Thought for the day: ALL SINNERS FEAR THE WRATH OF THE EMPEROR

Master,

Opening the metal door with Moran's key, the Acolytes were faced with a scene of abomination and heresy. A towering metal figure with leathery skin streached over its face was performing surgery on a still-conscious victim, assisted by a misshapen figure in a brown robe. Glass tubes suspended from the ceiling held more of the pale abominations they had previously fought.

The sight was enough to daunt the most faithful hearts, but the Acolytes quickly rallied and gave battle. No heretics can prevail against the servants of the True God-Emperor, but the cowardly sacrifice of its minions allowed the heretic surgeon to make its escape. Fenria's quick-thinking prevented the catastrophic overload of the the laboratory machine but by the time the fight was over small fires had begun to spread, leaving only time for a hasty investgation. A huge tank proved to contain a mass of whitish filament similar to those found in Saul Arbest's body, and deft work by Jakob allowed to collect a still-living sample.

Their investigation complete, the Acolytes collected Moran from the room where he was locked up and left the building. Faced with their Inquisitorial credentials he quickly broke down and made a full confession. Far from a victim, he was the designated apprentice of the Churgeon, as he called his mistress. The closest he would come to repentance was bitter regret that he had been apprenticed to a master who would neither give him instruction nor heed his advice.

The interrogation was interrupted by a runner sent by Luntz the gang-boss, calling them to the Enforcer precinct. They arrived to find the building burning and the Enforcers departed - they were mercenaries, said Moran, placed by his masters the Logicians. Luntz and his men had little to add. A messenger (evidently the one the Acolytes had seen depart the Alms House) had arrived about an hour ago, then all was quiet... until the Enforcers set fire to the building and fled for the roadway portal in their official halftrack.

With little more to be achieved the Acolytes arranged transport to the factory district, where they were able to find communicators and call in the Arbites. Four hours later, they were being debeifed by Your servant Interrogator Sand, who commended their bravery and congratulated them on the fines samples they had obtained. Unfortunately there was little time for celebration - a new directive had arrived and their skills were required offworld...