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The Morpheus Sector: A heavily industrialized sector of space close to the Imperial heart land, this territory suffers from far greater than average incidents of heresy, corruption and rebellion.
Situated in the galactic northwest half way between Terra and the Eye of Terror, the Morpheus Sector is a primary production source providing men and material to reinforce the Cadian Gate and the Imperial watch worlds encircling the Eye of Terror.
With the launch of Abaddon's 13th Black Crusade the Morpheus Sector is stretched to the limit providing resources and has become comparatively lightly defended at a time when it needs strength like never before.
From the Realspace/Warpspace overlap on the eastern side of the Sector, once a large group of heavily populated Eldar worlds and now a nightmarish Warpstorm known as the Realm of Dreams, come the Chaos Space Marines and their armies of Heretics intent on destruction and mayhem.
From below the galactic plane, rising up like a beast from the depths to consume all; Tyranid Hive Fleet Tiamat has already almost completely devoured a neighboring Sector and now encroaches on Morpheus.
And near the center of the Morpheus Sector, amid dead worlds and old, weak stars long ignored by the Imperium, ancient, machine like intellects begin to awaken and focus their malignant, alien gazes upon the heavily populated human worlds around them.
But these threats are just the beginning, for a pair of far darker forces have begun to use the Morpheus Sector as their personal Regicide board and no matter who wins, the humans of the Morpheus Sector lose...
...The Shadow War has begun and all that stands between humanity and total destruction is the loyal and brave members of the Deathwatch, ideally placed by Fate to have a chance at saving mankind.
But will they succeed?
*Message incoming*
Source: Inquisitor Sethiro Weyland, Ordo Xenos
Encryption Level: Extreme
Priority: Red
Relevant Information: 16 months ago Governor Malcantus declared Medenva free from Imperial yoke. Attempts from loyalist PDF to dispose of the governor failed. Planet firmly under traitor control. Connection to maleficarum in evidence, Alpha Legion involvement suspected. May be the latest of the Alpha Legion inspired insurrections in the Morpheus Sector. Battlefleet Morpheus has quarantined the planet. Imperial Guard regiments being assembled for liberation.
Orders for Deathwatch Squad Thanatos:
Primary Objective: Assault the Governor's primary residence and capture him for interrogation. If warp taint is too dangerous to contain exterminate him.
Secondary Objective: Confirm presence of Alpha Legion. If none is evident identify source of corruption if possible.
May the Emperor watch over your endeavor.
*message ends*
Normally defended from orbital attack by four surface to space turbo lasers and a crackling void shield, the towering spires containing the lasers had been reduced to burning rubble by the macro cannon of the battle barge in orbit and the shield had collapsed under the immense power of the bombardment.
The crystal windows of the Manor had been blown out by overpressure and the sculpted gardens had wilted under the searing heat. Banners declaring allegiance to the Ruinous Powers smouldered while hundreds of traitorous PDF soldiers prepared for the deadly Imperial assault inevitably coming.
In the well defended Star Tower, a well appointed sitting room covered by a crystal dome, traitor Governor Malcantus stood with his hands clasped behind his back, staring up through the dome at a sky filled with black clouds and spiraling lightning, the result of the atmospheric disturbance caused by the bombardment.
He was a young man, slightly built, with waist length black hair and soft features. He wore an outfit fit for a king, worth a fortune in rare silk and jewels. Purple eyeshadow made of crushed amethyst and a golden colored earring made from Eldar wraithbone framed his face. At his left hip he wore an ornate powersword and on his right a slight needle pistol.
"I wonder..." He says to himself.
Multiple massive footfalls stomp into the room behind him, accompanied by the stench of sulfur and ozone.
"The wound in the Warp is complete." A deep, abrasive voice declares.
The Governor looks over his shoulder at the newcomers.
Five massive space marines in hulking, baroque, deep blue colored Terminator Armor loom behind him. Four are wearing their horned and tusked helmets. One, the leader, is helmless, exposing his bald and scarred head, his cat-like eyes and his serrated teeth. The eight pointed star of Chaos is branded into his forehead.
"The ritual preparations are done, it's time to leave." The leader continues with a growl. "Alpharius demands we complete our tasks on schedule."
The Governor turns back toward the sky, partly to hide his amused smile at the presumption of the marine who thinks to order around one such as he.
"Then hurry to your task, dog, and leave me be." The Governor replies dismissively.
"" The Chaos marine roars.
He raises his Reaper autocannon, its autoloader clacking as shells are chambered, and ignites his power claws. Behind him his retinue bring their power weapons and combi-bolters to bear.
Despite this, the Champion does not attack. Even though he towers over the mortal man and bleeds the very power of Chaos from his pores he does not assault the innocuous mortal. Sweat begins to bead on his face as the tense moment stretches.
"Do you see that?" The Governor asks as a bright streak burns the sky like a shooting star, heading directly for the Manor. "A drop pod filled with Deathwatch champions."
The Terminator spits on ground in a show of contempt. "So what? Do you want me to slay them before we leave?" He asks as his black spittle hisses as it burns into the marble flooring.
"Heh, no, but I believe I would like to stay to meet them. Amongst the Imperial forces is a mortal whom The Architect of Fate has ordained to become the next Inheritor, and I think it might be one of the Deathwatch members. I should like to stay and see if, upon meeting them, I can determine who this god-in-waiting is." The Governor informed the over sized trans-human.
The Terminator grunted and added an additional stream of spittle to the floor.
"Do what you want, warpspawn." He sneers as he turns and stomps away.
"I always do." The being disguised as Governor Malcantus replied.
Your drop pod rattles and shakes as it sears through the atmosphere. It descends at frighting speed to strike in an open courtyard within the Governor's Manor. The courtyard is massive, with white cobblestone pavement and fancifully designed shrubs filling the majority of the space, along with a few defiled statues of Mendenva ancestor nobles and luminaries.
Almost a full company of corrupted PDF soldiers are positioned in the court yard, raggedy men armed with autoguns and light flak coats.
Many are killed and most are disoriented as the drop pod slams home, sending out shock waves.
PDF commanders wave laspistols and scream orders to their disordered troops as the pod opens and Squad Thanatos is unleashed.
Apothecary Morgan strides forth from the drop pod without any haste. As he steps off onto the field of battle he looks around, and his visor brings up a few targeting parameters outlining the local PDF commanders with white cross-hairs. As the bullets race past his white helmet Morgan calmly grabs and aims his bolter at the nearest commander and squeezes the trigger once. As the bullet races towards the PDF commander's head Morgan is already moving forward while drawing his power sword. Within the heartbeats it takes for the PDF troops to see their commander die several more heretics fall beneath the crackling energy blade. As more bullets impact Morgan's chest piece they slightly scratch the genetic helix, and his armor cries out for the heretics to die. The last thing many heretics see is the black armored, white helmeted DeathWatch Apothecary walking forward as his power sword crackles and takes another life with every strike as his bolter fires shot after shot into the mass of disordered men.
Before the pods launched, Brother Korbin spent time with his equipment, tweaking it for the battle to come. Sharpening and honing the edge of his Chapter Relic "The Shadow in the Sky" he spent time maximizing the power output making it "razor sharp." Then he observed the unique rituals that reinforced his armor, optimized systems as they interfaced with his weapons and tactical systems, and stirring the machine spirits to obey his every impulse.
The Forgemaster steps forth from the pod. He doesn't even try to take cover as he instantly asses the forces and their arms. Knowing they have little chance of penetrating his ancient artificer armor and steeled flesh, he begins a full sprint towards the most viable threats to his squad. With his storm bolter mounted on his arm he levels hordes of enemies without even glancing. As he nears a group of disorganized soldiers he draws his blade in an instant, surgically slicing through their armor as if it were flesh, his blade finding nothing but joints and exposed necks has he precisely lays waste to the soldiers through sheer finesse, as opposed to using the physically augmented strength of his armor or bionic arm. None of his enhancements visible of course as the Raven Guard in jet black armor, with a white Raven Claw painted across his right shoulder, moves with a cold calculated determination that no mortal would dare obstruct.
The Raven Guard moves seems to exert himself less than most marines. Instead anticipating, calculating, and moving to an invisible rhythm that border-lines precognitive ability. While not possessing such supernatural abilities, Brother Korbin relies on his raw intellect and powers of perception to overcome his weaknesses and exploit his foes. While this forward assault is not the primary choice of assault for a Raven Guard, the TechMarine Forgemaster accepts his orders and fears not, for his faith is unshakeable.
Brother Sardus exits the pod quickly and draws two bolter pistols, one looking slightly modified and different than the other. He barely glances before rounds begin leaving the chamber in single fire as he acrobatically maneuvers through the field and in and out of cover. One shot after another, as fast as his tactical overlay could call them out. Single shots to the head, sometimes shots exploding in a blast once they connect with their target, exploding nearby soldiers into bits and pieces. He concentrates his fire on the snipers and enemies furthest away, being sure to keep his space and make sure that his brother moving in melee combat are covered.
Once he's had time to assess the enemy movement and account for his brother's progress he unleashes a few well timed missles into groups of the soldiers devastating their ranks from afar. Satisfied with his brothers progress and position, he pauses to comm the Watch Captain and informs him of the situation on the ground.
Brother Sardus receives an acknowledgement from Watch Captain Hiro as the battle brothers of the Kill-Team scythe through the Traitor forces.
In under a minute an entire company of traitorous PDF soldiers lie dead, torn apart by the terrific violence of the Deathwatch.
As the brothers approach the entrance into the palace they find a long line of soldiers, the shattered remnants of the loyalist PDF, crucified on cruciform spars set against the palace walls.
One of the men, by his uniform a colonel, is still alive. He fixes his one good eye, the other having been swollen shut by trauma, on the approaching battle brothers.
"Astartes...?" He rasps weakly. "Are you loyal to the Emperor? I don't recognize your armor, or are you more of those...monsters?"
The white helm of Morgan turns to regard the colonel for a few moments before the vox opens up and Apothecary Morgan speaks.
"We are loyal to the Emperor. Tell us about these 'monsters' that you speak of."
Apothecary Morgan also examines the man's crucified form to determine if he could safely remove the colonel or if that would result in death.
Sardus notices the man still alive, he signals for Brother Korbin to scout ahead and secure the area temporarily, but he can't visually locate Korbin who seems to already be on task. Then he comms Morgan, the team's Apothecary,"See what you can do for him, we need answers."Sardus has limited medical knowledge, mostly pertaining to Astarte physiology. He tries to diagnose the human, but is ill equipped and experienced, he steps aside to let the real doctor do his work after failing to offer much advice.
The Keeper holsters his weapons and removes his helmet. He looks at the soldier with great concern and sincerity."We will do what we can to help you. We are as loyal to the Emperor as you. We have been dispatched here by the Deathwatch and I swear to you we will avenge your fallen brothers and destroy the "monsters" that you speak of. But you must speak more of these monsters? Do you mean there are other soldiers like us here? What have they done with the Governor?
Brother Korbin is already thinking and scouting ahead, keeping within support range he tries to determine the best entry and if any resistance still exist. He takes a minute to focus his internal Auger Array and scans for bio-signs and large heat signatures within range. (50m range I think, penetrates walls that aren't too thick)
Awareness Per 93 + 20 Augur Array 9 DOS (with Watcher Deed, so highly perceptive and can test for hidden things etc)
As he scans the building he looks for entrances other than the main door. Something that would bring them closer to the Governors offices and is likely less defended or booby trapped. Reaching for his Astartes grapnel, he considers moving to the top or higher up to get a vantage point of possible reinforcement and escape routes if the opportunity presents itself.
Apothecary Morgan sees what he can do to either save the colonel or just ease his suffering.
"Yes, Astartes like you. Dark blue armor, didn't recognize the Chapter." The Colonel replies between pained grunts, he will live with Morgan's treatment if removed but will be a burden, unable to move under his own power.
"They brought human soldiers with them, big men, hard. They killed all whom opposed them. The Governor is in league with them. They took over the planet. We thought all was lost but then the Dark Angels showed up, rallied us and lead an assault on this palace but at the last moment abandoned us, Emperor knows why, the bastards. The Traitor forces had an easy time with us after that."
Korbin picks up the life signs of over a score of individuals waiting just beyond the main door, human by the looks of it, dug in and armed, judging by their movement and the heat signature of their weapons.
There a multitude of windows in the courtyard that could easily be entered to bypass the main hall, leading to a variety of undefended smaller rooms in the palace. It is also possible to travel across the roof in any direction you like.
The moment Temujin steps off the drop pod's ramp he levels his massive weapon against the defending forces. The sacred weapon's casing looks old and battered, but this seems to have done nothing to worsen its performance. Rather it seems the heavy bolter has been steeled by combat experience the same way its bearer has. His right shoulder pad stands in stark contrast to the black armor, as displays the red and yellow lightning emblem on a white background. The White scar marine wears a helmet decorated by a long-haired top knot, around his neck a trophy necklace of various teeth, mirroring another string of trophies dangling from the heavy gun bears grim witness of the astartes's kills. A heavy dark fur coat hangs from his armor's backpack completing the barbaric look that contrasts the sacred technological artifact that is his astartes power armor.
Streams of large caliber bolt rounds spray from the weapon's mouth, scything through the traitorous infantry with ease.
As the squad approaches the wounded officer Temujin covers their back with controlled bursts suppressing enemy movement.
At the mention of the blue-armored astartes he responds between two bursts of fire "They may be astartes, but those degenerate traitors are nothing like us.", his deep raspy voice sounds metallic through the helmet's voice amplifier. Another burst cuts down a few traitorous soldiers, before he speaks again. "We are the emperor's will, they are but beasts imitating our likeness. And like animals they will b slaughtered for their heresies."
Apothecary Morgan considers the colonel and what would happen after they remove him. Sending out a vox signal Morgan sends out a message on the Kill Teams channel to only his fellow squad members.
"I can remove the man and keep him alive, but he wouldn't be able to move under his own power. My suggestion is to find out everything he knows about the Dark Angel presence here and then offer him the Emperor's Peace or place him in another area."
Apothecary Morgan then regards the colonel once again.
"Tell us about the Dark Angels here. Who commands them, when did they arrive, and where was their last known position?"
As the squad approaches the wounded officer Temujin covers their back with controlled bursts suppressing enemy movement.
At the mention of the blue-armored astartes he responds between two bursts of fire "They may be astartes, but those degenerate traitors are nothing like us.", his deep raspy voice sounds metallic through the helmet's voice amplifier. Another burst cuts down a few traitorous soldiers, before he speaks again. "We are the emperor's will, they are but beasts imitating our likeness. And like animals they will b slaughtered for their heresies."
"Your words fortify my spirit." The Colonel says in admiration.
Apothecary Morgan regards the colonel once again.
"Tell us about the Dark Angels here. Who commands them, when did they arrive, and where was their last known position?"
After giving a hacking, bloody cough, the Colonel responds. "I'm not sure who leads them or when exactly they arrived, only the General knew that and he is dead, but I can tell you their last known position is when they broke ranks with us as we assaulted this palace, moving deeper inside, seeming eager to find whatever it was they really came here for."
Korbin comms the team on a secure frequency "Scans showing a score of men behind the main door fortified and armed, ready for our approach. Alternate entrances on the upper floor windows or the roof to nearly any location quickly."
Sardus hears Korbin's message as he assist the Apothecary in making the man as comfortable as possible. The astarte breaks the crucifix and helps to lay the man down so he no longer supports his own weight.
After turning to the house, he considers the stealthier approach, but then his heart burns for revenge against a beast that would crucify another man. Eventually they would need to be dealt with, better now than later during extraction, don't want anything to happen to the governor should he be extractable. Should the taint of the warp and chaos blemish the palace too greatly, then nothing would be left standing except his brothers.
Brother Temujin, I want a standard breach on the main door. Set up your heavy bolter, rip that door to shreads and anyone or anything foolish enough to exit. Move up and I'll fire a missle inside. Morgan and Korbin get close and get ready to breach after the explosion, get in close and give no enemy quarter. We will be right behind you. Signal when your're in position and ready."
"Understood, brother.", Temujin aims the heavy weapon at the door and squeezes down the weapon's trigger, sending a violent burst of rounds into the obstruction.
Brother Temujin shreds the heavy door with a slew of high caliber bolt rounds, their explosive force finally tearing the door from it's hinges after pulverizing most of it.
Within is a broad hallway decorated with defaced Imperial banners, dug in ten meters in is a group of muscular and sinisterly adorned soldiers wearing flak armor and armed with lasguns. They wear black grotesque masks over their faces in the form of heinous real and imagined creatures. On the bared shoulder of each is a tattoo of a Hydra.
Apothecary Morgan moves forward as ordered looking at the traitors and finding their masks curious, but a secondary concern to the task at hand. As he begins moving forward to get into melee with the cultists he gets his power sword ready as he charges across the floor to the dug in heretics and slices several of the soldiers of Chaos into pieces.
Raised on hidden death worlds secreted across the galaxy these human soldiers are trained from birth to become highly skilled and disciplined killers. Educated in a brutal environment from their earliest days these troops are on par with the best the Imperial Guard have to offer. Once they have completed many tests of skill and loyalty they are branded with the Hydra of the Legion and allowed to fight for their masters.
Often used after the Alpha Legion's cults have overthrown a world and the Traitor Astartes aren't hiding their presence much anymore, the Hydra Warriors take on difficult(but still within a mortals ability) tasks the Legionnaires can't be bothered with.
Although knowing the Alpha Legion's strange (for Astartes) avoidance of risking their own hides it may be the case that the Hydra Warriors are simply assigned combat tasks that should be performed by Astartes but are non vital to the Alpha Legions plans, with Legionnaires simply grinding away human lives to accomplish these tasks rather than risk precious Astartes.
As the team moves into place, Sardus draws his missle launcher, aims at the door and awaits for his brother to blast the door. As soon as Temujin unleashes a volley, Sardus fires
WS 65 +30 Horde Size (There are other bonuses, but not necessary to add) vs Success
Astartes Frag Missile 2d10 X 4 Blast (8)
Blat weapons reduce horde magnitude by blast rating.
EDIT: RF (Righteous Fury)
Roll BS to Confirm:
To
Confirmed:
Astartes Frag Missile 2d10 X 4 Blast (8)
EDIT: Holy shiz niddle, two more auto confirmed now.
Astartes Frag Missile 2d10 X 4 Blast (8)
Astartes Frag Missile 2d10 X 4 Blast (8)
TOTAL 32 hits. Also devastating (1) for each hit means one additional hit to horde. Total 36.
Note, the official description makes devastating much more powerful, but for a select few weapons with high blast rates, it doubles the hits automatically, meaning my missile would reduce horde by 16 for each hit... Up to GM how he rules it, I'm fine either way.
Korbin lines up against the edge of the doorwary on the right side, switches his storm bolter to Metal Storm ammo, and steadies himself for the battle to come. After watching the Devestator marine obliterate the door he turns away as Brother Sardus fires a missile into the doorway exploding with devestation and incinerating the traiters instantly.
After the Storm Warden enters, Korbin raises up his left arm into the doorway, though still mostly in cover, and opens up with his storm bolter in full auto into the remaining soldiers.
BS 65, +30 Size, +10 Short Range, +20 Full Auto, +10 Motion Predictor (Maybe they are within 2m, which case it would be point blank at +30, but isn't necessary as I have enough DOS for all hits)
8 DOS
1. 3 Pen
For Tearing quality, replaces the 1
*****Is tearing allowed only once per attack?? Or is it once per hit???
Neve really considered it important, but I can see how it could make the difference in damaging hordes.
2. 3 Pen
3. 3 Pen
4. 3 Pen
5. 3 Pen
6. 3 Pen
7. 3 Pen
8. 3 Pen
Means 8 Hits from Full Auto (4) with Storm Quality (4) doubles the hits inflicted, each hit has Blast (2) quality, meaning 16 total.
Brother Temujin takes aim and sends a burst scything through the traitor soldiers.
5 DOS
Pen 6
Pen 6
Pen 6
Pen 6
Pen 6
Pen 6
The Hydra Warriors are decimated, despite their disciplined volleys of defensive las fire and skilled knife work the Kill-Team scythes through the soldiers like they are nothing, taking not a scratch of damage in return.
As the Squad watches one lightly wounded Hydra Warrior try to extricate himself from being trapped under the shredded bodies of several of his comrades while screaming obscenities in a dark tongue, a data stream from Watch Captain Hiro loads onto the Teams' HUDs.
Tertiary Objective added: Interrogate the surviving soldier for relevant information.
Korbin moves to the soldier, mentally routing his own helmets pict recorder feed to the Watch Captain through his MIU, then drags the surviving soldier from under the bodies by the back of his armor. The towering black figure hovering over him with nothing but dead silence, as if he's sniffing his prey before he devours it. He pulls back draws his blade in an instant and lightly runs it over the mans armor from crotch to neck, its razor sharp edge carefully scraping and penetrating his flak armor with ease, but precise enough to avoid cutting the man. As he draws past the mans neck, he says, "Next time I turn on the power and let the weight of the weapons slowly split you in two. Who are your masters? What do they want with the governor?
Interrogation WP 50 vs 3DOS.
WP 35 roll: 2 DoF
"My master is the great Alpharius and no other." The Warrior replies as he spits on the ground in a gesture of disrespect. "I know nothing of his plans and he is not so foolish as to entrust secrets to us, we exist only to fight!"
Is your master on this world or did he send you here to die alone?
As Brother Sardus listens, he confirms the transmission with the watch captain and prepares for the next phase by pulling out his Cartograph and opening a file containing the mansions layout. As a 3D image of the mansions comes to light, the team splits its attention between the surviving soldier that likely knows little more and the mission at hand. After taking a moment to confirm his location he tries to figure out how to best approach the governors quarters.
Tactics, Stealth and Recon, INT 50 vs FAILURE
As Sardus overlooks something, Brother Korbin thankfully points out what the commander missed and he reconsiders his options.
Same roll as before: 1 DOS.
"Alpharius is many and Alpharius is one, fifty of the master are here, though he retreats now through the Hidden Ways." The Warrior snarls.
Two likely routes appear highlighted on your display, one a long circuitous route that will take a awhile but has a low chance of hostile encounters and one straight through what is the likely heavily guarded main passageways, which will be real quick but filled with enemy forces.
Your main choices: The slow but safe back door, or the quick but bloody frontal assault?
Apothecary Morgan transmits some of his own questions over the vox to Techmarine Korbin.
"Ask him where the Dark Angels went, and why the Governor joined them."
As they finish up with the interrogation of the renegade Apothecary Morgan considers the two paths available to them.
"I want to come to grips with the governor as quickly as possible, but this Dark Angel presence worries me. Why would they abandon the counterattack versus the forces of Chaos? I am curious and the back door might lead us closer to the answer to that question. Because of that my suggestion is the back door."
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As Korbin hovers over the prisoner its clear the man has little left in him, he thinks to himself He's got a fighting spirit, but his resentment is of his own failure to please his masters. What promises could such masters offer to hold such sway over men?
Where have the Dark Angels gone? What is the governor so important?
As Korbin asks, he shows little remaining patience for the mans defiance, knowing these words will be the mans last, Korbin would like to Crucify him, but knows that those really responsible are further ahead. Time is of the essence. It will be swift and quiet.
Brother Sardus considers the words of the prisoner and after considering both options outlined by his cartograph, he concurs with the Apothecary and decides that information and surprise will be more valuable than glory in combat. If anything, Sardus is taken by surprise at the restraint showed by the Storm Warden. While Raptors aren't known for their head on approach, neither is voluntary support of other marine chapters. Sardus respect the marine even more for his open mindedness and believes he will be a valuable ally in the struggle to come.
Sardus comms his brothers over their main frequency, "We will be taking the roof, indirect and longer, but perhaps we will keep them off guard and make it difficult for them to prepare an adequate defense. Without their ambush or power of surprise, those men shall tremble and wonder what shadows we will emerge from. An indirect approach will force them to spread their forces thin. We must stop whatever plans are in the works and find those men responsible, whatever they want with the governor must be stopped.
As he switches frequencies, he sends an encoded message to the Watch Captain, not certain of what surveillance or communications monitoring that could be about.
++Prisoner ineterrogation nearly complete, will send backup recording of data once complete. Moving to roof towards objective. Main target may try to escape, unknown number of enamy escorts, expect possible extraction by ground or air. Requesting flyby of mansion or updated surveillance data to my cartograph.++
I need to know if they are hoping to actually hold us off to buy time or if this is just a distraction? Need answers.
As Sardus finishes up his orders and message to the Captain, he moves back over towards Korbin. Well? Anything else he can tell us? We need to move, now.
Back out the front, lets make our way up to the roof. Korbin and I have grapnels, you two can use them to help you up. I want Korbin and Morgan to take point as scouts, Temujin and I will take up the rear. I want to maintain our element of surprise, that means suppressed weapons and ammo only until our position is compromised.
As he finishes he turns to leave the Raven Guard to his work, not needing to say would would be done. As he leaves, he comms the Techmarine "Make it quick.
Where have the Dark Angels gone? Why is the governor so important?
The Warrior grunts in amusement. "That I do know, the Dark Angels chase their brother deep into the palace, the one that serves the Governor, eager to catch him before he flees I am sure. I haven't heard about them in hours, I wonder if they found him?!" The Warrior cackles, showing how he believes such an encounter would go.
"As for the Governor I don't know who or what he is, but the Master shows him respect and listens to his words, he must be important, knowledgeable or powerful in some way, that is all I know."
As he switches frequencies, he sends an encoded message to the Watch Captain, not certain of what surveillance or communications monitoring that could be about.++Prisoner interrogation nearly complete, will send backup recording of data once complete. Moving to roof towards objective. Main target may try to escape, unknown number of enemy escorts, expect possible extraction by ground or air. Requesting flyby of mansion or updated surveillance data to my cartograph.++
"Acknowledged." Responds Watch Captain Hiro. "Flyby impossible, roof is dotted with Hydra AA platforms, additional surveillance data limited due to atmospheric disruptions caused by orbital bombardment, will upload info as it comes in."
Apothecary Morgan waits for the heretic to be executed then consumes a portion of the heretic to try and confirm the information given. Then Apothecary Morgan readies his Stalker pattern bolter and places in a clip of Stalker rounds to ensure that the weapon is silent.
As the soldier makes his last remarks Korbin takes his large hands and easily snaps the neck of the soldier, thinking as he does so, This is more than you deserve.
Once finished he takes out a small knife and cuts a large piece of flesh, one for the Apothecary and one for himself. While he waits for the memories he makes his way back towards the entrance so they could make their way up to the roof with the rest of the squad.
The memories gained from the Warrior are processed in a dreamlike and image driven fashion. You both see, as if viewed from underwater, the wavy images of a series of memories.
The Hydra Warriors standing in serried ranks on a foul world of red skies and black, blasted earth. Astartes in dark blue armor, which you recognize as brothers of the Alpha Legion, issue instructions to the Warriors in low and strangely kind voices.
The Hydra Warrior falling through darkness, to emerge disoriented and stumbling from a towering Warp Gate in what appears to be the shuttle bay of this very palace. As he vomits on his boots more of his fellows emerge from the hellish red, flickering portal.
The Warrior standing at attention with a squad of his brothers as the Governor, a youthful, almost petite, man speaks to a number of trans-humans around a hololithic map in the Governor's suite. Next to the Governor is a slightly built, lithe, almost inhumanly graceful figure in spiky black armor, to his right a massive Alpha Legion Astartes in Terminator plate with a retinue of like armored marines standing behind him, and completing the circle is a Dark Angels Marine with a powersword at his side and a hood pulled over his helmet. The Warrior is too far away to see the map clearly or hear what they are talking about, but feels they must be speaking of something of great import.
You realize two mission critical things from the images, one, the Alpha Legion is without a doubt here and two, it appears how they arrived on this planet, and likely how they are leaving, is not by starship but through a Warp Gate located in the nearby shuttle bays.
Secondary Objective: Confirm presence of Alpha Legion. Completed.
New Tertiary Objective added: Capture and interrogate an Alpha Legion Astartes for any relevant information.
New Tertiary Objective added: Secure or destroy the Warp Gate location.
As Korbin emerges form the dream like trance he looks to Morgan who surely can confirm what he saw. He quickens his pace and makes his way to the commander to share what he has learned.
The Alpha Legion came here by warp gate through the Shuttle Bays, along with more Hydra Soldiers. I caught a glimpse of a meeting with the governor, he was talking to Alpha Legion soldiers clad in Terminator armor. I saw the Dark Angel hooded and at the circle, but what they were viewing or discussing is impossible to know. I suggest we find answers with an Alpha Legion soldier.
As Sardus hears what Korbin and Morgan have to say he considers what must be done.
It's clear the governor plays an important role and has the support of powerful allies. This Warp Gate is most troubling. He then pulls the Cartograph back out and looks for the shuttle bays and their distance from their current location. He considers if they are still best situated to take the roof tops to the Shuttle bays.
We can't let them or the governor escape. I want that Warp Gate secured and/or disabled. None must be allowed to escape. This is much larger than we thought and we mustn't allow their plans or key players to remain intact. I want us to re-route towards the shuttle bays to cut off their escape, they will either be coming to us or we will find them in the palace.
He once again comms the Captain +++Mission priority change: Securing/disabling warp gate in shuttle bay, confirmed access route of hydra troops and support. Requesting additional forces in securing warp gate so we may continue pursuing main objective.+++
You see you could take the roof tops to the outer mouth of the shuttle bays but it is likely closed, shielded by ceramite shutters when not in use or when the palace is under siege. You could cut through the shutters given time but it would be noisy. The other best route would be back through the palace and down two levels, a route that may or may not be heavily guarded. Either way the bays lie away from the Governor's suite.
Apothecary Morgan simply nods his head at Techmarine Korbin's look and follows to confirm the information given.
"There was also a lithe man in spiked armor. If he was with the main planning group he is probably a dangerous mutant or demon of some sort. I suggest we send part of the team to set up explosives at the warp gate while the second part heads up to confront the governor. The explosives team could rig the warp gate to blow and if any of the heretics who were important arrive the explosive team can then blow the warp gate to leave them stranded."