Angels and Redeemers 2

	CawklesGM	Another day, another ascension. Kill Team Drago silently stands on an elevatus, surrounded by the polished plassteel and burinished gold of the shaft as they edge towards the highest peaks of the ship. They are aboard the vessel they saved mere hours ago, and as they move forward to their destination they can gather why its rescue was such a major victory. This vessel is a venerable thing, laden with the treasures of humanity's past and sagging under the weight of a proud history. Thousands of years old... And yet it is a mere foundling compared to the glorious history represented by the men present in the elevatus chamber. Such thoughts fill the battle-brothers with fire as the elevatus grinds to a halt at the peak of the chamber, the mammoth platform they stand up upon bare save the delegation of Space Marines. Demi-gods in the presence of mortals...such a queer situation for Brothers who have sworn binding oaths to Sanjar Tonju, Master of Watch Fortress Akkad. The cyclopean bulkhead grinds open, the sound of the grinding gears the drum-roll that announces your presence on the bridge. There is a short walk through a fresco dotted hallways before the space marines arrive at the bridge...
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	looks around, glancing at the mortal crew.
	Mikael	examines his glove and angrily says [Teutonic Cant] "There's a scratch on my armor. Remind me to whip the serfs when we get back."
	Priad_Milionias	unclasps his helmet and clips it to his side. He looks around at the gathered crew on the bridge before stepping out of the elevator. Priad's face looks as if it was chiseled from a block of olive marble, minor scars criss-cross his features, the only thing unnatural on his face being the single service stud that dots the right of his forehead. His deep black hair is kept cleanly cut and short to to the top of his head, his green eyes show a deep intelligence and understanding of the workings of the Demi-Gods known as Astartes.
	Invictus	stands back and to the right of Priad.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	follows suit, removing the horned helmet, covered in xenos gore. His piercing ice-blue eyes continuing his scan of the room, as he steps forward.
	Mikael	keeps his helmet on, hiding his newly branded and painful Mark of Sanctioning.
	Invictus	removes his helmet, his face has a few scars, his brown eyes look forward at the crew of the bridge.
	Priad_Milionias	"Greetings citizens of the Imperium."
	Mikael	says to Herbert [Teutonic Cant] "More like lambs."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	[Teutonic Cant] "To trust mere mortals with the Emperor's treasures aboard this ship is a mistake," Herbert growls, unimpressed by the sight of the mortals before him.
	Priad_Milionias	His voice a deadpan as he continues, "where is the Captain of this vessel?"
	Mikael	[Teutonic Cant] "They would be safer under our hands even if the other doesn't know what the former is doing."
	CawklesGM	...and are greeted by a riotous scene of bureaucracy gone mad. A command center more akin to a cathedral than a place of war greets the delegation of angels, its labryinthian halls crawling with guards, factotums, naval ensigns, specialist laborers, and other, stranger, figures who flit about and tend to the various speeches inhabiting the place. One's eye, however, is drawn ineluctably to the center of the room, where a banquet table built into the hull plated floor spans the center of the room, its bulk serving as the hub for the variety of cogitators, renumeration engines, data-looms, and other high technology equipment that dot the room and hug the pillars. The sprawling table itself seems to be a holo-emitter; a constellation of hazy blue shadows flit above it, depicting everything from planets to ships to the foul countenances of xenos. Several figures linger here, but several stand out: A wispy and long-limbed man in a freshly pressed Administratum uniform, the body glove clad, brown haired woman who stands near him, and another, more unusual figure. This figure is a woman whose height barely clears five foot but carries herself like she towers over everyone present. Her hair is blonde almost to the point of being white, wrestled into a bun that clings to the back of her head. Her one good eye burns with a steely refusal to surrender, its bionic counterpart twinkling with shrouded intent. Her Guard dress uniform, a modified Harkoni uniform bedecked with gold filigree and glittering gems, clashes harshly with her two obviously artificial and unobtrusive limb bionics, one for her right arm and the other for her left leg. As The noble space marine addresses the bridge, the hurricane of noise suddenly subsides into sussurus, then silence. All drop their duties and turn around, their faces suddenly transformed into looks of shock, awe, reverence, joy...There is not a hopeless gob anywhere to be seen. The wispy man, slicking back his rug of black hair, smiles wide. "Milords," He says, dipping into a bow. Everybody else present does the same...save the blonde warrior-woman, who nods respectfully.
	Mikael	clearly still in pain and bitter about the branding and stuck on drilling duty on the previous mission.
	CawklesGM	Now there is noise, as the assembled hoi polloi whisper and gossip to one another, no doubt trying to process the impressive scene before them. Not one, not two, but an entire TEAM. Before them is the kind of force that breaks the backs of aliens and slays humanities enemies.
	CawklesGM	The man and his female assistant quickly approach, their footsteps echoing as they stride across the now silent cathedral-bridge. He continues to bow as he walks, struggling to find words as he approaches Priad. "M-m-milord, I am the acting captain of this vessel. Judoc Amichai is my name and, I am...I am lord of this sector." He stretches out his hand, but almost immediately retracts it. He is not dealing with a mere mortal, and such gestures can be seen as impudent. He takes a knee instead.
	CawklesGM	"You saved my life, milords. The life of myself, my cabinet, my wife, and a ship of His most Holy Navy. We are in your debt milord."
	CawklesGM	The woman standing behind him rolls her eyes, folding her arms across her chest. The warrior-woman has yet to move, and instead watches the dealings with detached interest.
	Mikael	growls at the thought of a mortal greeting an Adeptus Astartes like that.
	Mikael	[Teutonic Cant] "Insects, how dare they? Even if he isn't one of our own brothers, it is revolting."
	Priad_Milionias	Priad rests his armored hand on the man shoulder and forces him up. "We'll have time for that later, Captain, for now fill us in."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	glares at the insolent woman. A mortal clearly unsure of her place, is one who ought to be reminded of her station.
	Invictus	remains quiet.
	Mikael	"Magna Pater vester dimittet peccata hoc... disgrace."
	CawklesGM	"You shouldn't talk to our esteemed governor about the situation, Astartes. You should be talking to me." The warrior woman finally opens her mouth, a practiced grin on her face. "Lord Amichai, may I?" The Lord-Governor nods, and with on final bow, he takes his leave with what seems to be his assistant. The warrior woman beckons the space marine delegation over. "Come hither, milords."
	Mikael	[Teutonic Cant] "The son of Guilliman is quiet as usual."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	[Teutonic Cant] "A blessing from the God-Emperor."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	approaches the insolent mortal
	Priad_Milionias	Priad gives a little grin and approaches, while doing so he comments, "you must be a woman of much power to speak as such to the Sector Lord, and Astartes for that matter. Whom am I addressing?"
	Mikael	softy laughs.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Or one with no sense of self-preservation," Herbert adds.
	Invictus	follows Priad eyes fixed on the woman.
	Mikael	laughs a little harder.
	CawklesGM	The assembled crewmen look at each other with some measure of confusion and shock. Some of them wish to gawk further, but a hissed command from the Sector Lord gets everybody working once again. They try their best to ignore the gods in their midst...and often fail. The warrior woman messes around with the holo-display, bringing up images of many planets and the foul xenos that operate in their vicinity. One planet in particular she magnifies into a large, incandescent orb of floating particles. "I see you are as perspicacious as your reputation implies, Iron Snake. I am Calliope Sandoval Raulwind Rook, Daughter of Lancel Rook, Son of Remois Rook." That last name tumbles from her mouth with some poison. "I currently bear the warrant for my Dynasty." She stares at the two Knights Teutonic. "Milords, we are all friends here. Cease such behavior promptly...if it pleases you, of course." There is a not-so-hidden disdain in her voice as she dismissively addresses the two space marines, shocking those nearby with her impudent.
	CawklesGM	"I take it you speak for your Brothers, Lord...?" She adjusts her collar quickly, loosening it around her stocky neck.
	Mikael	"For now."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Do not presume to advise the behavior of a Knight, mortal," he barks in return.
	Priad_Milionias	"As of several hours ago, yes. You must forgive my erstwhile brothers, they are self-righteous by nature. I greet you Lady Rook, I am Priad Milionias, but I'm sure you knew that already." He gives her another small grin.
	CawklesGM	Lady Rook returns the smile. "Excellent, Lord Millonias, now that we are acquainted, to business: See this world right...here?" She points to the world she has magnified, a temperate orb covered with oceans and small seas of light. "This world is a sector over from where we currently stand, in the Stars of Crispin. It is called Nova Spera. Now, from what you might gather here, you will probably assume that Nova Spera is a backwater of little consequence..and you would be correct."
	Mikael	[Teutonic Cant] "Looks like Heinrich's planet."
	Invictus	looks closely at the planet, "What would be the importance of this planet?"
	Priad_Milionias	folds his arms in thought as he stares at the planet emitted by the holo-display.
	Mikael	"By the Emperor, he speaks!"
	CawklesGM	"BUT," She cuts in, chopping the air with her hand. "This shameful little backwater is currently infested, filled, nay, infected, with xenos of all stripes. That should be enough motivation by itself for you and your brothers to go over and cleanse it." She jabs her finger at Ultramarine. "I am glad you asked, Son of Guilliman. My contacts in House Al-Juza and House Von Hatterback have dug up some very interesting information regarding this planet. The last time it appeared in Imperial records was in the 32nd milennium, and even then only in reference to an interesting fact: this backwater is sitting on a warp route nexus. No fewer than six stable warp routes both leave and lead to this sector. Nobody seems to even know they exist; the person who controls THIS planet, however, gets control of all six of them. If the imperials were to capture this world, they would have a redoubt on the front line of the war against the Tau, one that allows Imperial forces to strike rear echelon areas in Tau space. It's a blessing from the God-Emperor...and it must be secured at all costs for this reason. I have spoken with your master, the honored Sanjar Tonju, and he has agreed to lend the service of the Huntsman's Shadow so that I might pursue this aim. I know you are abandoning this sector in its time of need, but securing Nova Spera will take pressure off every part of the Eastern Fringe and restrict the movement of our enemies."
	Mikael	"Didn't whatever spawn you crawled out of you teach you any manners?"
	CawklesGM	"Your mission on this world will be insurgent in nature. There are several powerful, Imperial-backed forces in a region called Ghadeer. They are in a tight spot; I will send you in ahead of my liberation fleet to soften up ground targets and facilitate troop movements. Once my liberation fleet engages, you all will eliminate key xenos targets and complete missions only Space Marines could accomplish. With any hope, your kill team will pave the way for the Falcon Guards's 3rd and 5th companies. Here is-" Calliope looks at Mikael, her face immediately twisting into a death stare.
	CawklesGM	"Did yours, sir knight?"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Govern your tongue, mortal," Herbert takes a step forward.
	Priad_Milionias	holds up a hand.
	Mikael	"Ridiculam pusillus... insect."
	Priad_Milionias	"Brothers, I am sure the Rogue Trader meant no disrespect in the way she addressed Brother Invictus. We are are here as fellow agents of the God-Emperor himself."
	Priad_Milionias	He sweeps both his arms around as if including everyone on the bridge.
	CawklesGM	Lady Calliope sighs. "An oft forgotten fact these days."
	Priad_Milionias	"Now." He emphasizes to the map. "Please continue, Lady Rook."
	Mikael	[Telepath] to Herbert "Not worth it, my brother. They are fools."
	Axel	breaks his silence. [Teutonic Cant] "Master, Isn't it more important to complete out task than argue?"
	Mikael	[Teutonic Cant] "He has a point, my brother."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	[Teutonic Cant] "Need I remind you of the consequences of mortals who have forgotten their place?"
	Axel	takes a step back and remains silent
	CawklesGM	Lady Calliope grins, her fake eye changing its glowing tint from red to blue. "Thank you, Brother Priad. Here is your first target: We have it on good authority that a VIP will be coming to Nova Spera in the coming weeks. He is but a man, but a powerful one at that, a vile heretic who hath sold his soul to the so called "greater good". You and your brothers will destroy him when his vessel crosses this-" She points at a small sea that sits between one landmass and another. "You will have to take him down in transit; the alternatives are far too dangerous. Besides, when you crash his chariot you will be within striking distance of THIS." She points to a network of structures sitting in the middle of the sea. "We call it Rifleman Fire Station. It's a tau base, unassailable by conventional insurgent forces due to its waterborne location. Fliers refuel here, troops heal here...prisoners are brought there, and tortured. It's a blacksite in everything but name, and it must be destroyed. I fear only you and your brothers can do it. Do you understand the task ahead of you, Brother Priad?"
	Mikael	growls and says "I remember..."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Tell me more about this... heretic," he hisses the name, fist gripping his personal sword in anger.
	Priad_Milionias	"Of course, Lady Rook. Though I've not had much experience in fighting Tau. What can you tell us of other factions on the planet?"
	CawklesGM	"Doloric Syph," She says, spitting his name and cursing it under her breath. "His family sold themselves to these fiends years ago, and he continues their sins. He is the leader of an entire division of traitors whose sole existence is directed toward suborning their fellow man. They spirit souls away from the Emperor, but are directionless without their leader, who helps formulate the propaganda and vile rhetoric. Take him from the picture, and their effectiveness is greatly diminished. Of course, I should also probably stress the MORALE victory such a blow would entail."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"That, Captain, would be my pleasure," he appears to connect with the mortal's hatred for the heretic leader.
	Mikael	"We will stick his head on a pike!"
	Invictus	"May his death come quick at our hand so that the Emperor may punish thee for his treachery."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Nay. Not a quick death. Better a slow death. One to be remembered by the inhabitants of this /rock/."
	CawklesGM	She continues: "The factions on this planet? Too many to count, from the fighters in the Nwizimbi region to the Phinh Loc Mountain campaigns going on in the eastern part of the planet...in your area of operation, however, you will be dealing with two major factions, both backed by the Deparmento Munitorum...and Inquisition. The first is the Rawa-Kadan, a group of mountain savages who dedicate their lives and their deaths to the God-Emperor. They will be among your most steadfast allies, despite their deep ties to some particularly unsavory Munitorum. The next are a shadowy group of city dwelling natives that call themselves the 'Divine Cohort'. They will probably worship all of you, but many of their members are puppeted by Witch Hunters and power grabbing clerics. They will aid you, yes, but do not trust them. They are two faced. On a final note, there is a quaint faction called the Blazing Trail. They are a minor faction, one that skirts the line of secession and heresy, but may still poise some measure of a threat. If possible, avoid them. They are of little consequence. Also, bear in mind that these factions are fractious and fissiparous and thus in constant flux. All your interactions must be approached with some degree of paranoia."
	CawklesGM	The Lady, her powerful stature stiffening, stares up to Priad from her low position on the floor. "Do your brothers have any more questions, milord?"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	squints his eyes at the mention of 'clerics'
	Axel	[Knight Cant]"M'lord, have you faced Tau before?"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	[Teutonic Cant] "Never have I laid eyes on the vile xenos. The vaults in Prosson alone have educated me of their nature. We shall both learn, in detail, the way these xenos die, Squire."
	Mikael	"Nescimus timor Sed num tibi."
	Priad_Milionias	"None I do believe. We shall be going with your leave. Ave Imperator Lady Rook." He then gives a nod in salute and does an about face and makes his exit with his brothers.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Ave Imperator," he echoes.
	Invictus	"Ave Imperator"
	CawklesGM	"Ave," she states flatly. There is a gem of satisfaction gleaming in her eye. you can almost hear her mouth groan under the tension of her smile. Another ascension...another ascension indeed.
	CawklesGM	<<SEVERAL WEEKS LATER...>>
	CawklesGM	++We are upon them in mere moments, Brothers. Ready thyselves.++ The tension in the guts of the Thunderhawk was palpable. The Shadow, despite its swiftness, was slow getting to this accursed backwater, weaving in-between tau patrols, ork marauders, and other vile creatures so that they might arrive here, at this very precise moment. As of right now, the Huntsman's Shadow is the only loyalist human vessel in orbit above Nova Spera. Like a ghost, it silently drifts, invisible even under intense scrutiny. It is your only lifeline in this accursed place. From its bowels you all issued forth in three thunderhawks, two escorts and one carrying your kill team. Night is starting to fall, the orange glow on the horizon slowly being swallowed up by the encroaching darkness. The temperamental Burning Sea churns beneath the low flying vessels.
	CawklesGM	++Brothers, this is Keeper Leonus. Remember to wait for the escorts to chase off the target's bodyguards before dismounting on the back of the great beast. Once you dismount, destroy the vessel and confirm the death of Syph. Also, try not to tumble off into the ocean. You are nearly half a mile above the surface and striking it will be like kissing ferrocrete. Emperor and Sanguinius be with you brothers. Leonus out.++ There is a rumbling and a crash as the quick pace of the Thunderhawk turns into a pell mell descent. The pilot's vox crackles over everybody's helmet feed: ++We are on attack trajectory. T-Minus one minute.++
	Priad_Milionias	"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 that we shall purge these foul creatures from his sight and complete our mission. Ave Imperator."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Ave Imperator."
        Invictus	"Ave Imperator."
	Mikael	"Ave Imperator."
	Axel	"Ave Imperator."
	Axel	mumbles [Knight Cant] "Ave Imperator Dominae Sanctus, sed Divinae Institutione formatti. Protegem, cempar suggitem requiescat et salvae Terra et Kleistus. Siccut et nos Kaiser von Salen formatti sempra. Imperator Rex im Terra nos Preatoris Celsetae perpetuum bellum Xenos ex per furorae Teutonicorum. Für dein ist das Reich, und die Kraft und die Herrlichkeit im Ewigkeit… Dominatus."
	Mikael	"Dominatus."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Dominatus."
	Mikael	growls in pain and anger.
	Priad_Milionias	does one last minute check on his gear and weapons. "Ready yourselves, Brothers."
	CawklesGM	Then it starts. The thundering. The two escort thunderhawks, like birds of prey, have swooped upon the traveling air convoy, their panoply of weapons barking and spitting death liberally. Turbulence? Such a paltry word can scarcely describe the violent shaking your vessel feels as it descends. There is a hiss as the front ramp begins to tear itself open. The screaming air then intrudes, nearly deafening all present as the air pressure equalizes and nearly sucks all present out. The hazy orange evening reveals the target before you: A beautiful, though heretical, creation of xeno engineering that is nearly the size of a titan. Several points of light, dotted about its hull, form its silhouette. The orange sky-creature is surrounded by crashing, burning shapes, the corpses of its escorts. The near deafening roar of its guns fill the air, as does the blue projectiles that spit from its body like some kind of animal defense mechanism. The thunderhawk deftly weaves between the streams of blue.
	CawklesGM	The Thunderhawk, its front hatch fully open, swoops over the left wing of the vessel. +JUMP BROTHERS, JUMP!+ the pilot, cries.
	Invictus	jumps out the front of the ramp.
	Axel		activates his jump pack and with a cry of deafening savagery leaps from the thunderhawk.
	Axel	notices his brothers flailing and attempts to grab Mikael.
	Mikael	is hanging on the edge of the wing and screams "FUCK!"
	Priad_Milionias	With mighty stomps Priad jumps from the Thunderhawk and hits the wing of the manta with a loud clang.
	Axel	attempts to reign in his brother and fails.
	Invictus	grabs the edge of the wing as he holds on for dear life.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	growls as he grips onto the edge of the wing of the xenos construct.
	CawklesGM	Several of the space marines go tearing off into the wing, grabbing the edge for dear life as their legs flail helplessly in the sky.
	CawklesGM	But their struggles are only beginning; from the open carrying compartment, a trio of tau suits appear. Two of them are smaller, hovering on small tongues of blue flame as they fly up to the top of the manta. The other is a tall and noble battlesuit, bedecked in impressive armament and poised for combat!
	Mikael	[telepathy] to Herbert "I HATE this miserable planet."
	CawklesGM	The Tau battlesuit strikes something of a martial pose. ++Aun'Reka Va! Tao roka T'au! L'eh, L'eh!++
	Axel	"DIE FILTHY HERETICS," He screams
	Axel	Launches himself at the nearest turret and in a flurry of blows leaves it a smoking ruin
	Priad_Milionias	immediately sets his sights on the nearest xenos turret and fills it with righteous bolter fire. Once it's smoking and then explodes is he satisfied.
	CawklesGM	The battlesuit raises its plasma rifle, taking aim at the young Knight squire. Two pulses of plasma arc his way, but a timely boost from Axel's jump pack gets him out of the way!
	CawklesGM	Next up is one of the stealthsuits, who flies up and decides to take potshots at the vulnerable devastator. Two shots manage to come his way, but the ultramarine deftly swings his body underneath the wing of the Manta using his harness, avoiding the bolts by mere meters. The Tau's frustration is evident as this divine champion of the Emperor makes a mockery of his efforts!
	Priad_Milionias	twists as deftly as an Astartes can and avoids the two plasma bolts that head his way.
	Invictus	using his harness to climb up over the wing and takes cover next to the broken turret next to Priad.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	With a burst from his jump pack, Herbert lands on the wing, and drives his powersword into the turret in front of him, destroying the vile xenos mechanism.
	Mikael	climbs on the wing and tries to smite the enemies and little result.
	CawklesGM	Mikael leaps and tries to manifest his powers, but to no avail. Instead, he is assailed by frenzied laughter and visions. By the God-Emperor...the visions! A winking moon, a horned grox, a bearded man, a small group of humans of many colors and creeds...and blood. Oceans and oceans of blood, turning your entire psychic consciousness crimson with maddening images of death and destruction. If it was not for his iron will, he would have no doubt lost his mind.
	CawklesGM	There is a thump and whine, as the Manta begins to dip its wing to left, the incline swiftly climbing over 40 degrees. Priad and Axel's footing are not so sure, and they both tumble backwards as the graceful craft dips even further into its turn.
        Priad_Milionias	"Cursed xenos pilots." Priad loses his temper for a moment as he grabs the edge of the wing that he nearly fell off of.
	Priad_Milionias	Priad clambers up from the precarious edge of the ship and takes a knee aiming at one of the stealthsuits, he looks on in shame as he misses. Blasted turbulence.
	Priad_Milionias	He then immediately rolls to the left to avoid a plasma blast from the battlesuit.
	CawklesGM	A stealthsuit duo perches on the lip of the ranged area, pouring a withering hail of fire at the space marines. Invictus deftly dogdes; Herbert, however, takes the blow on the chin but is not felled. That xeno has just earned itself a messy and painful death.
	CawklesGM	The stealth suit who shot him, however, takes the vengeance himself. He strays too close to an intake, and is suck in bodily! There is a horrific grinding and an agonized scream, but they last merely a moment before the powerful engines turn the xeno into pink mist. The vessel shudders.
	Invictus	opens fire with his Heavy Bolter on the Tau Battlesuit.
	Axel	nods to his master "I will make them pay dearly for your injury." he yells over the wind
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	+Our blades shall communicate our fury!+
	CawklesGM	The Tau Battlesuit buckles under the withering hail of fire! Although it is injured, it is still resolute and ready to fight!
	CawklesGM	++Brothers!++ The pilot comes in over the vox. ++We are currently engaged with enemy fighters, but are ready and able to provide aerial cover at your discretion, over!++
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	+Eliminate the xenos turrets on the starboard wing!+
	CawklesGM	++As you will it, brother!++
	CawklesGM	The Tau manta tries to jink hard in the other direction, but fails miserably; all that happens is it evening out and losing altitude! The massive craft dips ever closer to the Burning Sea...
	Mikael	in his rage uses smite on the Tau Battle suit.
	CawklesGM	The Tau Stealth Suit buckles under Axel's furious asasult, being cut into bloody shreds; he is only barely alive, and heaves painfully about under the weight of his wounds.
	Axel	"DOMINATUS." He shouts leaping forward and bringing one powersword down, and following up with another, critically damaging the suit.
	Priad_Milionias	moves up to the wreckage of one of the turrets, once in cover he fires at the Battlesuit to only miss.
	Axel 	as the Stealth suit tries to flee like a coward. Axel sees his chance and skewers the suit with his sword. He leans in close and says "I find it insulting you turns your back to me." He then kicks the suit off his sword.
	CawklesGM	The corpse of the Tau stealth suit suddenly is sucked backwards into the intake, getting chunked in the massive sprawling machinery within. The manta shudders once again, and begins to dip down even more. The Manta is now dangerously low to the surface of the sea, so much so that the space marines can now see the rolling of the waves and speed by which they pass underneath.
	CawklesGM	Overhead, the trio of THunderhawks are still darting about in a dogfight. They delicately dance with their duelers, the Tau barracudas of the Tau Water caste. From the east, one can spy three more tau fighter craft on approach to the ensuing melee...
	CawklesGM	Their contrails flickering behind them in the evening sun, the three vessels seem to streak right over the Manta's position and towards the dogfight. ++We're breaking off, brothers! There are too many enemies and not enough ammunition! May you find victory brothers, fare thee well!++
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	fires up his wings of steel, his warrior's rage flowing through him, and into his blades, to deliver righteous punishment on the vile armored xenos. He crashes down atop the creature, delivering swift punishment with his blades, in the tradition of his beloved Knight-Order.
	Invictus	opens fire again on the battle suit, causing more damage to it.
	Mikael	opens fire on the Battle suit and yells "TE IPSUM XENOS STERCORE!"
	CawklesGM	With a single bolt round, the Tau battlesuit explodes in a gigantic plume of fire and crysteel, a final send off to his space marine adversaries. But the damage does nothing, and only serves to give the space marine more intimidating might when they emerge from the hellfire without flinching. The Tau Manta top is now free of defenders...
	CawklesGM	++This is Keeper Leonus, come in Drago. How goes the hunt?+
	CawklesGM	The jocular keeper of the Shadow knows the answer already. His brothers seldom fail.
	Priad_Milionias	++We have secured the Manta's outside, we are infiltrating now.++
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	+Apothecary. Approach and assess the damage+ Herbert dryly requests.
	Invictus	get up from his position and moves up.
	Priad_Milionias	+By Ithaka, A Teuton asks me of something?+ He chuckles to himself and approaches.
	Mikael	+Just do your job Captain [T. Cant] Nurse+
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	+Perform your duties, as we do all.+
	Axel	+I feared they would be tougher to crack.+
	Priad_Milionias	+Do not worry Frater, I always perform my duties as befits our unit.+
	Mikael	[telepath] to Axel "Are you injured?"
	Axel	+I am fine my brother.+ he says, nodding to the Brother knight
	Axel	+I suggest you let me do the heavy fighting from now on Master.+ he says with a chuckle
	Mikael	[telepath] says "Good to hear."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	+Have you forgotten your place, squire? A heavy physical regiment will be awaiting you upon our return to the Vigil Ship+
	Priad_Milionias	+Let us deploy our melta-bombs and blow our way in, brothers. Unless anyone has other suggestions?+
	Mikael	[Telepath] to Axel "Choose your words carefully in the future. Brother Herbert might throw you off the ship."
	Invictus	+Unless some of us want to go underneath to get a tactical advantage.+
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	+Rearrange  the xenos engineering. With haste.+
	Mikael	+Blow the roof and let's slaughter the filth.+
	Axel	sighs and thinks "I only fear for his safety."
	Priad_Milionias	walks over to the center of the supposed upper-transport deck and takes a knee. He unclips the meltabomb from the back of his waist and plants it, and presses on the activation rune. He backs away enough to not get caught in the blast and awaits their new entry into the enemy craft.
	Mikael	[telepath] to Axel "Humor is not his strong suit though Brother Herbert can take care of himself."
	CawklesGM	5...4...3...2...1...
	Priad_Milionias	+Prepare yourselves, brothers!+
	Mikael	+Brace for impact.+
	Invictus	brasses himself.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	nods, gripping his blades.
	Mikael	readies his force sword and bolter.
	CawklesGM	There is a hiss as all of moisture in the surrounding air is burned away. Then, a pop followed by a fiery boom. The sound is near deafening, making the space marines silent to the screams that are now howling through the hole in the command deck. One particularly unlucky woman, who decided not to secure herself, flies by the kill team howling as she is sucked out of the Manta and deposited into the sea with a thick plop. Small pulses of Pistol rounds are seen flashing near the burned ruins of the hole the space marines made, but being positioned as they are nobody inside has a good bead on the kill team. They can, no doubt, slay these people inside at their leisure.
	CawklesGM	"MERCY!" One shout can be heard, that of a man. "MERCY, I BEG OF YOU!"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"FOOLS"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	jumps into the opening.
	Mikael	follows behind Herbert.
	Mikael	+Ferro cadat falsa divinitate imperatoris!+
	Priad_Milionias	follows after, jumping with as much grace as a hulking, power-armored, super-human can manage.
	Invictus	moves up to the hole and follows into the opening.
	Axel	deftly leaps into the hole, swords drawn
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"SYPH!" Herbert roars as intimidatingly as he is able.
	Priad_Milionias	"ΓΙΑ ΙΘΑΚΗ!"
	CawklesGM	The transport deck is a long hallway lined with chairs, each one occupied by beautiful young men and women clad in the heretical garb of the Tau. The central chair at the end of the hallway is completely empty. The entire chamber is a mess of blood, piss, and other bodily fluids mingling with fire, fear, and panic. Some of the Syph Sluts resolutely commit themselves to their fate and their loyalties, but one, the youngest looking man of the lot, fearfully points at the central chair and addresses Herbert. "He is behind that seat, milord! Please, can you find it in your hearts to spare me?"
	CawklesGM	"Dannoth!" One of the young women cries. "You betray the Greater Good!"
	CawklesGM 	"The Greater Good has only brought us death and destruction!"
	CawklesGM	"You coward!" The woman spits, venomous. As the argument unfolds, a figure behind the central chair emerges, hanging onto the thing as to not get sucked out.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	With a short burst from his jump pack, Herbert charges to capture his pathetic prey.
	Axel	watches the sight with a grim resolve, it must be done
	Priad_Milionias	"Betrayal, mortals, can NEVER be forgiven." Priad drops the bolter onto his leg, the magnetic coating fixing it in place with an audible click. He then draws his combat-knife.
	Mikael	prepares a corpse spike.
	CawklesGM	"Stop-!" Before Doloric can launch into whatever inspirational speech he has prepared, Knight-Brother Herbert tackles him to the floor, the sound that results a disgusting report of crunching bones. The man mewls with pain.
	Axel	[Knight cant] "Scorn the weak,"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"SQUIRE!"
	Mikael	"I suggest not talking and die with whatever dignity you have left."
	Axel	"Yes m"lord." he says at attention
	CawklesGM	One of the syph sluts protests Priad's resolve to kill them. "We betrayed no one, space marine! We were born Tau, we lived Tau, and-"
	CawklesGM	"Now we die Tau," Says one of the others, a glum looking creature of gray skin.
	Invictus	pulls out his chain sword.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Spike."
	Axel	nods bringing the spike to his master
	Axel	"Master, shall I deal with the betrayer?"
	CawklesGM	Doloric Syph squirms, but he knows what's coming. He stops struggling and tries to put on a brave face. He knows his death is for the Greater Good.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	nods
	Mikael	uses his powers to bend the minds of the foolish mortal and make them stab each other until they are dead.
	CawklesGM	The betrayer looks up hopefully at Axel. "Have I earned clemency?"
	Mikael	"Silence, worm!"
	Axel	remains silent as he offers the man a hand
	Axel	"Come."
	CawklesGM	Several present scream and shout in horrified protest as their friends stab and gnash at each other in an unnatural frenzy of blood. They tear at each others skin, clothes, and flesh, like animals. What a fitting metphaor for such heretics, who stab at their own species and now stab at each other.
	CawklesGM	The betrayer, horrifed at what he witnesses, unstraps himself and takes Axel's hand. "Thank you, sir knight, thank you! I see the foolishness of my actions now!"
Knight-Brother_Herbert	unpowers his ceremonial sword. With his other hand, he drives the spike through his prey's thigh, securing him for the punishment to come.
	Mikael	starts slaughtering the nearby heretics.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"And now, worm, you watch."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	+Purge the room+
	Axel	nods and brings the man up, and puts his armoured hand on his head. "Scorn the weak." He says crushing the mans skull.
	Mikael	"Dominatus!"
	Priad_Milionias	takes his combat-knife and walks down the rows, slitting throats as the passes by, almost mechanical are his motions as he goes down the line, one by one.
	Invictus	use his chain sword to kill several of the people in the room.
	Mikael	takes pleasure in the massacre, feeling his pain from earlier.
	CawklesGM	Brain, blood, bone; it all mingles on the floor, in great rivers of red. The sucking sounds and cordless screams of those bereft of their throats fill the air with pathetic attempts to stop the horror befalling them. Their thrashing is horrific, but slows down, ever so slowly, until they are still and their blood lies at their feet. The hallway soon becomes almost ankle deep in blood. Doloric Syph vomits, both from the pain and torment being laid upon him.
	CawklesGM	"ANIMALS!" He screams through gnashing teeth. "NOW YOU SEE WHY PEOPLE FORSAKE YOUR EVIL EMPIRE! YOU WILL DIE ON THIS PLANET, OPPRESSOR! THE GREATER GOOD WILL TRIUMPH!"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	Using the blade he forged when he became a Knight proper of the Order, Lord of Kholl, Herbert begins to skin 'Syph' from the rear of his legs, up, and along his back. It is slow. Syph is to be an example.
	Mikael	"Infernum fecisti tuo."
	CawklesGM	Herbert makes it up to his abdomen before the screaming man dies from the shock of his gruesome, evil wounds.
	Mikael	[Teutonic Cant] "Fancy a new coat, my brother. *Starts laughing manically*"
	Priad_Milionias	+Objective complete. I will move to secure their bridge.+
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"I will adorn my armor with my new pelt."
	Axel	[Knight cant] +When will they learn that betrayal won't save them?+
	Invictus	approaches the now dead corpse of Syph and pull out on of his many copies of the Codex Astartes and throws it at him.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	removes the head, and the attached 'pelt', pinning it to a corpse spike.
	Mikael	+[Teutonic Cant] When they beg at the Emperor's feet. Axel!+
	CawklesGM	With the gruesome trophy affixed, the band of Space Marines are now ready to take control of the bridge, which is only crewed by a dozen pilot personnel with sidearms.
	Invictus	then follows Priad to the bridge.
	Mikael	"The Son of Guilliman was... this was amusing."
	Priad_Milionias	doesn't bother to sheathe his knife as he walks onto the bridge.
	CawklesGM	They all work about furiously, tapping away at cogitators and alien systems, trying desperately to avoid their fate by whatever means. But the angels of death walk among them. What hope they had died the minute the Huntsman's Shadow cast its shadow over the planet.
	Priad_Milionias	+Kill all of them except the pilot.+
	Invictus	"Amusing? I can't say for sure, but all heretics of the Emperor shall die."
	CawklesGM	When Priad enters the bridge, five tau already have had shot themselves dead.
	Priad_Milionias	"Hmph."
	Invictus	enters the bridge behind Priad.
	Mikael 	"What is it, Snake?"
	Priad_Milionias	+The Tau's delivery will be on time, just not what they'll expect.+
	CawklesGM	The rest, too scared to accept their fate, can only cower and mewl at the sight of their executioners. Many have wet themselves and shake in abject terror, but one, the pilot, meditates silently near his station.
	Mikael	"Shall I?"
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	+Do so. He has yet a use.+
	Priad_Milionias	gestures with his knife-laden hand.
	Mikael	"Blast, my powers are growing weak...."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Weak is one thing I know you not to be, Brother. This is no time to prove me wrong."
	Mikael	tries to control the pilot once more.
	Mikael	"His mind is mine."
	CawklesGM	The meditative xeno suddenly perks his head up, and rises to his feet as his compatriots die all around him. He turns to face the space marine librarian, an expectant look on his thoughtful and wrinkled face. His armor, bone white with red accents, is stained with the bile and fluid of his comrades.
	Priad_Milionias	finishes off the rest of the crew, with quick, aimed slashes. The only remaining Tau is the pilot now.
	Mikael	commands the pilot to operate the ship.
	Mikael	"The inside of his mind is disgusting."
	CawklesGM	The pilot does so, climbing into his seat and readjusting both his bearing and his speed. He numbly goes through the motions of piloting the vessel, almost dream like in his motions.
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"All is ready Milionias," Herbert nods.
	Invictus	"What is our next move then?"
	Priad_Milionias	 "You will compel it to continue flying towards their base. Once close enough we will exfiltrate via Thunderhawk and our Librarian will have the xenos pilot /deliver/ their Syph straight into the base."
	Mikael	"Understood, [Teutonic Cant] Captain Nurse Snake."
	Knight-Brother_Herbert	"Vile creatures," Herbert growls almost to himself, looking down at the damage sustained in combat.
	Axel	"Good work brothers."
	Priad_Milionias	After giving the Librarian his instructions Priad voxxes the Thunderhawk pilot of the plan and moves back to the upper transport deck.
	Invictus	moves back to the upper transport deck.
	CawklesGM	The plan is set into motion, cogs turns, and the Thunderhawk arrives. The pilot, an expert of many years, aligns itself as best as they can to the Manta so that it might allow the space marines to climb aboard.
	CawklesGM	The space marines climb aboard, and discover they share a space with a specialized land speeder. The Thunderhawk speeds off towards the sky, and the Manta goes on its seperate way, flying numbling to annihilation. The mission was a colossal success, but only much later would the Space Marines understand the destruction they wrought upon not only the Tau, but everybody else that resides on Nova Spera...