The Disappearance of Dimiter Sozar

The settlement of Conseil was a sleepy gathering of hab blocks, mid-tier Ferrocrete work centres and nothing much else. It was a forgettable place on a forgettable planet: Aronnax. First settled by The Konstruct towards the end of Governor Karros’ reign, Aronnax was established as the Colony looked to expand its production and reach across the Fontannus system. Although not particularly rich in resources, Aronnax still had enough Polonium Ore at a reasonable mining depth to be of interest to the Konstruct. And as the planet was largely arid, this resource was easier to reach.

Conseil

Soon after colonisation, Aronnax became a prospering planet with a number of bustling settlements and space ports. It was seen as a place for enterprising individuals to forge their own path, and for opportunists to make a name for themselves. But over time the planet faltered. Mines started to dry up, and The Konstruct wouldn't release funds to invest in the equipment needed to reach the deeper Polonium reserves within the planet. By the time Governor Krent came into power, Aronnax was a shell of its former self. Years of neglect had seen the majority of equipment and buildings fall into disrepair. Those with money escaped off-world, seeking opportunities and a better life elsewhere. Those who couldn't find a way out sank into despair.

The remaining population of Aronnax were forced to scratch a living off the few remaining mines in operation, as life became a desperate struggle. Local PDF Enforcement Teams fought to keep the criminal activity of the poor and the desperate under control, but it was an impossible task. When faced with starvation and squalor, desperate citizens undertook desperate deeds. Tales of people disappearing and strange shapes in the night were whispered in hushed tones, as darkness fell over the dust planet. Even without Oceans, the Endless Deep washed upon Aronnax.

Aronnax

Dimiter Sozar was about as normal as a man got on Aronnax. His skin was pale and dry from time spent in the mines. His hair was completely missing, the low-level radiation from constant exposure to Polonium meaning that almost all of the workforce on the planet had the same issue. He was wearing his typical standard-issue mining clothing, which was threadbare and tattered. For a citizen of Aronnax, he was actually dressed relatively respectively. As was the custom for the dust planet, he was wearing a large dustmask over his face, a cultural development that evolved due to myths that fabric would protect citizens of the mining colonies from disease and illness. Over time these beliefs were debunked, but for the people of Aronnax, this had becomes their uniform. 

He was stood on the corner of Gar Square, a pedestrian area in the heart of Conseil, and was people-watching. Since losing his job, he didn’t have much else to do, and would much rather be out in the open than the dinge-ridden hab-block he called home.

Gar Square, Conseil

Dimiter drew on his Lho Stick as he looked across the plaza. As he inhaled the dark, heavy smoke, his eyes flickered to a crowd gathering in the distance. They were huddled around a group of figures that he couldn’t make out. He’d been drawn to the square when he saw the lander that the visitors arrived in less than an hour ago. Dimiter proceeded to the square to satisfy his curiosity, but he couldn’t decide who these people were, or their purpose. The vessel that brought them was nondescript, and the figures were wrapped in heavy, obscuring cloaks. From this angle, they looked a clear 2 feet taller than even the largest of the surrounding colonists, but that seemed unlikely to Sozar. It must have been the low evening haze from the mining fields tricking his eyes again. The dust always began to settle as the sun set, a red haze colouring the dusky sky. To an outsider, the crimson sunsets of Aronnax were absolutely beautiful, but to the locals they just meant more dust. 

As he took his last drag of the Lho Stick, he broke sight from the gathering and noticed the dust slowly falling across his boots. As he looked up, the sunset had been eclipsed. There, stood in front of him, was one of the hooded figures from the landing ship. Their outline was massive, and Dimiter struggled to comprehend the size of them. He suddenly realised their stature wasn't an optical illusion caused by the haze as he'd previously thought, the figure was enormous.

Dimiter Sozar

“Dimiter Sozar. Low-Level Smuggler. Previously operating under the guise of a Mining Crew Union Officer, until you were let go for undisclosed reasons. Place of residence, Hab Block 458-B, Conseil Prefecture. No current warrants issued for arrest, but under active surveillance by the local agency.” 

The figure spoke with a calm but judgemental tone, and left enough silence in the air after his sentences to make anyone uncomfortable. He was naturally intimidating, and not just down to his massive bulk and height. Hidden under a hood, only his mouth could be seen, his chiselled jawline stern and gritted. 

“I suppose you’re here about those Habs that got turned over, yeah? Well I’ll tell you the same as I told all the other units that come through here and give me the same bullshit treatment, I STILL don’t have anything to do with them. And this whole ‘hooded justice, strong silent type’ routine is cute, pal, but I’ve got places to be.”

As he soon as he uttered the last syllable, he could feel himself being lifted off the ground. He was about to turn around and walk away from the figure, but somehow the hooded man knew what he was about to do before his own brain did. The man brought Dimiter up to eye level, and closer into him. As he did, underneath the heavy-weave cloak, Dimiter thought he saw Gold Plate Metal. It was the faintest flash of the smallest hint of shoulder, but he was positive that it was some kind of metal armour that was giving the figure the massive hulking shape.

The Hooded Figure

“This is straightforward. I think you know what’s going on in this city, Mr Sozar. I think you might be involved. And my time is far too precious to discuss any further on the matter. I would strongly advise compliance.” Dimiter’s attitude shifted slightly as the burning intent of the man came into sharp focus. “This is incredibly simple Mr Sozar. Where is your hideout, and how many of you are there?”

The intensity of this massive hulking figure spoke on a level of danger Dimiter had never encountered before. It was if the man was starting into his soul. All notions of resisting and keeping his composure began to collapse, as he struggled to keep calm and even form coherent sentences. “W-w-what is hideout? Like Gang Hideout? I’m not part of anything like that! I didn’t even know they existed all the way out here in Aronnax! That’s a Vernox problem, there’s nothing like that on Aronnax!”

The man looked down at Dimiter, his hood sliding back slightly to reveal more of his face as he loomed further over him. “Mr Sozar, as your heartbeat and perspiration levels have increased, I’m not going to give you a second opportunity to misinform me.” As Dimiter was pulled closer to the brooding face of the figure, he gave in completely. He suddenly realised, this was the first time he truly felt the emotion of dread in his life. Without any threats, without any violence, this individual had shook Dimiter Sozar to his very core. He was ready to comply.

“Okay okay! I don’t know what you’re looking for, but I have heard rumours of light flickering and noise coming from Lessell. It was the next town over, until it was abandoned after the mine dried up. People haven’t lived there for years, but there’s a rumour something’s going on. I haven’t been, don’t want to. I’m lucky if I can make it to the local requisition booth without getting hassled by the cops in this place, never mind leave town.” Dimiter slowly started weeping as the figure relinquished his grip on him. He collapsed to the floor, begging for reprieve from the hooded man. “Dimiter Sozar, go now to the local Defence Garrison located across the town. Relinquish yourself to them and ask to be transferred to the nearest Arbites centre for processing. You would be wise to follow my instruction.” As he finished his sentence, the figure walked back to his compatriots, who left the plaza with haste. As the red haze settled across Conseil and night fell, Sozar could see the Lander dusting off and heading in the direction of Lessell.

Lessell

As Dimiter walked through Conseil, he rubbed the tears from his eyes and tried to regain his composure from the most intense experience he’d ever felt. He was on his way to the garrison, but intended to make one last stop at his Hab Block before setting off.

As he entered the dank, dimly lit hovel, he sighed to himself. Whoever the figures were, he knew they were serious, and couldn’t be taken lightly. Taking one last look around his old place, he reached behind his steel bed frame and retrieved a small, silver transceiver, and turned it on.

As the static hissed from the device, the line began to clear.

“Well?” a voice demanded from the small, tinny speaker.

 “They bought it. Lessell. Should be arriving their within the hour. They’re from offworld, but not sure where. I’ve never seen anything like them before. Astartes maybe?” Dimiter replied with a chilling efficiency.

The Road to Lessell

All hints of tears on his face had gone as his act melted away into cold reason. He pulled out a brass medal hung round his neck that was previously hidden, and began rubbing the strange design with his fingers. The transceiver began to hiss as the voice on the other end began to reply.

 “No, they’re something else. Whatever they are, we’ll make sure that their interference doesn’t hinder our preparations here on Aronnax. Good work Brother Sozar. It is time you joined your kin in the tunnels below Lessell. We will have further need of you before the night is over. The Blood is strong…”

“But the Deep is Endless” Dimiter replied.