"You will have the use of a thunderhawk my lord. My recommendation is that you deploy while we conduct a grav slingshot around the planet. It will move your insertion time up by 6 hours and be slightly riskier, but it will give you more time on the ground before the xenos make planetfall."
"Captain we just received a high compression data burst from the surface. It has high level clearances, expanding now....It has inquisition seals on it Captain."
"Magos, unfortunately you are not cleared for this information," the captain says as he reaches for a lever that will seal the annex off from the bridge."[/b]
"This is Inquisitor Octavian, my agents inform me that long range orbital scanners have picked up xenos entry into the system. It would appear my investigations here are a dead end. Unfortunately this world does not have the forces to resist a full scale invasion. I am on route to the Imperial Governor's command bunker, contact me on Command frequency Theta once you have re-established control over the watch station, the Emperor will ask much of his most powerful servants in the coming days. For the Emperor and Terra."
"My Brothers have a saying: No battle plan survives the first enemy contact. How far is the command bunker from ether suspected positions, Captain? Can the Thunderhawk carry us down, to the city and to the 2nd suspected position if that becomes necessary? If we are short on time or fly-time ... I think we should engage the higher probability target first ... although I have a bad feeling about it - but nothing to prove that feeling."
"While it would be preferable to have such a vehicle, we could hardly go wrong with a Rhino either."
The Librarian get his precious psycho-active crystal cards from its protective ornemented golden box.
The cards start floating in the air as they are shuffled and spread in a complex pattern.
"Oh Emperor, disperse the darkness that befall on your sons and cast your divine light upon our path. Reveal the treachery and perils that await us."
As he pronounces these words, he starts turning up some of the cards.
A being of metal and death awaits you in the primary location.
Among the few cards which has been faced up, the central one is one coming from the depths of mankind history and it reveals a threat long forgotten, for the card represents a Man of Iron.
"An ill-omen for a killing machine. But I have no doubt that we will prevail"
A thunderhawk will cover the 65 kilometers between sites in less than 15 minutes.
"Brothers we are short in time, but I do not want to take any chance here, especially after Brother Averuncus divination. We will check the less probable site first. And then head straight for the second one if it is indeed not what we were looking for. Captain, deploy as ASAP and then bring detailed information about this Xeno attack to sector command. We will wait for your return. May the Emperor's light shine on your warp route."
"So be it, Brother Raptor!"
And Scorpelio heads to his cell to retrieve his weapons and heads to the launch bay to meet up with the rest of his team.
The thunderhawk is launched from the destroyer while it conducts it's slingshot maneuver. The stresses of the launch push even the superhuman bodies of the kill team to their limits. The destroyer is quickly gone from sight as you conduct a high speed atmospheric entry. The hull of the thunderhawk glows red with heat underneath its black paint job. It is basically a vertical drop to the first target site.
The thunderhawk lands in a large clearing, sensors indicate that you are 2 kilometers away from the first objective.
After the hard drop, Micrastur leaves the Thunderhawk first, his green-brown camouflaged scout armor and the large auto-sense google clearly sets him apart from his Battle Brothers. Upon touching the ground in a low croach, he takes on his surrounding with a first quick 360 degree check followed by closer, slower inspection of their surrounding using the heavily modified scope of his sniper to detect possibly hidden foes.
"All right Brothers. Lets head out to fulfill another step of our eternal duty for the Emperor. I will take the lead, scouting some dozen meters ahead of you. Our Wolf Brother should take the lead of the main group, he has the sharpest senses and should detect any ambushers bypassing me. The rest of you should follow in a loose formation."
Averruncus takes place nearby brother Loghir, ready to swiftly assist him if he get attacked, considering that his skills at healing the kill team is of the utmost tactical importance.
Doing so, he scans the jungle around, his physic and psychic senses on full alert.
Upon landing, Scorpelio puts his Auger Array Implant to work in conjunction with his Suit Auto-Senses and his own augmented senses.
"So be it, I shall take the Rear." And Scorpelio readies his Plasma Gun.
On landing, Ulf spreads out quickly from the gunship, his lack of helmet letting his hair blow free. Quickly he scans the landing site his heavy bolter cycling, ready for any threat. On Hawkeye's orders he takes up post on the marching order, lifting his goggles briefly to check his Cartograph and the maps downloaded within it.
6dof
2dof
3dos
The team leader and tech-marine both realize that they are being watched and tracked by something once they clear the LZ. It has good camouflage so you can only catch glimpses of it.
Over the team's vox, Scorpleio wastes no time in appraising the team while doing his best to not change his outward demeanor to make it seem like he hasn't noticed anything.
"Brothers, do not outwardly react to this but, there is something here with us already. Its been following us since landing but its camouflage is impressive and I've caught naught but glimpses of it. Brother Raptor, have you gotten sight of it?"
"Affirmative. They also move fast, or my scope would be able to break through their cover. Let us continue and wait what they do. Keep your guard up. Shoot fast if you detect them."
The Son of Antaeus keeps progressing, but unsheathes his Force Sword and ready his bolter in the process, and keep his senses on alert.
"Fast indeed, my Auspex has been, so far, unable to pinpoint track its movements. Brother Salamander, make ready to put your flamer to use."
"I'm guessing upwind for I cannot smell it. Can you give us an idea of where?
"Sadly no. My Auspex cannot get a fix and its always at the periphery of my Vision and Auto-Senses. It is there but never long enough for me to get a good lock on it."
The Scout-Leader heads out in front of the team - about 20m where he "bunny-hoops" forward (fast forward movement followed by periods of silence and surrounding checks).
If nothing happens, he will climb a tree, takes cover and waits for the team to close up, observing their progress carefully to finally get a clear look at their followers.
2 DoS
3 DoF
The beast is apparently a master at remaining hidden, even from the advanced sensors and Auspex equipment of a Space Marine.
"Its a slippery one but I'm slowly adjusting my systems to better track it. This may take some time however and I fear it may attack us before then."
As the team leader and tech-priest adjust their equipment to better track this specific target they start getting results. A creature that stands about 3 meters tall and is long and reptilian appears on your sensors. It's body registers just above Ambient temperature and it appears to have some kind of reactive skin that functions much like a camo-cloak. You are pretty sure that it can reach you in a matter of seconds if it decides to charge.
"Team leader, I suggest we swiftly dispose of this little lizard and proceed with the mission."
"They did not attacked us, despite the fact that they could have easily did so. If possible I would not engage in any unnecessary fights. Lets observe them. If we are able to detect any threat - such as a trap, or an increase in their number - we will dispatch them quickly."
As they press on, Hawkeye will have a close eye at the number of lizards following them and the terrain ahead. If the lizards increase in number, make any sudden moves or seems to lead them into a position that would be a good ambush place, he will immediately issue an attack order to the team.
it is only one creature that is following you.
"Just be ready Brothers. In either case I've adjusted my equipment sufficiently to track it properly to an extent but be aware that it could be upon us in mere seconds should it decide to charge us."
"Well let us push on and pick up the pace, it may just be a territory thing. On the one side we may leave it's territory and not have to fight it, on the other we may push into it's territory and it will attack us. Either way we will know."
With that Ulf picks up his pace on the route he identified earlier, however he keeps his heavy bolter following his line of sight and ready for action.
"Exactly, Brother. And its only one for now. And its main advantage has already been canceled out by Scorpelio and myself. Lets hurry, we have a base to discover!
The beast decides to strike as you arrive at the first site.
It moves from simply stalking you to a loping charge in the blink of an eye.
Everyone make an agility check. If you fail, you can't act in the first round of combat.
3 DoF with agi 42
As the beast charges, Scorpelio quickly warns the team over their vox and attempts to turn as to face it but something slows him just enough that he is unable to react to it charging them.
"Attack vector: 5o'clock! Closing quickly."
As the beast finally starts its charge, Hawkeye brings up his sniper with lightning speed and takes careful aim, waiting for the last second, before pulling the trigger.
The poisonous crystal strikes true, finding a slightly damaged scale and penetrates the hide of the foul beast. The wound does not look fatal but the vile toxic induced to the crystal might bring the beast down.
R, Pen 4+5=9, toxic damage
[ooc]meh damage rolls. The 10 has gone to initiative I think^^. I know that there was a talent/trait out there that lets you swap dos for damage once per round. Can't find it now, would mean 2 additional dmg points for what that matters.[/b]
His heavy bolter at the furthest point from the creature, Ulf struggles to bring the weapon round in time.
Averruncus get the warning and turns toward 5 o'clock to fire his bolter at the beast. But as he lift his bolter, he realizes that even though he knows in which direction to look and the beast his charging, he still cannot see it because of its cameleo skin. His eyes scrutinize the dense forest looking for the beast that he can already hear. It takes him a long half second to finally spot it. Too long. Too late.
The Raptor hits the beast with a round from his sniper rifle, but it keeps moving even as the toxins eat away at the flesh around the wound. The beast seems to have decided that the Raptor is it's greatest threat. The creature lets out a mighty roar as it thunders towards it's target. Its great maw of razor sharp teeth descending to try and rip the team leader apart.
All players can act before the beast strikes again.
Scorpelio will take careful aim and fire off a volley with his Plasma Gun on Maximal in an attempt to fell the beast as promptly as possible.
3 DoS which means an Extra Hit Occurs.
Damage at Pen 10
With a snapping sound, the teeth of the animal clatters shut, mere centimeters beside the quickly side-stepping Marine.
"I will keep him occupied. Finish it off, team."
Quickly drawing the well balanced combat knife from his belt, he takes a quick swing at the animal while staying alert for its every movements.
The blade slipps of the scaled hide of the animal - enough to anger but not to damage - and he circles the predator, waiting for its next attack.
The Son of Antaeus quickly trade his bolter for his Force Sword and, making use of the enhanced mobility confered by his jump-pack, he dashes forward in a charge toward the beast.
6dos
19X, pen 5, L arm
19X, pen 5, L arm
17X, pen 5, Body
15X, pen 5, Head
20X, pen 5, Body
see below
32X, pen 5, Arm (table isn't clear which)
His heavy weapon now lined up on the beast, Ulf fires a controlled burst at the beast. His years of experience allow him to control the bucking weapon and he lands the whole burst on the creature in a tight grouping.
"Whoorar!"
The old wolf hoots in delight at the hunt.
While everyone else distract and inflict some wounds, it is Ulf's attack that finishes the creature off. His burst tears into the creature and leaves it in smoking pieces.
As the team starts to scan the site, it is clear that this site is nothing but a natural outgrowth of volcanic rock, covered in jungle growth.
"Well placed shot, Brother Ulf!"
After he walks around the place to make sure nothing gets overlooked, he turns to the Team again.
"Now that we are sure: double speed to the other location." And with that he takes on a high marching speed back towards the landing place.
While pretty convinced that the site is exactly what it is, Scorpelio doesn't want to take any chances and pushes him auspex implant to its limit to make sure he hasn't missed anything.
for 3DoS vs Int 44 and Tech-Use being trained. Can't use the Combi-Tool for +10 on an Implant :p
"Just a moment Brother Raptor, I wish to make sure that everything is as it seems."
The tech marine spends another minute scanning but can't find anything but natural features.
As you board the thunderhawk you get a message from captain Jaghi. "Brother Marines, be advised that the xenos fleet includes ships from at least 3 Tau vassal races."
"We must make haste to the next location, brothers." he states as he boards the Thunderhawk and receives the Captains Message.
"We should also prepare for the eventuality that we may be stranded upon this planet for some time until we can receive reinforcements if the Tau do occupy the planet."
Hawkeye simply nods at the Message and sends a quick respnse. "So they indeed intend to invade this planet. Captain, make sure to deliver the message to sector Command and the Ordo Xeno. Contact Code: XZT-4788-Alpha. Now make the jump. The Emperor protects."
Then turning to first to the pilot and then to Scorpelio: "Pilot, make best speed to the next target and make sure to camouflage the Thunderhawk as best as possible against discovery from Orbit/Air as we head out to check the second location."
"Yes Brother, it will take some time for the Navy and Guard to respond in Force to this new attack. Let us hope that the Deathwatch base is still in somewhat operational conditions - it could be a great asset in a guerrilla war against the Tau."
After a quick though he quickly turns to the pilot again: "Pilot, do we have com-contact with the planetary government or military command? They should be warned of the coming. If their forces cannot fight the invasion force off, they should scatter and hide their forces until a relief force can assist us - performing hit and run tactics until that moment. Senseless bloodshed of the Emperors people and waste of his weapons is a capital crime against HIM on Terra. Relay this message to the important people on the planet if possible."
"If it is in a functional state and I have the necessary raw materials, given time I should be able to keep us supplied to an extent. Though without Servitors to speed up the process, the speed at which I'll be able to keep us supplied will be greatly limited should the situation come to it. However, if we are able to get into contact with the planetary Mechanicus Manufactora, it should help us immensely if I can sway the local Tech-Priests into aiding us in our endeavor."
And he promptly stores his gear and takes his seat aboard the Thunderhawk.
"If it is indeed still functional, then there should also be an armory full of supplies and weapons - at least if the base follows standard Deathwatch doctrines for forward operation bases. But you have a point, Brother Techmarine. Try to get a connection to the local Mechanicus Leader if you can. Advise them to secure any important data and objects in hidden places or to destroy them if the former is not a possibility. Ask them what they can do in a guerrilla scenario. My aim is to deny the enemy everything that might be of help to fortify and defend 'their' planet when the time comes, assassinate important leaders and sabotage their military assets. But we will have to see how those Xeno handle this operation. Its their move now. We cannot do anything more than to steel us."