"Send These, The Homeless, Tempest-Tost To Me" FT - Open

[Sub Sector Protractis]

Inquisitor Armus

The Ombroj liaison arrived, the savage xeno was adorned with fine ornamentation which Armus imagined was status of an ambassador or some kind of steward to the clan leaders. The Ombroj spoke in rather refined low gothic leaving Armus somewhat surprised, Armus nodded his head and responded

"Yes master Ombroj, I am Inquisitor Armus. I extend gratitude to you and your Clansmen for their rapid and discreet manner in which you have been able to execute this contract. My staff and I would be most humbled to meet with your leadership as you offered. As for pay, you need not worry master Ombroj, I am many things but not a debtor. Your clan will be paid handsomely for the services they provide. Do you have a name master Ombroj?"

With introduction made and the ability to receive local intel on the ground Armus would have his retinue prepared to meet the Ombroj leadership. Armus knew that the moment the Illuminated Children thought there was a threat of Imperial attack they would lose their quarry in the flurry of uprising that would respond.

As the team was loading up their immediate supplies Armus was approached by his Astropath and psyker Jarin Jefferies "Lord Armus, I am disturbed and must share the quakes in the void that I feel."

"What is it Jarin?" asked Armus

Jarin began, looking for the right way to explain what to a non-psyker is the un-explainable "Many of the species here are giving off a psychic signature, I feel the passive connection within a great many souls as if I was on a craft world. To what extent and degree I do not know, but the risk is, if the Luminaries began to spread into psychically sensitive races...."

"Then the great consumption will see this as a beacon in the night and the cult may have new powers or abilities that we have not yet seen. We may wish to contact a Free company, the 4th and the 8th free companies are will known for their discretion and...."

He was cut off by Armus "Then you would have both the Lords of War and Whispers abreast of the incident, leaving Reed and I dead or worse....No we handle this here, quietly, without loose ends from the luminaries fleeing."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Polemon Flotilla, Universe Class Mass Conveyor The Endless Harvest

Reed was a veteran as much as he was a politician, years of experience on both the political and literal battlefield led him to believe that Kranmar was, in a way, sizing him up. As such, Reed would have to walk a fine balance between cooperative with the Mind Empire and Committed to his own objectives. ..."Walk Softly and carry a big gun... The line rang out to him from his sub conscious.

The admirals transport would be directed to the The Endless Harvest, normally a very utilitarian ship Reed had requested years ago that many luxury halls be created from the open space for which to hold Balls and Galas among the stars while still being able to transport the more mundane aspects of Imperial needs such as War materials, treasure, and troops. In essence Reed was asking for Kranmar's trust and openness to his system. Reed calculated that only by offering a similar transparency and the upmost hospitality would he receive the same. The Complement of troops and Armor that was brought with Reed would be ready for inspection after the introductory pleasantries and banquets.

A transmission was sent to the Admirals Transport:

Code: Select all

+++++Greetings, Lord Kranmar as the dock master of the Endless Harvest I request that you land your transport at diplomatic reception dock 2 4 6 1. An escort wing will take up positions on your flanks to guide you in.++++


The Admiral's transport would see two Thunderbolt fighters take position on the left, one slighting ahead to guide the transport in. Once the green and orange guide lights of the bay were visible the lead Thunderbolt dipped its right wing in a salute and peeled off to the left. The second pulled forward of the transport before doing the same.

As the transport landed, what would look on the outside to be a dull and rather unimpressive vessel would open up into a splendid Baroque hangar with white floors, bulkheads, and ceilings. Banners of Red and Gold, with Flags of the Sub Sector and Polemon strung over the center.

The Transports occupants would be greeted by an honor guard of Reed's Praetorian Guard, Armor of silver and gold Plate fully polished. Twenty of them, lining the left and right flanks facing inboard. Ten more behind Reed and his staff, all with their Hellguns in a present arms.

A Carpet of lush red and gold velvet was placed from the end of the transports ramp to the feet or Reed. As the Admiral and his staff disembarked, one of Reed retainers leaned forward and whispered something. Reed acknowledged this with a very slight nod.

Psykers, the Human looking ones were psykers and of them was very powerful who's presence was felt even before the transport hand docked. Reed's Astropath would stay close during their meeting then, to bar any intrusive prying. With them also was a more unnatural looking Xeno, a creature that looked about a foot taller then the average Astartes. Reed's men, though uneasy in the presence of non-humans had grown more accustomed to these interactions due to their role as his diplomatic bodyguard. Reed hoped that any apprehension felt by the men would merely come off as concern for protecting their charge.

Another of Reed's retainers bolted out from the position of attention "Honored and Esteemed Guests of the Mind Empire! Welcome! To the Endless Harvest!"

Once Admiral Kranmars first foot touched the Carpet, Reed did the same in sequence. He would walk with open arms, palms up to the delegation to meet them half way, symbolically showing an interest in cooperation.

[Mercatus]

Captain James Samuel's Vessel

"Oh, thank God!" the Captain exclaimed after hearing the message. The coordinates were shown on the navigation display, and haste was made to chart a course.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" the Captain asked.

"What's beautiful?" asked Lilith, the vessel's navigator.

"The gas giant I mean. It's beautiful, the green and blue bands, and the storm. I can see the lighting in the atmosphere from here."

"Yeah, I guess it's beautiful. I just hope we are safe in this system." Lilith replied.

"Well, the Mercatusians didn't follow us here, so we should be good, right?" the Captain inquired.

Lilith looked at the Captain, "I don't know, James, something just doesn't feel right. I feel like we never truly lost them, that something related to them is here, in this system. You saw their stealth tech, as well as their incredibly convincing infiltration robots." she said.

The Captain thought on this, "I don't know. I have to admit I have many questions myself. Only time will tell."

Moon 03

After the vessel had landed, the access ramp came down. The 6 wounded displayed horrific wounds, which were mostly burns of differing severity and effect, with some having melted the skin, and others having taken off limbs. They were carried on makeshift stretchers by the other passengers. A small child, no more than 3 or 4, stood at the end of the ramp, clutching a teddy bear and with dried tears visible on her face. She was accompanied by an older kid, presumably 14-16, who stood beside her, his arm around her shoulder. The Captain and navigator came out last, and looked around for anyone who looked like they were coming to assist.

To the likely relief of the party, there was a team of attendants on standby. Several carried stretchers. They were a party composed primarily of Hamans and Mallumans and androids. Picking up the most grievously wounded, the stretcher carriers took them to the severe injury wards. Along with the medical team came the "civilian ambassador" a Haman man who introduced himself as Rebeno Durlos. He was a tall, smooth faced, black haired fellow with ice blue irises and a tall head. He extended his hand to the Captain and Navigator and other "leaders" of this group and Welcomed them.

In addition to the usual form of greetings, he assured them "we are taking your wounded to the emergency wards to be cared for. We have some of the finest nano-technology for cell level repairs. We can offer both cybernetic and organic replacements for lost limbs and organs as well. You'll be able to meet them after security and wellness screening. For those of you in good health, you can follow me to our screening areas and we will take you to the general lobby where you can get anything you need, supplies, food, information pamphlets. I'm available for any questions you have."

He would bid the group follow him to the screening queues and the lobby afterword, and along the way he would be open to any questions they had.

Moon 04

The disguise vessel rapidly approached the hangar, having sent no reply after clearance to dock was given. It was a very dangerous speed for a hangar approach, and would likely result in a crash.

Closer...

Closer...

CRASH!

The ship slammed into the hangar floor, erupting into flames. The ship was very small, so it wouldn't damage anything besides the immediate area. From the area where the cockpit once was, a figure emerged from the flames. It had a grey-black color to it, and was completely opaque. There were no facial features, just a smooth, featureless, humanoid shape.

Most confounding of all, it emerged unscathed. This would likely cause much confusion and security issues.

The crash was obviously a disturbance to the natural flow of this moonbase. The automatic security and repair teams were launched to assess the damage. The one organic part of this team, a Haman woman named Erissa Janos figured it might have been a passed out pilot or some kind of automatic ship malfunction. She wore one of the void power armor suits issued to Sevashi-Stellaris and other Naval engineers. She was accompanied by a large ship-tugging droid with crab arms and a single large eyepiece, and two smaller ball-drones. The two drones were security pattern with restraints and plasma turrets. They were present in case this wasn't a drunk driving incident.

When they arrived at the crashsite however, Erissa and the drones found what appeared to be an unharmed metallic creature. Observing that the thing appeared to be completely unharmed and not alarmed at it's present situation, Erissa realized this might be a more serious threat than she first anticipated. Stopping several meters above and apart from it, Erissa and the drones tried to contact it with a loud alarm and her speaking: "IDENTIFY YOURSELF! You've crashed on our moonbase and violated security protocol. For your safety and the safety of all who enter this system, you will come with us for questioning."

The ship-tug began the work of trying to excavate the rubble of the crashed ship. Erissa sent a live feed to her superiors and comrades to make sure they were kept abreast of the situation.

James Samuel's Group

"Thank you very much Mr. Durlos. I do have one question regarding security, how safe is this system? We came from a planet that was destroyed by a very powerful foe, but I can only inform you of the atrocities committed when I can be sure of the safety of my crew, because this enemy is clever, as well as very technologically advanced." Said the Captain. He motioned for his compatriots to follow Durlos, and was elated at the prospect of food. More information on where they were would also be helpful, as well as the people in charge of this whole thing.

Moonbase

The advanced robot looked up at Erissa. As it examined and scanned the being, it uttered a single word from seemingly nowhere, as it did not possess visible auditory structures, "No." As the automaton finished it's scan, its form began to change, forming an exact visual copy of the woman. A smirk appeared on its projected face, and its arms reformed and flattened into razor sharp double-edged blades. In no more than a blink of the eye, the robot jumped to a superhuman height, and charged at Erissa. It isn't every day you get attacked by a robotic copy of yourself. The blades were set to impale her face and abdomen, and the thing seemed to move with ungodly speed.

[Lotrabme]

Inquisitor Armus
"Your clan will be paid handsomely for the services they provide. Do you have a name master Ombroj?"

With this the Ombroj curled his trunk in what Inquisitor Armus might have recognized as a smile. He replied: "My name is Jirm. My... family, you can call the Umara. They are a branch of the Loyal Tribe of Zaak. When you meet them you can refer to them as such."

As Jirm, Inquisitor Armus, and the team exited the landing bay they found a large civilian charter bus waiting for them. "Inquisitor, if you will sit with me as I drive us to the complex, we have ample room in the bus for your team. It will keep our profile low."

Armus could choose or not to sit with Jirm, if he did, Jirm would have some idle chatter with him as he drove the bus.

As they drove, Jirm pointed out some details to Armus. "Look there, you see the fliers? They started popping up about two weeks ago in large numbers, though I think I saw the first about a month back. The flyer details says they have plans to build bigger churches than their little shack downtown on Rico Mundi. If you don't take out the leaders here you might seek them out on the blue world.

"I should say too" Jirm half-whispered "don't ask my boss too many questions about what we do here. He's very friendly but he might think you are a spy for IRDaC or the Office of Civil Compliance. We try to stay one step ahead of them here."

If the Inquisitor did not choose to sit with Jirm, he and his team would see the same sights from either side of the bus. They would drive down a long road on the desert like landscape and they approached a large crevice in the land. It opened what looked from the side like a plain into a tall wall of rock and clay. There were enclosed glass habitats carved into the rock-wall and a road tunnel approaching fast. Jirm drove with some speed into the city, and passed under a toll gate alongside other vehicles. Inside the enclosure he slowed and took many turns. This was likely meant to keep the buses route inconspicuous but gave the Inquisitors time to catch the sites of Canyon City.

They would see various industrial workers and miners leaving the deep shafts and entering the main streets to head for their apartments. The employees of IRDaC's mining conglomerates were mostly of Haman and Nebulan extraction: Humanoid and Insectoid. Reptilian Mallumans and the furry, ursine Ombroj were also common, as were the grasshopper-like Erkanch from the neighboring federation, stone-like humanoids with potato-eyes and no expression, the odd turtle-ish Vom merchants, molusc-like Scolodons hocking their wares, and gourd-shaped Endelites setting up farmers markets among Haman and Malluman and Android shopkeepers in the main squares.

Among these, who were common sites in the Empire, there were countless aliens and humans from other far flung star states, looking for work and opportunities to rebuild their lives in quiet and peace. If the Inquisitors were wary, they might see among these crowds the odd sign of their charges. They would certainly see the fliers for the new community church, which Jirm and his family would explain was set up here in an old derelict warehouse the Luminaries managed to rent out from Numon's land speculators.

Eventually, Jirm pulled the bus into an underground parking garage. After going down eight levels he parked the bus in a long stop, and escorted the Inquisitorial team into a long hallway. The hall was dimly lit and dingy, but eventually they came upon a set of double doors which Jirm opened and they found themselves in a wood paneled great hall divided into several rooms. Passing into one of the backrooms and navigating through various Ombroj and Mallumans lounging and smoking hooka-pipes, they made their way to the banquet hall of Jirm's boss: Bekk Umara.

Bekk looked similar to Jirm in frame, except his skin was a darker brown and his fur was silver-grey. He wore a velvet-green cape and was sipping wine from a jewel encrusted goblet with his anteater like tongue. He curled his trunk in a smile when the group entered. "Welcome Friends! Welcome to the Umara Hall. Please make yourselves at home. I have the buffet out for you." He pointed his claws toward a gigantic tray of various foods, mostly edible to humanity.

Jirm introduced the Inquisitor. "This, Boss Bekk, is Hector Armus, an Inquisitor from Subsector Protractis. He has brought his retinue. They are hunting disturbers of our arrangements here on Gram's World."

"Ah, so you are the hunters then" Bekk sounded pleased. He bowed his head and directed himself to the Inquisitor. "I am Bekk Umara, one of the leaders of the great tribe of Zaak. As Jirm may have told you we have a common enemy in these Luminists. They are fervently anti-black market, and that is no good for me. And before we get the Hamans in here with their Liquidators and their Church Inquisitors... present company excepted" he grunted a laugh "we'd rather deal with the problem discretely."

"To that end" he said "I have two of my best to help you: a Malluman Velite of many successful hunts, and one of my own snipers. They are Garya Theliney and Denn. Come out fellas."

From one of the nearby tables an even more stout and blond coated Ombroj: Denn, appeared. He wore a matching bandanna and sash in a white and blue checkered pattern and had a large rifle holstered on his back. Garya, the Malluman huntress, came out from the shadows, standing eight foot three and wearing a net-bodysuit and light steel armor on her shoulders and legs. She was an albino of her race having a yellow and white coloration and red eyes. She silently nodded her head and Denn snorted: "a pleasure Mr. Armus."

Bekk awaited the inquisitors approval: "they can lead you to the hotspots and they are both trained in their arts... if they are agreeable to you, they will assist you. Are you fine with this arrangement Sir?"

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Meanwhile: Aboard The Endless Harvest

When met with a safe landing, Admiral Kranmar and his accompanying duo exited their transport and found themselves amid the Baroque styling of the Governor's vessel. When greeted warmly, Kranmar silently bid the others follow him in a similar gesture.

"Greetings Governor Reed" Admiral Kranmar said with a grin and a short bow of his head. The Werox and the Prelate did the same motion but remained silent. "Might I say Sir, that your ship is a sight to behold. I quite like the style you've chosen for the interior. It is a testament to what I hope is your good discretion."

He motioned to his companions and introduced them: "This is Ion Malicon, a Prelate of the High Sage Council and the College of High Clerics. He his here as part of my advisory staff. As is Honbeya Sorney. She is Werox, or Chieftess, of her clan of Malluman warriors and a commander in my local forces. Since this is a security matter I felt it was vital she accompany me as well. If we are to proceed they need to be aware of the situation."

[Lotrabme]

James Samuel's Group

"Thank you very much Mr. Durlos. I do have one question regarding security, how safe is this system? We came from a planet that was destroyed by a very powerful foe, but I can only inform you of the atrocities committed when I can be sure of the safety of my crew, because this enemy is clever, as well as very technologically advanced." Said the Captain. He motioned for his compatriots to follow Durlos, and was elated at the prospect of food. More information on where they were would also be helpful, as well as the people in charge of this whole thing.

Moonbase

The advanced robot looked up at Erissa. As it examined and scanned the being, it uttered a single word from seemingly nowhere, as it did not possess visible auditory structures, "No." As the automaton finished it's scan, its form began to change, forming an exact visual copy of the woman. A smirk appeared on its projected face, and its arms reformed and flattened into razor sharp double-edged blades. In no more than a blink of the eye, the robot jumped to a superhuman height, and charged at Erissa. It isn't every day you get attacked by a robotic copy of yourself. The blades were set to impale her face and abdomen, and the thing seemed to move with ungodly speed.

James Samuel and Durlos

As they were lead to what looked like a large shopping mall food court Durlos conversed with James Samuel. "Rest assured sir, you are in Sovereign Space of the Mind Empire. This system is governed by an Admiral of the 5th Order, and he keeps his detachment of the fleet in tip top shape. We have many forces protecting this system, because it was his aim to make this place a safe haven for the refugees of the galaxy."

He showed them that they could get whatever they liked here free, it was all paid for by the toll services for the system and for the "work=tax" programs established by IRDaC and the Imperial Congress. Durlos would stay with James Samuel for a while and talk with him more. "Whatever happens, I know the Naval Defense Forces here will stop at nothing to keep hostile invaders out of the system."

Moonbase

Erissa was caught offguard by the transformation of the being. She was wearing a suit which was concealing most of her figure, so she was alarmed that it could form so accurately. Luckily for her, she was livestreaming her suits camera feed to her superiors in the barracks. "Captain are you seeing this?" She asked as she opened fire on the thing. The ball-drones with her did the same. They fired plasma rounds at high temperature at the being.

The Captain of her Sevashi Stelarii detachment replied "I copy Corporal, looks like we have a mimic. I'll have reinforcements out there five minutes ago." With that five of Erissa's Marine Company and eight more ball-drones rushed from the barracks tower and flew across the void around the moonbase toward the crash site, weapons ready for a fight.

Meanwhile, as Erissa tried her best to dodge the lunge of the mimic and shoot at it, the two ball-drones with her attempted to blast it too. They were able to fly around it so they had greater agility to dodge. Whether that would save them before the rest of the squad arrived was yet to be seen.

[Sub Sector Protractis]

Inquisitor Armus

Armus observed what could only be construed as some form of smile from the Ombroj as it identified itself. "Jirm, thank you....I would be pleased to speak with you during our transit to your superiors."

Armus and Jirm spoke while in the driver seat and Jirm informed the Inquisitor of the Luminary activity on the planet side. While stopped in traffic Armus' vox-bead chirped

"My Lord, possible visual on Luminary hybrid, subject is in religious vestments, ridges on the forehead, third arm. Permission to dismount once out of eye shot, capture and extract?" Spoke one of Armus' troopers

"Negative, we cannot compromise cover, take a pic-capture." replied Armus.

Armus and his retinue eventually made contact with Bekk who received the group with hospitality. " My friend, thank you for your most hospitable reception, my team and I may enjoy some of the bountiful sustenance you have provided once are finished discussing business. As Jirm describing we are here to remove a mutual problem....the Luminaries....I will accept the help of your hunters, also I will request you discretely marshal whatever forces you may bring to bear. If the Luminaries discover my forces are here they may plunge into open rebellion. This will be bad for your operations, and our mission. Therefore we must bleed them dry and force their masters into the open, for this you would be further compensated. There is also the matter of our nation's interest at hand, we desire it to appear that the Luminary Cult originated from the Mind Empire and not our own planet. Would you have any suggestions of what trader cartels would be most, susceptible to this request?"

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Aboard the Endless Harvest

"Honored Guests, please join me at the parade deck for a review of the troops I have brought with me and then a meal in my diplomatic quarters should it suit you" said Reed.

Kranmar and his retainers were escorted through several bulk heads with workers of the vessel parting for the delegation with bowed heads as they walked.

Reed engaged in small talk with Kranmar concerning the nature of the vessels decor and challenges presently faced by the Luminary threat before coming to a final bulk head. It opened with a hiss of pneumatic action to a space that allow the entire division of Reed's PDF and it's armored regiment to be on display. 20,000 fighting men and 5,000 armored vehicle crew stood in formation with Officers barking out commands to attention. The delegation was present at the review balcony when the battle group's commander, General Vericon shouted over a vox-projector "Present Arms!"

In unison the troops presented salutes, cut them and replied "Our lives for he on the Throne!"

Reed turned to Kranmar saying " You see Lord Admiral, my men are prepared to cut this cancer from your nation should it be needed. I have brought my own Enforcers, veterans of our purge of the Luminaries. I stand ready to support a join endeavor to any capacity needed, *motioning to several soldiers on the balcony with them* I also have my personal intelligence operatives who for all intents and purposes do not exist and are very adept at hunting the Luminaries. I wish to proceed in a coalition with your forces in a matter agreeable to you and your staff.

Please if you would, to the dining area so we may speak over a meal and the finest drink of Polemon."

Reed departed with the guests to the dining area were they may choose if they were going partake in the meal or merely mingle with Polemon representatives.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Disciples of the Illuminated Star, Street Preaching

Traffic was congested as normal on Rico Mundi and missionary teams prowled the streets.

"Come now all children of the galaxy, come and see the truth of the Illuminated Star, come see what it means to join a family mosaic that is as diverse and encompassing as the stars of the galaxy. No one will be denied, No hunger or thirst unsatisfied. The Lords of the Stars will provide all that is needed for the faithful and downtrodden." The preacher wailed allowed.

Two of his arms high in the air and a third holding a stack of pamphlets with religious materials. He gazed on as a bus stopped in traffic momentarily and then carried on.

[Lotrabme]

" My friend, thank you for your most hospitable reception, my team and I may enjoy some of the bountiful sustenance you have provided once are finished discussing business. As Jirm describing we are here to remove a mutual problem....the Luminaries....I will accept the help of your hunters, also I will request you discretely marshal whatever forces you may bring to bear. If the Luminaries discover my forces are here they may plunge into open rebellion. This will be bad for your operations, and our mission. Therefore we must bleed them dry and force their masters into the open, for this you would be further compensated. There is also the matter of our nation's interest at hand, we desire it to appear that the Luminary Cult originated from the Mind Empire and not our own planet. Would you have any suggestions of what trader cartels would be most, susceptible to this request?"

Bekk Umara agreed to the primary terms with a theatrical gesture. Standing and turning about the hall, he called to his capos: "Omj of Umara, does this sound like a task you are able to handle?"

Inquisitor Armus's ears would be greeted by a guttural grunt, like a deep voiced animal howling in the woods. Bekk smiled "My partners and I would be happy to provide discrete assistance. To your last point however I must raise a counter-concern of mine..."

Bidding the Inquisitor closer, Bekk attempted to offer him a quieter conversation. They went to a part of the room where if Armus was paying attention, he would notice he was in a cone of silence. Bekk continued.

"Sir, I can arrange that the Cult can come from somewhere in the Empire. We have a lot of systems and people in them to choose from. And I know a low grade target who the local governor won't object to excising. I have to pull some strings to make it look legit though. While Garya and Denn help you find a way into their local base, my men will take care of it. You're money is good yes? If it is then we will have no problem. The Luminaries aren't the only folks who are a thorn in my side."

After their conversation, Garya the Malluman huntress and Denn the Ombroj sniper approached Armus and his comrades. Garya told them "whenever you are ready we will show you the way to their base. It's a hidden route, so if you have cloaking tech you'll want to have it on standby."

-------
MEANWHILE, on board the Endless Harvest:

After witnessing the display of force which Governor Reed had brought alongside him, Admiral Kranmar was thinking on what to do and say. He and his retinue gladly accepted to the food and the ability to mingle. The Admiral stayed close to Reed and continued to discuss with him. Among various small-talk topics he worked his way back to the matter at hand.

"I have some solace in the fact you've brought such a grand force to fight this threat, though I hope we have things under better control here than that. I do have my own forces stationed in system."

"Here's what I would propose" the Admiral said "in my authority as Overlord of the system I can order a mandatory grounding of all commercial and civilian spaceflights, barring my infrastructural support and military craft. This won't be publicly related to the Luminaries at all, I can say it was due to an outbreak of a deadly disease or due to a potential cosmic activity. We could induce a solar prominence of some kind... anyway, during the period of downtime, the Luminaries will not be able to leave wherever they've set up base for a time, long enough for us to conduct arrests and raids. The can be done by our forces, and because of the threat of alert and exposure, we can dress your soldiers in Mind Imperial livery for the task. In our uniforms and armor they won't stand out, and I'll assign task squads to assist them."

The Admiral sighed: "It'd need a week, but it can be done. How does this sound to you?"

[Sub Sector Protractis]

Armus smiled as Bekk motioned him to come closer, Jarin whispered to the psyche {My Lord, Above you}. With a glance upward Armus observed he was stepping into a silencing field. Bekk informed Armus that the Mind Empire would be able to be framed but Armus would have to pay.

"Master Ombroj, If your clan performs as well as promised you will have wealth undreamed of, all save a planetary governor. The money is good, and its good because frankly neither your troops or mine will see this operation through unscathed. In fact, we may all die before the end. So it is imperative that the Luminary threat be traced back to the Mind Empire, no matter the cost. If we survive this, I will be willing to lend support to removing other issues you may be encountering." Armus replied soberly.

"Garya, Denn, thank you. Our first step will be recon and tracking of the threats. They have a tendency to infiltrate various mechanisms of power and infrastructure. I need to understand how deep this local cell goes and how far it is connected before we assault directly. If there are local thugs they have recently been pushed out of the area they may want to retaliate we need to know what they would leave behind as a calling card." said Armus, "Unless of course you think that we can take out the cell with out drawing too much attention to ourselves."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Governor Reed looked the Admiral dead on, "Lord Admiral, I understand the need for you to maintain the appearance of unaided dominance. As such my intel operatives can enter the fight directly with your men. My PDF troopers are valiant and loyal but they are hardly suited to covert actions. As for grounding all flights, I would wait until we are prepared to strike in full force and remove the head of the cult. If the Luminaries even suspect you are on to them you will have a rebellion on your hands and they will scatter to all corners of space. The must be identified and destroyed in detail are they will rear their heads again. If I am not mistaken I have hear mention of a contagion afflicting parts of your colony. Would you be opposed to genetic screening, starting at your closest advisors and down the chain of command, eventually at all check points and docking stations. With this we have an numerical and location database from which we can assess the influence of the Luminaries. Those that are found to be contaminated with Luminary gene markers can be turned over to my enforcers and we will take custody to debrief them. I can hold my troops in reserve in the event they need to be deployed en mass to counter a Luminary rebellion. I would ask your security advisor to allow my command staff to liaise with yours and determine possible drop points and civilian evacuation musters. As much as time is not a commodity, it is the only thing they will allow us to deal with this matter in finality."

[Lotrabme]

"I understand your meaning Inquisitor" Bekk replied. "I'll set my boys on it. You see that the guys here on Gram's World get put down, and they'll lead you to the others on Rico Mundi. The rival cartel to mine, the Cerberus Invocators will be the target. Going after any of the Imperial officials would be too grand. And besides, they don't tolerate that kind of heterodoxy, while the Invocators do. And they're full of mutant Hamans like these Luminists. It'll be easy to make the connection." With that Bekk sent the inquisitor on his way.

Later, Garya replied to the Inquisitor's plans of action. "The local cell is small, our team should be able to take care of them. The local gangs have only just started being pushed out here. It's not like on Rico Mundi in Tychonia. If we drop in on them silently, we can get the codes to their hideouts there from this cell."

Denn growled another word "First." He provided a holo-projection of Canyon city. "The cell's base is a mile northwest and two hundred meters down from us. We can get on the roof of the nearby tower, here." He pointed at a ten story building overlooking the warehouse where the Luminaries of Gram's World were apparently congregating. "It's a hotel still under construction. We can figure out our entry point from there, and see how many of them are on patrol."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile....

Admiral Kranmar smiled at the suggestions that Reed was making. "Governor Reed, I would not at all be opposed to genetic screening. If you know what you are looking for, you will be able to find it easily. We have extensive genetic records, especially for the Haman population. Regular screening is a part of our Imperial health services. And yes, for your peace of mind I will consent to you starting with my chain of Command, including myself and my associates here."

"If the Luminaries rebel, we will crush them. Werox Honbeya and my other security staff will be able to advise you and yours on the particulars of our drop sites and evacuation routes. We have an orbital infrastructure around the worlds of this system that is still in the process of being built. It is however able to handle the amount of traffic we have had of late."

[Sub Sector Protractis]

Armus' team had moved into position, Merrick's squad was positioned on their aircraft. Three, four man teams on three craft, Davingore, Merrick, with Denn and Garya. The strike force was ready to assault the tower, grav-chuts attached waiting for Garya to advise when they should move.

Minnek's Squad, Kellen, and Moffet were on a second set of craft with Armus and the rest of his retainers at a temporary operation center. Meanwhile the 40-60 Luminaries of the present target were at minimal staffing as they were gathering for prayer.

The night was dark, clouds covered the skyscape, the team's helmets provided a white night vision display. Their pulse carbines loaded and prepared to engage the Luminaries.

Davingore turned to Denn and Garya saying "When we get in there, we isolate the cell leadership for capture, everything else.....male, female, child. Wipe it out."

From his command center Armus watched with a quite form of anxiety, he took a breath, paused and said "Engage"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Governor Reed returned the smile and said "Well then it is settled then, I will have my magos biologists prepare to transfer the data for your screening. My command staff will prepare the officers with the information you provided and will start planning contingencies in the event their deployment is needed."

Governor Reed looked to the intel operatives and said "You will depart with the Admiral's staff, you will follow his guidance and keep collateral damage to a minimum. Make the Luminaries disappear, you do not exist and the Sub Sector is not here to support you.....understood Gorbin?"

The leader of the intel detachment nodded his head and replied "Yes Governor, it will be quiet and clean. Admiral I am at your service." bowing his head.

[Lotrabme]

Armus' team

Garya had told the fireteam about the two exit vectors surrounding the building. One was large and served as a garage door for the warehouse, and it was on the same side of the building as the two main doors, making them effectively the same exit path. The other was a single door leading to a narrow alley. The inquisitors could see this plainly for themselves.

Denn and Garya would join the team in their respective rolls. Garya had her stealth harness and her claw-gauntlets equipped. She informed Davingore that she could sneak in and isolate the leaders. Denn agreed to stay with the main body of soldiers, duel-wielding his lead-slug pistols. They were spiked and would leave wounds that were hard to suture. He gladly concurred with the wholesale slaughter of the Luminaries present.

When Armus said engage, the two mercenaries joined with their assigned task at hand. Denn was at the front of the inquisitors as they prepared to breach. Garya stood behind and got low. She would skulk around the line of fire toward the leaders, taking their place at the center of the current ritual that was about to be brutally interrupted.

Governor Reed

Admiral Kranmar made his greeting to Gorbin "I am glad to have your assistance sir." After some more pleasantries the Admiral and his attendants would make their way back to their Cherubim dropship. They and Gorbin's team would return to his C-2 Carrier. They would shortly travel back to the Shivana Starbase moon to make further plans. On the way however, the Admiral and Ion Malicon informed Gorbin to some of the details on their end as they sat in his mobile quarters.

"Sir, I would have your confidence. I could tell on the Governor's vessel that some of your people were concerned with our abilities. I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about. We have a strict policy of not directly reading minds per the tenets of our faith and training."

"I tell you this" he said "to let you know that I have taken the liberty of informing my trusted staff of the plan. As we explained to Governor Reed, we will engage with a disease containment protocol after a period of strategic setup. Once my staff as a whole is tested we will contact my vassals: the civilian government of Rico Mundi and the toll agents at Tivo, and they will turn over the immigration documents from the last eight years. This colony system has been settled for less than a decade so we haven't accumulated too much paperwork. Any reports that match your gene-markers can be isolated for containment, and we will interrogate."

"If any of my staff give you trouble, which I hope they wont, please contact me immediately. If my staff is compromised I would like to deal with them personally."

Ion Malicon nodded "I will do whatever I can as well. The Sages would abhor, abjure and... well they would be livid if their new colony was to become the home of a dangerous group of mutants."

[Lotrabme]

In a landed in-system freighter at the edge of Tychonia on Rico Mundi:

Figero was reclined on a couch nestled in one corner of the main room of the freighter turned lounge. This compartment was the main gathering spot for the hookah smokers and samplers of fine ales who came to this spot: The Chariot of Fire-Water. Across from the main lounge where Figero was sitting was the door to the dispensary. In there were the specialty goods. Eric Kendanik was a dealer who sold hundreds of expensive and hard to find luxury drugs: including Figero's kelp cigars (the good kind specially imported from the shallow bays of Orkin.)

The Mind Empire was not usually lax about its drug laws. It regulated them for the "good health of the populace". But here in the Velorum Annex, where until recently the governments installed by Admiral Kranmar had turned only an unconcerned eye toward the customs packages, the refugees of the galaxy and merchants between the Mind Empire and the Outer States found loopholes to establish a new center-point for the black market.

Kendanik and Figero were both agents on the black market but in different fields. While Figero mostly stuck to the gambling houses and acted as a go between between the local Dons, Kendanik was a smuggler and purveyor of specialty "medicinal" products. He was one of the primary dispensaries of Heptol White and Heptol Black. He was hush hush about who he was receiving his supply from, but many residents of Rico Mundi kept his landing schedule handy. Figero liked his kelp cigars but never sampled the other stuff aside from new hookah blends. His friend Laramy however sometimes dabbled in Hb. It's a "mind-enhancing" spice, and he said it helped him meditate. Well, if taking a nap counted as meditating to Laramy, Figero couldn't disagree since he was sound asleep across the hookah-table from him.

After silently sitting for a few minutes watching Laramy breath Kendanik approached the table. He was a dirty Haman with a grizzly voice. "Man... he's out isn't he?"

"Yeah" chirped Figero with a chuckle. After taking a sip of the hookah he asked Kendanik "the shops looking empty today, everyone on vacation?"

"Dude this IS the vacation spot! Heh... you hear they're putting up two theme parks here?"

"Nope" Figero said with an antenna wiggle.

"They wanted me to sell my lot for one of em. I told the city council that as a "licensed dispenser" I'm responsible for the health of the citizens, and they rely on my regularly scheduled landings."

Laramy began snoring then.

Kendanik laughed "hey dude, tickle him with your antennas?"

Figero smirked and nodded. He started wiggling his antennae under Laramy's chin which caused him to stir and in a bluster wake up. His pupils were huge, nearly taking up his whole eye. After a brief moment they re-adjusted and he came too. "You grimy creeps" he said with considerable grog. They all giggled.

As they laughed the door swung open. Someone they all recognized, Smitty Goeler, busted in with a worried look on his face. "Thank the four armed god" he muttered as he approached Kendanik. "Hey dude, you got any more of that stuff? I gotta take the edge off from today."

"Sure do Smitty, one bag of God's Own Baking Soda coming up."

Figero knew that G.O.B.S. was a high grade narcotic that only the stronger species could tolerate. Smitty was a mutant Haman, and a member of the new church of Illumination that had popped up less than a year ago in town. He thought that Smitty wasn't allowed to do these kinds of drugs but it wasn't his place to question the matter. Smitty was their friend and he was welcome.

As Laramy adjusted himself and Figero chilled Smitty placed a large bag of white powder on the table. After carefully cutting several lines of powder on a plate of fine porcelain he licked them up one by one. Unlike other powdered narcotics this one was a depressant, and he settled himself cozily on the circular couch after his fourth swallow. He groaned as he leaned back and said "Y'all, I'm gonna tell you guys some wild stuff. It's all true, its not the high talking. But I only trust you guys."

"Understood" Kendanik said as he pulled out a remote to turn the open sign of his store-vessel off. No one would be coming in for the rest of the night it seemed.

Smitty began to unwind and tell his story as Kendanik sat down with them and brought them all tiny ciders. "You guys know about my third arm right?" Smitty revealed his third arm with three clawed fingers from under his shirt.

"Yeah I've seen it before" Laramy nodded. Figero did the same "You've used it at the gambling halls."

"Hey man, don't bring that up now. Anyway, its genetic. My dads a regular old human. My mom on the other hand is a half and half. Part human, part... of the sacred blood. My grandparent was a pureborn strain of the founder of our church. They were given the sacred strain of mutation that has passed on to me and many of my cousins in the church. This mutation is of alien origin."

"Really?" Figero said "I thought true hybrids between species were impossible."

"Its a complex process but it works" said Smitty in a doped up haze. "It works for our church. When we fled here from the Subsector we were hoping to build a new beginning. The ways of the old church and of our founder told us to prepare for the day of ascension, work our way into the community and come to dominate it. Bring all into the fold of our community. But now all is lost."

Laramy and Figero looked at each other. Laramy sent a brief psychic message and asked Smitty out loud "Now what do you mean by all that? We knew your church had a proselytizing tradition, but why is all lost?"

"You know this new quarantine we are under? The Admiral has ordered that everyone receive genetic screening for the outbreak of the virus?"

They nodded.

"The virus is us. They're hunting us down, and they're partnered with the Subsector. They're trying to clean up their mess. They tried to kill us off when we were there and now they're here to finish the job before their overlords punish them!"

The others were visibly confused.

"They're a human supremacist and religiously orthodox society. They've only recently begun diplomacy with powers like the Mind Empire and the Erkan Colonies. As mutants and aliens both, as well as religious enemies of the state, we are triply looked down upon as is. But we were also allowed to thrive as a weapon. The founder and the sacred siblings wherever they are were meant to be weaponized, but their holy mission was not deterred until now."

Taking another bunch of G.O.B.S. into his fingers and then his mouth he said "My mom and dad were both hauled away in a black vehicle yesterday along with our pastor and my aunts and uncles. I only got out cause I've been working and haven't gotten scanned yet. If I don't do something I'm gonna be killed. I don't know how but they will find a way."

Kendanik sat back aghast. Laramy and Figero were speechless but trying to find the words. It was Laramy who eventually spoke. "This is heavy stuff. I thought I've heard something of the kind, but we've not been affected by it. Have you thought about what you can do to escape?"

Kendanik somberly said "all flights off world and out of system are temporarily grounded. I can't leave until that bans lifted." Smitty continued to sweat but was calmed by his drugs.

Laramy was silent, but now Figero spoke. "Smitty, you've done no evil yourself. Were you even alive when the Subsector used your people?"

"I was a kid. All I remember is being afraid. Now I think I just want to die. I'd rather die of my own will than at the hands of those fascists."

Smitty shut his eyes and fell asleep. Kendanik grunted and stood up to go do something in the back. Laramy and Figero also stood and made their way somewhat away from Smitty. Laramy thought in Figero's direction "what do you think of all this?"

"Well, he's comfirmed our suspicions about his church and their "philanthropy". They're a blood based church, and they're trying to take over the Annex. Then again they are refugees themselves, and whatever their aims, they were allowed to come here. I guess they underestimated the strength of the Admiral."

"But now the Admiral's getting outside help. The Sages might believe whatever story he tries to sell them but this doesn't spell anything good for the Annex as a whole."

"All that aside, what do we do for Smitty? I feel like he's just a pawn in this whole mess and can be saved."

"To do that we need to guarantee his safety. And do we really care about him that much?"

"Do we?" Laramy said.

"Well I'm fond of him, but I don't know if we should risk our skins for him. But we might be his only friends left." They both looked at Smitty. His breathing had slowed.

Kendanik reappeared and nodded. He grumbled something, and Laramy asked him what he said. "Such a shame. That much of Gods Own would have killed a normal human in five minutes. His hearts only just now starting to stop."

"What?" Figero shouted.

"Come on man. You saw the dose he took. Now once he's dead we'll vaporize him. I've got a toaster in the back."

That evening was gruesome. They hauled Smitty's limp body to the engine of the ship and laid him peacefully under the main thrusters. Kendanik flipped the engines on and their genestealer friend was dust. They knew he would have preferred to die this way with his friends keeping a silent vigil around the burnt patch of grass outside the city.

[Sub Sector Protractis]

Armus' team

Garya had told the fireteam about the two exit vectors surrounding the building. One was large and served as a garage door for the warehouse, and it was on the same side of the building as the two main doors, making them effectively the same exit path. The other was a single door leading to a narrow alley. The inquisitors could see this plainly for themselves.

Denn and Garya would join the team in their respective rolls. Garya had her stealth harness and her claw-gauntlets equipped. She informed Davingore that she could sneak in and isolate the leaders. Denn agreed to stay with the main body of soldiers, duel-wielding his lead-slug pistols. They were spiked and would leave wounds that were hard to suture. He gladly concurred with the wholesale slaughter of the Luminaries present.

When Armus said engage, the two mercenaries joined with their assigned task at hand. Denn was at the front of the inquisitors as they prepared to breach. Garya stood behind and got low. She would skulk around the line of fire toward the leaders, taking their place at the center of the current ritual that was about to be brutally interrupted.


Armus' Command Suite

Explorator Steptus, a techpriest of the Order or Mars was able to gently intrude into the cities power grid. Cutting power would look to alarming, draw too much attention from authorities. An overload however, would look much different then any traditional military raid. The effect however would be the same, the lights and holo displays would burn out, the flash of light would blind any surveillance devices and render restoration impossible in the short term. With Armus' word power was shunted to the compound, the flash was blinding before burning out all light sources.


Outside the compound

With an explosion of light, there came a sudden darkness then the assault began. The 1st and 2nd Fire teams opened fire with their pulse carbines. The weapons opened up with the sound of a ripping metal canvass, striking Luminary sentries with two shots to the chest and one to the head. The 3rd fire team made entry through the ally, photon grenades blinding any inside without sensory controlled helmets.

The 1st and 2nd teams opted to enter through the large garage door. Merrick's Squad was making entry with only photon grenades and pulse rifle fire to illuminate the interior of the building.

Minnek's Squad was standing by on perimeter and ready to make entry should the attack faultier.

The Luminaries however, driven by fanaticism would not be deterred from defense, unbeknownst to the attackers there was a champion of the Luminaries afoot. A purestrain hybrid that would be prepared to meet the attackers head on to protect the cleric.


The Xeno mercenaries were about to have their mettle tested, and Davingore stood by monitoring the attacks progress from outside the compound.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

With the agreements made between the Admiral and Governor Reed, the painfully slow process of purity testing would begin. Reed's special operations operatives, provided the finest mental conditioning of the Sub Sector would be the official advisors to the Lord Admiral in his efforts to contain the Luminary Contagion.

Governor Reed

Admiral Kranmar made his greeting to Gorbin "I am glad to have your assistance sir." After some more pleasantries the Admiral and his attendants would make their way back to their Cherubim dropship. They and Gorbin's team would return to his C-2 Carrier. They would shortly travel back to the Shivana Starbase moon to make further plans. On the way however, the Admiral and Ion Malicon informed Gorbin to some of the details on their end as they sat in his mobile quarters.

"Sir, I would have your confidence. I could tell on the Governor's vessel that some of your people were concerned with our abilities. I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about. We have a strict policy of not directly reading minds per the tenets of our faith and training."

"I tell you this" he said "to let you know that I have taken the liberty of informing my trusted staff of the plan. As we explained to Governor Reed, we will engage with a disease containment protocol after a period of strategic setup. Once my staff as a whole is tested we will contact my vassals: the civilian government of Rico Mundi and the toll agents at Tivo, and they will turn over the immigration documents from the last eight years. This colony system has been settled for less than a decade so we haven't accumulated too much paperwork. Any reports that match your gene-markers can be isolated for containment, and we will interrogate."

"If any of my staff give you trouble, which I hope they wont, please contact me immediately. If my staff is compromised I would like to deal with them personally."

Ion Malicon nodded "I will do whatever I can as well. The Sages would abhor, abjure and... well they would be livid if their new colony was to become the home of a dangerous group of mutants."

[Lotrabme]

Alongside Merrick’s squad, Denn began his contribution to the slaughter of the luminaries. In the flash of the grenades he drew his lead-slug cutters. One in each pair of claws he opened fire, and he was shooting to kill. This would provide suppressive fire for Merricks squad to aid him and secure the interior.

Garya took note of the cleric’s current position and under cover of her stealth harness began to make her way toward the cult leader. She would stay in stealth but had to knife one of the cultists who bumped into her, leaving one blade dripping in hybrid blood. To an observant eye this would reveal her position, but the assault of Merrick’s squad and Denn would leave many distracted.

If the Purestrain champion revealed itself before the cleric, Garya would have to decloak and challenge it head on. She would draw her short blade and a retractable buckler shield to fight this unnatural thing.

[Sub Sector Protractis]

Merrick's Squad moved through slowly and efficiently under the cover of Denn, before moving to close on the Cleric. The Pure strain charged out killing two the the 2nd Fireteam immediately.

Code: Select all

+++Purestrain sighted!+++

voxxed Merrick. Within a heart bead Minneck ordered her squad in to assist, Garya strode forward to combat the Genestealer. A small clash of titans would begin.

[Lotrabme]

Merrick's Squad moved through slowly and efficiently under the cover of Denn, before moving to close on the Cleric. The Pure strain charged out killing two the the 2nd Fireteam immediately.

Code: Select all

+++Purestrain sighted!+++

voxxed Merrick. Within a heart bead Minneck ordered her squad in to assist, Garya strode forward to combat the Genestealer. A small clash of titans would begin.

Denn grunted under his breath as he shredded the guts of the illuminated. That Purestrain looked more mutated than any of the others to him. Disquieted by it's sight, he quickly chambered a new set of rounds in his pistols before seeing Garya step forward. "Typical Malluman" he thought. To Merrick and the other squads present Denn said "watch closely fellas, you're in for a treat."

The convergent evolution of San to prehistoric life on earth would become apparent as Garya activated her buckler and blade and removed herself from the shade of her invisibility harness. Like an allosaurus stepping out of a portal to the Jurassic, her crests above the eye were flushed cherry-red with blood, and her eyes like those of a lioness ready to kill shone yellow. She bore her teeth and shouted "Beast! Have at thee!"

The Purestrain had only enough time to turn before Garya pounced and tried to pierce the purple flesh of its neck. With four arms, it had the advantage and was able to cast her aside, but she rolled and leapt again, this time landing square on the creatures back. She pummeled its skull with her buckler, it clawed at her drawing blood. She had stripes of exposed tendons down her arms when she punctured it's eyes and eventually she stabbed a deep wound through its belly and tore at the creatures neck with her mouth. Once down, the purestrain tried again to rip her to shreds with its great claws, but Garya smashed its face twelve times with the buckler till the things face was almost flat enough to be called human again.

With a final stab and a grunt, she pierced the purestrain's neck and severed its spine. It was certainly dead, but she was gravely injured.

Denn didn't forget about the cleric during all this commotion. Just after he reloaded his guns, and the fight began, he noticed the cleric running for the back rooms. He opened fire with two rounds, one from each gun, to take him down. Whether his aim was true was the pleasure of the gods...

[Sub Sector Protractis]

Merrick observed Garya bring the Purestrain down, "Squad on me! perimeter around the felled Xeno!" Merrick and his remaining troops of the 1st and 3rd Fireteam made a circle around Garya both to protect her and to collect a sample of the Purestrain while Minneck's troops moved forward to assist in sizing the Cleric who had been brought down by the gunfire of Denn. One round tearing through his shoulder, the other blasting out the back of his right knee causing the robed figure to tumble to the ground.


Minneck moved forward with her squad, "Secure the abomination, *looking at the Cleric as her troops applied a tourniquet, bandages, and mag cuffs. a slight giggle escaped her* You know who we are don't you? My Master has a great many questions and will extract a great many truths from you. Your filth will never be safe from us, no matter how far you flee or how deep you burrow. For now however, rest."

A stun baton delivered to the shoulders knocked the cleric from consciousness. The remaining Troops extracted to their drop craft removing the bodies of their comrades with them. Denn was entrusted to make this look like a gang hit against the Luminaries from other members of the underworld.

The squads extracted from the compound with their quarry and mercenary allies.

At the command post, Armus closed the vid feed before commenting out loud to no one in particular, "Fighting a Purestrain in combat and emerging victorious. I am Impressed with this Xeno."

[Lotrabme]

Denn made his last touches to the scene to make it look like gang violence rather than a foreign hit. Some tables overturned and a few signature marks of "conduct" which the local gangs used on each other.

After concluding his work, he trotted toward the place where Garya's wounds were being treated. Denn nodded to her in approval. "Good fighting back there partner."

"I was glad to bring that thing down" Garya snarled as she sat up, with her slashes bandaged but bloody. "You made it look like Cerberus?"

"Yeah, the cops will be none-the-wiser, nor will the other Luminaries."