Between the Darkness/Session 09

Clavis_Morden: ((Ok, so we have caught two people acting suspiciously, apparently trying to spy on the Lord Marshal on behalf of parties unknown ... we're hoping it's Sand, of course))

dakkareth: "So, umm, why are we talking to the woman first?" Clavis asks very quietly. To her untrained eyes she looks like an assassin or other strong-willed type unlikely to reveal anything ... but then Atella is the expert.

Atella: whispers "she was in my uncle's office. Maybe she found something pertinent."

Atella: puts on a cheery smile

Atella: "Right, let's get this started!"

Atella: turns to one of the other arbites "turn off recording for the 2 cells we'll be using"

dakkareth: "Are we investigating him now? Ok ..." Clavis looks a little doubtful, but doesn't speak against it. "As long as we also ask them who sent them. If Mercution is right they might lead us right to ... the heretic."

Mercution_Hastus: "Atella, there is supposed to be a way to listen in without being seen or actually present, right?" Merctuion asks and then explains. "I've talked to one of them on a... somewhat friendly terms. Don't want to reveal myself - and give us an additional advantage, if it will need be. Try a different approach, if such would be needed."

Atella: turns to Mercution "maybe go with them to make sure? Sensitive information, after all. And then you won't be in the room with us"

Atella: (maybe you can still listen even tho the recording equipment is turned off)

Mercution_Hastus: ((Atella is the one who should know - and GM the one, who is able to provide such an IC knowledge.))

Mercution_Hastus: ((See-through mirrors - another magnificent invention from the Dark Age of Technology, that Imperium lost, evidently. Or whatever they are called on English.))

tylorva: Lyra is being held in a small dark cell, deep underground in the fortress. The jailer asks if you want her restrained before questioning begins.

Atella: "sure"

Atella: "never can be too careful"

tylorva: When you are shown in a short while later, Lyra has been shackled wrists and ankles, and the chains attached to a loop in the floor. "Let me go!" she yells.

dakkareth: As the doors of the interrogation room close behind her Clavis put the unpleasant memory of her last stay in such a place aside and instead concentrates on the ebb and flow of the warp. Her expression becomes perfectly blank for a few seconds before she turns to Atella, her posture holding a certain tension now.

dakkareth: "I have taken additional ... precautions against unauthorized surveillance," she states calmly.

Atella: gives Lyra another smile

Atella: "maybe later, if you're a good girl"

Atella: .dh 29

Fatespinner: Atella rolled a 72 on a d100 for 4 degrees of failure.

dakkareth: ((Clavis manifests White Noise to impose a -20 penalty to all attempts of eavesdropping psychic or technological in nature. She can't fail the sustain roll unless she takes penalties from something))

Atella: (does lyra still have all her stuff except weapons/suit on? or is that stored somewhere close at hand)

Mercution_Hastus: ((So, where is Mercution and is he able to observe/listen?))

dakkareth: ((we're left alone with her now, right? no one but us watching and listening?))

tylorva: ((Lyra's stuff has been confiscated. You can get access to it easily though. ))

tylorva: (( She seems to have assorted weapons, multikey, poisons, standard assassin stuff. Oh and some papers. ))

tylorva: (( Mercution is able to watch through a spyhole. ))

Atella: takes the papers and shuffles through them

tylorva: They seem to be papers taken from Lord Marshal Ummidia's office. They seem to list his schedule for the next few days.

Atella: tsks and shakes her head

Atella: picks up the weapons, multikey and poisons one by one turns them over and puts them down again with more tsking

Atella: walks around Lyra

tylorva: Lyra struggles against the chains.

Atella: "stealing from the lord marshall's office... we don't take that lightly"

Clavis_Morden: remains standing still, her staff in the crook of her arm, data-slate and stylus poised to take notes

tylorva: "This is an Inquisition matter!" she says desperately.

Clavis_Morden: gives Atella a questioning look - is it time, yet?

Clavis_Morden: ((Clavis does, obviously :p ))

Atella: gives Clavis a low sign to wait a bit longer

Atella: "You're right, of course, it is."

Atella: pauses

Clavis_Morden: pretends to make a note

Atella: "but not in the way you think"

tylorva: "You have no right to hold agents of the Inquisition!"

Mercution_Hastus: looks at the scene from his hiding place, placing fist under the cheek. He has a vague feeling, that the situation is somehow demeaning - though he is not sure why it is and for whom.

Atella: "If you're an agent of the inquisition, you obviously have some kind of identification to that effect"

Atella: looks at the pile of things

Atella: "I don't see any"

tylorva: "You can check with the inquisitor if you must."

Atella: "Which inquisitor would that be?"

tylorva: "Inquisitor Sand."

Clavis_Morden: makes a note and can't quite hide a triumphant grin

Atella: "Ah. And how long have you been working for /inquisitor/ sand?"

Mercution_Hastus: "What a revelation." Hastus mutters.

tylorva: "Not long. I'm not saying any more about it."

Atella: puts an arm around Lyra's shoulders

Atella: whispers "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you"

Atella: gives Clavis_Morden the sign

tylorva: "What?"

Mercution_Hastus: "Half-a-day would be my assumption. I may be mistaken, of course. It may be two." underhiver continues to speak to himself.

Clavis_Morden: Carefully, as if holding explosives or a holy reliquary - and neither is that far from the truth, Clavis thinks to herself - Clavis produces the sigil of the Inquisition given to her by the Inquisitor and displays it to the woman.

Clavis_Morden: "You are being detained under the authority of the Imperial Inquisition, Ms. Lyra."

tylorva: Lyra stares at it. "Then we're on the same side!" she protests.

Atella: keeps her arm around Lyra's shoulders

Atella: "I'm afraid not, dear"

Clavis_Morden: "The individual you know as Janus Sand is a known witch and heretic. He is quite adept at making others believe his lies through psychic manipulation."

Atella: "your /inquisitor/ is a phony"

tylorva: "No! You lie!"

Mercution_Hastus: "Which would give them more experience, than us, of course..." He wished for a drink, actually. At one very partucular bar.

Clavis_Morden: nods gravely. "In your case he chose to falsely assume a mantle that will see him damned further than he already was."

Clavis_Morden: ((what would we roll to convince her?))

Clavis_Morden: ((I'm thinnking Deceive in Clavis' case since she's actively skirting around the matter of the stolen insignia))

tylorva: (( Deceive works. Go for it. :) +10 ))

Atella: (charm for Atella?)

Clavis_Morden: Having picked from the skein of possible futures the words that are most likely to lead to success Clavis now can only see whether her prediction was true.

Clavis_Morden: ((manifesting Glimpse at Fettered level failed due to the penalty for sustaining another psychic power))

tylorva: "Inquisitor Sand warned us about this," she says. "He said there was an Inquisition war brewing. Inquisitors turning on each other like in history." She shudders.

tylorva: "Don't touch me!"

Clavis_Morden: "Janus Sand is no Inquisitor," Clavis says more hotly than she originally intended. "He is a witch! He bears not the Holy Brand of Sanctioning!"

Atella: "See, I like you, Lyra. It might not be too late for you yet."

Mercution_Hastus: "Inquisitors war"? "Like in history?" Now Mercution was not sure whether to frown or to let his brows rise. Conflict was sure a most integral and vital part of Mankind's existent, but this off-handed comment somewhat disturbed him - in-fighting among the Holy Ordos (not that he knew the meaning of the term) was a very uncomfortable thought.

tylorva: The combined efforts of Clavis and Atella seem to be working now. Lyra is definitely showing doubt. "But... he had a seal. Just like that one. Only fancier."

Atella: pats Lyra

Clavis_Morden: Angry at the reminder of her cardinal failure that led to all of this Clavis goes further than she would usually go. "Let me show you something ..."

Clavis_Morden: ((using Suggestion, she needs to make a WP roll))

Mercution_Hastus: ((Ah, using psychic powers for trivial purposes?.. http://wbe02.mibbit.com/smileys/yel08.png))

Clavis_Morden: ((the path to hell ...)

Clavis_Morden: Before Lyra's eyes the data-slate in Clavis' other hand shines and transforms until it looks just like the sigil Sand had showed her a few days ago. And for a moment in her place there stands Janus Sand, or at least a rather unflattering image of him.

tylorva: "Inquisitor Sand!"

Atella: "Not really, dear"

Clavis_Morden: Then the illusions falls apart and it's once more Clavis standing there with only the data-slate in her hand. "He tricked you!"

tylorva: "Then how do I know you aren't tricking me too?"

Atella: "We're your friends. We wouldn't do that to you"

Clavis_Morden: "Do not for a second believe that this dangerous heretic could not have deceived you."

Clavis_Morden: Clavis grins, grimly. Holding up the sleeve of her left arm she displays the Brand of Sanctioning. "This. This is how you tell apart an agent of the Imperium, sanctioned by the Golden Throne, from a malicious witch."

tylorva: "I can accept that. But what about that seal?" She looks stubborn.

Clavis_Morden: "Trust me," she adds, her voice low and angry. "His deceptions have allowed him to escape justice for far too long. But he will not escape me, will not escape us. We have met him before, we know him for what he is."

Atella: "Oh, the seal is real"

Clavis_Morden: "What we require from you," Clavis briefly glances toward Atella to make sure it's ok for her to go on, "is his location, his plans, his resources. The witch will not escape, but better that he be caught with your assistance rather than against your impediment of the investigation."

Atella: nods

Atella: looks at Lyra. "Please tell us"

tylorva: "But... I swore an oath to him." She looks utterly miserable. "He seemed like the real thing."

Atella: pats Lyra

Atella: "Let it all out"

Fatespinner: Atella rolled a 2 on a d100 for 4 degrees of success.

Atella: (nice, more charm)

Clavis_Morden: looks sympathetic. "Many have fallen for his deceptions. There is no shame in that."

Atella: leans close to Lyra's ear and whispers "He tricked me too, so I know how you're feeling"

tylorva: "How?" She looks up at Atella desperately.

Clavis_Morden: "But now that you know him for what he is ... would you hold to an oath made to an abominable heretic?"

tylorva: "Well, no! But how do you know he is a heretic?"

Clavis_Morden: ((count Clavis as assisting Atella, without mechanical effect since she doesn't have Charm))

Mercution_Hastus: sighs quietly. Actually, there is. Rarely you hear in clerics' sermons any other words more often, than "ever-vigilance". The women, of course, knew that, but this was mostly Mercution reminding himself of this fact.

Clavis_Morden: "The Imperial Inquisitor by whose orders we carry out this investigation has named him such. And besides, his actions speak for themselves, don't they? Impersonating an agent of the holy Inquisition is surely heresy."

Clavis_Morden: falls silent, having said her part. And Atella has the better rapport anyway.

Atella: leans so close to Lyra's ear her lips are almost touching it and whispers "he... took advantage of me"

tylorva: "That's... heresy now?" she says dubiously.

Atella: "it is when you misrepresent yourself as an inquisitor"

tylorva: "But the seal was genuine! I'm not that stupid!"

Atella: "stolen"

Clavis_Morden: "Which can be easily proven with the right equipment."

Mercution_Hastus: voxes. "Might as well spill about the murder and looting. If anything, it'll help convince her - if you still need that. Just phrase it right."

tylorva: "Look, what do you want from me?"

Atella: "anything and everything you can tell us about the heretic"

Clavis_Morden: "With particular attention to information that will lead to his capture. Such as his location, for example."

tylorva: "He just asked us to sneak in here and get the Lord Marshal's schedule. He thinks the Lord Marshal is a heretic." She sighs. "I don't know where he is right now. But we were to send him a vox message in code when the job was done."

Atella: looks her in the eye

Atella: "Want to help us?"

tylorva: "Will you let me go afterwards/"

Mercution_Hastus: "Lie. For the love of God-Emperor."

Atella: "If you help us."

tylorva: "I want that signed and stamped," she says. "I ain't falling for the same trick twice."

Atella: "of course"

tylorva: "And get rid of these chains." She tugs at them.

Mercution_Hastus: "Clavis, that thing, that you do with people's minds? Actually, now would be a good time." Not clear from hsi tone, whether Mercution jokes abouth this.

Clavis_Morden: only frowns briefly in response to that. It doesn't work like that, but she can't say that now.

Fatespinner: Mercution_Hastus rolled a 69 on a d100 for 3 degrees of failure.

Mercution_Hastus: ((As clueless, as always.))

Clavis_Morden: "The papers will take a little while to prepare," Clavis says. Either way it's a sure bet since Imperial bureaucracy is rarely ever fast.

Clavis_Morden: Deciding about the restraints she will leave to Atella.

Atella: gets everything that isn't the synskin and hands it to Clavis_Morden "hold on to these."

tylorva: The woman seems to be inscrutable.

Mercution_Hastus: "Continuing with suggestions, if this is our chanse to capture Sand, contacting Reinhardt or Inquisitor may be appropriate."

Atella: nods at Clavis_Morden

Clavis_Morden: "Alright," Clavis takes the box with Lyra's personal effects and carries them out of the room.

Atella: clavis: "You tell the boss where we're at while I have a talk with my friend here"

Atella: closes the door after Clavis

Clavis_Morden: Once outside she too uses the micro bead. "Rather lets try and see if 'Jonas' will help us for less. You were friendly with him, weren't you, Mercution?"

Clavis_Morden: "I don't want to go promising things we have no authority to deliver ... and I don't think Reinhardt will be happy about that deal either."

Mercution_Hastus: "More or less. I kept my allegiance ambiguous. We may be able to use this right away, though I would've prefer to keep it as an alternative - if outright interrogation fails or inconclusive. But I will hear your opinion."

Clavis_Morden: "Should I try to convince him to help us? I'm not trained in interrogation, but I can try if Atella is busy ..."

Mercution_Hastus: "We may not be able to deliver and she may not believe our word on that. But she is more likely to trust the Interrogator, even through the vox - and I don't think he'll even _care_ enough to deliver."

Mercution_Hastus: "Let me think... How to phrase that? Well, the girl gave you enough to base some half-truths on, to slip through a couple of words of what you already know - or pretend to know. Let him fill in the blanks." Mercution emerged from somewhere, to conduct this exchange face-to-face.

Clavis_Morden: "I can try that," Clavis nods.

Clavis_Morden: "Atella, would that be ok?"

Atella: "knock yourself out."

Mercution_Hastus: "If something happens, I'll try to intervene." He rubs his neck thoughfully - he never previously approached the matter so.. academically. "You'll have to play up, probably."

Clavis_Morden: "Ok then," Clavis says somewhat nervously. "I'll have you on the micro vox beads, so you can help me if you can stuck."

Clavis_Morden: With that she enters the man's cell.

Clavis_Morden: The facade of the boring clerk is one she has long practiced under master Ravion so it is the one she assumes here as well.

tylorva: The cell layout is pretty much identical to the last one, except this one has a some slit of a window letting in a murky light. Jonas is similarly chained up, but shuffles himself into a kneeling position when everyone enters. "God-Emperor guides me even when I have sinned," he says.

Clavis_Morden: ((chains and/or cuffs or that hannibal lector routine? Because the latter would not be conductive to Clavis' intent))

Clavis_Morden: enters the cell but seeing the prisoner praying does not interrupt but wait for him to finish.

Clavis_Morden: ((does he continue?))

tylorva: (( Yup, he keeps praying in a low voice. ))

tylorva: (( Just chains. You can ask the guards to remove them if you choose. ))

Clavis_Morden: leaves briefly to have the guards remove the chains, then when they have left again turns to the prisoner. "I wouldn't want to interrupt your prayers, but there are a few matters to clarify if you would be so kind ..." She smiles, without losing her formal air.

tylorva: He looks up and nods. "Forgive me for our intrusion into this sacred area of the Adeptus," he says. "We were acting under a higher authority."

Clavis_Morden: nods. "Would you please state your full name, rank and identification as appropriate, for the record?" she continues after sitting down opposite him.

tylorva: he nods dutifully. "Guardsman Jonas Krill, Ma'am. Rank Trooper. Baraspine 9th Regiment under the command of Colonel Reshaw."

Clavis_Morden: "Thank you." Clavis makes a note. "I am Clavis Morden, and the relevant qualification is that I am an agent of the Imperial Inquisition," Clavis introduces herself, displaying the sigil briefly before putting it away again.

Clavis_Morden: "You have been acting on instructions from Janus Sand, haven't you?"

tylorva: "Oh! I am too, Ma'am."

tylorva: "Yes, Ma'am! The Inquisitor."

Clavis_Morden: "He has displayed an Inquisitorial seal to you, has he not?"

Clavis_Morden: "Have you performed the verification ritual with the Adeptus issue verification wand to ascertain the veracity of his identity and authority?"

tylorva: "No Ma'am. I've never heard of such a thing. I'm sorry."

Clavis_Morden: nods sadly. "It's not your failure," no, she thinks, it's mine, "that responsibility would fall to your superiors."

Clavis_Morden: "In any case I must regretfully tell you that the signum of authority you were shown would have failed that verification. I have assessed it myself by verification wand and with my own eyes and Janus Sand has no authority to hold or even touch it. Through no fault of your own you have been misled."

tylorva: "He didn't seem to act much like I would expect an Inquisitor," he says. "Although it is not my place to question my superiors in the Imperium."

Clavis_Morden: nods. "No, that falls to those appointed to question anything and everyone, the holy Imperial Inquisition."

Clavis_Morden: "And it is by that appointment and that authority that the man known as Janus Sand and his actions are being investigated."

Clavis_Morden: "Do you have a way to contact him?"

tylorva: He frowns for a moment. "Has the verification ritual been performed with the want to ascertain the turth of your identity and authority?" he asks with a faint smile.

Clavis_Morden: ((I assume the Arbites checked after initially obeying, just to make sure?))

Clavis_Morden: "It was given to me from the hand of an Inquisitor herself. Proctor Lisk of the Adeptus Arbites, who kindly assisted in the arrest has verified its authority, by which you are being detained for the moment." Clavis states simply and with finality, inviting no further questions.

tylorva: (( It's basically up to you whether you want to announce yourselves or not. Of you did, then it would have been checked (and come up good).

Clavis_Morden: ((Clavis showed it to Lisk, and she was the one who arranged the arrest because Atella had been delayed))

tylorva: (( Fair enough. :) ))

Clavis_Morden: ((I figured it was unavoidable to do so - how else were we going to arrest someone under the noses of the Adeptus Arbites and gain access to the prisoners?))

tylorva: "What is to happen to me?" he asks simply.

Clavis_Morden: "Your orders will be to assist in the capture of the man known as Janus Sand to the fullest extent of your capabilities. In particular any information you may possess regarding him, any means of communication, etc."

Clavis_Morden: "Once that has been accomplished the Inquisitor will decide on your case. Your cooperation and the special circumstances of the matter will most assuredly be taken into consideration."

tylorva: He nods. "Then I shall assist. Although I am not sure how much help I can be. What happened to Lyra?"

Atella: (Atella has been having a nice chat with her about this and that)

Clavis_Morden: "Trooper Jonas Krill, your committment to your duty is noted."

Clavis_Morden: "Lyra ... how much do you know of her? Is she a friend of yours?"

tylorva: "Yes ma'am. A close friend. Although she can be abit... awkward at time."

Clavis_Morden: "Her full name for the record?"

tylorva: "Lyra Saein Ilrayne."

Mercution_Hastus: ((Oh crap. An eldar.))

Atella: (?)

Clavis_Morden: "Lyra Saein Illrayne is also in our custody."

Clavis_Morden: ((Our plan I think will be to have Jonas call Sand by pre-arranged channels to establish a meeting. With how far we've come today, is that possible?))

tylorva: (( Yes, you'll be able to do that. :) ))

Clavis_Morden: ((Lyra, unless we are certain we can trust her, should perhaps remain in custody - unless that would trip up the trap))

Mercution_Hastus: ((Good chap, this guardsman. He is so adequate and measured, it's strange. Hope _nothing bad will happen to him_. ))

Atella: (you've jinxed it)

Clavis_Morden: ((double reverse-jinx, he might just make it :p ))

tylorva: (( *grins* ))

Clavis_Morden: ((or not, now that I've said that :( ))

Clavis_Morden: ((In any case, straight to the trap and (hopefully) the capturing next time? :) ))

tylorva: (( Sounds like a plan. :) ))

tylorva: (( Time for some action, methinks. ))

Mercution_Hastus: ((It would seem so. Straight for the trap. The prey is not specified...))

Clavis_Morden: ((yay! Finally a chance for revenge ... erh, lawful arrest *whistles*))

Atella: (hah)

Clavis_Morden: ((Heh. True. But then, we could just do a counter-counter-ambush ))

Mercution_Hastus: ((Inevitable recursion amuses Tzeentch.))

Clavis_Morden: ((Oh dear. Clavis is a diviner, better not draw too much attention ...))

Clavis_Morden: ((btw, xp? :) ))

tylorva: (( 200. :) ))