|
Watch Tower Erioch, Jericho Reach
Date, Time Classified
Your footfalls echo in the cavernous passage of Watch Tower Erioch as you head to the briefing. Watch Captain Fangtaker, a venerable and irritable Space Wolf, is exercising operational oversight over Kill Team Epsilo Zeta. The Space Wolves are rumored to be taking their sweet time in recalling Fangtaker to rejoin his company.
Be that as it may, you have much to prove and this mission will give you a chance to do so.
The briefing chamber doors open for you and you enter.
You do not see Watch Captain Fangtaker.
A large Astartes in black and silver armor marches through the double doors. He bears a large power-axe, with a power sword strapped across his back and a chainsword sheathed in a scabbard. Blood Angels iconography ordains his shoulder pauldrons, and the banner upon his back proclaims him as a member of the deathwatch. Marching in confidently, he introduces himself in a low, rumbling voice as Leonadist of the Blood Angels. Other than those few words, he remains silent.
Shortly behind him marches a slightly smaller Blood Angel, his bulk increased by the archaic MK V Jump Pack. The ablative studs that adorn Draculis' legs and helmet remained their silver color despite the uniformity of the Deathwatch, the only other color the Blood Pendants hanging from the Chapter pauldron on his right shoulder. Pock marks, chips, and deep cuts spiderweb across the entirety of the armor, there is no mistaking the history of this suit. Despite the horrific scarring of this Mk. V the joints and fiber strands move flawlessly, as though the internal working have never been pierced though to.
Draculis is also dramatically less armed than his brother. A Chainsword of unusual design sits at his hip while he carries an absurdly customized Combi-Melta. On his right hip sits the helmet which normally hides Draculis' long blonde hair and bright green eyes. His features sharp, much like his Scout company's Lucius.
"I'm honored to stand this watch beside all of you. I am Draculis of the Blood Angels."
Despite his power armour, the next marine enters with hardly a sound. He stands tall and slender and his long raven-black hair and pale white skin mark him as a son of Corvus Corax. He wears an old suit of MkVI armour, popular with his legion, but it's gauntlets are older still, venerable MkIV no less, it has clearly seen much conflict and what appears to be long since dried blood shows at many of the repairs. At his shoulders hangs a camoleoline cloak and he carries an Astartes Assault Shotgun in his hand, however it is the Kopis force sword at his hip and the raven bone fetishs on his person, that mark his true skills.
His voice comes as barely a whisper on the wind, and yet both marines hear it.
" Huh, Sons of Sanguinius, this should prove ... Interesting."
Gaius enters the room holding his helmet on his hand. It quickly seems obvious to everyone that he is a young Marine, though an aura of strong personality exudes from his confident gestures and movements.
He looks at everyone in the room, as if judging what can each add up to the Kill-Team, then he speaks.
-I'm Gaius Cornelius. Where's Cap'n Fangtaker?
Though deliberately omitted, his chapter seems fairly obvious to anyone who takes a quick look at his armour.
|
|
"The captain is delayed. He meets with the Watch Commander. But he sent me ahead here," says an apothecary in Deathwatch colors. His shaved head features an ocular augmetic that serves as his right eye. He holds in his right hand a Custodes power halberd, a relic. He is clearly a veteran with many decades of service under his belt. But with nary any sign as to his chapter of origin, the question that begs asking is: is he a disgrace or what?
"Kill Team Epsilon Zeta, I am to join you on your mission. Call me 'Tommen.'"
Gaius carefully observes the apothecary while he speaks, and many different possibilities pass through his head. Is he a failure for his chapter? Has he had differences of opinion with a superior? Can he be in some sort of soul quest? Did he join the Deathwatch as a youngster and never left?
-Why is such a veteran here? But in any case, his experience will be invaluable.
As he thinks how would that impact his leadership, Gaius speaks.
-Then if we're all we are, let us begin with the briefing.
His red robes replaced by those of the DeathWatch, Ren'Shaw enters, whirring and clicking, his body a mass of tubes, gears, and other extremities, the most prominent are the two servo arms grafted into his back
"Here to serve" he announces as he lays augmented eyes on those gathered
Leonadist nods at 'Tommen. You are clearly a veteran of many battles. It will be an honor to serve beside you
"I look forward to seeing your proficiency with such an uncommon weapon. Is the story of your gift to be a tale for our ears?" Draculis says to the Black Shield. Many secrets surround those who stand the long vigil without their colors. Trust comes from understanding, and understanding through knowledge.
"Two 'angelic' brothers, a hate everyone machine priest, a 'codex only' marine, a marine we know nothing about and a captain who doesn't even show up. Well we had better get this started, after all sooner started, the sooner they can send in a real team."
The almost lifeless lights that are now his eyes focus on the one called Cornix
"It is best not to insult those you have to work with, your life may depend on them" no anger, no malice, simply an observation and a word of caution
Gaius decides not to say anything. Once the show begins, he'll have to make it all come together.
Corbin barely reacts to the tech-marine's comment, his remains perched in the shadows, so still, that is hard to judge if he even realised he was talking out loud.
Leonadist chuckles slightly in amusement, than stops, embarrassed. ....So....the briefing... He smiles, trying to defuse any possible tension in the room. He can't really tell if there is any.
|
|
The deliberate stomp of a berserker can be heard from the corridor leading to the briefing room. You are not surprised to see a grey-haired barbarian in Astartes plate and fur appear before you.
Without waiting for any salute, he launches into speech:
[b]"Brothers of the Deathwatch, you of Kill Team Epsilon Zeta, have been granted an opportunity to render a great service to the AllFather, He Who Watches Us All From The Golden Throne. No more than a few hours ago, readings from various divination confirm the occurrence of an event long awaited. In the Solace system, a ship long thought to be lost will emerge from the warp and give us the opportunity to recover something valuable. A Deathwatch Librarian of the Raven Guard bore an artifact that was given over to his keeping as he sailed onboard this ship before it was lost. It is this artifact which you shall recover. The geneseed of our fallen brothers should also be recovered if possible. Do you have any questions, so far?"
Leonadist salutes him before answering And when are we to set out on this mission, brother?
At the mention of his Chapter, Cornix seems to snap out of his thousand yard stare.
"Captain how long has the ship been lost? Is there any chance that my brother librarian, could be existing in the shadows? What is the artifact we are looking for? How many other brothers are lost and which chapters? Do we have plans of the ship? Have any threats been detected on board?"
To the Captain's inquiry about having questions, Gaius responds.
-Yes. What are we expected to encounter?
"What were the circumstances of this ships loss, it's mission prior to it's loss?" Inquired Draculis.
|
|
"The Ardent Crown was lost in what is being termed as a warp-induced fiasco. You will discover the truth of it. That event occurred about a few generations ago. You can imagine the lack of solid information on the matter. On the other hand, threats from xenos and warp things are to be expected considering the length of time the Ardent Crown spent in the warp. Next, the artifact, a psychic hood, I am told, issued to the kill team's then librarian, Brother Nevar of the Raven Guard, is very much desired by our highers to be recovered. Now as to when, your ship awaits you all. You have one hour to gather your gear. Be quick."
Fangtaker bears his long fangs for emphasis.
"As you wish. I am here to serve" comes the mechanical voice from the TechMarine
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Come brothers, let us ready ourselves, once we are gathered on our transport we can decide Leader and oath. I will then also have time to read the Emperor's Tarot which may be able to give us a clue as to the enemy we face."
With that Cornix comes to attention and leaves the room without a sound.
Leonadist nods, then sharply turns around, ready to commune with his brothers on the subject of oath-taking, as well of perhaps-too-lovingly polish his gear
Gaius steps forward, then turns to face his comrades.
-Alright, meet you all here in 6000. Be ready and praise the Emperor. We'll show how the Astartes executes a mission.
|
|
You all board the frigate Blade of Contrition. It is reputed to be a fast ship often used for missions requiring swiftness.
You gaze out one of the windows to admire the scale of Watch Station Erioch. You realize that it can handle a sector fleet if it had to.
You are met by one of the ship's officers. Signing the symbol of the aquila, the officer introduces himself, "I am Stephen Locke, master of arms. The captain invites you to the bridge."
Having being talking about the strategies for a while, Gaius finds some comfort in changing the subject for a while.
-Okay, let's go with the protocol, guys. Remember, if you don't have anything remarkable to add to the conversation, don't add anything unless asked to.
With that he walks martially towards the bridge.
Leonadist bears a stoic look about him during the oath taking, and does not speak until he is required to. After polishing his gear, he walks towards the bridge, one step behind Gaius.
"I will make sure to commune with the Machine Spirit so that our passing in the derelict will be as little hindered as possible"
Ren'Shaw keeps quiet too. This was best left to those who were familiar with the art of speech. When things have a brain instead of sercutry he tended to know know what to do
-Posted with Wayfinder
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
You now stand before the bridge, a scene of active preparation. The captain seated on his throne barks his orders like a heavy bolter. You take a moment to take his measure and you are satisfied that he is competent and ready for the journey ahead. He notices you and beckons you all forward.
Captain Hugo Stiglitz. This is your first time on board the Blade of Contrition, yes?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Leonadist nods Yes, Captain
|
|
"Allow me to introduce her to you. The Blade of Contrition is a modified Falchion class frigate with 2 dorsal macrobatteries and 2 forward torpedo tubes. Since I am aware of your mission, we have taken the liberty of preparing boarding torpedoes for your use in case you wish to make an insertion into the Ardent Crown that way. We also have a Thunderhawk just in case. And I have been asked before: no, we do not have a teleportarium. Those things require much power and prove impractical in a vessel of this weight class. I trust foregoing will help you formulate your plans."
Captain, as we do not know the location of the item within the ship, I would suggest a stealthy approach to minimise resistance at any one point. What would you suggest for this method? Perhaps the Thunderhawk to a lesser used maintenance hatch or some such? Also have scans shown any signs of life on board the ship?
-Perhaps I find just one thing with the boarding torpedoes, which is how to leave once we're done.
The Thunderhawk seems like a a good insertion method. We have a way out, and it's more stealthy
"Yes. And it is a more formidable fallback point if things do not go as we planned. The Emperor Protects" he adds his voice to the group. Mechanical as it is
-Posted with Wayfinder
-So it seems we agree on that.
For The Emperor and Sanguinius, we will arrive safely and emerge victorious.
Once they leave the bridge, Cornix pulls Gaius to one side. "Brother come, I will read the Emperor's Tarot with you and we can focus on a question regarding what enemies we may face. It may give us a clue to our future"
2dos
-That is a wonderful idea. Astartes or not, much and many are the perils of the warp. Let us see what are we to face, and be prepared such wise.
Leonadist nods, and turns around, heading towards his cabin
|
|
Your journey through the warp proves uneventful. You spend the time planning and coordinating plans of action for all possible contingencies and then some. You requisition the gear you need.
It is just after dinner when the voxcasters announce:"Prepare for realspace reentry! Deathwatch to the launch bay!"
Gaius's augury read during the journey, Cornix puzzles over the answer received. As always the Tarot only suggested the future and it could, and admittedly it had, surprise you.
As the vox casters announced the arrival, Cornix grabbed his larger weapons that weren't already on his person and headed for the launch bay.
Gaius is, like always, hurrying everyone.
-Come on, come on! Let's get all our things ready, get to the Thunderhawk! Let's show everyone how the Emperor's favourites work!
He knows there is no need to do that - he trusts blindly in his brothers Astartes. It is just a way to release the thrill before a mission, a way to let the pressure escape. Something that sets him apart from his fellow Ultramarines, usually cold and sharpened, expert in strategies and tactics, whereas Gaius has always been more visceral and hot blooded, more inclined to lead by example than to teach by knowledge.
-Okay, this is it... whatever we find out there, let the Emperor's Mighty Hand fall upon it. For the Emperor!
For the emperor! Leonadist makes the sign of the Aquila
|
|
Gaius's augury read during the journey, Cornix puzzles over the answer received. As always the Tarot only suggested the future and it could, and admittedly it had, surprise you.
As the vox casters announced the arrival, Cornix grabbed his larger weapons that weren't already on his person and headed for the launch bay.