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The Tech-Marine was transfixed by the piece of technology, the key was gripped in the hold of a lock that would require much time to remove. He pondered and began to pry the key with his extra mechanical limbs and zoomed in with his secondary eyes. The Sorcerer Kenorth stood with him, chanting trying to break the field of energy that surrounded the lock while X'carhis snarled. He tired of this pointless poppy cock and moved towards the Sorcerer who seemed angered by his approach;

"What my lord?"

The Chaos Lord could of scythed this weedy, weak foul down but he restrained himself. Greystones blood would sate his tastes;

"How long till you complete this process of tinkering Kenorth, I tire of this. Can we not move the key away from this desolate hole, it is a pointless debacle to stay here ourselves Kenorth. Even.....you know that."

The Sorcerer growled but returned to his dark, gleeful stance quickly;

"This is a delicate process and requires patience lord, we can not afford interruptions my lord and if the Tech-Marine cracks the code we can move on but for now. Throw every single force we have against the Imperials and order the hunters to clip the wings of the Imperials. Now."

"You did not fall prey to impulse, but remained logical... clearly you have tact Kais... impressive... I can sense the change in you since we first met..." the disembodied voice trailed off

Suddenly the Tau was struck by an ominous vision.

Within this hallucination the Shas'O could discern a bizarre image of a reflective rock, the size of his hand. When he looked closer, the object lost it's lustre and turned black as pitch...

"You must bring it to me... for it is key to the obliteration of Syrath's followers!" the voice bellowed within Kais' head. "It is buried deep within the planet... not far from the Titan the pitiful beasts are squabbling over... "

It will be done. And I will be mindful of my decisions.

Kais then recieves the transmission, and commands a Warrior on the bridge to head to the hangar and prepare a landing craft for him and his personal guard, before replying to the Imperial message.

"This is Shas'O T'au Kais, herald of the Tau Empire. I am here for one purpose onyl which does not concern you, nor should it worry you. My forces will not attack without my order, and that will only be given if provoked. Be wary, I command the entire firepower and force of the entire Tau Empire, do not make me give that order," Kais pauses for thought, before making one last statement. "I advise you focus yourselves on the Chaos thread, for we mean you no harm. I will leave this channel open if you need to tell me anything of due concern, but for now, farewell."

Kais then procedes to don his ceremonial helmet, which is based on a standard Fire Warrior's, but with some "special improvements, and better armor protection. Makes sure it is firmly secured, before heading off to the bridge, his personal guard in tow.

(We'll have to wait till Marta returns but back to X'carhis.)

The Chaos lord watched as the Tech-Marine removed the final locks on the key, using the Power fists vague gravity manipulation abilities to grab the device. He now had the power to the ultimate prize on this barren world, soon he'd take what was his. Standing by him the Sorcerer moved forward and nodded to Chaos Space Marines who moved away from the chamber while he turned to the Chaos Lord;

"Milord, the Imperials approach. I have begun to open a portal and Bravo team will cover our retreat, Greystone is a lesser objective than the Titan milord. Staying here violates our plans, while we both know that the good Inquisitor will follow us if we leave even the slightest trail."

X'cahris turns to the blazing red portal;

"Activate the explosives in 20 minutes,and leave a barren crater here."

"Excellent... it is time that I rest once more... in preparation for what lies ahead... " the voice fades completely... and Kais feels a small part of his psyche vanish...

At this time a brief memory from times past triggers within the Tau's brain... an echo of the whisper which had just left him:

"I must reward you for the deed... reward you for the deed... the deed... "

"Every thing is falling into place... "

======================================================================================================================

OOC: I am going to reprise the role of Arrius while *Censored* returns to lurking back in the shadows...

On a barren plain the form of a Daemon materialised... bloody and battered from a battle long past. To the creature it seemed only like yesterday, for only mere hours had passed in relation to the beast, while he had lurked within the Warp...

It bellowed in agony, unleashing an ungodly roar... the Chaotic creature dragged it's ruined body upright and examined it's wings. They were torn and burnt from his battle atop the citadel.

Arrius the Great. Brought so low. He scanned the Warp for his master but could not find him... no trace nor aftermath of his form... Syrath's presence was gone...

The Daemon Prince roared in dismay once more...

"I will gather those loyal... I will find him! I WILL REGAIN MY GLORY!" Arrius proclaimed aloud, directing it towards the Chaos Gods themselves

The sudden burst of warp energy was felt by Argylle thanks to the daemon in his blade being sated on the blood of the enemies of his god. At full strength again, it noted and relayed the blast psychically, causing Argylle to pause in mid air, hovering on his multicoloured wings.

[My lord?] an accompanying Raptor queried.
Argylle sent the location of the disturbance to the champion of his Raptor team. [Send Raptor team three to this location] he commanded. If it is a gift from Slaanesh, it will be glad of a guide towards our enemies. If not... well, I'm sure it would like a swift return home.]

Helmian sinks back into his restraints, visibly relieved.
{Understood Shas'o, I will take your avice under advisement, you should know that I am not like many of my brothers and am often described as extremely Liberal. I have no quarrel with your kind, lets be honest, our two races would work better paired than at war. But enough of this, we have a war to fight.}

just then a solid mesasge came through and Helmian listened intently
{Inquisitor Gausse, this is techpriest Jiahovah. We have unvieled the purpose of the artifact it houses a key of great power that can be used to open the way to the titan, we reccommend destorying it immediatly}

Helmian grins and opens a multi wavelength channel that connects him to both Greystone and the Amoneo obscurum.
{Greystone I am ordering you to withdraw, I have been informed that there is a key that would be better off in shards inside that artifact, as soon as you are out give a vox tap and the Amoneo Obscurum will open fire on the Artifacts location. Make all haste, I do not know how much time we have.}

As Kais speeds towards the planet below in his personal aircraft, which he recognised as being the same design as the silver shark. As soon as he thought that, memories flood back to him of the times before. Of the war.

They are shaken away by the reply from the High Inquisitor Helmian Guasse coming in clearly through his helmet.
He sent an automated message of acknowledgement back to the Inquisitor, before he hears somebody calling for him in the cockpit.

Kais gets up, and walks past his elite guard, who are shown to be hghly anticipating the upcoming battles with glee. Just like they had been trained.

"Shas'O," the pilot says. "We are almost at the site the treasure you showed us will be found. But there are a few Daemons on the ground. Just expect a very short battle, sir."

A blast downed the shuttle, two Chaos Space Marines watched as the craft crashed into the surface of the planet. They quickly moved to see if they had downed the true quarry, but were disappointed when they saw the symbols of the Tau Empire. One of them quickly contacted their leader;

["Lord X'carhis,we have downed a Tau ship. The true quarry has made its way off-world, should we destroy the ship?"]

[No....Return to base....leave the scum to the mutants.....deal with them....we are currently at the Titan site and preparing the key....do not....allow them to follow.]

The Chaos marines quickly moved away from the burning wreck, quickly moving to cover.


Greystone is growls but quickly rallies the troops to begin moving out of the temple, annoyed he could not stop the Chaos Lord but pressed on until the Imperial forces were returning to the surface but across the Vox-System a hideous and far to familiar voice appeared;

"Oh hello Imperials. Just me checking in on your current failures!

It seems due to Inquisitor Helmians arrogance, I've been able to gain the titan key with so little interference, your all so very kind. Now, what do you think I'm planning now you ask? Not much. Just killing billions in the name of the Chaos Gods."


Coraks and the 1st War-Legions few remaining members had remained on this barren hell hole for 12 years, little remained of thee 1st War-Legion but they new their lord would return and the site of a fellow warrior of Syrath meant great things indeed. Coraks snarled as he saw Arrius and raised his hand to stop the advance of his troops;

"Excellent......."


The Emperors Children had seen the massed bombardment of the temple, they had watched as the temple was reduced to ash but also saw the arriving Tau forces. Such warriors would no be prepared for a quick and decisive strike....

"Where is he!?" Arrius shouted at his fellow Daemon Prince "WHERE IS OUR MASTER!? CORAKS!"

"I have not been gone long... he was there atop the Citadel... just before I was dragged back into the Warp..." he trailed off... as he was unsure of what the date was...

"Lord Syrath is dead Arrius......for 13 years he has been gone and the Warriors of Syrath......are splintered...we are the guardians of this world and will defend it. It is our masters grave, we should see it, he is buried near the downed Titan. Under it precisely."

"We shall not let his grave be defiled!" Arrius pronounced

"Gather what forces remain... we will crush all who stand in our way!" the Daemon magnanimously exclaimed, "We shall take the Titan for the Glory of Syrath!"

I have a big post to do here, please dont advance before I post it

Tyranic Marta wrote:I have a big post to do here, please dont advance before I post it

OK, I'll post after you do so.

Helmian curses heavily as the vox message comes through and without a second thought grabs his sword and snaps it to his back mag lock whilst leaping out of the Stormraven. The drop ship was just shy of one hundred and fifty meters up but the trip was only about five seconds long. The rapid descent sent shudders through his armour and his sword rattled violently but Helmian wasn’t worried, it would stay there, Helmian had done this maneuver several times in his service to the empire.

His arms were held tightly against his body; both legs slightly bent one below the other. He was tightly controlling this freefall and for good reason. The five second drop would destroy him if he didn’t get this right. The guardsmen around the land point got out of the way hastily and the solid ceramite below him cracked audibly as he landed, but Helmian was practiced in this and it appeared that he was simply leaping of the top of a tank, a tiny twitch of his knees and then he was rocketing forwards his titanic thighs pumping swiftly beneath him. Greystone saw him coming and turned hastily to keep up with Helmian. Gausse muttering as he passed.
”There’s been a change of plans”

Gausse could not be stopped easily, his body now had the approximate inertia of a land raider at full throttle, there was little that could get in his way and survive, and less that would voluntarily be there, fully armoured dreadnoughts perhaps. His sword was of the mag lock and in his hand as he moved through the Artifact, a strange level of grace coming from his movements. Three Khornate champions charged towards him but he bunched his knees beneath him and pushed off, the graceful arc of his body as it flicked through the air was lost on the champions as he passed overhead, none of his momentum lost. He charged wantonly through the Artifact until he reached its core. The footsteps of chaos warriors hot on his heels he looked around the room. An empty plinth sat weary and empty. Helmian sank to his knees, his blade clanking as it hit the ground.
”What have I done?”

He was like that when ten chaos marines charged into the room. He was up and moving without a second thought, his body moving like a battering ram to punch the chest of the closest marine, his fist punched through the armour and into the warrior’s chest and his hand opened and closed inside the traitor and then withdrew with a sickening crunch. A still beating heart clutched in his fist. His other hand came up and the inferno pistol there unleashed a stream of liquid promethium and destabiliser particles into the wound. The sight was sickening as the traitor’s insides melted but left his armour intact but Helmian was already moving, his hand slamming under the chin of the closest traitor, whose neck snapped backwards and his head spiraled off of the broad shoulders.

Helmian dipped to the ground under the swing of a combat blade and then went upwards explosively his blade clutched in his fist once more. The tip of the blade hammered into the rib armour of the marine and impaled him to the hilt on the crackling force field of the consecrated weapon. The traitor’s blood hissed down the edge of the blade as Helmian wrenched it free. Gausse’s boot slammed into the dead traitor’s chest slamming him backwards into his brothers. Helmian used the brief lull to organize himself. But that lull wasn’t long. The chaos marines charged again but Helmian was ready for them, three fell to quick brutal slashes, another to a short burst of the inferno pistol. The final three marines were wary of him but nothing they could have done now could have saved them, and Helmian’s final swings were brutal and efficient downing them without second thought. Just as the last traitor fell Greystone entered the room, his breath heavy and short from heavy fighting and Vic was slamming another clip into his weapon. Gausse turned to the door and shouldered past Greystone, turning at the exit.
”I make no claim to having known this would happen, but I warned you that if your arguing with me delayed us from getting the artifact then I would have you executed, I follow up on what I say, I will personally escort you back to the Amoneo Obscurum for imprisonment and on expectation of death. Please, don’t make this any harder than it has to be. You have caused a great tragedy here that I will be hard pressed to fix, please hand over your weapon.”

Inside the burning wreck of the Tau dropship, Kais and his guard lay in wait.
Kais had listened to the Chaos Marines talking outside, and had motioned for his guard to stay back, not allowing them to be seen by the Chaos scum.

When he heard them walking away, he quickly walked towards the cockpit to check if the pilot was still alive. There was no pulse. He was surely dead. He closed the deal pilots eyes in respect, and offered a silent prayer for him.

He came back to his awaiting Elite guard, who we're battered and bruised, but weren't making a fuss about it.. He held up his hand, and counted down on his fingers, readying his rail rifle in the other, making sure his mind was clear.

3,2,1.

"Lets go."

The burned temple... the titan... the warp disturbance... the tau. The entire battle was playing out in strange and wonderful ways, so unexpected that even Argylle's augmented mind had to work to keep up.

[It's a daemon prince, my lord, what should we do?] came the voice of his raptor captain.
[See what he wants. There could be a powerful ally here.] Argylle ordered.

The burning of the temple would have to be avenged, he decided, but the wrecked Tau ship posed the possibility of reinforcements for the Xenos if they weren't dealt with quickly and efficiently. A quick bark of orders to his followers sent a well used plan into action.

The air around the dropship rippled and distorted with blasts of sound. Whether or not everything was dead within five minutes, he and his raptors would drop from the skies onto their foes, either to finish off the dazed survivors or find the reason for their presence. Argylle preferred the first option.

OOC: I'm going to wait for blood reaper before I decide to help you or not. Arrius could do with some decent allies, as his current ones are a bit depleted in number.

OOC:

Wait, Durza, are you are taking my guys who are down?

OOC: I figured you'd be long gone before the shots started, so it's basically just blowing up a dead horse with sound.

"You dare, you arrogant sorry fool!"

Greystone pushes the Inquisitor and pulls up his shot-gun, he points it towards the Inquisitor and aims at the fools head;

"You think this is my fault? You are blaming me for the faults of your petty life, get it into your thick head. You were told to go into the Eye of Terror you Muppet, we aren't leaving. This is a suicide mission, so taunt all you want because we will die in the end, we will indeed. So shut up and prepare for the end matey, do it now."

Greystone walks away and loads his shot-gun and orders several Storm-Troopers to board Valkyries.



Shas'O and his few remaining Warriors look up at the skies, foul black shapes that glitter with strange auras and colours look down and aim. Several of the Fire-Warriors are sent flying and are killed as their organs and bones break and crack but Shas and two others remain....


Coraks smiles, while most of his face was covered by a helm Arrius could tell the Warrior of Syrath would enjoy murdering the fallen Saints foes, then in Arriuses head a foul and most sinister voice appeared;

"Arrius.......come......to.........me......"

Helmian doesnt even flinch but instead grabs Greystone by the back of the head and slams his Glaive through the mans rear armour severing the spine and puncturing a heart.

Into Greystones ear he whispers
"By my right of office I administer the Emperors peace....."

Greystone dodges the attack and fires his shot-gun rapidly at Helmian and laughs, he brings up another pistol and fires at the Inquisitors head forcing him to duck. Greystone then aims his shot-gun at Helmian again;

"Come on lad, you can't keep this petty grudge up forever know can you?"

Vic looked on from afar, seeing his master quarrelling with the Inquisitor. At first it seemed like an ordinary argument, presumably about tactics or ethics. Two subjects on which Vic he had no right to contribute his opinion. He brought his focus back to the enemy forces which were amassing from afar. However, the argument stayed at the back of his mind.

He turned to face Gausse once more. What he saw horrified him. He saw that Greystone had pulled a gun on his master and he physically felt sick. It seemed, without a doubt, that Greystone was a traitor. Aiming a gun at a devout agent of the Emperor.

He took the Bolt Pistol from his belt and affixed the scope, which he had been using to view the heretic forces.

Without thinking, he charged straight towards the duo, as he saw Helmian attempt to strike Greystone.

He yelled righteously, "For the Emperor! For His Judgement will be Swift" before planting two Bolter shells right into Greystone's knee caps.

"Are you all twits? Really? Why would the Inquisition send you here? Do you think you can survive this place?"

Greystone falls panting but grabs his Shot-Gun and aims it at Vic;

"Come on!"

"I will not kill you for you saved my life. Sir!" Vic plainly said, "The Emperor is merciful and I must be to, so I will grant you life."

Vic draws his Laspistol as well, firmly aiming it at Gausse's head. While still keeping his hand steadily on the trigger of his Bolt Pistol.

"This man has committed no visible crime. I can not let you kill him, without performing a thorough interrogation." the Colonel piously exclaimed "For the God-Emperor, and his Devout Agents must show Judgement!"

"At least someone has some sanity here, Stormtroopers. Remove this filth from my....sight......."

Greystone falls back, his strength sapped for now while Stormtroopers surround and take aim at Gausse. None object to the Inquisitors orders and begin to take aim at the Inquisitors head, all obviously loyal to Greystone.

Vic is disgusted by the cowardly actions of Greystone and slips a stun grenade off of his belt.

"Be reasonable Inquisitor! For thine Emperor is Just and you clearly are not! You both must face the consequences of your actions," the Colonel exclaims "I will not let my master come to harm, for I swore fealty to him!"

Victorus surreptitiously rolled the grenade to the position of the Stormtroopers. To his delight it detonated right on time, as he sprinted towards Gausse.

"I believe we have out stayed our welcome, Helmian. Perhaps we should just leave the Traitor here to die?" Vic quickly said to him during the confusion.

"He is my quarry!"

X'carhis moves towards the two firing a twin-linked Bolter rapidly at the two who duck for cover, the Chaos lord drops the weapon and pulls out a power sword that is seething with Daemonic energies. He uses his power fist to crush a Stormtrooper and looks over to a broken Greystone who lies bleeding, the Chaos lord laughs and then turns to the two humans and smirks behind his helm;

"While dissipointed by the lack of sport in this broken wreck but you may prove to be some entertainment, you. Skinny one, I must see if that Sorcerers predictions were true. Come over here now! And leave the failure, also thank you Helmian. You have helped my cause greatly by removing Greystone just in time for my troops to retrieve the key and kill him before he could try and hunt me down."

Ok reaper I have to ask a question of you. Do you want me to go renegade,? cause I will dont think I wont, and then NO one will be able to withstand the wrath of the Amoneo obscurum and her warriors.

oh and final point of note, there are no troops loyal to Greystone on the planet, all of the troops came from the Amoneo obscurum and of course the retinue of Gausse himself.

So ah.. you may want to redo a post or two