Not So Basic Training: Shattered Hopes

[MadVlat]

Mir is satisfied that they will soon be executing the emperor's will and moves back towards Ishmael and Jericus. He checks his weapons charge assuring that it is ready for what may come. Then slings the rifle back over his shoulder. "I believe that the commissar has been waiting long enough. Perhaps it is time to see what kind of man allows his troops to lose faith in the word of their emperor". His words are only loud enough for Cambria to hear...

[Vardaen]

The Acolytes regroup, joining back up after having a look around and getting a fairly good grasp of the mood and the situation. The song of the Cleric ends and then forward, following the path that the sergent took.

Traveling through the tents, the group passes many more tents, as well as a small prison yard set up of barbed fencing with armed guards around it. Up ahead is the Commissar's hab-block. The headquarters is a hab-block, a prefabricated structure deposited on the planet's surface. Constructed of metal alloys and painted with a utilitarian red colour, it features the Battalion's number, as well as the eagle of the Imperium. A single access hatch in the face of the structure allows access to the interior.

As you arrive you are confronted with a short, stubby man, with a thick moustache, shaved head, aquila tattoo on his neck and dressed in a flak vest and armed with a laspistol in a holster at his side. He pulls a chewed cigar from his mouth and 'œinvites' the characters to attend the Commissar at once opening the door to the HQ and escorting you inside.

Once inside you see the place is sparsely decorated, with a desk for the secretary and a second desk for the Commissar. Sitting at the desk is teh Commissar. Scribbling on a few sheets of papers the man looks up as you begin to file in.

Nihilius, the Commissar, is in his late thirties, with coal black hair, matching eyes, and a craggy face. He wears a black uniform decorated with his rank and a few badges of honour. His Commissar hat rests on a hook behind his desk as does his long black leather "Well, I presume you are from the Inquisition? I was told help was on the way, but I must say I am always surprised by the agents I meet. I'm sure you are eminently qualified for the task at hand, so let's get down to business and get this over with shall we?", steepling his fingers as he assesses you.

[TetNak]

Ishmael nods, "Yes, that is agreeable." He does not even mention if they are inquisitors, acolytes, or ruffians. "I spoke to a guardsmen, seems something is terrorizing your men below? Killing rebels and your troops the same. What do you know?" he asks simply.

[Vardaen]

The Commissar doesn't bother to wait for others to speak, once one of you addresses him he is satisfied that Ishmael is the senior among you and replies.

"As you may or may not know, this world is vital to the commercial interests of this sector and anything that threatens this world ultimately threatens the larger community. Thus when renegade activities on this planet destroyed valuable and, in some people's estimations, irreplaceable equipment, it was deemed necessary to create a show of force and eradicate all insurgents in and around the lucrative Gorgonid Mine'. He gestures expansively around him.

'œNow, attending to a few rebels is easy work and as expected, the scum lacked grit, leadership, and dedication to their cause, and so in a matter of hours we had contained the site, rounded up a few captives and were ready to ship out. But as I toured the grounds, something caught my eye. One of the rebels was carrying a sheaf of papers. I examined them quickly and it appeared they were queer texts of some kind, copies surely, but describing unspeakable acts. It was clear that these rebels were foot soldiers for something worse."

'œI know my duty, and so I sent a dozen squads into the mines themselves. Many of our enemy fled the certain death of our superior firepower for the cover of the mines. It was as I feared. The Guardsmen descended and after three-quarters of an hour, they returned, much diminished and suffering terrible casualties. Reports of twisted mutants, daemons, and worse came in and so I decided that until I received proper support, the mine would be closed."

'œClearly, the Inquisitor does not share my concern'¦ no offence, of course. I just expected a'¦ larger group to attend to this matter. Well, who am I to question the ways of the Ordo, right? Right. Here is a map. Follow the directions and they will take you through the upper levels of the Gorgonid Mines. My men didn't encounter much of anything there, but when they entered the tunnels known as the Shatters', he points at the map, 'œthat was where things went wrong. I ordered the men to withdraw and sealed the mine. I sent word to the Inquisition, and here you are.'

'œI should warn you, it takes a great deal of effort to lift the seal and it's not quick. We'll let you out of course, but there's nothing fast about it so try not to be in a hurry. I presume you're armed?" he glances around at each of you, "Not many things on your persons I see. That's a shame. See our Quartermaster and he'll properly outfit you when we are done here."

[TetNak]

Ishmael nods, he's a good public speaker and leader, at least when he was in the Hives. He has turned into the mouthpiece of the group, for now, at least. "I'd like you to set up a communications relay with the Imperium, keep in contact with them about the status of what is happening here."

He looks to the others, clearly done with his own questions.

[eldritchknight]

Cambria stands at the back of the group, hands folded in the sleeves of her black robes, letting Ishmael do the talking.

[MadVlat]

Ishmael looks to the others and Mir takes that as a que. "Commisar, though I am fully confident in the abilities of our unit. May we expect reinforcements from the surface should the need arise?". His face remaining dour as he speaks. Having fought for most of his life both on his home planet and for the Imperium. He realizes the benefits of planning ahead...

[Vardaen]

The Commissar puts his hands on his desk and addresses each comment in a terse manner, quick and to the point. "The Imperium will receive my full report in due time. I have done my job in contacting the Ordo, and will continue to do so." He shakes his head then at Mir's request for troups, "Cults are your trouble Acolyte, not ours. We did our job, now you go do yours." The Imperial Guard is not trained for dealing with more than rebels and more mundane fighting, the various Ordos of the Inquisition; namely you guys, are the ones that handle daemons, cults, xenos, and other heretical threats to the Imperium of Man. "Like I said, see my Quartermaster for some extra supplies, I can do that much for you at least." He glances around to see if there are other questions pushing himself to his feet.

[jigglypuff69]

"Commisar, thank you for your offer of supplies. We will indeed take you up on that.... No one questions your role in this and you have done a fine job indeed, with sealing the threat in the mines. One could only imagine what we would have found had that not happened. Again, thank you. May the light of the God-Emperor and the might of the Imperium shine upon for eons, Commisar." Smiling, the cleric hopes he has somewhat eased the man, who obviously is dissappointed in his 'help'. He turns to Ishmael and raises an eyebrow as if asking 'where to now...' and waits.

[Vardaen]

The Commissar, standing nods to the Cleric Iorgo, "The Imperium shall never fall. Now then, meet me at the seal' you can see it from the
door' in say an hour. It takes a good 30 minutes to walk it, so don't dawdle'.

The man then proceeds to put on his long black trench coat, his black 'cover' on the top of his head and he moves to the doorway noding to his seccretary before slipping outside the hab-block. He heads off toward The Seal that plugs the mine closed leaving you a 30 minute walk, and a hour to get there.

The Secretary waits inside the building to help escort you out, and to point you down the street, a ten minute walk, to the Quartermaster's block.