Real estate required.
I do not own anything except for Oc's. Warhammer 40k is owned by Games Workshop.
The rain refused to cease as Yokar woke the next morning before what would be normally sunrise. However, with the seasonal downpours, the spires ability to perceive day and night was little better than the rest of the hive. Despite this fact, the young highborn only just finished putting on his bathrobes after a shower then a loud knock was heard on the door. This was peculiar, as even he did not have people wanting to see him this early. Opening the door was an enforcer.
"Sir, your required at the security council, it is an emergency." The enforcer said bluntly.
"I'll be over as soon as I can." Yokar replied.
Haste was never his favored activity. He always preferred slow and methodical forms of rulership. However chaotic times always happen and with lightning speed he was changed and off. Replacing his jade green bathrobe was a jade green carapace plate and accompanying body glove. It had the same layout as the enforcers; however, it was better craftsmanship and made of better materials. He strode into the operations room as high-ranking security personal gathered and were discussing strategy over a holotable.
"Status report." Yokar said simply as the room parted for him.
"We have unknown hostiles in the level just before the spires. Building 1246 near rail terminal 4." One of the aides explained.
"Building 1246 is House Brontus property isn't it?" Yokar asked.
"That is correct sir." The aide answered.
"Then the most logical explanation is they are enemies of House Brontus. Who is responding currently?" Yokar asked, a small smirk forming on the corner of his lips.
"A combination of Arbites, Enforcers and House Brontus forces." The aide simply said.
"Get a squad. I will deal with the matter personally." Yokar said, before leaving.
Soon a full squad of his personal enforcers marched behind him as he made his way to the spires lift terminal. Normally he would let things flounder, but if House Brontus is involved, then gains could be made. They had long feuded with his house and have interfered with his own buildup for far too long. Taking even a single holding from them, especially one so close to critical infrastructure, and free up space in his overcrowded spire holdings. Well, they say the Emperor provides for the bold.
Boarding a express lift, they rocked down towards the required level. He turned to look over the team. Clad in their plastoid armor and armored body gloves, they could take small arms fire almost as well as any arbites. However, firepower it could be argued they were superior. Each wielding a enforcer pattern boltgun, while not as powerful as the famed models for the Astartes, they packed a rapid fired punch the shotguns of the arbites could not match. At their hips each also had a stubgun as backup. The only difference was one on his back carried a assault ram for entering fortified positions, though in combat it could be devastating as well. Finally, all carried shock mauls for close combat purposes, and it happened quite frequently in the confined spaces of a hive.
"I will make this brief. When we are in action, you obey my orders and no one else's. We will storm and secure as much resources as we can, and in the process wrestle control of the building from House Brontus, by force if necessary. If you can cause an accident that kills House Brontus personal, take it. Am I clear!" He yelled over the roar of the lift.
"Sir yes Sir!" The ten enforcers answered instantly.
"Then its time we forged our own destiny!" Yokar roared.
Finally, the lift ground to a halt, and the team rushed down towards the building. They could see from the elevated station that the situation had rapidly escalated. Dead and injured personal were being moved away from the zone, nearby fires blazed and were being fought desperately, and the building was surrounded. Yokar smiled even more at this as they moved down. When they arrived, A arbites Judge and a noble of House brontus, Velvet Brontus, were arguing.
"This is an outrage!" The tall and pale noblewoman roared as a grenade went off behind them.
"This is a security matter! Get out of my sight!" The judge roared back.
"Does anyone require assistance?" Yokar asked as he walked up.
"Certainly not!" Velvet snapped as her imperial blue robes fluttered from her violent motions.
"Right, it seems like everything is under control." Yokar sarcastically said.
"You want to help? Take the pressure off my men! We breach a point, and they jump us! I've lost more officers than I ever though I could in a single day cause of these morons getting in the way!" The judge roared, pointing at the House Brontus forces, who seemingly are trying to hedge their bets against heavy bolters and long rifles.
"Of course, Lord Judge Arbiter. The emperor protects." Yokar said, pumping his fist on his chest.
"The Emperor protects." The judge answered, before pushing Velvet Brontus to the ground out of his way as he reorganized his officers.
Yokar lead his men through several back-alley streets before reaching a flanking position at a unbreeched door. It was not his first time in such situations. In his youth he had partaken in the age-old tradition of spire ganging. A smile came across his face at the fond memories. The team rushed up to the door and took positions on both sides of it. The assault ram was brought into position, while out of Yokars pack he pulled out 3 frag grenades, pins at the ready.
"Clear!" The ram enforcer yelled as he powered it up, and with one brutish motion it knocked the door down.
He barely had time to roll out of the way as heavy fire came through the door. Like the Judge had said, they were waiting for any breaches. Yokar pulled the pins and chucked the grenades in. A cacophony of noise and force erupted for a instant, before falling into deathly silence. After that the team stormed the room and secured it. The grenades had done the work for them, as several dead and unconscious bodies were strewn about.
"Clearance protocols! Hack into the security systems and funnel them towards the Arbites and House Brontus!" Yokar ordered.
One enforcer pulled out a hacking tool and got to work. Soon they were in and began closing resource rooms for later and restricting travel for the gangers. Pairs of the enforcers then moved about, jumping, and putting down anything they came across. Yokar pulled out his autopistol and walked to a window that overlooked the main area. More and more of the gangers were forming up in the main area, causing further problems and casualties for the House Brontus and Arbites forces.
"Sir, you need to come sees this in sector 2b!" One of the enforcers said over the vox.
"I'll be right over." Yokar answered before moving over.
It did not take long for Yokar to reach the point, minus having to kill a lone ganger along the way and was led in by the enforcer as his partner kept watch. What they found shocked him immensely. Inside the storage room was crate after crate was filled with Imperial guard grade lasguns, armor, and other equipment. This was unusual for House Brontus to leave such goods in a low security position like this. Their wealth came from manufacturing tithe material for the Imperial guard and constructed great vault complexes to hold such items. So why were they here?
"Well, we know why the gangers are here. But we don't know why Brontus would become so lax in their security." Yokar said.
"Maybe their growing soft my lord?" The enforcer asked.
"I appreciate the humor, but now is not the time. We need to clear everyone out fast." Yokar ordered.
"Yes sir!" the enforcers replied as they locked the door behind them.
Slowly but surely, Yokar and his men pushed the ganger out of the various levels of the building towards the main area. What made it difficult was the sheer size of this place. 4 full stories, and practically cavernous in nature. If it were not for the high-level blast doors Brontus installed, Yokar figured this plan would not have worked. That still left the hardened core trapped now in the central area.
Realizing they were becoming trapped, the gang fought all the harder, and was beginning to push the Arbites back. This was mostly due to the efforts of House Brontus, as they were gumming up the Arbites and local enforcers efforts to push in. The Judge finally had enough of their nonsense.
"All Arbites and enforcer forces, you are authorized to shoot anyone interfering in this operation!" The judge roared over the vox net.
"You can't do this, this is my…" Velvet Brontus tried to say before her head was blown off by the Judges shotgun.
"Fucking hate these hive nobles." The judge grumbled before lighting a lho stick.
This order began a cascade of butchery and bloodshed. Trapped between the gangers and law enforcement, the near hundred House Brontus forces remaining were cut down in shotgun, bolter, and autogun fire. Blood and gore ran as readily as the spring flooding. Rushing over the remains left behind, the officers of imperial law surged forwards.
"Kill them all! Don't let anyone get through!" The largest and bulkiest ganger roared, and his minions gleefully followed suit.
The static roar of fully automatic fire and clashing of men filled the room in ceaseless noise. Once finally in melee, the law officers superior armor and weaponry proved the deciding factor. Before the gangers had the hope to rebuff this assault, Yokar and his men surged from opening doors behind them. Short, ranged volleys of bolter fire cut down the gunmen on the higher levels, finally sealing the gangs fate. What was left were beaten down by shock mauls, and cuffed. After a long and grim day, the victory was at hand. The judge, having finished beating a ganger to death turned to look at the approaching Yokar.
"Not bad kid. Not bad at all. We will take it from here." The Judge grimly said.
"Anything to be of service." Yokar said as various level officials rushed in and more House Brontus officials.
"What is the meaning of this!? You killed our most holy and loyal member Velvet…" One of the Brontus officials tried to say, before shotguns were aimed at him.
"Arrest them and throw them in the cells. I'll deal with your house later." The Judge scowled, not wanting to deal with them anymore today.
Soon the law enforcement presence left with their haul of gangers and house officials, leaving Yokar with the level officials, who simply were stunned and horrified with the mess left over. Hivers are used to a level of hardship and violence, but even they have their limits.
"The damage will take years to repair…" The head official said, overlooking the building and the surrounding areas as a servitor scribbled with an autoquill finger.
"We will likely lose investment from House Brontus across the level over this…" Another grimly added.
"Perhaps I can provide you with a windfall?" Yokar asked.
"Lord Yokar. To what do we owe the honor?" The head official asked.
"I wish to purchase this holding here. Building 1246 to be precise and the contents within. I admit I am participated in the mess you see here, but I do feel terribly regretful about the ordeal." Yokar said, getting into the center of the officials.
"That is most kind of you my lord. I will have my aides mail you the estimates. Though without security, I can't guarantee the state of the building…" The head official said humbly.
"I will station my own guards on the premises to ensure its safety for the time being. In the meantime, I will not disturb you any further. Have a good day." Yokar interrupted, before beginning to leave.
The Enforcers remained on the site to provide security as the officials began their estimates. As he reached the lift however, he could not shake the smile that formed on his face. Frankly, the day could not have gone better.
Tune in next time as Yokar expands into his new holding, and more of his plans begin to take effect, with unintended consequences of his actions also coming to light. Thank you all for reading and have a lovely day.