Verus Imperator Adventum: The Sundering

[Kadaeux]

Out of Character Thread, take your OOC nonsense there :rolleyes:

 

 

 

Maeroc IV

Day: 5

 

The ground heaved like an Earthshaker shell had gone off beneath everyones feet as the Ork Rok spinning out of control and unable to slow its descent with its engines smashed into it. The Blastwaves of the impact and the subsequent impact of any Ork surface structures that hadn't burnt up tore into the ground and a solid piece of rock slammed into the side of the temple killing a pair of Marines on patrol, to say nothing of the forty to fifty Imperial Guard lost. A large piece even dented the Baneblades hull.

At the Rok its broken, shattered hull glowed both with the heat of reentry and the intense blast of the Nova cannon that had sent it tumbling like a stone thrown in the desert.

 

Its ramps and hatches clanged open or hissed and hinged open. At the moment nothing emerged. Most of the Orks had either been killed or knocked unconcious by the G forces and impact. But ten minutes later they began to emerge, somewhat disoriented. "Oy Boss, why iz da Rok up da wrong way?" A sycophantic Nob asked the Warboss.

 

"Dunno, must ave ad a crap flyboy." IT responded flexing its Power Klaw. "Now lets git on wiv da scrap!"

 

Orbit over Maeroc IV

Day: 5

 

Inquisitor Ryas stood aboard his Command Ship overseeing the operations wondered what conditions were like down there. The Rok's impact had thrown up a thick cloud of dust nearly seven kilometres in diametre and according to sensor data on the weather the wind wasn't sufficient to blow it over soon.

 

At Basavriuk's temple the situation was dire, they were within three kilometres of the impact and the latest voxed reports had Daemons present. "Bring the fleet into position over the temple but out of range of the Hulk." He ordered and felt the engines of the Emperor Class Battleship roar in response. Well actually it was a dull rumble under the deck plates.

 

But Basavriuk kept them all wondering where was he. Ryas was sure, no certain!, that he lay on the planet below but the trail had been cold as the Conclave found itself facing multitudinous threats from all direction, including the betrayal of Tyrak. Silently recalling the transmission he had received he wondered quietly if Tyrak had staged it all for the purpose of fulfilling his goals with the Xenos, lead them all to this world under threat from Orks and Chaos to keep them busy while he ran off with the bulk of the fleet and betray the Imperium.

 

"This is Inquisitor Ryas to Inquisitorial Parties on the Surface. The Rok has impacted and it seems there must have been survivors as we're detecting some form of energy field that just raised over the wreckage." Damn Ork Meks worked fast. He thought to himself. "Weather shows no signs of dropping that dust-cloud either. You're looking at a minimum of three hours going blind in there."

 

Then a transmission arrived via Astropath. "Good news people, I just received a Communique' from Admiral Drayson, he will be here within 72 Hours."

 

Then Ryas turned to his own Admiral. "Send down what troops we have left once that dust-cloud clears, but keep everything ready for rapid extraction of the troops. This won't end well, I feel it."

[Shunch]

=][=

 

396.M41

Day 5

1100 Hours

Maeroc IV

 

Bisecting the horizon in a great, black lattice, the plume of smoke billowed out from the jungle canopy. Standing upon the terrace of the monolith, Francois Dioq gazed in the direction of the crash. Dioq had an uncomfortable feeling that his master had known about the incoming rok before it had arrived, but had deigned not to tell the cartel. These days, Nikolai was strangely removed and aloof from his allies, and spent most of his days in the inner chambers with the daemon-thing. It was the damned arm, and Dioq knew it was his fault.

 

It was unfair to blame himself, but Dioq knew that the preparations had been too hasty. He'd been too caught up in the moment, too cocky to see how unfit the environment was. They could have used a bionic or a clone replacement, but the cartel had demanded something more. Sometimes, his master would be so caught up in the arcane he disregarded simpler choices.

 

As it was, a great many men would have to die in the retreat because Nikolai had kept his knowledge to himself. Dioq felt no love or camaraderie for the scum that made up the cartel's personal army, but the organization would be losing most of its foot-troops in this pointless venture.

 

"Not pointless!" came a deep voice from behind Francois. The voice was curiously lined, as if there was second breath underlying the first. Dioq's hairs stood up. Nikolai had been listening to his thoughts the whole time, and Dioq hadn't even felt the intrusion. Kneeling to the ground, Dioq averted his gaze without even turning in the direction of the voice.

 

"No such ceremony, Francois. It seems the arm has been bringing so much more respect lately, hasn't it?" That warp-damned voice again. Dioq unintentionally shivered.

 

"As I said, not pointless at all. This will be a moral victory, Francois, because we will walk away from it knowing more. I've accumulated a much greater understanding of what have undertaken since we came to Maeroc, and in no small part because of you."

 

Dioq swallowed. "If you believe it to be so, Lord."

 

"Ah, again with the ceremony. Stand up, Francois. I didn't hire you to hear you grovel."

 

Dioq straightened himself up, and turned to face his master. It took every ounce of his will not to flinch. Yes, it had started with the arm. But like a creeping infection, the tangle of runes had extended across his entire upper torso and the right side of his face. Nikolai walked about shirtless of late, as if glorifying the alterations. Glorifying in their depravity.

 

"Well, Francois, I have been thinking lately. As I said, I have come to a new understanding, and I imagine that there is so much more we could do, so much more we could unlock."

 

"Lord, the enemy is on our doorstep. If not the puritans, then the xenos. We are not in position to undertake anything aside from a retreat. One foe was dangerous enough. But two?"

 

His master sighed, as if speaking to an uneducated child. "And therein lies the advantage. Two foes will quarrel with one another long before they have any ideas about us. As it stands, the orks are a better defense force than the Twisting Lattice could ever provide."

 

"Lord?", spoke Dioq looking into Nikolai's blank eyes for the first time.

 

"We will finish our work here, and then leave my blinded brothers with a final parting gift they will no doubt enjoy."

 

Basavriuk turned, implying the matter was now closed. Iiyanaxphant floated after him, pausing for just a moment to grin at Dioq.

 

=][=

[Captain Malachi]

Day 5

1100 Hours

 

 

Well well, so the rok has landed at last.

 

"Decklan, we got lucky last time, there are far too many orks for us to hold out here, and seeing as how you destroyed the temple on the words of some assassin, we have no reason to stay. I suggest we leave, now." Levinski said, turning to Draken. "If mister Draken here wishes to come with us, might I suggest we take him in to custody? We have no real idea of his true loyalties."

[Brother Delias]

Hannibal smiled at that, looking out at the massive dust plume. "Well that is quite simple, my loyalties are to the soldiers and astartes that follow me, and to no one else. I have told you what I have come to tell you, and that assisstance may be needed to quell the uprising from the plague the artifact carries." Turning, he began to move off towards one of the Crimson Moon Thunderhawks. "Now if you will excuse me, we need to look to our own defenses." Without another word, he, his men, and the terminators loaded back up onto the thunderhawks, with only the Host looking back at them, babbling again incoherently, before boarding onto the thunderhawk before it's ramp closed. Equally hard and fast as before, the pilots took to the air not seconds after the thunderhawks' engines had started, and within moments, were gone.

 

Sitting down to take stock of the events as they unfolded, Hannibal sighed heavily as he replayed the actions of every loyalist in their group. None save Decklan seemed to have any regard for the situation, blinded by their dogma, only seeing black and white. If any could be trusted in helping destroy the artifact, it would be Decklan alone. Then there was the person termed traitor that they were hunting here, the one that he had only heard rumors about. But could he very well be trusted in his own right? Looking at the Host, he wondered at that thought, and then another, could he in fact even trust himself? He knew he had no choice in his actions from the point of when he allowed the thrice-damned book to fall from his grasp, to allow it to leave the planet unmolested, it should have been destroyed then and there, as should have he, but that never came to pass. But through all these years following ghosts, had he in fact lost himself in the turmoil that the artifact had caused? Shaking his head clear eventually, he knew none of it mattered, as hopefully all of this would be over soon.

 

"Friend, it is not good for you to dwell on things such as that." The Host said as it wandered over to Hannibal, stooping in front of him. "We know you will succeed, it is.." "Enough," Hannibal said, interrupting the host's dirge. "I don't have a choice, none of us do." He finished, as the chaplin looked over at him, silent but one could feel the uneasiness ebbing off of him. The rest of the flight went in silence.

[Inquisitor =D=]

"Wouldn't it just make it easier if us inquisitors didn't have to be so dramatic?" Asked Decklan to no one in particular. He watched the thunderhawks shrinking into the distance with mixed thoughts in his head. Brushing the mud from his coat he turned towards Inquisitor Levinski. "Think of it this way Levinski, if Basavriuk had been in that temple don't you think he would have stopped us from destroying the only valid exit? At the very least we would have seen a henchman or guard right? Besides, he wasn't lying about that artifact. Can't you feel it? Its in the air around you and on every wind, daemons are loosed on this planet and we can stop it. Basavriuk is still our target but before we can kill him we need to locate him, he's not here, I agree we need to regroup until we can locate our targets and take them all down in turn." And with that Decklan began to head off towards the awaiting thunderhawk with a determined stride.

 

Decklan had come through a lot in his relatively short career. In thirty four years he had personally purged no less than 11 cults of the ruinous gods. Impressive for that time frame really. But this was something else a true test sent by Him on Earth, Decklan had to succeed. He would purge the ruinous powers on this planet and bring it back to His light. Basavriuk would die on this rock but first the artifact that caused the Belfall tragedy would be destroyed and Decklan's reputation would soar. He knew it, this had to be the path the Emperor had given him, if not then this was a wicked test indeed. He would surely consult his tarot later. No matter that daemons were loose nearby, his cards were as pure as could be, they hadn't steered him wrong thus far. They always knew. Always.

 

"Send a message to Inquisitor Ryas, have his astropaths and navigators try and locate the spots of greatest warp activity on the planet if they can. We'll need a place to start looking." Decklan said to Hayes' astropath as he stepped into the Guardians of the Covenant's thunderhawk.

[Inquisitor Fox]

Limestone Caves, Maerok IV, Day 5

 

The faint echo of water droplets rang throughout the limestone chamber like a chorus of bells singing the Emperor's praises. The sound was a pleasing one to Nicole, as she knelt next to the waters edge, washing her face and hands with a wet rag. Poking inside the minds of heretics always left her feeling unclean. It was often necessary, and sometimes more reliable than traditional means of interrogation.

 

A soft female voice from behind her came shortly after she sensed Sister Helena's presence. "I beg your pardon, my lady, but everyone is ready for you."

 

"Thank you Helena." Rising from her position, Nicole turned and nodded at the Sister Hospitaller. "Let us be quick then, much has happened in the last several days and there is much still to do."

 

A few minutes later the pair entered a room that had become Nicole's improvised War Room. The few maps they had lay out on a table, and chairs had been brought in from elsewhere in the limestone cave system. Kenneth, William, Helena, Sergeant Figaro, Sergeant Anderson, then Inquisitor Crown and Sergeant Polarion. Bosco and her servo skull were nearby as well.

 

Nicole nodded at them all and sat down in a chair, the others seating themselves shortly thereafter. "Thank you. I've finished my interrogation of the prisoners we have. The forces here were under the direct command of Subaltern named Synax, who is presumed dead after the failed assault on the Conclave forces during their initial landing. Apparently some sort of ritualized selection process was employed. This cell has been wiped out save our survivors, however one of them remembered the name Dioq being mentioned once by Synax."

 

She paused then continued. "In the last twenty four hours there have been several changes of note. First, Inquisitor Tyrak has gone rogue, possibly turned traitor. The Conclave seems to currently be re-organized under one Inquisitor Ryas, who is coordinating from orbit. In addition an Ork Rock has made planetfall, and we now must worry about large forces of Orks in addition to any additional cultists of Basavriuk's, and the unknown snipers and evidence of contact from Catachans. Admiral Drayson is en route, and should be arriving in approximately 72 hours."

 

Sergeant Anderson quirked an eyebrow and spoke up, "So in addition to whatever army of heretical scum he's rounded up we now have who knows how many Orks running around plus the Conclave forces? Lovely."

 

"Indeed," responded Nicole dryly, crossing her arms. "However, we did not come here to fight Orks, and they may prove a useful distraction as they are just as likely to attack the cultists as anything else. The worship of the cultists and militants shows evidence of corruption, likely led by Basavriuk and his allies. Communications from this cell show another group of cultists located approximately two days hike northward. Assuming nothing else comes up, I think it would be in our benefit to examine this other cell for additional information or command structure. Sister Helena, how are our injured troopers?"

 

"Ready for regular duties, my lady." Helena replied. "Medical supplies here are slim, I would assume they had been used on any survivors from the Conclave attack."

 

"Hopefully additional medical supplies will be present at the other Cell. Weapon and ammunition wise we are fairly well off with the extra small arms and grenades here. Additional opinions?"

 

"Would it be prudent to wait for additional support from the Cavalier in 3 days before moving on other cells? Lacking intelligence or other information of their capabilities, we may be outmatched." Kenneth spoke up, the candle light of the chamber reflecting eeriely of his bionic skull.

 

"I've considered this, given the recent arrival of the Orks and the fact this is most likely to accelerate Basavriuk's plans I don't think we have any time to waste."

 

Kenneth nodded. William spoke up next, "What about infiltrating the cell by posing as cultists ourselves? If they're independant they may not have contact and know members by sight."

 

Nicole considered, "Possible but potentially risky, especially given probable corruption and communications issues."

 

Nicole looked over at Inquisitor Crown and Sergeant Polarion. They've both been quite capable, and with Crown's Xanthite origins he may have his own ideas of the situation. "Gabriel? You seem to be in thought yourself."

[Kadaeux]

Inquisitor Ryas paced the Strategium as the dustcloud began to settle. One of the Naval Ratings walked in wringing his cap in his hands. It was bad enough talking to an Astropath but having to deal with an Inquisitor too. "A message from the surface from Inquisitor Decklan." The man handed over the data-slate. "If I may have your leave Inquisitor?" Ryas merely nodded as he applied his thumb to the surface of the device it unlocking the message within.

 

"Wait a moment," Ryas called a mere moment before the Rating had made his escape. "Go to the Astropathic Choir and request that they look for the largest sources of Warp activity on the surface." Ryas ordered and the Rating nodded as he left to do as Ryas had asked. Ryas then turned to the 3rd Lieutenant. "Go ask the same of the Navigators." He stressed for both the 'ask' and 'request' part. One didn't demand things of the Navigators and it helped to be polite to Astropaths.

 

As the sensors resolved the situation on the surface Ryas ordered the fleet moved in closer, not so close as to attract trouble from the Hulk itself. But close enough to provide closer fire support if required. "Deploy the rest of the troops." He ordered and the rest of the Imperial Guard were launched ten minutes later towards the surface. Including the second Baneblade.

[Captain Malachi]

"Decklan, I never said he was in there, I was merely pointing out that you seem to have forgotten that this is an investigation, not a war. We shouldn't be blowing up potential evidence that may lead to the whereabouts of our target." Levinski shouted to Decklan as he walked off, not angrily, just loud enough so that he'd be able to hear. "It's little wonder we're no closer to finding him than we were when we got here."

[Inquisitor =D=]

{Day ? Time? - "Basavriuk's temple"}

 

"Say what you'd like Levinski, I made the right call." Said Inquisitor Decklan, Levinski had his points but anything Basavriuk is looking for may be better if not found. Turning his wrist to view his chronometer he sighed heavily, it had been broken in the last fight. "Does anybody have the time?"

[Captain Malachi]

"Very well Decklan, continue with the investigation in your own way." Levniski replied, before walking off towards the thunderhawk. He didn't know why the other inquisitors were so incapable of simple investigative work, but it was becoming very clear he may have to begin working alone.

 

Once at the thunderhawk, he activated the vox and called Ryas in orbit. The inquisitor was busy, but another crewman answered for him. "Please inform inquisitor Ryas that I am returning to orbit, and would like to board his vessel. If possible I would also appreciate extraction, I have no way to get to orbit right now. I will be at the main camp, please leave a response for me there."

 

After leaving his message, he changed the recipient of the vox and called for Liam to come and get him in the valkyrie.

[Grand Master Tyrak]

Inquisitor Hayes called after Inquisitor Levinski;

 

"Inquisitor? If you're planning on working in a less hectic manner, may I join you?"

[The emperors chosen]

James saw Levniski and Decklan argue,and Decklan go to the thunderhawks"this investigation is going nowhere, we're no closer than we were on day one" he said,muttering to himself. "Hayes, Levniski, wait up!" James shouted, and ran over to join them

[Kadaeux]

Day 5, 20:13.

 

Ryas examined the holoplate as it displayed the topographic information as the crew worked busily around him. Then a naval rating approached Ryas and handed him a slate. The Inquisitor took in the information and turned to the Rating. "Sent down an Aquila with Lightning escorts to the temple. They are to collect any Inquisitors interested in returning to orbit, specifically here." The order was terse. The Astropaths had found seven area of heavy psychic activity. Six of them were equidistant from one another and according to the Astropath the seventh was different, and moving.

[Captain Malachi]

Day 5, 21:34. The temple.

 

"Inquisitor? If you're planning on working in a less hectic manner, may I join you?" Hayes asked.

 

"Of course inquisitor, I'd appreciate the company." Levinski replied.

 

"Hayes, Levniski, wait up!" It was James this time.

 

"Looks like I'm gonna get plenty" Levinski said to himself, with a slight laugh. Just then their lift arrived, an aquila lander with several lightning escorts. It was good to see that Ryas had taken care of their safety, even if he had ignored the bit about meeting them at the main camp. Liam arrived moments later in the valkyrie. "Liam, I'm afraid our transport met us here instead of at the camp, did you bring everyone with you?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Good, get everyone aboard the aquila, and then find some way to get the Heart in to orbit." He said, watching for a moment as Liam went about his orders. He entered the aquila, gesturing for James and Hayes to follow, and his men came in after, taking up most of the remaining seats. It wasn't long until they were in orbit, back on Ryas' ship.

 

 

Day 5, 22:55. Orbit around Maeroc IV.

 

"Inquisitor Ryas, it is good to see you." He said, when he reached the bridge. He'd already recieved word that Liam had found some way back in to orbit, and would be joining them soon. Alasor was with him, while the rest of his men were back at their quarters, going over what limited information they had.

 

(OOC: Tyrak, Emps. Chosen, I left it up to you where your characters are, for now you're on the ship, if you wish to be on the bridge with me and Kadeaux, that's cool, I just thought you might want to go to your quarters or something....maybe).

[The emperors chosen]

Ic

walking into his room, James took off his armor,and collapsed on his bed."man, this has been rough couple of days" he said, getting up to look over the information Ryas had provided"Lysander" he said into his comm, which gave direct access to his ship"Send over a Valkyrie with a squad of stormtroopers, enough supplies for a couple of days, and my field clothes, then get ready to go to the next-battle zone, i'm getting the feeling you will be of more use there" closing the comm, James bent over the information 'there must be something i'm missing...but what?" he muttered to himself

[Kadaeux]

Day 5, 22:55. Orbit around Maeroc IV.

 

"Inquisitor Ryas, it is good to see you." He said, when he reached the bridge. He'd already recieved word that Liam had found some way back in to orbit, and would be joining them soon. Alasor was with him, while the rest of his men were back at their quarters, going over what limited information they had.

 

"Likewise" Ryas replied as he gestured to the holographic representation of the planet with the seven circles indicating the intense warp activities. Also on it now was a green smudge representing the Orks staging area. It seemed something had stalled the Orks for now. "Seven area's of warp activity, six are perfectly equidistant from each other and are unmoving. The first is the temple itself, there is something there below the collapsed structure still operating." Ryas shook his head.

 

"Due to my very nature I can't even begin to guess at this, while it protects me from the agents of chaos it also hinders me due to my inability to perceive their actions, something very bad is happening and I can't begin to guess what. All I know is we must capture Basavriuk before it gets worse."

[Shunch]

Day 5, 24:59. The Monolith.

 

Eyes closed, Basavriuk sat alone in the deepest chamber of the monolith. Meditation and the application of will to the pulsating warp-thing in his mind was the calmest he could ever feel as of late. It gave him time to think, free of the cacophony that clogged his brain. The rune-inscribed door made sure none would interrupt his musings.

 

Just taking time to concentrate slowly on the second sentience within him, Basavriuk could almost block it out. Almost as if it wasn't there.

 

Almost...

 

As if...

 

Basavriuk's eyes bolted open, wide with shock.

 

It was on the planet. He could feel it, pushing on the edge of his sanity.

 

The daemon inside him was screaming.

[Inquisitor =D=]

Decklan watched the aquilla lander speed away with its escorts and found himself thinking of Inquisitor Draken's very similar exit. "Far too dramatic guys... All we're trying to do is save this damn planet and they want to have tea time." With a heavy sigh he turned towards 'Olmes blinking the rain from his eyes he eyed the proffered dataslate and the areas highlighted on its surface. Seven red spots and a large green blob telling him the position of the orks and the psychic activity on the planet. He wasn't sure what it meant but he had to bet the moving dot was Basavriuk for sure. The other inquisitors leaving wasn't a loss to Decklan, in fact it freed him up some. Instead of splitting command of the ground troops he now had full command of the imperial guard regiments on the surface, and while he couldn't order the marines around he was sure they saw his view on this.

"Captain Taylor, set up a defensive perimeter and be prepared to move if we need to. Have the armored elements get ready to blaze a path. Also call up any engineers at our disposal, I'm going to see if there is another entrance here." And with that Decklan walked off to the nearest thunderhawk hoping it would be quiet enough for his idea to work. He was a psyker after all there wasn't much that could hold him back. "'Olmes, Codeword Hive-King, if I go down you know what to do." 'Olmes' only reply was a quiet click as its built in laspistol armed.

Decklan sat in the hold of the thunderhawk concentrating on the world around him the winds of fate blew in his ears but he wasn't listening to them this time. His mind begged to be freed he hadn't done this in a while. He breathed out and let his mind free. It was like flying in the truest sense, he left the thunderhawk in a blink and looked around him. The rain still fell and even in this form he felt its chill. He flew towards the temple the one that had been damaged in the fight. He could feel heat from it, hear the gibbering voices, taste copper in his mouth. He shielded himself and preyed to the emperor that he had not been noticed. He swooped towards the temple and something told him south. He flew that way and found it. Another entrance to the temple little further south than his current troops were. This was his goal then, he would break the altar at the corner and hopefully break whatever ritual was about to begin.

[Captain Malachi]

"interesting." Levinski said, mostly to himself. "Ryas, if you wouldn'tmind providing me with additional transport I would like to go here." He said, a little louder this time and gesturing to the point of psychic activity furthest from the temple. "I'm sure Decklan knows what he's doing at the temple, so we'll leave that to him for now. As for the other points, we'll go through them one by one until we find something we can work with. I haven't found a scrap of useful evidence since we got here."

 

It was true, since they'd got to Maeroc one thing after another had happened that had stopped them from actually going after Basavriuk, first the orks, then Tyraks betrayal, but now they finally had something they can go after. Now he just had to find out what it meant.

[Kadaeux]

Ryas examined the point chosen. "Lieutenant?" He called one of the Navy men over. "Order the Hangar bay to have the Aquila refuelled and armed along with her Lightning escorts. They will be conveying Inquisitor Levinski here back to the surface. However order them to dock in the civil hangar of the Glorious in order to conserve fuel the Glorious will convey them to the other side of the planet." The Leiutenant didn't bother asking which Aquila.

[Captain Malachi]

Day 5, 22:56. Orbit around Maeroc IV.

 

"Thank you inquisitor." Levinski said, when Ryas had finished with the crewman. Activating the vox, he called to Hayes and James "Hayes, James, I'm heading back down to the planet, if you wish to join me I'll meet you in the hangar bay in three hours, we'll be stopping off on the Glorious while we head to the other side of Maeroc. We may have a lead on Basavriuk."

 

 

Day 5, 23:34. Orbit around Maeroc IV.

 

Back in his quarters, he went over what they had. First, they knew Basavriuk was here somewhere, or at the very least they were hopeful he was. Most of their information had come from Tyrak, and recent events had proved him a less than reliable source. Still, it was likely he was here, and the events that had transpired since they got here had reinforced that belief.

 

Next, they had Stanislaus. Levinski didn't know a lot about him, save that he had appeared and warned them to leave.

 

Then there was Draken, the daemonhost user. Levinski was sure this man wasn't telling the whole truth, but for some reason the other inquisitors were willing to overlook his heretical use of daemonhosts, and Levnski didn't have the influence here to do anything about it. He'd just have to hope that when they met again he'd be able to do something other than sit there and glare.

 

The orks were a problem, but it was unlikely that any of the three men had anything to do with their presence, it was simply the way of the orks to always be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not that there was a right place or time for those filthy xenos. They'd need to be careful of them, but they had been part of te decision to head to the other side of Maeroc IV to investigate the psychic activity, they would be unlikely to run in to any orks there. He hoped.

 

The thing that bothered him most though, was that they had been here nearly a week now and had next to nothing on Basavriuks whereabouts, in fact, all they had was some new heretics to hunt. He'd have to go after Tyrak eventually, but that could wait, especially as they had even less of a lead on him. At least with Basavriuk they had a good idea of what planet he was on, even if it was a heretic infested hell-hole.

 

"Sir, the map you asked for." It was Liam, holding the map of the other side of Maeroc that Levinski had indeed requested be brought to him. Thanking the young man, he laid it out on the table. It was mostly forest, Ryas' bombardment hadn't wiped out the plant life on that side, so the going would likely be tough. He'd have to make sure Liam and Andrew took cutting tools with them. Otherwise there were a few mountains here and there, none near where they were heading, and there was nothing to indicate that this site was special in any way.

 

But there had to be something, anything, that would mean Basavriuk needed to go there at some point. Maybe he'd already been and had wiped away the evidence. It was certainly a possibility, but he didn't strike Levinski as the subtle type. Like all heretics, he was likely too arrogant to bother covering his tracks well. Of course that went completely at odds with the fact that they had nothing on him. Even his background checks hadn't brought up anything of interest.

 

Sighing, Levinski decided to get some sleep in before they left for the Glorious, maybe once he had met up with Hayes and James he'd be able to get a fresh eye on things, and together they might be able to figure something out.

[Skytear]

"Gabriel? You seem to be in thought yourself."

 

Limestone Caves, Maerok IV, Day 5

The waterdrops mingled with Crown's own thoughts, making the world around him fade away as he focused on Pykonnen's words.

His gauntlets closed around his null-rod. He was glad he had brought it along - he had searched years to obtain one of those and it had already served him well. Gabriel liked being able to keep his thoughts hidden from those around him. He hated being read like an open book. And in the presence of a highly ranked member of the Ordo Hereticus, he took refuge in the fact that the rod nullified her powers. As it did his. He was a Xanithe and she knew. If she asked for him his opinion, she would probably want to hear something out of the ordinary. Something that, if he told, might get him killed outright. Still, his sense of duty won over his sense of self-preservation.

"Could I speak with you alone ?"

He tried to make his sound important.

"What I wish to tell you is not ment for other ears." Gabriel lifted his eyes to hers, and mustered them.

As Polarion quickly rose to her black, steel-toed combat boots, Crown gave her a quick glance.

"You stay with the others, please. We shall be back momentarily."

Polarian shot him a dissapointed smirk and Crown could see a flash of fanatical loyalty in her eyes. She was a good one to keep around, for sure.

The servoes of his suit whirled quietly as he turned to the deeper part of the caves. He input a series of quick commands in his auspex.

"My scanner shows a grotto nearby. Would you please escort me there, Mylady?"

He thoroughly skimmed the dark rock in front of himself, then again turned around, this time with a grim, apologetic smile on his sensual lips.

"No disrepect to you and your peers. But some knowledge is not ment for all."

 

Limestone Caves Grotto, Maerok IV, Day 5

 

The grotto would have been almost romantic if either Crown or Pykonnen gave anything about that. Fluorescent mushrooms gave white light that reflected of the clear water pond in splendid rainbow colours

and bathed the grotto in a harmonious display of natural beauty.

Crown gave a brief smile to Pykonnen as he watched the light dance across her aquiline face.

"Speaking to you about this, Nicole, might get in trouble if word gets out. It might cost me my life. But I'm prepared to put that knowledge to use to draw the traitor out."

Pykonnen was Ordo Hereticus - Crown was under no illusion she would kill him in an instant if she doubted him. Yet, he harboured the hope that she would not. They were fighting on the same side and he had come to see her as someone who, after battle lines had been drawn, stuck to allies. Just as he did. Still there were things he knew he could not tell her. He just knew too much. It dawned him that he was already an Outcast of his own kind. Just for what he was willing to do in the Name of the Imperium of Man. Still, his resolve was strong as ever.

"Dealing with the warp as Basavriuk has done has its...unique complications."

Crown kept his eyes on Pykonnen.

"We do not know how much warp-entities he has summoned to his aid by now, do we?"

Now he gave his characteristic smile again - mixture of confidence, tactfully tempered with inquisitorial harshness. Just enough to hint that under his armour, he was yet a man.

"There are ways to ascertain just how much support he has gathered from the warp. With your permission and aid, I can try and divine the strength and number of the anathema he has summoned to his aid. We may even be able to bind them, banish them if we know their true names."

Crown's heavily armoured gauntlets gripped his null-rod, as if he was seeking its strength to protect him. Being a psyker himself, as many Inquisitors, he still felt uncomfortable with the artifact. He also felt sheltered in its aura. Warpcraft. Psykers. Daemons. He had come to appreciate how it blocked every power they could throw at him. And it pained him he would have to temporarily shed that protection.

"It is risky. I will see them - they will see me. But in the Emperor's Name. My gaze is far more crushing than theirs."

Crown did not reveal that the technique he was about to use stemmed from an Eldar Farseer that his Mistress and himself had interrogated for months before he would divulge that information to them. It would have been of no consequence either way. The knowledge was now there - ready to be used by them. Of course, it was heretical, alien witchcraft. But to a Xantithe, bordering on the edge of Heresy for the Good of the Imperium of Man, that was a small price to pay for the Imperium. After all, were the Eldar not a race of secrets? And Mankind would prevail where they had failed for sure. There was simply no other option.

He immersed his gaze deep in Pykonnen's clear eyes, pausing a moment before he raised his deep voice again.

"What say you, Mylady?"

[Grand Master Tyrak]

Inquisitor Hayes moved slowly onto the bridge, seeing Inquisitor Ryas intently studying the holoplate.

 

"Inquisitor Ryas, Inquisitor Hayes reporting for duty. I request permission to accompany Inquisitors Levinski and James to the planet's surface."

[Inquisitor =D=]

Decklan's vision hadn't failed him, the entrance was there. A small almost invisible entrance in a stone dais half buried in the marsh. It rank to be honest and Decklan could feel the power radiating from down the long tunnel. This would take him where he needed to go for sure. He'd have asked to marines to accompany him but the tunnel was cramped even for him so he'd had Captain Taylor select her best squad and join him. Captain Taylor hadn't been too happy about it but he knew she wouldn't deny his request.

The tunnel was dark, dark as dark could be, they had all packed lights though and with 'Olmes leading the way the descent went smoothly. There were traps of course, primitive things they were, many had simply disintegrated with age though not all of them. A few had survived well enough. Flagstones had been replaced with clay plates that would crumble with any amount of weight dropping the unfortunate victim 3 feet onto sharpened sticks and two of the accompanying guardsmen had been injured but none too grievously wounded to continue. After the last one had been hurt they opted to let the sweeper specialist lead the way. Aldor was the trooper's name and he was an artist at work, every trap, every wire, every loose stone, he found them all. Truth be told Decklan had had his reservations about bringing the guard here at all but it seems the records on Captain Taylors regiment weren't wrong at all, true Veterans.

After a mile's walking they came at last to end of the tunnel barred with an iron cage door. Beyond they could see into the inner temple. A large chamber of dusty stone, every wall was carved with images of old wars of champions from a forgotten time. Many of the images were unreadable now having succumb to embrace of age and crumbled only to lie on the floor. The chamber was dimly lit though by what they could not tell. Examining the gate barring their entrance Inquisitor Decklan looked at Captain Taylor. "Would you be so kind as to open the door Captain?" It hadn't taken long, the captain had called up a trooper carrying demolition charges and he'd set to work, the rest of the squad had set up to go in firing.

The charges went off with a bang and with them the gate fell to the floor with a crash. No sooner had it hit the floor than two of the guardsmen had swept in to cover the angles. Before they were able to acknowledge the fact they were through the door they were dead. Bolter shots impacted the two troopers tearing them to pieces and showering the ancient walls in gore. the sound was deafening but distinct, heavy bolters, two of them. Basavriuk had been here and he'd left them a gift, a Tarantula Sentry Gun.

"Any ideas Captain?" Decklan asked.

[Shunch]

Day 6, 03:42. The Monolith

 

Dioq sat in the Strategium, intently focusing upon the hololithic dispaly on the dais before him. Strategic placement of psykers all over Maeroc's surface gave him an almost complete, three-dimensional view of the surrounding area. Protective runes surrounding the casters kept them safe from any psychic scrutiny.

 

And he didn't like what he was seeing.

 

All over the planet, the Puritans were mobilizing. As if on cue, landers bearing great quantities of troops were coming down, teams of agents were moving through the marshland, and psychic storms scoured the jungle. It was only a matter of time before the enemy found some chink in their defenses.

 

Yet, for all Dioq could see, there was too much he couldn't. Whatever the enemy was planning, he could only guess and prepare. They needed information. They needed a prisoner. If Basavriuk wasn't willing to take care of it, Dioq would have to do it himself.

 

Briefly, Dioq considered confronting Basavriuk and asking him to do something. He decided that it would ultimately be pointless. Nikolai hardly ever heeded his council nowadays, and Dioq didn't relish having to speak with his new master any more than he needed to.

 

Instead, he was going to take matters into his own hands. They just needed one prisoner.

 

The hardest part would be not accidentally killing the poor fools he found.