Wrath and Duty 7.5

<StaffenGM> The Haspasia looms in orbit; silent and, beyond a cursory inquiry by Lucatiel transit authorities, ignored by the world and its would-be "benefactors". The Kill-team now stands in the port hangar, where the requisite materiel has been made ready -- along with dozens of Guardsmen standing at attention, clad in cold iron masks.
<Priad> "Are we to have mortals join us?" He asks, with his helmet off and clipped to his waist.
* Herbert walks forth, eyeing the Guardsmen. "Mortal Warrios of Maccabius Quintus."
<Invictus> "Apparently so, they should help to make the odds even greater in our favor," he says to Priad.
* Priad grunts. He wasn't agaisnt mortal support, usually, but that was when he served the Chapter, not the Inquisition.
<Herbert> "Their ties to the Ecclesiarchy, and the zealotry with which they fight nears something like honor by the standards of mortal men," Herbert says, looking into their iron masks - the visage of Saint Drusus.
<StaffenGM> The Guardsmen click their heels. One steps forward from the ranks, and kneels reverently.
<StaffenGM> "My lords, blessed angels of His wrath," he declares, "I am Captain Aldous Marius of the 4th Company of the 16th Janissaries. By the guiding providence of Drusus we have been given the honor of servicing your cause."
<Herbert> "Rise, mortal."
* Priad watches with a curious eye, armored arms folded.
<StaffenGM> Captain Marius rises to his feet, presenting his lasgun, and then shifting it from his right to his left shoulder. He looks up at the Knight.
* Herbert removes his helm
<StaffenGM> Further along the ranks, another man steps forward, and kneels in waiting.
* Herbert nods to the second mortal in acknowledgment.
<StaffenGM> "I am Captain Ivar Raimos of the 5th Company of the 16th Janissaries," says the second officer. "The Saint has blessed us to serve in your name; the name of His holiest warriors."
<Herbert> "Stay true to the warrior spirit of Saint Drusus, mortals, and glorify the Emperor this day. Do not falter. I will bring you to the heretic foe, and you will fight until your last. Loyalty, zeal, and courage."
<StaffenGM> "Loyalty!" shout the Guardsmen, "Zeal! Courage!"
<StaffenGM> The beak-masked agent steps forward, quietly. "If you are prepared, Knight-Brother Herbert..." he says, softly, "there is still the matter of where your team and its assets shall deploy."
<Herbert> "Dismissed," Herbert barks to the Guard Captains, before turning to birdface.
<Draco> "My brothers I have information I wish to share concerning the defense systems."
* Invictus looks to Draco.
<Draco> “The ortial planetary defenses systems function with either a central command system where a single commander relays orders down to other officers or an automated control system."
<Draco> "In either situation, there is a location where these orders are given or houses a cogitator bank unit."
<Herbert> "No doubt in the planetary capital," he nods.
<Draco> "Indeed."
<Priad> "This raises some oppurtunities then, brother Draco. If what you speak of is certainly true we can use this orbital platforms to our advantage. We could lay an ambush for the Ethereal as he is escaping, he and his foul colleagues may think themselves safe until the righteous guns blast them into pieces. This however would require us to steathily take the command of the orbital guns and lure the tau fleet within optimal range of
<Priad> the guns, simultaneously. If we go with this, our lengthy exposure could lead to unneccesary casualties. The safer choice would be to take control of the defenses to deter the enemy fleet and hunt the disgusting blue devil down while he's trapped on the planet. The enemy navy wouldn't dare approach for fear of losing all their space assets." He finishes his lengthy explanation, spreading his hands before him.
<Herbert> Turning to the beak-masked advisor, Herbert follows up on what his fellow Astartes have said. "Have we any idea of where this central orbital defence facility is located in the planetary captial?"
<StaffenGM> "There is the Planetary Defense Force's command center," says the masked man, "a building complex known as the Castle. You might be able to also take some of the conspirators hostage in the process."
<Herbert> "Then that is where I want us. We will enter the complex in force. Arrest all high-ranking officers and any conspirators that may remain," turning to the Guardsmen now Herbert continues, "fire will only be returned - we do not know how many of the mortal contingent may yet be kept in the Emperor's light. However, once aggressions have commenced, an example will have to be made of all who
<Herbert> would turn away from the Emperor."
* Priad nods in agreement. "Sensible plan, brother."
* Herbert puts on his helm
<Draco> "Agreeable."
<StaffenGM> The Janissaries stand at the ready.
<Herbert> "Ave Imperator."
* Invictus agrees with the plan.
<Priad> "Ave Imperator." He intones.
<StaffenGM> The masked man bows. "Once you have landed, the Haspasia will stay in orbit until it becomes too dangerous to do so. If the situation demands support, feel free to vox back to the ship."
* Herbert nods