The Blackshield had denied the plastic surgery. For now, he wanted to keep the scars. He needed it, to remember. To remember the rage and anger. After several days of being put under and healed, he eventually thanked the Apothecary and began to get into the motion of things. His Data slate had received a message, one from the Techmarine at the armory. It requested him to report to the armory and collect his Armor. Icelos was quick to retrieve it. Even if he held no shame for his recent scare, he rather not expose more then he would have too. When he eventually made it to the Armory, he could see his suit already waiting for him with several servitors and serf's waiting to help him don it. At first he was not sure it was his, due to a Mark IV helmet. A gift probably from the Chaplain himself. With now all his pieces of armor, the servitors and serfs began to help fit it's dark plates to the marine. Just like his first time ever experiencing it, a slight jolt was sent down his body as the Power armor connected to his repaired Black carapace. It was a sensation he didn't really mind, it brought back happier memories of becoming an Astarte. Sad that he had to prove his worth, and kill others to do so.
OOC I apologize in advance if I don't remember everything and everyone. The information he found on Steinar was that he was a relative of a member of Kill-Team Lightbringer called Thain Greywold, a Space Wolf Skyclaw. He came to Deathwatch following in the footsteps of his cousin, but besides the general information, if Volorox desired to know more he should approach Steinar directly. As for the Chaplain himself, he found that information was divided into two parts. First was his joining the Deathwatch and the formation of the team Lightbringer and the other part went into describing what happened after that team was disbanded. What could perhaps be of a note was that there was very little about Chaplain's life before Deathwatch, the records showed only him being a good warrior and a loyal servant of the Emperor. The Kill-Team Lightbringer itself was led by an Inquisitor Krauz and had many different marines in it. Besides Chaplain who went by the name Stevanus back then, records show names of Tempestus (the one that is now a Venerable Dreadnought), Noctis, Tsu'had, Alviss, Linkin, Shin Zhu, Nathaniel, Rafikiel, Sirius, Jaccx, Cassius, Thain, Marius, Tarcain, Aldrim, Lingren and Nithrak. There were few others as well, but records about them were short. Information goes about how they dealt with various enemies of the Imperium up until their final mission. Interestingly, the data on it was locked behind a wall, requiring personal confirmation of the Chaplain himself in order to proceed. What the Marine Malevolent could read was that the mission involved working with another force in order to prevent a major threat from surfacing. The mission also showed involvement of the Changer of Ways and his servants, on first place the Arch-Traitor Azhek Ahriman and a Greater Daemon nonetheless. The mission was listed as a success, but if he wanted to know more, Volorox should go and ask some of the people who where there present, like the Dreadnought or the Chaplain himself. The records don't go much into specific strategies used, besides telling which roll each brother had (Devastator, Tactical, etc) and their fighting styles that were quite usual comparing those used in their original Chapters. It showed that Tempestus, despite his powerful intellect, preferred fighting up close and personal while Marmaroth employed his signature black axe and fought using gladiator-style "dirty" moves, turning almost every uncomfortable situation into a win with a well placed groin kick. (OOC emphasis on my char for obvious reasons; can't remember exact things other guys did and it would be rude if I start speaking in detail about chars that are not mine). Second part of the records spoke about Marmaroth and his personal path during last ten years he was no longer a simple Kill-Team leader. From his stellar rise in ranks from a Kill Marine and successful defeat of the Tau invasion force to his elevation into a rank of a Watch Captain. It also speaks of various Marines he had under his command during the decade of strife and how this force was directed into fighting a secret organization named Unholy Alliance. It also showed that there were those who didn't think it was the job of the Ordo Xenos to fight the heretics and that this so-called "Alliance" was never confirmed existing at all in the extent Marmaroth supported and believed. However, the victory records of his crew and his newly-appointed ancient vessel "Angelfall" were nothing but exemplary. What was also worth noting was that there was a high amount of casualties under Chaplain's command, but there were no words about him being a reckless commander, more like it, it was due to the fact the missions they embarked were quite dangerous. If Volorox wanted to learn more about that, he could ask the resident Storm Lord Kajar, who had the longest service record here and was serving as the Champion. Or he could ask Howling Griffon Gaius, but the record showed he only spent 4 years here, while the Storm Lord was here during full decade. In the end, that was everything Volorox found in the databases. If he wanted to know more, he would have to find a different approach to gain that intel.
Information on Shin Zhu would reveal an interesting career, one of the shortest serving in the Deathwatch before becoming a Deathwatch Keeper. Obvious proof was the slaying of a Hive Tyrant in a duel that decided the fate of Ruvorn, along with recommendations by Krauz before his decease at the hands of Ahriman, were responsible for such leap. But what he protected was not stated in the records, as such were only known to the Captain of a Deathwatch Station and the Keeper himself. Another interesting feat of the records is that little information of the Ronins style of combat was described. Sirius Jules had the rune of exile on his file, but the Sons of Guilliman still accounted him as one of theirs. The reports are flat and undetailed about why he was exiled. It merely refers to 'Events during his Deathwatch Service.' added by a note that he would had been executed, would not Stevanus have intervened. To learn more, he would probably have to engage either. What exactly his duty was from his exilement on was unknown, the only note is that he was written down by the Sons of Guilliman to serve on Macragge, while the Inquisition records had an addendum that he served on-board the Angelfall.
- Edd "Dats me favorite dat es! He gets all da people of Perlia together and dey fight da orks. Den Cain saves everyone wiff his trusty chainsword. Sigh, wot a good vid." Edd said before going on a nostalgia trip to when he'd first seen that vid. A splinter fleet of Leviathan, or some other scary name, had invaded the Capilene sector. I had been bested, and Edd was on clean up duty for any stragglers. Edd was on guard duty for the evening, keeping an eye out for those fast invisible tyranids. He was't expected to live through the night. As a gift, his Squad commissar had given him a vidslate. The vid was called 'Blood or Glory.' Needless to say, Edd survived. He was so wound up by the film he spent all knight pretending he was the Hero and fought imaginary orcs. He fired randomly, having both natural hands at this point, every so often forgetting his safety was off. After doing this four times, He heard a strange sound and then a loud thud. Were he a worse solider, he would have abandoned his post to investigate. Instead he started up the vid again, well into the morning. The Commissar was shocked to find not only Edd alive, but the caracas of a dead lictor and two species of native avians. Edd was eating the larger avian. The asked if he was in trouble for leaving post to eat it. "Good times." - Rocky Rocky made for the Armory to speak to the Techmarine. 'Maybe that Salamander Feron would be interested in this?' He thought as he walked. 'I wonder what the rest of them are up to? We should celebrate making it back alive after that. Bet Edd will agree with me. That numbskull is always ready to party... No Piñata this time. No fun is worth another bloodbath.'
Rocky found the Techmarine at the workbench, busying himself with fixing clamps on a miniature flamer, while other serfs worked around the place, repairing armor and adding additional layers of protection to other. "Ah, we have a visitor," Angelous said after seeing the Ratling, his wound still haven't completely healed so he was moving a bit slower than usual. "And what do we own this pleasure?" <Other instance of time> The ship's forge worked nonstop to make the necessary things for the team's next mission. The Chaplain was somewhat generous this time which meant more work for the Techmarine and the smiths. There were four armors that required artificer's touch: a Mark IV helm that was reinforced with more protection to the wearer was the only new piece of armor that was sent out. Other three were armors already used by the team members. Sister of Battle got her improved helmet that now had golden trim and better ornamentation. Excoriator received a matching piece of chest armor to go with his helm while the Ogryn was rewarded with a masterfully-crafted chest armor, adding much more protection than he already had, making him quite a dangerous opponent. As for the weapons, Amraphel was given a smaller version of a flamer that was mounted on his wrist - the Techmarine sighing as he worked because this was the third such weapon he sent out of ship's armory. Marines Malevolent was rewarded with a powered version of his halberd, the weapon not usually seen on the battlefields of 41st millennia. Sigismund received a specially crafted power lance, made just for him. In contrary to usual hunting lances carried by rough riders regiments, this one didn't have exploding tip, so the Knight could use it more than once. What was perhaps the most interesting thing was the item Fenix got: an old looking weapon that in the Inquisition they called Purgatus Crossbow. Prefect weapon for fighting psykers and warp spawn, the thing which would perfectly fit into this new job. Draconion made the improvement on his sword on his own, while gifting Steinar with a specially designed power fist. Fenrisian was reluctant to accept such prize, not comfortable with carrying something that was a gift to him and not what he earned through battle. In the end, he took it because he didn't want to offend the Librarian, for whom he held some respect. All the while "Angelfall" sailed through the Warp and towards its destination... (OOC waiting for one more before I post sheets, expect briefing in the evening )
In the warm, dark depths of the forge, Draconion labours away at his workbench, setting his upgraded sword back into its fittings and adding new detailing to its aesthetics. Sinuous draconic designs now encircle the hilt and wind their way about the blade, inlaid with psy-reactive crystal that will flicker and glow like fitful embers to the touch of his psyche, occasionally venting a tiny jet of spiralling flame like a miniature solar flare. Spotting Feron on his way to some errand or other, he hails the elder Salamander. "Greetings, Uncle. Would you like to see the finished work on my sword? I am quite proud of it, if I do say so myself - moreso of the tools I had to cobble together to make the work happen. Speaking of which, I never did hear the tale of your fancy hammer from your own lips. I mean, I've read the reports, but a war story from the horse's mouth is juicier, I fancy. Speaking of that hammer, I fear it's rather beaten me to the punch. I always thought you deserved a weapon fit for a Captain, at least, and I had my eyes on a rather nice boarding hanger template that I wanted to add a power field generator to for you one day. That hammer makes it rather redundant now, but what do you say to a shield? A fine hammer like that should be paired with a sturdy storm shield, and I estimate that, with this nanolathe, I could fabricate one about a third the regular weight, yet with 50% more output." Rummaging about the rolled-up scrolls on his workbench, he pulls out a detailed construction template and holds it out for Feron to see. "Which would give you space enough to strap one of these to your shield arm - a Pyroclast-pattern Flame Projector. Rarely seen since the Heresy. What do you think?"
OOC since I promised it so shall it be! Mission #4 Briefing: This time, the crew of "Angelfall" spent their journey in silence and introspection, time for casual talks long forgotten. With that attitude they traveled for a week towards their mysterious destination. Knosos, or whatever that meant, was soon before them... Once again, everyone was gathered on the heavy cruiser's bridge as it sailed through the Immaterium. The only difference between this briefing and the last three was that everyone was here, including Pavel Van Morten, Gaius, Sitri, Kajar, Angelous and even Sirius, who kept his helmet on, scanning the room with his red eye-lense. The Chaplain was near the war table, deep in thought. "I want to congratulate you all for your exemplary work at finding and capturing Wade. He provided us with much needed information, part of which we searched for a long time. The man called Steve Wade was indeed a member of the Unholy Alliance at one point in his life. Strangely, he was a member without even knowing what that was. Getting paid as every Bounty Hunter in the galaxy, he worked for them thinking that he was working for the Holy Inquisition, and why wouldn't he, when his direct commander was an actual Inquisitor. Only after enough time spent there he understood what was going on and tried to flee, but they caught him at Onpuku were he hunkered up. The rest of the story is familiar to you all." "Now, Wade is still alive only because he is our direct link to the traitor within. I have suspected for a long time that, in order for the Unholy Alliance to have such impact and always be a step in front of me, it couldn't only depend on the daemonic patrons and their flickering boons. No, it had to be something more solid than that. During my first clash with those fiends, they were disguised in similar fashion like they did here, going under disguise of Deathwatch marines, while some even went as Black Templar Brothers. Suffice to say, they failed in their plans however the seed of doubt had been planted." "Ever since then, I knew there was something corrupt within the Ordo but never until now have I had evidence to support my claim. However what Wade didn't give me was the true name of the Inquisitor I was looking for. He didn't know it, no matter what we did, he really didn't know it - he knew couple of names that turned out to be fake ones, leading me and Van Morten into a dead end during these last few days while the ship traveled through the Warp. So my guess is that we will find what we seek on our next destination." "Which leads me to Knosos," Marmaroth flickered some buttons and a map opened on the table. "It is a planet in the nearby system. An Ice World, marked in our charts as a Death World of all things. Human population is scarce, being made of only couple of barbarian tribes battling across its surface. At first glance, not a good place to set up a trap. However, there is more to it than the records tell us." "It is so that I happen to possess other maps, more ancient and more valuable than you can imagine. I of course didn't steal them or found them in some forgotten crypt, the items were gifted to me by those who think our cause is just. Lords of the First are those who I number amongst them. Their records tell of a world of Knosos not just as a Death World, but a world of great value to one particular successor Chapter. Angels of Absolution." "I was surprised by it, but somewhere deep down I suspected something like this, ever since their ship showed up so conveniently during the Sombor Rebellion, calling upon some ancient treaties and whatnot. I had my doubts which were confirmed once Jannika completed long range scanners, revealing that the flagship of the 5th company, "Our Undying Faith", under the command of Captain Selion, the same one that you met at Enos, is currently located orbiting that ice world." "And why is this world important to them? The answer is simple - they used that world, besides number of others, as a recruitment world and they actually have a fortress down there, hidden from sight. So my guess is, if the Alpha Legionnaire spoke truth to our Blackshield and they would indeed meet us on Knosos, they can't do it without the help of Captain Selion and his men. What they promised them in return is irrelevant at this point, although I fear I know the answer to that question as well. But I will not speak of it now, least my predictions come to light." "What I will speak of is that I plan on assembling our entire force to march upon that fortress and cleanse it of any possible taint, find the Hydra and cut off its many heads. Then we shall ask them where to find their Inquisitor friend and deal with him once and for all." "Before I proceed with battle layouts and troop numbers, do you have any questions?" OOC Player reminders: @DeranVendar @Draconion @PorOborosCain @Shadhunter @DaKaptin @DeathKorpsOfKrieg @Grall_Stonefist @Xaphen @Vulpas @lord-watchman @Loldoom
Draconion raises a hand to request permission to speak, his face and tone sombre. "Commander, have we any proof conclusive that the Angels of Absolution here are in league with the traitors, beyond the word of a duplicitous traitor? If not, we risk provoking a major diplomatic incident with loyal Imperial servants and thus furthering the agenda of the Archenemy in the process."
Sigismund listened to the briefing with only half an ear at first, Steve Wade was but a pawn which was to be expected, yet the news that an entire chapter had possibly fallen to heresy snapped him out of the ponderings of exciting new ways to use his new lance and back to the horrifying reality of their situation. "One question, sir, if we meet any of the angels of absolution on the ground, should we aim to kill? Or is there still a chance that they can be saved?"
<Feron> "On the same stance as Draconion they may very well unwittingly be in lead, the Alpha Legion have appeared amongst us in the shape of some of His most holy and righteous servants. Could very well be manipulating them in what they think is their own holy quest that like ours too must remain some grand secret or be played with guile even amongst our own kin. " Crossing his arms the Salamander cut a slightly disjointed figure now with the snub nosed barrel of a grenade launcher tucked just toward the back side of his right pauldron. Installed by Angelous whilst he was recovering in both spiritual and physical senses the weapon mount had a small track it could run along getting him multiple arcs of forward fire while also possessing a swivel that could bring it to any direction of his choosing, even as the meeting went on he was running through a number of pre-deployment routines with the linked sensors that displayed bits and bobs of targeting data through his helmets lenses.
