Deathwatch: The Undeath of Zanatov's Harbour

[Ascension]

The vast and winding corridors of Watch-Fortress Erioch contain dozens, if not hundreds, of briefing rooms and strategiums, nearly all built to heroic proportions. The chamber to which you've been called is among the smallest, but, even so, its low stone benches could still comfortably accommodate a squad at least twice the size of your kill-team, and a Dreadnought could stand to full height beneath its vaulted ceiling. At the front of the chamber, behind a large metal podium cast in the shape of the Inquisitorial I, stand three figures, two Astartes and one unaugmented human.

The marine at the center of the trio is immediately recognizable as Watch-Captain Horsa, the man who has supervised you all since your initial induction into the Deathwatch. For most of you, that has been a somewhat trying experience. Watch-Captain Horsa hails from the Mantis Warriors, the Chapter which offers the second-largest tithe of personnel to the Deathwatch, behind only the Crimson Fists, and, far from holding the elder children of the Primarchs in reverence, he tends to view marines sent to the Deathwatch from First Founding Chapters as arrogant interlopers treading on his territory. He does make an effort toward concealing his biases, but you spent enough time in his care during Deathwatch training to see them shine through. Rafen and Karael, particularly, always seemed to be on the receiving end of his harshest assignments and worst tongue-lashings. Still, for all his flaws, his skill as a warrior and as a commander is undeniable, and he has earned every bit of his authority through blood and sweat.

The marine at Horsa's right hand is an imposing figure, no less intimidating here in the Watch-Fortress, with his skull-faced helm clamped to his hip, than he is in the heat of battle. Some of you have seen another side to Chaplain Haman of the Salamanders, being privileged to witness the pearly grin behind his ebony mask. Chaplain Haman is always watching the battle-brothers under his authority, and takes care to confer privately with those who show signs of doubt or worry, or of friction with their brothers. In those one-on-one meetings he showcases great compassion and a surprising sense of humour. Today, however, he is all business, here solely to lead you in the sacred oath-taking before you depart upon your mission.

At Horsa's left, dwarfed in the company of the Astartes who surround him, is a man in black robes of soft velvet, robes embroidered with the symbol of the Inquisition on their trailing sleeves. He looks shockingly young at first glance, with a full head of jet black hair slicked close to his scalp, but a certain world-weariness in his eyes, and the crows' feet picking at their edges, suggest that an extensive regimen of juvenat treatments is the cause. His fingers have the ink-stained look of a dedicated scribe's, though the simple fact that he stands in such rarefied company suggests a position of much higher stature. None of you have worked with him before.

"This is Inquisitor Jiang Liu," Watch-Captain Horsa says, preempting any questions you may have been about to ask about the stranger. "He has come to us from the Realm of Ultramar... by the direct route. Through the Warp storms."

That even a mean old cuss like Captain Horsa sounds awed by this feat should give you some indication of its rarity.

"Unfortunately, the news he brings us is that our enemy has learned to do the same thing. He's here following a trail of evidence which strongly suggests that there is an active Cold Trade route smuggling xenos weapons straight from the Jericho Reach into the Realm of Ultramar... right under the Ultramarines' noses."

Captain Horsa calling them "Ultramarines" is a concession to the fact that you have company. In private, he's more likely to refer to them as "those blue Codex bastards," or occasionally something even more colourful.

"Now, he and Watch-Commander Scarion assure me that he has further narrowed the range of worlds which could be the source for these xenos artifacts to somewhere in the immediate vicinity of Zanatov's Harbour. Now, you don't need me to tell you that ought to be impossible. Zanatov's Harbour was historically a center of the Cold Trade, but it was lost to Hive Fleet Dagon decades ago. It ought to be nothing but a ball of barren rock now, devoid of anything of interest to anyone. Nevertheless, when Inquisitor Jiang sent a group of acolytes there to follow up on his leads, sometime late last year..."

Captain Horsa begins a dramatic pause, but Inquisitor Jiang cuts through his attempt at rhetoric with a clipped, efficient explanation.

"They failed to make any further contact, despite having a skilled astropath among their number and having been ordered to make frequent reports. Something must have gone badly wrong. My most trusted Interrogator was their field leader, and nothing trivial could have stopped her. Thus, I turn to the Deathwatch."

"Just so," Watch-Captain Horsa agrees, not seeming displeased (or at least no more displeased than usual) by the Inquisitor's interruption. "The objectives of your mission, as far as we understand them, are laid out on the dataslates each of you have been given. If you have any questions for myself or the Inquisitor, ask them now, not when you're halfway across the Reach."

Known Mission Objectives:

> Primary:
Locate the point of origin of the Jericho-Ultramar Cold Trade Route [Recon]
Identify the conspirators behind the Jericho-Ultramar Cold Trade [Recon]

> Secondary:
Recover samples of the traders’ xenos artifacts for study [Recovery]
Rescue Interrogator Feinmann and her Acolytes, should they yet live [Recovery, Conditional]

> Tertiary:
Recover the bodies of Interrogator Feinmann and her Acolytes, and any data they may have collected on Zanatov’s Harbour, in the event that they have perished [Recovery, Conditional]
Check the logs of the automated warning buoys left in the Zanatov system [Recon]
Slay or capture the conspirators behind the Jericho-Ultramar Cold Trade [Assault]
"You must also decide who among you will lead your kill-team in this mission," Chaplain Haman rumbles, breaking his silence, "and determine the oath which you will swear to ensure its completion, in the name of the Emperor, the Deathwatch, and the Holy Inquisition."

Horsa and Haman's words open the floor to discussion. Have at it.

[Koris]

Karael carefully reads through the dataslate with a glance to his fellow kill-team members to gauge their body language on who should take command on the mission. Had this been before his seconding to the Watch, he would have eagerly thrown his name in, hoping to show his ability by leading them for the first time. But he can't help but feel that a recon mission is almost made for the like of some of the other chapter members gathered. It was never easy to sneak up on any enemy formations with the signature red armor that the sons of Sanguinius wore.

Lowering the dataslate, Karael looks towards the Watch-Captain ''What are our means of transport towards Zanatov's Harbour, Captain?'' he says with a measure of respect that would be expected towards one's superior.

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden hums to himself, not bothering to look down at his dataslate again. The Stormseer stands easy, relaxed even in the company of their senior officers, his mind still slowly turning over the information given. He tries to keep the smile off of his face, but it's hard to resist after hearing the briefing. This is... exciting! More than he'd expected, honestly: a mysterious mission, a dead world, agents of the Inquisition in need of help. This is a task worthy of the Deathwatch, and of a son of Chogoris. His eyes dart briefly to either side, noting the fellow members of his kill team but not studying them at length. That can come later.

As Karael speaks to the Watch Captain, Jaden turns his attention to Jiang Liu, smiling at the unarmoured human and bowing his head. Just a touch; best to be polite. "Do you have any records of Zanatov's Harbour, Inquisitor? Reports of investigations carried out before Dagon?" Forgetting himself a little, the Stormseer starts to ponder aloud, still considering possible justifications for this scenario. "It's too much of a coincidence that the new Cold Trade route comes from an old port. If the smugglers had some kind of safe area for storage, warded in such a way as to fool the Hive Mind..."

[roll0] Forbidden Lore, Xenos 47 considering that idea, though Jiang probably has a sharper answer.

[Ascension]

"Good question," the Watch-Captain grudgingly admits. "Unfortunately, with our current allocation of strategic assets, I can't offer you support from our own fleet... unless you should need a kill-ship, Emperor forfend, and if you do, that'll be a sign that this mission has grown way bigger than your green-ass kill-team is equipped to handle. Therefore, I'll allow Inquisitor Jiang to give you your answer..."

"One moment, Stormseer," the Inquisitor apologises, showing at least a cursory knowledge of the White Scars' traditions, and turns his attention to Karael's question.

"I borrowed the assistance of one of the younger scions of a Rogue Trader dynasty to help me break through the Warp storms to get here," he explains. "His ship, a modified Sword-class called the Gallant Blade, is built for speed, not for firepower, but it will get you to Zanatov's Harbour. Additionally..."

The Inquisitor trails off, glancing back at Watch-Captain Horsa, and the Watch-Captain picks up the thread.

"We wanted you boys to be prepared, so, as we speak, some of the more creative Tech-Marines are rigging up a makeshift launch apparatus for an Astartes boarding torpedo underneath the prow of the Gallant Blade. Just in case you need to intercept those Cold Traders as they try to escape the system. You'll only be able to fire it once, though, so make it count."

"As to your question, Stormseer," the Inquisitor now says to Jaden, "I was not in the Jericho Reach myself at the time when it was a hub of the Cold Trade, so I do not have any personal records on that subject, but I have spent the past few months looking over what records I have been able to prise out of the cogitators and catacombs here in the Watch-Fortress. Unfortunately, records are piecemeal. Zanatov's Harbour was largely beyond the light of the Crusade at that point, which is why the Trade was able to flourish... and why Dagon reached it before we were even aware the Hive Fleet had come to the Reach. The records do identify some of the traders active at that time, but I have not been able to link any of those names to the current activity. In fact, most of those named in the records are now dead or presumed dead. There are few places one can safely flee when the Inquisition is aware of your heresy."

Unfortunately, Jaden himself can't think of any way the smugglers of that time might have protected their caches. Well, he can, but all of his ideas are extraordinarily silly. Such is the cost of four degrees of failure.

[Toxic Mind]

Corlis Vahn said nothing for some time as he perused the data-slate, memorizing objectives and relevant points. "The Hive Fleet has moved on, has it not? There should be no Tyranid bioforms left on a planet that they have harvested. The question then is left to be asked - are we expecting to fight humans?" The question was mostly redundant, but Vahn asked it all the same. He found engagements with humans to be rather boringly one-sided, the enhanced physiology and biology of his Astartes frame deciding those contests long before the battle even joined.

After the answer, Vahn speaks again. "I believe my skills the best suited for this task, as my chapter extensively trains in stealth and recon." The truth was, he didn't want to lead - his skills were better served firing from afar, and a leader could not do that. Still, the mission seemed tailored to his abilities. It would be remiss not to mention it.

[Ascension]

"Humans, or possibly mercantile xenos, such as the Stryxis," Inquisitor Jiang says, agreeing with Corlis's assumptions, "but I would caution against underestimating your opposition. The weapons they have been smuggling into the Realm of Ultramar have been unlike anything I have ever seen before, in my experience or in Inquisitorial records. I could hardly begin to speculate as to what further devilry they may have reserved for their own personal use."

[Koris]

Karael frowns at the idea of chancing a lone boarding torpedo against any ship with decent defensive capabilities, wondering if perhaps the Watch-Captain doesn't value their lives as much as he perhaps should. ''Can this Rogue trader be trusted, Inquisitor? Or will he cut and run at first sign of a challenge?'' he says with poorly disguised distaste at the thought of working with anyone absorbed more in profit than anything else.

Turning to Brother Vahn, Karael nods and says ''I second Brother Vahn's suggestion! The Raptors are well known for their silent efficiency when it comes to destroying their targets before they have time to cover their tracks.'' he gives a wolfish smile that shows of the Blood Angels long canines. He then says in a lower voice ''I look forward to see if the rumors are true with my own eyes.''

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn merely nods his assent. He had seen few things that could survive a turbo-needle to the skull, but he was not about to say that to an Inquisitor's face.

[Inspector Valin]

So, an unknown world, with an unknown band of cold traders, who're smuggling unknown xenos artifacts into Ultramar?

Jaden doesn't seek an answer from the Inquisitor. Even by his standards, that would be facetious. It's clear that there is little to no information available: this is primarily an investigative mission after all. Jiang's use of his correct title makes the Chogosian's eyes flash wide for a moment, before he gives the human a firm grin and nod in thanks. Jiang is prepared, knows the culture of Astares chapters, and treats marines with respect. Such was perhaps natural in one not of the Astares, but after so many nights being berated by his own elders, Jaden would be hard pressed to ask for more in an Inquisitor.

Perhaps a flicker of doubt crosses the young Seer's mind at that realization. If this mission fails, they'll be failing a good man and his friends. But Jaden's mind doesn't dwell on this possibility. He learned long ago to discard thoughts of failure. A psyker can afford them about as little as a hero can.

At Vahn's suggestion, the talkative's White Scar's smile twists a little. That might be the most passionless declaration of skill he's ever heard. What he should've expected from so dour a Chapter, really. He turns to the fellow Marine, shaking his head. "Your Chapter probably trained you well, Brother. But I've got a few tricks of my own that might be useful here." From a belt pouch, the son of the Khan produces a set of fine cards, decorated with the Throne and Aquilla on the back of each. Jaden slowly shuffles his deck, eyes closed but still facing the Raptor. "I am a Stormseer. I've read the passage of spirits, the ways of fate, and can tell the path the Emperor has laid down for us through the tarot. My cards are as sharp as your eyes, and when faced with unknown dangers, I am just as qualified to lead us."

Seer Jaden opens his eyes, swatting an errant strand of dark brown hair from his face with a quiet chuckle. He glances around at the rest of the team, lingering on Ogedei, Aldwen and Rafen in turn, and sharing a friendly smile with each Marine. "Anyone else?"

[Morovir]

The ruination of his face not changing from its dour expression, Ogedei's face turns from Jiang, to Karael, to Jaden and finally to Vahn. When he opens his mouth to speak, his voice comes out as a mechanical wheeze, a legacy of the mission that led to him being sent to the Deathwatch.

"I agree with the nomination of Brother Vahn. This mission suits his kind best." He turns to face the Stormseer. "We have no need of fate, or joy at this task. Exact planning and heavy firepower will lead us more successfully than any spirits."

[Toxic Mind]

"My thanks, Cousin, for your support."

Vahn did not know much of the White Scars, save that his progenitor chapter, the Raven Guard, and theirs had an old feud. The Raptors took no part in this, but were aware of it all the same. He had been worried for a moment that their chapter allowed psykers to lead, but it seems that was not the case.

"I would be happy to have you as my second, Cousin Stormseer, if you would accept. Your aid and advice will be invaluable, given the hidden nature of our foes."

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden snorts at his 'brothers' decision and the explanation for it, waving it away with a laugh. "Says The Joyless! I'm starting to wonder if your soul comes from Medusa, old one. All sand and moondust. No loyalty to the Brother who shares your geneseed?"

Rhetorical question. A Marine of the Deathwatch should be above such bonds, and Jaden was showing little of them himself. Still, the psyker turns back towards Vahn and for the first time, that annoying grin of his fades back into nothing more than a slightly upturned lip. He even speaks a touch more quietly, "That's sense, cos. And you have a little more life in you than Ogedei at least. So long as you're willing to listen to me, I'll be happy as your second." Offer made, the seer holds out a hand, looking at the son of Corax expectantly.

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn nods and grabs the Stormseers outstretched forearm in a warrior's handshake.

[Haval]

Aldwin is impassive, but is inwardly disappointed. He has spent too much time lately being prodded by Apothecaries and Techmarines, which left him with barely any time to train. When he was called to this meeting he had hoped for a chance to fight in earnest and so prove his worthiness to be amongst the Deathwatch. Hunting cold traders was a neccessary job, but it was a job for the Inquisition. To use Astartes seemed like overkill. Perhaps he could take his frustration out on their targets when they found them.

When Jaden addresses him he will reply with a voice that is scratchy from disuse. 'I fear that I lack the skills to take the lead on this mission.' With a smile that's barely there. 'I am told that I lack subtlety.' Other than ruling himself out, Aldwin will not express an opinion one way or the other on the choice of leader.

[Koris]

Karael grins at the handshake taking place. It is good to know that they weren't at each others throats immediately, something that would surely have been unlikely had a son of Guilliman been part of the squad. Pointing to Vahn with his whole hand, he says ''I believe the majority is in agreement then! Brother Vahn, it is your right as the squad lead to decide what Oath we shall swear for this mission, so let's hear it!''

Not wishing to show any sign of the Kill-team being divided in front of the Watch-Captain nor the Chaplain even before the mission had started, Karael decided it was best to simply go with the flow of things for the moment. The practice cages had shown what the others were capable of, and he was sure they were all capable to accomplish this mission with little trouble. Even so, it was hard not to look at the Librarian with anything but suspicion. Even the strongest of their kind would eventually be overwhelmed by the powers of the Immaterium. And when they fell, they were likely to bring those closest down with them.

[Ascension]

"Pardon my interruption of your... conference," Inquisitor Jiang interjects, voice smooth and even despite the fact that he is interrupting a conclave of giants, "but I do not wish to leave a question without a response. You asked if the Rogue Trader could be trusted, Son of Sanguinius. I can assure you, you need not worry. Captain Virlin Smith is a young man, and his father is far away. In his position, he fears the Inquisition and the Astartes far more than he does the enemies of Man."

The Inquisitor's small smile is anything but pleasant.

"That fear makes him eminently controllable."

[Koris]

Karael turns to look at the Inquisitor, bowing his head gently to the side to acknowledge the answer. Still not convinced, but seeing the benefit of an agreement based on fear towards the Holy Inquisition.

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden tightens his grip, but his strength is lesser than Vahn's, something both men can likely tell. Still, the Stormseer gives his Battle Brother all the force he can, stepping forward and meeting Vahn's gaze with a surprisingly intense look. He might be the lesser, but he's still a son of the Great Khan. Honour demands nothing less than his best.

The moment lasts, but then it is gone, the White Scar breaking away and offering his squad leader a bow before turning back to their three seniors. Best not to forget about the masters of the Watch. The great and the good tend to take such things personally. "You say the Cold Traders are bringing xenos weapons into Ultramar, Inquisitor Jiang. Can you say any more than that? What these weapons have been used for so far, their rough strength, any unusual properties we should prepare for?"

[Ascension]

"The weapons they have peddled in the Realm of Ultramar thus far appear to all be of a very similar type," the Inquisitor answers, "though we have captured but a few. They are roughly rifle-like, recognizable enough as guns to suggest that the xenos race which manufactured them is, or was, humanoid. The technology, however, is beyond our comprehension. Our psykers have not been able to detect any sign of Chaos taint on them, but neither have our tech-savants been able to identify how they produce the energy beams they project, or indeed what manner of energy comprises the beam. Their action on a target is unique... the tech-priest among my own acolytes described it as breaking the surface of the target apart on a molecular level. They can flay the skin off a man's flesh... and then the flesh off his bones... from lasgun range."

He smiles grimly.

"You can understand why we might want to keep such weapons from finding their way into the hands of every xenophilious noble in the Ultima Segmentum."

[Toxic Mind]

"Do we have any record of such xeno weapons amongst the archives of the Deathwatch?" Vahn directs his question to the Watch Captain. He will wait until the questions are finished before giving his oath. Such things are sacred rituals, and should be done with all solemnity.

[Ascension]

Watch-Captain Horsa sucks in a breath and runs a hand across his stubbled head before replying.

"In sealed records in the catacombs... in the private journals of the Dead Cabal... locked away in the Omega Vault... possibly. This Watch-Fortress harbours more secrets than it has shadows. But I've never seen anything about any such weapon in the course of my own service to the Deathwatch."

"Nor have I," Haman agrees. "This threat is new to us."

[Haval]

Aldwin looks sickened at the description of the xenos weaponry. Technology that did not work to mankind's understanding was not to be trusted, and there was every chance that it was as much a threat to the fools that were trafficing in it. But had they dug it up somewhere or worse, been supplied it by the weapons creators. Were the builders of such infernal weapons still active as a species somewhere? His superiors seemed as uncertain as he was.

[Toxic Mind]

"Then we shall endeavor to capture our targets alive. If they are getting these weapons from somewhere, we will learn that supplier. The, and only then, will we deliver the Emperor's justice to these heretics." Vahn says passionately, placing his hand to the Aquila on his chest.

[Morovir]

Ogedei nods, hammering a fist across his chest once, a doleful knell ringing out as he does so.

[Inspector Valin]

"Here here!"

Jaden raises his fist at Vahn's words, as enthusiastic as ever. It seems the White Scar's mood is hard to dampen.

[qechua]

Studying the dataslate at length, Rafen allowed the conversation to continue without him, keeping notes upon it to determine it's path while being somewhat worried of his brothers bravado at facing these unknown weapons.

"My Lords, I have some questions. Firstly, these weapons you describe, do you have any records of their effects? Autopsies, mission debriefs, corpses, and the like? Given that if we encounter them they will most likely be turned on us, I would rather be prepared for any wounds that need treating. Secondly, and perhaps more tellingly, if these operations are occurring in Ultramar, why are the Ultramarines themselves not handling this matter, or at least involved in it's resolution? I would expect them to know these places better than us, and certainly if someone was smuggling weapons onto Baal, I would consider it a matter of Chapter honour to handle the situation within the Blood Angels. I can only presume the Ultramarines would feel the same."

[Ascension]

"The fact that the Ultramarines have not come here to the Reach is simply a matter of practicality," Inquisitor Jiang explains, his manner still very matter-of-fact. "Aboard a Rogue Trading vessel geared for perilous transit through the Warp, with an expert Navigator hand-picked for the task, I myself had a very difficult time making it through the fierce storms in the Immaterium to reach this sector of space from Ultramar. To risk a strike cruiser of Ultramarines on the same transit would be foolhardy, and if they wished to come safely through the Jericho-Maw Warp Gate they would have to cross the entire galaxy first."

Again the Inquisitor's lips twitch into a thin smile.

"That is not, of course, to say that they stand idle. They are pursuing the traders' activities and connections on the Ultramar side of the storms quite vigorously. But it falls to us to match their fervor on this side of the investigation if we are to eliminate this threat once and for all."

He reaches into his robes, pulls out a dataslate embedded in a thick leather cover, and begins scrolling through his files.

"I have already described the weapons' flaying effect, but to help you render effective medical treatment, Priest, you would be better served by pict-captures. To give you those I will need to access my data-safe archive, which I've left in my quarters. So I can't get that to you now, but I'll be sure to make all that I have available to you before we arrive at Zanatov's Harbour. I'm afraid it isn't much to go on, but it should be better than going in blind."

You may note that the Inquisitor said 'Priest' rather than 'Apothecary,' just as he called Jaden 'Stormseer' rather than 'Librarian.' It seems he's done his homework on your kill-team.

Practically speaking, the information which Inquisitor Jiang will provide Rafen (probably offscreen) will be enough to make sure he definitely faces no specific penalty in treating gauss weapon wounds, but won't be enough to give any kind of bonus, either.

[Inspector Valin]

"Talking of, Inquisitor..."

The young stormseer steps beside Rafam, gesturing back at their company. "We don't have a Techmarine on this squad. And we're dealing with powerful xenos weaponry that we're still trying to understand." The psyker bows his head, moving to the centre and addressing their three superiors as a group. "We might want to look at bringing some experts along on the Gallant Blade. Xeno-archeologists, or someone from the Mechanicus. We can talk about it once we're done with the swearing, but..?"

Looking to shift my requisition to include Mechanicus Tech Adept, or Xeno Archeologist. We'd have to babysit them, but looking at what we're doing here, having someone able to actually tell us about xenotech seems too big to ignore.

[Ascension]

"Each additional person brought in to consult on this problem is an additional risk to operational security," the Inquisitor reminds. "You would also be responsible for safeguarding any experts you wish to bring into the field. I could call in favors to provide you with such assistance, but it's not something any of us should take lightly. Is your team willing to shoulder the responsibility of bringing mortal men, scholars and technicians, on a mission of the Astartes?"

Watch-Captain Horsa scowls.

"We ought to be able to offer you an expert from within the ranks of the Deathwatch, but unfortunately, our tech-savants are spread thin right now. We can't spare a Tech-Marine with the proper training. If you want anyone versed in the arts of Mars to come along to advise you, you would have to take the Inquisitor up on his offer."

[Haval]

Aldwin is torn between a natural distrust of experts in xenos tech and a desire that their mission should have the best chance of success.

Yet he will speak up in support of Jaden.'Inquisitor, I admit I would rather see such devices destroyed than brought back here, but if there is value is studying them then any assistance might be useful.'

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden looks a little surprised that Aldwin spoke up at that. The older marine had seemed quiet and impassive, his weighin in was unexpected, though welcome. He gives his battle brother a grateful look, before nodding to Jiang. "We can keep them safe. And if they're able to help us, they might be able to keep us safe in turn. Even Astartes need the help of mortal men on occasion. We stand together or fall separately."

The Stormseer chuckles, though his eyes are quite intent. He meets the Inquisitor's gaze directly, "I'll take responsibility for their safety if that helps. Hopefully they never have to leave the Gallant Blade. But better that than we need the support and it's left here on Erioch."

[Koris]

Karael sneers at the though of going into the field with a mortal adept of Mars. The Chapter and the Mechanicus had always had strained relations, and Karael couldn't be happier to leave the adept in orbit for the whole mission if possible. ''I concur, having an expert on standby could prove vital to the mission. Would it be possible to have a servo-skull accompany us with a connection to the Gallant Blade? That way we could keep the Adept safe and sound yet still make use of his expertise, and without hindering our surface navigation.''

[Morovir]

"Agreed." grunts Ogedei, and says nothing more.

[Ascension]

"I won't know what, precisely, the specific tech-adept engaged to assist you will be capable of until I've identified who might be available for the position," the Inquisitor replies, an edge of irritation leaking through his calm for the first time in the course of this conversation. "I will see what I can arrange while you are undertaking your own final preparations for the mission."

"On that subject," Chaplain Haman says, stepping forward and laying a ceramite-clad hand on Corlis's shoulder, "you, Brother Vahn, have been elected by the consensus of your peers to lead this mission. If there are no more questions... if you are ready to shoulder this great responsibility, bearing with it the trust of your brothers, the faith of your commanders, and the sacred charge of the Emperor himself... then you and your kill-team should gather up your wargear and meet me in the chapel on this level. There you shall take your oaths and make yourselves the keen blades of the Emperor's judgement. Are you prepared for this, my brother?"

[Toxic Mind]

"These Astartes stand ever ready to bring death to the foes of Mankind, Honored Chaplain." Vahn says solemnly, with a brief bow and his hands in the sign of the Aquila. He leaves almost immediately, returning to his quarters where his serfs have been anointing and blessing his war-gear. He gathers his weapons, his heavy bolter in hand and rifle mag-locked to his back, and strides confidently to the temple, to meet the rest of his kill-team.

[Haval]

Seeing that their meeting was over Aldwin will slip away from the others and go to receive his armour and the rest of his wargear. The personal weapons he had brought with him to the Jericho Reach had never left his side, so he would stand ready even in the heart of the Watch Fortress. He had no chapter brother with him to observe the proper rites, but he would make do alone for the moment. It would be good to be back in power armour again.

[Ascension]

The chapel is a massive chamber wrought of black stone and polished steel, its arched ceiling studded with gemstones depicting the stars of the Jericho Reach. Its balconies, studded with leering gargoyles carved in xenos forms, open on the next great deck of the watch-fortress. Occasionally, favoured Chapter serfs or Inquisitors are allowed to gather in those galleries, in respectful silence, to observe lesser rites of the Adeptus Astartes, but today, for this ceremony, they stand empty. The only onlookers, apart from Chaplain Haman, are a quartet of ritually blinded servitors, their vox-grilles droning quiet hymns and their arms dripping with anointing oils.

Behind the Chaplain and the servitors, the far wall is dominated by a scene which never was. In its center stands an enormous stainless steel statue of the Emperor in his prime, his foot firmly planted on the broken jaw of a defeated Hive Tyrant. The wall behind the great statue is itself intricately carved with smaller tableaux of each of the loyal Primarchs warring against a range of Tyranid bioforms. Lesser statues, fitted into niches in the walls to either side, continue the theme by depicting heroes of the Deathwatch who died fighting against the Great Devourer. The battle-brothers of your kill-team may find it particularly noteworthy that the likenesses of Brother Decatru of the Blood Angels and Brother Gundahar of the Subjugators, both members of the legendary kill-team Lux Veritatis, are included among these memorials.

"Come forward, brother Astartes," Chaplain Haman beckons, his face now hidden by the skull helm of his office, his voice amplified so that it echoes mightily from the walls. "Come stand in the sight of the Emperor, and the Primarchs, and the battle-brothers who have come before you. Here you shall take your oaths and swear anew your dedication to upholding the heroic legacy which they have passed down to you. Remember, the heroism of the worthies enshrined in this temple is in no way past or gone. It is a heroism that lives in you, that burns in your very blood and being. All that you do, you do not only to safeguard the Imperium which they all served, but to earn your place beside them in the ranks of honour. This is your right as their chosen sons. This is your right as warriors of the Adeptus Astartes. Now... come and swear your lives to the task which lies ahead."

As you take your individual oaths (Oath of the Weapon, I believe?) you may use the Chaplain and the four servitors however you wish, narrating them applying sacred unguents to your wargear or performing whatever other business you'd like to have going on while you're swearing your oath.

Well, as long as they don't start dancing or doing stand-up comedy or something like that. Keep it in theme.

[qechua]

After returning to his chambers to armour and arm himself, as well as paying a brief visit to Brother Arkio after his return from mission, Rafan returned to the chapel. It's differences from his home Chapters chapels were expected, yet still slightly disconcerting, however he knew that this would be one of many surprises over the course of this mission. As was his duty amongst the Blood Angels, he approached the party first, handing his weapons and helmet in turn to the Servitors, then kneeling before Chaplain Haman, finding the marine well versed in Blood Angels blessings and traditions.

"From my beginnings, I am but a servant of the Emperor and Sanguinus. My weapons are tools, as my body is a tool. I maintain them and guide them, sharpen and repair them, and in so they serve me well. As I oversee them in maintenance, so to does the Emperor oversee me. As I hone them, so to does the Blood of Sanguinus hone me. We are the same, in our duties and purpose, and by the guidance of the Emperor and Sanguinus, we both serve."
"The guidance they offer is a blessing and a burden, are you ready to accept it?"
"I do not accept it, for I already have it. I do not take it, for I cannot take what I already am."
"Then what will you do to keep this favour you are granted?"
"With my Bolter, I will rain death upon the enemies of the Emperor. With my Chainsword, I will tear the foes of Sanguinus apart. With the knife, I will plunge myself into the very heart of the enemy, and rip out his will to fight, just as I would rip out a lung. All I ask, is that the Emperor and Sanguinus see fit to let my bolts and my blades serve, and that when the time to strike dawns, they perform just as the if they were their own."
"The Emperor will guide your bolts. Sanguinus will drive your blades. You are the delivery of death, as they are the guardians of your craft."
"As they shall not disappoint me, so to I shall not disappoint my brothers, my Primarch, or my Emperor. I shall do my duty to the end, just as my weapons will do theirs. For the Emperor and Sanguinus."
"For the Emperor and Sanguinus."

Raising himself again, Rafen receives his weapons back, each in turn twice blessed and smelling a mix of sweet incense and bitter anointing oils. Chaplain Haman then places the helmet at Rafen's feet, a new oath paper affixed to it's side, before returning to his post. Rafen then remained off to the side of the oath party, ready to receive any Blood Angels wishing to reaffirm their commitments to Primarch and Chapter beyond the mission.

[Inspector Valin]

Why show the Emperor and Primarchs fighting Tyranids? We've got enough to be proud of. We're Space Marines. We don't need to invent more stories.

Jaden's smile for once is gone as he stands in the chapel, though only a part of that is his irritation at the decour. Even with his scepticism around the idolatry, the young Stormseer can feel the reverence in this place. What he might believe is almost swept away before the fervour of the marines that came before him. With a dutiful sigh, the White Scar moves forward, ready to follow in Rafan's wake. He watches his new Battle Brother take his weapons and seal with a curious eye. It's interesting to hear the Sanguinary Priest's rite; honouring Sanguinus and the heritage of the Angels. Perhaps Chaplin Haman could've performed a Tulwar ceremony if asked. But away from the White Scars... no. Such a thing would feel wrong to Jaden. Instead he'd chosen a simpler version of the Oath.

As Rafan returns to take his place beside the Kill Team, Jaden steps forward. The Servitors had already prepared his weapons, and the White Scar moves to each in turn. The first hands Jade his Bolt Pistol and Bolter, both of Deathwatch issue. The Stormseer raises each of the hallowed weapons aloft in turn, presenting them before the statues and tableaux that fill the apse of the Chapel. "With every shot from these guns, the enemies of man shall shudder." Jaden fastens the two bolt to his armour, before stepping to the second servitor, who bore the Flame Pistol Jaden had requested, and his humble combat knife. The latter, the Seer sheaths with a whisper and a smile. The flamer however, he holds upward, bringing it into the view of the heroes that had come before. "With each gout of flame, filth and corruption shall be scoured from the galaxy."

Finally, the Seer stands before Chaplin Haman. The two remaining servitors slowly hand the skull helmed marine Jaden's force-sword, a sacred blade that bears the lightning bolt of the White Scars at the centre of its hilt. Haman brings it forward, letting the blade face downwards with his left hand upon the grip. Jaden places his right above it. The two stand there in silence, the young seer staring into the Chaplin's invisible eyes. Then Haman lets go and Jaden raises his grip, letting just a fraction of his power enter the familiar psi-circuitry. The White Scar turns, bringing the mighty sword skyward and looking towards his Kill Team with his wide grin once again restored. Brilliant blue lightning crackles along the Stormseer's weapon as he calls out the final vow, his Battle Brothers before him and his ancestors at his back, "With every strike of my blade, I shall bring honour to the Emperor, the Warhawk, and the Deathwatch!"

The third great oath given, Jaden turns back to Haman, taking one knee before the Chaplin and hushing his voice. Even the brash Stormseer is capable of some respect. "In the sight of He On Terra, and my Battle Brothers past and present, so I swear." Haman, still silent, taps the young White Scar's right pauldron with his Croxius, and then the left. Rite completed, Jades rises and steps back to join the rest of his Kill Team, smiling once again.

[Koris]

Karael returns to his small chamber after being dismissed. He takes a moment to walk over to his personal transfusion casket. His bare fingers running over the etched names of it's former owners. All members of the Deathwatch who had served with honor. Although there were signs of several names being erased. This always brought a moment of introspection whenever Karael was reminded of it. If any of his brothers might have failed before him, fallen to the curse of their blood, then so could he. Walking over to his armor, set up on a stand, he calls for a single serf to enter his chambers as he dons his suit of power armor, then arms himself with his chainsword and bolt pistol in hand. His helmet hangs on his belt as he dismisses the serf, retrieving a closed vial of blood from withing the transfusion casket. He binds the vial close to his right arm with rope he made himself, last he visited the Fortress Monastery of Baal.

After observing Brother Jaden perform his Oath, Karael steps forward and kneels before the Chaplain. His chainsword leaning against the ground, and his pistol handed over to the Servitor to his left.
''I am a Space Marine. Devoted to the protection of mankind, and the death of all who threaten it.''
''What are you?''
''I am a weapon wielded by the Emperor of Mankind. Wielded with purpose and perfection, in righteous slaughter of the Xenos that surround us .''
''What are you!''
''I am the bolt that shall strike break their back, the blade brought down upon their home on wings of steel, and the last things they shall ever see.''
''You are all these things, but your true self is yet unrevealed. The Alien still draws breath, so I ask you now. What are you!''
''I am a Blood Angel, and I am a herald of vengeance! For the Emperor and Sanguinius!''

The servitor hands him his pistol, it's muzzle bound in red velvet and smelling of unguents. Chaplain Heman takes a step forward and anoints the aquila on Karael's armor and places a piece of parchment upon his chainsword. Karael then stows his weapons and bows to the Chaplain before stepping and joining Brother Rafen's side, giving him a slight bow before standing by his side in silence and waiting for the others to perform their oaths. He wishes he had a chalice to share with his fellow Blood Angel, but then again this would not be the time to perform such sacred rites. There would be time to seek out Rafen at a later date, if he didn't seek him out first that is.

[Toxic Mind]

Corlis Vahn watches with pride. As Leader, it was his duty to observe, as much as it was the Chaplain's to administer. He knew he was no great orator or patrician, to give rousing litanies, but he felt righteous joy all the same. He would lead, because the mission demanded it, and they would follow, because loyalty required it, and the enemy would fall, because the Emperor willed it. Vahn does not step forward until all the team is present. He would witness all, and all would witness his. It was the way of things among the Raptors, dour practicality mixed with unwavering devotion to duty, even unto death.

Vahn steps forward, armed and armored as he would be for the mission. He steps forward, and the Chaplain acknowledges his presence, at which point Vahn, helmet still on, shuts off the lenses in his helmet, effectively blinding him. To the outside, the faint light that glowed from inside them dies. The Chaplain, seeing this, speaks.

"Who is it that approaches?"
Vahn, following the sound of his voice, walks unerring towards the altar.
"One who is blind, but who would see."
"What do you offer in return for this gift?"
"I offer the deaths of my foes, remorseless in execution. The destruction of their works, purged and broken. The monument of the failure, forgotten eternally."
"Then come, and make your oath."

Reaching the steps, Vahn kneels. He places his heavy bolter on a mat in front of him by memory alone, placed there by his serfs. Then, he reaches over his shoulder, removing the rifle, which goes on another. Finally, his bolt pistol is placed on a third.
"With these, I bring death to the foes of my Chapter, to the foes of the Emperor of Mankind. Each shot, a death reaped from the host of mine enemies. Every kill, a song of devotion to the Primarch and the Chapter. My bolts are retribution, that those fallen from the light might atone in death for their failures. No enemy can hide from my sight, nor foe escape my talons. Through the lenses of my scope, the truth is revealed, and no shadow can be cast across it. My weapons reap death, for they are the Emperor's will made manifest, and they cannot fail. To this duty I bind myself and my weapons of war, that neither may fail while the other remains."
"Your oath is worthy brother, but for it you shall need your eyes."
"If the Emperor asked, I would do his work without."
"He does not ask. See, and be seen."

Vahn removes his helmet, placing it before him among his weapons. His eyes remain closed until the Chaplain, descending from the altar, dabs sacred unguents across the scope of each of his three weapons, and finishes by dabbing some across Vahn's closed eyes. At this, he finally opens them, and stands face to face with the Chaplain. He looks around the room, taking in each face for a moment before returning to the skull helm in front of him.
"I see I am among friends. These weapons were not anointed for such."
"Then we shall take you to where they reap their harvest."
"For the Emperor, the Primarch, and the Chapter."
For the Emperor, the Primarch, and the Chapter.

Vahn bows his head, and the Chaplain steps back, allowing the Raptor to retrieve his weapons and his helm, with its eyes once again glowing as it is placed onto his head.

[Haval]

Now properly armoured, Aldwin will follow the others into the chapel. He looks unusually happy. Surely it was good luck for them to be setting out on their mission under the gazes of the Emperor and his sons. Seeing a brother Subjugator displayed so prominently in this place, his smile will grow even wider. Briefly, as the others swear their oaths, he will make his devotions before his Primarch. First, he will reflexively make the sign of the acquila before the Emperor, then will go to stand near the of the icon of Rogal Dorn. Bowing his head, he will say a short prayer under his breath.

'Lead us from death to victory, from falsehood to truth.
Lead us from despair to hope, from faith to slaughter.
Lead us to His strength and an eternity of war.
Let His wrath fill our hearts.
Death, war, and blood;
in vengeance serve the Emperor and the name of Dorn!'

The prayer was intended to focus his mind on the battle ahead by reminding him of his duties. Aldwin had always found it stirring.

As he rises he will he will walk over to the Chaplain and drop to one knee, then draw his sword and lay it flat in front of him. That Haman was not a son of Dorn was of no consequence here. Aldwin had been taught that the value of the oath was in the sincerity of the one who gave it and here, in the sight of his Primarch, he keenly felt the weight of his duty. The oath he swears is a simple one. 'Honoured Chaplain, by the weight of the sword that was once bourne by my teacher, I swear to help to destroy our enemies. By the bolter that was once bourne by brother Tancred on his Vigil I will treat the goals of the Deathwatch as if they were those of my Primarch himself. By the honour of the Subjugators I swear to give my life for this mission if it is required. As he swears the oath he will hand over each of these weapons so that they might be anoited anew.

[Morovir]

Entering the chapel, Ogedei awaits his turn, and when it comes, he approaches the Chaplain with his head bowed. He kneels, and raises his heavy bolter up in supplication.

The Chaplain's voice booms at him.

"Look to your battle-gear and it will protect you."
"We guard it with our lives."
"Your armour is your Soul, and your Soul's dedication its armour."
"The soul of a warrior is the shield of humanity."
"Honour the craft of death."
"Only the Emperor is higher in our devotion."
"Honour the battle-gear of the dead."
"We ask only to serve."

Ogedei raises his head, his weapons blessed.

"This do I swear in the name of the Khan and the Emperor."

[Ascension]

"So you are all sworn, as battle-brothers of the Deathwatch, to visit death upon the alien, and upon the heretic who would turn from the light of humanity to run into their arms. Blessings be upon you, Angels of Death. You will go with the Emperor's grace."

So Chaplain Haman concludes the ritual, but he does not dismiss you quite yet. Instead, his voice drops to a more conversational tone, and he reaches to remove his helmet with a hiss of unlocking seals.

"Brothers, a moment more of your time," he says, firmly but kindly. "Though you are veterans all of your own individual Chapters, I know this will be the first time you go into the field as a single unit. This is your kill-team's baptism of fire, and I know your loyalties to your cousins-turned-brothers will be tested, and your trust in the oft-inscrutable whims of the Inquisition will be tried. Precious, precious few are those who make the transition into the ranks of the Deathwatch smoothly. Know this, though. Those who weather this initial storm are inevitably strengthened by their troubles. You will find, in time, that despite being made of many different kinds of iron, you will all be forged into a single steel. Keep that goal in your thoughts, keep your common cause and common kinship in your hearts, and you will pass through this crucible and emerge unbreakable."

His final advice imparted, the Chaplain stiffens and claps his hands across his chest in the sign of the aquila.

"Now go and make your forebears proud."



You have barely left the chapel when the message comes: the Gallant Blade is ready for departure, awaiting only her passengers. Following the directions enclosed within the message to the proper docks, you find an unusual assembly waiting to see the ship off. Watch-Captain Horsa is there, along with Inquisitor Jiang, just as you'd expect, but there is also a motley gaggle of humans who lack the badges of Chapter serfs, and from among them towers a singular, utterly unique figure.

You might almost mistake her for an Eldar at first glance, for she stands, willow-thin, almost to the height of an Astartes, but her skirts shift and part as she turns to watch your entrance, revealing her legs as gleaming, stilt-like augmetics. She is dressed in finery fit for an especially ostentatious hive-spire noble, much of its black and crimson velvet crusted over with gold and pearls, placing her entirely at odds with the austere grandeur of the Watch-Fortress in which she stands. Yet... pinned to her chest is nothing less than an Inquisitorial rosette.

Her rouged lips curl into a self-indulgent smile.

"Would you believe that Liu here was about to requisition Crusade technical assets to support you?" she asks as you approach, stroking a finger too long and sharp to be natural across Inquisitor Jiang's chin and drawing a silent glare from him in response.

"You would've had to kill them all afterward, of course, to protect the Inquisition's secrets. Such a waste! So I had a word with Liu about the appropriate use of human lives, and then, well, he just looked so pitiful I decided I just had to let him... and, so, by extension, let you, borrow some of my acolytes. Out of the goodness of my heart. In the name of our holy cause.

"This is Naimon, he's my tech-priest," she says, ruffling the hooded head of a slight man clad in the red robes of the Martian order.

"This is Blancandrin," she introduces the next, a swarthy, heavyset, balding man. "He's what you might call a historiographer. But he's learned ever so much about the alien! One of these days I might just have to twist his head clean off because he knows so much! But please don't presume to do that for me.

"Aude does the heavy lifting," she says of a woman who fills out a ribbed bodyglove with the with the squat, sturdy frame of a high-gravity-worlder. Aude herself snorts derisively at the Inquisitor's simplistic description of her role in the team.

"And finally, dear Olivia is our linguist."

'Dear Olivia' wears the robes of a Sister Dialogous, and, despite the eye-concealing lenses of her augmetic goggles and your own distance from mortal social cues, you can tell she is uncomfortable in the presence of her current company.

Introductions complete, the Inquisitor lets her eyes drift over the assembled kill-team until she meets Jaden's gaze.

"I hope they will all prove useful to you, Astartes," she says aloud, but she also sends out another, silent message meant for the Stormseer's mind alone.

Her words crawl into Jaden's brain like the whispers of his own subconscious, albeit in unmistakably feminine tones: "I understand you were the one who requested their aid, Psyker. Should any harm befall them, you will answer to me personally. In that circumstance, the Watch-Commander will not object on your behalf. Is that clear?"

[Koris]

Karael looks over the acolytes with scrutiny. He wondered about the sanity of this Inquisitor, but then again someone with so much power always had a risk of loosing their sanity eventually, and he didn't like that she had never introduced herself. He takes a step forward and salutes the Inquisitor with an arm across his chest. ''Inquisitor, your aid is appreciated. The safety of your acolytes is without question, assured. As long as they follow our directives and don't strike out on their own, of course.''

[qechua]

"I wouldn't believe there is any chance of these talented individuals running off, Brother, after all, they are in the employ of an Inquisitor and they yet still live."

Rafen gestured at the acolytes before him, a small smile breaking across his exposed face. Turning to face the acolytes, Rafen introduced himself.

"I am Brother Rafen, this team's...apothecary, although the word doesn't quite describe the role I fill for my fellow Blood Angels. My expertise is in Astartes physiology, of course, but even Astartes are built upon the shoulders of a human, so if you do become injured, I will do my best to treat you. Is this your first time operating with Astartes?"

[Inspector Valin]

Chaplain Haman's words actually cause Jaden to linger a little. The Stormseer himself isn't certain of why. The old Salamander knows how to impress the sanctity of the Watch upon his charges, it seems. The Brother of Tulwar stands in the Atrium, looking not up at the Emperor and Primarchs, but casting his gaze across the assembled Brothers of the Deathwatch that stood in stone. Battle Brothers, past and present, but still joined as one. Our Vigil unending. Eventually, with a final bow to Haman and his servitors, Jaden takes his leave.



It's a rare Inquisitor who presumes to speak for Commander Scarion. Even Brother Astartes aren't that bold.

A mental chuckle, as Jaden meets the Inquisitor's gaze through his helm, bemused. Name or not, the woman certainly knows how to make an impression. He glances in Inquisitor Liu... Jiang, Inquisitor Jiang's direction, pondering just how their conversation might have gone. Are the two rivals? Lovers? Sworn enemies? Some combination? Academic, really. Instead, Jaden just looks back to mysterious Inquisitor, pondering names for her just actively enough for the telepath to make them out. Nergui? Henbilee? Henmedhev? Letting that exercise drop swiftly, the White Scar returns the message the Inquisitor actually was waiting for. Clear as the open sky, ma'am. No true Acolyte of the Inquisition dies on my Watch.

Karael stepping forward to address the Inquisitor with good old fashioned words is well timed. Jaden instinctively flashes his brother marine a look of thanks (unfortunately hidden by his helmet) before turning and walking over to join Rafen with the acolytes. "Welcome, all of you!" Even with his face concealed, it's hard to mistake the tone of geniality in the Battle Brother's crackly voice. Irritated, Jaden fiddles slightly with his helmet speaker, before returning his attention to the group. "I trust your Inquisitor has briefed you. I'm Brother Jaden of the White Scars. If you have any questions, I'll answer them on behalf of Brother Vahn, who is leading our mission."

The Stormseer gestures behind him to Corlis, hoping the more sombre brother would appreciate his fielding the acolyte's questions, rather than letting them bother the team leader. If the Raptors are like the Raven Guard they probably aren't enamoured of conversation, but who can tell? Other Chapters are always hard to gauge. He's probably worrying too much about it though. Leaving the question unanswered, Jaden returns to his impromptu briefing. "If we're lucky, you can spend the whole mission safe in orbit, just staying in vox contact with us. But we're dealing with unknown xenos artifacts and weaponry. Perhaps ruins, if the Cold Traders have been sourcing their goods in system. If we need you in the field, we'll keep you safe." Explanation given, he looked across the quartet, trying to wrack his brain and be ready for any questions they might already have.

[Morovir]

His bionic eye whirring, Ogedei scrutinises the humans.

"Your presence here is appreciated. But do not slow us down."

[Haval]

Now impassive again, Aldwin has been dwelling on the Chaplain's final words, but will nod approvingly at the new Inquisitor's talk of disciplining her historiographer.

[Koris]

Karael keeps his face impassive as he pays attention to the acolytes and his fellow Astartes who have decided to introduce themselves. He almost regrets not having put his helmet on, as it would provide him with an ability to communicate secretly with the rest of the squad, and would also make it easy to hide his displeasure at the prospect of having to not only watch one, but four mortals who would most certainly slow them down.

But he still held Anpiel's ideals to heart. And ever since he joined the Knights of Baal, he had been told by Anpiel never to hide the good looks that Sanguinius had gifted the Chapter when he didn't have to. Many had been skeptical to his philosophy, as he had lost his jaw when he was found unhelmeted by an opportunistic Eldar assassin during a tactical meeting. Even so, Karael always liked to see things like a mortal would, instead of filtered auto-senses. Especialy when it came to communicating with his fellow battle brothers and any Imperial allies that would already be feeling out of place near the His Angels of Death.

Rousing himself from his introspection, Karael crosses his arms and looks at Aude. And without turning away he speaks in a hushed tone directed to the Inquisitor ''I would not presume to know better then a respected member of the Holy Inquisition, yet I must wonder at the reason for bringing your so-called heavy lifter. I'm sure we will do our very best to keep your acolytes from any battle, but the fewer we have to keep an eye on, the safer it will be. For all of us. So, may I hear what her purpose is, Inquisitor?'' Karael turns to her, his eyes cold and uncompromising.

[Ascension]

"We have served in the company of the Astartes before," Naimon, the tech-priest, answers. His voice rasps with a slight metallic tinge, but he sounds much more human than some tech-priests you've encountered. Those close enough to catch a glimpse under the edge of his hood might be surprised to see a face youthful enough to be described as 'cherubic.' The hesitancy of his youth shows as he amends his statement, "Not without the Inquisitor with us, though."

"Oh, you'll do just fine," she reassures him, beaming.

"Call me Inquisitor Bramimonde, if you must," she whispers to Jaden's mind. "Or don't, if you prefer. Whatever you may call me, I believe you will find that I am a very rare Inquisitor."

Perhaps distracted by her mental communication, the Inquisitor does not have a chance to answer Karael's last question before Aude speaks up for herself.

"I'm a lot more than that, Ser Angel," she insists. "The official title is 'Excavation Supervisor.' What it means is that these bookworms don't know which end of a shovel goes into the ground, so they had to pull me off a mining world to tell them how to dig stuff up without turning either it or themselves into a fine paste in the process. That takes care, especially when you're dealing with all this alien crap."

Her initial frustration with the Inquisitor's oversimplification of her job description spent, Aude seems to belatedly realize just who she's talking to. She cuts herself off with a cough, and her cheeks redden.

"Beg your pardon for speaking freely, ser," she mumbles.

"Aude can get a bit carried away with herself, I'm afraid," the Inquisitor apologises, catching back up with the spoken conversation and drawing a glare from the miner in the process. "But her particular skill set does come in handy. I imagine even you Astartes don't have much experience with trying to not destroy things, and the practice of archaeology does demand restraint."

[Koris]

Karael raises an eyebrow at the outburst from the archeologist. He grins as he looks at the Inquisitor ''Goaded so easily? Not an Interrogator far in the making I see. Nevertheless I will concede the point. The closest thing I've ever seen of excavation was a Crimson Fist with a siege auspex and a thunder hammer. It didn't take much restraint, and it sure involved a lot of destruction.''

He uncrosses his arms and looks at Horsa and Jiang in turn as he walks towards them ''I'm sure I speak for some if not all of my brothers that we are glad to have some people with expertise that can fill our gaps in knowledge. By the Emperors grace, we shall endeavor to make the best use possible of the given assets and return them in good condition. Inquisitor Jiang, if I may ask a question that did not cross my mind during the briefing. Does the Gallant Blade house a teleportarium that we could make use of in the execution of our mission?''

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn gives the Inquisitor the time of day, as befitting her station, though inwardly he is annoyed at the gaudy show that she put on. He listens, though he does not speak, and appraises each of the acolytes in turn. Two support roles, next to worthless in combat, and to be shielded or hidden. Two of unknown quality, perhaps useful in the theatre of war, but untested. Vahn made a mental note to approach each during the journey and assess them personally. He would see first-hand the mettle of these allies. As the Stormseer speaks, Vahn says nothing openly to countermand his words, rather nodding to the others. Over a private vox channel, however, he messages the Stormseer. "I appreciate your initiative, cousin, but in the future do not presume to speak for me. I welcome your advice, but no more." Vahn breaks the connection. No more words need to be said.

"We will use your acolytes to the best of their abilities Inquisitor, and safeguard them as best we are able." Vahn says curtly. He is eager to be on with the mission.

[Inspector Valin]

A keen observer might catch Jaden fiddling with his vox a second time, before abandoning the link. He's never been good with the wretched thing. A slight sigh creeps out of his helmet speakers. audible only to those at his side. The White Scar turns silent, stepping away from the group. Watching, but reflecting to himself. Not the best start to 'unity', Brother. Or the best way to get me to believe you'll actually listen to anything I have to say when we're under fire.

The Stormseer is broken out of his mood by the raised voice of one of the acolytes. Jaden actually turns his face away as Aude starts speaking up for herself, suddenly becoming very interested in the viewport for no apparent reason. After the exchange is done, and Karael has moved on to ask his questions of Jiang, Jaden turns back to the Inquisitor Lady. His helm is now removed like his Battle Brothers, revealing a young face and a heartily grin. "You have good taste in acolytes, Inquisitor... Bramimonde? That one's more restrained than I would've been, anyway." With a chuckle, the White Scar offers Her Ladyship a black gauntleted hand to shake, before withdrawing for the entryway. They need to get underway.

None the less, one last thing needed to be said. Before crossing into the Blade, Jaden stops before Captain Horsa, a thought returning. It takes him a moment to decide on how best to say what he had in mind. After a little thought though, he bows to the elder marine. "Thank you, Watch Captain. I appreciate this assignment."

[Morovir]

Ogedei looks at Brother Jaden quizzically, noticing his discomfort.

"Do you need to visit a Techmarine before we depart, brother? Or in your haste, did you simply forget to bless your vox-link?"

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden sighs at Brother Smiles' question, though he retains his habitual smile as he shakes his head. "I've blessed the blasted thing half a dozen times, Brother. The machine spirit isn't at fault for its owner's failings I suppose."

[Ascension]

Inquisitor Jiang, who has endured the lady Inquisitor's flamboyant introductions in stony silence, briefly looks glad to have something else to talk about as Karael turns to him and the Watch-Captain, but frowns when he hears the actual question.

"It... does. Technically. But the Gallant Blade is an older ship in the Smith family's fleet, and its teleportarium has not seen regular use in generations, possibly not even in this millennium. In that time, its machine spirit may have become temperamental, or may have forgotten something of its purpose. It could, perhaps, be used to retrieve you from a life-or-death scenario, if one of you carries a teleport homer down to the planet, but I could not in good conscience sanction its use in any less dire situation. Foolhardiness is something quite distinct from bravery, and the lives of the Astartes are not to be recklessly gambled."

Inquisitor Bramimonde smiles at Jaden's use of the name she provided, but then, she has smiled at almost everything in the brief time you've known her, so that doesn't tell you much.

"All right, all right, the introductions have been made," Watch-Captain Horsa announces, calling all the awkward conversation to a halt. "You've got at least a week ahead of you in the Warp, so if any of you feel a burning need to keep talking, you can do it on the way to the target. You all know what to do: Remember the mission, remember the Emperor, and make some xenos-lovers pay for their heresy. Now get moving."




Getting moving does necessitate one more set of introductions. As you board the Gallant Blade, you are met by Captain Virlin Smith. A sandy-haired, handsome man, he is a bit young to be ranked among the great worthies of the Imperium, but not as young as Inquisitor Jiang's description may have led you to believe. In fact, Captain Smith himself is far from what you may have feared, if you've heard wild stories about the sort of people Rogue Traders are. His simple, neat uniform would not look out of place on a captain of the Imperial Navy, and he shows no visible signs of unseemly contact with the alien.

His ship, on the other hand, is far, far from the austere efficiency of a Space Marine vessel. The Gallant Blade's corridors are likely "cozy" in the assessment of its human crew, but they're closer to claustrophobic for Astartes. You can barely stand to your full armored height without scraping the deckheads. Decorative hardwood paneling pleases the eye, but might restrict repair crews' access to vital systems in a crisis situation. Further, there's almost no place you can go aboard the Blade without being met by the eyes of another portrait of another Captain Smith. You aren't certain if the Smith Dynasty has lasted the Imperium's full 10,000 years, but Virlin certainly seems to have enough distinguished ancestors to stretch back as far as the Heresy itself, if those paintings are any indication.

The captain apologises as he shows you to your cabins...

"I know the surroundings may seem a little rich by your standards, but the only quarters aboard ship with beds large enough to accommodate the Emperor's Angels are, well... our grandest staterooms..."

The beds are indeed large enough to accommodate your gene-bulked frames. They also have canopies of gold, sheets of silk, and are surrounded by antique, lacquered furniture crafted by a dozen worlds' finest artisans. Great windows of ancient crystal, their surfaces shimmering with the effects of their own miniature void-shields, give breathtaking views of the stars, and thick patterned rugs carpet over the decking. "Excessive" would probably be an understatement.

"I'll... let you get yourselves settled."

As the Watch-Captain reminded you, you do have at least a week's travel through the Warp ahead of you, and few would deny the Astartes wherever they might choose to go aboard ship. How will you occupy your time?

[Haval]

Aldwin will be bareheaded until they board the vessel. Mostly this was to help him get use to the effect of his newly installed eye. His vision was now akin to wearing his helm full time, and he had already caught himself reflexivley tracking several individuals as his eye flagged them as possible targets. He had been told that this feeling would pass.

Much as Aldwin had his doubts about working with Xenos specialists, this group was perhaps more trustworthy then he had expected. A member of the Sisterhood at least was above reproach and, if the new Inquisitor could be believed, two of the other three had skill sets that were not neccessarily corrupted by forbidden knowledge. Yet the historian was the exception. After all, to know the alien was the first step to thinking like the alien. That the Inquisition should employ such people was a neccessary evil, and this man might still come in useful, but he would need watching. When they were aboard ship, Aldwin would speak to the others about this.

Aldwin has missed any drama that might be going on between his brothers and is watching the acolytes.

----------------------------------------

----------------------------------------

Aldwin is now wearing his helm. In his experience the idea of safety aboard a spaceship was laughable even when not taking warp travel into account, and while aboard an unfamilar ship, he had decided that he should be ready.

The opulance of the rooms they had been offered made Aldwin uncomfortable. 'I need no bed Captain, a cargo bay would do just as well.'

Over a squad vox channel. 'Our allies from the Inquisition. They may be useful, but are they trustworthy?' He speaks as much to hear the other's opinions on the matter as to hear an answer to his question.

[Koris]

Left to his own devices in his quarters, Karael can't help but feel spoiled by the accommodations. It would be hard to meditate properly in here, of that he was sure. Nevertheless he takes a good look around the the room for any vox-thief or other listening device that might have been set up by the Rogue trader to keep track of his guests. His helmet put on to later answer the vox transmission from Aldwin while also making use of the auto senses.

[roll0] Target= 61

Activating his vox, Karael speaks after making sure the channel is secure ''The Inquisitors are paranoid by nature, Brother. It wouldn't surprise me if one of the acolytes was told to keep an eye on us and report back later. I don't like how that Inquisitor introduced herself and her experts, keep an eye out. Especially if we are forced to bring them to the surface.''

[qechua]

Stooping around the cramped ship, a small part of Rafen was glad he'd left his jump pack behind; navigation with it would have been impossible at best. Arriving at his quarters, Rafen thanks the Lord Captain, accepting the luxury as a cost of their business. Just as he had to be accepting of new chapters and their ways, so too would he be learning to adapt to the human way of doing things. Before departing, Rafen asks if there is anywhere aboard ship suitable for conducting close combat training, an empty cargo hold or the like, where he could practice or spar with his new brothers over the coming week. He remains fully armed and armoured at all times, both for preparedness and not wanting to risk his equipment being tampered with, accidentally or deliberately.

Responding to Aldwin and Kareal, Rafen adds his thoughts,

"I believe the acolytes themselves to be trustworthy, they would not have made it as far as they have without hardening themselves against the enemies beyond, however I would agree that most likely they have been given instructions to observe us, particularly during combat. Keeping them observed would give us the chance to appraise them and keep them safe if they come under fire."

[Morovir]

Ogedei reverently lays his wargear out across the bed, leaving only his bolt pistol in its holster. Positioning himself facing the door, he prepares to lock his armour in place, preferring to sleep standing up. Before this, he listens to his brothers' conversation over the vox, before providing his own opinion.

"Watch them. They cannot be allowed to jeopardise the mission. Do not let them get in our way."

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden chuckles gently in his room, listening to his battle brothers while gently folding his sheet and removing it from the bed. Best not to look the lap of luxury in the eye, and refusing it may dishonour Captain Smith. Once he is done, the librarian tags onto the squad vox, adding his two copper wings to the discussion. "If they're here with ill intent, that would come from their mistress' orders. Inquisition politics could lead to them doing something against the mission; Bramimonde may have different objectives to Jiang. But he ordered this mission, and didn't object to this team going with us. He presumably knows his colleague better than we do. Watch them if you want, Brothers, but I trust Inquisitor Jiang's judgement."

A bit of a simplification, but one that works for the moment. Jaden removes his armour slowly: he may don it again later but his first task requires a little dexterity of the Stormseer. Taking a seat in the richly appointed (and mercifully hefty) chair, the White Scar Psyker withdraws his Taort set from its place around his belt. Jaden chuckles, looking down at his cards and starting to shuffle them as he lets his mind slowly wander into the warp. "Now then. Where do we begin?" To tell the mission, he'd need one of his Battle Brothers as a subject, who'd likely have little truck with 'psyker rites'. But all about him... Jaden grins as the idea occurs to him, feeling an older spirit with a future to be read. "Well, not what's expected, but... why not?"

With a final move, the psyker places his deck down and begins to tell the path of the ship itself.

[roll0] Invocation 67
[roll1] Focus Power 72/62 depending on if the first roll succeeded. Fettered Augury with the question "What dangers face the Glorious Blade upon this mission?"

[Koris]

Karael frowns from under his helmet. He briefly wondered how the Stormseer had found out the Inquisitors name. But then he remembered that Librarians were feared and distrusted for a reason. Deathwatch oaths forbade any probing towards your fellow operatives. But perhaps it didn't cover the acolytes. Taping the vox on again, Karael sighs into the link and speaks ''Inquisitor Jiang looked none too pleased about the situation. Perhaps we should trust in his distrust, Brother?''

Moving to the window, Karael takes a good look into the stars for a minute with his hands behind his back. After a moment he turns to look around the room to figure out how he should store his equipment and weapons, and definitely his jump pack. If he had to suffer that indignity again, it better be of critical importance.

He finally decides to take the silk sheets and fold then on the table. Allowing for plenty of space for his weapons of war to be placed without scratching the surface of the furniture. The only weapon he keeps on him is his combat blade, as the rest would be useless in these close quarters anyway. Not that he expected betrayal, but it was good to be prepared. He then places his helmet beside his chainsword, a tripwire photon grenade under it just in case somebody tampered with it. Making sure to adhere to pray to the machine spirits for abandoning it for the moment. Finally he disengages his jump pack and places it as gently on the floor as he can, keeping the rest of his armor still on for the time being. He stands in the middle of the room and looks out the window again ''I wonder what the odds are that the captain has a firing range aboard. Or a good place for some sparring where the crew won't get caught in the exchange. Low I imagine'' he muses to himself

[Ascension]

The opulance of the rooms they had been offered made Aldwin uncomfortable. 'I need no bed Captain, a cargo bay would do just as well.'

Aldwin's response makes Captain Smith equally uncomfortable, as he doesn't quite understand the reason for the Subjugator's humility.

"You are my guest here, and it's extraordinarily rare for us to entertain guests of such exalted stature. I would feel shamed if I did not offer you the best accommodations available."

He pauses for a moment, uncertain as to how to speak to a man who is a member not only of the Adeptus Astartes, but of the elite and secretive Deathwatch. Eventually he finds his words.

"I... know yours is a very solemn order, but I think there is no sin in accepting luxury when it is freely offered and given, and when no greater duty demands your attention. You have lived and will live in more spartan conditions, but for the duration of this voyage... you may relax, marine. I see no shame in it."

The captain pauses again and frowns, betraying his nerves through the way he worries at the doorknob with one hand.

"But perhaps it is not my place to speak. Good day and safe travels."

And then he is gone, hurrying out of Aldwin's presence.


Nevertheless he takes a good look around the the room for any vox-thief or other listening device that might have been set up by the Rogue trader to keep track of his guests.

It would be impossible to guarantee that the room is not bugged without scanning with a sensitive auspex or splintering all the priceless furniture to bits to confirm that there's nothing hidden within the wood, but the acute auto-senses of Karael's own power armour pick up nothing of concern.


Before departing, Rafen asks if there is anywhere aboard ship suitable for conducting close combat training, an empty cargo hold or the like, where he could practice or spar with his new brothers over the coming week.

Captain Smith's face briefly contorts as he performs some mental estimates, but then he nods.

"There should be space enough in the holds at least for one-on-one sparring, even in your armour. Additionally, my own household guard sometimes practices marksmanship aboard ship using lasguns turned to their lowest intensity... I, of course, must beg you not to discharge any bolt weaponry onboard outside of a dire emergency, but if you would like to borrow any las weaponry for training purposes, we could accommodate you."


With a final move, the psyker places his deck down and begins to tell the path of the ship itself.

All seems well as Jaden begins to focus himself, the crystalline wafers of his Tarot sliding and shuffling through his hands with practiced ease. He can feel the potential in them, the psychic resonance building between the cards and his gifted mind. He feels, too, the touch of the Warp, hot and eager and hungry as it always is, yearning for him to open himself up to it. He cannot listen to its lies and promises, for that way leads to vilest corruption, but neither can he accomplish his goals without harnessing at least a fraction of its power. That is the perilous path of the Stormseer, to touch and steer the tempest without being caught up in its winds and consumed in Chaos. But that is what he is trained to do, that is his Emperor-ordained purpose. His mind is steeled, he is prepared. He reaches out...

...and now something is wrong. The light of the Emperor's will, the light which illuminates his Tarot, seems a distant pinprick, all but lost in the surrounding darkness. He strains harder, focusing, struggling to grasp and hold that faint spark as he deals out each card, trying to compose at least a simple three-card spread.

He presses his fingers to the first card, channeling his power through it. With a trembling hand he flips it over, and, with effort, opens his eyes...

The image on the card itself is unsteady, flickering through a myriad of forms and images, Chaos writ in every one. The Great Eye. The Despoiler. The Daemon. But none of them are solid, none of them are certain... even the orientation of the card is unclear, its dancing shapes twisting from right-side-up to inverse and back again.

The second and third cards are echoes of the first, nothing but twisting, inconstant shades of the Tarot's most Chaotic forms. The Warp presses hotly against the back of his eyes as he looks on them, mocking or beckoning or both, held back only by the strength of his unbreakable will.

What could this reading mean for the ship? Perhaps this vision of madness means only that he failed to touch the pure will of the Emperor and accidentally drew an oracle from some malign spirit of the Warp instead... but if this spread should represent the Emperor's actual vision of the Gallant Blade's future... well, that would be the direst portent Jaden has ever seen in the cards.
Toxic Mind:


Corlis has hardly had a chance to react to the unwelcome opulence of his assigned cabin when Inquisitor Jiang appears at his elbow.

"I almost forgot to give this to you, Brother Vahn. My apologies," he says, holding out another dataslate. "From Watch-Captain Horsa, for the eyes of your squad only."

He offers up a small, self-deprecating smile.

"I must admit I am curious as to its content... an occupational hazard. Comes with the job. Inquisitor... But in any case, it's keyed to your bio-signature. Only you can open it."

He prepares to leave Corlis, giving him the privacy he will need to peruse the dataslate, but he pauses for a parting word.

"I am your ally, not your commander, Brother Vahn, but, if you will allow me, I do have a word of advice. The shadows in which the Inquisition operates are not the same as those in which the Raptors dwell. You may find that your friends harbour as many secrets as your foes. Sometimes even their knives are just as sharp. That's not to say you should never trust; it would be truly impossible to do our work alone. But... exercise caution."

Unless Corlis detains him for further questions, that's all he has to say.

The only file on the encrypted dataslate is a pict-feed of Watch-Captain Horsa. The quality is poor enough, and the lighting wherever he recorded it dim enough, that his features blur, but his voice and bearing are unmistakable.

"This is not an official objective of your mission," he says. "No one has sanctioned this action, not even Watch-Commander Scarion, and if you screw up anything else because you went out of your way to investigate this, even I will repudiate you. But... I can't in good conscience let this opportunity go."

The Watch-Captain pauses for a moment and looks around, as if re-confirming that he is alone, before he continues.

"There's something about Zanatov's Harbour that no one has told you. Back in 812, it was a detachment from the 3rd Company of the Templars of Blood who confirmed that Zanatov's Harbour had been stripped bare by the Hive Fleet. Those with the first days of Dagon's incursion, and we knew precious little about how it might or might not differ from Behemoth, so, while the rest of them moved on to the next battlefield, they left one squad behind to do a more thorough investigation and see if the dead world might yield up any clues that could be used against the fleet. Nobody ever heard from them again. By now... well, they'd either be corpses or deep in Sus-an comas simply from starvation, even if nothing else went wrong. But if you could... if you should find any evidence... Well, again, I can't sanction any action. But you know what they, and their brothers in the Templars of Blood, deserve. You know they deserve better than to be forgotten."

Horsa gives the camera a half-hearted, casual salute.

"Do your best. And don't screw up. I would hate to have to deny this."

Thus the message ends.

[qechua]

Captain Smith's face briefly contorts as he performs some mental estimates, but then he nods.

"There should be space enough in the holds at least for one-on-one sparring, even in your armour. Additionally, my own household guard sometimes practices marksmanship aboard ship using lasguns turned to their lowest intensity... I, of course, must beg you not to discharge any bolt weaponry onboard outside of a dire emergency, but if you would like to borrow any las weaponry for training purposes, we could accommodate you."

"Of course, Lord Captain, our own Strike Cruisers and Battle Barges are specially modified for the firing of, shall we say, larger caliber weapons aboard, and something I in no way expect you to have; you simply have no requirement for it. As for the las-weaponry, it is a kind offer, but I feel we will have no need of it, your guard's weapons would simply be too small for us."

"An empty cargo hold would be perfect, though; nothing hones a Marine's mind and spirit for the mission like some sparring with his Brothers. I would suggest you keep your own crew out of the area, for whilst I have no issue with allowing humans to watch me train, I cannot speak for the others, and some of them may be somewhat...insulted at the thought of being watched like a pit fighter."

Rafen smiles, briefly bowing his head in respect, before finishing

"You have my thanks, Lord Captain, you have been most accommodating. There are very few situations where a non-Astartes, non-military individual has power over us, and as one could imagine, it is a disconcerting situation to say the least."

[Inspector Valin]

It's something of a rare event that leaves Seer Jaden in a cold sweat. The Stormseer just sits there for a while, looking at the cards with a stare of disbelief. It has to be chance. A failure in his reading. He cought a Warp Eddy, the Emperor's Light was obscured by it, and his sight was thus misplaced. All the rules of psykercraft and the Adeptus Astra Telepathica told him this was wrong. And yet all the logic in the universe isn't quite enough to prepare you for an entire laid Tarot showing every sign of Chaos it could muster.

Jaden can feel the silence eating at him, on both the material and immaterial planes. Eventually, the Stormseer chuckles to himself, "Well. I know a challenge when I see one, Warpspawn." He runs a hand above the cards, and each one recedes back into its natural blank state, the aura of the empyrean fading. The Adeptus Astartes make their own fate.

[Haval]

Aldwin will watch the Captain leave without speaking. He did not have an aptitude for dealing with humans.

After laying out the heavier items of his wargear on the floor of the cabin he will sit cross legged next to the bed. He was reassured by his brother's responses as their reasoning was sound and it suggested that they would be suitably wary of their allies. Perhaps he had no reason to worry, but he knew well how some of his more zealous chapter-brothers would regard the situation he found himself in.

[Koris]

Karael takes of his armor, piece by piece, and places them all on the bed, beginning with his gauntlets. Before he moves any further with it, he keys the vox on his gorget and speaks:
''I know we all hunger for some exercise, and also I know we are all still strangers to each other. But I believe it would do us good to dine together from now on, like we would with brothers from our chapter. We could discuss tactics and a schedule for training for the coming days. Solitary confinement is all fine and well, but we should learn each others strengths well enough that we utilize each other flawlessly against the enemies of mankind. What say you Brothers?''

He then continues to slowly and with ceremony disengage all the components of his power armor. Disengaging his vox component from the suit and keeping up communication with his Kill-team. Free of his armor, he kneels down and calms his mind, meditating to keep his mind centered.

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn does not open the communique in the Inquisitor's presence. He simply nods his thanks, and to the man's words responds "I trust my kill-team with my life, whether they believe it or not. Their secrets are my secrets, their worries my worries, their failing and succeeded shared in kind. But the servants of the Inquisitor I trust no further than they earn it by deed. I express such doubt to any beyond the Astartes who have not earned my trust." Vahn pauses for a moment as he realizes the implications of his words to the Inquisitor, but does not withdraw them, rather saying "I hope you prove worthy of that trust, Inquisitor."

[Haval]

Karael takes of his armor, piece by piece, and places them all on the bed, beginning with his gauntlets. Before he moves any further with it, he keys the vox on his gorget and speaks:
''I know we all hunger for some exercise, and also I know we are all still strangers to each other. But I believe it would do us good to dine together from now on, like we would with brothers from our chapter. We could discuss tactics and a schedule for training for the coming days. Solitary confinement is all fine and well, but we should learn each others strengths well enough that we utilize each other flawlessly against the enemies of mankind. What say you Brothers?''


Aldwin is reluctant to remove his armour aboard the ship but eventually does so anyway. He did not want to dishonour it's spirit by using it in this place without need. Such an action could create problems for himself when they reached the mission theatre. Besides, if the Captain encountered any problem that required six Astartes, he should have enough sense to call them about it immediatly.

Perhaps some training would ease his mind. 'That is an excellant idea Karael. I did not have nearly enough time to sparr at the Watch Fortress. This ship is far too comfortable for my taste. I do not wish to waste any time during out journey.'

[Koris]

Karael takes off his body-glove, placing it neatly on the table near his other equipment. He then dresses up in his chapter robe and ties it together with a plain rope. He keys his vox and eventually gets through to the bridge and passes on a message for the captain.

''Captain Smith, I wish to request a dinning room to be reserved for me and my brothers for one hour each day. I'm sure you understand that we prefer to dine away from the awe and fear of normal crew, and we wish to make it easy for both of us and your crew. We would also only need one servitor to serve us with nourishment if one could be spared. Thank you for your understanding, Captain.''

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden spends a while in his room, gently shuffling his deck while his armour looks on behind him in silent judgement of his frivolity. Best not to attempt a second augury: there's no sense in tempting the Warp, but the movement of the crystalline cards through his hands helps the psyker retain his calm. It's one ritual from his mortal life that all the conditioning and training has never quite managed to remove, and he's grateful for the effect.

Soon enough, the White Scar rises to his feet, and briefly checks himself over. Unlike other chapter brothers, the White Scars are no aesthetics: he wears a simple tan tunic above black riding trousers and two hefty leather boots. Just like he would back on Chogoris. He might tower above mortal folk now, but he still dresses as they might've. Chuckling to himself, the Stormseer fastens the tarot deck to his belt, fixes the scabbard of his force sword to the other side and steps out of his well appointed room. There's many things to do: have a longer conversation with his Battle Brothers, perhaps talk a little with Captain Smith, but first he really should check on the Archaeology Team. They're his responsibility apparently, and with the other members of the kill team suspicious of them... well, best to head any worrisome activity off at the pass.

[qechua]

'That is an excellant idea Karael. I did not have nearly enough time to sparr at the Watch Fortress. This ship is far too comfortable for my taste. I do not wish to waste any time during out journey.'

"I have procured the use of a small holding bay for any melee drills or sparring we wish to conduct away from the crew, although we have been strongly requested to not discharge any ranged weapons except in emergency circumstances, a request I certainly agree with. Communal dining also sounds like an excellent idea."

Rafen remains in his armour until the time comes to meet with his new Brothers, meditating within it's confines to better attune himself. The most recent repairs had yet to be accepted by it's spirits, something he wished to resolve before going on mission.

[Ascension]

Corlis Vahn:

Inquisitor Jiang merely smiles.

"How could I be offended, considering the advice I just offered you? So long as suspicion does not hinder the goals of the mission... it sounds as if you're on precisely the right track. Therefore, I'll leave you to it. Good day, Brother Vahn. Good day."

Karael:

Some intermediary relays Captain Smith's response, rather than the captain himself, but the response itself is warm.

"We can certainly accommodate that request. If you wish to dine at once, it can be made ready within an hour."

[Toxic Mind]

"An excellent initiative, Cousin Karael. Communal dinner will give us an opportunity to discuss battle strategies." Clearly the Raptor is practical, rather than emotionally, motivated.

[Koris]

Karael adds the finishing touch to his appearance by hiding his combat blade within his spacious robes and tying the blood vial to his bare arm and covering it under the sleeves. It payed to be prepared for the worst. Making preparations by receiving the location of the dinning area and sending it on to the others on the squad link ''I have arranged a place to be prepared in one hour. And we shall have the same place to ourselves on the same time slot for the rest of the journey to Zanatov's Harbor. We meet then, Brothers. Karael, out''

Placing the vox-link back in his room, he heads out the door with his hood over his head. Taking a long planned route through the ship that would take an hour to finish, also taking him past a few interesting parts of the ship that would be useful to know by heart in case of a sudden boarding action.

[Ascension]

And so it is decided. When the hour is past and the time is come, the kill-team finds that the mess hall they have been given the use of is the one typically reserved for the commanders of the ship's armsmen. It may be the closest the Marines have felt to home since coming on board. The decor is still opulent, but there's a distinctly martial tenor to it. Ancient sabers hang beside portraits of armed and armoured Captains Smith, along with a stirring set of smaller paintings depicting ships engaged in void warfare. One wall is dominated by a massive hand-woven tapestry portraying the mighty fleet assembled at the start of the Dark Marches Crusade, a force so large that the Gallant Blade herself can hardly be seen among the mass of other craft. The dining table itself is a fine, dark wood, but the matching chairs have been removed and replaced with sturdy metal stools, apparently the only seats fit for the bulk of Space Marines which could be provided on an hour's notice.

As each of you arrive, the droning waitstaff servitor informs you that the soup it is serving is only the first of five courses. The style of the Rogue Trader's meal, undoubtedly as exaggeratedly sumptuous as the furnishings, may not suit all (or even any) of you, but the quantity should not disappoint even a posthuman giant's appetite.

[qechua]

As the time approached, Rafen removed his armour, taking longer than normal due to his desire to suitably revere each component as his serf assisted in it's disassembly. Once complete, he donned his robes; fairly simple and practical in their design yet still marking his position within the chapter. He had always appreciated whoever had first determined their pattern, simultaneously marking him as with his brothers, yet slightly set apart from them. Once ready, he made his way to the dining hall, only having to stop once to request a member of the crew to cease following him.

Upon his arrival, Rafen quickly took a stool, careful to avoid placing himself at the head of the table. Upon the serving of the first course, Rafen looked to Brother Vahn, breaking the silence that had fallen.

"Within the Blood Angels, it is customary for pre-battle feasts to be led by a Sanguinary Priest, only deferring to the Chapter Master himself, suitably preparing both the meal and the participants for the times ahead. If you wish me to perform that duty, I would be honoured, however, I must confess to being unfamiliar with customs aside from those of my own kin, so if you wish to take the honour of this occasion with a speech or blessing, I will not stand against you."

[Haval]

Aldwin has been meditating in his room until entry into the warp occurs. He is wearing the simple black robe of his chapter and carrying minimal wargear at his belt. His sword is rested across his knees as the form of his meditation is to work through the list of the previous owners of the blade and their recorded deeds back to the forging of the weapon centuries ago.

When the time comes Aldwin will go to the meeting place and stare with interest at the tapestry before taking a seat. At least their ship had once had combat experience. He will listen and watch closely as he is partly here to appraise the others. While he knew all their chapters by reputation he did not yet know what to make of them as individuals.

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden, as a rarity, looks somewhat annoyed this evening. The librarian sits there, taking a sip of his soup and then squinting down at the bowl, curious as to just what their honoured host was intending to serve them. He glances briefly around the room as his brothers take their places, but doesn't spend long on them, turning to his spoon, the hem of his tunic or the fastening of his boot before looking back at the soup. Honouring the rites of other chapters is one thing, but having perfectly good food in front of them and waiting for it to be blessed is quietly grating on the young Stormseer. It's not something he's used to at least.

[Morovir]

Ogedei enters the chamber, clad in a tan robe, his combat knife at his side and his ornate lance on his back. His bolt pistol is concealed within his robe, just one more indistinct lump amidst the misshapen mass of an Astartes body. His face is largely a mass of scar tissue, a legacy of his fighting against the Dark Eldar, apart from the plain metal of his bionic left eye. His augmetic lungs are clearly audible over his footsteps. He nods to each of his brothers once, before sitting down in from of a bowl of the soup. He scrutinises this with his bionic eye, but does not eat any.

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn looks at Rafen. The Raptor is clad in a dark green robe, with a combat knife at his side, and a bolt pistol strung across the back of his waist. His face is scarred everywhere save around his right eye, which is pristine. He has none of the blood angel's good looks, but his eyes have not faded yet to the customary black of veterans of his chapter and his predecessors, and are a deep green. "For the Raptors, meals are a needed practicality. Prayers are intoned on the eve of combat, as are blessings. We would be honored to have you conduct the rites of your chapter."

[Haval]

"For the Raptors, meals are a needed practicality. Prayers are intoned on the eve of combat, as are blessings. We would be honored to have you conduct the rites of your chapter."

Aldwin will speak up at that. 'I am in agreement. My chapters rites are for myself alone and would have little meaning to any outside the sons of Dorn.'

[Toxic Mind]

Aldwin will speak up at that. 'I am in agreement. My chapters rites are for myself alone and would have little meaning to any outside the sons of Dorn.'

"I have heard much of the rites of the sons of Dorn on the battlefield, cousin. I am sure your chapter will not be found wanting in our true art - war."

[qechua]

Giving a small nod to Vahn, Rafen picked a suitable moment and spoke

"The Emperor provides us with many things. Skills, enhancements, training, all laid down by His hand millennia ago. Indeed, His guidance has formed a great many things, and everything we have and are today is owed back to Him. Despite our similarities, we around this table are different. To our enemies, we are all Astartes, the bringers of war and destruction, simply dressed in different colours, but we all know better than that. While these differences make us who we are, and are important to us all, we stem from the same place, and can all trace our Chapter lineage back to the Emperor and His Primarchs, who continue to give birth to us all."

"For the Emperor, and His Primarchs."

[Koris]

Seated with his hood drawn back and his simple sand colored robe closely drawn around his broad physique, Karael looks with respect to the Sanguinary priest, performing the Aquila symbol with his right hand while his left rests easy on the table next to his cutlery.

"For the Emperor, and His Primarchs." he repeats

[Morovir]

Ogedei bows his head at the Sanguinary Priest's words, and rests a fist across his chest as his words come to an end.

"For the Emperor, and His Primarchs. For Him on Terra."

[Inspector Valin]

"Emperor, Primarchs and Deathwatch!"

Jaden raises his spoon to accentuate the words, bobbing his head to Rafen before taking a gulp of the soup. The Chogosian's eyes sparkle as he begins to slurp from the dish, any pretence at refinement vanishing swiftly. He knows good food when he tastes it, and so too it appears does Captain Smith.

[Toxic Mind]

"For the Emperor, and all his Primarchs." Vahn says softly.

Vahn eats his meal methodically, with little care for the taste, save to attempt to identify the component ingredients of the meal by taste - an exercise to keep one of his lesser-used implants in practice.

[Haval]

Aldwin will join in the toast quietly in High Gothic before drinking deep from the jug of water that was provided to him. He will eat carefully, favouring his remaining biological hand.

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden finishes his soup quickly, with little concern for his comrades progress. He's just happy for the food. Once he's finished his bowl, the Stormseer's attention turns to the other marines supping at this table with him. Jaden glances briefly to Ogedei, before speaking to the table and waving a hand at his brother. "You know, there's one White Scars tradition that we can share with you." Grinning, Jaden leans back in his char, waving absently at a servitor to come refill his bowl. "Any time we gather for a meal, especially if more than one Brotherhood have come together, we tell tales of past adventure. Either our own, or those of brothers past and present. That's how we honour our heroes, passing their deeds across the chapter and down to later generations"

The evevescent psyker looks between his comrades, studying them curiously. He waves his hand, "Anyone got a story? The day you're most proud of? Your chapter's favourite hero? Even something from the Age of Glory. Whatever you want to share, I'll listen. And so well everyone else, I'm sure."

[Haval]

Aldwin will think for a moment and respond. 'There is only one story I have that is worth telling. Although it has been some time since I have spoken of it' He will pull off a cord from around his neck and hold up the icon that is attached to it before placing it on the table. The icon displays the clenched fist insignia of the Subjugators and is carved from bone that has been cleaned and polished. 'I took this from the leg of my brother after he fell in battle. Cynric and I had fought together since we were scouts....'

Aldwin speaks quietly but has some sense of how to tell a story effectively even if it is clear he is unuse to talking at such length. He will speak of his company responding to a distress call on an hive world in Segmentum Solar. The planetary authorities claimed to be under attack by some unspecified form of xenos that was laying waste to their cities. The Subjugators had landed in force only to have their erstwhile allies turn on them. Firstly they were shelled at the landing sites, before wave after wave of apparently maddened cultists attempted to swamp them in bodies.

Aldwin will speak of the discipline of his company brothers in eventually fighting their way out of this situation, and of the heroism of their Captain, before speaking of the appearance of the true instigators of the ambush. The traitors of the Iron Warriors legion had sought to trap the Subjugators in emulation of what their master had tried to do at the Cage millenia ago. Only this time they had failed to adequately prepare. Aldwin's tale will conclude with the storming of the traitor's fortress and putting all to the sword. At the end of the battle, Aldwin had seen his brother fall to the enemy warlord before their Captain had in turn taken the traitor's head off. Aside from this, his own deeds in the battle will go unmentioned.


If this is appropriate I'm going to roll Trade (Remembrancer) to make my story sound good. Also because I have a cold and I'm not up to writing something better.

vs. Int 41
[roll0]

-See roll in ooc

[Ascension]

The servitor, through its own single-minded adherence to the meal schedule, misinterprets Jaden's attempt to get his soup bowl refilled as a signal that the soup course has ended, and begins collecting everyone's bowls. If not interrupted (an action which would confuse its programmed brain even more), it will take away the soups and bring in the next course, a rather small dish which seems to consist of some type of fish, filleted and artfully presented.

This is what happens when you ask for a servitor to do the serving.

[qechua]

"A truly stirring victory, Brother Aldwin, certainly one to tell the 10th when they look for inspiration in their training" Rafen notes, somewhat perplexed that his unfinished soup has been removed.

"You know, this whole setting reminds me of one of our more interesting victories. We were assisting in the reclaiming of a traitorous world, smashing our way through heretics and some foul abominations from beyond. We were tasked with finding the leadership of the world and eliminating them, so punching our way into the central administratum building, we found a state room, much like this but bigger. Inside was the governor, his aides and various military leaders, all having dinner while the battle raged amongst their palace. I'm not sure if they were expecting their false allies to save them from us, but they just sat there, eating even as we moved in and cut them to pieces. I still remember Brother Zorael decapitating one of the generals, then sniffing the food and remarking 'It does not even smell that good, truly, a life wasted.'"

Rafen lets out a small laugh, then quiets down, lost in a small moment of reflection, before beginning the new meal before the servitor can remove that as well.

[Koris]

Karael had sat and listened to the story of Brother Aldwin while eating the soup with a steady pace. When the servitor comes to retrieve the bowl, Karael quickly gulps the rest down to no waste anything hands it the bowl. He frowns at the new dish presented to him, as he was much more used to nutrient paste with little taste and not this exotic meal. After hearing Rafen speak his own tale, Karael puts his cutlery away and speaks up.

''A good story, as is any where the traitor scum meet their just end. I too have encountered many mortals who have succumbed to the false promises of the betrayers, yet I also fear that the Great Devourer is even more insidious. On the rare chances that the 4th company sent a few squads to clear out a Hrud presence on a hive world. We were suddenly beset by and entire Tyranid cult....''

Karael then tells a harrowing story of treachery at every corner by the Imperial forces on planet, and heroic bravery by the vastly outnumbered Blood Angels that fought day's on end to defend against enemies on all sides. Loosing many brothers to both claw and steel, but ultimately fighting through to the planetary governors residence and calling for help from their chapter, and eventually eradicating all enemy forces with extreme prejudice and acceptable loss of civilian life once a strike force came to assist two weeks later.

The way he tells the story is very focused on his squads achievements in particular, and he doesn't try to deny his part in the campaign nor it's finest moments.

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn listens to his Kill-Team's stories in relative silence, only nodding appreciatively when particularly rousing or climactic parts came along. When the others had finished, he spoke.

"A single shot can end a war before it even begins. I was deployed to do just that - an advance strike force to break the will of a Chaos-held world. This place had been in the thrall of the Ruinous Powers for years. The population was converted, through will or blade, to slavering mindless beasts who lusted only for blood. Worse still, there were reports of a trained military force backing the cultists, one a match even for the Guard. It was determined that the leader of these forces needed to be dispatched prior to a Guard landing, or there would be no hope of victory.

It took me 3 days, 2 snapped necks, and one needle round to end his life."

There is no other part to the story.

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden bows his head solemnly at Aldwin's tale. Even the flippant Stormseer has his standards, and a brother's final end demands respect. Rafen's tale by contrast gets a deep laugh from the psyker, "The world taken over their dinner table. Now there's something rare." Speaking of food gets Jaden to look down at his own plate, a little surprised. Still, he tucks in as the second Blood Angel begins talk. He has little reaction to Karael's story, though he listens intensely all the same and smiles throughout. Vahn's story produces a raised eyebrow and perhaps a moment's reflection. Once the suqad leader is done, the Khan-son nods politely before addressing the table.

"You take pride in your work, Brother. Coming back to xenos though, I've a tale I heard from an Eagle: a brother of our Second Company. He called it Kanna's Charge"

The Stormseer dives into his tale, forgetting his food as he focuses on his new battle brothers, laying out the facts of the matter swiftly. "The Eagles had been sent to Malvos, a Hive World under assault from Eldar pirates. The knife ears were taking slaves from across the population and using their skimmers to withdraw before Imperial Guard forces could engage them. Eldar armour's weak, but they're fast as lightning and don't need to worry about rough ground with their anti-grav. Even the best of us have difficulty keeping up with the xenogen bastards." For most, such an admission would be unthinkable. Jaden looks a little sour at it. But soon his good humour returns, as he continues, "Enter Brother Kanna. His biker squad deployed against a raid party that'd struck the capitol, Vire. The Eldar withdrew, laying down a barrage of heavy shuriken fire but Brother Kanna led his bikes straight on, into the jaws of death!"

This was the heart of Jaden's tale, and the young Seer could most likely tell it in his sleep. Excitedly, he outlined the route both Eldar and human had taken through the streets of Vire, detailing each gambit and how each had downed Eldar and White Scars alike upon rough urban terrain. When it came to the final moment, Kanna's death defying jump over the Golden Shield Bridge in pursuit of the lead raider, Jaden's face looks almost like a child's. That was an act even most of the Astartes could not replicate. Something to aspire towards.

After that, the Stormseer has little more, turning to the account of a civilian bystander who'd witnessed the final confrontation between the lone White Scar and an Eldar squad aboard its armoured carriage. "...And he said Brother Kanna'd rent their leader gizzard to sternum with his power lance! Even as the Xenos were trying to pull themselves out of the wreckage! By the time his squad caught up, Kanna was dead, riddled with Eldar rounds. But the captives were retrieved, the Xenos were slaughtered and we interred our brother with honour on Chogoris." Jaden sniffs, taking a swig of drink and raising a glass in Kanna's honour. He looks to his original Battle Brother. "Bloody. But glorious. One of those great moments you wish you could've been a part of, right Ogedei?"

[Haval]

Aldwin will glare at the servitor for a moment but won't interrupt it's actions. He could always eat faster.

For a moment after he tells his story he is lost in memories of that battle. He had never fought so hard before or since. Even Hethguard had been less of a trial. Yet Aldwin will start to relax as he listens to the others speak. Their stories spoke well of them and their chapters, even if their ways were not his own. Even the White Scars, whose chapter reputation was for undisciplined savagery in battle, could have their uses in the right circumstances. The Stormseer's story illustrated this well and Aldwin will even let out a surprised laugh as Jaden spoke of Brother Kanna's last charge. 'I can imagine the look on the Eldar's faces. He had beaten them even before he slew them.' He will join in that toast to brother Kanna.


'I regret that I have never personally faced the Eldar in a ground war. In the void they have run from us whenever we get close.' Aldwin will look noticeably happy for a moment, which is unusual for him. 'A brother of mine once spoke of meeting one of their aspect warriors close up. Said it was the best duel he had ever had.' He will smile at that, understanding how that might sound to others.

[Koris]

Karael finishes his meal and pushes the plate to the side as he eyes Aldwin with a serious look on his face. ''The eldar are cowardly creatures, Brother. I don't exaggerate when I say that they there are few fencers in the Imperial aristocracy who could outperform even a simple soldiers quick movements and lunging strikes. I have lost more than one brother who thought he could face a howling banshee on even ground in the middle of a melee. I have learned never to presume they want a fair fight, there is always a squad of sharpshooters around when you least expect them.'' he says with his arms crossed and leaning on the table.

His glance travels to all the other Astartes gathered. He spreads his hands out and says with a bit more energy and humor to it ''We shall all honor our chapters these coming years brothers, and these cold traders won't know what hit them before we tear them apart. So shall we perhaps move on to more pressing matters? Tactics on ground, daily schedule and the like.''

[qechua]

"Indeed, talk of battles past is all very well and good, but we are here to make more stories, even if we cannot tell them once we are finished. Does anyone have any idea what we face, beyond what we have been told?"

[Inspector Valin]

Aldwin will glare at the servitor for a moment but won't interrupt it's actions. He could always eat faster.

For a moment after he tells his story he is lost in memories of that battle. He had never fought so hard before or since. Even Hethguard had been less of a trial. Yet Aldwin will start to relax as he listens to the others speak. Their stories spoke well of them and their chapters, even if their ways were not his own. Even the White Scars, whose chapter reputation was for undisciplined savagery in battle, could have their uses in the right circumstances. The Stormseer's story illustrated this well and Aldwin will even let out a surprised laugh as Jaden spoke of Brother Kanna's last charge. 'I can imagine the look on the Eldar's faces. He had beaten them even before he slew them.' He will join in that toast to brother Kanna.


'I regret that I have never personally faced the Eldar in a ground war. In the void they have run from us whenever we get close.' Aldwin will look noticeably happy for a moment, which is unusual for him. 'A brother of mine once spoke of meeting one of their aspect warriors close up. Said it was the best duel he had ever had.' He will smile at that, understanding how that might sound to others.

"Their ground tactics are usually similar. As Brother Karael says, they have a fondness for trickery and deception. The right force for the right situation." Jaden takes another sip of drink, looking across at Aldwin appreciatively. "It's a very different kind of fight than going against Orks or a Hive Fleet landing. The Eldar individually might be weaker than most opponents we face, but they're militarily minded and field varied specialized troops. If you can surprise them, you'll have a clear advantage, but most of the time they make you earn your victory in a way savage xenos never could."


Karael finishes his meal and pushes the plate to the side as he eyes Aldwin with a serious look on his face. ''The eldar are cowardly creatures, Brother. I don't exaggerate when I say that they there are few fencers in the Imperial aristocracy who could outperform even a simple soldiers quick movements and lunging strikes. I have lost more than one brother who thought he could face a howling banshee on even ground in the middle of a melee. I have learned never to presume they want a fair fight, there is always a squad of sharpshooters around when you least expect them.'' he says with his arms crossed and leaning on the table.

His glance travels to all the other Astartes gathered. He spreads his hands out and says with a bit more energy and humor to it ''We shall all honor our chapters these coming years brothers, and these cold traders won't know what hit them before we tear them apart. So shall we perhaps move on to more pressing matters? Tactics on ground, daily schedule and the like.''


"Indeed, talk of battles past is all very well and good, but we are here to make more stories, even if we cannot tell them once we are finished. Does anyone have any idea what we face, beyond what we have been told?"

"How could we? A world with no imperial records, even in the archives of the Inquisition?"

Jaden frowns. How best to put this? The Stormseer takes a breath before beginning, "I know your chapters like to think battles through in advance, Brothers, but... we know literally nothing about the area we're inserting into. It could be a spaceship, an orbital facility, or a planetside fortification. And those are the obvious ones. We have no intelligence about this operation yet beyond our objectives. The environment the Interrogator and the acolytes are being held in, how best to extract them, how to approach... so many things can vary, based on the field."

His position now established, Jaden turns towards the squad leader. He's still not smiling. Tactics are apparently one thing the psyker takes seriously. "Thinking too far ahead clouds judgement. We forge the best plan we can then try to make it fit the circumstances. Better to wait until we have the facts, and then plan. Even if we plan quickly. That's my opinion at any rate, Brother Vahn."

Silence for a moment. Then finally, that irritating grin returns as Jaden chuckles, "Plus, Brother Ogedei still hasn't shared a tale. If we're to be brothers, everyone should join with rites like these, no?" He taps the Joyless on the shoulder to illustrate the point.

[Toxic Mind]

"We know more than one might first suspect, Cousin Stormseer. We know these are humans, and that they trade in Xenos weapons from a supposedly dead world. We know that they have ships capable of making the passage through Warp Storms, and we know they must have some base of operations. We also know that given this world's history, we are unlikely to encounter civilians, or those not involved in the trade, outside our illustrious Inquisitorial team. We also know these weapons are rarely if ever seen among even the Deathwatch. They will not be of Eldar, Ork, or Tau design. Personally I theorize a hybridization of Chaos corruption and Xeno-tech, perhaps the Stryxis, but that is only speculation."

Vahn rests his hands lightly on the table. "Information is the key to victory, and we have the most important piece of all." He leans forward. "They have no idea we are coming."

[Koris]

Karael chuckles as he looks to Vahn ''You sound like any member of the Inquisition already, brother. You should have no trouble dealing with the Acolytes if you keep that mindset up. But I quite agree Brother Vahn, we will have the initial advantage, but given that the Deathwatch has a way of dealing with problems in quite the explosive manner, I doubt our advantage will hold for long until we reveal ourselves. We aren't scouts anymore after all. So we have to ensure that our lightning strike is swift and deadly. Though we should consider a non-lethal capture of an enemy smuggler a priority until we get some solid information on what we're dealing with.''

With his word said, Karael motions for the servitor to prepare the next part of the meal, as the less nutrition heavy food has not yet sated his appetite.

[Morovir]

Ogedei had neither spoken nor touched any of his food up until this point. However, at his true brother's final comment, he finally replied, his voice weary:

"We were defending a world against the dark kin of the Eldar. My squad was stationed alongside the Imperial Guard forces, moving up to support for main White Scars hunting force. In our arrogance, we thought the eldar run to ground at last, with nowhere left to go. We thought we had outmaneuvered them, and had taken them unawares in our defense of the world. But we were blind. The eldar had tricked us, and as our main force battled the main body of the eldar, they struck in a series of ambushes along our rear lines and supporting forces. Our squad was the only Astartes in our force, and Eldar had saved their worst for us. The foulest of their warped monstrosities and pain engines threw themselves at us, and the mortal soldiers crumbled before them.
Toxins not even Astartes physiology could last against swirled in great clouds around us, and though we battled on despite this, our lungs burning and disintegrating as we did so, we fell one by one.
I was crushed under one of their vile skimmers that I had slain in retribution for my sergeant's death, and despite my efforts, I was trapped, falling into a sus-an membrane coma until the main hunting force, having finally slain all the xenos, found me there and remade me. None of my brothers had survived.

Ogedei's eyes narrowed fractionally, and his fist closed almost imperceptibly tighter around his unused cutlery.

"I should have died alongside my brothers."

His voice was barely a whisper by this point, but he swiftly recovered and looked around the table.

"Thus ends my tale. Loathe the alien, yes, but never underestimate it. Never let your hatred of it blind you to what it can do, lest you pay the highest price."

[Inspector Valin]

That... honestly floored Jaden. The Stormseer had not expected his battle brother to actually talk to the group like that. It takes the young White Scar amoment, but he placesahand to his Battle Brother's shoulder and bows his head. "We are better and stronger for your survival, Ogedei. And your words are wise. Only a fool underestimates the xenos."

A voice echoes in Corlais' head. It sounds like Jaden, but the psyker's gaze is still focused on Ogedei and his lips aren't moving. "If the Cold Traders have identified Interrogator Feinmann and her team as agents of the Inquisition, they likely will be expecting retribution, Brother. Either a rescue operation or a purgation force. The Cold Trade necessitates that they would know the power of the Ordos."

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn looks at Jaden, and there is a strange anger in his eyes, barely contained. He speaks aloud. "When you liberated your first world, did you see how the humans looked, Cousin? They were beyond awe. Never in all their wildest dreams did they imagine that we would come to their world, consecrate it with our presence. That is why they will never see us coming. They will expect the Inquisition - They will expect humans. I suppose its a good thing we brought some with us, yes? I would hate to disappoint."

[Haval]

Karael finishes his meal and pushes the plate to the side as he eyes Aldwin with a serious look on his face. ''The eldar are cowardly creatures, Brother. I don't exaggerate when I say that they there are few fencers in the Imperial aristocracy who could outperfom even a simple soldiers quick movements and lunging strikes. I have lost more than one brother who thought he could face a howling banshee on even ground in the middle of a melee. I have learned never to presume they want a fair fight, there is always a squad of sharpshooters around when you least expect them.'' he says with his arms crossed and leaning on the table.

Aldwin will listen to Karael and Jaden with interest. 'No doubt you are correct. My brother said that he stumbled across the Eldar while it seemed to be alone. Wulfhere is a fine swordsman, but he was lucky.'

On the subject of tactics Aldwin will audibly mutter a quote in High Gothic. The quote is attributed to an unknown soldier during the Great Crusade and loosely translates as "Kill them all, for the Emperor knows which are his". He is not being entirely serious, as he is well aware though that such an approach won't be enough here. At Vahn's words he grin as similar thoughts had occured to him. 'We just need to find them. I assume that we start with the warning buoys that were mentioned in the briefing? And even if they do not help us find these cold traders, I would expect that they will have left some traces of their presence. After all, what reason would they have to expect us.'

Aldwin will listen respectfully to Ogedai's story. That one had suffered, and perhaps worried him the most out of all those in the Kill Team. Although that he still seemed to be functional in spite of everything suggested that he had reserves of strength.

[Inspector Valin]

"Beneath all our grace and glory and armour, we are every bit as human, Cousin. Don't forget that."

Jaden's voice is quiet. The Stormseer glares at 'Brother' Vahn, his own eyes simmering. After a moment, he looks away, addressing the group to bring them up to speed, "The enemy either killed or hold captive acolytes of the Inquisition. They're Cold Traders, in a dead system. Even if the Interrogator didn't give her affiliation away, it's not hard to guess. Our foes know they've been discovered now. They'll be expecting retribution. They'll be expecting something their weapons can kill. That much, we're granting them. The fact that there's six of us here rather than six hundred Stormtroopers isn't a point if their xeno-weapons are strong enough. Perhaps our reputation can strike fear in their hearts, perhaps not, but they'll be ready for a fight regardless."

The psyker turns back to Vahn, looking more exasperated than angry now he's shared his judgement. "You said you'd hear my counsel, Cos. It'd be wrong to stay silent if I feel you've made a mistake that affects the mission. And I tried to do this without an open argument. Is any of what I said untrue?"

[Ascension]

Oblivious to the tensions rising at the table, the servitor takes Karael's cue and begins serving the next course. To the Blood Angel's likely disappointment, however, the next is still not yet the main course of the meal. Instead, the servitor mechanically distributes a plate containing a salad of fresh (or at the very least fresh-seeming) greens, surrounded by smaller dishes containing various cooked vegetables.

How the Rogue Trader could possibly provide farm-fresh vegetables after several weeks docked at Watch-Fortress Erioch is anyone's guess, but that small mystery is likely to be eclipsed by other concerns at the moment.

[Koris]

Karael alternates looking at both Jaden and Vahn, wondering if the Psyker had used his gifts at one of others. It reminded him of how Mephiston had once probed his mind for impurity many years ago, and could understand the dislike of having your mind be touched by the warped powers that Librarians wielded. Trying to de-escalate the situation slightly he speaks up while poking at the salad with a probing fork

''My apologies about today's meal, Brothers. It seems I failed to mention to the captain what meals we usually prefer at this form of gathering. Know that I will rectify it for our next gathering. But for now perhaps we should calm ourselves. The vile Xenos will pay in due time brothers, of that I have no doubt, but we should take care not to let our emotions take hold in here. We can save any hostility towards each other in future sparring sessions.''

Procuring a sheet of paper the size of his hand, containing a relatively crude schedule for combat sparring for one whole week for all brothers. ''This is my suggestion on how we should handle the close quarter combat practice, it ensures we each have time to spar enough to sate our need for training, while also ensuring that we don't spar against the same person each day. I'm sure it would do us well to know just how capable we all are compared to each other.'' Karael smiles, enough to let his incisors to gleam in the dim light. ''And I will be privileged to show you the true power of the sons of Sanguinius.''

[Haval]

Noticing that Vahn seemed to be answering a question that Jaden hadn’t asked, Aldwin will watch the Stormseer’s face closely. The Subjugators had no particular objection to the use of psykers, but he could understand if Vahn was angry at being contacted like that. Yet if this was merely a disagreement over tactics they both ought to be above letting their feelings turn to open anger. Aldwin will make sure that he's watching both Vahn and Jaden and will prepare himself to intervene if neccessary.

He will also speak up in support of Karael. 'I look forward to sparring with you Brother. How else can I test myself if I cannot practice with the best of us.'

[qechua]

Rafen holds back slightly, disagreements between Blood Angels usually get best solved in a sparring cage, where the two brothers can once more find bond in shared experience. Once the training schedule is produced, Rafen smiles again

"Indeed, it'll be good to practice with worthy opponents again, the servitors and machine cages over the last couple of weeks have been somewhat lacking in ability."

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn's voice is soft as he holds up a hand. "Brother Jaden and I merely had a misunderstanding - easily solved, I think. I apologize for interrupting the meal."

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn waits until the servitor leaves the room.

"There is another matter of which we should speak. I was approached before our mission by the Watch Captain. He informed me that some time ago, when Zanatov's Harbor first fell to the Hive Fleet, a team from the Templars of Blood 3rd Company were sent to investigate the particulars of the planet's devouring. If possible, we should recover their bodies and, if not, their gene-seed. To leave bother-Astartes fallen on the field is not something I would wish upon any chapter. Perhaps our Stormseer can help with this using his gifts. If they live, they will be deep within Sus-An Comas. Finding them may be difficult."

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden nods at Vahn's words, seemingly mollified. He chuckles, "Agreed. Nothing should come between a brother and his food."

The White Scar tucks into the vegetables before him with gusto, seemingly unconcerned by their nature. At Vahn's description of their secondary objective however, the psyker's face grows more grave. He pauses before responding, head bowed in reflection, "I can try, Brother. I'm no field diviner, but... I could at least see if they still live" From his pouch,Jaden produces a set of hefty looking cards. The Stormseer begins to shuffle them, and a keen eye might note that not a one bears an image on its face. Just crystalline shards, glinting in the low light of the dining room. "My cards can show us what obstacles lie in store upon a given path. If the Templars are fallen then there is an insurmountable difficulty between us and them: simple time. Otherwise, only a hard search and the heretics should stand between us and our brothers."

The explanation has seemingly warmed the White Scar's heart a little. He actually smiles at the Squad Leader, "My cards aren't perfect though. And even something as simple as this is at least a little dangerous. How important would you weigh this assessment, Brother Vahn?"

[Toxic Mind]

"The Watch Captain informed me that it should not interfere with our main objective. However, I would not willingly leave them behind again, if there were the possibility of recovery. I know any of us would do the same for those of our Chapter. They may not share my blood, but they are Astartes who agreed to a dangerous mission with little hope of recovery. What respite we can give them, even in death, we owe to duty and honor."

[qechua]

Upon hearing the revelation, the normally calm Rafen picked up, a new intensity clearly visible in his eyes. He bears no malice towards any member of the team, but rather seeks to make his position very clear.

"They may not share your blood, Brother Vahn, but they do share the Blood of Sanguinus with me. If there is any chance of their rescue, or recovery, then we must take it will full commitment."

[Toxic Mind]

"I am glad to hear you say that, Brother. Stormseer, I think it worth the risks. If it will comfort you, we will stand vigil over your ministrations." Vahn makes it clear that this duty is voluntary, not an order.

[Haval]

Vahn's voice is soft as he holds up a hand. "Brother Jaden and I merely had a misunderstanding - easily solved, I think. I apologize for interrupting the meal."

Aldwin will relax somewhat but will remain watchful. 'There is no need to apologise for an excess of zeal Brother.'

And he is very much in favour of rescuing any missing brothers. 'No one should be left to the Hive if they can still be saved. Even if they have fallen, we owe it to their memories to bring word of their fates back to their chapter.'

[Koris]

Karael nods at Rafan ''The Templars of Blood would be grateful if we could give them back the remains of their fallen brothers. As would any chapter. Let us hope the Emperor guides us to their final battleground.''

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden listens as the other marines express support for finding the templars, staying silent and reserved. Once he is satisfied that consensus has emerged however, the Stormseer bows his head, though his tone remains sombre. "Well said. All of you. Fallen or alive, we should find the Templars. Whatever I can do towards that end, I will. And may the risks fall upon me before any of you."

From his belt, Jaden withdraws a strange talisman, complex designs worked into the metal. The Stormseer gently places it over his head, before taking his cards in hand. Slowly, the White Scar lets his arm fall to his side, while the deck remains hovering in place above him. Jaden closes his eyes, concentrating upon the warp, and the crystalline cards begin to flick through the air, shuffling and reconfiguring themselves, the images flaring to life. Harlequin, Galaxy, Star, Knight and of course, the God Emperor. The five hand in a row for the watching Battle Brothers, the Stormseer permitting himself the slight indulgence, before the set return to shuffling once more.

"Let's begin!"

[roll0] Focus Power test. Pushing this to Psy Rating 6, so TN will be 87. Doubles leaves Jaden Fatigued

[roll1] Automatic Psychic Phenomena. Anything other than 75+ Jaden will likely shift to his default via his Sanctioned Talent. If it's over... well, early Perils time! :smallbiggrin: Better now than on the mission though, right guys?

[qechua]

Already braced in his position, Rafen held firm as the Librarian did his work, and the winds of the warp circled around the room in protest. The same could not be said for the meal, however, narrowly missing his leg and impacting onto the floor below.

[Ascension]

Time to write the Servitor equivalent of this (https://youtu.be/f-jVbjtTKVM?t=1m16s). Also, I spoke with Valin in advance of this post about how he'd like to receive the results of Jaden's augury, thus its relative vagueness.
As the Warp-spawned winds die down, leaving food, tableware, stools, and even Marines scattered across the floor, the door of the dining room opens, and the waitstaff servitor comes trundling in again, heedless of the commotion, pushing a heavy, multi-tiered cart loaded with platters bearing what appear to be whole roast pigs for each of you. When the wheel of its cart catches on an upturned salad bowl, however, it stops and slowly leans out from behind the cart, belatedly taking in the whole chaotic scene through its blank augmetic eyes.

It sees, but does not comprehend. A brief buzzing vox transmission in binary summons a cleaning servitor to tidy up the mess, but the cleaner will take a little time to arrive, and until it does, the waiter will be frozen in its tracks.

Meanwhile, at the center of the storm, the crystalline cards of the Emperor's Tarot themselves lay entirely unperturbed, the only unsecured objects left on the surface of the dinner table. In the final accounting, six of them have been drawn from the deck, and have laid themselves out in a pattern somewhat akin to a wine goblet with a wide base. As he looks on them, images begin unfolding in Jaden's mind...

Augury at Power Rating 6 entitles you to determine six sources of opposition you'll face ahead of you. Most IRL tarot spreads are concerned with more than just sources of opposition, but I'm going go more or less off this six-card spread (http://www.simplytarot.com/tarot-spreads/simply-tarot-spread/), which shouldn't bleed toooooo much into things you should have to have a higher PR or a different psychic ability to determine.

I'm assuming our question is "What difficulties will our Kill-Team face in attempting to recover the lost Templars of Blood?" or something along those lines.

The first card, which Jaden's training would indicate is the significator of this spread, is none other than the Space Marine, proud and noble, bearing bolter and chainsword.

-contact has the silhouette of power armour, and he half-lowers his bolter, squinting to make out the shape of the badge upon its-

The second card, following from the first, tells of conflict, and conflict is certainly writ in its visage, none other than the perverse grin of the Despoiler, fresh blood dripping from his great talons. And yet... the card has been drawn in its inverse position.

-calm. That's the only word for it, utter calm. Beyond fearlessness as the Astartes understand it. Raw Warp-stuff howls around him, whispering tones of madness sweet enough to make a mortal's brain begin to bleed, and he feels nothing. Nothing exists beyond his purpose, and his purpose is to-

The third card, telling of the subject's own concerns... the Kill-Team's personal concerns, in this case. The Lost Child is seen now, alone in a world of shadows, helpless against the dark.

'-no time for that!' comes the voice over the vox, with an edge of barely controlled panic you would never hear from an Astartes, 'We are under attack by-'

The fourth card, speaking of the past... is the unmistakable laughing mask of the Harlequin, limbs flying through the motions of some inscrutable xenos dance.

-a bare hand gripping a metal Star of Chaos, gripping until the points sink into his flesh and the blood flows in torrents, gripping until the points push through the other side, gripping until the sigil itself crumples in the palm of his ruined hand-

The fifth card, which has led you to this point... is the Magos, an elder Tech-Priest, his face an unreadable mass of metal and hololithic plans gleaming between his outstretched hands. But this card, too, is inverted.

-his face, washed in the harsh green glow, is alight with wonder, at least what little of it is still capable of registering human emotion. The possibilities-

The sixth card, portraying the future, shows the coils of the Serpent, wrapped tightly around a human form, whispering its sweet lies into the man's ear.

'-listen to a story,' the man said, patting the place beside him on the bench. 'It is an old story, and you've probably heard it before, but I doubt you've heard it the way I tell it. You see, there once was a hungry wolf, many, many years ago, who lived near a large pasture of fat, healthy sheep. He lusted after those sheep, and dreamed of eating them all to sate his incredible hunger, but the shepherd who watched over the sheep was strong and valiant, and he would let no wolf draw near his flock without answering with sling and arrow. So the wolf languished in his hunger until one day he was able to bring down a single sheep which had strayed far from the flock. It did little to answer his all-consuming need, but, as he ate from it, a thought came to him, and he began to formulate a plan. He took the skin of the sheep he had just slain and he wrapped himself in it, veiling his predatory form beneath the guise of an humble sheep. In that form he was able to slip right into the heart of the shepherd's flock, virtually indistinguishable amidst the crowd. So, in the dead of night, while the flock was penned up in the sheepfold, meant to be secure from all harm, he began to feast. He brought down a lamb or ewe or wether each and every night, eating them all up, flesh and blood and bone, so there was no trace left in the morning.

'Now, here is where my telling will diverge from the tale as you have heard it. For you will see, as I have seen, that the shepherd I speak of, while valiant, strong, and brave... was incredibly stupid. He could not see the wolf amidst his flock, fooled as he was by his disguise, and could not fathom how his sheep were being stolen. And so it fell not to the shepherd to solve the problem, but to a particularly cunning sheep. This sheep had seen what was going on, and he conceived a scheme to beat the wolf at his own game. The sheep took up the wolf's own weapons and contrived to strike him down, sinking wolf-fangs through the wolf's stolen sheep-hide. But when the bloody deed was done, and the wolf in sheep's clothing lay dead, the sheep tried to take off his own wolf's hide and found that it had adhered to his flesh. Having killed like a wolf, he could not shed his own wolf-nature.

'So it was that when the shepherd woke that morning, he found a wolf in his sheepfold, and a sheep lying dead. Thinking he had found his sheep-thief, he grew wroth, and he struck down the wolf he saw, not realizing that in doing so he was killing his own loyal sheep and avenging the death of the treacherous wolf.'

The man smiled a warm, paternal smile.

'Thus, the moral of the story is-'

[Inspector Valin]

'Thus, the moral of the story is-'

Unfortunately, with those last words, the laws of physics finally remember that Jaden exists. The Stormseer is thrown high in the air by the howling winds, knocking him clean off of his chair. Thankfully, this has hardly been the first time such a fate has befallen Jaden. The psyker lands on his feet, dusting off his jacket and looking around the room, taking in the chaos for the first time. Pre-emptively, the seer raises a hand, laughing a slightly breathless laugh. "Sorry, my friends! Sorry. The winds of Chogoris follow me in the Warp, but they keep me safe from darker horrors. That could've been far, far worse. And the drawing!"

Turning back to the cards, Jaden's face is wreathed in smiles. It's been some time since a reading of the tarot turned out so clearly for him. Placing his hand upon the table, he starts to walk his brothers through the cards. "We have the Space Marine; proud, noble and upright as the focal card. The Templars still live, and they stand tall." It's hard to resist a glance and a grin at the two Blood Angels upon that revelation. It's clear the White Scar doesn't doubt his cards. He continues, "Between us and them stands the Despoiler, inverted. Purity in the midst of devastation. Our Brothers will probably be suspicious of a sudden rescue mission after so long. We need to be careful with talking to them; righteous suspicion could lead to a firefight if we aren't careful."

At least, that was one interpretation. There are a host of potential meanings to an Inverted Despoiler dependant on position and context, and he should reflect upon other readings after he was done here. Jaden resists the urge to pick up the card. Leave the sequence intact for now. Let it stand. He looks up to his Battle Brothers, "This card should be our main obstacle in recovering the Templars. We could've drawn far worse. From here we have..."

Turning to the base of the Chalice, the Stormseer continues from the left, "The past is set the Harlequin. Deception led us to this point, to Zanatov and this mission. Or perhaps deception created whatever we hunt in the Zanatov system. Our card of the moment is... hah! The Lost Child. Not a kind image for Astartes, but fits here. And the major driving force upon our quest is the Magos... inverted." Jaden frowns at that last word, humming briefly to himself. The regular Magos is clear and understandable, but he's never before seen its inverted form. After some reflection, the Stormseer slowly posits possibilities. "Emotion over cold reason. Risk and daring over care and preservation. Horsa knew this was dangerous? Or the Templars commander did?"

The Psyker looks unconvinced by either possibility. But for the moment, he turns his eyes upward, to the second card that made up the cup of the chalice. This one he knew well. "And the future, unless we change it, is the Serpent. Lies, deception, and corruption through temptation." A card as clear as it is worrying. The Seer refrains from further comment, instead kneeling and beginning to help set the room to rights a little. The Winds always leave their mark. His mind lingers on the image of the man, the tale echoing in his ears. What did it mean?

[Koris]

Having made the poor decision to protect his face from the flying cutlery instead of weathering the storm, Karael was blown backwards together with his chair. Raising himself from the ground and setting the chair back in its right position, he does his best not to let the shame show on his face for being caught so unaware. To be fair, he expected more lightning than thunder when he heard the title of Stormseer. A mistake that would not be repeated.

While brushing his robes of and seating himself on the chair again, he frowns at the White Scar ''Should we perhaps avoid doing any more of these dynamic readings when food is still served? I fear we could hurt our reputation if the Captain hears of such sudden pressure changes on his ship, not to mention the broken plates.''

He wonders a bit at the card reading, nodding at the possibility that the Templars of Blood might still be alive. They were a valiant bunch after all, and if something could halt their advance, then their enemies would have been more prepared than initially imagined. ''This raises many questions, but we also have some answers for once. I feel we have quite the road ahead of us.''

[Haval]

Aldwin is taken by surprise by the strength of the winds and is flung backwards from the table. His training taking over, he will scramble to his feet with his hand wrapped around the hilt of his sword before he can consciously register the lack of threats in the room.

Trying to regain some dignity, he will brush errant pieces of food from his robe as he returns to the table. At least he hadn't been the only one surprised. He will regard Jaden suspiciously as he explains the results of the auguary, but will accept his explanation at face value. 'If we do this again I will try to be armoured first.'

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn for his part grabs each of the utensils out of the air as the gale winds whip up. He stands up out of his chair with an almost gliding precision, catching the plate as it whipped by his head. Sometimes, the storm was weathered best by twisting with its winds, rather than fighting them. Vahn subscribed to the former, and it served him well. He found by feel the places where the winds were lessened, where they cut by him, their force dissipated rather than bluntly pushed against. He sits down without a word. There was no condemnation in his eyes or his actions - he was the leader, he had deemed the risks worth it, and they had all weathered the storm, in one fashion or another. His brothers who fell needed no recrimination from him - their own shame would serve well enough.

"This side mission is beginning to seem a task worthy of undivided attention in its own right. We must remain vigilant that our primary mission does not suffer for the sake of this one." Vahn, ever the pragmatist, minces no words. "We will succeed in all, of course, the Emperor expects no less, but we must remain focused. I recommend each of us focus on the Stormseer's words. In the field, prophecy is a strange thing, shifting and changing in ways we sometimes little expect. If all of us remain vigilant, with these lessons in mind, we will be better prepared to tackle them." Seated again, Vahn sets his cutlery on the table in precise fashion before saying just loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear.

"You have our thanks, Brother Jaden, for undertaking these risks."

[Koris]

Karael looks again at the dinner hall that has been thrown into pandemonium. What worries him the most is the holes left from the flying cutlery on the walls. With a lighthearted chuckle he looks to the others and points with an open hand ''Perhaps we should call it a night. This will take the servitors time to clean, and I think we will all benefit from some quiet introspection on the things learned here today. Brother Vahn, am I assuming to much? Or shall we declare this meeting adjourned?'' he says as he tucks the list for the sparring matches into his robes, knowing everyone would have memorized it by now.

[Toxic Mind]

"If no one has else to add, I concur with Brother Karael's suggestion." He phrases it as a question, inviting any to speak who feel it.

[Haval]

"If no one has else to add, I concur with Brother Karael's suggestion." He phrases it as a question, inviting any to speak who feel it.

Aldwin is still tense and somewhat distracted from being blown over. 'As do I. If what the augury suggests is correct, we are facing more then mere Cold Traders. We should prepare ourselves.' He currently has nothing more to add.

Upon leaving he will remind the rest that he is willing to spar with them at their earliest convenience.

[Ascension]

And so, with the omens of the Emperor's Tarot received and interpreted, and a meal... more or less completed, the brothers of the Kill-Team dispersed, off to make their own personal preparations for the coming struggle. The Gallant Blade, meanwhile, reached the edge of the Erioch system and commenced its own preparations... readying itself for the Warp journey ahead.

Given Zanatov's Harbour's position behind the spearhead of Hive Fleet Dagon, plotting the fastest route to get there is far more difficult than plotting the most direct route. The ship will have to skirt carefully along the edges of the Shadow in the Warp, the great disturbance in the Immaterium created by the psychic weight of the Tyranid Hive Mind, while also steering clear of the navigation hazards of the Hadex Anomaly and the Slinnar Drift.

The voyage seems to get off to a smooth start, however, and nothing whatsoever out of the ordinary disturbs the Marines' first several days of Warp travel. Even the crew's dreams have been left largely untouched by nightmare. Few Space Marines are strangers to long days spent in interstellar transit, or to the monotony of a quiet patrol, but it may be harder to endure such things aboard an unfamiliar, uncomfortable ship of mundane men, isolated from all but an eclectic handful of their fellow Astartes, with only a small cargo hold in which to exercise, and with little hard intelligence to review regarding their destination or their foe.

How have you been biding your time as you wait to reach the target?

[Haval]

Throughout the voyage, Aldwin is increasingly on edge without much to do or a known threat that he could prepare for. On top of which the augury and what Jaden had accidently conjoured there worried him. He had had little experience in interpreting such things, but the cards seemed to suggest that there was more significance to the mission then he had initially credited. If he could not anticipate what they were going towards he must try to be prepared for anything.

Initially Aldwin has spent some time roaming the ship in order to familiarise himself with its layout, as you could not always anticipate when you might need such knowledge. For the rest of the voyage he will spend most of his available time training in the cargo bay they were provided with. He does not waste the Emperor's bolt shells on mere practice, as his new eye seemed to make his aim better in any case, but will practice his swordsmanship as much as possible. Partly he fights for the sheer joy of combat against skilled opponents, and even the least skilled of the kill team is worthy in that regard, but he also fights to learn what he can from the others by studying their technique. When he had been a Neophyte, his old teacher had once critised his swordsmanship as slow and obvious, but had subsequently beaten into him how he could improve himself by constant practice. Run through the same exercises enough times and their use would become second nature. These lessons had continued in actual battle, with his teacher shouting out suggestions and the names of his sword exercises even while engaging the Orks of Calverna. While not training with one of the other marines Aldwin will work through these exercises. At this point, it had become a form of meditation for him.

Since that time Aldwin had learnt that there was a limit to what he could achieve through his sword alone. Even the most skilled opponents could be taken by surprise or kept off balance, and he has been trying to put this into practice against each of the Blood Angels, both of whom he has marked as his superiors in melee. As of yet he has been unsuccessful.

Aldwin remains suspicious of what the Inquisition party might represent, but is bound to protect them all the same, and so is content to keep away from them for most of the voyage. Perhaps there was little he could do anyway. He was not made as the Raptor was, where he might watch them from the shadows, but in the mission theatre he would have more chance to observe them.

[Koris]

Used to long journey, but with a strict regiment of training and maintenance of his gear, Karael spends a lot of his time preparing for the next day. In the morning he wakes to take a jog through the ship's corridors, startling many of the crew and occasionally meeting one of the other members of the kill-team. Next part of his morning routine is some exercise with someone in the cargo hold. Although he was one of the better melee combatants in his squad when it still existed, he is pleasantly reminded that his brothers are no pushovers. But without much surprise, his Chapter Brother is still the greatest challenge during the sparring sessions. He was on the other hand, quite certain that had there been a firing range aboard, Karael would have to wipe that grin of his face very quickly.

Except for some talk about maintaining purity and subjecting himself to some testing, Karael doesn't bother the Sanguinary priest all too much. Instead he spends his time looking over his weapons and ensuring they are cleaned and mended after every fight. He ensures that each blood drop icon on his armor is shining, and that the machine spirit of his armor is appeased with the right unguents and prayers.

Karael also reserves two hours out of each ship day cycle to pray to the Emperor while bowing before a symbol of the Imperial Aquila on the wall. It wasn't the best trip he's ever had, but anything done in the service to the Imperium was worth the trouble.

[qechua]

The journey proves to be a somewhat quiet time for Rafen, who normally at such time would be offering support and guidance to his charges. With only a single other Blood Angel aboard ship, he quickly found other tasks to occupy his attention, first setting a small focus shrine for the Templars of Blood, before checking over, blessing and polishing his armour and equipment again. Beyond this, Rafen spends a large amount of time training in the cargo bay, practicing chainsword patterns in the air as well as sparring with any Brothers who are willing to indulge, learning much from both the victories and defeats. Additional prayers and meditation also found homes in his schedule, again, filling time that often would be reserved for his Brothers.

As for the Inquisitorial team, he did not seek them out, although upon seeing them in passing, he would engage in small talk with them. He felt they were more comfortable around their own people, as well as mingling with the crew at large.

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden neglects his training for most of the trip. The White Scar is confident in his abilities, that blade at his waist has never been found wanting. But when set against members of the Deathwatch? Who are new to the order and looking to prove themselves? No, he'll prove himself on the battlefield, not by taking lumps in a sparring match. Instead, the Stormseer spends his time with the inhabitants of the ship; seeking out Captain Smith, his Astropath, bridge crew and others. The Gallant Blade is performing the Emperor's duty, bringing Astartes to their mission, and the crew should be thanked for that. Jaden might have little to give them, but the Librarian can at least lend his time, company and conversation. If Vahn's willing, he'll go so far as to recluse himself from the squad's meals to take them alongside the moral men of the ship.

When not with the crew, Jaden tends to spend his time meditating in one of the less busy areas of the Blade, or checking up on the Acolytes. Bramimonde had entrusted him with their care afterall, and while hopefully they wouldn't have to see the field, they were still potential reenforcements of a sort. Comrades of the mind. Jaden makes a point of checking on each member of the team at least once every day-cycle, and tries to remain available to them at all times. If they're going into the field together, some mutual trust will hopefully work wonders.

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn spends the remainder of his time in meditation, save for a single trip made to each of the acolytes, inquiring as to the comfort of their journey. If they report no issues, he does not visit again.

[Morovir]

Ogedei trains alone for the majority of the voyage, preferring to test his skills against combat servitor targets. He does not seek out the acolytes, and prefers to spend his time in meditation or wandering the decks of the ship. In this time, he reflects on the mission ahead, and his brothers, present and past. After the incident at the dinner, he has taken to wearing his armour at all times, even when at rest, unwilling to allow himself to be taken by surprise again.

[Ascension]

The remainder of the trip passes almost as uneventfully as its first few days, though an ominous creaking sound groans through the ship in the last 30 minutes or so before it leaves the Warp, as if some colossal hand is closing around the Gallant Blade and testing the strength of its superstructure. No actual damage is reported, though, and, just as the sound is reaching its crescendo, the ship rips its way back into realspace.

You've been politely requested to arm yourselves and come up to the bridge in anticipation of arrival, so that you'll be among the first to see the current state of Zanatov's Harbour, and will be ready to respond to any immediate threats which may show themselves.

"Lot of noise on the auspex, sirs," a sensor officer warns, before the main oculus resolves into anything you can see with your own eyes, "but not enough heat for a starship."

"I'm getting something on the vox," the comms officer reports.

"Let's hear it," Captain Smith says.

"-is a dead world, lost to the Great Devourer and quarantined by the writ of the Holy Ordos of the Inquisition. Turn your eyes from this place and go back from whence you came. Zanatov's Harbour is a dead world, lost to the Great Devourer and-" the automated warning beacons drone on incessantly. After it becomes clear that it's repeating itself, Smith motions for the vox feed to be cut.

Finally, a coherent image coalesces on the screen of the forward oculus. The cause of the random noise on the auspex immediately becomes clear: a churning cloud of twisted, broken metal rings the planet, a grisly monument to the starships which fought and died here in the planet's fall, and were torn to shreds in the hive fleet's insatiable search for biomass. It would take a particularly reckless or preternaturally skilled shuttle pilot to penetrate that ring anywhere except where it thins out around the planet's poles. A couple of winking red lights indicate the positions of the automated warning buoys, spinning sedately through a higher orbit, well clear of the debris.

The face of the planet itself is a uniform grey in colour, but over the years its dusty plains have been pitted and scarred by a myriad of impact craters, and here and there you can still see the deep, symmetrical basins left by the Tyranids' vast Reclamation Pools. Through the dense ring of debris, nothing else is immediately apparent on the planet's surface.

Auspex sweeps detect no other active, intact starships in the Zanatov system at this time.

"Brother Vahn," Inquisitor Jiang says, in a hushed, almost reverent voice, as if unwilling to disturb the planet's silence, "operational command is yours. Where shall we begin?"

[Toxic Mind]

"Scans of the planet - do they show any habitation? Outposts?"

On his private vox, he messages his kill team. "I am of the mind that we do not risk flying the debris field without grave cause. Insert at the polar caps and work our way from there?"

[Koris]

Karael carefully studies the situation before he responds on the vox ''Nobody smuggled with then a land speeder by any chance? It would have been perfect for this situation. I'm for any insertion that doesn't drain us of resources and forces us to make a month long hike through a dead ecosystem.''

[Ascension]

Captain Smith consults briefly with his crew, putting together an answer to Vahn's question.

"We've picked up nothing of that sort yet," he summarizes after a moment, "but there is interference from the debris field, and we've not made a full orbit of the planet yet, either. I'll have them intensify scanning of the surface and see if we can locate anything."

"Those Inquisitorial warning buoys are meant to log data on each ship that passes through the system," Inquisitor Jiang reminds. "We might be able to find a lead there."

[Koris]

''Seems the Acolytes will come in handy already.'' he says ''I presume such access doesn't come easy for those not carrying the position of an Inquisitor or his trusted staff?''

[Inspector Valin]

Karael carefully studies the situation before he responds on the vox ''Nobody smuggled with then a land speeder by any chance? It would have been perfect for this situation. I'm for any insertion that doesn't drain us of resources and forces us to make a month long hike through a dead ecosystem.''

"I requested bikes! The armour master turned me down."

Jaden chuckles, his eyes not leaving the dead world before them. Grin aside, the psyker is far from easy with this situation. No signs of their quarry. No signs of... anything, really. The dead world the briefing documents reported. It takes Jaden a second to snap out of his reverie, but he nods at Jiang's proposal. "Starting with the buoys makes sense. Without them, we're still as blind as we were at the Watch Fortress. Can we retrieve them and access them from within the Gallant Blade, or do we have to Voidwalk to them?" The difference is a minor one, a voidwalk wouldn't be too difficult, but if the acolytes have to be escorted the matter might get trickier.

[Ascension]

"For security purposes... and since their transmission antennae are consecrated solely for the purpose of broadcasting their eternal warning... that data must be retrieved directly from the cogitator banks of one of the buoys," the Inquisitor explains. "It should be a trivial matter, however. One of the Gallant Blade's shuttles could dock with the buoys without any diffculty, and Bramimonde's tech-priest and myself could retrieve the data without the need for your kill-team to trouble with such a simple task."

[Toxic Mind]

"It would ease my heart if we were to accompany them. At least one of us - we tread in unknown waters, and there is no telling if our foe has laid traps, or other surprises await. I would not ask them to undertake a task I was unwilling to perform myself."

[qechua]

Fully equipped and donning his helmet for the first time since departing Baal, Rafen spoke, the vox casters in his helmet replacing the softer components of his voice with a hard, mechanical edge.

"The alternative to us coming is us waiting aboard this ship for you to finish. Since we're already geared up and ready to go, that would entail waiting around on this ship with nothing to do, and an Astartes with nothing to do seems like a bit of a waste, considering how much effort has been put into us so far."

[Haval]

Now fully armoured and covered by his helm, Aldwin is looking at the image of the planet with curiosity.

He agrees with what the others were saying but will remain silent.

[Inspector Valin]

"Remember, there is a chance our foes have captured Interrogator Feinmann's team."

Jaden's words are soft, he's in agreement with the team, but his thoughts have turned down a slightly different path, that he feels obliged to share. The Stormseer's gaze shifts between Vahn and Jiang before turning back to the Occulus and Zanatov's Harbour. "If they know the Inquisition are onto this route, the buoys may have been sabotaged. There's no other way to investigate beyond making planetfall and searching on foot, so anyone investigating the system would start there. Plus they're quite literally screaming into the void 'we serve the Holy Inquisition'. If you wanted to hurt the Ordos' next team, they'd be a perfect target. We should tread lightly."

[Ascension]

"As you wish, then," the Inquisitor agrees. "I'm hardly in any position to admonish anyone for an excess of caution. We shall go together."

The Gallant Blade is equipped with several small craft, including an Aquila Lander which should prove useful if and when a target on the surface of the planet is identified, but for the short trip to the nearest warning buoy the crew have readied a nondescript, diminutive lighter. Its cargo bay, generous for its size, accommodates your power-armoured figures far more comfortably than a personnel shuttle scaled to mortals would. Fold-out benches span either side of the bay, but it may be more expedient simply to mag-lock your boots to the deck rather than to test their weight limit.

With Inquisitor Jiang, the baby-faced tech-priest Naimon, and a pilot from the Gallant Blade's complement aboard, you are ready to depart.

It takes little time at all for the lighter to reach the buoy, but the length of the journey is very nearly doubled by the careful positioning required to properly align its dorsal docking clamps with the buoy's maintenance hatch. The seal is successfully established, though, and the hatches opened. Sensing the presence of visitors, a dim light flickers on within the heart of the buoy, revealing a small cylindrical chamber, its every surface covered over with cogitators, cabling, and purity seals.

The Inquisitor and tech-priest should be an easy fit, but it looks doubtful that you could fit any more than two power-armoured Astartes inside the buoy. Perhaps three if they had no need to move at all once inside.

None of you have a trained technical eye, and you'd have to enter the buoy to examine every inch of it, but you could give me an Awareness (for a general feeling) or Scrutiny (to try to spot any specific signs of tampering) check if you'd like to look before anyone leaps.

[Koris]

Karael stands at the mouth of the cargo lighter, looking around patiently for any signs of trouble with a hand on his holstered bolt pistol. Due to bringing his jump pack, he decides it would be better if his brothers took watch inside, and thus stays in the back. He's really hoping this place isn't trapped, otherwise this would be a very shorty mission.

Awareness [roll0] target: 61

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn warily scans to see if there is anything off about the buoy.
Awareness: [roll0] vs 78 [58+20 for Auto-senses]

[qechua]

Rafen scanned the bouy, looking for any sign of tampering. He, of course, was far more familiar with the interior workings of an Astartes, rather than a product of the Adeptus Mechanicus, but nonetheless he searched for any obvious xenos or rebel devices. Both his chainsword and bolt pistol are already in his hands, the pistol aimed into the bouy as it opens, while the chainsword sits idle at his side.

Scrutiny: [roll0] vs 72

[Haval]

On the basis that you can never be too cautious, Aldwin will go with the party going to the buoy. As they dock he will glance briefly inside the chamber, trusting in his helmets auto-senses to pick up anything unusual.

The awareness roll was made earlier in the ooc thread.

[Ascension]

Apologies for the delay.
Rafen:

You really have no idea what you're looking for here. You try comparing the cabling inside the buoy to the veins or nerves of a body to give you a frame of reference, but there are too many dissimilarities, and the analogy really just ends up confusing you. Ultimately, you can't say if anything about the buoy seems suspicious or not.
Aldwin, Karael:

An amber rune indicating possible threat appears on your helmet display, but fails to resolve into anything specific. You feel a vague sense of unease to echo the machine-spirit's suspicion, but it's nothing you can clearly substantiate.
Vahn:

An amber rune indicating possible threat appears on your helmet display, and, after a moment, it focuses in on a purity seal near the bottom of the chamber, the parchment of which has crumbled away. Focusing further, you can see a faint scuff mark on the wall beside the damaged seal. This buoy was only installed 64 years ago, so it's unlikely to have completely crumbled solely due to age, particularly given the scuff mark and the fact that the other seals are all intact. You would wager that someone has visited the buoy recently, and they were not as careful as you would expect of the priests of Mars.

[Toxic Mind]

"Brothers. Hold. Someone has been here recently - they have disturbed that which a Priest of Mars would not - see the worn away purity seal; the mark on the wall beside it. No Techpriest would be so callous. We should find what has been tampered with, and if aught was taken."

[Koris]

Karael tenses and feebly grips the handle of his chainsword as he looks around the inside of the buoy. He knows that whatever trap would be set here would most likely be explosive in nature, and is unsure how to handle the situation without making a tactical retreat.

He speaks through the amplified voice of his helmet vox grill ''Inquisitor, let's think about how we handle this situation. If this buoy is set to explode it could ruin this entire mission before it has even begun. I request that we retreat aboard the lighter while the tech-priest does his work.''

[Haval]

"Brothers. Hold. Someone has been here recently - they have disturbed that which a Priest of Mars would not - see the worn away purity seal; the mark on the wall beside it. No Techpriest would be so callous. We should find what has been tampered with, and if aught was taken."

Aldwin will speak over the squad vox where their allies can't hear. 'Good eyes. I would have hoped that the Inquisition was better able to lock it's doors.'

And will address Naimon directly. 'Techpriest, is there any way to know who visited here?'

[Ascension]

Naimon tilts his head and a hint of bemusement creeps into his partially-synthesized voice.

"Our best source of information on who might have visited the buoy... is the buoy itself. The trick becomes how to examine it closely enough to suss out those secrets... without triggering any traps which might have been laid within."

He audibly swallows, and any trace of humour vanishes.

"But if the plan is 'retreat while the tech-priest handles it'... then that bit is entirely up to me."

[qechua]

Peering into the bouy, his helmet senses accounting for the lighting situation, Rafen attempted to mentally trace some of the wiring around, quickly getting lost as large sections quickly joined and split again. Going back to a state of readiness against any physical threat, Rafen felt somewhat glad that they hadn't opened it up to reveal some depraved shrine to the Dark Gods.

[Koris]

Karael stares at the Inquisitor ''I'll follow your judgement Inquisitor, whatever it may be. But I believe we should go about this with care. I would prefer if my death held a bit more glory than being found free floating through the void in chunks with no enemy in sight.''

Through the squad vox he says ''Is anyone here proficient in advanced sabotage? Setting traps was never my forte, and neither was defusing them.''

[Haval]

Aldwin is looking at the Techpriest with new found respect. As a mortal to be afraid was understandable, but to go into danger in spite of that fear spoke well of him.

Replying to Karael over the vox.
'If our enemies have trapped this place, I believe the Techpriest is best able to handle this. We can only be ready.'

While Aldwin is talking he will try and assess how he would boobytrap this place if he was responsible for defending it.

Away from my book, but I think demolitions is a level 2 skill so no one should have it.

Never rolled tactics for anything so not sure if this is appropriate
Roll Tactics (Defensive) vs. Int 41
[roll0]

[Ascension]

Aldwin lacks the technical expertise to set or disarm explosives himself, beyond the most basic use of melta bombs for breaching, but he has been trained in the tactical doctrines regarding their usage. If this is a trap... it would be most effective if it's set up to lure its target into the buoy before anything explodes. The situation already seems to support that conclusion. Nothing was triggered by simply opening the hatch, nor are there any clear signs of threat in the visible portions of the buoy's interior, only the merest sign of some tresspasser's careless boot. That would suggest that any explosives that have been planted are most likely positioned on the nearer side of the cylindrical chamber to either side of the entrance hatch, so that they can't be seen... much less defused... from this angle. The saboteur's hope would be that by the time the target notices the bombs, it will already be too late.

Now then, the question remains, what is meant to be the trigger for the hypothetical bombs? The heretics could have had several options available to them, if they had the proper materials on hand. The bombs could be set to explode simply in response to motion within the chamber, which would massively complicate defusing them, but would also make it easier for them to be triggered by something other than the primary target. They might be linked into the cogitators of the buoy, so that anyone attempt to retrieve data from the buoy will trigger the explosion. They might be on a timer, set to go off at some set interval after the hatch is opened, in which case they might already be drawing closer to detonation. With heretech tools, even more exotic trigger mechanisms might be possible. Narrowing those possibilities...

...well, the simplest way would be to test some of them, but that could have explosive consequences.

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden has been silence for a while. The White Scar has little to add and has been mulling the situation over. Eventually though, he puts a gauntleted hand to the Tech-Priest's shoulder, "If there is danger, it should not fall to you and Inquisitor Jiang to face the heart of it, Naimon. And I doubt we'll find any traps by squinting at our auspex out here."

Brief words given, Jaden steps forward, positioning himself in front of the door. If he took point for the investigative group, his armour would hopefully be enough to smother any explosion, or at least keep the two humans safe. One of the few benefits of such confined quarters. Stance taken, the Librarian bows his head. "Brother Vahn. Inquisitor. On your order."

Little surprised no one suggested 'Send the Psyker in: he's the most expendable' :smalltongue:

[Haval]

Mulling over their situation Aldwin is at a loss. If the enemy had anticipated them and this place was trapped they had no completely reliable way to check for possible dangers. Yet that was no excuse for doing nothing. If the kill team behaved as if the enemy were that ahead of them then they were behaving as if they had already lost. The White Scar had the right of it. Better to spring a trap rather than be afraid of shadows.

Aldwin will move up to support Jaden near the door of the shuttle while they waited for orders.

We could throw a servitor through there :smallsmile:

[qechua]

Still stood ready and aimed at the hatch, Rafen blink-clicked within his helmet, selecting tools and overlays most relevant to potential explosive damage. Then, turning to the inquisitorial team, he notes

"There is no shame or dishonour in sheltering behind me, between Jaden's armour and my own, we may afford at least some protection from any surprises that have been left."

[Morovir]

Having been silent for a while, Ogedei remains this way, but braces his heavy bolter as if in preparation for imminent combat.

[Koris]

Karael shakes his head at what he perceives to be stubborn bravado in his battle brothers. He's still waiting for the Inquisitor to make up his mind on how he wants to handle it, while also running diagnostics on his suit's integrity just in case. There is also a reason why his hand is hovering close to both his pistol holster and the panel for the hatch mechanism.

[Ascension]

"There is, perhaps... one more possibility," Inquisitor Jiang says, hesitantly, seeming to weigh each word as he speaks. "It would be... unconventional... and possibly damaging to the buoy... but if Naimon was outfitted with a void suit... we might be able to tap into the buoy's data storage from the outside? Our enemies would be expecting us to use the hatch... but they might not have anticipated that any loyal Mechanicum priest might... improvise."

Naimon frowns before replying, "I can't say that I relish the idea myself. It's ungraceful, it's disrespectful to the machine spirit, it could still trigger the bombs... but... I will allow that it might work."

"I realize this entire situation is delaying you from moving on to your more pressing objectives," Jiang apologises to the Kill-Team, "and external access would likely take longer-"

"Would definitely take longer," Naimon corrects.

"Would, in fact, take longer. Therefore, I leave the decision to you. Would you prefer that we take the direct route and get this over with, for better or for worse, or attempt this indirect approach, prioritizing safety over speed?"

[Koris]

Karael places a hand on Vahns shoulder. ''Brother, an hour or two won't matter much in the long run if we lose lives due to impatience. I'll join the Tech-priest during the void walk to prove my conviction. It would also prove my decision to bring my jump pack to be wise.''

[Toxic Mind]

"Very well, Brother Karael. This task is yours."

[Koris]

Karael salutes with a fist to his plastron towards Vahn. He then speaks towards the Inquisitor and Tech-priest. ''Time for a walk. I hope you have a void suit ready nearby. Let's not postpone any longer that needed.''

[Haval]

The choice the Inquisitor offered was really no choice. The information they needed was the key to their other objectives. Aldwin will think for a second and hand Karael his bolt pistol. The grapnel attachment that he had had them install back at Erioch is clearly visible. 'In case it is useful Brother.'


Koris - Rites says it has a 100m wire. The jump pack might be enough anyway, but take it if you want.

[Koris]

Karael accepts the bolt pistol with an deep bow of his head. He takes a moment to look it over before mag-locking it to his leg. ''Appreciated Brother. It will serve as a good lifeline in case of disaster.'' he turns back to the Inquisitor with a nod. He keys the squad vox for a moment so as to give a few select words to lesson any possible tension the situation has created.
''Not every year you get to exercise your designation of Space Marine literally. I'll be sure to keep the Tech-priest alive to the best of my ability. This is fitting work for an Angel of Sanguinius after all.''

[Ascension]

In the interest of moving us on to the actual action of this scene, I've taken the liberty of covering a good deal of time here, skipping through all the fairly routine action.
The inquisitor and tech-priest gratefully acknowledge Karael's offer, and Naimon, perhaps showing a human bashfulness, or perhaps merely protecting the secrets of his order, retires to a narrow interstitial space between the lighter's cargo bay and its cockpit to exchange his robe for a void suit. When he emerges, he seems a scarecrow figure, even slimmer and more ungainly. A skeletal mechadendrite you've never properly noticed before hangs limply from a port on the back of his suit.

"I am ready," he confirms.

The lighter is small enough that it lacks a proper airlock, but the cargo bay itself is capable of being depressurized and repressurized, and your power armour makes that process safely survivable. Inquisitor Jiang adjourns to the lighter's cockpit, the lighter itself disengages from buoy, and then you hear the audible hiss of venting air.

At last, the impromptu void-walk can begin.

What follows is a little over an hour of tedium. Naimon's mechadendrite springs to agile life as soon as he's in position to begin working on the buoy, but the work itself is slow going. The buoy's external hull is built with typical Imperial ruggedness, meant to withstand millennia worth of impacts from micrometeoroids and space debris. Disassembling it through the labors of a single slender tech-priest is no easy feat... yet any of the Kill-Team's many, many tools which would speed the process of breaking through that shell would also imperil the buoy's contents, data and imagined explosives alike.

At last an opening is created, large enough for Naimon to worm his mechadendrite into. Connections are made, Naimon's face contorting strangely with the effort.

You all hear a harsh blurt of binary come over your vox, and despite its incomprehensibility, you get the impression it might be the Mechanicum equivalent of a curse, a feeling intensified by the words which follow it: "They have wiped the cogitator banks' library stacks clean. The instruments all seem to be intact, but there are no records whatsoever. Not even of the Gallant Blade."

After a moment, though, an idea strikes the tech-priest.

"Wait. If the sensors are still recording, but records aren't being stored here... bear with me a moment, sirs."

Naimon begins tinkering with the buoy again in earnest, widening his initial incision to expose more wiring. Several minutes more pass before he speaks again.

"Yes. Yes, that's it. The heretics have rewired the buoys so that rather than recording the data they collect in internal storage, as the design of the buoy intends, they instead broadcast it... toward the surface of the planet. Let me see if I can gather an idea of where on the surface..."

Again the minutes tick by as the tech-priest engages in his efforts, but at last a broad, beatific smile spreads across his face.

"I have it. I have their loca-" he begins to say.

That is precisely the moment at which the buoy explodes.

The force of the explosion is largely contained by the hull of the buoy itself, but the incision Naimon made in order to reach its cogitators provides an outlet, venting hot gas and shrapnel directly toward the tech-priest. He is flung to the end of the safety tether securing him to the buoy, and then the tether itself snaps, sending him tumbling toward the planet's debris field below.

Karael:
Give me a Challenging (+0) Pilot (Personal) test to catch Naimon and bring him back to the lighter. If you fail, you can use the grapnel Aldwin loaned you (via a Challenging [+0] Ballistic Skill test) for a second chance at snagging him. If that also fails, the lighter itself might have a chance to catch up with him before he really starts plummeting.

Rafen will have some work to do once he's back on board the lighter, but let's worry about catching him first.

[Koris]

Before the explosion, Karael had been floating calmly a few metres away from the Tech-priest, monitoring the situation from a safe enough distance just in case the trap could be sprung from outside. Routine checks on his thrusters and oxygen supply keeps his mind busy during the monotony of his watch. Thankfully, his decision to not stand next to Naimon is proven to be sound when the explosion goes off. As the tech-priest flies off into empty space, Karael spins up his turbines and files off in hight speed on an interception course. As he flies he quickly engages the sqads vox channel ''Warning. Trap sprung, on my way to recover the tech-priest'' Within moments he's caught up and recovered the body and countered the momentum with some counter thrust.

Karael pulls out his canister of repair cement and applies it to any obvious leak in his void suit. He flies off towards the lighter in all haste. Assuming that the others ''Naimon secured. Prepare to accept us into the hold. Rafen, prepare to operate.''.

Soon thereafter he flies into the lighter and places the Mechanicus adept on the ground while waiting for the hold to pressurize and artificial gravity to engage. Once that's done with, he backs of and let's the Sanguinary Priest perform his duty, aiding any assistance required of him.

[Ascension]

Agonising moments pass as the cargo hold repressurises. Naimon is clearly in pain, wavering on the border of consciousness. The smear of repair cement Karael plastered over the gash in the belly of the tech-priest's suit is wide enough to hint at extensive damage underneath, but Rafen can't yet reach the wound itself, even to properly diagnose its severity, without breaching the suit and compromising the man's oxygen supply.

At last the red runes warning that the atmosphere within the hold is not breathable fade to a gentle green, and the apothecary's work can begin. It won't be easy to apply tools crafted for Astartes physiology to a mere human, and there's no telling how far the tech-priest's own augmentations may have deviated from anatomical norms, but the apothecaries of the Adeptus Astartes are among the very finest chirugeons humanity has to offer, and if anyone can stabilise Naimon at this point, Rafen can do it.

As I said in the OOC thread, this will be a straight Medicae Test, receiving no bonus from Rafen's Exsanguinator, but suffering no penalties either.

[qechua]

Seeing the injured tech priest, Rafen dived forward, cutting away the repair patch his brother had installed to temporarily save the man's life. Surpressing his instinct to dive in with his usual vigour, Rafen explored the various holes and wounds, quickly dismissing the 'helpful' advice of his helmet as it pointed out organs that simply didn't exist, either through lack of implantation or by Adeptus Mechanicus infiltrations.

[roll0] vs 53 (53 base)
Fate reroll if necessary (4 fate remaining)
[roll1] vs 53 (53 base)
Seconds ticked to minutes, seemingly ticking to hours as Rafen worked, sealing off cut blood vessels and Mechanicus fluids alike. Potentially assisted by some hitherto unknown devices buried in the tech-priest, Rafen finally stepped back, the man in much better shape than before, although still badly wounded.

"I have done what I can, and Naimon should survive, although I am unable to gauge any medium or long term injuries, nor when he will regain consciousness. What did we learn from the expedition?"

Rafen quickly glanced down again at the tech-priest, catching sight of his own gauntlets, the Deathwatch black repainted with the blood of his patient.

[Koris]

Although he had saved the Tech-priest from the cold void, it was still his idea to send the adept on the void walk. As such, Karael hangs his head low as he watches Rafen work. He wonders what would have happened had they been on the inside of that buoy instead. Would it have exploded there also? Such though's eventually double back to Karael finding his decision to have been sound. One injured, no dead. And if the tech-priest succeeded with his task, it would be well justified.

In answer to Rafen's question, he quickly rouses himself from his introspection and speaks up. ''I believe that his last transmission contained confirmation that he had found something from the buoy. We should return to the Gallant Blade and place Naimon under medicae care in the hopes we can wake him and retrieve whatever information he has.''

Karael's vision turns towards the Stormseer for a moment, hoping the priest would wake without too much problem. Otherwise this could become a problem best solved by another tech-priest, or even worse, a mind reader.

[Haval]

Hearing that the Techpriest was merely stabilised, Aldwin will go and speak to the pilot. 'Return us to the Gallant Blade, and inform the Captain that our Techpriest requires medical assistance from another of his order.' Naimon had done his job in spite of the risks, and so deserved any aid they could provide.

[Ascension]

The lighter hurries back toward the Gallant Blade, leaving the stricken warning buoy in its wake. The vox-link with the trader ship is already abuzz with questions about the explosion, but Inquisitor Jiang fields the crew's queries, sparing the kill-team from having to endure their all-too-human fears.

Amazingly, given the extent of his injuries, Naimon begins to stir shortly before the lighter docks back inside the Blade's hangar. Ignoring any reminders to be still or to be careful with his wounds, he gropes for a data-slate strapped to the thigh of his suit, clawing it free from its case. A slim data-spike emerges from the tip of his index finger, finding its home in the side of the slate, and figures begin to crawl across the data-slate's cracked screen.

Coordinates.

The coordinates point toward a location a few hundred miles below the equator, on the far side of the planet. The signal must have been relayed through several of the buoy satellites to reach that point. Comparing it to what data the Blade has collected so far from orbit, it seems like you'll have to fly in under the debris belt - or steel yourselves for a long march - in order to reach it.

Tertiary Objective Achieved. That accomplishment grants a point of Cohesion, taking the kill-team to 5. Also, you now have the coordinates of, at the very least, the receiver to which traitors of some sort have been relaying information on every vessel that arrives in-system.

Incidentally, it stands to reason that that would include information on the arrival of your own ship.

[Koris]

Karael ponders their options. They could spend a lot of time traveling through the planet to to avoid the detection of their shuttle and evade the debris field completely. Or they could risk it for the sake of assaulting the enemy before they mustered their defenses. A tough choice, and one that was up to Vahn if anything.

''Brothers, if they know about the Gallant Blade, they will surely learn of their trap on the buoy being sprung also. Our moment of surprise has been stolen from us, and with it the advantage that we held. Now is the time for action! We have out coordinates, and although we lack a proper Thunderhawk to carry us into the fires of battle, we can still salvage our situation with a rapid assault on the enemy position. We need to act fast before the enemy has a chance to call for reinforcements and warn any potential compatriots.''

Karael looks towards the Inquisitor ''Inquisitor, do we hold the capability to jam surface communication?''

[Haval]

After checking the coordinates on the dataslate, Aldwin will say that 'This suggests a position many miles below the surface of the planet's equator. Is it some pre-age of shadows bunker or are the cold traders hiding in caves?'

Turning to the others, 'I would always like to know more about a target before I assault it.' Pointing at Naimon, 'especially as our enemies have shown they have are capable of anticipating us.' Now Aldwin sounds angry. 'But I would welcome the chance to bring vengeance for this.' He will wait for the others to speak of alternative courses of action.

[Ascension]

Inquisitor Jiang frowns at Karael's question.

"The Blade does not have any sophisticated jamming equipment, no. We could broadcast white noise or Ecclesiarchal hymns, and that might cause some interference on their comms, but we simply don't have the capability to blanket all possible frequencies. At least not without..."

He gestures toward the stricken tech-priest, who has lapsed into unconsciousness once more.

"We could at least orbit around to perform scans on these coordinates, to get some idea of what sort of base our foes have established here. If our ship's presence here is already revealed, we might as well see what information we ourselves may glean from our opponents."

With an audible thud, the lighter sets back down within the Blade's hangar bay, and clamps engage to secure it to the deck. A blinking yellow light informs you that the air is rushing back into the hangar around you... soon it will be at breathable levels, and Naimon will be able to be rushed to the medicae.

"What shall I tell Captain Smith?" the inquisitor asks.

[Toxic Mind]

"What is necessary to see that he performs his duty." Vahn says succinctly "No more, no less." This whole business did not sit well with him. He was glad that the tech-priest had been recovered, that he had been saved, and the reward for his bravery was not death, but it bothered Vahn that his team could not perform the duty themselves. It was a flaw that could be exploited by a clever opponent, and if Corlis Vahn had learned one thing from this experience, it was that their opponents were clever indeed.

[qechua]

"At the very least, our enemies only know something is coming, they still do not know who or what. We may have lost some of our surprise, but not all of it. Any preparations they make will be done by the time our orbit completes to insert, so we may as well take the time to study our foe."

[Koris]

Karael shakes his head at Rafens suggestion. ''Brother, you underestimate our enemy. If they could hijack an Inquisitorial buoy, then they surely understand that it isn't common practice for Rogue Traders to poke at the warning beacons enough to prompt the triggering of their trap. In the very least, they could be expecting the Holy Inquisition to be investigating this system. Whether they expect the Imperial Guard or a regiment of Adepta Sororita doesn't matter to us, only that they have time to bunker down or cover their tracks.''

He turns to Vahn and the Inquisitor ''When we were scouts, did you ever get discovered? And if you did, what was your next step? In my case, it was to kill whoever discovered me, or run for cover. Though the scale may have changed since then, this is essentially the same situation. If we decide to linger and spy on our foes for any longer, they will have the chance to act while we sit on our hands waiting for cogitators to crunch the numbers.''

He turns to Rafen while placing his hand on his battle-brothers shoulder. ''Let the orbital surveyors work in tandem with our insertion. That way we don't waste time, and the enemy will think that we are preparing for a large scale invasion while we slip behind their defenses.''

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden's been standing very quietly by Naimon's bedside, helm still on. He's listening to the others but his mind is elsewhere. As the topic turns to their adversaries knowledge, the Stormseer mutters to himself, "We never had surprise."

Pessimistic, perhaps, but he feels sure of the conclusion. Sighing, Jaden steps towards the group, and specifically towards the side of Karael, nodding to the squad. "I agree with Karael. The smugglers have strong weapons and giving them time to fortify, take their posts and assume battle order is wrong. Survey data could help our assault, but speed will help it more. Especially if they're able to work out that they have a negotiating chip." Jaden looks apologetically towards Jiang before continuing. "Our enemy likely have Interrogator Feinmann and her team captive, remember. If they attempt to use the agents as hostages, that will place their lives in jeopardy. We should strike quickly and decisively to stop that happening.."

As a note, Jaden's actually acting against his demenour here. He's Irrepressible, but Naimon's heavy injury, right there, with him unable to help has left him troubled. Which is another reason he's advocating the 'strike quickly' thinking.

[Haval]

To Aldwin there was no easy tactical choice here. They did not know enough about their enemies strength or understand the consequences that their actions might have to make an informed decision. Either going in now or delaying to scout the target might carry an equal chance of endangering the people they were supposed to save. Yet the attraction of going in now was obvious, and not just for the satisfaction of bringing the Emperor's vengeance.

Aldwin will voice his uncertainty 'I admit I do not like feeling like I am being led around by the nose here, but attacking the target site has the merit of allowing us to fight the battle on our own terms rather than our enemies. We need only to avoiding taking them for granted. Short of a compelling reason to delay for the sake of intelligence gathering, I am in favour of planetary assault.'

In favour of attacking as long as we try to prevent the news of us being here from getting out. So attack at night if possible, try to jam communications and prevent anyone escaping.

[Koris]

Karael nods at his battle-brothers in turn. His eyes turned to Vahn in an attempt to read his mind through a layer of ceremite. Suggestions like the one he just made would have been unheard of from a line trooper when talking to a superior officer. But as they were all technically equal in a way, Karael feels he can turn this situation into something he was actually good at. Skulking around in the shadows was never his thing after all, he preferred honorable face to face combat. Although the Imperium rarely had time for such things, much preferring orbital bombardment and high caliber artillery when the Astartes weren't around.

''Shall we prepare for assault then, Squad leader? Do you have any other insight Inquisitor, as this is your mission after all?''

[Ascension]

Inquisitor Jiang smiles thinly.

"I would not pretend that the Inquisition ever truly commands the Astartes, even those of the Deathwatch. I would be even more loath to pretend that my own personal strategic acumen is anything to compare to yours. The only further caution I will give you... Well, I would ask that you keep in mind that my Interrogator and her Acolytes may yet be held captive by the traitors. I would appreciate it if you could moderate the force of your assault enough so that there is a chance they may survive."

His smile grows grimmer.

"If practicable, of course. I know I must accept the probability that my people are already lost."

[Toxic Mind]

"My personal preferences it seems will need to take a sideline. Let us take the fight to our enemies. We fight on our terms, and if the Interrogator can be reclaimed, then that objective takes priority over any save capturing a living member of this xenophilic filth."

[Haval]

Aldwin will hang his head at Jiang's words. He couldn't fault the Inquisitor for his pessimisim. 'Inquisitor, I have no desire to let that happen if I can still prevent it.'

[Koris]

Stepping forward and taking off his helmet, Karael makes the sign of the aquila with his free hand as he looks down on Inquisitor Jiang. ''If they still live, I will make it my priority to bring them back alive after the assault. For in all my years defending the Imperium, I've aided my chapter in saving many civilian lives that were threatened by xenos slavers and heretical cultists alike. This day will not be different Inquisitor. Let this be the day the Heretics learn of the Deathwatch, for the first and last time in their short miserable lives.''

Karael turns around and begins walking out of the shuttle, sending requests to refuel his jump pack to some serfs and servitors in the hangar. He will return when all preparations have been done to set out on the assault.

[Ascension]

Lacking the drop pods or Thunderhawks an Astartes warship could provide, the Gallant Blade's Aquila lander is the best it has to offer for a combat insertion. A new clamour rises in the hangar as the crew busies to ready it for deployment.

Inquisitor Jiang, meanwhile, withdraws to the corner of the hangar, where a boxy terminal allows access to the ship's cogitators, and begins to make calculations, frowning over the results. After a few minutes, he seeks out Vahn.

"I'm afraid there are still a few decisions which must be made before you depart," he says. "Most importantly, how you wish to time that departure. The target coordinates are currently on the night side of the planet, but that's actually a problem if you wish to attack from cover of darkness. Even assuming the fastest timetable possible for deployment, by the time an Aquila could reach the target, flying in underneath the debris field, it would be mid-morning at the earliest. If you wish to attack at night, you would either have to delay your departure by nearly a day, giving the enemy time to run and hide, if they have any means by which to do so, or... or you would have to take the direct route, descending directly through the debris field itself."

He shakes his head.

"Captain Smith has a fine crew, and they would give their best effort if you demanded it, but I would not feel confident that your lander would reach the ground intact, in that case. With your armour and physiology, you might survive a crash landing, but... it could be costly."

He shrugs slightly as he changes topics.

"There is also the matter of Inquisitor Bramimonde's acolytes. While Naimon, of course, is in no condition to be going anywhere, the others could still accompany you, if you so wish. It would be a risk, for them, but I'm not sure how much their technical expertise could aid you simply over the vox, especially if we make an active attempt to jam the enemy's communications. It's your call, squad leader. Once you've decided when to deploy, what route to take, and whether or not to bring your technical advisors, I believe the Aquila will likely be ready for your use."

[Toxic Mind]

"We cannot give the enemy time to hide - valuable information could be lost. However, the debris field seems an nonviable alternative. We knew the risks when we stopped to examine the buoy. We will have to assault in the morning. Perhaps some recon will reveal whether the enemy intends to run or fight. We can strike when they are most vulnerable."

"If the Lander can remain, then bringing the advisors is worthwhile. They can be sheltered while we eliminate the worst of threats. If it cannot, then I'm afraid I must consult my team to determine if they wish to undertake the risk of protecting humans. In either case I would bring at least one specialized in interrogation. Such skills will almost certainly come in use after our assault."

If you have opinions one way or another lemme know :D Vahn would be using his vox link to broadcast to his squad as he talks.

[Ascension]

"The viability of leaving the acolytes... and myself, if you require someone trained in interrogation... in the lander would be dependent on both the extent of the enemy's defenses and how close to the target you wish to disembark. Flying in close, disembarking into a hot landing zone... the Aquila isn't built for that, and you would risk the safety of those on board. If you landed further out, outside the traitors' range, the landing zone would likely be safe, but you would need to make your own final approach on foot."

[Haval]

Aldwin is waiting for more concrete information to be available on the target site and the surrounding area. If they could not attack under the cover of darkness, then they would need to learn as much as they could about the battlefield.

He will give his assessment to Vahn over the vox. 'If the acolytes are willing to accompany us then they have my respect and I would do what I can to protect them.' Even those that he would rather not associate with deserved that much for the moment. 'But I think that we cannot be certain of their safety even if one of us is assigned to accompany them. And considering we are here to rescue hostages I would hate to split our attention. I say keep them on the lander if we can consider it secure.'

[Koris]

''I believe we should wait to transport them down when we have a safe area established. We don't know what kind of opposition we are facing here, and we don't want to be stuck in a situation where we have to drag wounded back to the LZ while also protecting the Acolytes. When it comes to the landing site, make it further out in my opinion. Had we been fully equiped with jump packs we could do it more efficient to strike on the site directly, but as we lack that ability it is better to ensure we use our superior training to encircle the enemy and destroy their outside fortifications first from range.''

[Ascension]

Unlike the cargo lighter you traveled on to reach the warning buoy, the Aquila is primarily a personnel transport, and it strains to accommodate six fully armed and equipped Astartes, one of them wearing a jump pack, along with a quartet of Inquisitorial personnel. Blancandrin, being the stoutest of the mundane passengers, has actually been placed forward, in the co-pilot's seat, to free up space, but the other three, Aude, Olivia, and Inquisitor Jiang himself, are strapped into the three crash seats which remain in the passenger compartment. The rest of the seats, all those closest to the exit doors, have been removed to free up enough space for your kill-team's equipment, meaning that you would need to trust to your mag-boots and ceramite shells for protection in the event of a crash.

Though none of the mortals, save perhaps Aude, looks like much of a fighter, they have all changed into more practical gear than their shipboard wear, and have armed themselves against a worst-case scenario. Meek Olivia's transformation may be the most dramatic: while she lacks the power armour of her more militant Sisters, she has traded out her robes for carapace, and a boxy bolt pistol, nearly as large as yours and proudly emblazoned with the Sororitas fleur, is cradled on her lap.

Though the Aquila has an armaplas observation dome at the front of its passenger compartment, just behind the pilots, and the cockpit is transparent as well, there's little you can see through them from your vantage. Only the debris field is clearly visible, blurring by overhead. A much better indicator of the progress of your flight is the holoprojector in Inquisitor Jiang's hands, which casts a luminous wireframe globe into the center of the compartment, with the positions of the Aquila, the Gallant Blade, and the target coordinates clearly marked. Scrolling numbers annotate the speeds and distances involved, and estimating travel time is trivial for you given that information.

As you watch, the Blade moves into position above the target, only about 40 minutes ahead of your own projected arrival. Shortly thereafter, a notification rune strobes from the hololith, and, with Jiang's confirmation, the image shifts to a still pict-capture of the enemy's encampment. Detail is blurred by distance, and the foreground is cluttered with debris, but you can get a decent idea of the layout of the base.

The enemy is camped at the lip of one of the enormous basins left by the Tyranids' vast digestion pools. Dry basins like this one dot the entire planet, but one small feature does seem to distinguish this one from its kin. A large chunk of debris, unfortunately, blocks most of it from view, but you can make out just the edge of a black smear running along the inside wall of this basin. Such a smudge would seem almost beneath notice if it weren't for the fact that nowhere else on the planet's surface have you seen any break in the monotony of its dead grey soil. Nowhere else have you seen any sign that anything other than dust could have escaped the Devourer's maw.

It seems likely that, whatever that black streak might be, it is what caught the enemy's attention.

The enemy encampment itself curves around the southwest edge of the basin, placed on the level ground closest to the suspicious black smear. It looks to be a cluster of prefabricated hab domes, such as might be found on any Imperial colony world. One dome, much larger than the others, sits at the northwest edge of the camp, while three of the smaller domes are grouped together toward the southeast. Curving walls of sandbags have been piled up just beyond the domes, providing cover against an attack from the west or south. On the other side of the camp, just before the land drops away into the basin, sits a black dais or pedestal of some sort, which is shaped like a crescent moon. Near it sits a six-wheeled motor lorry. There looks to be a steep road descending from where the lorry is parked down into the basin. There are no sandbags on the basin side of the camp, nor do you see signs of any vehicles other than the lorry.

I think neither my description nor this map really perfectly conveys the scene that's in my head, but this might help you get an idea of what I'm trying to say:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c78/Chris-Ascended/Zanatovs%20Harbour%20Campsite%20Altered_zpsexkvj3l t.jpg

All the specks and irregular black objects are the debris cluttering the foreground of the image, not anything on the surface of the planet. A is the large hab-dome, B1 through B3 are the smaller hab-domes. C is the black dais. The unlabeled shakily-drawn curves toward the bottom and left of the image are the walls of sandbags, while the curve nearer the top of the map is meant to represent the lip of the basin, past which the land drops away. The dark grey box, outlined in black and partly obscured by the big piece of debris, is meant to represent the black smear along the wall of the basin (and was labeled as point D before I dropped a piece of debris over that label). The lorry is unlabeled, but I hope my bad drawing of a truck is at least recognizable as a bad drawing of a truck. The road down into the basin is not depicted, but I think you can get the gist of where it ought to be.

Rolling Tactics is a perfectly appropriate response to seeing this.

[Haval]

Aldwin has squeezed himself into the back of the transport. His mag boots are engaged to keep him stable, and his vox is set to private so as not to transmit the various litanies that he has been muttering to himself since they left the Blade. Mostly he is watching what he can see of the debris field and marvelling at the scale of the battle that created it.

As the scan comes through he will stop his meditation and peer at the image with interest. The smudge on the edge of the Tyranid basin obviously stood out. 'Are they excavating something?

They did not yet have adequate intellegence on the enemies numbers or the function of each of the hab domes but they could perhaps set some priorities. Aldwin will think out loud over the vox, as if delivering a tactical assessment to his squad sergeant. 'There are no apparent static defences other than the domes themselves and there are no visible air or voidcraft. I would regard the lorry as at least a tertiary target, if only to disable it and prevent us having to chase it down if they use it to flee.' Then, he will look for the other's opinions. Brothers, what is our approach? Do we stay together to try and maximise our impact, or do we split up to cover more ground? Do we advance up the middle so as to turn as needed or do we aim for one or the other flanks and roll up their defences?'

[Koris]

With his helmet held firmly under his left arm, Karael stands with his eyes locked on the exit ramp. His memories flooding of similar situations with his chapter. It takes him a moment to remind himself of the difference between the Deathwatch and any other Astartes chapter. He didn't like that they had so little information on their enemy. Had this been ann Ork outpost they could at least expect poor aim and heavy weapons. With Tau it would be heavy and deadly but incredibly weak once you get close enough.

But with traitors you could never know. And if they were potentialy excavating any Xenos weaponry to use in their defense, it would only make things much harder to predict. Finishing his introspection, he speaks openly into the hold of the Aquila. ''Brothers, although we may have spent centuries fighting side by side with our brothers back in our respective chapters, I think it is time we embraced the way of the Deathwatch. We are few, and the enemy is without a doubt plenty. Thus we should split up and do what we do best. I'll disable any heavy weapons on the fortifications from up close with my jump pack until you get the opportunity to bypass their defenses. What say you brothers?''

[Haval]

Aldwin thought that Karael's plan sounded headstrong, but it wasn't tactically unsound. 'If you are willing then the risk is yours to take. I will close to support you as soon as I am able.'

[Toxic Mind]

"I serve best at range, but together we will draw their attention. No one can long ignore the firepower of two Astartes Devastators leveled against them. There are two types of stealth - the type where your opponent does not know of your existence, and the other, where you blind your foe with radiant light, keeping his gaze from the true threat. We, brother, will be your light."

[Koris]

Karael raps his plastron twice in quick succession as his mind and body prepares for the fight. ''Glory to Terra and the Golden Throne, Brothers! Glory to Sanguinius!''

He draws his hand flamer and makes sure that his bolt pistol is switched to metal storm ammunition. A tiny pilot light ignites before the muzzle of his flamer the lenses of his helmet reflecting with a dangerous crimson. His chainsword is ready to be drawn in less than a seconds notice as he uses the hand to hold onto some railing inside the hold of the ship, as he expects a bumpy ride ahead. As Karael doesn't expect any proper atmosphere on the planet, he has decided to still wear his helmet for the moment, reminding himself to tear it off once they enter the facility.

[qechua]

Fully armoured and helmeted, Rafen felt much more at home as the lighter plumeted through the atmosphere, his physiology already producing various cocktails of drugs and hormones in preparation for what was to come.

"I will go where I am most needed, however a single Bolter is unlikely to add much to the distraction party, and if the enemy does notice our split tactics, I would imagine I can add more to the fight there. It may also afford me a chance to gather any samples I can in relative quiet."

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden hums to himself, looking out at the almost pitiful encampment briefly before turning back to Vahn. "I'm tempted to join Karael and Rafen. But if you're going to be drawing the enemy's fire, someone more used to close range combat should be covering you and the Joyless, in case the smugglers have the numbers to swarm your position." It could be Jaden or Aldwin, really. The White Scar doesn't offer any further words, just bowing his head and awaiting Vahn's call.

[Haval]

Aldwin has no preference where he fights, only that he should be effective. 'Fight as you prefer Brother, I would hate to hold back a White Scar without need. I will support the Devastators.'

I have a missile launcher and a chainsword, so I'm flexible.

[Toxic Mind]

"If I am with Brother Aldwin, the strike team will need a capable leader. As my second, that task falls to you, Stormseer. If any foes manage to reach us on foot, we have sorely failed in our task."

[Ascension]

You reach an actionable consensus on strategy just in time, as the pilot warns that the Aquila is on final approach to the enemy encampment. As the Devastators and Aldwin are meant to draw the enemy's attention, the Aquila flies on into visual range, cruising in just barely beyond the reach of heavy weapons. It lands with its nose facing the camp, so that the enemy might not note that it's not disgorging its full complement of passengers, and then the rear ramp drops into the gritty grey soil of Zanatov's Harbour. Air rushes out from the lander's passenger compartment with an eerie whistle, stirring small clouds of dust from the planet's surface. A thin remnant of atmosphere has clung to the scoured world, but its pressure is far lower than that of the air inside a sealed spacecraft.

Aldwin, Ogedei, and Vahn:

Disembarking, you find yourself facing the sandbagged breastworks of the enemy camp, with only an open plain, dotted with the random shallow depressions of impact craters, filling the intervening space. This close, you can see detail the Gallant Blade was unable to pick out from orbit... most notably that the camp is decorated with a symbol you recognize from your hypno-indoctrined study of the threats of the Jericho Reach: the cruel cog-and-Chaos-star emblem of the fallen Forge World of Samech. The defenders who even now are taking their places on the breastworks' firing line have the look of old-model Mechanicus Skitarii, gone only a little ragged from the Traitor's inattentiveness to proper maintenance rituals. They carry hellguns linked to backpack power generators, and their heads, beneath black hoods, gleam with the silver of cranial augmentation.

Beyond the line of skitarii loom larger forms. From their size, the way they look to be clad in crude butchers' smocks and executioners' hoods, and their armament of ripper guns and oversized chainswords, you would guess them to be Ogryns, but they have shown sufficient restraint to simply wait in reserve for the moment.

The rangefinders in your helms calculate that you're just over 300 meters out from the breastworks: extreme range for the fallen skitarii's hellguns, and enough to try even your own formidable accuracy. The Aquila takes back to the skies, off to make a more subtle delivery of the other half of your team, leaving you standing, for the moment, alone against what might accurately be termed a horde of heretics.

Let's roll some Initiative. Also, see the OOC thread for a couple notes on combat.

Skitarii: [roll0]
Ogryns: [roll1]

Rafen, Karael, and Jaden
I intended to include your next bit in this update as well, but I'm afraid I've run out of time to do so at this moment. I'll likely get something up for you guys in about six hours, give or take a bit. Thank you for your continued patience!

[Haval]

As he reaches the planet's surface, Aldwin draws his bolter from his side with the ease of decades of practice. Whatever their purpose, it was an unexpected joy to see the minions of the Archenemy here. No enemy deserved putting down more. Switching to more suitable ammunition, Aldwin will scan the enemies lines for priority targets and will fire off a few rounds to get their attention.


Free Action: Ready Bolter
Full Action: Semi Auto with Bolter w/ Kraken Rounds against the Skitarri
Free Action: Awareness
Reaction: Dodge the first attack to connect

Kraken Rounds are +50% to range (150m in a bolter), Pen 8

vs. BS 46 (-10 long range), (+10 Bolter Mastery), (+10 Semi Auto), (Horde size ?)
[roll0]

Damage if any: 1d10+9 X, Pen 8 (roll 1 extra d10 and discard the lowest for tearing)
1st hit
[roll1]
2nd hit
[roll2]
3rd hit
[roll3]

See ooc post as I forgot the rollv tags. Also Bolt Mastery is +2 to any damage caused.

Dodge vs. Ag 41
[roll4]

Awareness test to notice any skitarri with heavier weapons than hellguns
vs. Per 37 (+20 for Heightened Senses and Auto Senses)
[roll5]


WS 47
BS 46
S 42
T 42
Ag 41
Int 41
Per 37
Wp 54
Fel 36

Solo Mode

Wounds: 20
Fate: 2
Initiative: 7

Armour causes Fear (1)

Ammo:
Bolter
Regular: 28
Kraken: 25
Hellfire: 28

Missile Launcher
Frag: 4
Krak: 4

Bolt Pistol: 14

[Ascension]

Rafen, Karael, and Jaden:

With care, the Aquila eases out of the enemy encampment's airspace, soaring off over the planet's horizon. As soon as the camp is out of sight, the path of its flight shifts, arcing around behind the camp and behind the great basin which was once a Tyranid digestion pool. Then, with a suddenness which causes the mortal passengers of the lander a visible degree of discomfort, the Aquila dashes in, low and slow, diving for the center of the basin. It shudders to a halt at the bottom, landing skids slipping over acid-smoothed stone, scoured clean of even the gritty dust found at the other landing site.

Again the ramp drops as soon as you have landed. While your strike will need to be delayed until after the Devastators have begun their diversionary attack, the Aquila's circuitous flight has already eaten up a fair amount of time, and your trek up and out of the basin will take still more, particularly for those of you not blessed with a jump pack.

As you disembark, you are given a much better view of the black scar marring the side of the basin, stretching up the curving slope in front of you. This close, a slight sheen indicates that the black surface is metallic. Furthermore, you can see the ragged mouth of an open tunnel yawning from the center of the black metal scar. That tunnel mouth is the final destination of the switchback road which descends from the enemy's camp.

"Wait!"

Aude's voice, only slightly muffled by her respirator mask, cuts in urgently over the vox before you have a chance to get far from the Aquila.

"Look around the tunnel. There's no signs of any significant amount of overburden having been removed from it. No heaps of spoil down here or up in the camp, at least none large enough, or comprised of that dark metal. The enemy didn't dig that tunnel. Couldn't have. Even a large-scale melta borer would have left more signs, and that service road they built is too small for them to have gotten one down there from that camp anyway. Whatever made it, that tunnel was already here."

Message delivered, she coughs softly, and without even seeing her squirm you can hear her nerves returning.

"Erm, pardon the interruption, sers, I just thought you might want to know that... if you didn't know it already."

The twin necessities of travel time and needing to wait for the diversionary attack to actually divert the enemy's attention mean that you won't be able to enter the action immediately, but if you'd like to spend a couple combat rounds' worth of time speculating, talking with each other, talking to the acolytes, or even taking a closer look at the black tunnel, you may feel free to do so.

[Ascension]

Fallen Skitarii:

The deadly spray of Kraken rounds from Aldwin's bolter punches straight through the skitarii's sandbagged breastworks and cuts through their armour with equal ease. The explosive shells detonate moments later, reducing a handful of the tech-guards to bloody scrap. As doggedly obedient in their fallen state as their forebears were in loyal service to the forges of Mars, the rest hold unflinchingly to their stations.

[Koris]

Karael (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16m1ov_Qhi4-B3JJu7WZqc1k0qtHje7ApqpVfIt28iNw/edit?usp=sharing)

Wounds: 21/21 Fate: 3/3 Mode: Solo Initiative: 11
Current Weapons in hand: Hand Flamer(left)


Karael listens intently at any feed coming from the vox during the second transit. His right hand stabilizing his position in the hold of the Aquila to such an extent that he might as well be welded in place. He looks towards the exit with anticipation, a smile forming on his lips as he craft makes it's dive. This was his favorite moment in any landing. The high G-forces being pulled right before the ramp opened and the battle was truly joined, was always what got his adrenaline pumping in just the right way to make his concentration peak.

At the landing, Karael quickly jumps out out and secures the landing zone with a quick scan of the area before signaling clear to the rest with his free hand. He then begins to run towards the battle that is raging in front of them. He halts at the interruption from Aude long enough to listen to her observation before he turns to the assigned second in command. ''Be it a tunnel made by a Trygon or other Tyranid monstrosity, we have no time to investigate curios like these while our brothers await us. Let us return to this topic once the enemy on the perimeter has been defeated.''

Karael then awaits the response of his brothers while he eagerly awaits the moment they can come close enough to flank the enemy.

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden grits his teeth. He wants to agree with Karael, reunify with their brothers and join the fight as soon as possible. That's how a true Space Marine wages war. And yet a voice in the back of his mind is chiding him for the notion, laughing with that crackled raspy timber he'd known so many years now. After a moment spent paused in reflection, Jaden shakes his head. "It's worth our time if there's a possibility we're going to be flanked from belowground. I'll deal with it: you two go on ahead and I'll catch you up. Don't underestimate a White Scar's speed."

The sight of Naimon laying in the cargo bay flashes through Jaden's mind, almost causing the psyker to shudder. He's not going to let one more trap slip by his sight if it can be helped. He turns towards the seeming cave and starts walking towards it, clicking his vox back in as he goes. "My thanks, Aude. This is a Tyrannid digestive channel, correct? So their acids unearthed the previously existing xenogen structure, and our smuggling friends took advantage of that." He's talking like this is polite dinner conversation, rather than a matter of life and death. The Stormseer treads slowly as her draws near to the tunnel's mouth. He takes one of the Krak grenades fastened to his armour's side, though he doesn't pull the pin just yet. Instead Jaden simply holds the hefty sphere in hand as he gazes into the depths of the tunnel, still murmuring over the vox. "The metal looks strong still. I'd assume a frag or krak grenade won't do much to the exterior if the Hive Fleet's bile couldn't take off its sheen?"

[roll0] Awareness 69
[roll1] Psyniscience 49. Both for Staying Alert.

[roll2] FL: Xenos 52 on... well, whatever Jaden sees in there

[roll3] Concealment 55

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn touches down, quickly takes note of the situation, and levels his Heavy Bolter against the Horde of fallen Mechanicus servants. He also scanned for cover, which might come in useful against the larger Ogryn weapons, and the massed fire of the Skittari.

Free Action: Ready Heavy Bolter
Full Action: Full Auto w/ Heavy Bolter into Horde
Free Action: Awareness
Reaction: Dodge the first attack to connect

Kraken Rounds are Pen 8, Range Does not matter because I have Marksman and they are in Long Range

[roll0] vs. BS 108 (BS 58), (+20 Full Auto), (Horde size +30)


Damage: 1d10+12 X, Pen 8 (roll 1 extra d10 and discard the lowest for tearing)
1st hit
[roll1][roll2]
2nd hit
[roll3][roll4]
3rd hit
[roll5][roll6]
4th hit
[roll7][roll8]
5th hit
[roll9][roll10]
6th hit
[roll11][roll12]

Dodge vs. Ag 57
[roll13]
Solo Mode

Wounds: 19/19
Fate: 3/4
Initiative: 13

Ammo:
Heavy Bolter
Regular: 60
Kraken: 54

Mk 9 Sniper Rifle
Needle Rounds: 15

Grenades
Frag: 3
Krak: 3
Cryo: 1

Bolt Pistol: 14

[Koris]

Wounds: 21/21 Fate: 3/3 Mode: Solo Initiative: 11
Current Weapons in hand: Hand Flamer(left)


Karael simply nods to Jaden and looks to Rafen, speaking through the vox to both. ''Keeps the Acolytes somewhat safe at least. I hear the battle still, let us move in all haste brother.'' He then turns and begins running in the direction of the fight, eventually he leaps forward and his jump pack carries him upwards as he soars up to get a good view of the area before he charges downward.

Although he would argue with Jaden had he been a chapter brother, this was the Deathwatch. And here the procedures were quite different. At least this way the Acolytes would be assured to stay safe, as otherwise they would have to fend for themselves during this heated battle.

[Ascension]

Vahn

The higher-caliber kraken rounds from Vahn's heavy bolter show an even greater contempt for the traitors' attempts at fortification than did Aldwin's own hail of shells, scything unimpeded through the mass of skitarii, bringing another handful of the cyborg soldiers to a swift, grisly end.

The Horde's Magnitude is down to 23 now. I'll answer your cover question in the OOC.

Jaden

As you draw closer to the tunnel mouth, you can see that the powerful Tyranid digestive juices did have an effect on the black xenogen metal. The exposed stretch of the buried structure is eroded like a wind-scoured canyon, reshaped to match the curve of the acid-eaten basin, and the tunnel mouth itself has a half-melted look. This was not a constructed door, but a hole chewed open by the Great Devourer's blind hunger.

"Solid metal of that thickness? I'd wager you'd need melta weapons to stand a prayer of collapsing the entrance," Aude's voice crackles in over the vox. If you looked back, you could see her standing in the observation bubble of the Aquila, holding a pair of magnoculars to her eyes, straining to make out all the detail she can.

Staring into the shadows of the black metal tunnel, with the aid of the filters and targeters in your helm, you can see that the acid-scarred erosion of the black metal continues for about ten meters past the entrance, but no further than that. There is an arch of alien design at that point in the tunnel, marked with traceries that seem more like circuitry than hieroglyphics, and past that arch the tunnel shifts abruptly from a soft-edged cave to a clearly deliberate structure. You've never seen this exact type of xenos architecture before, but the regular niches set into the walls seem familiar. They remind you of the votive niches you've seen set into heretical temples to house idols crafted in the image of foreign gods. These niches, however, stand empty. Any statues which may have once stood within have seemingly been plundered and removed.

There's no sign of movement within the tunnel, as far as you can see, nor do you sense any psychic emanations from within.

[qechua]

Running after Karael as fast as possible, Rafen found himself once more missing his wings, contemplating the possibility of arriving at the engagement too late. From the sounds of things, his fellow operatives were being less a distraction and more a full engagement force. Feeling a rising tide of rage slowly building within, he voxed back

"Indeed, brother, I fear the devastators will claim all the glory if we dawdle. Brother Jaden, if you require reinforcement, our arrival time will be several minutes."

Somewhere in the run, his bolter had found it's way into his hand, ready to do the work of the Emperor and Sanguinius.

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden takes a second in the mouth of the tunnel to study first the seeming natural cave and then the strange alien ruins beyond it. Even with the Deathwatch's training on such matters, he couldn't place the specific Xenos culture, though the lack of damage makes it almost beyond doubt that he'd found the smugglers' source of xenotech. The Stormseer is silent for a moment before he remembers Aude, straining from the Aquilla's pod to see the interior. Tapping his vox, Jaden starts filling her in over point to point vox. "There's some acid damage inside, but just around the breach. There's some form of archway: perhaps a shield. Beyond that is what looks like a still intact temple complex. No immediate signs of wear or decay"

Impressive. Or it would be if it was imperial made. Since it's xenogen however, it was probably some sort of trick. Jaden hums to himself; there's no sign of activity but still best to leave a little surprise for any unwelcome returnees. Twisting the grenade's firing pin just enough to leave it loose, Jaden gently places it down in the entryway. It was hardly a mine, it's in plain sight and could be simply walked over without difficulty but a clumsy foe might still set it off, and a more cautious one would take the time to check for a tripwire. Either option would buy the attack time to finish off the defense force.

Rising to his feet and feeling somewhat proud of himself, Jaden's gaze lingers on the naves that ran beyond the arch. The xeno gods were missing. Not too surprising considering the Cold Traders' presence, but that wasn't quite what'd been in the briefing. Humming, the Stormseer switches his vox to address the one man who might answer his concerns. "Jiang, your report mentioned the trade being in weapons. Did the smugglers sell any xenos art in Ultramar? Say, idols or statues or anything like that? With engravings that resembled circuitry?"

Before the Inquisitor can reply however, Rafen chimes in, and Jaden's focus shifts back to something far more important. Showing his skill in front of his new Brothers. Laughing, he responds, "You are not finishing this fight without me, Sanguinite. For the Khan!" and wheels around, charging along the smugglers' path towards the camp with his force sword raised high, the blue blade crackling with lightning. The evils lurking below will keep for the moment, this is a time for honour and glory.

And a little vengeance.

[Ascension]

With stoic determination, Ogedei brings his own heavy bolter to bear against the fallen skitarii, adding his own firepower to that of his battle-brothers.

Ballistic Skill 46, -10 for Long Range, +20 for Full-Auto, +30 for Horde Size, TN 86
[roll0]

Damage rolls are pointless here since, with his Mighty Shot, he can't roll too low to damage these guys.

[Ascension]

Ogedei's withering fire blows further bloody holes through the skitarii line, reducing the squad to nearly half its starting numbers. Still, they hold their positions, whether through sheer heretical faith or through lobotomized obedience, you cannot say.

And then something happens. They pause, they stiffen for a moment, as if a paralyzing current has run through them, and when the fit passes, they move as one. With nearly the precision of automata, they clamber over the barricade of sandbags and begin to walk toward the deadly trio of Astartes arrayed against them, their steps slow and sure. At the end of their synchronized advance, they raise their hellguns, sighting carefully down the barrel, and fire a single salvo, like a line of musketmen plucked out of some distant era. They fire at Vahn, the first to bring the deadly power of a heavy bolter to bear against them.

Single attack, single shot.

BS [35], Long Range [-10], TN [25]

[roll0]

Per errata, the mass of fire from regular Horde attacks is such that you can't generally Dodge them.

Damage (with Horde bonus): [roll1], Pen 4
As the line of hellgun-armed skitarii makes its suicidal advance, marching into death purely to get a better shot, a second squad, numbering only about as many as the survivors of the first, runs out of the large hab-dome at the northeast edge of the camp and takes up position at the abandoned firing line. These troops are dressed the same as the first, and show the same telltale signs of skitarii augmentation, but the weapons they carry were crafted by no human hands.

It seems you've found the xenos weapons Inquisitor Jiang described. They are long, rifle-like, with a barrel-heavy look. For the most part they have a dark, lustrous, gunmetal sheen, but their barrels are nonmetallic, seemingly crystalline... a dark green crystal which seems, to Brother Vahn, hauntingly familiar. Like the hellguns carried by the first wave of skitarii, these xenos weapons are fed by a back-carried power supply, but their power packs have an unnatural and unsettling look about them. They look, for all the world, like human ribcages, yet cast in the same dark metal as the guns themselves.

These skitarii of the second wave, those with the xenos weapons, are screened by the advancing line of their comrades as well as by the sandbagged wall. Perhaps the wall of flesh will serve them better.

This is a Magnitude 20 Horde, which let's say is Enormous [+20] in size, as is the much-reduced Magnitude 18 remnant of the first Horde. Mechanically I'll say that the Hellgun Horde being in front of the Gauss Flayer Horde means that you can't shoot the Flayer Horde directly, but if you score additional hits against the Hellgun Horde with Semi-Auto or Full-Auto fire, those additional hits can be assigned to the Flayer Horde, representing you literally shooting a gap through the first squad in order to get at the squad behind it.

Alternatively, of course, you could assign the additional hits to the Hellgun squad if you'd rather just try to wipe them out first.
Incongruously, the Ogryns withdraw a little ways into the camp as the skitarii advance, positioning themselves in the cover of a couple of the smaller hab-domes. Such caution seems conspicuous from such legendarily dim-witted brutes.

Karael, Rafen, and Jaden:
All right, I don't want to keep you guys waiting any longer. It somewhat strains the logical timeline, but let's say that you reach the camp, from the basin side, about now. Roll yourselves into Initiative. The four Ogryns, having pulled back behind the smaller hab domes, are the targets nearest to you. Let's say the closest two are about 15 meters away from where you guys climb up out of the basin, behind hab dome B2, and the farther two are about 25 meters away, behind hab dome B3.

If you'd rather try to attack the Gauss Flayer-armed Skitarii from behind, they're further away... let's say about 40 meters, so Karael could potentially reach him with the speed boost from his Solo Mode ability if he wanted to melee them, but he'd have to pass a piloting test to do it.

I'm not going to give you guys a full-on surprise round here, since your enemies know full well that they're in combat, you just happen to be coming at them from an unexpected angle, but I will give you a +10 to any attack tests you make before they act again on Initiative count 6.

[Koris]

Wounds: 21/21 Fate: 2/3 Mode: Solo Initiative: 11
Current Weapons in hand: Hand Flamer (Left) Chainsword (Right)


From a birds eye view, Karael decides that he would rather not risk going up against those Xenos weapons from up close while a whole squad of hellguns would get a much closer target looming above the fallen Skitarii. Bravery and stupidity could often go hand in hand, but he would not dishonor his chapter by falling on his first mission against the enemy. Let them face judgement against his brothers bolters. Realigning himself, he guns the thrust on his jump pack to reach peak acceleration in the direction of the suspicious Ogryn. The range of their weapons and the nature of the foe made it strange that they would back away from the combat without any ulterior motive. An added benefit was the fact that Ripper guns were never made to chew through heavy armor like a hellgun was.

With a snarl on his lips he shouts ''By the Blood of Sanguinius!'' as he swiftly descends with his chainsword tightly in his grip as he lets his instincts take over. Although Ogryn were quite capable in close combat, it was only right that they would taste his anger in it's most righteous form as a son of Sanguinius. Once he reaches one of the Ogryn in the middle, he swings his sword in a tight arc towards the spine of the of the Ogryn as he attempts to use his momentum and angle of attack to proceed a few steps further away This would mean the enemy has to come to him, or make use of their terrible aim against him.

Using Wings of Angels to get [roll0] more damage and to justify the distance a bit more. Pilot personal: [roll1]TN:51
Activating Blood frenzy solo mode ability for Blood Angels. Will last just this round but can be used once per combat. This makes my Righteous Fury trigger on 9s as well.

Brutal Charge to close up with his Jump pack coupled together with one chainsword attack. Chainsword WS [roll2]TN: 105 (65 standard WS in addition to: Brutal charge +20. Attacking from above, aka Higher ground +10. +10 for the semi surprise)
Damage: [roll3] +15 Pen 3 Tearing (Blood Frenzy reroll damage dice if any don't trigger the RF [roll4] Final calculation =23 Pen 3.
In case of Righteous Fury on a dice roll of 9: [roll5] TN: 105 Extra damage: [roll6]

Assassin strike as a free action after the attack to move 5m away from the attacked Ogryn and a bit further away from the rest. Acrobatics: [roll7] TN:51 Ag

Prepare to parry any Ogryn that charges. WS: [roll8] TN: 75 (Balanced +10)

(I might make mistakes here due to the cluster**** of actions going on. Not sure about the high ground for example, but that's up to you.)

Wow, terrible. I think I'm now in melee with the Ogryn.

[Haval]

At this distance Aldwin is happy to pick off the Skitarri one by one if neccessary, but as the second group emerges he will switch weapons in a bid to break their line as quickly as possible.


Free Action - Reclip Bolter to side
Half Action - Ready Missile Launcher
Half Action - Fire Frag Missile towards the first group of Skitarri

vs. BS 46 (+20 Horde size)
[roll0]

See ooc for attempted reroll

Damage if any (2d10x, Pen 4, Blast (5), Devastating (1))
[roll1]


WS 47
BS 46
S 42
T 42
Ag 41
Int 41
Per 37
Wp 54
Fel 36

Solo Mode

Wounds: 20
Fate: 1
Initiative: 7

Armour causes Fear (1)

Ammo:
Bolter
Regular: 28
Kraken: 25
Hellfire: 28

Missile Launcher
Frag: 3
Krak: 4

Bolt Pistol: 14

[qechua]

Initiative: 8
Wounds: 19/19
Fate: 4/5

Seeing his Brother in arms engage the closer targets, Rafen slowed to a steady advance, pounding bolter rounds towards the Ogryn brutes further away to draw their attention, all the while readying himself to charge the abhumans

Action: Semi-Auto burst (sacrificing hit bonus to advance 5m directly towards the Ogryn behind B3) into one of the Orgyn behind B3
Hit: [roll0] vs 53 (43 base + 10 Short Range)
Damage 1:[roll1][roll2] (TN 53)
Damage 2:[roll3][roll4] (TN 33)
Damage 3:[roll5][roll6] (TN 13)

Dodge incoming fire from Ogryns [roll7] vs 49 (49 base)
25/28 Bolter ammo remaining
The sudden deceleration put the shots wide, something he would need to work on in the training ranges once the opportunity presented. Rafen still felt confident, however, that his burst had had the intended effect, getting the Ogryn to look to him rather than their fellow slabs of meat and muscle already engaged.

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden is not far behind his brothers, mind fully turned to battle. Seeing one already in melee with some bulky abhumans, the psyker grins to himself, stepping up the pace across the acrid ground. This is what he's used to: charging straight into the thick of a good fight. Before the brutish guardians knew the White Scar was there, he lunges forward at one of the Ogryn, blade crackling with blue lightning. After the strike, Jaden rolls past the duo, positioning himself against Karael's back to make sure the brutes couldn't try anything fancy. Chuckling, the psyker quips to the blooded Son of Sanguinius, "Is that Ogryn on your face, Brother, or are you just happy for the help?"

Full Action:
[roll0] Charge the closer Ogryn group with Force Sword. TN 77
[roll1] Opposed Focus Power test, target 72

[roll2] Base damage, Pen 5
[roll3] Bonus Damage. If the Ogryn loses to Jaden (This is competitive, not pass-fail) it takes 1d10 damage for every degree it fails. I'm not sure how Ogryns are with willpower, so rolled ten dice, we can read from right to left for bonus damage. Ignores toughness and armour.

[Toxic Mind]

Vahn grits his teeth beneath his helmet. At least they knew they were in the right place. This was not what he had wanted though. Skitarii and Ogryn... neither one would be of much use for interrogation. "Focus fire on the xenos-weapon armed foes. We should annihilate them before they can bring their weapons to bear." he says calmly over the vox.

Free Action: Ready Heavy Bolter
Full Action: Full Auto w/ Heavy Bolter into Horde
Reaction: Dodge the first attack to connect

Kraken Rounds are Pen 8, Range Does not matter because I have Marksman and they are in Long Range
[9] (OOC) vs. BS 98 (BS 58), (+20 Full Auto), (Horde size +20)


Damage: 1d10+12 X, Pen 8 (roll 1 extra d10 and discard the lowest for tearing)
1st hit
[roll0][roll1]
2nd hit
[roll2][roll3]
3rd hit
[roll4][roll5]
4th hit
[roll6][S][roll7]
5th hit
[roll8][S][roll9]
6th hit
[roll10][roll11]

Dodge vs. Ag 57
[roll12]
Solo Mode

Wounds: 19/19
Fate: 3/4
Initiative: 13

Ammo:
Heavy Bolter
Regular: 60
Kraken: 48

Mk 9 Sniper Rifle
Needle Rounds: 15

Grenades
Frag: 3
Krak: 3
Cryo: 1

Bolt Pistol: 14

[Ascension]

Once again, the skitarii's losses are horrific. While some shots from this volley go wild, Brother Vahn's lethal accuracy makes up for any shortcomings, reaping a toll not only from the hellgun-armed squad, but from those with the xenos weapons as well. But still... still the robed heretics' lines hold, with inhuman disregard for the deaths of their comrades and the overwhelming strength of their foes.

The hellgun-armed skitarii now halt their advance, out on the open plain, and adjust a tiny knob on the side of their weapons. When they open fire again, it's a blaze of fully-automatic fire, saturating the air between their line and Brother Aldwin. As soon as they've finished firing, they drop gracelessly to the ground, landing on their faces, as heedless of discomfort as they seem to be of their comrades' deaths.

Full auto, vs. Aldwin, non-dodgeable (Horde)
BS 35, Long Range -10, Full Auto +20, TN 45
[roll0]

Additional hits, if any, will be applied to first Vahn, then Ogedei.

Damage rolls:
[roll1], Pen 4
[roll2], Pen 4
[roll3], Pen 4
[roll4], Pen 4

The hellgun horde is now Prone, meaning that BS tests against them are at -10, but that the gauss horde is now open to direct attack.
The skitarii bearing xenos weapons now bring their strange guns to bear. Probing tendrils of lurid green energy stretch out across the plain, though they seem to attenuate with distance, draining down to thin traceries of their initial strength by the time they attempt to latch onto Brother Vahn's armour.

Semi-auto, vs. Vahn, non-dodgeable (Horde)
BS 40, Extreme Range [-30], Semi-Auto [+10], TN 20

Damage roll:
[roll5], Pen 5

Righteous Fury confirmation, if any [Gauss Weapon trait], TN 20
[roll6]

RF damage (just in case): [roll7]
Karael scores a horrific gash down the bare right arm of the Ogryn he's facing, and the hooded creature grunts with pain but holds firm. Dropping his ripper gun, the Ogryn takes his chainsword in a two-handed grip and then strikes with horrific force.

All-Out Attack!
WS 50, +20 All-Out Attack, TN 70
[roll8]

Damage (with second roll for Tearing):
[roll9], Pen 3 or [roll10], Pen 3

This Ogryn cannot parry this turn.
Jaden bloods the leg of the Ogryn in front of him, but the abhuman endures the pain in silence. His chainsword sweeps in with shocking speed, darting in for two quick swipes, the roaring chainblade wielded almost like a fencer's blade.
Swift Attack!
WS 50, first attack
[roll11]

Damage (with second roll for Tearing)
[roll12], Pen 3 or [roll13], Pen 3

WS 50, second attack
[roll14]

Damage (with second roll for Tearing)
[roll15], Pen 3 or [roll16], Pen 3

Ogryn's Parry attempt, WS 50:
[roll17]
The remaining two Ogryns turn toward Rafen as his wild bolt fire streaks past them and scores the side of the hab-dome.

"Apothecary," one mutters under his breath, and the other nods. With a low growl, they both charge.

First Charge:

WS 50, Charge +10, TN 60:
[roll18]

Damage (with second roll for Tearing)
[roll19], Pen 3 or [roll20], Pen 3

Second Charge:

WS 50, Charge +10, Ganging Up +10, TN 70:
[roll21]

Damage (with second roll for Tearing)
[roll22], Pen 3 or [roll23], Pen 3

Parry, first Ogryn, WS 50:
[roll24]

Parry, second Ogryn, WS 50:
[roll25]
As soon as all three of the strike team are engaged in melee, a door at the back of one of the smaller hab-domes (B2, the one nearest Karael and Jaden) slides open, and a tech-priest, heavily swathed in black robes, strides out from within. He is a mountain of a machine-man, bulked to the size of a Space Marine by his augmetics, though you can see almost none of his modifications, lost as they are in the encompassing folds of his robes. Only a waving servo-arm confirms him as one of the Omnissiah's wayward sons.

The bulky priest strides with speed and purpose toward the black dais, his long legs eating up the distance. Beside him sprints a strange construct, like an ancient, cracked suit of armour crafted from obsidian stone. The obsidian armour's helm is missing, but no human face is revealed... no face at all is revealed. A white-gold flame burns from within the armour, flaring in place of its occupant's head and glowing out of every crack and joint in the armour's body. Karael and Jaden can feel the heat of that flame even through their environmentally sealed armour as the the thing runs after its heretek master.

The tech-priest and his golem mount the dais.

Anyone who wishes to can make a Forbidden Lore (Xenos) test to try to identify the obsidian-armoured golem.

[Inspector Valin]

"Hey, why's he in such a hurry?"

Jaden's eyes dart to the fleeing figure of the techpriest as he and the mysterious golem shuffle past the ongoing melee. The Ogryn chooses that moment to lunge at the psyker, but a swift backstep puts pay to that assault. Jaden flexes back into a defensive stance, letting energy flow back into his blade while chuckling, "Truly. What kind of leader doesn't stand with his troops, right Karael?" As if on cue, the crack of thunder rings from Jaden's blade, and the White Scar lunges at his foe with a cry of joy. He may not have his brother's skill at arms, but Jaden enjoys a good fight none the less.

Wounds: 20 Fate: 3 Mode: Solo Initiative: 13

Going for an aim, and then an attack with Jaden's Force Sword.

[roll0] Attack 67
[roll1] Damage, Pen 5

[roll2] If Successful, Focus Power test (Opposed) TN72
[roll3] Damage, ignoring armour and toughness

[roll4] Forbidden Lore; Xenos 52 on the golem.

[Toxic Mind]

Now that - that looked like a man, if the term was still applicable, who had information of use. The golem was worrisome, however. Vahn wracked his mind for what it could be, still firing with furious precision at the horde. He said a silent thanks to the Emperor for the cowardice of the hellgun wielders, exposing their more formidable comrades. "Take him alive, if we can." Vahn says, with the same iron discipline in his voice as ever.

Full Action: Full Auto w/ Heavy Bolter into Horde
Reaction: Dodge the first attack to connect

Kraken Rounds are Pen 8, Range Does not matter because I have Marksman and they are in Long Range
[roll0] vs. BS 88 (BS 58), (+20 Full Auto), (Horde size +10)


Damage: 1d10+12 X, Pen 8 (roll 1 extra d10 and discard the lowest for tearing)
1st hit
[roll1][roll2]
2nd hit
[roll3][roll4]
3rd hit
[roll5][roll6]
4th hit
[roll7][roll8]
5th hit
[roll9][roll10]
6th hit
[roll11][roll12]

Dodge vs. Ag 57
[roll13]

Forbidden Lore (Xenos)
[roll14] vs 37
Solo Mode

Wounds: 19/19
Fate: 3/4
Initiative: 13

Ammo:
Heavy Bolter
Regular: 60
Kraken: 48

Mk 9 Sniper Rifle
Needle Rounds: 15

Grenades
Frag: 3
Krak: 3
Cryo: 1

Bolt Pistol: 14

[Koris]

Wounds: 16/21 Fate: 2/3 Mode: Solo Initiative: 11
Current Weapons in hand: Hand Flamer (Left) Chainsword (Right)


Karael snarls as the Ogryn retaliates with all it's might as the Chainsword bites into his right arm and scores a deep gouge into his vambrace, almost hitting the vial of blood that hangs by a chain on the arm. He must admit to never having fought an Ogryn before, and had even fought beside one or two in the past few decades. Something was wrong about these ones, as they were even able to identify the Sanguinary Priest for his function, and decided to target brother Rafen.

His rage is now such that he swings with renewed fervor towards this subhuman filth. With two mighty swipes of his Chainsword he hopes to finish the big bastard off before aiding his brothers. He also takes his time to speak to his fellow battle brother in between swings and parries. ''Something is off brother, whatever that heretic is doing must be bad for us. Go! I will deal with these heretics.''

Forbidden Lore (Xenos): [roll0] TN: 40
Burn the heretic. Kill the mutant. Purge the unclean.

Swift attack to get two attacks with his Chainsword. Not worth it to use Assassin strike right now.

Attack 1: [roll1] TN: 75 (Hulking +10) Damage with Tearing: [roll2] / [roll3] Pen:3
Attack 2: [roll4] TN: 75 (Hulking +10) Damage with Tearing: [roll5] / [roll6] Pen:3
Parry against any Melee attack: [roll7] TN: 75 (Balanced +10)
Counter attack if successful at parrying [roll8] TN: 55 (Hulking +10, Counter attack penalty -20) Damage with Tearing: [roll9] / [roll10] Pen:3

[Haval]

Having clipped the edge of the horde with his first missile, Aldwin is angry with himself. Perhaps his bionic eye needed recalibrating, but in any case this was no time for failure. Calming himself he will line up a second shot towards the Skitarri. Compared with his bolter the Deathwatch launcher was unfamiliar to him, but it's destructive potential was unmatched.

For the moment Aldwin is trying to ignore everything except the targets in front of him, but the golem makes an impression anyway. 'That thing needs to die.'


Wounds: 20
Fate: 1
Initiative: 7

Half Action - Aim
Half Action - Shoot Frag missile at the Gauss horde
Reaction - Dodge the first attack to connect if possible

vs. BS 46 (+10 Aim) (+10 Horde Size)
[roll0]

See ooc for damage

Dodge
vs. Ag 41
[roll1]


WS 47
BS 46
S 42
T 42
Ag 41
Int 41
Per 37
Wp 54
Fel 36

Solo Mode

Wounds: 20
Fate: 1
Initiative: 7

Armour causes Fear (1)

Ammo:
Bolter
Regular: 28
Kraken: 25
Hellfire: 28

Missile Launcher
Frag: 2
Krak: 4

Bolt Pistol: 14

[Ascension]

As the golem passes by Karael, he recalls its type from an interminable briefing on exotic threats peculiar to the Jericho Reach given by Watch-Captain Horsa shortly after his arrival at Watch-Fortress Erioch. It is a Slinnar War Machine, a bizarre sort of weapon left behind by an unknown xenos race. Somewhat similar in purpose to a Dreadnought or an Eldar Wraith-construct, the furnace at its heart is kindled by the light of a soul freely sacrificed. Heretics and radicals throughout the course of the Deathwatch's holy vigil over the Jericho Reach have occasionally grown desperate or power-mad enough to give themselves over a Slinnar War Machine, so that they might wield the armour's fearsome plasma weaponry, but there is no going back once you've given yourself as the spark for the War Machine's soul fires. It will burn you as fuel until there is nothing left, and then lie dormant until another being dares to claim its power. Karael has seen old reports documenting the War Machine's capabilities, including its ability to render itself immune to psychic powers, but this is the first time he's actually seen one in action.

Karael's recognition of the Slinnar War Machine comes and goes in but a momentary flash of awareness. He has more immediate things to worry about, like the chainsword-wielding Ogryn he's presently dueling. Turning his attention to the task, he slips his sword in under the Ogryn's open guard and takes off both the abhuman's legs, sending his body crashing to the ground. With the arteries of both his legs opened wide and unstanchable, the Ogryn bleeds out in moments, growling his pain.

Slight artistic license on the description, but both hits did critical damage, the first to the right leg and the second to the left, and the second was lethal, so it felt right to give you both legs.
Meanwhile, Vahn and Aldwin all but destroy the squad of skitarii wielding xenos weapons. As the dust settles from the detonation of Aldwin's missile, it becomes clear that a couple of dazed, bloodied survivors are all that is left of their number.

With the xenos-armed squad effectively destroyed, Ogedei sprays the hellgun squad where they lie in the dust, seeking to ensure they will not rise again.

BS 46, Long Range [-10], Target Prone [-10], Full-Auto [+20], Target Size [+20], TN 66
[roll0]

[Koris]

With his initial target bleeding on the ground and cursing him with his dying breath, Karael turns to face the Ogryn who are attacking his fellow Blood Angel battle brother. He releases the trigger on his chainsword as he voxes to Jaden and the rest of the squad. ''Brothers, that unholy construct is a Slinnar War Machine. Brother Stormseer, avoid it at all cost. We need to disable that Heretek who is giving it orders and then obliterate it from afar with our heavy weapons.''

[qechua]

Initiative: 8
Wounds: 19/19
Fate: 4/5

The Orgyn charged in, but Rafen was too quick, darting below the initial strikes while stowing his bolter and grabbing his own chainsword, it's heft feeling far more comfortable in his hand than that of the ranged weapon. Taking his time to appraise his foe, Rafen moved in for the kill, preferring his mind clear while dealing with the foe and saving his rage for later.

Free Action: Ready Chainsword
Half-Action: Half Aim
Half Action: Standard Attack (the All Out Attack one, not the other one)

Hit: [roll0] vs 73 (53 base + 10 Aim + 10 Hulking)
Damage:[roll1][roll2][roll3] (because Flesh Render :smallbiggrin:)

Parry the remaining Ogryns [roll4] vs 53 (53 base)
25/28 Bolter ammo remaining

Awareness against the Ogryns [roll5] vs 72 (52 base + 20 routine)

Also, my armour is giving Fear (1) against those in Melee, don't know if it's needed/already done, but as a reminder if it needs doing.

[Ascension]

It is well that Rafen has not yet given himself over to the adrenaline of battle, has not yet let himself be caught up in the the fury which is the darkest gift of Sanguinius's blood. If he had been taken by it, he might not have noticed the signs.

The resemblance is uncanny, from a distance, but this close, viewed with a clear head and an Apothecary's eye, the disguise breaks down. The "Ogryns" Rafen faces are barely taller than he is, and, though well-muscled, are a bit too lean to play this part. As Rafen's chainsword chews flesh from the leg of one of the "Ogryns," the blood which stains its teeth is an all-too-familiar shade of bright, hyper-oxygenated red.

Having seen those signs, it's possible to focus in on the details which confirm the diagnosis, like the small, but unmistakable, dimples of Black Carapace interface ports at the exposed wrists and elbows of the "Ogryns"...

With dawning clarity, Rafen realizes that he and his brothers are fighting disguised Space Marines.

Unfortunately, their kinship with the Astartes of the Deathwatch does not stay their hands. Their own chainswords lash out, and now Rafen knows why they are wielded with greater-than-abhuman cunning.

The 'Ogryn' who All-Out Attacked was the one fighting Karael, who he just killed, but I went ahead and applied your attack to the one facing Rafen who failed his Parry roll. It's the least I could do considering that I put you in the difficult situation of being outnumbered.

And speaking of being outnumbered...

These are both half-aim + single attack, aided by the Ganging-Up bonus. WS 50, +10 Aim, +10 Gang-Up, TN 70.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage (with tearing roll): [roll1] or [roll2], Pen 3

Attack: [roll3]
Damage (with tearing roll): [roll4] or [roll5], Pen 3

Parries, WS 50:
1: [roll6]
2: [roll7]
Jaden, caught up in the joy of single combat and as yet none the wiser as to the nature of his opponent, clashes again with the "Ogryn's" dancing blade. He parries his foe's first attack with laughable ease, but the second?

I know this looks an awful lot like me double-attacking you just because I know you passed your parry against a single attack, but I will remind you that I swift-attacked Jaden last turn, too! :smalltongue:

The parry's not expended until one actually hits, though, so if either attack here is a miss, you're in the clear.

Attack 1:
[roll8]
No damage roll since this one won't hit even if it hits.

Attack 2:
[roll9]
Possible damage (with tearing roll): [roll10] or [roll11], Pen 3
Meanwhile, atop the black dais, the heretek takes up station behind a scrap-metal pulpit, seemingly a hodgepodge assembly of xenos and human tech. His servo-arm swings down and forward, slotting its data probes into the pedestal. Immediately, whatever mental dominion has been keeping the skitarii standing in the face of impossible odds is broken, and the tattered remnants of both squads break and flee in random directions, expecting greater mercy from a dead, sterile world than from the Astartes of the Deathwatch.

As the heretek focuses himself on the mechanisms of the dais, it begins to stir, trembling. The dust surrounding the edges of the crescent-shaped dais is kicked up into random whorls and eddies and then, disconcertingly, those dust devils freeze in place, every particle trapped mid-flight, and then, in unison, each speck of dust surrounding the dais begins to rise in a smooth, perfectly vertical motion. The dais itself rises with them, exposing the weird, verdant glow of the xenos repulsor units built into its underside, bearing it aloft.

You have no way of knowing this IC, but this is a damaged-but-partially-functional Catacomb Command Barge. Its integral weapon and quantum shielding are inoperable, but it's fit enough to serve as a mobile chariot for the heretek. As it is an open-topped vehicle, targeting its occupants directly requires a called shot to avoid hitting the bulk of the barge instead.
As its master stirs the dais to life, the Slinnar War Machine leans over the side of the xenos craft, sighting at the Deathwatch marine who, through his success, is marked out as the only nearby opponent not locked in melee combat with an "Ogryn." Fortunately, Karael has the presence of mind to twist out of the way of the War Machine's searing plasma blast.

Though it was rolled as a parry, I'll let your very good defense roll count as a successful Dodge here, Koris.

[qechua]

First attack did 21 Pen 3, against the 56 (Body). Arm 10 (7) reduces this to 14, then Unnatural Toughness reduces this by a further 6 (my poor T 39), so I take 8
Second attack is 17 Pen 3, to the 11 (Right Arm). Arm 8 (5) reduces it to 12, then Toughness down to 6.

In total, I take 14 wounds, ouch!
Initiative: 8
Wounds: 5/19
Fate: 3/5

The realization hit Rafen like a Baneblade shell crashing into a building, allowing his opponents to quickly exploit openings in the Sanguinary Priest's defenses. Taking a solid hit to the chest, then the arm, Rafen too starts spilling blood to the floor, only the new knowledge of his Cousins before him stopping him drifting into a whirlwind of carnage. Quickly setting his vox to transmit to his brothers, Rafen forewarns his associates

"Karael, Jaden, the foe is Astartes, they are the Templars of Blood, the mission before us."

There was no time to explain further, he had to reach his Blood relatives, cycliing his suit to amplify his voice so the two immediate 'foes' could hear him.

"You are of the Templars of Blood, the discovers of the events here? We have the same mission as you, we need not be foes, do you understand me? I mean you no harm, I did not know your identity."

Rafen kept himself ready, in case the Marines were lost, but he hoped amongst all that they still possessed their faculties.

Free Action: Charm [roll0] vs 43
Fate reroll if necessary: [roll1] vs 43
Full Action: Defensive Stance

Parry 1: [roll2] vs 53
Parry 2 (from Defensive Stance): [roll3] vs 53

Whelp, this is going to hurt...

[Koris]

Wounds: 16/21 Fate: 2/3 Mode: Solo Initiative: 11
Current Weapons in hand: Hand Flamer (Left) Chainsword (Right)


Karael is not pleased about the way the assault as a whole had gone. Although he had enacted vengance on the Ogryn at his feet, the fact that the enemy was attempting to escape atop a Heretek or perhaps even Xenos craft was not something he had considered. The repulsor craft didn't look like it could travel on too high altitudes or great speeds, but if the Heretek still considered it a better option to escape upon it rather than bunker down and play on their superior numbers it must mean that the bastard has another play that hasn't been unveiled yet.

With Rafens shout, he frowns. It didn't change the fact that they had gone renegade, and it would have to wait for now.

Considering his options, Karael was quite sure that Rafen wouldn't be beaten by these mutated astartes any more than normal mutants, and Jaden too if he got serious. He could help Jaden and hope that the Psyker had his own ace he could call upon the enemy craft, he could also engage the Heretek in melee and disable his ability to properly control the vessel. Or... he could defy fate and defuse the situation in a single strike.

Enabling his vox grill and amplifying his voice as much as possible to make his voice heard throughout the ambient sounds of destruction, he yells. ''None escapes the Deathwatch without a parting gift, Heretic!''

He then prays for the machine spirit within his helmet that his telemetry is correct as he does an overhand throw with a primed concussion grenade against the heretic.

And they smote the enemies of the Emperor with a righteous fury, for they knew they were doing His work.

I'm assuming I still need to call shot even with a grenade.
Free: Drop hand flamer
Half action: Aim +10
Half action: Call shot throw concussive grenade

Attack: [roll0] TN:32 (Aim +10. Helmet -5. Called shot -20. SB gives a throw range of 36m, assuming short range if the guy was able to run to the dais in such a short time from running past me +10)
In case of failure, use one fate to reroll the Attack: [roll1] TN:32
Damage: [roll2] Pen: 3, Concussive, Blast (3)
RF: Attack: [roll3] Damage [roll4]
Potential scatter: [roll5] [roll6]
Dodge against the next plasma blast: [roll7] TN 51

[Toxic Mind]

Calmly, Vahn drops to one knee, placing the Heavy Bolter on the ground and drawing the massive rifle from his back in one smooth motion. He aims down the sight given to him by his Chapter Master, focusing on the head of the Fallen Tech-priest. He breathes out, then fires.

Free Action: Drop Heavy Bolter
Half Action: Ready Mk 9
Half Action: Called Shot - Head Tech-priest
Reaction: Dodge the first attack to connect

[roll0] vs. BS 58 (BS 58) (10 for Single Shot Sight) (10 Short Range [assuming he is short for a 250m weapon]) (-20 Called Shot)
Fate if Needed: [roll1]

Damage: 1d10+4 R, Pen 7
1st hit
[roll2]

Dodge vs. Ag 57
[roll3]
Solo Mode

Wounds: 19/19
Fate: 2/4
Initiative: 13

Ammo:
Heavy Bolter
Regular: 60
Kraken: 42

Mk 9 Sniper Rifle
Needle Rounds: 14

Grenades
Frag: 3
Krak: 3
Cryo: 1

Bolt Pistol: 14

[Haval]

Aldwin is gratified when the Skitarri finally broke. He would have liked to pick off a few more as they run just to be make certain of the kill. Perhaps the wastes of the planet would finish them off for him, but it was better to never leave soldiers of Archenemy alive if it could be helped. But he had no time. The xenos craft used by the Skitarri's master was unfamiliar to him and might have unknown offensive capabilities that would put them all in danger.

Aldwin was about to follow Vahn's lead in targeting the craft and it's pilot, but the fluctuating vital signs of Rafen catch his eye. With the two Ogyrns ganging up on him, he seemed hard pressed and may be in danger of taking serious wounds even if Jaden or Karael could come to his aid. Discarding the missile launcher, he will redraw the bolter he had recieved from the Deathwatch. The gun was a fine piece of work, and this shot would require precision.


Wounds: 20
Fate: 0
Initiative: 7

Free Action - Drop Missile Launcher
Free Action - Ready Bolter
Half Action - Aim
Half Action - Single Shot with a Kraken round (150m range) against one of the 'Ogyrns' in melee with Rafen
Reaction - Dodge

vs. BS 46 (-10 Long Range) (-20 firing into melee) (+10 Hulking) (+10 Aim) (+10 Fate point) (+10 Bolter Mastery) (+10 Red Dot Sight)
TN:66


Damage if any (1d10+9x, Pen 8)
[roll]1d10+9x

Dodge
vs. Ag 41
[roll1]


WS 47
BS 46
S 42
T 42
Ag 41
Int 41
Per 37
Wp 54
Fel 36

Solo Mode

Wounds: 20
Fate: 1
Initiative: 7

Armour causes Fear (1)

Ammo:
Bolter
Regular: 28
Kraken: 24
Hellfire: 28

Missile Launcher
Frag: 2
Krak: 4

Bolt Pistol: 14




Will say that Aldwin doesn't know any better

[Inspector Valin]

"I don't think the Templars would be wearing Ogryn gear, or fighting loyal Astartes if they had a choice in the matter, Brothers."

Jaden's smile is gone as the fight continues. The idea that these are the Templars of Blood... fits well, but goes beyond disturbing. What could've left proud Astartes acting like this? They didn't seem like willing traitors. Could they be rescued from their fate? Not if you stab them, you idiot. Two marines lie on the ground already, dead without ever returning to their right minds. That's almost to bring fear to Jaden's heart. The young Psyker tries to think it through, even as the dias rises up into the air. It was probably that warp-spawned bastard's fault. Some form of heretekal brainwashing or the like. Could his death free the Templars?

But...

Grimacing, Jaden wheels and sprints away from the fight, heedless of the massive foe with a blade to his back. His mind is on the Immaterium, from which the Stormseer is pulling more power than was wise in the heat of battle. Great arcs of azure-blue lightning leap towards the hulking Heretek, as Jaden calls out across the battlefield "Fall, in the Emperor's Name!"

"Through the destruction of our enemies do we earn our salvation"

Half Action: Move away five meters, towards the dias. The Ogryn gets a free attack on Jaden, that I can't parry. Which I'm blaming that jerk Karael for. :smalltongue:
Half Action: Pushed Smite, targetting the Heretek, and the Dias/War Machine by extension.
[roll0] 57 + 30 Psi Rating, + 10 Short Range - 10 called shot = TN 87
[roll1] damage, Pen 6

Since that's a push, Psychic Phenomena time!
[roll2] 75 or over is Perils, anything less I can chose to sub with Spectral Gale
[roll3] Strength 85 to not get thrown over if it's Spectral Gale.

[roll4] Dodge 55/Parry 52.

[Ascension]

Karael's lucky toss hits its mark perfectly, and the concussion grenade detonates with such a thunderclap that Vahn, Aldwin, and Ogedei can hear it through their audio baffles, and those closer to it can feel a tremor rattle through their very armour. The Slinnar War Machine is blown off its feet, collapsing to the deck of the dais like the empty armour it looks to be, and the Heretek himself slumps over his lectern, stunned by the blast. The dais lists slightly to one side, thrown off-kilter by the blast and its pilot's debilitation.

The heretek and his perverse minion have had no chance to recover from the concussive blast when Jaden proves true to his title and calls forth the wrath of the storm. Fierce, scouring lightning arcs from the Stormseer's hand, bridging the distance to the heretek's head. The scourging electricity flows down through the heretic's body, overflowing baffles and sending his limbs into a twitching, spasmodic dance. From the heretic's feet it arcs down into the dais itself, wracking the xenos craft with the judgment of the Emperor's own hate, splitting new cracks across its ancient, acid-pitted surface. Only the Slinnar War Machine is unaffected, the Warp lightning flowing harmlessly around its prone body, crackling off its surface like mundane electricity off a Faraday cage.

The heat of the lightning is such that it burns away the heretek's cowl, revealing that beneath the exposed cybernetics and tangled cabling of his trade, he wears the crimson helm of a Space Marine.

With a twisted vox-howl of pain and scrambled code, the fallen Tech-Marine throws back his head and bellows defiance. Crimson gauntlets emerge from his robes, grasping both sides of his scrapmetal pulpit to help stabilise his still-trembling body.

"ABORT," he snarls, and the suspensors beneath the black dais abruptly whine to full power, pitching the dais back over the lip of the basin at speed. Its suspensor field allows it to ignore the road, dropping away as quickly as does the land beneath it.

With his jump pack, Karael might be able to make a leap onto the fleeing skimmer, but it would take all his skill to hit that mark.

So I'm spending a fate point for the tech-marine to shake off the stun so that I can give this potential recurring villain a chance to recur. You've still got a chance at stopping him, though. He's dropped below the rim of the basin, so Vahn's not got a shot, but Karael's jump pack could let him reach the target.

The tech-marine has used the Floor It! action. He didn't gain any extra movement from it, but he still had 50m of movement available, and ranged attacks against the dais or its occupants are at a -20. I'm going to say that for Karael to hit the dais and hit it accurately, I'd need two pilot tests: One Challenging test for the Wings of Angels Solo Mode Ability, to gain the necessary distance, and one test at -20, suffering the same penalty Floor It! applies to ranged attacks, to make sure he lands on the dais's deck.

If he decides to jump, and passes both those Pilot checks, he could then make the melee portion of a Charge attack against the tech-marine with no further penalties.

If actions further down the post don't mess up his armour too badly, Rafen is still close enough to the rim of the basin that he could try moving to the edge and shooting at the fleeing dais, but shooting at the tech-marine would face the -20 penalty from Floor It! and the -20 from Called Shot, making it a very difficult shot.
One of the "Ogryns" facing Rafen, the one he has yet to wound, is suddenly caught in the flank by an astonishing shot from Brother Aldwin. The bolter shell cracks straight through the Marine's fused ribcage and blows great gobbets of meat and entrails out of him as its explosion knocks him to the ground. Through the miracles of Astartes physiology, there is actually a passing chance that the wounded man might survive that grievous blow, but he is in critical condition, pawing at his guts to keep them from spilling further, and won't be doing anything of any consequence any time soon.

The other disguised Marine has an opportunity to answer Rafen's plea for peace, even as he stands covered in his comrade's gore.

"You let yourselves be led by the blind, brothers," he says resignedly, the glare of his goggles fixed on Rafen's silver pauldron. "By those who would gouge out every eye that sees. As long as you bear the mark of the Inquisition, you couldn't possibly understand our mission here."

When the heretical tech-marine bellows to abort the mission, the disguised marine facing Rafen reaches beneath his butcher's smock and pulls out the thin cylinder of a xenos grenade. He depresses the detonator, counts two breaths, and lets it fall at his own feet.

"May you be bound by your ignorance."

A burst of static overwhelms Rafen's vision as energy pulses from the haywire grenade, but the last thing he sees before it blows is the disguised Marine turning to run...

It's entirely possible I'm overlooking them, but I've not seen rules for intentionally detonating a grenade with yourself in the blast radius, and I believe that's something that should be doable. As a kludge rule, I'd allow for a Parry to knock the grenade away before it blows, but Rafen failed his parries for this round...

Haywire Field roll (see Table 5-4 in Core): [roll0]

After that goes off, the "Ogryn," who is not wearing power armour, will half-move away from Rafen. If the haywire field effect is not too strong, Rafen may be able to get a free attack against him for leaving melee.
The only other "Ogryn" still standing is the one who was dueling Jaden, who gets in a final swipe as the Stormseer twists away...

WS 50:
[roll1]

Damage (with tearing): [roll2] or [roll3], Pen 3
When the abort order is given, he produces his own haywire grenade and chucks it at Jaden before hoofing it toward the edge of the basin.

The grenade, its capricious xenos machine-spirit refusing to serve any human hand, is a dud.

This is just an ordinary grenade attack, followed by a half-move.

BS 50, Short Range +10, TN 60
[roll4]

Possible scatter: Direction: [roll5], Range: [roll6]

Haywire Grenades have a 3m radius, so if it drifts further than that it's out of range of Jaden.

Haywire effect roll: [roll7]

[Inspector Valin]

Jaden blinks in shock as the cowl burns away, revealing the traitor Tech Marine's red helm. That.... bleakly confirmed the worst scenario. The Templars of Blood were no mere mindless drones: they had become the Cold Traders Jiang was hunting. Their brothers had turned traitor. The White Scar permits himself a thin smile at the heretek's cries of pain. He almost peruses the fleeing traitors, but a detonation from his flank catches the Stormseer's attention first.

Rafan

The priest's vitals are dangerously low, and the feed is flickering. Growling, Jaden sprints across the field to join his battle brother, blade still in hand. At least the Sanguinite still seems to be amongst the living. There's a grin behind Jaden's helm as he steps to Rafan's side. "Glad you're still with us, Brother."

Going to take a Run to reunify with Rafan on the off chance something further happens. Unlikely but just in case.

[qechua]

Initiative: 8
Wounds: 5/19
Fate: 3/5

Shaking off the worst of the Xenos grenade, Rafen paid quick thanks to his armour and the Emperor for giving him an opportunity to earn redemption and finish the heretic Astartes. Taking one last swing, Rafen found himself fighting his armour more than normal, although he was certainly not entombed in it.

Free Strike: [roll0] vs 43 (53 base - 10 haywire)
Damage: [roll1][roll2][roll3] (REALLY?!)
Between the grenade effect and blood loss, Rafen's strike was sluggish, and only managed to cut the air behind the fleeing warrior. Out of immediate danger, he went down to one knee, allowing his physiology to begin staunching the worst of it. Brother Jaden's arrival and concern was welcome, but somewhat unnecessary, and Rafen replied, his normal calm demeanour audibly ruffled by the experience

"I've survived worse, now, get after them or secure the front, both still need our attention."

Still kneeling, Rafen stowed his Chainsword, grabbed his Bolter and once more, recovering his bearings by searching for immediate targets.

[Haval]

Shocked at the sight of who the Heretek really was, Aldwin is going to set off at a dead run towards the rim of the basin where he last saw the xenos craft.


Wounds: 20
Fate: 0
Initiative: 7

Full Action -Run
Reaction - Dodge if it's still needed

Moves 30 metres a round when the power armour bonus is included (-20 to shoot him, +20 to melee him)

Dodge vs. Ag 41
[roll0]


WS 47
BS 46
S 42
T 42
Ag 41
Int 41
Per 37
Wp 54
Fel 36

Solo Mode

Wounds: 20
Fate: 0
Initiative: 7

Armour causes Fear (1)

Ammo:
Bolter
Regular: 28
Kraken: 24
Hellfire: 28

Missile Launcher
Frag: 2
Krak: 4

Bolt Pistol: 14

[Koris]

Karael shouts roars in anger at the sight of a fleeing Astartes that should have been their ally. They had come to save them, only to find renegades and traitors. This would not stand, and Karael leaps quickly into the air to follow the quick escape craft with the entire power of his jump pack flaring behind him and scorching the ground. He charges forward in the hopes that he can catch up and decapitate this disgusting traitor and eliminate a future threat.

In war and abandonment, be thou my shield and my steed
Be thou retribution, and I shall be Your hand in the darkness
Light from the shadows, death from the dying, vengeance from the lost
And from the void shall rise only the pure

I realize that I have a very low chance of success. But as we are out of danger with the others, it only makes sense to go for broke against the Tech-Marine. Witness me!

Pilot (Personal): [roll0] TN: 51
Pilot (Personal): [roll1] TN: 31 (-20)

Charge: [roll2] TN 95 (Brutal charge +20, High ground +10(?))
Damage: [roll3] / [roll4] + [roll5] Pen 3

Yeah, nope

As Karael tries to catch up, his helmet is lit up with a rune that warns of overheating and an imminent engine failure. Not liking his odds, Karael aborts in mid flight and lets himself fall down to the ground, staring in hate at the escaping Tech-Marine and his heretical creation.
''This is not the end. Your chapter will hear of this, and you will be hunted down. Turn around, and you may at least die standing you coward'' he says on an all frequency channel on his vox, in the hopes that the traitor would pick it up.

[Toxic Mind]

The ship disappears, and as his sight picture goes with it, Vahn immediately switches to the other two fleeing targets, his armor well outside the haywire range.

Half Action: Aim
Half Action: Standard Attack: Wounded "Ogryn"
Reaction: Dodge the first attack to connect

[roll0] vs. BS 88 (BS 58) (10 for Single Shot Sight) (20 Aim (Accurate))

Damage: 1d10+4 R, Pen 7
1st hit
[roll1]
Accurate Bonus
[roll2][roll3]

Dodge vs. Ag 57
[roll4]
Solo Mode

Wounds: 19/19
Fate: 2/4
Initiative: 13

Ammo:
Heavy Bolter
Regular: 60
Kraken: 42

Mk 9 Sniper Rifle
Needle Rounds: 13

Grenades
Frag: 3
Krak: 3
Cryo: 1

Bolt Pistol: 14

[Ascension]

Both of the fleeing "Ogryns" are struck by fire from the Devastators. One feels the prick of a deadly needle from Vahn's rifle slicing through a gap in his armour, loading his bloodstream with toxins capable of ravaging even Astartes physiology. The other is battered by explosive shells from Ogedei's heavy bolter, driving shrapnel through armour and skin alike.

The one struck by the sniper's needle turns to look back at his opponents, clawing at his head to rip off the ragged hood of his disguise, taking with it his goggles, even tearing away his respirator where it juts like an Ogryn's jaw. He faces you as a man. He faces you as a brother. He faces you as a Space Marine.

"What I have done," he spits, driving the last good air from his lungs, "I have done for the Emperor."

With that he takes another grenade out from under his butcher's smock, this one a standard-issue Astartes krak grenade. He stuffs it into his mouth and pulls the pin. He has just enough time to cross his hands over his chest in the sign of the Aquila before it explodes.

The other disguised Marine, driven to one knee by the force of the bolter shells which struck him, does not indulge in any final words or ideological posturing. He simply presses a grenade against his throat, right against the progenoid gland which should be found there, and follows his comrade's example.

They were both a little short of critical damage, but wounded badly enough it seemed unlikely they would escape, and I don't believe they would wish to be captured. The one shot by Aldwin earlier actually is still alive, however, in critical condition, and Rafen's intervention would most likely stabilize him so that you'll have a hostage to try to get answers out of.
The black dais pauses for a moment at the end of its frantic dive, just as it comes level with the entrance to the buried xenos structure, and that momentary pause is pause enough for the sharp-eyed pilot of the Gallant Blade's Aquila, seeing a xenos craft fleeing from the Cold Traders' camp, to riddle it with autocannon fire. Human-crafted shells tear through xenos metal, jarring the passengers aboard the dais terribly and leaving the dais itself leaking strangely-colored smoke.

For a moment the dais lists again as if uncontrolled, then the tech-marine at its helm rouses himself with a visible shudder and regains control. Facing the tunnel leading beneath the planet's surface, he spurs the dais to sudden speed again, its repulsors screaming with the strain. He's pushing it to its very limits...

He's attempting another Floor It! action. This will take him down into the xenos structure, where it would be very difficult to target him any further, but since he's trying to fly at very high speed through a tight, enclosed space, I'm increasing the difficulty of the roll. He'll still crash only if it fails by five or more degrees, but at the increased difficulty that'll be an 86+

Drive, TN 36
[roll0]

If he doesn't crash I'd like to transition out of combat and give you a chance to investigate the camp, the xenos structure, or both, but you could put priority on trying to pursue him if you like.

[Toxic Mind]

"Check for wounded. Execute any non-Astartes. If one of our wayward brothers lives, I want him kept that way." Vahn shoulders his rifle and retrieves the Heavy Bolter. Though his face is covered by his helmet, their is a look of disgust on his face. Those fallen to Chaos would never dare intone the name of the Emperor, not when they had nothing to gain from it. Did these renegades truly believe they were serving the Emperor? Vahn needed answers.

[Koris]

Karael feels bile rise in his throat at the treachery that has taken place her today. That noble Adeptus Astartes from Sanguinius bloodline would fall so far away from the values of the Imperium made him sick to his core. To kill chaos space marines was one thing, but to kill those that had once been loyal was something he hated more than anything. The corrupting influence of chaos was known to him, but he wonders what sort of power was promised to these marines for them to turn from the Emperors light.

He sheathes his chainsword and watches the place the xeno aircraft disappeared into, sending the coordinates to his brothers and the Inquisitor through his helmets advanced machine spirit. ''The Traitor has escaped underground. No idea where it all leads but we lack the necessary vehicles to make effective pursuit. We should warn the Gallant Blade of possible escape craft in the near future while we investigate the area further''

Karael then turns around and engages his jump pack as he soars away towards his initial charge. Landing beside his brothers and looking over his handiwork with the legless Ogryn lookalike. He kneels to pick up his hand flamer and to check the pulse on the fallen Astartes. It wasn't unheard of for Astartes to survive catasthrophic bleeding and organ failure in his many years with his chapter. Brother-Sergeant Araton had once survived an encounter with a Carnifex while loosing both arms and his secondary heart, even going so far as to keep himself awake to shout orders to his squad instead of going into hibernation to maintain his vitals. The same could be done here, although judging by the suicidal tendency of these traitors, it was unlikely that the fallen warrior would try to prolong his life.

''Brother Rafen, a word.'' He speaks through his vox-grill, awaiting the Sanguinary priests attention. ''This one has nearly expired, yet his progenoids remain. Do you think the corruption has spread into their bodies enough for us to simply cleanse them in promethium, or shall we return the glands so that the Biologis can examine their purity?''

[Haval]

Aldwin's brief sense of triumph at making that shot has given way to a growing anger at these renegades for causing this situation. Even though he had acted in ignorance, he had very likely slain one of the brothers they had came here to save. If they were truely heretics, and the evidence seemed overwelming, then they deserved their fate but Aldwin needed to be sure of that first.

Beyond his digust at what the renegades had done Aldwin felt an unwelcome sense of understanding. Which was a feeling that made him feel even angrier with himself. Did they believe that they were still servants of the Emperor? He remembered what he had seen of the Tyranids up close and had a horrible feeling that he knew exactly what might have driven them to this.

Aldwin will move towards one of the two who had blown themselves up to check for lifesigns. Perhaps the geneseed could be salvaged at least, but he was unsure if their chapter would be willing to take it.

As he does so he will attempt to update their ship. 'Gallant Blade, what is your status? We have engaged enemy forces associated with Samech, but are yet unsure if they have their own ships. Be ready.' Aldwin sees little point in telling outsiders of precisely who they had been fighting.

Using the vox caster to phone the ship