-Priest still boiling inside her. i told you they will all turn against you no one understands but me no one wants to understand they all want you to fit into their little molds “No, stop saying that. I won't listen to you.” Ophelia's voice came out in a hissing whisper. why won't you listen to me you don't even know who i am “I do too. You are some part of myself that I have kept pent up inside, trying to get out. My masters at the temple warned me about this.” A throaty laugh, laden with malice, sounded through her head. hahahahahahahahaha is that what you think foolish mortal how wrong you are how i will delight in showing you the true error of your ways “Who are you then?” Ophelia's voice began to quaver with a hint of fear. “Who? Tell me, damn you, tell me who you are!” Only silence greeted her, yet an undeniable sense of something mocking remained in the back of her mind. “WHO ARE YOU?!” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  The other Acolytes turned at Ophelia's shout, alarmed by her outburst. She quickly schooled her face to calm, but not before Lazerus noted an expression of what he could only name as fear.  “Is something wrong, Ophelia?” “Yes, we don't know what these things are or where they come from. I, uh, I was just trying to figure out what they are, and became frustrated. I apologize if my outburst startled you.” “Well, no harm done. Come, join us, we are planning our next move here.” “Actually, if it's all right with you, I would rather remain behind. I, I am not feeling well. Perhaps a day of rest would do me some good.” Lazerus frowned at this, but Eli spoke up before he could respond. “Do you think the enemies of the Imperium take a day off when they are tired?” Sensing another battle brewing, Lazerus again interjected. “Do what you must, Ophelia. I would rather have you rest the day and be at peak efficiency tonight than needlessly waste your energy. I have a feeling that we will all need to be sharp by the time night falls.” Eli seemed upset that the Arbitrator had allowed Ophelia's excuse to pass unchastened, but he grudgingly swallowed his argument and turned to leave.  “Eli, Tauron, and I will go to the Enforcer station and ask to speak to Warden Locan. He seems to be involved with things somehow, but I get the sense that he is a somewhat reluctant participant. That may be our best avenue of investigation right now. You stay and rest, Ishmael will remain behind also and continue examining these things. Tauron and Eli will return, but I have to return to the Union or else the local gang boss may become suspicious. We will plan our next moves based on what we learn this morning.” “Very well, and may space enfold you gently.” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  The three men made their way through Coscarla, past the Worker's Union and the marketplace, where they purchased something claiming to be breakfast, finally arriving at the Enforcer station, a three-story high pillbox of rockrete. The Acolytes entered the building, finding one surly man seated at a desk inside. He looked the intruders over quickly and pointed out the door. “Go 'way.” Lazerus and the Guardsmen shared a confused look. Surely they had misheard? The man looked up from the dataslate he was perusing, an annoyed look on his face. “I said, Go 'Way. Now go. Unless you're looking to be locked up?” Lazerus stepped forward. “No indeed, sir, we were merely hoping to be able to speak with Warden Locan. We have come into some information in which I believe he will be most interested.” The Enforcer squinted as he scrutinized the men before him. He was silent for some long moments as he considered Lazerus' words, then finally he spoke again. “Wait here, I'll be back in a moment or two. I'll just go see if the good Warden is awake and feeling up for visitors, you see.” With that, he passed through an armored door set into the wall behind the desk. The Acolytes shifted uncomfortably, Lazerus whispering to his comrades. “This is not right. Something about this whole set up smells funny. First the people fearing these Enforcers, now this. And since when does a Warden sleep in this late? I tell you, this whole precinct feels wrong.” The two Guardsmen nodded, content to follow the Arbitrator's lead when it came to matters of law enforcement. Finally, the man returned, along with two other Enforcers in full gear, autocarbines held at low ready. The first man motioned to Lazerus. “Come along with me, then, and I'll take you to Locan. You other two, stay here. My friends will keep you company.” Eli and Tauron shrugged and leaned against the walls in the reception area. Lazerus followed the man, who did not deign to introduce himself, along a narrow corridor to a door that sat nearly in the center of the station. The ornamented nameplate on the door clearly marked this as the office of Warden Locan, commander of the Enforcers of Coscarla Division. The man rapped once on the door, perfunctorily, then pushed the door open and gestured Lazerus inside. “Visitor, Locan. Keep it short, would you?” The Enforcer's insolence toward a superior officer caused Lazerus' choler to rise, but also raised certain questions in his mind. The Warden sat behind a cluttered desk, his disheveled appearance and haunted look immediately confirming the wrongness of the situation. He glanced fearfully at the Enforcer who had introduced Lazerus, nodded jerkily, and resumed his former posture of staring blankly at his desktop, arms hanging limply by his sides. The Enforcer smirked cockily at Lazerus, saying “Here you are, then. Go ahead and talk to him. I'm sure you'll find him quite the attentive audience!” With that, he moved down the hall back toward the reception area, laughing at some joke that the Arbitrator did not yet get. Lazerus closed the door behind him and took a seat in front of Locan's desk. He sat quietly, watching Locan fidget in discomfort, waiting for the Warden to break the silence first. An old interrogation trick, but still an effective one. Finally, Locan heaved a great sigh, looked up, and in a flat, emotionless voice asked “So, what is it you wanted to see me about?” Lazerus decided to come straight to the point, hoping to shock something out of the Warden. “I'm here about Saul Arbest's death.” Locan reeled back from the Arbitrator as though slapped. “S-S-S-Saul? Ar-Ar-Arb-Arb-Arbest? What do you mean, death? What? Who? Who are you?” “I told you already, I'm here about Saul Arbest's death. You can call me Ranald. I'm from uphive and, well, let's just say that they manner of poor Saul's death has caused some questions to be asked, and my colleagues and myself have been dispatched to find answers.” Locan looked about wildly, eyes wide with fright as he scanned the corners of the room as though searching for assassins coming to kill him. He turned back to Lazerus and hissed through cleched teeth. “Are you mad? What in the name of the Emperor are you doing, coming in here talking like that? You're going to get us all killed – you, your friends, and me! I can't believe that I actually reported him missing, must have been out of my mind. Now please, leave and never come back. Get out of Coscarla now, and you might just live to see another day.” “I don't think so, Warden. It seems to me that you are in some kind of trouble, but not nearly as much as what is coming. Believe me when I tell you that it would be best to cooperate with us. By the way, did you hear what had happened to poor Saul? I know his sister Lili reported him missing to you, she said you seemed upset at the news. Others around the Union and in the Division at large have noticed a change in your demeanor going back some time now, about the time that you started getting replacements among your Enforcers, no? Why don't you just tell me what's happening?” “I-I-I-I can't! Don't you understand? They'll kill me! Or worse!” “Who will kill you, Locan? And what could be worse than death?” “I can't tell you, don't you see?” Locan buried his face in his hands on top of the desk. “I'll tell you what I see and what I've seen, Warden. I've seen the body of a man, from all accounts a good man, mutilated and mutated, forbidden organs grafted onto his flesh, neural-control grafts attached to his spine and brain, a man who, it seems, was killed when he attempted to run. And right now I see the man who could have saved him, who could have stopped these disappearances years ago, snivelling like a schoolchild who has lost his ice-treat! Now speak, man, and things may end up better for you!” Locan raised his face, eyes wet with tears yet unshed but gleaming with faint hope. “Does that mean, can you, I mean, what do you mean? Are you Arbites? Hive militia? PDF? What? How do you know these things? How can they go better for me? If I tell you all I know, can I go free?” Lazerus' features hardened. “No, Locan, there can be no freedom for you. As for who I am, let's just say that I am familiar with the inside of an Arbites precinct and leave it at that. Now, though, the organization that I represent transcends all others. Were you to know, you would surely beg me for mercy. But, no, Locan, you will not go free. But if you tell me what I need to know, I can promise that your death will be swift and painless, which is more than you deserve for the suffering that you have allowed to be inflicted on the people that have been assigned to your care.” Locan's cry of anguish nearly moved Lazerus to repent, but he steeled his heart as the Warden buried his face in his hands once again, his shoulders heaving as the older man wept unabashedly. “Just go then. Ju-Ju-Ju-Just go. Leave me. Get out of Coscarla and you'll probably live. I have nothing.” Lazerus waited for several minutes, but Locan's sobs and repeated entreaties to leave were his only reward. Finally, frustrated, Lazerus rose from the chair and moved toward the door. “You disgust me, Locan. Be warned, though you are no doubt already aware, that you are in violation of Imperial statute 108.629 section zed subsection 12m – failure by a duly sworn law enforcement official leading directly to the bodily harm and/or death of one or more Imperial citizens placed under his care. Punishable by death.” Lazerus' voice softened to a near whisper. “The next time I see you, Warden Locan, judgement shall be passed.” The Arbitrator stormed out of the room, slamming the door to silence the broken man's wailing cries. Lazerus strode angrily up the hall to the waiting area, ignoring the smug look on the Enforcers' faces as he gathered Eli and Tauron and exited the building. He stormed on for some minutes, the two Guardsmen having to jog to keep up, before Tauron finally stopped him. “Din't go so well, Ah guess.” “No, it didn't go well! That, that wretch is a disgrace to all Imperial servants everywhere, and deserves whatever punishment the Inquisition can devise for him! He knows much, perhaps everything, but is so damned scared that he won't say anything! Only that we should leave Coscarla if we want to live.” “Well, we ain't-a doin' that, so wha's our next move?” Lazerus glanced at his wrist chrono. “I have to return to the Union to keep up this pretense of working for Luntz. Maybe if I get in a little tighter with him I can learn more. Meanwhile, I've just remembered something that tickled my mind last night. After lights-out, the only light that could be seen was outside the Worker's Union. Except, I saw another light, down to the southwest. I've heard plenty of the patrons at the Union speak of the Alms House, and from their talk that seems to be the direction it lies in. Perhaps you two could check it out, see if there's anything suspicious there? Also, I've heard that there is still a functioning Templum nearby. See if the priest there knows anything useful. I'm off.” With that, Lazerus moved quickly through the marketplace, heading for the Worker's Union and his afternoon shift. Eli and Tauron looked around, quickly seeing the Templum that Lazerus had spoken of off to the northeast. The two men looked at each other, Eli speaking up. “I'll take the Templum if you want the Alms House?” “Soun's good t' me. Jess watch yer back.” “You too.” With that, the two men split up and headed for the designated buildings.</blockquote>

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