Deceiver
** spoiler omitted **
Despite your best efforts at obtaining material, you return empty. However, you receive word that The Many-Eyed viewed this as contrary to the will of the Gods and has ordained that you shall receive a measure of strength from the ship's armory. What manner of gift no specifics were given.
Over the ship vox can be heard, "Prepare for re-entry into realspace. All hands to your stations."
Andronical snarls in muted fury...then turns abruptly and heads to the drop pod
"Ah, more action. Once I was escaping, now I am moving to fight and gain advantage position. Oh thee, thou by Gods played will, shall eternally be moving on. Hah, might as well see what they have to offer there" mumbling the last words at the end as Rhud moves to secure himself
Xaman quietly gathers his wargear and heads to the drop pod.
Keita's head snaps up from the catnap she was taking, blinking as the import of the vox's message penetrated.
"Ah, how I hate transition... she mutters to herself, gathering up her gear and making her way down to the drop pod station.
Idly wondering what may come her way from the armory, Keita notes the others that had joined her in Many-Eyed's lovely throne room.
She then notes the newcomer, another legionnaire. Uninimidated, she places her gear close by and walks up, "Who are you, didn't know there was another to come with us."
Snapping back from his trance, and looking around subtly I am here as the gods demand of me. Who is this woman that speaks to me so comfortably?"[/b] a mental shrug [i]"The gods put her here for some reason we shall see what is her role to play"
In a deep whispering unnatural voice, as if death itself had been given a voice, and the metallic sound as he speaks trough his vox caster does not help his cause I am Belros... a small pause, not needed but judging her reaction to his voice for a moment I'm a member of the Dark Tusks and you are?"
Dark Tusks...I have heard of your band. Operating out of the Halo Stars, correct? Uncompromising and resilient is what I have heard.
Measuring up the Astartes speaking to him "We are at home in the Halo Stars" looking to the Astartes face"We were once bigger, we were legion once" looking at his face, but really looking further away into a distant past for a long time "Where are you from Astartes?"
Crimson Slaughter. Take from them everything, leave only corpses! Most of my Brothers are attached to the Black Legion as part of Abbadon's Crusade...
The Thousand Sons marine breaks his silence. "And what legion do your... chapters descend from? Who were your primarchs?
In a deep whispering unnatural voice, as if death itself had been given a voice, and the metallic sound as he speaks trough his vox caster does not help his cause I am Belros... a small pause, not needed but judging her reaction to his voice for a moment I'm a member of the Dark Tusks and you are?"
"Keita." she responds simply, meeting the Dark Tusker's gaze directly. She is about to add something more, but is inturrpted by Andronical's question to the Chosen.
As the other CSM's join in the discussion, Keita rolls her eyes then inclines her head to Belros and walks back to her gear.
There she stands , hands clasped behind her back, ramrod straight, waiting for the order to board the drop pod.
A reflexive snarl to the presence of a psyker reminiscent of his Primarch similar opinion that changed once they embraced chaos "I'm a son of Barbarus, legionnaire of the XIV legion, member of the Charnel Guard of the Dark Tusks chapter, from the 2nd Great company of the Death Guard" he recited it like he did long before the Heresy as if it was still a fact, something fresh in his mind.
Crimson Slaughter
Recently fallen chapter, slaves to Abbandons will. Weak.
"I thought all of the sons of Mortarion were ensnared to the Lord of Decay. Is that why you introduce yourself by your warband first and your genebrothers second?"
We have matters of greater importance to attend. All of you get on the drop pod and cease this fruitless needling.
"He favors us, that does not mean I worship him" walking into the drop pod and pausing for a second point a finger to Andronical "Do not presume to give me orders, you are but a babe in this long war you just joined" no
Xaman follows Belros, and without looking at Andronical says, "Stick to the fighting, we speak of matters beyond you, young blood. I have seen primarchs battle. You have never seen your genefather, do you even know who he is?"
Keita heaves her gear into the drop pod, seemingly ignoring the sniping between the Marines.
She settles into a drop chair beside the Magos, muttering "They argue and b@$+* like a bunch of nuns..."
Giving a quick glance at the woman "Always like that with the lot of them. Brawn no brain. How on earth did they survive so long, I do wonder. Outside of combat they have no use but sure they go like the false-emperor himself, being better than us" Rhud answers, with the low hissing of machines on the background
Nah you're right, I've only been a Marine since the 38th Millenium. you don't need my skill and experience at all
Andronical leaves the flight deck.
++I see that you are all getting acquainted. And I find the lack of bloodshed auspicious. Hahahahahahahaha++
The Many-Eyed hands each of you a chest. ++Do not open until you are on the planet. I mean it.++
"You are still young compared to me Astartes, I've only be fighting the Long War since the 31st millenium, not that you aren't capable, you are Astartes, but you are still young.
Keita leans forward to watch Andronical stomp away. Arching her neck to address Xaman, "Do all of your brethren have such thin skins?"
++Andronical, where are you going?++
Almost against his will, Andronical turns to face the seer. He removes his helm and shakes out his overgrown mop of black hair.
This gathering does not need my skills. They are too fractious and discontent. They would rather waste time in petty bickering and one-upsmanship than achieve glory.
++On the contrary, you should use your skills to precisely bring the others together with you. A little patience goes a long way, or so the saying goes.++
The klaxons sound and a mechanical voice announces, "We have re-entered realspace. We shall proceed to Solace at our fastest sub-light speed. ETA: 12 hours."
Andronical leans in and whispers to the seer...
Patience is wasted on this lot. But I will do this thing you ask.
Andronical hoists up the case in front of him, and steps onto the drop pod and straps himself into a seat.
Xaman looks down at the small woman who speaks to him for a moment before speaking, his face unreadable behind his helmet. "Baseline humans have evolved past transhuman dread in the past 10 millennia. Fascinating. But the answer to your question is simple. We are human, but more so, greater in every way, like our primarchs are greater than us and the Emperor greater than them. We are greater physically, mentally, and spiritually. Our virtues are greater, and so are our vices. Our successes are greater, and so are our failures. The Imperium is wrought by superhuman effort, a greater accomplishment than mortals could ever hope to achieve, and rotten to the core."
Keita arches an eyebrow at Xaman's long winded answer, "That may be, but I plan to exceed my baseline human limitations
++Alright, children, everyone board the drop pod. Remember what I said about the chests.++
Keita straps the chest from Many-Eyes into a niche near her drop chair, then settles in , watching as the others do the same.
Leaning back, she relaxes, realizing that this relative period of quiet probably won't soon be repeated.
Closing her eyes, she sleeps....and dreams...
Weighting the chest in his hands and carefully doing examination before hanging it from one of his hooks. Taking his spot and closing his eyes as Rhud went through multiple calculations and formulas in his head about the possibilities in Solace
Belros takes his place quietly and looking more like an old armor in display as he remain silent in his place with no movement or sound.
Xaman straps himself in and goes through old meditations.
The hooded figure of The Many-Eyed waves at you as the adamantine doors of the drop pod is sealed.
++Remember: do not open the chests until you are planetside.++ The Many-Eyed admonishes.
The twelve hour travel to Solace was uneventful. The Many-Eyed's warship transmitting the proper codes and responses to ward off any suspicion.
"Attention, drop pod. Prepare for launch in... 3... 2... 1."
You are slammed into your seats as the drop pod hurtles to Solace. The adamantium skin of your transport shielding you from the heat or re-entry.
You hear the drop pod deploy its retro thrusters slowing your descent.
There is a digital display which shows the distance to the ground.
10,000m
...
...
5,000m
...
...
...
1,000m
...
...
100m
...
0m
Again you are rocked into your seats. You have arrived at Solace.
As the hatches pop on the drop pod, Andronical hits the quick-release on the safety straps and stands up. Drawing his bolt pistol, he grabs the handle on the case and drags it out of the drop pod and two meters away. Keeping an eye open for danger, he hunkers down behind the case and keeps his eyes open, covering the exit of the others.
Xaman follows Andronical, pistol at the ready while pulling his case. Once outside, he tries to get a bearing on where they are.
Getting slowly up and adjusting his clothes, as his Optical Mechandrite begins scanning area a bit. Moving outside and looking around before concentrating his gaze at nearest possible place to sit to open his chest
Moving at the same pace as the other Astartes but somehow at the same time looking slower with his bolter ready for any surprises.
Woken by the countdown, Keita sighs as the automatic harness tightens uncomfortably around her slight frame, protecting her from the intense g-forces the descent inflicts on the drop-pod passengers.
Once the pod hits ground, she methodically gathers her gearbag and chest and follows the others out of the pod, seemingly nonchalant but missing nothing, scanning the surrounding environment...
You are at the wastes several miles outside of Hive Solace. The topmost spires of the hive can be seen just over the horizon. The setting sun painting it an orange hue. It is going to be a long walk.
For Keita
Droping her gear on the dusty ground, Keita swings her las-gun up to her shoulder and sights down it's long barrel, "Incoming....either our welcoming committee...or..."
Andronical looks in the direction Keita's barrel is pointing.
Hrmph. That is a long way off. Not nearly in range yet.
Andronical will rotate the case around to the direction Keita is pointing. He really doesn't see whatever it is Keita is watching, but will take her word for it, for now. Once the case is interposed between Andronical and the mysterious unseen thing on the horizon, he will open the case.
Andronical takes two clips of ammunition out of the case and places them in his ammo pouches.
We should find some cover. A place to set up as a base, then get to the work of grinding this pitiful planet for all its worth.
Xaman opens himself to the Great Ocean, and looks to the horizon to see what the mortal noticed.