@matt23

Zuriel had to admit he was dissapointed that Lykander had nothing to say about Claudius. He knew there was animosity between the two, it was clear every time the two were near each other there was tension. Yet the two fools wouldn't bloody say a word. Ultramarines. Never in my life have I had to deal with such stubborn fools. Emperor if this continues I'll beat some bloody sense into them.

And as if on cue, Claudius woke up and immediately moved on to the mission. No explanation. At least he expected that.

"We will have words later brother. But for now you are right. To much time has been wasted. We have a Kinslayer to hunt."

Claudius laughed slightly, "While your concern flatters me, brother, it was put a mere parasite. Though it may have been deep, it is gone now and were I a weaker man I would have fallen, but thankfully I am not."

@TechCaptain
"It seems that we go through personnel faster than we can remember their names. No matter, so long as they do their jobs and assist us, they shall be a welcomed addition."

@Keidivh
Claudius nodded at Zuriel, "Finally, something we can agree on, brother. We need to get to work on the traitors who have wormed their way into the Imperium and crush them under heel."

@seabass | @matt23 | @Avenging-Angel | @Keidivh | @TechCaptain | @ItsTime (welcome!) | @Valonox (welcome back!)

~~ Iron Liberator - Orbit of Turm IV ~~

After two weeks of preparations and travel, the Strikeforce under Commander Uriel, including the former Deathwatch Kill-Team under Claudius arrived in the Turm-system. The intel that was received by Seelenbrand was rather straightforward. Within the capital stood a former Imperial Palace now under the control of Golbez' ominous Lieutenant which was yet to be named.

However with big surprise a Deathwatch Frigate awaited the arrival of the Iron Liberator. It approached them with legit security codes and once the shuttle docked, the delegation was led to the bridge. Which was a rather... Surprising sight.

Before Claudius and Zuriel stood an old brother, not a surprise after his performance on Barnassus and later on short before their 'kidnap' back at Fortress Barnassus, that he was still alive. Vahn the Storm Lord. Just that he has aged from a mere recruit of the age of 67 since they last saw him, to the age of 1371 Veteran. Older and wiser he wielded the symbolism of Chapter Champion, the sigil of the 1st company as well as a back banner and an Artificer Master-Crafted Power-Sword, along with a wrist-mounted bolter.

But amongst him was also a newcomer, clad in Deathwatch Armor and with the symbol of the Dark Angels. A man named Mariel at the age of 368, Apothecary Marine with a signature Plasma Gun that the Sons of The Lion were known for. After a short introduction it appeared that Mariel was somewhat a 'gift' of Tellon, Master of the Apothecarion of the Dark Angels. The singled oldest, loyal and living Dark Angel as of now.

"Good to make your acquaintances, Vahn and Mariel. However we have not much time and must strike before the Lieutenant can escape. Our current battle plan is that I will lead a Distraction Team with Lapislazuli, Jeng, Lykander, Axion and Lucas and the troops we got from Barnassus which are mostly Skitarii. While under Zuriel's leadership, you two, Claudius, Bargov, Erxandros and Jacen will deploy in a Boarding Torpedo shot from high orbit into the palace. We will shoot your torpedo along with other torpedos to make it look like an Orbital Strike and thus surprise them when they notice there is an inserted force."

At last he looked up from the holo-desk which projected the stratagem and warzone, staring into the eyes of Vahn and Mariel respectively. "Do you have any information to share or questions to ask?

Zuriel was glad to finally be about their business. They'd wasted enough time lingering on the good Inquisitor's ship, now that they were on the hunt once more they had purpose, direction. He just hoped they could keep that focus when they began their... Purification. However before they arrived at their target they were intercepted by the Deathwatch. Heh, should have expected they'd hunt us down. Wonder if they're coming to welcome us back, or do what the Deathwatch does best with perceived threats?

Of course that concern was put to rest quickly when he saw who boarded. It can't be, he'd have turned to dust...

@Valonox
"Vahn? By the Throne look at you! You haven't aged well at all have you." He bursted into laughter as he embraced one of his old brothers, someone he had not seen in years, and who had not seen him in a millenium. "Bet you weren't expecting to have this Viceroy be a pain in your ass again." He gave a wide, fanged smile at the aged veteran. He had to admit he was impressed, proud even. A simple Penal Legionnaire turned into an esteemed veteran.

@ItsTime
He then glanced over to the apothecary, cocking an eyebrow at him, "Seems the Deathwatch is always chock full with sons of the Lion. Well let lad, hope you don't mind fighting alongside some relics." He clasped the apothecaries forearm, giving it a firm shake stepping back. "Can't believe that old Tellon is still alive as well, must be one of the oldest Astartes in the galaxy. To stubborn to die like the rest of us I suppose."

After the brief reunion Zuriel listened to his blood brothers plan. It was bold, direct and bloody. Would make any Sanguine Templar commander proud. But what surprised him was that he was in charge. He didn't imagine Claudius would take the news well, but after the whole parasite fiasco and Claudius refusing to acknowledge it... Well, it didn't exactly encourage him.

@Uriel1339
"I'm guessing we have next to no information on this lieutenant or his defenses?"

Claudius listen to Uriel as the briefing for the mission they had waited for for weeks finally came. He made notes of everything said and was even somewhat interested to have one of their old brothers back. However, this slight joy quickly changed to anger when the Ultramarine heard that he was being relieved of command of his squad, and it was being given to Zuriel. His knuckles cracked as they clutched within the powerfist he was wearing. This was a prime example of nepotism at its finest, but no matter. If this Uriel, whoever he thought he was, wanted to give his brother command, so be it, for Claudius' mind on cared about one thing at this point.

@Keidivh "Where have the years gone. To the man I can thank for my way of life as of today. At least we can be old and battered together while this young brothers gain theirs. I stand next to the Chapter Master in age Zuriel making me feel as old as the Khan himself... But I am as agile as the first day I stepped into Deathwatch my deadly speed will be the end of this Lieutenant. After this is over I have so many stories to tell you Brothers by friendship!"

@matt23 Vahn pierce-fully with his grey veteran eyes examined the room quickly as he did usually did he saw the Ultramarine clinching his power fist. "Clamping those actuators will damage the servo's if you hold them too long Son of Guillieman you know that so why do you do it? It is good to see you Claudius your scars help your age." Vahn smiled see that some still lived and nothing bad had happened to one of them men that had made him what he had become. Then he directed his attention to the Commander known as Uriel. "Commander where ever this traitor hides we will find him and we will hunt him down to the Ends of this World you have my word. When do we deploy?"

Iron Liberator - Bridge
@Valonox | "Emperor on Earth brother! How are you still alive?"
Jacen was agog at the sight of Vahn, taking a step towards the (in real-time) much-older Space Marine. It was known that most Astartes would enjoy long lives, if those lives weren't cut short whilst in battle, but no-one had ever considered how long exactly a Space Marine could live.

Erxandros shrugged and shook his head. " Welcome to this foray brothers. " He then went back to his workshop area to finish prepping their powerpacks with the mod against the crystal technology.

"None whatsoever, unless our welcome cousins here can provide any insight." He gestured with his head to Vahn (@Valonox ) and Mariel (@ItsTime ).

Seeing the reaction Uriel knew he had to speak up. "Your recent brain surgery and it's circumstance is still questionable, Claudius. And I want you to focus on why you have become a champion, to fight. Learn about true leadership once more under Zuriel, a leader of faith and spirit. You had been too long a Kill-Marine and I see that quite well now. I am not disrespecting you, in the very opposite. You are a talented warrior and mindful tactician. But your tactics are too often, too extreme. Or do you remember not anymore how you demanded to cover our entire strike cruiser with a mere handful of Astartes against the very abominations of the Warp?" Uriel inquired, not being mocking but sincere. Did Claudius forget? Who knows what that surgery of Jeng's with the help of Lapislazuli caused.

"Very soon. This is the last step of preparation before we deploy as everyone is already armed and geared up. The Boarding Torpedo is waiting and so are our Thunderhawks and Valkyries for deployment of the main force."

Mariel more than happily greeted all of his new brothers, for he know that he would be fighting alongside them for long. "It is good to meet you all, as you've been told I'm Mariel and I will be ensuring that your wounds are healed, for our battles never end."

@Keidivh
Mariel turned to Zuriel as he bit onto his own bottom lip, letting out a long and frustrated sigh. "I cannot tell you about the 'lieutenant' himself...-However, you can expect to face battle-hardened traitors that will fight till the last drop of their blood has been spilled. They're an absolute disgrace and dishonor to their former chapter, but I'm here to right their wrongs and end their suffering and it goes without saying- this mission of ours will certainly wont go without losses, unless we are graced by the Emperor's light but our valiant victory is already clear."