The Administratum official sighed. He cleared his throat and tried again. Clearly this inquisitorial cat’s-paw has no idea how complicated life was on port wander. Probably never been this far out from the Segmentum solar before. Besides which he was disturbing his break and this Mssr Kepling Sinth Cake was exceedingly good…he brushed away the crumbs from his habit unto his ornate scrivener, over some tithe charts. He reached for another cake…
"Look its very simple." he started taking another bite "There are many rogue traders that pass through port wander. Their warrant gives them complete freedom of passage beyond the Imperium's border. There is no …list…" He placed his hands on his fat belly "there’s no point anyway…any list compiled In the past is going to be out of date and any way they hardly register some don't bother to pass through port wander at all..."
His interlocutor a young adept in monks habit lifted up a hand to interrupt. Fixing his cold blue eyes on the functionary he spoke, in a cultured if slightly inflected high gothic, his words firm yet measured.
“Yes Adept Malfarius, but I am given to understand that there IS a list though…the so called five hundred?"
"Oh…them? Ah... Right…. those are traders that have paid a premium for the facilities here at Port Wander. Some are very old dynasties with a very old warrants that have particular concessions here at Port Wander, as well as I might add some favourable commercial ties when it comes to spreading their ah… personal legends"
“But I gather that there are more than 500 rogue traders operating here in this area"
"Why Oh yes…many more. Blessed throne! Sometimes I think there are more traders here on port wander than there are menial and sanitizer servitors"
The Young adept smiled…Adept Malfarius did not like that smile. He had met inquisitorial agents before, but this one really unnerved him. The young adept sat down and spoke again.
"And yet some rogue traders must stand out from others… new arrivals…men of character and purpose…men who need to be watched…" he let the words hang.
"You mean potential trouble makes? Mavericks? Port Wander is full of rogue traders who the authorities keep a steady eye on. Malcadors teeth… rogue traders are nothing if not scoundrels deep down” My this cake was exquisite thought Malfarius.
The young adept slowly took out two things from the folds of his robe and placed them before the Administratum official who on sight of them turned a pale shade of white. Suddenly he had lost his appetite.A rosette and a splendid damascened patterned bolt pistol. Lifting his hand and willing his electro tattoo to life the young adept spoke
“You recognise this, yes? Good. I am Inquisitor Sertarge Vance of the Ordo Xenos. And in the name of the Holy Emperor of mankind I…" He paused. A sardonic smile creeping across his face “politely request your help in the compilation of a list of particular individuals…”