Angels and Redeemers 3

	Cawkles_Gm	Upon angel's wings, the brothers of Kill Team Draigo are spirited away from their glorious takedown of an opprobrious figure. Nestled in the hull of a thunderhawk, the brothers of Kill Team Draigo consort with one another in the shadows, meditating on their success whilst waiting for the next time their Emperor deems it fit to unleash them on his enemies. Nearby, a landspeeder storm
	Cawkles_Gm	lays dormant, ready to serve as the kill team's steed on a moment's notice, its frenetic machine spirit eager to leap into action. The hull of the thunderhawk bucks and rumbles as its hull sails on a tumultuous sea of air, an audible groan resounding as the engines begin to decrease in the thrust. Soon after, there's the stomach churning sensation of downward movement, the very
	Cawkles_Gm	ground disappearing under the powered armored boots of space marines as gravity releases its grip for a few brief moments. ++Brothers, we're approaching the LZ. T-minus 3 and counting.++ The dry, disinterested delivery of the pilot sounds more like boredom than fiery zeal. He lingers a few moments on the Thunderhawk's vox channel, before speaking again. ++T-Minus two. Sensors are
	Cawkles_Gm	counting one hundred and fifty targets; they are likely friendly, but keep your wits about you nevertheless. I'm taking you in. Honor and Glory, Brothers.++
	Cawkles_Gm	The rapidly decelerating thunderhawk stops with enough force to knock a lesser man off his feet. With a thunderous crash, it hits the ground at a breakneck pace.
	Cawkles_Gm	++We are receiving a transmission from Keeper Leonus, Brother Priad. Shall I patch him through?++
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Advenimus alis ferri," Herbert says under his breath.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	+Do so+
	Axel	clears his throat
	Priad	+Go ahead.+ Priad replies.
	Axel	"My Lord, Priad is leading our party."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Do not interrupt your meditation, Squire." Herbert snaps in reply.
	Axel	turns to Praid, and nods to him before returning to his meditation
	Priad	checks over his wargear, his Narthecium in particular, as he awaits the transmission.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"... et protegem astra nostrem... Prosson, Kholl..." Herbert's prayer softly continues, the marine's eyes closed.
	Invictus	checks his gear, looking for any damage to the weapon.
	Mikael	[Telepathy to Herbert] "Go easy on the child. He is still learning his place."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	stops. His eyes open only to shoot a glare at his fellow Knight-Brother.
	Mikael	removes his helmet to take in the 'fresh' air.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"He will be trained as I see fit. Only in excellence will he be shaped, /Brother/."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	His ice-blue eyes disappear behind closed lids once more, and after a sigh, Herbert continues.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"...facietis opus Sanctum Suum..."
	Mikael	[Teutonic Cant] "Understood, my brother."
	Mikael	"Et uoluntas est absoluta."
	Invictus	places his heavy bolter down after finishing his check over, he sits and waits for the next set of orders.
	Axel	"I wonder upon the resistance we will encounter."
	Mikael	"Nothing which we can't handle."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"An opportunity, Squire, to hone our art."
	Axel	draws upon the well of patience he has acquired through years of interacting with Herbert
	Priad	"Nothing can withstand the wrath of servants of the Righteous." Priad intones, while performing maintenance on his helm.
	Mikael	"And test our steel."
	Axel	"Well said brother."
	Cawkles_Gm	After a few moments of scratching and static, a serf aboard the Huntsman's Shadow patches the kill team through to its master, Keeper Leonus. The last line of his invocation can be heard momentarily as he picks up the vox piece, assured that its machine spirits are now appeased. ++Kill Team Draigo! You have struck a mighty blue against these xenos, but there is still yet more work
	Cawkles_Gm	to be done. You see, our auspex scryers and vox-leeches have been sweeping the planet during your little outing, and they have happened upon something most...erm, disturbing. I will spare you Librarian Castius's long winded explanation, for both your sake and mine, and get right down to brass tax: the xeno commnet is alight with reports of some sort of object, something they call
	Cawkles_Gm	"Package Omnus". It has been transported to a city one hundred and twenty kilometers to your south and it must, it NEEDS to be dealt with. Tell the guardsmen that you will not be joining them on their operation, and make haste to Kwarizim. As far as we know, they will be storing it in one of their outposts there for a mere twelve hours before moving it off planet. Do you understand,
	Cawkles_Gm	Kill Team Draigo?++
	Priad	+Mission received and understood. Do we have anything solid on enemy defenses or troop movements?+
	Axel	+Affirmative Keeper.+
	Invictus	+Understood.+
	Mikael	+Sequor.+
	Cawkles_Gm	The Keeper can be heard clapping over the vox. ++Excellent. And I'm glad you asked, Brother Priad; the tau fleet seems to be retreating from orbit, for reasons unknown. That has given us an opening to slide in, kill our engines, and survey the area of operation. We can even send in Strike Wing Darros to retrieve you, once your mission is complete. That being said, we are expecting
	Cawkles_Gm	heavy resistance; the fleet may be in the process of pulling out, but they still can deploy interdiction forces and strike wings. The Forgemaster has deigned to give you some of the Huntsman's most treasured relics to aid you so that you might offset this disadvantage, but know this: for the duration of the operation, the only men you can rely on is yourselves. I know you can do
	Cawkles_Gm	it, Brothers. Show those xenos that His Angels of Death have arrived. Keeper Leonus Out.++
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	fixes his helmet into place. +Ave Imperator+
	Priad	+Emperor be with you. The Apothecary nods to himself before putting his helmet back on
	Priad	+Emperor be with you.+ The Apothecary nods to himself before putting his helmet back on, the seal hissing as his power armor pressurizes. He rises, "Brothers! To war is Astartes! Emperor watch over us."
	Mikael	puts his helmet on. "Nescimus timor Sed num tibi"
	Invictus	stands up and puts his helmet on. +Ave Imperator+
	Priad	"My Brothers, we take the Oath of Knowledge." He solemnly intones. "Knowledge is Power, we use this knowledge for the betterment and glory of our mission. We use this power so that we might bring death and retribution to the enemies of Mankind. Our chosen enemy to receive such wrath is the vile blue-skinned xenos known as the Tau. We swear in the presence and name of the holy God-Emperor...
	Priad	...that we shall purge these foul creatures from his sight and complete our mission. Ave Imperator."
	Axel	"Ave Imperator."
	Mikael	"Ave Imperator."
	Invictus	"Ave Imperator."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Nos cum Sancto inge purggare. Ave Imperator."
	Mikael	leads his brothers in a prayer and says "Cum autem venerit Xenos evolvas?"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	bows his head
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Nos cum Sancto igne purggare."
	Axel	"Nos cum Sancto igne purggare."
	Mikael	"Facietis opus Sanctum Suum?"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Advenimus alis ferri."
	Axel	"Advenimus alis ferri."
	Mikael	"Dominatus!"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Dominatus," Herbert roars.
	Cawkles_Gm	And with that, the forward ramp of the THunderhawk begins to descend. Like a black shadow striking the earth, its resounding clap against the mossy dirt casts a pall of fear over the surrounding area. The Thunderhawk seems to have come down in some forested valley, a patch of plenty surrounded by thirsty mounty peaks and arid rocky outcrops. The trees themselves look like sickly
	Cawkles_Gm	things, emaciated trunks bedecked by forests of prickly needles. Lurking among this foliage, in the bushes and the trees, is the Kill Team's greeting party. A horde of swarthy men and women wielding lasguns, these black-clad warriors take a knee, in unision, as their lords step off their sky chariot. Even the chittering of the critters lurking around the early evening sky fall
	Cawkles_Gm	earlier quiet as livin Gods step foot on Nova Speran soil.
	Cawkles_Gm	"IMPERATOR REQBAH!" Shouts one, his hail echoed by all present, until a virtual chorus of devotional prayers and pithy blessings bounce up and down the canon like an orchestra of divine fervor.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	Takes a few steps in the direction of the mortal party. Scrutinizing every imperfection in the mortal band before him.
	Axel	follows after him, His living shadow
	Priad	descends down the assault ramp of the thunderhawk, his armored boots rapping upon the steel loudly before stepping onto the dusty earth. He surveys the mortal guardsmen and his surroundings in a quick 180 glance.
	Invictus	proceeds down the ramp of the thunderhawk, following next to Priad.
	Cawkles_Gm	As the kill team clear the ramp, the noble bird takes to the air once again, flying off into the rapidly darkening sky like a drifting mote of dust.
	Mikael	tries to use his powers to find any disturbances and discovers none.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Well, Priad. Tell these mortals the good news."
	Priad	chuckles darkly.
	Axel	"It'll be useful to have the mortals with us." he says quietly
	Mikael	[Teutonic Cant] "Possible, Squire. They have their uses..."
	Priad	"Servants of the Emperor." He speaks, his voice booming via his helms vox-grille. "Tonight we have a task to complete, a task that requires the complete sundering and destruction of the xenos scum that inhabit your planet. Tonight you war with the Angels of Death!"
	Cawkles_Gm	The chanting continues unabated, reaching dizzying heights as Imperial Zeal runs hot among these devoted servants of the God-Emperor. Priad's address stokes the flames, the dour host suddenly driven to dance and raucous chanting. Descending from the massed warriors are two figures, both astride noble destriers. One, a shemagh wearing young man with weather beaten features and
	Cawkles_Gm	noticable stubble, rides at the front. Each trot of his beast makes the forest of metal attached to his chest tinkle and ring; These decorations are the only part of his Commissar's uniform that isn't smudged with blood, dirt, and other, filthy things. Behind him is a woman, an old hag of a creature clearly out of place, what with her impeccably coiffured hair, frilly dress, and
	Cawkles_Gm	chain-smoking. She takes a drag from her lho stick every couple of moments, the acrid contrails of smoke swirling up into her spiral hairdo. The both of them try to quiet their troops, but to no avail.
	Priad	holds up an armored hand to try and quiet the horde of zealots.
	Priad	He then starts to walk towards the two riders.
	Cawkles_Gm	Finally, the Commissar trots up beside the kill team. A toothy, amused grin stretches from one of his ears to the other. "You really have them riled up, my lords. If half my NCOs were as good as you, we'd have won the war by now." Desecnding from his mouth, he stoops into a bow. "Commissar Jakob Valt, milords. I lead these men, but I am eager to serve as you rhumble servant."
	Mikael	takes a look at Herbert then back at the Commissar.
	Cawkles_Gm	The woman behind him takes one more drag before sliding off her horse like some dainty maiden. Her painful looking heeled boots crunch against the grown, her bones audible creaking. "Spare them the obeisance, Jakob. These are busy men you are talking to, and they have no time for fools."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"/Men/... Tulfiend."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"And who might you be, mortal?"
	Axel	[Knight Cant] "Better not anger our allies my liege." he says to Herbert
	Mikael	[Knight Cant] "They should worry about making us angry."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	turns his head slightly left, in the direction of his Squire. It's a small, but clear gesture.
	Cawkles_Gm	"Delilah, please. These are Astartes, I think they've bloody well earned a little ass kissing." The wizend woman waves him off with a contemptuous flick of her hand. Taking a drag from her lho, she blows it in the general direction of the Kill-Team. "Inquistor Delilah Krueszgast. I am here on behalf of the Tenebrous Circle. Now that we have these pleasantries out of the way, how
	Cawkles_Gm	about we start talking business? Maybe in a language we all understood?"
	Axel	turns to face the woman, An icy glare beginning to form
	Priad	"You'll have to forgive my compatriotrs, Teutons are prideful to a fault. Well met either way." He nods before taking his helm off and holding it under the crook of his right arm.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	[High-gothic] "Speak."
	Priad	"To business then. We have an objective to achieve, a certain object the xenos have, Package Omnus. We have little time to retrieve it before it's moved again."
	Priad	"In other words, we will not be joining your companies of guardsmen, we are to head south, post-haste."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Well said," Herbert says with a nod, and begins to walk in a Southern direction.
	Axel	follows him without hesitation
	Mikael	tries to shrug in Astartes Armor which is difficult to do and follows Herbert.
	Cawkles_Gm	The grin on Jakob's face steadily melts away. He casts a worried glance at his compatriot. He jumps as Herbert begins to walk away, nearly falling over in his attempt to catch up. "My lords! Wait! Your Master guranteed tha-"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	stops
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Master?"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	turns
	Cawkles_Gm	The inquisitor smirks, taking another puff. "Now look what you've done, Jakob."
	Cawkles_Gm	"Before you avulse my naive friend's head from his body, might I make you lot an offer?"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	Slowly approaches the Commissar.
	Priad	"Be calm, Brother Herbert, the Commissar is merely ignorant in his ways, he did not mean it." He turns his glance to Jakob.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Your lapdog doesn't have much time. Offer away. Quickly."
	Mikael	[Tele to Herbert] "They are fools. However, they can be useful fools if they are alive."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Silence." he holds up a hand.
	Priad	"As we are pressed for time, there is no need to start any quarrels that could be left well alone. Now is there anything we should know Inquisitor? Otherwise we must truly be off. As I'm sure you surmised that our objective is important enough that the Keeper has had to renege on us being with you."
	Invictus	stands waiting to see what happens and possibly intervene if necessary.
	Invictus	"Priad is right, this is neither the time or place for killing these mortals."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"What time and place did you have in mind?"
	Priad	"Never and not here." He says simply.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	gets within three meters of the commissar, and holds, glaring at him.
	Cawkles_Gm	"Indeed. I too know of Package Omnus; my acolytes have been infiltrating Kwariz for months now. I was planning on acquiring it, for the purpose of study and reduction, but I know better than to oppose the Deathwatch." Taking another drag, she flicks it out of her hand and crushes it beneath her heel. She smiles, a horribly diquieting gesture coming from a woman whose face is more
	Cawkles_Gm	wrinkled than expressive. "So, I'm thinking it'll be better to work together. What if I told you I had a way to get you inside Kwariz without firing a shot? What if I told you I could do that AND place you in the building adjacent to the outpost containing the package?"
	Axel	sighs internally, knowing his masters response
	Priad	"I would be quite impressed and curious as to the how. But the main question here is, would you be able to do this with our limited allotment of time, Inquisitor?"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	Herbert's attention is drawn away from the insolent Commissar for a moment, and turns to look at the Inquisitor.
	Mikael	looks at the old, dusty collection of skin that calls herself an Inquisitor.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	[Teuton Cant] "Perhaps the Inquisition proves to be of more use in a sector such as this, than the intrusive and inept Calixian cabals."
	Axel	raises an eyebrow, surprised
	Axel	[Tueton Cant] "Maybe so."
	Cawkles_Gm	Folding her armors, Inquisitor Delilah looks lost in thought. "I could have you inside by dawn. That would leave you...five hours to carry out the mission. Tight, I know, but it's now or never. Besides, we need to exploit the opening the tau have given us....well, the opening the greenskins have given us. You see, the Tau fleet is peeling away to take on a pirate fleet, let by one
	Cawkles_Gm	"Kaptin Throteslitta". He's an ornery specimen of an ork, and will hold up the Tau long enough for us to complete our work here."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Well, Inquisitor. What of your... band?"
	Priad	quirks an eyebrow before closing his eyes in thought.
	Cawkles_Gm	She lights a new lho stick, the first series of paths wracking her with fits of hacking and coughing. "My band of acolytes can get you into the city. They have surreptiously acquired several supply trollies and can smuggle you through a checkpoint controlled by some shady men that I have underneath my thumb. From there, they can get you into the 'Gue'vesa supply depot', the place
	Cawkles_Gm	where they hand out meals and items to traitor soldiers and their families. From there, all you must do is cross a nearby courtyard and infiltrate a side entrance. Then, boom bang badow, you gentlemen are inside."
	Cawkles_Gm	Jakob slides to the inquisitor's slide, waggling a finger in objection. "You said we'd use that means of entrance to launch suicide attacks, Inquisitor-!"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"SILENCE, WORM."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"What of your guardsmen?"
	Priad	nods his head idly along while listening to her plan.
	Cawkles_Gm	The inquisitor nods, mouthing a silent "thank you" to Herbert. "They are hardened men. These savages have spent their youths fighting each other over...I dunno, Grox dung or something. They know their way around a las gun, and they aren't afraid to die. You may use them at your discretion, Brother Space Marine."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	winces at the fraternal address
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Very well, Inquisitor. I find your plan acceptable."
	Priad	opens his eyes. "Very well, we accept this plan of yours Inquisitor."
	Mikael	senses the taint of the warp in the atmosphere and this arrangement feels 'shady' at best.
	Cawkles_Gm	"I'll call the trucks. Jakob, go gather the Raiding Companies. They are to muster at a place of the Space Marine's choosing, and they are to move on their command. Am I clear, Commissar?"
	Cawkles_Gm	The commissar clicks his heels together and ndos. "Yes, ma'am. Shall I summon the trucks then too?"
	Mikael	[Tele to Herbert] "Sometime feels wrong about this situation. Not sure if it is this planet or the mortals whom speak to us like commoners."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	merely grunts a reply
	Cawkles_Gm	"Of course. Tell them to stop at Kwa Shariq Da; our guests' transportation will assure them a speedy renedevouz."
	Cawkles_Gm	\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
	Cawkles_Gm	Their war-graith has been cleaned and blessed, their weaponry has been delievered to them from the heavens and into their hands; Now, the holy warriors of the Emperor are in the middle of a daring infiltration. Sequestered into two lorries, Kill Team Draigo has managed to infiltrate the tau controlled city of Kwariz. Thought no the most glamorous (or roomiest), it has served admirably
	Cawkles_Gm	as a trojan horse, effortlessly passing through the tight tau security curtain. Despite the thick plasteel container seperating the battle-brothers from the outside world, the effervescent din of a city full of acitivy manages to worm its way into their ears. In the melange of sound, they can parse its individual parts: the laughter of children, the humming of drones, propaganda
	Cawkles_Gm	being barked over city wide klaxon systems. It's eerily reminscent of the kind of noises one would here in any hive city the galaxy over, but something about is wrong...like the cheer being expressed is somehow hollow and empty. Surely, this is the tain of the xenos they feel. After this momentary reflection, the truck they ride inside begins to turn and maneuvre, before finally
	Cawkles_Gm	halting. The growling engine dies; three raps are heard alongside the side of the trucks. That's the signal.
	Cawkles_Gm	They're here. In the belly of the beast.
	Priad	pulls the door to the lorry up and dismounts with a heavy thump. On instinct his bolter is in his hands and his view swivels left and right, searching for anything dangerous or otherwise.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	disembarks, Thunder Hammer in hand, instinctively analysing his surroundings as soon as he plants both feet firmly on the ground.
	Axel	follows closely behind
	Invictus	follows Priad out grabbing his new Plasma Cannon, he makes a 360 sweep of the area.
	Mikael	looks at the storm shield and is impressed. He follows behind his brother.
	Priad	+Reminds me of Gyathos, been a while since I've had to sneak around.+
	Cawkles_Gm	The heavy boot thuds echo throughout an EMPTY parking garage, a ferrcrete cave packed full of empty lorries and that's about it. Directly to the south is a yawning entrance, across whose threshold darkness reigns. Night seems to have fallen over Nova Spera; a moonless night is poised to cover Kill team's holy activities with sheets of shadows. Moments later, the acolyte drivers hop
	Cawkles_Gm	out of their trucks. Their apparent leader, a portly man with a bushy beard and snow white skin, waddles up Herbert's side. "Alright, here we are milords. With your persmission, I'd like to take them back to one of our safehouses and avoid the...pleasantries you will no doubt show our friends, the Tau."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	A short nod grants him permission to move the vehicles to a secure location.
	Priad	"Aye. Emperor be with you."
	Cawkles_Gm	Giving thanks under his breath, the man waves his team of acolytes towards the trucks. Soon enough, they speed out into the night.
	Priad	+Brothers, through the building is our objective. Let us bring fear and death to these xenos." He then stalks off.
	Mikael	senses the target nearby, it's evil tainting the air.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	The power field on Herbert's Thunder Hammer comes to life, as the Veteran Knight moves forth through the warehouse.
	Invictus	+Understood.+ Invictus follows behind Priad.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	+Sempra Vigile, Axel+
	Mikael	[Knight Cant] "I can sense it's evil aura."
	Mikael	activates his storm hammer and walks in front of Invictus. "Stand behind the shield."
	Axel	nods to his master
	Invictus	"I wise decision Mikael, that shield will be useful should we encounter a lot of resistance." Invictus says as he gets behind Mikael.
	Cawkles_Gm	Walking through the loading docks, the space marines pass between valleys of stacked boxes, stationary vehicles, and meandering drones. Several warehouse workers stare, jaws agape as the war party make their way through their work space. Most do nothing; some run as fast as their feet can carry them, others faint away immediately. None of them seem to drawing attention to themselves,
	Cawkles_Gm	or to the space marine kill team. Nothing bars them from walking right through the lobby and into the courtyard standing between them and their target.
	Mikael	+You think these mortals are going to be problem?+
	Axel	+Easily solved.+ he says, ringing his lightning claws together
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Hold, Squire."
	Priad	+No, soon enough the whole city will know we're here.+
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"One will suffice. An example."
	Mikael	+Patience.... We have a mission first.+
	Axel	"Who shall it be...." he says quietly, scanning the mortals
	Priad	+Brothers, we have a goal in mind, time is key. Sate your righteous zeal after we have secured the package.+
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"ANYONE LEAVING THE WAREHOUSE WILL BE PURGED"
	Cawkles_Gm	The cowering warehouse workers erupt into a screaming mass of panicking bodies at the space marine's suggestion, pushing their way to the front of the warehouse in a pell mell dash to escape from the murderous warriors in their midst.
	Axel	"May I?"
	Priad	sighs inwardly, Teutons. He turns from the scene and continues the objective, confident they will follow after satiating their primal desires.
	Cawkles_Gm	At the stentorian order of Brother-Knight Herbert, the squirming masses of humanity freeze. Their wide eyes and fearful looks communicate total submission and utter helplessness. Some start to beg for their lives, claiming that they will be leaving behind needy families if they are slain. It's pathetic, really. All this blubbering and cursing, all of this regret they have for being
	Cawkles_Gm	traitorous filth.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"To the center of the room. Should any of you be missing upon our return, my Brothers and I will hunt each of you down. You and your families."
	Cawkles_Gm	They obey without hestitation, tripping over themselves to see who can follow the space marine's orders faster.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Stay your hand, Squire. We must move on."
	Axel	nods, turning to leave
	Mikael	"Well done, my brother."
	Cawkles_Gm	Pushing through the lobby and into the courtyard, the space marines are already beset by a horde of foes! The kroot, their war beast, a horde of traitor-soldiers, and some tau guards!
	Priad	"For Ithaka!" The warcry leaves the Iron Snake's lips in a roar.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	brings the howling engines of his jump pack to life at the sight of his prey.
	Invictus	"For the Emperor."
	Axel	Without a word launches himself straight into the filthy Xenos, tearing them flesh from bone with his clawed hands, leaving a bloody trail in his wake
	Cawkles_Gm	The kroot, too busy loading their beast of burden to realize what is coming, are sliced apart effortlessly by the enraged space marine!