"Unit was within normal paramaters at time of disconnection," the tech adept declared. The being, its sex was rendered indetermite by the encrustation of augments and mechadendrites. His crimson robe was augmented by a white plastec apron which kept the majority of the biofluid and lubricants from him as he disected the servitor. Magos Panageas was the master of a dingy servitor servicing bay that Sel had walked passed every day but never actually noticed, so ornate and festooned with chambers was the voidship. The corpse of the servitor was laid out on a large grillwork table that allowed blood and biofluid to collect in slucies below for the Mechanicus to reuse for Sel knew not what.

"Normal parameters?! It tried to kill me," Kayden growled.

"Termination of a biological unit is within normal parameters for this model," the the Magos replied through his voice synthesizer, still managing to convey the slight hint of contempt for the unchurched in these matters. Sel arched an eyebrow.

"Uhh ok so can you tell us who sent it?" Sel asked, perplexed.

"Cyber autopsy has has deleted that function," the tech priest replied.

"So why did you do it?!" Sel demanded as she realised that the priest had destroyed the very information they were looking for.

"Your request was to determine why it was acting strange. I have determined it was acting within normal parameters as per your request," the priest responded flatly. Sel and Kaiden exchanged a look and she opened her mouth to say something that one really shouldn't say to an adept of Mars. Kayden cut her off with a look.

"So who could have given such an order?' Kayden asked. The techpriest cocked his head to the side.

"Any holder of theta level clearence on the ship, such individuals include but are not limited to: the captain, the Chief Technomagos, the Navigator, the Helm..."

"Anyone in the guard, uh starting with the lowest rank," Kayden cut him off.

"A lieutenant with an administrative clearance of theta-one-seven, or a commisarial over ride," the Magos supplied helpfully. Sel and Kayden exchanged another look.

"I think that is as much as we can hope for," Kayden admitted as they left the servitor morgue and headed back towards Kayden's office. The problem was it didn't prove anything. It seemed likely that at least the Langerok Lieutenant was involved, perhaps even Sobek himself.

"We need a way to prove it, perhaps I should just call out that cur," Kayden mused. Sel gave him a look, then realised he meant challenge the other man to a duel. Bloody officers and bloody aristocrats.

"Commissar Sobek would never let it happen," she told him dashing the plan.

"Do you have any better ideas?" Kayden asked, a touch of offended hautre to his voice. Sel wracked her brain for a few moments, then a slow, and singularly unfriendly smile, spread across her face.

"How would you feel," she asked, "about getting shot?"