The Black Reaches (DW) - IC

[Morovir]

Kharvox requisitions the following:

 

Diagnostor Helmet (15)

Stummer (5)

Cameleoline Tarpaulin (5)

[Banjoboy]

Bessor requisitions

 

(20) Camo Cloak

(5)Silencer for Bolter

[Cryptix]

The 7 of you take your equipment and board the Blackstar. The trip will take a while to get to the surface, so there is free time with you to talk.

 

(Any of you may ask questions of any of the other. This is mainly to give SinnerBeta some time to finish his character, but also to flesh out your character's a little bit. I will update when the Blackstar lands.)

[Servant of Dante]

((So it's 4 Astartes, Inellia, and 2 Storm Troopers, right?))

 

Inellia strapped herself into an overlarge seat in the corned of the Blackstar's passenger compartment. She was not a short woman, standing 5' 9" (175.26 cm) outside of her power armour, but the seat was built for an Astartes, so her armoured boots barely scraped the floor. The storm troopers across from her looked decidedly uncomfortable.

 

Inellia's slid her Sabbat-Pattern helmet over her head, locking it firmly into place. Toggling off all of the visor's visual filters and overlays, she looked to the four Astartes with her in the shuttle. She had of course served alongside Space Marines in the past, but this was different. Her eyes drifted to her Chaplet, it's beads now wrapped around her waist, so that the Chaplet itself reached to just above her knees when she stood.

 

Looking back to the Astartes, she asked, "Have any of you fought with a small group such as this? It will certainly differ from fighting alongside your Brothers in your Chapter."

[Slips]

"I've been on Crusades where we've deployed but a Squad to certain combat zones, but for the most part, no." Replied the templar, both hands resting on the pommel of his Power Sword, powered off and pointed downwards, the blade being nearly as long as Inellia is tall. An almost 5 foot long blade, iirc.

 

"Still, I don't expect the squad size to bother us much, we're all trained to operate on a scale of Solo to Full Chapter Strength. What will truly test us is learning to mesh our Chapter preferences." as he glances to the Iron Hand, all but hidden behind his helmet.

[Servant of Dante]

Inellia nodded, "I have every confidence that you are all capable."

 

Her own chainsword rested in the equipment rack a over her head, along with her bolter and plasma blaster. It had been a gift from her inquisitor upon her ascension to the rank of Throne Agent. It had been a strange moment. Inellia could have sworn she saw the woman smile. The sword itself was black with gold filagree in complement to her power armour.

 

It seemed almost comically small when compared to the Templar's massive weapon.

 

(A best craftsmanship chainsword is part of the Hierophant Ascended Career starting equipment, which is why I figure it was a gift)

[Morovir]

"STATEMENT: HOWEVER, I CANNOT SAY THE SAME FOR YOUR STORM TROOPERS. WHILE YOU HAVE AT LEAST TAKEN A STEP ALONG THE ROAD OF SELF-IMPROVEMENT, THEY ARE UNENHANCED AND UNAUGMENTED, AND SO COULD PROVE TO BE A LIABILITY ON THIS MISSION OF STEALTH AND SPEED. CLARIFICATION: THE MEATBAGS WILL SLOW US DOWN."

[Servant of Dante]

((I'm assuming the storm troopers are Ordo Xenos))

 

"Although I do not take the presence of bionics to be a measure of ability, I must agree that you have a point. As I have never served alongside the Sergeant before, we shall have to wait and see.

 

"I might add that we will have to transport a live Xeno back with us, so the troopers presence will free up you Astartes to do what you do best."

[Slips]

Do we have a Techmarine? We do, right?

 

" Worse comes to worst, we could always use our Techmarines Servo-Arm to Transport the Xenos and, if it becomes necessary, bifurcate him between the same pincers."

 

And, barely audible over the vox, he whispers "Suffer Not The Alien To Live!"

[Morovir]

"ADDITION: IF SPACE IS TRULY OF CONCERN, I COULD CONDUCT A FIELD DISSECTION AND THEN INCINERATE THE FLESH."

[Cryptix]

(You do now! Kanalel is on the ground, studious little dark angel that he is.)

[Servant of Dante]

"ADDITION: IF SPACE IS TRULY OF CONCERN, I COULD CONDUCT A FIELD DISSECTION AND THEN INCINERATE THE FLESH."

One might have seen a small smile cross the Sister's face where it not for her helmet - might have seen.

 

"and I'm sure the Inquisitor would be delighted. It is something to keep in mind, if it comes to it, although I'd much rather bring the filth in alive, as directed. I think there is pleanty of space on this . . . " Inellia glances around the compartment, "thing to get us all back to base"

 

"In any case, the Troopers are here. Perhaps they will surprise you. I hardly imagine they will be any louder than you and me, seeing as they don't have power armour."

[Slips]

"Have you ever seen those of Corax's Lineage in action, Sister? You would be surprised."

[Servant of Dante]

"I'm sure it would be quite an inspiring sight. My place in the shadows generally means I am gone by the time such as those arrive, if they ever do."

 

The Sister seems lost in thought.

 

*sigh* "Well, this is your mission. I'm only here because, frankly, someone doesn't trust you," she looks to each of the Astartes, "which means I can't fully trust any of you, yet. Regardless, if you all agree that the humans will be a detriment to the mission, they will stay with the ship," her tone lightening, Inellia continues, "and no, you can't leave me behind."

[Cryptix]

The shaking of the ship interrupts your thoughts as the Blackstar lands on uncertain ground. The red disembarkment light turns green as the Blackstar's doors open. 2 other kill teams disembark with you, one getting into a rhino that was carried underneath the blackstar and the other one preparing their bikes before driving off. Upon landing the members of the team could hear their Vox click on, receiving a short communication "Welcome Brothers." - the voice was low but polite, the message short. "Head towards the nearby rock-outcropping, you will find me there."

​As they approach the location, they notice screamers hidden buried in the sand around them, most likely the early-warning security method of their outpost. A small structure reveals to themselves hidden beneath the rock, the fragmented walls betraying it was made from pre-fabricated materials delivered recently.

As they approach the entrance it opens, a hooded Astartes stepping outside and offering a nod of his head before gesturing them inside. To those that enter he offers an introduction "Again welcome, I am Kamael of the Dark Angels." and presents his dark green pauldron as if to accentuate the statement. He appears to be shorter by a few centimeters compared to most of the Marines, but still towering over the mortals present. He wears his helmet at his hip, locked by some magnetic device to the belt and displaying red accents along with the symbol of the Cult Mechanicus, betraying his role just as much as the servo-arm folded on his back.

"I was sent ahead of everyone to construct this place," he resumes "which I dubbed 'Outpost Alpha', from the provided material and set up everything before you arrived." he swipes the small interior with his arm. It was simple but functional - a small generator powering the lights and some electronic equipment in the corner, a spartan bed, a weapon and ammunition rack, a small shrine to the Emperor and a simple table covered with various maps and documents and what appeared to be a Deathwatch bike which he now approached near the exit. He approached the bike and retrieved a small electronic device from one of the many pouches strapped to it before returning to the table and setting it down there. It displayed real time 3D image of their location for them to analyze and he started marking some locations and points of interests on it for them: "As you might have noticed the planet is mostly covered by deserts but oasis are commonly encountered around here and they are where most human settlements are located." he pointed to two specific points "This is the nearest human settlement, you most likely noticed you on your approach, just 25 meters from here. This in turn is where our intelligence suggests the Tau are located, 40 kilometers from the village, their numbers estimated at around 400. At the moment they appear to be unaware of this outpost - any aerial recon not being able to see us under this outcrop." he then draw a simple circle around the outpost in the map -  their camp appeared to be about 25 meters in diameter, the perimeter secured by screamers in a 5 meters ring. There were some small alarms being registered but he waved them away "Local children, they run and play around here but the locals keep their distance - no signs of initial Tau indoctrination were yet witnessed." he leaned over the table looking at those present and asked "Any questions before we proceed ?". The silence of the other urged him to continue. "I have found that the Tau of this planet have less battlesuits than normal, meaning that a night attack would be harder to detect. However, it also means that if we get into combat most of the occupants will be inside the force, meaning more resistance. Meanwhile, the fort is mostly empty during the day, but it is much easier to get detected. Which method do you all prefer."

[Servant of Dante]

((What are the Storm Troopers names and ranks?))

 

Inellia removes her weapons from the rack above her. Her chainsword finds its place at her left side, the plasma blaster locks into place on her right calf, and her Bolter she holds with her right hand.

 

The Sister walks down the Blackstar's ramp, motioning for the Storm Troopers to disembark, since none of the Astartes had responded to her offer to leave them behind. She halts before the Techmarine, removing her helmet and tilting her head back to look him in the face.

 

 Making the sign of the Aquila to the Astartes, she says, "Your preparations are much appreciated, Techmarine. I would like to find a few hours to sleep before we set out, as the Astartes are famous for their extended deployments; however, I wish to be present for as long as possible."

 

((I know this edit might be a bit clunky, but it will have to do))

[Slips]

As the Blackstar Lands and the lights turn green, he undoes his seats harness, Maglocks his Sword to his waist, the chains attaching it to his wrist dangling limply as he goes about grabbing his Deathwatch-Issue chainsword from his stowage compartment and chaining that one to his left arm. He then goes to the rear where his Jump Pack and Cameleoline was stowed and exits the craft with them in hand, the Cloak in a bundle over one shoulder the Jump Pack in hand.

 

As he walks out and is greeted by the bike-borne Techmarine, he sets down his Jump Pack and salutes the Aquila in Greeting "Greetings Brother Techmarine, I am Faramond of the Black Templars and thank you for your insights on the situation with the Tau. I will say that I was unaware that the force present here was entrenched but, the lack of Suits does make our job easier. Our particular quarry this day is an Ethereal that we need to take back to our Inquisitor and the Watch Station for study, have any of the scouts made visual on one at their fort?"

 

While waiting for the newly arrived Techmarine to appraise him of the situation and for other members of his Kill Team to offer their greetings (or not) and pose their own questions, he turns to the Sister,"So long as you do not over strain yourself, so be it. A single sleepless night should not adversely affect you too much and I'd much rather we strike in the dead of night when the frail Xenos are all cooped up in enclosed spaces."

 

Looking out into the distance scanning the horizon for the telltale signs of Tau structures, he continues "It should be easy enough to mow through their unarmoured bodies as they scramble in a panic to arm themselves and repel us once we breach the barracks and the carnage left behind alongside the disappearance of an Ethereal should send a clear enough message that their time as a species is nearing its end." Audibly inhaling and pausing for a brief moment, he resumes "Ah but to invade their homeworld and to commit Genocide upon them, to slay them in their untold billions and to reduce such a feeble civilisation to naught but ash and cinder, all traces of their existence expunged from galactic record, I would so relish the opportunity."

[Servant of Dante]

((Alright, it's been a while, so I'm going to make another post. I don't want Inellia to dominate all the conversation, but nobody else has said anything yet, and I have something that I think is interesting that shouldn't interfere with what the other PCs want to say. Let me know if this is an issue.))

 

Inellia turns her head slowly toward the Templar, and looks at the impassive visage of his black helm. She is silent - thinking. After a time the walks over to the marine, so as to not disrupt the other Astartes. In a thoughtful, conversational tone, the Sister begins, "That is certainly a commendable dream. You would find many who would applaud you, even at the Convent Sanctorum. Many, but not all, I might add. A great many scholars have written upon humanity's destiny among the stars, our rightful place as prescribed by the God-Emperor. I have studded only a score or so of such texts, given the constraints my duties place upon my time. The oldest of these are fascinating for their archaic High Gothic alone . . ." Inellia trails off, blinking and realizing that she has veered far from her intended point, "There are many dissenting views on the topic, and I of course have my own.

 

"It is the Emperor's Divine Will that humanity wipe the Xeno from the galaxy, and, truly, it is our duty and our privilege to fulfill His Will, but I find no joy in looking a mother in the eye as I shoot her and her child, be they Human, Eldar or Tau, " holding up her hand to ward off the Marine's inevitable rebuttal, she continues, "Yes, but of course they must die, it is realm of the heretic to think otherwise; they are simply not human. However, I will not take joy in ending the lives of those who have never held a weapon."

[Slips]

"We do what we must in service to the Emperor. No more, no less. In that respect, we are similar. In others, we differ quite greatly." He pauses for an instant, looking back to the Marines he arrived with and the newly-joined Techmarine to see if they his attention was required and in doing so rests his arms on the pommels of his swords mag locked to his hip.

 

Seeing that, at that very moment in time, it wasn't, he inhaled sharply before continuing "Primarily in that we were made to kill," He says, head turning to face the Horizon.

 

And, uncharacteristically for a Space Marine, he sighs, "In the same way that I find fulfilment as I practice and hone my skills as a swordsman, in pushing myself above and beyond my limits, as I serve the Emperor faithfully and completely, as I Crusade across the endless gulf between distant stars with my Battle-Brothers and as I slay Traitor Marines who have committed the ultimate Heresy, I find fulfilment in putting a Bolt Shell into the skull of a defenseless Xenos child before turning to its parent and putting a Bolt Shell into their abdomen so they may die a slow and painful death - and I do so by rote." His gauntleted hands tightened around the grips of both swords as he finished his statement.

 

"I have killed in His name for over a century and a half now, Sister, and I have seen the worst the Galaxy has to offer and triumphed over it. A xenos child and its parent are a footnote in list of Millions I've killed but, I go out of my way to ensure their demise so that they are forever removed from the equation of possible foes I've to face and so I take 'joy' in doing just that."

 

"But, come, we've other matters to worry about. Discussions like these can wait for after we've accomplished our task and we do not wish to keep the others waiting.

[Morovir]

"STATEMENT: WE MUST PRESS ON. THE MORE TIME WE SPEND SUCCUMBING TO THE WEAKNESSES OF THE FLESH, THE MORE TIME THE XENOS HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ILLOGICAL THAT WILL NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR PLANS."

[Servant of Dante]

Inellia nods to the apothecary and addresses the group at large, "In any case, I believe we have yet to answer the Dark Angel's question: do we wish to proceed during the day or the night? I am willing to abide by whatever decision you make."

Realizing it will be impossible to watch her Space Marine charges during their every waking moment while maintaining alertness, she turns to the Sergeant and his Trooper, "Sergeant, trooper, I believe us mortals should get some rest while the Astartes finish planning," with a mischievous smirk she glances at the Iron Hand, "The flesh is weak, one might say."

The Sister leads the Troopers to one side of the outpost's structure, remaining beneath the overhanging rock, where they begin to set up a small tent. She returns to the interior of the building and begins removing her armour, as to do so outside would cause the interior to be clogged with sand. When she is finished, Inellia neatly stacks the power armour segments beside the shrine to the Emperor, placing her Plasma Blaster beside the stack, along with her Bolter, grenades, and most of her ammunition.

((Inellia still has her chainsword and inferno pistol, along with 1 reload for the inferno pistol))

She is left in the long black robe of her order, her pale hair and eyes in stark contrast with her vestments, and her Chaplet Ecclesiasticus hanging from her neck, resting just below knee level. After kneeling briefly in prayer before the shrine, she stands, and, making the sign of the Aquila once more to the Astartes, exits in silence. She moves to the side of the building opposite the Troopers, and lays in the sand beneath the overhang to sleep, her chaplet clutched close to her lips by her human hand, and her inferno pistol locked in her mechanical one.

Major Edit!

[Slips]

"What course would you take Brother Techmarine? You've had time to study their feeble structures, any weaknesses we can exploit?"

Asks the Templar as he surveys the area scans and maps produced.

 

"I would personally lean towards a Night Attack in this circumstance since while we're likely to be outnumbered, the close confines and their reluctance to cause friendly fire and collateral damage, should aid us mow through them easily enough. Their is also a greater likely hood of mass panic occurring which will be beneficial." He concludes as he looks up from the table to meet the gaze of the Dark Angel.

[SinnerBeta]

Kamael doesn't take part in the discussion on killing, rather focusing on the questions directed at him. "I would propose those of us that are more so inclined move out to gather intelligence along with the other teams that have been already deployed while the rest of us prepares for the operation and if needed, rests." he gestures towards the single bed.

 

"For the moment I mostly received and gathered reports on the Tau from various sensors on our equipment here - I didn't want my bike to attract their attention too early. We need to see if the Etheral would be willing to leave the camp, perhaps with only a small team under some pretense, for example to meet with local human leaders instead of their Water Caste representative. If they would take only a few Fire Warriors with them it would make our mission easier, although it would require for our operations to go unnoticed until now." 

 

He then point to the Tau camp at the map "A direct attack, even a surprise one, might be ill advised considering the enemy numbers."

[Slips]

"So be it. Would you have a means of communicating with the Tau? Whether it be through the human settlement or through other channels? Knowing them and how much they value their Ethereals, I doubt it would be able to leave with a small escort but, a Devilfish and a squad of Fire Warriors are definitely more manageable a threat." And Faramond gets pensive for a second before continuing.

 

"If we do plan on making use of the Mortals, we must also guarantee where their loyalties lie. They are in rather close proximity to the Tau and I myself have fought traitors to our species who went to battle alongside them. It would not do us any good to approach them and have our plans ruined by one of them. Maybe our own mortals could prove of use in this regard."

[Morovir]

Kharvox's voice booms across the encampment:

 

"EXTERNAL ADDRESS: AWAKEN, MORTALS. DESCEND TO THE ABODES OF YOUR FELLOWS AND ASCERTAIN THEIR LOYALTIES. PURGE ALL OF THE UNBELIEVERS."