Kill Team Argentum

[Dagnon]

A dull black spec of the ceramite flicked off as the heavy boot came down over the bulkhead knee-knocker.  The fleck of paint would sit in a lonely crevice where the floor met the bulkhead for likely years to come, waiting for a servitor to clean that spot and get in that corner, such was the way of things.

Another foot step and the gentle thrum of power coursing through the bundles of wires controlling could be heard by only those with the most keen sense of hearing, which everyone nearby had.  The machine spirit of the Mk VI power armour had been temperamental as of late, whining aloud at having to work so hard.

The whining of the machine spirit was fully drowned out a moment later by the staccato screaming of bolter fire as round after round was sent hurtling through the near pitch black darkness, the only light coming through a large stained window showing the victory of a brethren over a bloodied Ork warboss.

"Argentum squad on me!"  The voice didn't need to be amplified by the vox-caster in his hemlet, it was loud and booming enough, a voice that commanded respect at the very least, and fear in more than a few initiates over the centuries.

Watch Sergeant Blevis, the symbol on his pauldron denoting his belonging to the Ultramarines, stood to the side and waited for the gunfire to subside.  Bolters were moved to at ease and checked before they were handed to the waiting technical servitors who took the weapons off to the armoury to be prayed over before their machine spirits could be put to rest.

OOC: That's you rat bastards, Argentum squad.

[kabetts]

Lexicanum Sepheram, handed his own weapon to the waiting servitor and walked over to where the Sergeant was standing, the blue of his pauldron standing out against the black of his armor in the dim light, the only sigil on it being the tome and skull of the librarian.  Once he there he waited silently for the next instruction, wondering what would be next in their endless training regime.

[Mazzic]

Yancey Slyde strode forward, handing his boltgun off to the nearest servitor. He felt a brief millisecond of pity for the thing, barely human as it was. Not all were called to be Sons of the Emperor, but it was the Astartes place to protect those lesser humans. He armor, recently painted the black of the Deathwatch, was only marked by the grey raven's head upon a field of dark green on his right pauldron. The Raptors were not viewed with much esteem by certain of their follow chapters, and if Yancey was honest, he wasn't sure how he and the Ultramarine sergeant were going to get along. Slavish devotion to the Codex only wastes lives, he thought, falling inline next to the Lexicanum.

[Dagnon]

Blevis looked at each of the battle brothers from Kill Team Argentum and nodded as they quickly followed the rituals of training and handed their deadly weapons to the servitors.  

"The prayers of your wargear will wait.  The new arrivals to our team, replacements for Brother Arion and Brother Tanuk, will have to show their mettle in the fighting pit.  Brother Slyde and Sepheram, you will show us your abilities and prove your worth to your brothers in the pit."  

Without saying another word Sergeant Blevis turned on his heel and his power armour whines once again as he marched off to the melee pit, confident that the entire squad would be following.

Upon arrival at the training pit a crew of arming servitors awaited the squad to take off the power armour that all the battle brothers were wearing, all the while reciting the wargear prayers that would consecrate the equipment, praying to the machine spirits within to continue in their reverent service.

Once the squad was back in their robes Blevis pointed to the pit and directed the new battle brothers to enter and begin.  "No weapons today."

OOC: Yeah this is my way of learning some rules and getting the system down.

[kabetts]

Sepharam nodded to the sergeant and walked into the pit. He walked to the middle and waited for his opponent to meet him there.

[Mazzic]

Yancey grunted an affirmation, but waited a moment for Sepharam enter first. He followed after, eyeing the other Astartes. Even without their armor and weapons, all of their kind could be dangerous...but a Librarian even more so. Thankfully, unlike the half-savage Chaos-tainted Traitor Legions, Sanctioned Psykers didn't use their powers for no reason. And a fist fight to get acquainted was surely not reason enough to risk madness and damnation.

[kabetts]

As soon as Slyde stepped inside the pit Sepharan bowed slightly to him, then charged.  He'd resolved not to use his connection to the warp, but the love of battle that his chapter was known for made him almost gleeful at finally getting to do something other than training that they'd been doing for so long.  He tried to grapple the Tac marine before the battle brother could do so to him in return.

[Mazzic]

Slyde had no time to bow himaelf - a clever, disarming move by the Blackshield. Whichever chapter he hailed from, they weren't an unreasonable one. Yancey attempted to dodge the grapple and lash out with punch to the charging Marine's torso.

[Dagnon]

Blevis smiled to himself at seeing the attack begin in earnest, with little or no time wasted in niceties and other such time wasters.

Sepharan was fast and moved with lightning speed, striking out and grabbing hold of Yancey whose own swipe to try and dodge was unsuccessful and he felt the massive strength of Sepharan as he was wrapped up tightly.

[kabetts]

OOC: you do know that Yancey Slyde is one character right?

[Dagnon]

OOC: Damnit, reading is so hard for me...

[kabetts]

Now that he had his opponent in a hold he began to tighten and with a swift twist he put Yancey into a hold that would cause him some pain without causing any serious injury.

OOC: Damage opponent; if the char wins he causes 1d5-3 damage and one level of fatigue.

[Mazzic]

As his fellow Astatrtes wrapped himself around Yancey the Raptor Marine dropped his weight and attempted to throw his body to the ground, aiming to land on the Librarian.

[Dagnon]

"You expect to kill the enemies of the Emperor just hugging it out? FIGHT YOU BASTARDS!"

Yancey used an impressive surge of strength and threw the Librarian to the ground with relative ease after Sepharan nearly lost his grip on his opponent. Using the momentary lapse Sepharan found himself on his back and Yancey atop him.

[Mazzic]

Slyde kept his face impassive as he reversed his fortunes. Victory wasn't assured until the last enemy had been put down - until then there would be no celebration, no glory. He aimed a one-two punch combo at the Librarian's face and throat.

[Dagnon]

Two brutal punches landed hard on Sepharan, one to the throat and one to the nose, blood spurt forth and bloodied the knuckles of the Space Marine.

The third strike was off target and crushed into the floor, the pain coursed up is arm and Yancey nearly shouted out in pain at the shock of it.  

The perfect moment of respite was all that Serphran needed and Yancey was suddenly flying through the air and both warriors lept to their feet, not even breathing heavily.  

Seraphan rushed forward and kicked low, used the momentum of the deliberate miss and caught Yancey square on the jaw with a spinning back fist that caused his teeth to rattle.

The fight went back and forth, strike landed by the Blood Knight and the next by the Raptor, neither able to get the upper hand, both taking a toll in pride and blood as they pummeled one another.

"ENOUGH!"  Came the call from up on the gantry overlooking the sparring pit.  "We have a briefing, the time to train has passed.  You each do your Chapter's honor with your preparation for this posting, continue with this vigor and we will sweep the enemy from our path."  Blevis shouted and called and end to the training.  

Just as this was happening the 'Argent Crusader' emerged from warp, the feeling something no man could get used to.

Twenty minutes later the Kill Team was assembled and standing at attention before Watch Captain de Dominova.

Around the briefing room servitors and crew members of the ship went about their duties, hastily preparing for the next jump, low sonorous prayers filled the air in gentle murmurs filled the air.  Air made hazy by the votive censors burning from alcoves and shrines throughout the vessel.  

"Watch Station Antael."  The Watch Captain said and in front of him the cogitator sparked to life and a 3D holo of a watch station, similar to Erioch, the base of operations for all the Deathwatch in the Jericho Reach.  Noticeable differences were picked out by each Marine though.  Defensive grid not fully implemented, turrets half built or barely started, the count of servitors and tech's from the Adeptus Mechanicus significantly higher than normal.  

Under Contruction

"There is still much to be done.  A distress call was received from Archive-Adjunct Petrus, a Chapter serf in service to our order."

The cogitator played a message.  "“Watch-Fortress Erioch, this is Archive-Adjunct Petrus of Watch-
Fortress Antael. We are under attack. Xenos hostiles have made
planetfall and are approaching in force. Our Adeptus Astartes
garrison is at one-eighth capacity and the automated defences won’t
last long. We beseech you for aid and succour.”

"We are the team sent to cleanse this infestation and bring relief to our brothers. You may prepare yourselves through prayer, we are about to enter the Immaterium once again and upon translation to real space we will board the Thunderhawk to provide close support to the defenders, retake the watch station and hold it until more defenses can be brought to it's aide.  The 'Argent Crusader' will take any enemy vessels out while we are doing our duty."

"See to your prayers and rituals, receive your weapons from the arming servitors and prepare to bring the cleansing light to the enemies of the Emperor.  Dismissed."

OOC:

See to your prayers, arm yourselves (140 requisition points) and prepare your weapons and armor for battle.

[Dagnon]

OOC: only basic Renown weapons for the first mission. Scale back to 120 requisition as well. Typo in previous post.

[kabetts]

OOC: Lame!

[Dagnon]

You gotta earn the renown man!

[kabetts]

OOC: I looked over the list last night and there isn't much you can get without it.  I think I'm just going to bring a crap load of mines.  Nothing better in a static defensive position.

I'll try to put a list together when I get home tonight.

Do we have any more info on what type of xenos are likely to be operating in that area?

[Dagnon]

There are a fair number of items. Your melee and ranged weapons, ammo extra explosives etc. Mines sound fun too!

[kabetts]

Sepharam's requisition: Req
5 Astartes Cluster Mines 25
10 Astartes Frag Grenades 10
1 Astartes Flamer 15
1 Astartes Chain Sword 10
1 Astartes Harness 4
1 Psy Focus 15
1 Clip of Hellfire rounds 25
1 Preysense Sight 10
1 Charm 6

Total: 120

[Mazzic]

The lack of information on the xenos threat struck Slyde as odd. What had the Imperium come to, that even the Deathwatch could not get basic intel to the squads that fought for it? He certainly wasn't impressed - the Raptors would never send in Astartes without some idea of what they would face on the ground. It is much easier to adapt to an enemy with recon and planning than blind fire. He was new here however, and the command decisions had been made. He would pray that the Emperor would watch over them as the cleansed the taint of the infernal xenos from the partial-built Deathwatch outpost. Yancey left the briefing to prepare himself and his weapons for the coming battle.

Requisitions: 119
Astartes Sniper Rifle (20)
Attached: Telescopic Sight (6)
Attached: Silencer (3)
Dipole Mag-Lock (Bolt Pistol, 5)
Hellfire Clip (Free, Tac Marine)
Hellfire Clip (25)
Kraken Clip (x2, 10)
Metal Storm Clip (15)
Stalker Clip (x2, 10)
Astartes Harness (4)
Charm (6)
Stummer (5)
Demolition Charge (10)

[Dagnon]

No matter how many times you experience a warp translation, you never get used to it.  A harsh machine wail screams from every vox-horn on the vessel, its mournful dirge echoing down every companionway.  The sound drones on for what seems an age as leaded silence descends.  Then, the order is given --"Emperor bless our souls, make Warp!"--and somewhere deep inside the guts of The Ardent Crusader the warp drive is activated.

For a moment, nothing seems to happen, but then that moment stretches outwards to infinity, a single thought, a single firing of a single synapse attenuated to encompass the entirety of existence.  Your perceptions narrow and your physical senses recede, the experience sensed instead deep within the soul.  The fabric of reality is stretched impossibly thin, your mind at once expanding in every dimension and obliterated as the laws of nature are brutalized.

When the stuff of the universe can be warped no further, the abyss opens up and swallows you.

The lumens cut out and for an instant darkness engulfs all.  A scream, as of a billion, billion souls wailing in eternal torment splits the air as a deep, bass rumble causes the fabric of the vessel to tremble and quake.  The ship plunges through gulfs of anguish and insanity, now fully submerged in the ocean of Chaos.

And then the lumens flicker back to life and you realize your grip has almost shattered the restraint.  The rank taint of fear and dread fills the air even as sweet incense is pumped through the filtration mechanism.

"We pray for the souls of those adrift upon the Warp," a voice announces over the vox-horns, and in a moment several thousand men and women join in the prayer as one.

[b]'Stand down Warp stations,"[/] the executive officer orders.

OOC: Give your thoughts on the warp trip thus far, and report to the bridge.

[kabetts]

Sepharam dreaded warp travel, when he was that close to the energies that he harnessed with his powers but in overwhelming amounts. He could almost feel the eyes of demons watching him, waiting for their turn to posses him as he passed them. He knew that while it seemed like the blink of an eye to him, they saw and they watched and they waited there in the darkness.

The prayer to the Emperor once it was over was vehement on his part. Thanks for his survival through one more jump, one more day, so that he could do his part and fight all those things that would scare other space marines out of their skins.

Once that prayer was completed he gathered his gear and headed for the hanger, expecting to get the final mission brief and be sent along to what would likely be their resting place as soon as they were within range of the station.

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