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+++ PREFACE +++ After a frustrating and costly tour of the Cellebos Warbone, Kill Team Rapier (at the time comprised Alyxander, Rarai’an, Auranis and Validus) had a chance meeting with Inquisitor Jemini Malethann. He was concerned with the myriad xenos incursions within the Matteus Subsector, and was headhunting experienced Deathwatch Astartes to investigate these threats. Kill Team Rapier welcomed the opportunity to adapt their xeno-hunting skills in an arena free of the political infighting of the Jericho Reach. With the permission of their Watch-Commander, they relocated to the Segmentum Obscurus to assist Malethann's operations. Once there, they were formally introduced to the Inquisitor’s cohort and their newest Astartes members: Gorlin and Lucena. +++ EXPEDITION IV - DAKOTA MINOR +++ Kill-Team Rapier's first major assignment in the Matteus Subsector was on Dakota Minor, to investigate the growing Ork presence within the rocky forests native to the planet. The Orks had persisted forty years after their invasion of Dakota Minor, and it was speculated a new Warboss had risen up to lead the directionless Orks lurking in the forests. Meanwhile, the equally disorganised Dakota Minor Defence Corps was itching to charge head-first into the Ork-infested jungle; their confidence sky-high from their victory over the Orks decades ago. Fearing a needless slaughter and a second Ork incursion on Dakota Minor, Malethann dispatched Kill Team Rapier to soften the Ork threat before the local PDF got involved. Their mission: reconnoiter the forests, determine the Ork strength, and if the opportunity presents itself, eliminate their leader. The following transcript and pict-feed highlights are a record of their mission. ++++INLOAD BEGINS++++ +++KILL TEAM RAPIER OPERATIONAL REPORT – DAKOTA MINOR 989.924M41+++ ++FOR THE EYES OF INQUISITOR JEMINI MALETHANN ONLY++ As per your instruction, Inquisitor: a report of our operations on Dakota Minor. Events were logged as deemed pertinent. Time zero begins at 1515h 971.924M41. Composition: Alyxander (Leader), Auranis, Rarai’an, Validus, Gorlin +CARRY THE EMPEROR'S WILL AS YOUR TORCH; WITH IT, DESTROY THE SHADOWS+ +0 days, 00:00 +MANUAL ENTRY+ Deployment by Blackstar into the jungle. Gorlin and Validus scouted ahead; no resistance, no signs we were detected. Kill Team Rapier proceeded to marker Primus. +0 days, 01:27 ++VISUAL FEED STILL 001 - KILL TEAM RAPIER INTERNAL NOOSPHERE++ Kill Team Rapier enter the rocky forests of Dakota Minor, in search for the Ork warband. +0 days, 03:55 +MANUAL ENTRY+ Kill Team Rapier arrives at marker Primus (co-ord 016.32 x 047.69). Ork tracks identified. No sign of standing forces, ally or foe. Proceeding to marker Secondus. +0 days, 06:00 ++AUDIO FEED 001 - KILL TEAM RAPIER INTERNAL VOX-LINK++ VALIDUS: Bearing two-two-one. ALYXANDER: A small rabble. RARAI'AN: They may lead to the greater horde. ALYXANDER: We follow them. Auranis, acknowledge? AURANIS: Acknowledged. Gorlin, we are moving on. +0 days, 18:50 ++AUDIO FEED 002 - KILL TEAM RAPIER INTERNAL VOX-LINK++ ALYXANDER: A large horde, bearing zero-seven-three. VALIDUS: Some large Orks, but not- GORLIN: Orks approaching our position. ALYXANDER: On what bearing? GORLIN: Behind us! RARAI'AN: Specifics, Gorlin! ALYXANDER: Validus, hold here and watch that horde. Auranis, I am returning to you. AURANIS: Acknowledged. Gorlin, provide bearing on the Orks! GORLIN: ... Fifty metres ... at zero-seven-zero, approaching on foot! ALYXANDER: They will have our scent. How many? GORLIN: Fifteen... More! ALYXANDER: Hold fire. Wait for my signal. GORLIN: Die! <Ork roaring> ALYXANDER: Curse it! Rapier, engage at will! <15 seconds of non-vocal combat audio> VALIDUS: Sergeant, the horde is turning to us. GORLIN: We can take them! ALYXANDER: No, we cannot! Rapier, tactical withdrawal bearing three-three-zero. RARAI'AN: Auranis, watch your right! AURANIS: <unintelligible; cry of pain?> GORLIN: Xenos filth! ALYXANDER: Rapier, move! +0 days, 18:51 ++VISUAL FEED STILL 002 - KILL TEAM RAPIER INTERNAL NOOSPHERE++ Members of Kill Team Rapier are ambushed by an Orb mob while on reconnaissance. +1 days, 08:56 +MANUAL ENTRY+ Kill Team Rapier sighted a large horde of Orks. Estimated 200 strong, with 10 to 20 scrap-form vehicles. Were forced to engage a small band of Orks approaching our position. Half were slain, but we were forced to withdraw before the much larger horde approached our position. +1 days, 13:50 ++AUDIO FEED 002 - KILL TEAM RAPIER INTERNAL VOX-LINK++ AURANIS: I count twenty to twenty-five Ork scrap units. Five hundred metres, bearing two-nine-zero. VALIDUS: Logged. How is your injury? AURANIS: It will heal. VALIDUS: I have a reserve bolter. AURANIS: I can still carry the cannon. But thank you, brother. +1 days, 19:33 ++VISUAL FEED STILL 003 - KILL TEAM RAPIER INTERNAL NOOSPHERE++ A column of Ork armour is spotted by Kill Team Rapier, as they maneouvre deeper into the forest. +1 days, 21:26 +MANUAL ENTRY+ Multiple Ork units were sighted and numbers recorded. Initial estimates of two thousand fighting bodies and forty armour assets. Scrap units were limited to small to medium sized vehicles. Many of them scrap-walkers and defiled Chimeras. +2 days, 00:32 ++AUDIO FEED 003 - KILL TEAM RAPIER INTERNAL VOX-LINK++ ALYXANDER: Validus, another horde approaches. VALIDUS: ... No sighting of a leader. ALYXANDER: There must be a larger concentration, still within the forest. GORLIN: Filthy and wretched- RARAI'AN: Gorlin, be silent! AURANIS: It has been forty-eight hours, brother. We have sufficient reconnaissance data. Neutralising the Ork Warboss was a secondary objective. ALYXANDER: I am not leaving the fate of this world in that Corps Commander's hands. He is a fool, and they are drunk on their victory over the Orks so long ago. VALIDUS: A Salamanders' victory. ALYXANDER: Indeed. I will not settle for partial success. We will not have a second incursion on Dakota Minor. GORLIN: We are His Angels! RARAI'AN: And death is our gift. ALYXANDER: Validus? VALIDUS: Agreed. ALYXANDER: Auranis? AURANIS: ... Very well. Let us hunt this Ork. +2 days, 11:59 +MANUAL ENTRY+ Rapier continued to reconnitore the forest, in search of the Ork leader. Small mobs were engaged and dispatched. Will continue to search the forest for another 60 hours before moving to Marker Terminus for exfiltration. +2 days, 21:47 ++AUDIO FEED 004 - KILL TEAM RAPIER INTERNAL VOX-LINK++ ALYXANDER: Validus. Eyes on an Ork at bearing three-four-eight. VALIDUS: Sighted. Inloading to the feed. AURANIS: That is not the Ork leader. GORLIN: How do you know? AURANIS: Do you see the spanner sigil? GORLIN: What of it? AURANIS: That is indicative of one of their mechanic - GORLIN: How would you know this? AURANIS: The Deathwatch Librarius. Somewhere you will start to frequent once this is over. GORLIN: I do not devolve myself to study - AURANIS: This is not debatable. We study our enemies, so we can destroy them! ALYXANDER: Enough, both of you. I agree, Auranis. It is not the Leader. We are less than a kilometre from their camp now. Move out. +3 days, 01:10 ++VISUAL FEED STILL 004 - KILL TEAM RAPIER INTERNAL NOOSPHERE++ The suspected Ork Warboss is sighted, as Kill Team Rapier positions themselves for a killing strike. +3 days, 01:10 ++AUDIO FEED 005 - KILL TEAM RAPIER INTERNAL VOX-LINK++ RARAI'AN: I see the leader. VALIDUS: Bearing? RARAI'AN: Three-zero-nine. ALYXANDER: Sighted... Inloading... Auranis? AURANIS: ... A high-ranking leader, certainly. ALYXANDER: You seem unconvinced, brother. AURANIS: It is hard to judge without understanding the full scale of the Ork infestation. RARAI'AN: If there are no other contenders? ALYXANDER: I will make the call. The Ork is marked for termination. VALIDUS: Loading Kraken. AURANIS: Wait. Let me line up a shot in tandem. It may have a refractor field. RARAI'AN: Be ready, brothers. They will run amock once it is dead. VALIDUS: Neutralising... <bolter discharge> AURANIS: <frag cannon discharge> ALYXANDER: ... Confirmed kill. GORLIN: Ha! That was easy. AURANIS: Indeed, easy... RARAI'AN: What of the horde? VALIDUS: ... Squabbling amongst themselves. Infighting. GORLIN: Orks approaching, one-seven-nine! RARAI'AN: A lot of them! ALYXANDER: Rapier, engage the beasts! <heavy weapons fire> RARAI'AN: Artillery incoming! ALYXANDER: Take heading two-zero-zero. Move, Rapier! <12 seconds of over-threshold noise> GORLIN: <laughter> AURANIS: What is it, Gorlin? GORLIN: <laughter> That was not called in on us! ALYXANDER: <unintelligible; laugher?> The Emperor smiles on us. AURANIS: We should move to exfiltration. ALYXANDER: Agreed, brother. +3 days, 01:30 +MANUAL ENTRY+ Suspected Ork warlord terminated by Validus and Auranis. Squabbling and infighting immediately occured upon the Ork horde. Kill Team Rapier was set upon by an Ork mob, but was dealt with by their own artillery assets. Returning to Blackstar at Marker Terminus. +3 days, 09:11 +MANUAL ENTRY+ Extraction by Blackstar at Marker Terminus. +APPENDIX I+ Cartograph of sighted Ork encampments and estimates of force strength, as well as Kill-Team Rapier's path thro ++++INLOAD ENDS++++ +++ DEBRIEF +++ ++++INLOAD BEGINS++++ +++RE: KILL TEAM RAPIER OPERATIONAL REPORT – DAKOTA MINOR 998.924M41+++ ++FOR THE EYES OF KILL TEAM RAPIER ONLY++ Rapier, well done. I applaud your initiative. Leave the rest of them to the DMDC. Let them have their battle. Return to the Scepter. I have another assignment for you. Inquisitor Malethann, Ordo Xenos ++++INLOAD ENDS++++ +++ END ARTICLE +++

Introduction: Kill Team Rapier was a Deathwatch strike team formed in 920M41, originally stationed in the Jericho Reach. The team was led by Watch Sergeant Alyxander, with Veterans Auranis, Gorlin, Validus, Lucena and Rarai'an under his command. As of 925M41, Kill Team Rapier had a short yet eventful operational history that has taken them from the Jericho Reach to the Agripinaa Sector, striking down heretics and Xenos that threaten the Imperium's holdings. Kill Team Rapier assembled. Kill Team Rapier’s first assignment was during the siege of Hargotta in 920M41 to locate and identify the heretic Astartes commanders of the Stigmartus warband. Despite their success the Imperium crusade forces abandoned the siege, much to the chagrin of the Kill Team. Shortly after, they made an ally of Ordo Xenos Inquisitor Jemini Malethann, who sought to utilise them for his own projects. It was the offer Kill Team Rapier needed to get away from the strife and politics of the Jericho Reach. Watch-Sergeant Alyxander and Veteran Auranis face off against an Ork mob. After accepting Malethann's offer, Kill Team Rapier soon found themselves stationed out in Segmentum Obscurus, under the Inquisitor's command. Using their experience in fighting heretics, their knowledge of Xenos, as well as their newfound brotherhood, they quickly set about tracking down an Ork Waaagh! plaguing the innermost sectors of Segmentum Obscurus. Their search would eventually embroil them into the seemingly unending conflict between Waaagh! Brassjaw and the Steel Reavers in 925M41. Current Members: Kill Team Rapier is a six-strong strike team comprised of the following members: Watch-Sergeant Alyxander Chapter: Black Templars Chapter Initiation: 882M41 Former Chapter Assignment: Initiate of Fighting Company “Bohemond’s Brothers”, post-Crusade of Vice. Deathwatch Initiation: 914M41 Alyxander is the sergeant of Kill Team Rapier. He is a Black Templar initiate who was crusading with his fighting company, “Bohemond’s Brothers”, across the northern stretches of the Segmentum Ultima. Before joining the Deathwatch in 912M41, his company was part of the Crusade of Vice fighting against Orks in the Tamahl sector. An advising Inquisitor took interest in Alyxander when she witnessed him slay an Ork Warboss with a broken power sword. Alyxander was honoured to join the Deathwatch, but was unprepared for the radical nature of the Inquisition, particularly their dealings with Xenos and their technology. He has become disenchanted with his assignment as the Inquisition's methodology often clashed with Alyxander's faith. Now, he is simply content with the opportunities given to him to purge the various aliens, mutants and heretics across the galaxy. He and Auranis have a strong bond, one built up from their decade of service together. Watch-Sergeant Alyxander Veteran Auranis Chapter: Crimson Fists Chapter Initiation: 875M41 Former Chapter Assignment: Sergeant of 5th Company 9th Devastator Squad. Deathwatch Initiation: 912M41 Auranis is the squad gunner of Kill Team Rapier. Hailing from the Crimson Fists chapter, he joined the Deathwatch in 912M41. Before the Deathwatch, he was Sergeant of the 9th Devastator Squad, 5th Company. He and his squad earned battle honours during an encounter with a Drukhari raiding party in the Loki Sector in 907M41, where they destroyed an entire Venom squadron. The Chapter Master of the Crimson Fists recommended him to the Deathwatch, and though Auranis was pensive he accepted their offer without complaint. He has not regretted his decision since, and he takes great pride in his duties and assignment with the Deathwatch. He and Alyxander have a strong bond, one built up from their decade of service together. Veteran Auranis Veteran Validus Chapter: Raven Guard Chapter Initiation: 850M41 Former Chapter Assignment: Tactical Marine of 7th Company 2nd Tactical Squad. Deathwatch Initiation: 912M41 Validus is the sharpshooter of Kill Team Rapier. He hails from the Raven Guard chapter, and was initiated into the Deathwatch in 890M41. He was a member of the 4th Company 2nd Tactical Squad, and during this time he was nearly killed in battle by an Ork Meganob. He was in suspended animation for six weeks before returning to service, being reassigned to the 7th Company, which would not see battle for several months. Validus lamented his defeat in his last battle, and his “demotion” to the reserve companies. Naturally, he seized the opportunity to join the Deathwatch when they sent their recruiters to the Raven Guard’s chapter keep. He successfully impressed the Deathwatch emissaries with his exceptional marksmanship and quick manoeuvring. Despite his withdrawn and brooding personality, he has a newfound pride and purpose as a member of Kill Team Rapier. Veteran Validus Veteran Rarai’an Chapter: Mortifactors Chapter Initiation: 801M41 Former Chapter Assignment: Tactical Marine of 7th Company 1st Tactical Squad. Deathwatch Initiation: 885M41 Rarai’an is the specialist of Kill Team Rapier, skilled in Astartes medicae and mechanics. He is the oldest member of the Kill Team Rapier, having joined the Deathwatch in 880M41. He was a veteran Astartes of the Mortifactors, where at separate times was an novice apothecary and apprentice techmarine. His desire to learn as many new skills as possible made him a prime candidate for secondment to the Deathwatch, which Rarai’an saw as a great opportunity for himself and to honour the chapter. Rarai’an is studious and insightful, and strives to master every skill an Astartes may learn. Despite his seniority among his Deathwatch squad mates, he shies away from command positions. He prefers to take on an advisory role, which can be frustrating for his superiors and intimidating to younger Deathwatch Astartes. Nevertheless, he has found a place in Kill Team Rapier, who appreciate his knowledge and wisdom. Veteran Rarai'an Veteran Gorlin Chapter: Flesh Tearers Chapter Initiation: 895M41 Former Chapter Assignment: Assault Marine of 3rd Company 7th Assault Squad. Deathwatch Initiation: 921M41 Gorlin is the close combat specialist of Kill Team Rapier. He is a young Astartes hailing from the Flesh Tearer’s 3rd Company, 7th Assault Squad. He was headhunted by Inquisitor Malethann after witnessing his savage yet controlled ferocity in combat against heretics, during one of the Inquisition’s many “observations” of the errant chapter. He was initiated to the Deathwatch in 921M41, joining Kill Team Rapier as his first assignment. Gorlin considers himself a master of blades, and relishes new opportunities to fight and kill new opponents. He is ambitious and aggressive, as befits one who hails from the Flesh Tearers chapter. This has often caused friction with his squad, who need to constantly remind him of his duty and the mission at hand. They have learnt to tolerate his bloodlust and acknowledge his mastery with a chainsword. Veteran Gorlin Veteran Lucena Chapter: Howling Griffons Chapter Initiation: 859M41 Former Chapter Assignment: Tactical Marine of 2nd Company 1st Tactical Squad. Deathwatch Initiation: 901M41 Lucena is second-in-command of Kill Team Rapier and serves as the Astartes advisor for Inquisitor Malethann. He hails from the Howling Griffons 2nd Company, and was offered to the Deathwatch as a tribute; Lucena took it as an honour to serve the Deathwatch on behalf of his chapter. Inquisitor Malethann was impressed by his leadership skills and strong loyalty to the Emperor, and sought to employ him as an advisor and bodyguard for his operations. He was initiated to the Deathwatch in 901M41, but would not join Kill Team Rapier until 921M41. Lucena is a charismatic and ambitious Astartes, and is very confident in his abilities and leadership skills. This has made him an effective leader among many Imperium officers, but can be aggravating for his fellow Kill Team members. Despite his seniority, he is still seen as a new member to Rapier, and does not share the same bonds of brotherhood as the others. Veteran Lucena

Introduction: The Matteus Subsector is nestled in a violet nebula in the coreward parts of the Segmentum Obscurus, lying galactic north of Terra and galactic east of Agripinaa. The subsector has predominately been under Imperium reign as of 998M41, with some heretical and xenos elements laying claim to the more out-of-reach areas at various points in time. The subsector was first mapped by Rogue Trader Terrance Matteus in 600M38, and named it after his House. Adeptus Mechanicus Explorator Fleet Tetra-Xi 779 were dispatched some three-hundred years later to explore and prospect the subsector. Over fifty years, they identified and surveyed a total of five star systems, 68 distinct planetary bodies and a wealth of precious minerals ripe for exploitation. Rogue Trader Terrance Matteus Imperial pilgrims and pioneers arrived in the Subsector in 170M39, beginning their colonisation in Matteus Delta on most fertile and hospitable world of Asoka. Over the next two millenia, the Imperium would expand across the other stat systems, establishing new colonies and mining operations. By the end of the 41st Millenium, many threats (xenos and heretical) had endangered the subsector and the Imperium’s hold of it. These times of conflict and danger have become categorised collectively by Imperial scholars as “The Strifes”. Subsector Matteus star map, with co-ordinates of contained star systems and orientation markers. Matteus Alpha System: The Matteus Alpha system is the largest star system in the Matteus Subsector, with eleven planets orbiting a red giant. It’s most notable feature is the Pentet, a cluster of five planets that share the same orbit and are slowly tearing each other apart. It is also the most secluded from the other systems, which made it a vulnerable target to raiders. In 804M41, the system became the stronghold for the Steel Reavers warband. Matteus Beta System: The Matteus Beta system was infamous described by the Adeptus Mechanicus Explorators as “incredibly unremarkable". Once the Explorator fleet completed surveys of the system's three planets they immediately moved on, leaving a token observation post for further monitoring. Matteus Gamma System: The Matteus Gamma system is the mining and processing hub of the Subsector. The Civilised World of Sartoria extracts and refines precious minerals and metals for export to Agripinaa as part of its Imperial Tithe. This alone has made Matteus Gamma an attractive target for xenos and renegage warbands in M41. Matteus Delta System: The Matteus Delta system contains the more fertile and hospitable worlds of the subsector. Much of the foodstuffs and local labour is sourced from the worlds in Matteus Delta. The Civilised World of Asoka is the most populated world and the seat of governance for the entire subsector. Matteus Epsilon System: The Matteus Epsilon system lies at the spinward side of the subsector. It acts as a waypoint for all Imperial traffic to the other systems, and the worlds within cater to this large yearly influx. Most of these ships are either destined for or returning from Agripinaa, hauling raw materials, foodstuffs and/or labour. Matteus Zeta: Matteus Zeta is a planetless blue supergiant with no other astronomical features, lingering to the galactic south-east of the subsector. It is believed to be a rogue star, and is predicted to drift coreward outside the bounds of the subsector in the next two millenia. It is most visible from Matteus Gamma; its inhabitants consider it's presence in the sky a sign of good fortune. Matteus Iota: Matteus Iota is a failed star nestled deep within the Lavender Veil to the galactic north of the subsector. Explorators have attempted to send surveying teams to the planet, but none have returned and are presumed dead. The Lavender Veil: The Lavender Veil is a cluster of violet-coloured diffuse nebulae that stretches for 50 light years across the subsector. The nebulae partly splits Matteus Alpha and Beta from the other systems. The latent psychic energy within the nebula limits Warp travel in and out of the subsector to the galactic-east, via Matteus Epsilon. It also inhibits any attempt to explore within the nebula; there have been many attempts but none have survived the journey. The discovery of Matteus Iota was the only success over the last three millenia.

A fun little christmas mini that also has 40k and AoS rules, in this article

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Uh, yeah, exactly what it says on the tin. Woof?

I'm on a Crusade to remove all derp and cheese from 40k and I'm starting with the Core Book itself. So the question I have for you is this: If you could add/change/remove one thing in the 9th edition Core Book, what would it be?

Hi, Here are some pictures of a Death Korps of Krieg Veteran Guardsman that I painted from the Kill Team Octarius box set.