No second opinions required
I do not owe anything except Oc's. everything is going to Games Workshop.
Guest room suites of the Heidheim suites
Rain and wind hammered at the spires of the original hive, as if it were trying to topple and wash away the God Emperors monument of human triumph. Despite being modified to be strengthened against such forces, a strong gale could rattle a spire fiercely. Darius not being used to this had spilled several cups of recaf on himself already, and it did little to help his mode. Frankly, the weather was most intolerable. How anyone could live in such conditions, and not yearn for the control climate of a starship was inconceivable to him.
If it were not for the rain and booming thunder that hammered the spires, someone looking out in a window might have noticed three figures in rainproof gear and climbing equipment rushing up the spires. Armed figures.
These armed figures, sporting power knives and silenced pistols, rushed up towards the room given to them by Yokar. If Darius was not there, then this night would become a lot longer, and a lot riskier. No one on planet, save the Adeptus Mechanicus or Arbites had the forces to take on the governors security forces. They reach the edge that goes to his room. Waiting for when Darius is not looking behind him, they get to work on the window.
Darius might have noticed something was wrong, as to open the local pattern windows from the outside, and in a storm no less, was a tricky business. Even with the specialized thieves tools the three were working with, it was not a sure-fire thing. However, the storm masked their movements and noise. Darius felt the wind suddenly hit him, but by that point it was too late.
The two other operatives began their move as the third drew their knife, and in a instant grabbed Darius from behind. Like so many other before him, Darius's throat was slit, and his gasping corpse was left on the table, the wind and rain pattering down on it. Red water began to soak the hardwood desk and onto the floor. This sudden amount of noise caused the two guards to rush in.
"By the God Emperor…" One of them muttered.
"Call the medicae, sound the alarms! Someone has killed lord Darius!" The other yelled as they rushed over to check up on him.
One put his fingers on him to check his pulse, but by that point it was too late. The precision strike had cut both his arteries and trachea in a single movement. A look of desperation, fear, and horror was left frozen on the naval officers face.
By the time other officials and specialists arrived the place had turned into a crime scene. Spire Security locked the place down by the time Sector governor Riftenus arrived. He was not one to be roused from his sleep, but when he heard the news, few servants have seen him move faster. When he arrived on the scene, concern turned to horror.
"What happened? How did this happen!?" Riftenus frantically asked, his normal jovial and regal demeanor gone.
"Judging by the wound he was killed by some form of power weapon. Likely a power knife. The perpretrator entered through the window. They must be quite skilled to get through a window in this storm. We have search parties fanning out searching for them, and we are locking down the spire as we speak." The head of security explained a large man in carapace armor.
"Send this out to the Arbites and the Enforcers. Send bounty hunters. I want whoever did this found and killed!" Riftenus roared.
"Of course, my lord." The Head of security replied and made sure those orders are sent out.
"Also inform his superior officer as well." Riftenus added, trying to compose himself.
"Yes my lord. I will get that to the astropaths immediately." An aide said as they rushed off
"Whoever did this will not get away with such a heinous crime." Riftenus muttered.
Meanwhile in Yokars room
Yokar smiled as he continued his work. He was hearing the commotion, and it stood to reason that the death cult had accomplished their task. Nothing else would cause such an uproar in the middle of the night. Provided they could prove themselves to be in the long term reliable, Yokar found a potential way to circumvent his manpower shortages. Potentially even permanently acquiring a few of these operatives as well. His thoughts were cut short by a knock on the door.
"Come in." Yokar said simply, and in stepped a spire security guard.
"My lord, it is advised that you remain where you are. There is a general lockdown procedure and a manhunt underway." The guard explained after walking in the doorway.
"Heavens, whatever for?" Yokar asked, feigning surprise.
"Lord Darius was murdered sir." The guard said.
"By the God Emperor. May guide your manhunt and investigation." Yokar said, still feigining shock and horror.
"Thank you my lord. If you come across anything, please tell us." The guard said before leaving, closing the door behind him.
"There's a lot I don't tell." Yokar muttered to himself as he went back to his work.
He continued for another five minutes before pausing. Sighing, he leaned back on his chain, pinching the bridge of his nose. He then slowly turned his head to look at the statue of the Emperor he has in his room. Its eyes staring in such a direction as it was looking down on him, judging him. Yokar stood up and stood before it.
"It is never my intention to betray you my lord. My faith in you remains strong." Yokar said to the statue, his confidence and surety in all things beginning to wane under its august presence.
"It is your realm my lord, those that run it. I cannot stand by as corruption; piracy and those loathsome tithes shackle my people to a system that does not invest in us yet expects the world from us. The Dendroth cluster will be sucked dry, left as a lifeless husk. Pirates, Xenos and worse will fight over our bones." Yokar continued, his voice and composure failing him.
"When my day comes my lord, I only wish you judge me fairly. I must do this. Every last bit of it I must do. I'm sorry." Yokar said before falling silent, now no longer able to look at the statue. It looked back as it it continued to judge his every movement.
He knew what would happen if he was found out. What the consequences would bring. He even knew that likely when he is to be judged by his lord he would be thrown to eternal damnation. But the official means to enact change for his systems had long failed. Looking back up at the emperor, he bowed with respect, and went back to work. Despite the very grim price for succession, it was a price he was willing to pay.