Hello, scummers. It’s your favorite radio host, Max Vox, here to bring you the voice of the people. You may remember me from my days at Vox Radio, the best and only independent radio station in the Underhive. Well, I’m still here, still kicking, still speaking the truth. And today, I’m going to tell you about the daily struggle of living under the gang rule of Van Saar.
Van Saar. The techno-savants of Necromunda. The masters of technology and weapons. The wealthiest and most powerful of all the houses. The ones who think they are better than everyone else. The ones who look down on us with contempt and disdain.
Van Saar. The oppressors and exploiters of the Underhive. The ones who control and manipulate the infrastructure and resources. The ones who charge us exorbitant fees and taxes for basic services and necessities. The ones who enforce their laws and regulations with violence and intimidation.
Van Saar. The enemies and rivals of the Underhive. The ones who wage war and conflict with other gangs and factions. The ones who cause death and destruction in their wake. The ones who bring danger and horror to our doorstep.
These are the Van Saar that we have to deal with every day. These are the Van Saar that make our lives miserable and hopeless. These are the Van Saar that we have to resist and defy.
I went to the Dust Wall, one of the areas where Van Saar have a strong presence and influence. I talked to some of the locals, who shared their stories and opinions with me. Here are some of their voices:
- “I work in a factory that produces lasguns for Van Saar. They pay me a pittance, barely enough to survive. They treat me like a slave, working me to exhaustion. They don’t care about my safety or health, exposing me to radiation and toxins. They don’t care if I live or die, as long as I make them more guns.”
- “I live in a hab-block that is owned by Van Saar. They charge me a fortune for rent, water, power, and air. They monitor and restrict my movements and activities. They search my home and belongings without warning or reason. They threaten me with eviction or worse if I don’t comply with their demands.”
- “I run a stall that sells food and goods in the market. They tax me for every item I sell or buy. They inspect and confiscate my products without compensation or explanation. They harass and extort me for more money or favors. They beat me up or destroy my stall if I don’t cooperate with them.”
These are just some of the examples of how Van Saar make our lives hell. These are just some of the reasons why we hate them so much.
But not everyone is afraid or submissive to Van Saar. Some people have the courage and spirit to stand up to them. Some people have the pride and dignity to challenge them.
One such person is Rikko Rattus, a scavenger who lives in the sump-holes near the Dust Wall. He is one of the few who dares to scavenge in Van Saar territory, looking for valuable scraps and relics in their waste dumps and ruins.
I met him in his lair, a makeshift shelter made of metal sheets and pipes. He welcomed me with a grin and a handshake, showing me his collection of trophies and trinkets that he had scavenged from Van Saar.
He told me how he had been scavenging for years, evading and outsmarting Van Saar patrols and traps. He told me how he had seen many horrors and wonders in his adventures, from milliasaurs to ancient machines.
He told me how he had no fear or respect for Van Saar, calling them “radiated rats” and “tech-tainted trash”. He told me how he had clashed with them many times, stealing from them, sabotaging them, fighting them.
He told me how he had killed several Van Saar gangers in his encounters, taking their weapons and armor as trophies. He showed me his prized possession: a lasgun that he had modified with his own skills and knowledge.
He told me how he had a reputation among Van Saar as a nuisance and a menace, how they had put a bounty on his head, how they had sent several teams to capture or kill him.
He told me how he had eluded or defeated them all, laughing at their incompetence and arrogance.
He told me how he enjoyed his life of scavenging and fighting, how he felt free and alive, how he had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
He told me his name, Rikko Rattus, and said he was proud of it.
I asked him why he was willing to reveal his name and identity to me, and why he wasn’t scared of Van Saar finding out and coming after him.
He looked at me with a smirk and said:
“Because I’m not afraid of those ganger scum. Because I want them to know who I am and what I do. Because I want them to come and try to get me. Because I’m ready for them. Because I’m Rikko Rattus, the scourge of Van Saar, and I don’t give a damn.”
These are the words of Rikko Rattus, a scavenger who lives under Van Saar rule. These are the words of a rebel and a hero.
This is Max Vox, signing off. Until next time, scummers. Stay strong, stay smart, stay free. Vox Populi.
