Brother Magnus, I respectfully ask that you allow me and another Brother to essay the destruction of the Reactor Core alone; while you summon the Thunderhawks and attempt to clear the vessel.
If it is as the acolyte says, it should be no great matter to destroy the core, and then escape via the Tau Pods: especially if the enemy believes that we're breaking off the engagement.
If the woman lies, then the Imperator can blast this foul vessel from the firmament, while you continue to the planet's surface to seize the traitoress Korrah Fei. .
Nikeides stays silent but shows he's ready to do whatever the team leader will decide.
Aetheros regards Vrusk, "If the vessel detects unauthorized escape pods descending toward the surface of the planet, they will likely just destroy them. It would be best to remain together."
Turning his helmet to the female, "And you, sister, should stay with us as long as possible."
"I will take point if needed. I recommend I remain behind the assault specialists, though."
Adalricus checks his loadouts and the missile launcher poking over his shoulder.
"I stand ready to proceex."
As everyone appears ready, Camael gives the battle sign for move out
The acolyte could not help but chuckle, seemingly totally unbothered by the slaughter of the other collaborators as it occurred. "If you would be so kind, I will meet you at the engine room, mylords. I don't think I could weather the full-argon atmosphere and radiation levels in the plasma conduit nearly as well as your power armors should. In fact, I doubt they would be very conductive to my health."
With some more motions on the console, she affected a dimming of the lights in the control room, and several runes appearing on displays. "This code taint will keep them off your trail for at least two hours."
on internal vox channel "We should not let the human out of our sight"
"If she is in league with the Tau, she dies with this ship. If she is with the Inquisition, she likely dies with this ship. Let us not worry overmuch about a single human in our mission. Our target presents itself and we must seize our opportunity, Brothers!" - via vox.
Aetheros regards her for a moment.
"If our path takes us through parts of the ship that she cannot survive, it would be dishonorable to force her to accompany us. I am with Adalricus, let us proceed to our objective - her true self will be revealed in time."
"Let's go then. That ship is only the first half of our mission."
"Agreed, we make for the reactor, if duplicity reveals itself she will find herself with to escape from this ships death throws."
Draws chain sword, and calls up route in helmet display. Recites binary litany as he stalks down the corridors of the Xenos vessel.
{ooc]Sorry for the somewhat delayed response. Major thunderstorm disrupted internet connectivity yesterday[/ooc]
Without further discussion, the kill team began to follow the route the acolyte had laid out for them. It was easy going for the first part, but when they entered the maintenance sections, the subdued decor and meticulous cleanliness gave way to functionality. While not as harsh as an imperial vessel, here a duct became a duct and a bulkhead a bulkhead.
The plasma conduit was more akin to a small tube, forcing the emperor's chosen to lean over, and made any progress slow and painful. Sensors began to show an atmosphere unsuitable for human life - 80% argon, 20% neon at extremely low pressures. Residual energy readings were high, but not threatening.
"Maintain fire discipline, Brothers. This would be an opportune moment for the xenos to spring an ambush."
Still not happy with their inquisitorial companion Elyas presses on in silence, wowing to himself to keep a watchful eye on the woman. He acknowledges brother Adalricus expertise with a nod. He keeps his bolt pistol drawn and the chainsword secured in the other hand.
Allowing brothers Elyas and Aldricus to take the lead, Magnus waits for the rest of the squad to enter the tunnel before acting as rearguard. His enhanced vision and Auspex scanning for signs of pursuit or danger
"I'll take the rearguard with our Team Leader."
Check of sensors and comm-links within atmosphere of tunnel:
.
Apparently if there are any detrimental effects they go unnoticed by me.
Vrusk monitored the situation as the kill-team processed down the low corridor, ever watchful for changes - but sadly, he recognized the problem too late. Magnus' power armor had, like many of his brothers', taken some puncturing shots. The cement used in field repairs usually was good enough for preventing further damage, but the ionized gas somehow found a way to seep inside, and cause havoc in the sanctified control systems. The servos were seizing up, and unless something was done, and soon, there was a chance for total failure.
The kill-team could breach a bulkhead about 20 yards ahead, but they had only covered half of their projected route to the core. They could attempt a field-repair inside the plasma conduit - or they might soldier on, and hope for the emperor's blessing
Camael pauses for a moment reaching out with his mind to try to determine if there was anyone nearby.
Psyniscence test
On internal vox [b] we should get out of this conduit, I have a bad feeling about this.
"Received, brother. Preparing krak breacher now."
Adalricus pulls a pair of krak grenades, intending on setting them against the bulkhead at chest and knee level.
"Make an opening. We cannot let our mission fail like this, it would be a disgrace to our chapters."
Seeing Adalricus' intent the Dark Angel moves clear of the intended blast zone and presses himself against the wall preparing for the explosion. Once more into the breach we walk, O Emperor guild your sons," he thinks. Establishing eye contact with Adalricus, he nods indicating he is ready.
"Fire in the hole!"
Adalricus arms the krak charges and rolls out of the blast radius, facing the wall where the hole will be, bolter at the ready.
Stows the data-slate, and braces for the explosion.
Elyas smiles to himself as the thunder of the explosion rings in his ears, seeing Adalricus ready himself, Elyas prepares to jump through.
The charge blinked twice, three times... and detonated. Immediately there was an immense den as the conduit was flooded with the artificial atmosphere. Iris shutters sealed off the paths forwards and backwards about 50 yards away. This passage was, for better or for worse, out of commission.
Beyond the breached bulkhead, the space marines could see a large room. Possibly a hangar or warehouse structure - the smoke of the detonation obstructed even suit sensors to some degree. They could make out that their breach was on ground level, and hadn't been expected.
Tau voices shouted in alarm, and the lights in the adjecent room turned up to an extremely bright setting.
on internal vox Frag out
Camael hurls a pair of frag grenades out the hole created by the explosion.
"Assault the breach! I am on your six!"
Adalricus allows the point man to clear the opening before stepping through himself.
urged on by Adalricus' words Elyas clears the tube, His enhanced senses search for enemies as he jumps clear of the explosion site.
Taking a flanking position, and moving along the wall, with an intent to close off their escape route.
once several of his brothers have exited, Camael follows out. His bolter up, ready to react to any threat.
Aetheros follows Elyas out of the tube, bolter at the ready.
The space marines exited the plasma duct in an orderly fashion, stepping over the burned carcass of two Tau technicians. Now that they cleared the breach, they could finally make out more details about their surroundings.
They had exited the plasma duct not in a warehouse, or a hangar - but in the hibernation chambers. The hall was cut into corridors, each containing long rows of stasis pods. Hundreds, if not thousands of them, all softly humming. Each of the pods emitting a light blue light, and holding a naked Tau body, eyes closed and hands put lightly to the sides.
This was a sanctum for the infidel tau, a place where they retreated to for their year, decade-long journeys among the stars.
Walkways above the marines made a second level accessible, which seemed much like the first - and higher still, the high-pitched whine of Tau battle drones could be made out - not quite attacking yet, possibly due to the very vulnerable position the Tau found themselves in.
The emperor be praised! Our enemies are delivered to us!
Begin looking for nutrient/power-lines, the cutting of which would be fatal to thousands of hibernating Tau.
Noticing the high-pitched sound, Elyas aligns himself in that direction. "Squad leader, it sounds as if something is approaching. What are your orders?" he inquires.
Aetheros covers Vrusk as the Techmarine begins searching for a way to destroy the supply lines to the hibernation pods.
"Drones airborne. They seem reluctant to fire with the xenos sleep-pods nearby. Move fast and let's eliminate this tier of xenos."
"the xenos are no threat to us in hibernation, let us continue to our objective they will destroyed with the ship."
"Brother Camael is right. Let's go and blow this thing."
Continuing to track feed lines.
A marine can place his life in the hands of the Emperor, but his master demands some measure of self-preservation and Elyas heads for cover and continues to secure his direction.
While Vrusk was examining the Xenos' systems for weak points and ways to slay the hibernating Tau en masse, and some his brethren were urging to press onward, the whirrs and whistles of drones were steadily increasing. They had not, as yet, made any attack. Yet the marines' tactical displays were now making out 8 distinct targets, all moving freely in all 3 dimensions, dodging in and out of cover. If there was some group of operators behind these mechanical sentries, they had not yet mustered up the courage to open fire and potentially kill their sleeping brethren.
The other brethren were able to finally examine the pods themselves closer. Most of the tau were just about 5 feet tall. Slighly bulbous heads with triangular eyes, flattened nose and mouths with pronounced lips. Some of them, maybe a different caste, was larger, more to the tune of 6 feet. These had a red tinge to their skin, and some sported tattoos on their faces and hands - maybe the warrior caste?
Baffled by the abominable Xenos tech a slumping Vrusk takes up position with his comrades.
Oops. Wrong profile
FL: Xenos: 1d100 ⇒ 32
FL: Mechanicus: 1d100 ⇒ 55
Baffled by the abominable Xenos tech a slumping Vrusk takes up position with his comrades.
Camael continues moving towards the objective
Elyas voices over the comm: "Would it not be prudent to move, the xenos will go down with their ship when we blow the engines."
Aetheros voices a response, "Agreed, let us proceed to the engines as quickly as possible."