Getting around on a hive world can be challenge worthy to the skills and endurance of

Humanty's greatest intellects. Having been raised in the Under hive of Bladen's Hive Ravensburg

did nothing to help matters, since there are usually no long distance transport facilities to speak

of an so you were confined to a few square kilometres of squalor and smoke.

The Ferrier Residency was on a level the midspire section

of the hive, m/Delta/s45. the problem was the nearest docking facility was the level below

and the lifts in that section had been inoperative for past year, and so the journey required

a cable tram journey to the nearest working lift which took to the opposite side of the spire

from s45, meaning another tram journey.

When I finally arrived I was greeted by a surly looking brute at the gate with a a shotgun slung

over his back, a black anvil badge prominently displayed on the crossbelt.

'Move along, the Lord-Director's taking no visitors today'

'Inquisitor Chase to see Patriarch Ferrier' I replied holding up the black inquisitorial seal

I wore on a chain round my neck as a medallion.

'Took your sweet time getting here'

I ignored the man's comment and made to enter the residence.

He pulled a hand held auspex out of his belt, which emitted a long, low droning note.

"Wait, turn in your shooters, Guv'na's orders."

I looked around the premises, noticing more similarly equipped guards and made a decision that has

doubtless affected my career more than any other. I handed in the las pistol I had concealed in an

under armrig,and thereby avoided a hopeless shoot out over a seemingly trivial matter, or at the very l

east, a serious diplomatic incident that would doubtless have affected the investigation and my

reputation among my newfound peers. Besides, I knew I would not be completely unarmed.

Passing under the archway of the grand rockcrete facade, I turned left into the main hall.

Apart from a long wooden table and the chairs arranged around it,

the hall was virtally bear, the walls were undecorated except for an golden imperial aquilla above the door

and the family seal,a black anvil on diagonally divided blue/white shield, with the motto

(curiously in Low Gothic) "From our Labours."

"Inquisitor Chase?" A female voice called from a chair by the stairs.

"Yes."

"Interrogator Lavrente sir." The speaker was a tall, dirty blond woman, dressed in a collarless pale blue,

silver laced broadcloth coat and white pocketless trousers tucked into black leather halfboots.

The formal attire that would not have looked out of place at a high house function if it had been worn by

a man was at odds with my sombre dark grey tunic and matching trousers.

"I aplogise for my lateness interrogator."

"I only arrived here ten minutes ago myself sir."

I crossed the room to a the main table and pressed a button at its head.

A functionary in a plain brown jacket and white shirt with a standing collar emerged from a

flight of stairs.

"Inquisitor Chase." I said simply

The man blanched slightly "Patriarch Gavrus will see you directly sir."

We climed thre flights of stairs and were directed to wait

outside a pair of double doors. After around 10 minutes the doors opened, and a short, thin man, grey

bearded man in a black tail coat emerged carrying a dataslate, and our guide entered.

"Inquisitor Chase to speak to you Master Ferrier."

Before entering I directed our guide to furnish Interrogator Lavrente with an office room and a cogitator with unrestricted acess to all of House Ferrier's business files.

The patriarch was seated behind a simple clerk's desk with a built in cogiator unit. Standing in one corner was a heavily built, shaven headed man with a long bark blue coat which was perhaps

deliberately unbuttoned to display a Carapace chestpiece, again stamped with the black anvil badge and a with a bolt pistol in a sashbelt holster at his right hip.

"Ah Inquisitor Chase, Karls Ferrier Gavrus, Patriarch of House ferrier"

I would be lying if I said that it was a pleasure to see you, but I am glad I am not

having to face one of Rabkrin's overdressed, overbearing, dandyprats." He had a deep, rasping voice

"You must excuse Junas here- the Patriach indicated the bodyguard

"But with these disturbances, my Chief steward insists I am guarded

at all times, sometimes I feel like a prisoner wherever I go."

I did not smile at this weak attempt at humour to lighten the obvious tension my presence was causing/

Most of the time I have been questioned by interrogators, this is the first time I have been

questioned by a full Inquisitor. You will doubtless have had acess to transcripts of my previous

interviews with the staff of you, er, trio?"

"Troyka." I corrected.

"I have indeed Lord Patriarch." In the three weeks since arriving I had spent most of my time sifting through the countless reports and summaries the investigation had thus far generated, and it was easy to lose track some key piece of data in the veritable flood of information.

"Then you will know that the rivalry from House Varro and House Ferrier is no secret, Varro is an

ambitious house Inquisitor Chase, they have designs on becoming a House Major, control of an

entire hive complex, and the accompanying right to put a Varro on the governing council of this world, perhaps in due course to found a ruling dynasty. My house however, competes with Varro concerns here and has stakes in many other industries, including cybernetics some in other hives. We are therefore their most serious rival."

"So you believe that House Varro is behind the sabotage of your facilities."

"I am certain of it, the attacks were well organised and could only have been fianced by

those with great resources at their disposal so as to secure the services of these men."

"What of the attacks on the Varro establishments?"

"I would have more to lose from these attacks, house Varro is well connected, they have arranged a marriage with a high ranking arbites officers and a daughter of the House and have also provided the administratum with clerks, and with these connections, it is easy to explain away moves against my concerns as a manifestation of the robust nature of Hive politics. I, that is to say, my organisation, possess no such advantages and it would also be impossible for us to conceal any clumsy attempts at deterring an investigation. Is that why you are here Inquisitor, to investigate a petty feud between two minor houses?"

"No, You know as well as I do that the Inquisition has been summoned to investigate the

disturbances and their effects on the delivery of the Imperial Tithes from this world, and we have reason to believe that you "petty feud" is adding to these disturbances."

For the first time, since the discussion began, Patriarch Ferrier's unfazed air wavered. He stepped out from his desk, and made a furtive gesture towards a side door.

"Maybe we should discuss this where I know we can't be overheard."

"Junas, wait outside" He added as an afterthought.

The side door closed abruptly beside him as he went through into the next room.

I made to follow him when I heard a rustling noise behind me.

Junas was pocketing something with his right hand and drawing his pistol with his left.

"I'm sorry about this Chase, boss's orders, but I'll be sure to dispose of the body quickly.