Elyas turns for a brief moment towards Brother Thedius, but says nothing in response before returning to the task at hand. Once inside the scene unfolding before his eyes only fuels his cold anger. At Brother Lucian's order he places himself in front of the inquisitor facing the stairs.
Your words do you credit Hallan. I too had doubts about our purpose here, but seeing the effects of the heresy that has taken root here, our duty is clear to me now, as should it be to all of you. On our return to the Pious Immolation I will enact my penance for doubting my superiors.
Valerio positions himself to one side of the door, in a standard breaching formation. He readies his Bolter, and then concentrates on his Auger Array again
"Brothers, it seems that we are clear of hostile forces." He pauses a second before continuing, almost as if an after thought, "Within 50 meters at least."
"This visor isn't working Lord. It is blinding me". Jyson complains as he enters the room and lifts up his pyscocollum.
"It is working, this entire area is filled with pysker energy and witch fire. We need to get to the next level. How do those stairs look? He directs his question to Brother Elyas and Brother Lutha who are checking the stairs under Brother Lucian's direction.
+++ There is going to be some commotion in your area Sirs. Gangers have gone underground about to deploy Seismic charges to flush them out.+++ Col. Folken calls on the Vox and informs you, it is hard to hear with the sound of battle in the background.
Thedius, Tellemachus; anything down that hallway? Leon and I will check this door before we move on Inquisitor, I don't want us getting ambushed as we ascend.
Understood Colonel Folken, we will be ready. You and your men are performing excellently, the Emperor rewards those who attend to their duties with faith and resolve.
Lucian readies his heavy bolter, standing in the doorway for maximum coverage of whatever might be on the other side.
Leon, open the door on my mark, and ready to cover my blind spot. Three, two, one, mark!
Tellemachus points his shotgun ahead of him, as he walks down the hallway. He motions for Thedius to follow. Tellemachus listens intently for any movement.
Tellemachus stops for a moment, shotgun still pointing forward. He comes to the corner and peeks around it.
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The door opens into a grand gallery. There are servitors attending the various items. This looks to be where guests were seen. A servitor approaches the group.
"Souls shattered, piercing foul scream" The servitor speaks in an odd tone.
Brother Leon, is this servitor defective? Can you deactivate it?
Lucian readies his heavy bolter to sweep the room with fire, prepared to destroy the servitors if they show any sign of corruption.
Drawing his chainsword and gripping his bolt pistol tightly Elyas prepares to charge the servitors should the need arise. "Prepare to seek cover inquisitor," he advices as he fears the inquisitor may be left with an unguarded rear.
"I am uncertain, beyond it's odd vocal pattern it seems to be functioning normally. However we should remain calm, I would hate to startle it should I be wrong."
Valerio looks over the Servitor, careful not to startle it with any sudden movements should it be malfunctioning, while trying to remember how to shut it down without causing further undo damage.
Leon, close the door again, these servitors seem of little consequence. Brothers, our goal apparently lies up these stairs. Elyas and Thedius will take point up the stairs. Leon and I will stay at the rear, and Hallan and Tellemachus will escort the Inquisitor in the centre. Maintain good spacing, and remain alert.
Thedius follows his orders to the letter. Furthermore to the best of his ability, regardless of the actions of the rest of his team. It does not pass the Assault Marine's attentiont that the black shield ignores his advice. He checks down the hall exactly the same as he would
Again when ordered up the stairs Thedius responds to Vartas courtly
"As you command"
Thedius uses his increased pace to atempt to get at about 5 meters before the Dark Angel so he may at least have a chance of spotting the foe before the team is heard coming.
"Bless us in our time of need o'mighty Emperor, protector of mankind and bringer of truth and light. Let not these dark images cloud our minds, we seek only to bring glory to you and your will to these craven heretics. Solemn is our duty, but only in death does it end. Bring fire, bring purity to those that would defile his name!
Tellemachus walks to his ordered position, maintaining a perimeter around the Inquistor. Hmph, the Son of Dorn's advice doesn't reflect well on how I conduct my orders. He should worry more about himself. He stops suddenly at the servitors words, trying to recall something
He shakes his head, remembering nothing. He remains vigilant, absorbing every sound
Agreed, Jyson come here, I want you and Zelra to remain down here in case we missed anything. He whispers something in Jyson's ear in a foreign tongue.
You climb the stairs and reach the top floor. There is more carnage and bodies strewn about. There is an elevator that leads to the Dome, and a narrow flight of stairs, Astartes will have to advance single file up them.
The ground suddenly shakes. Your mag boots react accordingly and remain stable as does the Lord Inquisitor, Father Zyas is not so lucky and falls. You can hear ordnance going off in the distance.
Oh, thank you. I am not as young as I once was. My word they really are giving it to them gangers aren't they? Well good, they will think twice about rebelling next time. If only they knew the horrors we shield them from.
Lord Inquisitor, how far above us do these stairs lead? The narrowness of them would make a perfect choke point to conduct an ambush, and I am keen to avoid such a possibility.
Lucian turns to the assault marines.
Elyas, Thedius. Do you believe that you could ascend this lift shaft, as the rest of us ascend the stairs? It might provide an opportunity for a counter-ambush if any heretics lie in wait at the top.
Elyas lets the other assault marine take the lead giving him a little space but ready to engage should he be attacked.
"Yes, but it won't be quiet brother." Turning to Thedius he asks: "Will you take the honour of leading or shall I?"
There is only the dome above us now. There will be a hatch at the end of them to access the dome. The stairs are rarely used. I think if we hurry they will still be distracted by sending the message.
"From what I have seen of you brother Elyas, you are a more rounded assault marine, capable of engaging the foe at range as well as in close combat. I have sacrificed my training in ranged combat for the study of the art of stealth and recon. You would more adaptable in dealing with this unknown threat. My speed will allow me to minimize the risk in going second. That is my suggestion brother."
Thedius turns back to Vartas
"Furthermore Ultramarine, my brother of the Crimson Fists, Valerio León, has the ability to scan the area for life. If there is an ambush beyond the stairs, he should be able to detect it. I will be where you order me to be."
The anger and frustration has left Thedius's and what is left is the focus on completing the mission to the best of his ability, even under the restrictions set upon him. He had decided to treat it as a test.
"Very well brother, I shall lead," Elyas replies. "Brother Lucian, I would prefer an advance through the stained glass by jump pack," Elyas states using the squad frequency.
Once again the mighty rocket thrusters roar to life as brothers Elyas and Thedius take of from the ground, hurling them along their chosen path. As they approach the stained glass Elyas fires several bolther rounds breaking it before the assault marines breach.
Agreed Elyas. You and Thedius will enter the dome through the windows, and the rest of the squad will ascend via the stairs.
Leon, Tellemachus; what can you tell me about what lies above us?
"Brother Elyas how about a little competition. The first to destroy whatever warp spawned monster is in control up there wins. We can name the man with the greater kill-count the winner in the case neither of us claim the prize. What say you?"
At first the vox is silent, then comes the reply: "Mission first."
Thedius, your zeal and commitment are noted, but do not allow yourself to be drawn away from the mission at hand. We cannot afford to become divided, facing as we do the powers of the Warp and the heretics who would see fit to use them.
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Brother Tellemachus and Brother Leon are unable to discern the amount of individuals up the stars do to a Pyschic Shadow that is strong enough to cause some electronic disturbances as well. Manarc can not see through the windows+black clouds that are being generated to give you a proper description either.
When you get to the dome you see four chairs filled with bound humans. The muscles on the humans are bulging and they are drooling. There is a tall, thin, dark skinned Astropath standing in the middle of the circular room next to some sort of large device that is linked to the humans in the chairs.
"Ha! I knew it would be you Gathrix. House Aleene's personal lap-dog. I will destroy it all if you come any closer!" The Astropath exclaims
"Go ahead, we no longer have need of your archaic ways. I have only come for what was promised. Give me that and you may keep your life if not your station. Deny me and you lose both this day Lord Gathrix explains as he draws his weapon and Father Zyas moves out from the stairs poised to attack.
"YOU! The Conclave will hear of this!
The Conclave knows Velznic. It is sanctioned. Lord Gathrix produces a piece of parchment with the seal of the Calixian Conclave(the ruling council of Holy Ordos in the Calixis Sector).
Almost manageing to remain hidden upto the breach his blot shells hails his arrival a second to soon.
The scene in the dome reeks of heresy, and the Astropath seems deranged.
Stand aside Astropath, we are here to end the unholy abuses of humankind that have been perpetrated here. You will comply, or you will die.
Lucian moves to shield the Inquisitor, and aims his heavy bolter at the Astropath.
Lucian, Elyas, engage! Everyone else, fire for effect.
"The mission is to protect the Inquisitor, who you are sending me far away from Ultramarine. So I can only surmise that the best way to do so is to cause as much shock and distraction as possible. Competition motivates me, as it should anyone with ambition
"Is it contrary to my mission to dispose of the greatest threat as quickly as possible when it shares the room with Inquisitor Gathrix? Ignore the question. We will have this argument later, when time is not of the essence"
Thedius will charges the astropath and grapples him, attempting to disable him for the inquisitor.
