Underhiver Report: Renewed Conflict in the Up-Sump Habs

++++ EXCERPT FROM THE TRI-HIVE ENQUIRER ++++

++LOCAL HIVE NEWS REPORT++

It was early in the 2nd Work Period when gunshots were heard coming from the Hab Block 5-23 yesterday. Roggie Vergas was on the scene and gave us a first-hand account of the action:

"I always head past Lho-asis on my way to second shift," he began, "and this time was no different. They have the best Sump Ale! But when I heard the tell-tale crackle of a man's flesh being evaporated by plasma, I knew it was time to scoot!"

"I got a good look at them though. Honestly, I think the Escher gal just got spooked. Who wouldn't? Those Delaque boys have the creepiest tech I ever saw. It ain't right, walking around like some sort of Emperor-damned ghoul..."

(It is worth mentioning that he is referring to this particular gang's trademark headwear; a holographic image of a jawless skull, leering at their victims. The gang calls itself Shades of the Ebon Oath.)

"That's when she vaporized the bastard. At least, she tried to. It looked like he got a good chunk of his arm taken off, and he went down like a bag of corpse-starch. Then it all went tits up."

"The damn spooks started popping up everywhere! The Escher gang was pretty scattered, I think a few came to help their pals but sensibly hoofed it the opposite direction when they heard the screaming."

"They started HOSING the Escher girls down... I'm talking like shit down the drain. Automatic gunfire like you wouldn't believe. It was even worse that some of it was silenced.... you would expect that much gunfire to be a tremendous racket! It wasn't though. It was like they were firing them from the next block over, but I was watching it with my own eyes."

"Those Escher hightailed it after that. Can't blame 'em. I even saw their head gal get beaned by the top spook. They held her in place with one of those fancy guns... made everything crumple. No way I can describe it. But she acted like she couldn't get away from the spot the spook shot... like it kept pulling her back to it."

"Next thing you know, old dead-eyes walks up and cold clocks her with his fancy cane. They didn't do nothing with her.... just kind of tossed her back into another alley. Not sure why. Maybe they were showing her she was worthless... just tossed her out like the trash."

"Haven't seen the Nasty Girls Club back in this block since. Maybe they are just coming up with a clever way to repay those spooks. Or maybe they are steering clear... which is what I'm gonna start doing before Second Shift. The Ale ain't worth this kind of trouble."

With that, Roggie had nothing more to say. 

We here at the Enquirer have to agree with Roggie.... if you can, we urge you to avoid Lho-asis and the surrounding blocks. It seems likely that the Escher are looking for revenge, and these Delaque are not known for valuing the lives of hive citizens.

The local recreation den of hive workers, now seen patrolled by the eerie watchmen loyal to the Shades of the Ebon Oath.

Underhiver Report: Debt Collection or Territory Dispute?

++++ EXCERPT FROM THE MYNERVA APEX SENTINEL ++++

++LOCAL HIVE NEWS REPORT++

Rumor around the Sumps is that the Rust Wolves, an Orlock backed gang, has crossed swords with the deadly beauties of the Nasty Girls Club; of Escher fame. The suspected cause of the dispute is unknown, but both sides attempted to exact maximum damage on their rivals.

According to some disreputable sources such as Two-Toed Jerry, the original dispute erupted after a gambling debt went sideways. Upon trying to collect on the alleged debt, the dangerous dames were able to keep the oxidized predators from leaving with anything valuable, securing the luscious ladies' place at the top of the local food chain.

Regardless of what started the conflict, the two groups have now reached an impasse. Two-Toed Jerry informs us that the Rust Wolves put a great deal of pressure on the Nasty Girls Club, even going so far as to lead one of the gang away in bonds, but whatever debt they were attempting to collect on has appeared to go unpaid. He also informs us that the Wolves have seen reduced presence in the area lately and that the Escher have established an increasing number of "Entertainment" services, which are reputed to hold illicit gambling activities.

The locals are worried that the tensions between the gangs will cause more conflict to be visited on the area. The recently arrived Enforcer Precinct, commanded by Captain Urban of the Z-Theta-Magenta patrol group, has been informed of the situation and is likely watching over the citizens. May the justice of Lord Helmawr be swift and terrible to any gang that dares to harm the loyal imperial citizenry of this great Hive!