Beyond the Damocles gulf (Inactive)

Game Master Browman

"There is nothing my heavy bolter can't turn into scrap metal brother Techmarine we shall destroy this creature and reduce it's component parts to slag..."

Answering Scorpelio: "No, the tarot doesn't provide us with any additional information. The rest, we'll have to discover by ourselves."

Since the mission briefing seems to reach its end, Averruncus turns on his heels and leave the room. He goes to his cell to meditate until the team gather on the boarding deck to board the Thunderhawk.

Now that everything is ready and the time has come, the kill team boards the thunderhawk shortly before it launches.

----

Your 3 hour journey in the thunderhawk is uneventful and it sets down on the Demiurg vessel's hull near some of the battle damage towards the stern.

"Brother tech marine, where do you want us waiting?", the servitor pilot asks.

Averruncus sit silently in the thunderhawk. His gear has been meticulously triple checked and is ready. The 2 opticals from his helmet shine with a sinister redish glow, and despite seeming to sit casualy, there is a certain tension in his posture hinting that he his ready for violence. Ready for his duty.

"I do not want to risk a Vessel Such as a Thunderhawk Falling into the hands of the Demiurg."

-> If there is an Asteroid Belt or other celestial Body Nearby

"You shall wait for us in the cover of the nearby celestial body. Should you not hear from us after 3 hours or receive a signal that we are going to be unable to extract out, return to the Watch Fortress Delphi and inform the Watch Captain of our fates. Understood?"

-> If there is no Celestial Bodies

"Maintain a low-power flight or hover mode around this breach. Do not permit any Xenos, Mutant or even Human who do not have our authentication codes aboard. Should you not hear from us after 3 hours or receive a signal that we are going to be unable to extract out, return to the Watch Fortress Delphi and inform the Watch Captain of our fates. Keep weapons armed and primed in the even of hostile action being taken against the craft or if we have to exfiltrate under enemy fire. Understood?"

Scorpelio then locks his helmet on making sure to observe the proper rites to appease his armors Machine Spirit and rejoins his brothers back in the Crew Compartment.

"Are you all prepared Brothers? Do any of you wish for me to look over their equipment before disembarking?"

"Understood brother techmarine, we will be in the shadow of the nearby moon, if you call we can be back here in 10 minutes."

Brother Rollo presents his equipment for inspection. While this happens he appears to be mouthing a prayer to the Emperor.

do I roll Perception or something? :P I don't really know what I'd roll to go over a Battle Brothers equipment?

Tarkus present his equipment for inspection and grins silently to himself knowing that even a Techmarine could find little wrong with his equipment...

"Let's finish these formalities I thrive to face the Emperors enemies"

Behind his helm Tarkus sees a slight blur at the edge of his vision and seems to stiffen as Scorpelio examines his war gear

To Brother Scorpelio, a bit coldly: "My equipment has already been looked after by the forge master of Watch Fortress Delphi. And i'm able enough to have kept it in operational condition during the transit".

On the thunderhawk radio frequence, to the pilot: "Do you detect any radio activity from the ship? Are their sensor systems operational? Are we detected? How come we are not under their proximity defence system fire yet?"

do I roll Perception or something? :P I don't really know what I'd roll to go over a Battle Brothers equipment?

it is probably more of a role-playing thing you say you are doing rather than a test you make.

To Brother Scorpelio, a bit coldly: "My equipment has already been looked after by the forge master of Watch Fortress Delphi. And i'm able enough to have kept it in operational condition during the transit".

On the thunderhawk radio frequence, to the pilot: "Do you detect any radio activity from the ship? Are their sensor systems operational? Are we detected? How come we are not under their proximity defence system fire yet?"

"this Xenos vessel is badly damaged, our scans indicate that the main reactor is offline."

Roger Roger!

"If you are so-confident, Brother Averruncus, then so be it. Still, it pays to be cautious especially when entering Hostile Territory with Little-to-no Support. A Bolter Jamming in a Siege Assault is the last thing an Astartes wants..."

Shifting over to Brother Rollo, moving around him, inspecting Seals and joints in his armor and weapons for any problematic signs.

Content, he states:

"All things look to be in Order Brother Rollo."

Turning to Tarkus:

"You could've just said no, Cousin, if you are so eager to leave. This is more of a precautionary measure, Brother Tarkus."

"Everything is in order Brother Marines, we are free to disembark. Remember your training."

"The Emperor Protects!"

The kill team exits the thunderhawk relying on their magnatized boots to walk a few meters to the hull breach. Weapons are up as you begin to enter the Xenos vessel, at this point you are in a secondary passage.

What order is the kill team traveling in? Also whoever is navigating the kill team towards the objective make a tech-use test to orient the display on your data slate to the ship and head in the right direction.

"If you are so-confident, Brother Averruncus, then so be it. Still, it pays to be cautious especially when entering Hostile Territory with Little-to-no Support. A Bolter Jamming in a Siege Assault is the last thing an Astartes wants..."

Seeming to do an effort to keep his tone in control : "Brother, i don't know how it is in your chapter, but we're all battle hardened veterans here. Not trainees. We're warhounds, not puppies. I... highly suggest you remember this"

Remember your training.

Averruncus hostensibly stiffen at this sentence and stare heavily at Scorpelio.

Unless ordered otherwise, Averruncus will take to himself to cover Tarkus(objective : avoid Tarkus to be engaged in close combat so that he might make the best use of his heavy bolter. In this process, Averruncus effectively act as a shield). So, that would make him just before Tarkus in travelling order.

"No Offense meant, Brother Librarian but it pays to remember even the basics whether or not we are Veterans. Such Hubris has lead to the downfall and deaths of many before."

"And I am an Imperial Fist. Of the First Founding, the VIIth Legion Astartes. We know the consequences very well. Most recently, Captain Lysander of our 3rd Company learned that Lesson the hard way."

"But that is neither here nor there. Duty comes first, we have a mission to complete."

TechUse: 1d100 ⇒ 25

Int is 44. Passed.

I'll go 2nd or 3rd; first if no other wants to. Plasma Gun at the Ready!

Tech-Use is Trained.

Over comms:

"Activate Stummers, Brothers, we want to get the jump on any xenos we encounter."

I'll also start using my Auspex to look for Signs of...stuff... mostly life. The following Tech-Use roll is for just that.

TechUse: 1d100 ⇒ 20

Int is 44. Passed.

So going forward thats +20 to Awareness Tests.

Will also start the Pict Recorder I got so that we've got an Audio-visual log of our Mission ;p

"Now...just where are we..?"

Brother Rollo takes point, bolter at the ready.

[b]"Brothers, even in my Chapter the tech Marines look over our thrice checked equipment. Our chaplains recite thrice chanted prayers, and our aprothicarian monitor thrice checked vitals."

He looks at both he Libraian and devistator...

"They do this not to to find something missed. It is a display of trust. That we will watch over one another. The Emperor protects."

Brothers

Before our first baptism by fire as a squad I want you to know I shall protect you with my life and wish you all a glorious death of that is our fate

The kill team moves rapidly in single file with the steel badger leading, followed by the team leader scanning his dataslate and auspex. The Librarian is next able to support the front pair, cover a flank or support the devastator trailing him with the heavy bolter.

You are making good time down the secondary passage when the auspex the tech marine is holding indicates a pair of lifesigns heading towards the next intersection you pass at a right angle to you. They are coming from the left and would have to be dead to miss the kill team when they reach the intersection. You are 40 meters from the intersection right now. Both secondary passage ways are about 3 meters wide and without any real cover other than door alcoves to rooms.

What do you do?

Scorpelio over the squads vox network.

"Hold! Two Life-Signs. 40 Meters ahead. Coming from the Left, heading towards the intersection before us."

He states stowing his Dataslate and Auspex and bringing up his Plasma Gun.

I assume the following conversation is entirely taking place aboard the thunderhawl, before we disembark:

"No Offense meant, Brother Librarian but it pays to remember even the basics whether or not we are Veterans. Such Hubris has lead to the downfall and deaths of many before."

"And I am an Imperial Fist. Of the First Founding, the VIIth Legion Astartes. We know the consequences very well. Most recently, Captain Lysander of our 3rd Company learned that Lesson the hard way."

Averruncus, in a voice devoid of any hint of irony: "I'm sorry to hear that the Imperial Fists, of the First Founding, the VIIth Legion Astartes, have to be reminded the basics. We of the Sons of Antaeus have the basics irremediably implanted in our body and mind upon our training years, and those basics are polished on the battlefield. We don't need them to be reminded to us. This is no hubris. This is efficiency."

Back to the mission:
As Scorpelio issues his warning, the massive Son of Antaeus positions himself in the corridor and lay a knee on the ground in order to shield brother Tarkus in the eventuality of incoming fire and yet give the Devastator an optimal line of sight on the approaching enemies.

As Averruncus raises his bolter, he whispers "Kraken". Voice-commanded, the fire selector automatically adjusts the appropriate ammunition chamber for the Bolter.

Focused, the Librarian targets the intersection 40m ahead, most notably its left corridor. He is ready to shoot. That is: he uses the "Overwatch" combat action: killzone: the corridor; Action: semi-auto burst with my bolter; condition: xenos enter my line of sight; suspensive condition: the team leader doesn't give the order to engage

Since it seems we are not in squad mode, he is ready to active his chapter solo mod.

On the team radio frequency, to Brother Scorpelio: "Order to engage?"

Unknown provenance

1d5 ⇒ 5

-10 agility for the mission...27 for the remainder of the mission

Brother Scorpelio what is our cohesion for this mission

"Tarkus braces his heavy Bolter stands a little to the right and behind his brother librarian"

"Be ready brothers"

Unknown provenance

[dice=]1d5

-10 agility for the mission...27 for the remainder of the mission

Brother Scorpelio what is our cohesion for this mission

No, I think it is related to his armour historic.

Sorry, I misread Tarkus message. Please ignore my previous message.

Got Fellowship Mod of 4, Rank 1 and Command Skill (basic) so 5. The -5 to Command from my Armor should only affect command rolls

If y'all want to, we're going to use Bolter Drill Squad Mode which ups our RoF by +1 with Bolt Weapons. Should come in handy if we want to quickly dispatch whatever enemy we come upon. Costs 2.

Otherwise, Solo Mode it is!

This is issued before or at the same time everybody raises their weapons.

"Weapons at the Ready, Brothers. We should have the drop on them. We take no chances, open fire as soon as they are within full line-of-sight. Prepare for pursuit in the event that they attempt to flee."

"Our Stummers should aid us slightly in concealing our position but once we fire, assume that the enemies are aware of our presence."

Scorpelio Aims his Plasma Gun Down the Corridor much in the same way that the Brother Librarian does.

Either Full Action -> Squad Mode: Bolter Drill

OR, if Squad Mode is Entered before Combat

Combat Action: Overwatch -> Killzone: Corridor; Action: 2-Shot Burst w/ Plasma Gun if Xenos enter Line Of Sight.

"Brothers, might I recommend we hold fire until the second one is in view. Should we slay the lead too soon, the follow will be within cover and able to react to our engagement"

For simplicity, I will do the same action as averruncus, except I am waiting for the second one, and aiming for the second one

I shall hold fire until the Xenos come within range to allow for maximum suppressive fire

Might shot +2 damage ranged attacks

Brace heavy weapon full
Full auto burst +20 BS additional for every degree of success Full

1 movement left

If y'all want to, we're going to use Bolter Drill Squad Mode which ups our RoF by +1 with Bolt Weapons. Should come in handy if we want to quickly dispatch whatever enemy we come upon. Costs 2.

Sorry, but I see 2 reasons not to use this Squad Mode.

I shall hold fire until the Xenos come within range to allow for maximum suppressive fire

For your information, there is a combat action that represent this. This is "Overwatch". It's a full round action that enable you to fire your weapon under certain conditions. Also, the standard range of your Heavy Bolter is 150m. So the corridor they're coming from is indeed within range. Actually, it's even at short range for our weapons :)

Brace heavy weapon full

You have a talent called "Bulging Biceps" that make you able to fire heavy weapon without need to brace it first. So, you don't need to use the Brace Heavy Weapon action

Averruncus is ready to fire. As suggested by Brother Rollo, he will wait until the second target come into sight before actually firing.

A few moments after the kill team takes position, two Xenos enter the kill zone. The demiurg are about a foot shorter than humans will a stocky build. These two are wearing what look like coveralls that are a drab grey. Each of them is carrying a few tools.

when you roll attacks, also roll damage in the same post, it will make things go much quicker. Also you have a -10 size modifier shooting at demiurg.

Brother Averruncus opens fire with his Bolter as soon as the second xenos appears. 3 thunderclaps errupt from his weapon as the auto-propelled .75 caliber rounds cross the space between him and the targets.

I target the first character.
My bonus: +10 for Semi-auto fire; +10 for short range, -20 for Overwatch, -10 for target size modifier; total adjustment: -10; Adjusted BS: 36)

BS test: 1d100 ⇒ 88 That's a miss :(

As Averruncus shot just as the demiurgs emerged from their corridor, he didn't have time to adjust his aim, and the bolts pass few inches over the diminutive xenos.

Thats fair on the Bolter Drill.

Scorpelio opens fire with his Plasma Gun, two bolts of Plasma heading towards the second Demiurg a fraction of a second after Averruncus shoots at the first one.

Targeting the second one.

Bonuses: +10 for Semi-Auto, +10 for Short Range, -20 For Overwatch, -10 for Size. Total of -10 resulting in BS 33.

BS Test: 1d100 ⇒ 94

...thats also a miss.

Tarkus readies his heavy Bolter and hears the weapon chamber and prime the round

BS 47

Modifiers +20 for full auto -10 for size

Altered BS 57

1d100 ⇒ 15

Tarkus hits his targets

Tarkus readies his heavy Bolter and hears the weapon chamber and prime the round

BS 47

Modifiers +20 for full auto -10 for size

Altered BS 57

[dice=]1d100

Tarkus hits his targets

You hit 5 times

So it that 4 hits and 3 degrees of success?

So it that 4 hits and 3 degrees of success?

5 hits, 4 degrees of success.

How is it 5 hits? And how do I do damage?

1d100 ⇒ 74

1d10 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

What a miss

Tarkus has informed me that he is having an issue with this website and requested I roll his damage for him.

1d10 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
1d10 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
1d10 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Can he switch target at this point?

1d10 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
1d10 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

Tarkus has informed me that he is having an issue with this website and requested I roll his damage for him.

1d10+14
1d10+14
1d10+14

Can he switch target at this point?

1d10+14
1d10+14

remember for the future that bolters have tearing, which lets you roll 2 dice and use the better one. Not that it really matters in this case.

While the rest of the kill fires off target, the devestator is steadfast and walks his fire onto the target quite skillfully, by the time his weapon ceases firing the enemy is little more than chunks of meat and blood spatter.

It is deathly silent for a moment before you hear the wail of an alarm.

time remaining on mission 1 hour 55 minutes

Quickly holstering his plasma gun and taking back out his Datapad and Auspex, with slightly more urgency, Scorpelio ushers his Brothers forward.

"So much for the Stummers. Still, keep them activated. While they might not help us as much now, remaining harder to detect is still an advantage despite the enemy being on alert now."

"The plans we've received of the vessel indicate a Central Corridor that runs the length of the ship. If we want to increase our chances of rapidly locating the device, this would be the most expedient course of action as would heading for the Bridge."

"However, this might also slow us down dangerously by making us easier to track and find but, until we locate the device, this would be the most expedient method."

Scorpelio resumes heading down the corridor as he continues to examine the plans attempting to plot a course to the bridge as it would be the most likely area to contain a detailed list of all the ships equipment and systems.

Quickly holstering his plasma gun and taking back out his Datapad and Auspex, with slightly more urgency, Scorpelio ushers his Brothers forward.

"So much for the Stummers. Still, keep them activated. While they might not help us as much now, remaining harder to detect is still an advantage despite the enemy being on alert now."

"The plans we've received of the vessel indicate a Central Corridor that runs the length of the ship. If we want to increase our chances of rapidly locating the device, this would be the most expedient course of action as would heading for the Bridge."

"However, this might also slow us down dangerously by making us easier to track and find but, until we locate the device, this would be the most expedient method."

Scorpelio resumes heading down the corridor as he continues to examine the plans attempting to plot a course to the bridge as it would be the most likely area to contain a detailed list of all the ships equipment and systems.

Your reading of the plans says if you take your first left, turn right on the main corridor it should be 200 meters down the corridor to the main lifts. The bridge is three floors up and back 100 meters.

Tarkus grins under his helmet looking a the chunks of Xenos flesh that is that is left from their disgusting lives..."and so shall be the fate of enemies of mankind"

"Brother Scorpelio may I suggest a diamond formation to allow for best response to any ambushes we may incounter now that are presents is surely known. If so I suggest you lead from the rear Brother Rollo and I will cover the flanks while Brother Averruncus takes point and can possibly shield us from Xenos patrols or scans"

"Good idea Brother Tarkus."

And moves aside to let the other Marines past to get into position.

Tarkus grins under his helmet looking at the chunks of Xenos flesh that is all that is left from their disgusting lives..."and so shall be the fate of enemies of mankind"

"Brother Scorpelio may I suggest a diamond formation to allow for best response to any ambushes we may incounter now that are presents is surely known. If so I suggest you lead from the rear Brother Rollo and I will cover the flanks while Brother Averruncus takes point and can possibly shield us from Xenos patrols or scans"

1d100 ⇒ 74

1d10 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

What a miss

Brother Rollo, for your information, basic Bolter damage are 1d10 + 9, tearing. Not 1d10 + 12. 1d10 + 12 are the damages for Heavy Bolter.

Yet, some stuffs allow to raise damages. Fore example, Mighty Shot add 2 to the damages. Also, as a Tactical Marine, at the creation of your character, you can chose between "Bolter Mastery" and "Tactical Expertise". The former one add +2, to your damages as well (cf. core rules p. 85). My opinion is that Tactical Expertise is more useful, but this is just an opinion.

The massive Son of Antaeus nods silently at Brother Tarkus as an appreciation for his efficient shoot.

As prompted, he then takes the head of the formation, progressing fast in the corridors, as he doesn't want to let the time for the xenos to organize their defense. He has his Force sword in his right hand and his bolter in his left hand.

Brother Rollo gets into position and moves at pace with the squad.

You arrive at the lifts without incident, though the alarm is still sounding.

How do you wish to head to the command level?

To remaining on mission, 1 hour 53 minutes.

Averruncus is looking around, searching both for incoming threats and stairs.
"We are too vulnerable in a lift. Is there any other way on your maps? Stairs maybe?"

Tarkus pans his weapon around the corridor searching for any unseen threats

"I agree with Brother Averruncus...a lift will use exposed are there any maintenance shafts and tunnels we could possibly use?"

There are ladders in the lift shaft or a maintenance shaft behind it.