Everyone loads unto the ship and readies to depart. Securing your equipment and then yourselves, you find the initial part of the ride smooth and uneventful. As you near the planet and begin to enter what remains of its atmosphere the pilot tells you to hold on.
The pilot expertly guides you all in and you barely notice turbulence. Careful to maintain the orders and a radio relay your escort does its best to keep within radio range and escort you in further. During transit another tech-adept is searching using the augur arrays. You swoop in over a polar region on the darkside of the planet. Daylight wouldn't be for many hours.
Can't see much, its totally dark and the interference is messing with my instruments. I'm going to try and re-calibrate the equipment, would one of you mind looking through the augurs and tell me if its working?
While you are not able to locate the power source directly you do come across what appears to be some installation entrance, it's large and scans show a tunnel descending underground. Temperatures are freezing and it would be possible to set down close to the entrance without harm. I doesn't look like an Imperial Outpost. You only catch a glimpse before it disappears however. Were you lucky or hallucinating?
Ulrich steps forward to take the Augur.
Ulrich flags the location of the facility entrance, "I spotted some sort of Installation there. It does not look Imperial, but there seems to be room to land. Pilot, bring us in on that location."
"Non imperial that sounds like a good place to start. May i suggest a codex spaced spread on landing with myself closest to the entrance, Xing and yourself Ulrich flanking and Luthar and Varryl watching the wings."
I concur, says Lucian as he seals his helmet onto his collar. I will inform the Inquisitor.
Switching to the long range vox, Lucian reports to the Inquisitor. +++My lord, we have located some kind of installation on the surface. It appears non-Imperial in origin. We are investigating.+++
As he awaits a reply, Lucian rechecks the ammunition fed to his heavy bolter, and mutters a short prayer to the weapon's machine spirit to ensure it's reliability and accuracy.
I'm setting us down a few hundred meters from your coordinates, but I can't see anything down there that resembles what you described, maybe some glitch in the augers? he says with a concerning tone, but not disobeying the marines command. He brings the ship down and lands.
No reply yet from the Inquisitor, but the relay may need some additional time. We will maintain radio contact and forward any message to your vox.
A light in the cabin where the marines made the short journey and where their gear awaits, gives the indication that they have landed and are ready to unload.
Before you depart a Adept approaches and informs you of the atmosphere.
The thick cloud cover is nearly impenetrable and resistant to most types of scans. I'm not sure how much sunlight even reaches the surface. The atmosphere initially seems to be a mixture of mostly poisonous gases and it shouldn't be able to support any lifeforms that I am familiar with. We will continue to coordinate and scan the area for additional information.
Releasing his mag-harness, Pyros stands up mag-locks his hammer to his back and readies his bolter before hefting the ceramite slab that is his storm shield. "Good work Adept, we will keep you informed of anything that might be affecting those scans. If we can survive in our blessed power armour, then who knows what xenos or heretical form of environmental suit they may have. Be vigilant and ready for we do not know what awaits us or you and we may need to leave in a hurry."
Ulrich clamps his helmet over his head with a murmured prayer to the machine spirit in his armor, then moves toward the release for the exit ramp, "We will relay back whatever we find. Emperor be with you. Seal the air lock and do not cycle it after we depart; if we come back in a hurry I do not want to have to wait for it to cycle again."
The ship's crew confirm your orders and comply. As you step out and head in the direction of where you believed the base to be, you can't see it through your visors, its nothing but barren rock in a cliff side. Perhaps some other method of scanning in close proximity would reveal more.
Your scans show a different image than what your eyes are seeing. It seems you can continue on, that their is a recess in the cliffside that is deeper, about 100m deep and 50m wide if you had to guess. It's not clear what is inside, the detail and resolution of your scans show some grainy barrier invisible to the naked eye.
As he moves on the right flank of Brother Pyros, Ulrich uses his hand-held Auspex to try and penetrate the secrets concealed by the surroundings.
Ulrich notices the discrepancies between the scan and what his eyes can see, just not the depth that more powerful equipment would discern.
Releasing his mag-harness, Lucian stands and checks his wargear for one last time. Addressing the pilot, Lucian reinforces the need for vox contact.
Keep this frequency open at all times. You are not to leave this landing zone unless ordered by one of the Kill-Team or the Inquisitor. Is that clear?
His apprehension is clear from Lucian's clipped tones, and he steps through the airlock with Pyros and Hammern, sweeping his heavy bolter around as he cycles the autoloader.
" Brothers, I can see nothing resembling a structure. If anyone can see it, talk me forward and I will secure the entrance. If not, was it a malfunctioning machine spirit?"
Ulrich fiddles with the controls of the Auspex, muttering small prayers to the machine spirit inside it and attempting to gain better resolution for the image before sharing the results with the team, "The Auspex shows what may be a way in. That recess just 30m ahead and 15m to the left. The scan shows it is larger than it seems. It should be about 100m deep, but there seems to be some kind of barrier to the scans. Advance with extreme caution."
The kill team, 10m from the entrance, continue forward cautiously, with visibility very limited.
Looking forward there is a momentary flux in the field as it flickers for an instance, revealing to plain sight what truly lies behind the veil.
1dos
"I think I see it now, it appears there is some sort of cloaking shield. Follow me in.
Pyros steps forward, bolter traversing left and right.
Ulrich advances on Pyros' right, his plasma gun ready, "I see it also."
Xing moves out of the ship in formation, careful and mindful of the elements and the vision of some invisible installation. He tries to pierce the warp with his sixth sense upon arriving at the cliff, having no equipment to aid in his endeavor. He takes the words of his brothers as truth and moves with them, trusting in their decisions as he knew they trusted in his.
Awareness (75)vs 3DOS
I see it brothers, whatever is cloaking the entrance must be malfunctioning...Or perhaps it is someone twisting the warp...his voice trailing into silence as he ponders the possibilities.
As his brothers seem to move forward through the invisible barrier, Xing follows, bolter and sword ready, opening himself up further to the ebbs and flows of the warp.
Psynscience (70)vs
Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to conceal whatever is here. We should be prepared for significant resistance. Lucian looks around for signs of movement, hoping to pick up any potential threats as early as possible despite the limited visibility.
Deleos stands ready, both of his Weapons (a Crozius Arcanum and a Thunderhammer) drawn and looking for a Target to exert vengance on.
1DoF
Those treacherous Xenos! I may need a waypoint Brothers, my Auto-Senses failing to get me a clear view on the target.
Switching to his enhanced external speakers.
Come on Xeno Filth! Show some dignity in your last moments and engage us face to face on the field of Honor and when you take your last breath, be ready to burn in the Eye of the Emperor!
5DoS
As the team enters past the barrier and Vartas looks around, he notices what looks to be non-imperial weapon emplacements hidden along the walls. While they have not activated or fired, moving closer could alert the machine spirits to your presence and some auto defenses could awaken.
There is no cover in the corridor, about 100m long. At the end you see a larger metal door that appears to be sealed.
Xing can sense the barrier and it blocks his sense of the warp completely, an impenetrable psychic barrier and cloaking system in one. Though during the momentary fluctuation you are nearly overwhelmed with the energy resonating inside. As you step through you are cut off from the warp momentarily and only by the light of the Emperor are you left with any connection to the warp. Something here is drawing all the warp energy inside this field towards itself. It's in the direction of the installation, you are certain your going in the right direction. Lastly, you feel the faintest trace of some powerful entities as your own powers are weakened by something.
As Deleos steps through the barrier last, following the marines ahead of him blindly, he announces the kill teams arrival with his loudspeakers.
Machine spirits quickly stir to life from the noise and immediately begin scanning for targets. Before the team can find cover they are assaulted by what appears to be energy weapons from multiple directions.
Damage:
Each hit is 20 damage, type E.
There are currently 10 weapons activated and firing on you, 5 on each side, spaced about 10m apart. Surely there are more further ahead that have not begun firing, but might once targets are in range. Shots to hit them are at -10 for size and require a called shot as they're protected from the front.
Melee attacks will be tricky, you'll have to run to them, the tunnel is 30m wide, let's say you're in the middle just inside the entrance, a few meters from the barrier. They weapons are 5 meters above ground, the tunnel itself about 10 meters tall. You'd need some acrobatics or maybe there is something to help you get up that high you might have/find.
The first Shot clearly hitting home, but does no real damage Torso AP:11, T:10
Siede stepping the next shoot, Deleos targets the first defensive weapon with his wrist mounted Stormbolter.
(each +10 Semi-Auto, Close Range, Motion Predictor, -20 Called Shot, -10Size)
=> 3DoS = 3 Hits
Pen 4, X
Pen 4, X
Pen 4, X
Pen 4, X
Firing a precise Burst at the nearest Target, Deleos is analysing his surrounding, looking for an opening in the defence.
3DoS
v 60
Striding through the turret fire, Varryl studies the turret design in hopes of determining their foes identity.
"With me! We must ensure this affront to the Omnissah is fully destroyed!"
Lucian isn't quick enough to evade all the incoming fire, and energy beams slice into his breastplate. In response he raises his heavy bolter, aligns his targeting matrix on the nearest autoturret and opens fire.
This sustained fire will shred us, we need to retreat or advance, we cannot remain here, Lucian calls over the squad vox.
Weathering the initial storm of fire behind his Stormshield, Pyros is able to evade the later shots coming in.
Pondering the enemy, Pyros tries to recognise the xenos creator of these weapons.
3dos
Weighing up their choices he sees an opportunity.
"Everyone to the left. If we are under the guns then only half can shoot at us."
As he shouts his tactical suggestion, Pyros runs to the left hand side of the corridor under the nearest weapon, where he drops to one knee and braces his Storm shield above his head as a ledge.
"Brother Chaplain, boost off me to the weapon."
Dodge: AG 50, Flip Belt +20, Armor +10 (80):
Xing steps aside the fire and avoids it entirely while summoning the what connection he has left with the warp, attempting to summon a fog that could conceal and cover his teams approach. Unfortunately the interference is too great and nothing happens.
Full Action Void Fog:
Unfettered FP test: Failed.
Excellent idea brother Pyros. Push forward and stay close, I will try to protect us from the weapons on the opposite side.
Your tactical insights are truely worthy of a Son of Vulcan, Brother Pyros.
Building up momentum, Deloes is rushing towards the ready Pyros, quickly trying to reminding himself of the war cry of the Salamanders to honour Pyros and his glorious Chapter.
A vision of green-clad warriors on a battlefield far away, in space and time, appears in his mind and he can recall their war cries as they charges forward to the front lines.
Into the Fire of Battle!
Leaping of the readied Storn Shield of Pyros it is easy for Deleos to reach the Xeno Weaponry with his Thunderhammer.
4DoS
Pen:9, E, Power Field
With a echoing thunderclap and blue lightning the Hammer hits its mark, just a few inches under its forward protection, hitting the vulnarable xeno tech underneath for maximum damage.
Landing in a sparcle of electric discharge and ruble, Deleos steadies himself, ready to dodge shots from the other side of the tunnel.
With a long and feral howl, Ulrich dashes forward with his brothers, deftly slipping between the fusillade from the unknown energy weapons. He sights carefully with his plasma gun on one of the gun emplacements that is still firing at the Marines.
The shot splashes harmlessly on the emplacement's covering and Ulrich snarls again, studying the weapons' behavior and energy signature to determine their origin.
The Blood Angel opens fire with his Storm Bolter and immediately destroys one of the emplacements. His tactical assessment is to move to one side into the potential blind spots of the turrets and then fire on the other turrets opposite of you. Remaining in the blind spot on one side's turrets should half the fire taken.
Brother Varryl is deeply troubled by the tracking and targeting of the devices, they seem to perfect and automated in their movements, with the energy signatures reminding him of Tau weaponry. Closer inspection might yield more information.
Lucian takes aim and disables another turret with a precise shot.
Brother Pyros shouts his suggestion before the Blood Angel can share the same tactical conclusion, however his focus on the weapons in the blind spot isn't the most pressing concern as they are unable to fire on them, but can continue to harass those in the middle. He kneels in preparation for another brother to boost off his shield.
Shortly after Deleos comes charging and leaps to decimate one of the weapon emplacements with his hammer.
Xing attempts to aid the team but his powers are weakened and he fails, moving closer to the team, perhaps he will have better luck on his next attempt.
Finally Hammern easily dodges some shot taken at him, but is aim is loose and he fails to connect his shot. The weapons are xenos in origin, and slightly remind you of Tau weaponry.
The first turret on each side of the tunnel is destroyed, and as some of the team moves to the left, others remain still in the middle. Soon a second turret to the left is destroyed by an amazing feat of team-work as you notice one of your brothers flying through the air as though aided by a jump pack.
As the team begins advancing, the fire from the tunnel increases as turrets from the rear activate and begin firing more powerful munitions. While most fire is small and not enough to penetrate the armor of a marine, some energy bursts are more powerful and larger than the others. Out of nowhere you see some missiles streak across the room in the direction of the brothers on the wall.
Everyone in the middle dodges two shots from energy weapons, likely Pulse weapons.
E Pen 4
People on the side dodge once, the incoming fire is more potent and coming from the rear weapon mounts, small missiles race towards you all.
X Pen 6
Now that you've come under heavier fire you notice looking at yourself and your brothers in the middle that some kind of light is marking targets on you and your team. Invisible to the naked eye, your auto-senses are able to discern a slight variation in the darkness. You are being painted and marked by something that is directing the fire of the weapon emplacements. Marines with this knowledge may either Dodge as normal or pass a -20 Awareness test to avoid being marked and targeted.
Brother Deloes tries to stand firm after the huge jump he just made.
Failing to land as firm as he expected, Deleos needs a brief moment to ready himself ...
... which is nearly to long to dodge the heavy weapon fire from the background of the tunnel. He launches forward at the last possible moment to get clear of the explosion.
+++Weapon Illumination detected. Try to detect source and disable it. Move to this side and disable weapons on the other side. The Emporer protects!+++
+++Source detected. Using my Signum Link to illuminate it.+++
Deleos is taking aim at the source of the illumination activating his signum link, ready to shoot a presice shoot.
Cannot find the Source. I suggest to quickly move on this side towards the door, blast through and deliver the Wrath of the Emporer to those coward xenos hiding somewhere behind that door if we cannot disable those weapons quickly!
After Deloes voxed this he taikes aim on the heaviest weapon at close range of his Storm Bolter (40m) on the other side of the tunnel.
After launching Brother Deleos into the air, Pyros is already moving forward out of Deleos' landing space when the missile approaches. Turning his forward momentum into a roll, Pyros easily dodges the missile and moves forward.
Advancing to stand under the next turret Pyros snaps off a quick shot from his bolter, but is unable to find his target.
Ulrich opens the vox link to the rest of the team, "Brothers, advance to and along the left side of the approach. Adjust spacing to account for missile blast radius."
Ulrich joins his brothers on the left side of the easily sidestepping the targeting beams. As he moves he adjusts his actions to coordinate with the other Marines, and looses another carefully aimed plasma shot at one of the guns shooting at them. "If you can identify the targeting beams, you can avoid them."
v 34(+30-30)
v 90
Brother Varryl sprints another 54m(totals to 90m) in the direction of the markerlights bellowing a challenge against the cowardly "Tau".
"Primarch-Progenitor, to your glory and the glory of him on Earth!"
As he charges he readies his masking screen prompting heavy distortion in air surrounding him. (-10 to Bs attacks less than 30m away. -20 to those beyond. -10 to BS attacks made by PC beyond 30m.)
Uses reaction to bathe the perceived source's location in flames.
Pen 4 Flame
15 total.
The Blood Angel Chaplain falls momentarily from his acrobatic assault. Moving out the way at the last moment, dodging an incoming missile while warning his brothers of the lights painting them, though unsure of the sources.
Pyros recovers more quickly than Deleos and moves to the next turret, firing and missing.
Brother Hammern easily identifies some sources of the beams with his sharp eyes and notices that some are mounted to the weapons, while others are in the middle and mounted throughout the long corridor. There are more targeters than weapons, shooting them all would be difficult given their minuscule size. Perhaps unconsciously realzing this, he lets loose a ball of plasma and destroys another turret opposite of them.
Brother Varryl rushes forward and into the middle with a surprising burst of speed screaming at the opposing Machine Spirits to target him. Closer to one of the markerlights he attempts to unload a burst of promethium and bathe an area in fire, but with no oxygen and a deadly mix of poisonous gasses in the atmosphere its a miracle that the promethium only oozed out of the weapons nozzle slightly, before his Armor's machine spirits alerted him to the malfunction in his servo harness.
Running so far so fast the weapons can't keep up and they miss their target, buying a brief moment for the others to move up or fire. However, once stopped and with so many weapons focused on the closest and largest threat, there are simply to many beams to dodge and be aware of that a missile and ion pulse catches Varryl in the back and side. Such precision can't possibly be human, the cogitators must be very advanced.
Can't dodge:
Pen 5 Dmg E
Pen 6 Dmg X
Dodge AG (80) with flip belt
Still in the middle and behind his brothers, Xing easily dodges the incoming attacks. Immediately he runs to the side and catches up with his brothers.
Brother Xing watches the fearless advance of the techmarine and seizes upon the chance provided. Trying once again to summon the power of the warp to aid him and his squad he pauses and concentrates without the threat of enemy fire.
Full Action Void Fog unfettered Focus power test : WP 85+20 (pr 4 bonus)
A thick fog quickly emerges from around Xing in all directions for 30m, shrouding those nearby but somehow not impairing their own vision.
We should be safe from their weapons fire brothers, stay within the fog and they will never see or hear us coming.
Enraged by the cowardice of the Xenos, Deleos is charging towards the end of the tunnel, trying to keep up with Brother Varryl.
While running, an unnatural fog is welling up behind him, without shrouding his vision.
Immediatly identifying the value of this psychic power Deloes stopps at the very edge of the fog, waiting for Brother Xing to follow.
Good work, Brother Librarian. Team lets quickly advance hidden by the fog and breaching that door. I suggest using a melter bomb to blow the door and find those cowars. Brother Varryl, any objections or alternatives?
"Very nice, Brother Xing, will that fog follow you or is it stationary?" Sensing the opening in the incoming fire, Ulrich runs forward another 21m, coming to a stop well inside the fog. He takes a moment to asses the door, evaluating the amount of explosives necessary to break it open and looking for the opening controls.
The firing from the turrets stop momentarily confused by the fog then quickly search for targets outside of it. Anyone outside dodges twice or makes awareness checks at - 20 to dodge markers.
E. Pen 5
X Pen 6
Marines turn.
Hammern can't make out any control panel on the outside, the fog somehow clouding his vision and momentarily affecting his sensors.
You are confident your bomb would breach the door
Keep pushing forward! Xing yells as he maintains the fog and moves up with his team as quickly as possible, careful to maintain a pace with them, protecting them from the turrets.
Catching on to the change in tactical plan, Pyros heads for the door at full tilt.
Realising that the melta bomb, could actually lead to structural damage and a loss of atmosphere within the structure, Pyros looks out for a control panel or other less destructive means of opening the door and tries to figure out what he would need to do.
6 Dos
2 Dof
6 Dos
Chanting a battle prayer to the Emperor and the might of the Adeptus Astartes , Deleos rushes towards the ominous door hidden by Brother Xings power, remaining at the very front of the fog.
The Marines arrive to the door, shrouded in Fort. Searches for an opening panel fail, as there isn't one. While some are considering Demolitions, the door mysteriously open leading to a small chamber with another sealed door that could easily accommodate the Marines. The door inside remains shut. It's bare and looks like an air lock.
Deloes studies the inside of the supposed air lock, awaiting another trap of the coward Xenos. He focuses on possibly hidden weapon platforms or other immediate hazards (like sprinklers at the ceiling which could rain them with deadly acid or radiation...).
He also tries to estimate if it would be secure to blast their way in, once stuck in the air lock, in case that their opponents tries to lock the team inside.
=>5DoS
All clear Brothers. Let us deliver the wrath of the Emperor!
After he voxed to the team, Deleos enters the chamber, positioning beside the second door, securing it.
Stop it. I spotted something. I think they set another trap for us.
Deleos takes a closer look at the chamber and notices nothing that could be used to harm or incapacitate the marines. Any blast within the sealed room could be disastrous for the team and facility integrity. While large enough to hold all the marines at once, you would be too close to any blast and even then it might not breach the inner door, which appears substantially more robust and armored at first glance.
Slinging his bolter across his back, Pyros draws his hammer and steps into the chamber.
"I will go first and secure the corridor brothers, there is no point risking us all at once. The Emperor protects."
Pyros steps through into the chamber, but nothing happens. The door doesn't close behind him and there are no controls within to seal the doors. It's as if something or someone is waiting for everyone to step inside. ;)
While Deleos is assesing the situation, Pyros just steps inside the chamber, trying to secure the front. As nothing happens, and Deleos does not see any immediate danger, he follows Pyros into the air lock.
"It would seem brothers, that we have no choice but to step into this trap together and be tested on the anvil of war. May I suggest brother Varryl and I take the front, our storm shields provide an extra layer of protection, then brother-chaplain Deleos and brother-librarian Xing and our ranged weapons at the back."
Ulrich nods to Pyros, "Your reasoning is sound, Pyros, let us follow that course of action, save that I will position myself closer to the front rank. Let us teach these Xenos, whichever they are, what we of Fenris learn with our very first days: It is easier to trap a Fenrisian Wolf than it is to survive trapping him!" He steps into the chamber behind the front rank, covering what small gap there is between the storm shields with his own smaller combat shield.
[ooc]I am not offended by your suggestions, and though a stereotypical Space Wolf would be, Ulrich is not typical. If you suggest something that he thinks is bad or dangerous he will override you. But since you are making sense, he is fine with it.
Taking up his position amidst his Brothers, Deleos swiftly grasps the shoulder pads of his fellow marines, crossing his weapons to form the Aquila and starts to intone the Litaney of Devotion via his speakers, reminding them all of their oaths and their purpose.
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 word in the soul shall be as my bolter in the field.
Xing steps into the chamber keeping his position and power active.
He draws his force sword and switches to psy ammunition on his arm mounted bolter, ready to face whatever lies behind the doors.