Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-1734134-20161215223926/@comment-1734134-20170413231520

Orion leads you through the lab - now festooned with Skitari soldiers, all of whom look upon you with glimmering blue optics. The xenos constructions follow, flanking you in a bizarre procession of flesh, bone and metal that struts between testing tubes filled with duplicates of the xenos warrior you just watched explode into nothingness. Strasse hums to himself as he leads you into another - massive - chamber - where glass pods hang from the roof and visceral tables lie. Blood covers the floor, only to pool into drains while ash lies beneath grates. A cleaning system of servitors and Skitarri wipe away the mess of unused body parts,

"They're quite new, I assure you," Strasse says as he brings you to the exact centre of the chamber - an extensive command centre of holographic maps, panels and view screens displaying images from all across the planet. There is also a large selection of heavy cases, and crates marked D.B....

"Now gentlemen, we're both aware of how we truly serve - I am a servant of the one true god of war - the blood god Khorne - and you well, you're warriors of the Emperor," his upper body twists around to face you - revealing an open case lined with gold bullion, "But every man has his price. We both have goals in common, and I have rewards that I believe can buy your service. You want off this planet - and you want payment. The other mercenaries have already claimed it."

An image is produced - a group of hideous mutants with a pair of crates marked D.B. - are teleported away, "And as you can see, your loyal servant of the Emperor employer - was always in possession of a way to let you leave - to help those below. In fact this entire expedition was simply to," he knocks the lid off one of the crates - revealing it to be stacked high - with drugs, "Return some narcotics. It was I who saved this world from Cain, while you helped. On the other hand," he gestures back to the muties, "They are the ones who almost brought this world to destruction, meanwhile..."

An image of Space Marines appears - trapped in the ruins of a burning encampment, "The Emperors finest did nothing but squat in squalid ruins and roll around like animals. It was we who saved the world. Now I know this an uncomfortable reality - but you're smart and decisive men. Help me and you get paid - paid well - and get a ride off this world. Don't - and I dump you back near your encampment - when we next cross I will not spare you. You'll be penniless and die like dogs."

He chuckles warmly, "But I know you're smart - and you're honest - so you'll do the right thing," he offers a jagged, clawed hand, flexing the digits. You're sure he's smiling - or trying to - behind that steel mask of his.