"I dislike the thought of planning our mission around the use of a xenos lander. We should plan around reconnecting with a thunder hawk for exfil. But if the opportunity should arise and should our tech marine be confident in his abilities to control the xenos tech spirits then it may prove advantageous. There are references in the Codex regarding concealing forces within nondescript cargo to bypass a fortresses defences. Furthermore considering the potential length of the mission, with resupply not likely on planet, I request that all members be issued double standard issue ammunition and grenades if possible. It's better to have them to be returned to the armoury that to deplete in the middle of the mission."
The prospect of having to communicate with the foul Xenos machine spirits is loathsome to me; and only under the most dire circumstances will I consider such an abhorrent act.
Dark Angels are notoriously xenophobic, which has to be saying something for a Space Marine!
Aetheros listens as the plan is developed, but finally asks a question, "Would it be possible to launch drop pods at the surface? It might further confuse those aboard the ship, as well as cause those on the surface to respond."
Looking at Angrael, "And to take this one step further, would it be possible to coordinate the drop with the loyalist forces below? If we drop the pods in a pre-designated area, it might be possible for the faithful on the planet to ambush any tau forces that come to investigate the landing."
In the twilight of the briefing room, it was hard to place the elder marine's emotions. "Drop Pods, additional dropships and shipborne assaults are all resources we are hardly in a position to give freely. Double Ammuntions are granted, but I would need to hear a compelling case for any further expenditure here. We literally have no idea what awaits us in Parsai."
A red light flashed in the briefing room. "Mylords, we are beginning translation in ten minutes." The subdued voice a serf from the bridge crew of the Lux Imperator announced.
Brother, may I study the schematics of the Tau vessel?
If possible I want to make sure that there are sufficient corridors wide enough that we (as 'Hulking' size characters) have several different routes to move around the ship.
I don't want to end up playing SpaceHulk.
Tech-use to interpret?
.
Oops. Apparently I'm holding the slate upside down.
Oh well.
Aetheros nods slowly, "You are correct, of course. The situation in Parsai is an unknown, and entering that region requires the greatest possible flexibility in both marines and material. But the situation on Tekor is a known equation, and so we should made decisions based on that facts that we do have. Sending the drop pods to the surface would be exactly what these xenos expect from us, and they would react accordingly, turning their attention toward the destruction of the drop pods. If several salvos are fired from thunderhawks and the Lux Imperator to harass the scout ship while the drop pods descend, it would reinforce the misdirection, giving us even more of an advantage and ensuring the highest possible success for the actual objective - assaulting the ship via boarding torpedoes."
Aetheros actually allows a wry smile to appear on his face, "Brother Alexandr challenged us to ask questions and think beyond ourselves and our individual chapters. We have endeavored to do so in this briefing by providing as many tactical options as we can in the allotted time." Spreading his hands to indicate the rest of the squad, Aetheros continues, "Your experience and wisdom in such matters must guide your decision, but know that Sacramentum Vis stands stands ready to execute the plan in whatever manner you decree."
Angrael considered Aetheros' arguments for several agonizing seconds, before lowering his eyes back on the tactical display. "Very well. Hangars, prepare Thunderhawks Mu and Nu in addition as a diversionary strike. Launch drop-pods at deep-strike positions Fides and Coaleth as we cross the ecliptic plane. "You shall have your diversionary dropships, and your pods. But we must remain on schedule to reach Parsai."
The rites of preparation were well-practiced and drilled beyond conscious thought - receiving arms and ammunition, prayers and oaths of the moment, final equipment checks... It seemed to just pass by the marines in a familiar blur. Before a quarter of the hour had passed, battle sirens blared across the ship, and they entered the boarding torpedos. The miniaturized strike craft were ejected with a mass of decoys, and sped up to ramming speed.
The impact nearly cracked the torpedo hulls, but helmet displays showed all of them had managed to breach the enemy craft in rough proximity, emerging into a corridor on the startboard side of the vessel - somewhat off from their intended target, if Angraels schematics were to be believed.
The corridor was about 10 feet wide, and almost the same height. It was lighted by dim, reddish-hued lighting, more than enough to operate at full efficiency, but still reminiscant of a sleep cycle. There were no decorations or motivational icons on the simple, beige walls.
Three humans stood at the end of the corridor, las-pistols drawn but not leveled.
Elyas listens carefully to the suggested plans, the thought of using xeno's tech is bordering on heresy in his opinion and he approves his chapter brother's objection with a nod.
The Marine Errant's word Strike a node with Elyas, after they leave the presence of their superior, he walks up past the brother and says: "Well spoken Brother." He then continues to his rites of preparation.
In his own cell barely lit by a dozen candles he prays over his armour while applying the sacred oils and the rites to the venerable machine honouring the spirit as they once again prepare for battle. His hand slides over the newly painted breast plate, now black instead of its usual dark green. Much of the prized heraldry is removed or changed but his fingers identifies what he left behind beneath the new coat of paint. The right shoulder plate still prizes his beloved chapter.
Looking around at his new squad, he tries to come to terms with this new situation. He wonders how it'll be to stand shoulder to shoulder not with his brother but with other marines, he is not alone one of his brothers is with him. Minutes before impact he checks his chain sword and bolt pistol one last time. [i]May the Emperor and the Lion guide my actions.
As usual, Nikeides keeps silent during the rest of the discussion, playing with his talismans.
In the boarding torpedo, he observes the others, wondering what he's doing there far from his chapter brothers, until he remembers his last mission.
At least those are Taus. Foul Xenos but..better than the Tyranids.
If they are hostile (or not obviously wearing Imperial garb) Adalricus will dash ahead, combat knife flashing and stabbing.
WS (Target: 53+10 Aim): Miss
Adalricus re-evaluates the presence of three humans. They are indeed humans. Baseline, no visible mutations or cybernetic augmentations. They wear nondescript beige overalls, and are armed with laspistols, which they have drawn, but not attempted to fire at the Space Marine boarding party.
Who is the designated killteam leader?
So I guess our order in exiting the torp. is the order in which we post.
I'm taking up an over-watch over the visible length of corridor, making sure that I leave plenty of room behind me for the remaining marines to exit the torp.
Taking up the mantle of leadership with pride Magnus grips his copy of the Codex Astares and appraises his new squad. So different from us yet effective in their own ways. It's up to me to keep us together and hone this team into an effective force to make the emperor proud. Primary give me the strength and the vision to succeed. Stowing the sacred text before launch and reviewing his war gear one last time he watches the rest step into the torpedoes before climbing in himself.
No matter how many times he's done it Magnus could never get used to boarding torpedoes. Too unreliable and they removed from him any control of the situation.
As the torpedo impacts with the enemy ship Magnus gives a swift and silent prayer to the men and the machine spirits that helped them strike true. Sweeping the corridor as he emerges and sights the three humans he vocalizes on the squads internal comms, "Three contacts, take them down quiet before they can raise an alarm but keep one alive for information." as he sees his chapter brother already rushing in to melee he smiles inside his helmet before turning and guarding the opposite side.
Camael meditates while the boarding torpedo flys towards the xenos ship, he had to keep the rage within. For now without the protection of his brothers would be a foul time to fall to the thirst.
As he strides from the torpedo he draws on the power of his mind to grant him the Might of Heros, focus power test (fettered) WP 54
Edit: Might of Heros grants me +10 str
Everything is dead silent in the moments before the impact then a thunder breaks the serenity and Elyas springs to action. Weapons drawn he follows the Librarian out of the torpedo. The kill order reaches him before he can see the targets. He transmits a click, acknowleding the order.
He rushes forth identifying the target, closing in on them he fires his pistol a the one furthest away.
As soon as he hears Elyas firing his bolt pistol, Nikeides aim his boltgun at the traitor in the middle and fires.
"Guess they know we are here now"
"They already knew," Elyas replies over the radio somewhat annoyed, that his squad were doubting his methods, traitors deserved death some swiftly, some not.
Aetheros spends the trip softly praying to himself while the torpedo speeds toward the tau vessel.
"My honour is my life. My duty is my fate. My fear is to fail. My salvation is my reward. My craft is death. My pledge is eternal service."
The shuddering impact of the torpedo breaks his reverie. Looking up, he sees Camael push onto the tau vessel, followed closely by Elyas. Hefting his bolter, Aetheros boards the xeno ship.
As the others charge toward the human traitors, Aetheros glances around to make sure there are no security cameras in the immediate vicinity. Satisfied, he pulls his bolter up and covers his teammates in case any other enemies appear.
Peripherally, and with a morbid fascination, Vrusk notes the salient facts of Tau construction, and technology; though he is course mainly focused on flank protection.
"they may not have realized that combatants were aboard but that's irrelevant now. Brother Vrusk, how far off target did we hit?" while he pulls out his Auspex and begins scanning for lifesigns.
I assume that the vessel's schematics, such as they are, were downloaded into my data-slate.
Keeping my bolter ready, I warily draw forth my slate, and, while taking many quick peripheral glances, I attempt to figure out our location aboard the enemy vessel.
.
We missed the primary target zone, I am sorry to admit that I do know by how far as of yet!
Apparently these vessel schematics completely baffle me.
I mutter a quick binary invocation; as I wonder at the jumble of data sigils.
Burning a fate point 1 of 9.
Burning a fate point 1 of 9.
[dice=INT]1d100
Wait, by the Omnissiah, if these lines mark outer bulkheads....
I may have a fix, brother!
.
"That's welcome news brother we will make for the generators as soon as we have ensured all of us made it to this level. 'Sacramentum Vis' status check!"
Surprised as they were, the three did not stand a chance against the space marines. Two of them were torn to shreds as the mass-reactive fulfilled their grisly purpose to perfection. The one crewmen who escaped a direct hit dropped low as well, covering his head.
Magnus' call for a status request was answered by the comms officer aboard the vessel. "Drop pods faced planetside anti-air measures. We seem to have surprised the enemy. No sign of fighters or interception. Now heading to warp point Farthis for system exit." the vox blared.
Vrusk had trouble making much sense of the schematics. The alien ship was just too... heretical. But he could pin down their point of entry, the sensor center they had to destroy by simple geometry. They would have to cross two main corridors, going close to 150 yards if they took the most direct route. A more circumspect approach would require further knowledge.
Aetheros continues his watch, idly noting that the surviving human covering his head is not only a traitor to his race, but a coward as well.
"Understood."
Walking up to the human until he towers over him, "How many of you are on this ship?"
"I shall scout the approaches. I suppose the time for silence is passed, although none have seen fit to investigate those bolt pistol reports as of yet."
Adalricus's voice conveys slight confusion, as if he cannot fathom less than an immediate and violent response to such a breach of the vessel.
Heading to the next intersection, he draws his bolter and sheathes his combat blade.
Silent Move (TN: 40)
Awareness (TN: 44)
I say we rush to the engines as fast as possible, they don't appear to realize exactly what has boarded them and it will take a few minutes to gather appropriate forces to deal with space marines. Let us take advantage of that time.
Looking around, "Keep an eye out for brother Venulf, it appears he did not arrive on this level with us. We make for the Sensor center first. Then move to disable the engines."
The human survivor merely glances at the huge marine. He is afraid, Magnus can pick up the all too telling scent. He is afraid, but also very much aware he is a dead many anyway, cooperating or not. "Enough." he defiantly hisses, slowly leaving the braced position he instinctively took. "There is us, there is the fire caste, there is more firepower here than needed. And if you kill me, it does not matter."
Adalricus' first foray into the ship is telling. Some sort of alarm must have been raised, even though not by blaring sirens. Several traces of hasty flight can be seen - dropped supplies, items left behind. The corridors seem deserted probably not for long - a puddle of reddish-green liquid is still spreading from a dropped canister.
Camael ensures that his suit is properly sealed, then begins moving in the direction of the sensor suite. His bolt pistol and force sword at the ready. "Kill the traitor and lets get moving"
I place the data-slate back in its pocket of my harness, and pull out the Auspex-Scanner.
I attempt to register the suit telltales of Brother Venulf.
Elyas stands by his squad leader ready to strike should the hostage attempt to attack or flee. He doesn't turn towards brother Magnus but asks over the radio: "Do you wish for me to interrogate him squad leader?" Looking down at the poor misguided man his external communication booms: "Repent heretic, surrender yourself to the mercy of the beloved Emperor." While sheeting his weapons and drawing his combat knife.
"Find out if he knows anything. Then terminate him."
"Team, be advised. The vessel is aware of our presence. This corridor was recently vacated. Expect armed resistance immediately. Tactical suggestion: assault with violence of action."
Adalricus sheathes his combat knife and takes up a covered position looking down the recently abandoned hall.
"Ready to proceed."
"agreed let us move with haste"
Elyas grisly work on the human collaborator produces plenty of screams, pleas for mercy. The man was breaking up, pleading for the Astartes to relent. Yet getting anything useful out of him was going to take at least a little more time. At the same time, Adalricus was calling for haste. A decision would need to be made.
A shipwide communications system activated. "Gona fah, tarkis mo Sarona pal erios fah Rus Miao. Shes hegto sarh. Hoi-ta-feahl veam toal. Exals to mant Dec’taa."
Linguistic: Tau
"Brothers, I do not know what that transmission meant, but it cannot be of less than foreboding nature to our team. Let us proceed."
Adalricus remains alert, bolter at the ready, and awaits his assault-specialized teammates to take point.