"I think we should address it immediately, letting our prey live a second longer than needed allows them to get stronger. Losing a possible target is almost like a failed mission."
|
As for our next move, unless there was a specific time-frame given for our return to Conclave headquarters, we surely cannot pass up this lead on a cabal of xeno-trafficers. They present a moral and spiritual threat to the people of the sector, and their vile activities should not go unpunished.
If you will excuse me, lord, I will return to my training schedule.
“I agree with your analysis on decision making, but still distrust the leadership ability of the Ultramarine. I would hope that his time spent under your direct command will have changed him, but I have seen no proof. I would not have been so quick to let the Tiger Argent go without confirming his story and analysing the nature of the retrieved geenseed. Specially considering his story does not match with my findings. I would have liked to speak with this marine. However, I understand that my brothers could not have know what I know.”
“Furthermore, my investigation has left a lot of unanswered questions, which I would would be foolish to ignore.
“Overall I wish for you to take my opinion in the deployment of the team with less weight than that of my brothers, considering, with your permission, I will not be joining them”
Thedius took a few moments to allow his words to sink in
”As much as I long to have access to the librarium on Scintilla. I would choose to address the immediate issue. We cannot allow such corruption of a figure in power to fester and idleness breeds heresy. It is a happy coincidence that I can better continue my investigation in proximity to the unknown hero, assuming I get the permissions and information I seek.”
When the captain acknowledges Thedius's choice, the assault marine speaks up once more
”A single question if you'll permit me Captain. Has the inquisition been informed of the corruption of the Lady? Surely this is their area of expertise.”
“I urge you to keep this information, as speculative as it is, secret as it may cause infighting amongst the Iron Hands and their successors to re-ignite.”
Thedius explains before coming back to the topic of the Lady
”If the assault on the shrine of the of the unknown hero was blamed on the beast-masters in her care, she must surely know that it is a falsehood. Speed is of the essence lest she remove all evidence of her taint, escape, or worse. We alone are capable of that speed.”
”I wonder, if I could receive all the correct permissions, would you allow me to accompany an apothecary to do some tests on the unknown hero to ensure he is free of the taint of the Yu'vath ”
Aboard the Pious Immolation
Tellemachus makes his way to the Chaplin, as he walks into the area. He quietly kneels at an altar and gives soft prayers, the words effortlessly spilling from his lips
"Where there is uncertainty, I shall bring light.
Where there is doubt, I shall sow faith.
Where there is shame, I shall point atonement.
Where there is rage, I shall show its course.
My words in the soul shall be as my bolter in the field."
"O Eternal God Emperor; who alone spreadest out the heavens and rulest the raging of the warp;
Who hast compassed the void with bounds until day and night come to an end;
Be pleased to receive into thy Almighty and most gracious protection the souls of thy servants and the fleet in which we serve;
Preserve us from the dangers of the void, and from the violence of the enemy;
That we may be a safeguard unto our fellow man and his dominions, and a security for such as pass through the void upon their lawful occasions;
That the inhabitants of our Imperium may serve thee, our Savior and that we may return in triumph with the fruits of our labours;
And with a thankful remembrance of they mercies to praise and glorify thy Holy Name;
Through thine eternal rule;
Amen."
Friends? the thought is soon pushed away when the captain mentions stigma and the Dark Angels. We have no stigma, my chapter is pure, Elyas concludes displeased with the statement as the captain continues to speak. He tries to hide this displeasure and almost misses the question asked. Contemplating his answer Elyas remains silent for almost a minute before answering: "While such activity is most foul, I fear other more dire situations require our attention and would return to Scintilla first."
A few hours after your individual meetings, there is a command briefing that you are all invited to attend.
Col. Folken gives the official briefing.
"We have decided to track down this Lady Wrath, and put an end to this 'Beasthouse'. Lord Inquisitor Gathrix and Inquisitor Astrid Skane of the Ordo Hereticus will head the investigation here on Orendel's Tomb. The Pious Immolation will head to Phyrr where the Watch Captain's Kill-Team will track down these Xenos hunters and stop their supply. Daemon Hunter Ahmazi will be in command of the Cabal while Lord Inquisitor Gathrix is investigating. Any questions?"
"What of the Lady Olianthe Rathbone? She is surly aware of suspicion being cast her way. Wouldn't it be prudent to ensure she can make no move to protect her-self?"
Pleased that he and Brother Lutha has verbalised his thoughts Elyas once again wait in silence for the answers.
The Lord Inquisitor steps up to address your questions
"The Beasthouse is a notorious organization of heretics that collect Xenos from all over the galaxy to compete in illegal competitions. The Lady Rathbone has many friends in the Inquisition, but she was likely enroute to Sinophia when all of this came to light, which is a long trip. What ever we uncover here, we can use when we intercept her there if she is indeed involved. "
"Phyrr is a Death World. In M40 the Adeptus Mechanicus attempted to install a facility on the planet, that was abandoned not long after due to the extreme flora and fauna of the planet. It is possible that these beast-masters are operating out of these ruins. Other than the infamous Phyrr cat, which you have already encountered, not much of the planet has been categorized. Expect lethal plants and animals of all shapes and sizes. The beast-masters tend to use their creatures in combat, but they also have access to military-grade weaponry. Even if Lady Rathbone is innocent, they are being funded by someone in the Noble houses."
"The mission will be to take out that facility and track them back to their source. Less investigation, more seek and destroy Astartes."
Arkhos cannot stop a grin on his face "Finally my duty to execute those that would undermine the work of the Emperor shall meet their demise" as he nods in agreement with Borther Lutha "Well said" as he also is curious to see an eager Lamenter for combat.
After the meeting the Watch Captain talks to the Kill-Team "I had already considered what Brother Lutha had asked. I used to be stationed on the Moon of Phyrr. Combined with Magos Vek's first hand knowledge of the biology of the planet we will be designing a simulation for you all to prepare for the mission ahead. "
"In other news, Brother Johann's story checks out, the gene-seed is indeed of the Tigers Argent and it maintained its purity all these years. As promised we are going to assist him and his chapter. They are in need of weaponry and supplies. So until we get back to Scintilla, we will be shorter on supply. I feel though that after encountering the Phyrr cat in nothing but a robe and bolter, you are all ready for any challenge on Phyrr regardless of the equipment provided."
Understood sir. These heretics cannot be allowed to undermine the laws of the Emperor any longer. And I'm sure I speak for all of us, sir, when I say that we welcome the chance to train together in this simulation. No doubt it will prepare us fully for our time on Phyrr, and will forge even stronger bonds between us.
It is pleasing that the Tigers Argent will have a chance to reconstitute their Chapter. Perhaps the Deathwatch can look forward to some of them taking the Apocryphon Oath in the future.
Valerio nods his head in agreement, "I am glad that we were able to assist the Tigers Argent, Brother Johann seems a good man and does his chapter proud." He smiles wide before continuing "Even though we may be shorter on supplies we shall not let these heretics on Phyrr have any quarter. I'm certain they shall feel our just might none the less. Let us begin the training!" Valerio is quite excited to train with his brothers, and the idea of a challenge gets his blood boiling.
Tellemachus makes the sign of Aquila and fire burns in his eyes.
"Let us purge the blasphemers and the mutants!
These training sessions will truly reveal to me the capabilities of my fellow battle-brothers
"My sole job is to hunt down and execute those that would undermine the Emperor's will" as he smiles and agrees with the words of his companions "Let us then forge a bond in blood and sweat brothers, for a better chance of success on the task at hand" we are not short of supplies Captain, just short of time to get to every single heretic and xenos".[/b]
The Watch Captain brings you all to a large portion of the ship that has been set up with obstacles. "You will be judged on accuracy, speed and completion of the obstacle. Any questions?"
"I am glad that trusting the Tiger Argent was the correct decision. I'm not one prone to sympathy and would have been harsher to the Astartes, for I would not allow anyone an easy pass to the path of the traitor!" Thedius interjects, his congradulations sounding almost grumpy.
No questions sir. Ready to begin.
Speed is not my forte, and my training so far has been defensive in focus, Lucian thought to himself. This will be a good opportunity to sharpen my skills, but I fear that the Assault marines, and quite possibly the rest of the Kill-Team, will outshine me in this exercise.
The first challenge is a patch of mud followed by a series of tightly packed plants and trees that must be negotiated.
When you finally get through you see a small narrow path between two large trees that are covered in barbs and a thick sap.
Next is a series of targets. The first two pop up in the far distance as you negotiate more mud. Then two suddenly pop up in front of you.
After taking a winding path you come to a very large door. There are strange runes on this door and a control panel to the right.
The door opens and gunfire opens up from two gun servitors inside. Behind them is the button you push to finish the challenge.
Thedius sloshes through the mud using brute force and speed rather than any skill or knowledge
Grabbing the tree when he noticed it is best suited to do so Thedius pushes on to the next chalenge without being significantly slowed
Knowing that the ranged targets would be his downfalling Thedius tried to make up time on the close ranged ones, but failed to really gain back the time
The ruin infuriated Theius to the extreme and he had to stop himself from simply having at the door with his power axe!
The assault marine is still fustrated when it comes to the end and recieves the weapons fire on the chest, the impact slows his retaliation and there is a look of pure fury when he finally presses the button!
Seeing Brother Thedius' struggles with the simulated environment sets Lucian on the back foot. If an Astartes as agile and fast as Thedius has had such difficulty, I must work as hard as possible, and trust in my training and the Emperor to see me though without embarrassing myself and my Chapter.
Lucian steels himself, and launches into the thick mud and undergrowth, trying to dodge the large plants as he goes.
He hurls himself through the trees to find his way blocked by two especially large, spined trees.
Leaping into the lower branches, Lucian attempts to climb up to a gap to enable him to pass through.
The barbs scratch at his ceramite gauntlets, but they provide convenient handholds, and Lucian ascends quickly before dropping down on the other side of the trees.
Suddenly, two xeno-beasts appear in front of him. Lucian pulls his bolt pistol from it's holster, and snaps off two quick shots. As he does, two more targets appear next to him from out of the mud. Drawing his combat blade, he slices at the two new targets.
An awkward landing in the thick mud causes Lucian's shots to go wild, and he cannot land a blow on either of the nearest targets before they disappear again.
Leaving the mud behind, Lucian starts quickly up a winding path. His way is blocked by a door covered in xenos markings. He tries to decipher the markings in order to open the door.
The markings slow Lucian down, but fortunately the door opens as he traces out one of the markings with his finger.
As the door opens, solid rounds pelt into Lucian's breastplate from the gun servitors in the room. He raises his bolt pistol and opens fire as he takes cover.
The gun servitors explode as the mass-reactive bolt shells detonate inside their chest cavities, and Lucian rolls out of cover and slaps his hand onto the button.
I hope I have acquitted myself well. Now I must wait for the others to complete their run to see which of us has performed best.
Tactics Assault
Brother Arkhos speed is his best bed and rushes through the mud to enter a forested area he deftly passes by using his reflexes.
AGI 55
Using his momentum he jumps through the narrow path passing the obstacle.
Acrobatics 45
This time his speed was his downfall as the mud caught him by surprise and he hastily pulls out his boltgun and his shots are of their targets, but he unleashes his anger by ripping through the closes ones with his axe.
Ballistic Skill 40
Weapon Skill 45
Arkhos slows the pace as he travels a path that leads to a rather large door that seem familiar enough to decipher [b]"Xeno filth" as he manages to use the control panel successfully to pass through the door
Forbidden Lore: Xenos 40
Gunfire shoots from unknown enemy but Arkhos manages to move out of the way and close the distance while dodging the servitor shots that he dispatches with furious efficiency and pushes the button to finish the challenge.
Dodge 55
Weapon Skill 45
Tellemachus eyes the obstacles with anticipation and paces his breathing as he meets the first obstacle
3 DoS
The mud proving not enough a challenge to the astartes as he pushes onward
0+1= 1 DoS
Tellemachus swings up the trees despite the tough fooliage
Barely just missing the first target, he brings his sword down cruelly on the other
Coming to the Runes, Tellemachus strains his mind to decipher them
Puzzled, he moves on
3 Dos