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As the ship is drawn up into the larger vessel, Thade and Pask began searching the roof of the cabin with their eyes as if trying to listen to the creaks of the capturing beam.

"That cannot be a good sound." Thade said ominously, grabbing a hold of his bolt pistol.

"Too right sir." Pask said preparing his hellgun.

The cabin shook as the valkyrie was pulled into the hangar of the larger vessel. Thade felt his pulse quicken and adrenaline pour into his system as the old combat rush returned to him and he enjoyed every second of it. With the last shudder, loud clanking footsteps were heard outside of the cabin and just before the cabin opened, Thade and Pask pointed their weapons at the door. The figures ripped open the cabin and fumes vent in. Thade instinctively holds his breath, shoots off a couple of rounds to ward off the intruders, and grabs a rebreather mask. Pask already had his black mask and helmet on and so didn't flinch sending a plume of las shot at the figures and causing them to scatter. As Thade stood back up, a returning shot hit one of the men they had picked up in the head and dropped him instantly. Thade pulled out his chainsword and breathed through the mask deeply.

"Forward, we have to get out of this trap!" He yelled and Pask was the first one out, rolling forwards and sending hellrounds at the advancing dark figures. Thade pounded out of the ripped open door and surveyed the scene, more dark figures were beginning to pour into the chamber. Thade rolled behind a crate and raised his bolt pistol deftly, the action fluid after years of training and battle. He shot two bolts that smacked into a Dark Eldar warrior and catapulted him backwards into a pool of his own blood. Thade emptied the rest of the clip at a Chaos marine who was winged but angrily returned fire with his bolter causing Thade to jumped back as wood chips flew apart from the crate.

"Pask, grenade!" Thade yelled from behind his cover as he reloaded.

"Right sir!" Pask yelled back as he peeked around his cover and shot a grenade at a group of dark figures that flew through the air with the explosion. Thade used the moment to lean out of his cover again and put a bolt into the helmet of a chaos marine. He went back into cover as fire pelted his way.

"Enemies of the Imperium! Know that your trespass has bought you your deaths today!" Thade shouted as the room became quiet all of the sudden. Thade and Pask waited for a reply or a way out of the situation.

Sorry for not posting at all, I'll try and get one up later today...

Slow and sinister clapping echoed throughout the room as a Dark Eldar Archon emerged from a hanger door way, he wore a set of extranvigent armour and a aura of fear and power surrounded him. He moved towards the Imperials and chuckled;

"Welcome humans, to the Shadow of Intent. I see you bear the Mark of the Imperiums Inquisition."

The Chaos marines began to raise their weapons but the Archon raised his hand, they lowered them quickly;

"That is not how we treat guests, but if you come to destroy us we will crush you like vermin but tell us what is your own intent?"

OOC: Warork, you are allowed to reference my characters and include them in dialogue if you like.

Victorus and the rest of his squad quickly followed the Commissar (along with his aide) out of the Valkyrie. The Inquisitorial Stormtroopers taking up defensive positions to cover their brazen moves, while the Captain lunged forwards to strike the nearest enemy. Vic's Power Sabre finally hummed into life, just after he had smacked it's un-powered blade against the armour of a Dark Eldar warrior.

When he turned to strike the twisted Xenos once more he started to see that it had been blasted across the room, and that Thade had been responsible for the shot. Soon after this, Vic was then forced to duck, as a grenade was thrown by Corporal Pask. As the smoke settled, Vic could see what he assumed was the body of an Astartes, clearly immobile.

Triumphantly the Commissar bellowed zealous words of defiance at the heretic forces.

A contemptuous applause then echoed throughout the hangar. Vic quickly moved to face it's source, seeing what he assumed was the Xenos' leader. It had a horrific and villainous exterior, which Vic deduced probably reflected the personality of the fiend.

For some reason the oddly dressed creature then questioned why we had come aboard and what the intent of the Inquisitorial Squad was. A bit odd, considering it was them who had captured the Valkyrie.

/Transmission from Chaos Lord of Apdetus Astartes legion Word Bearers/ 1300 hours

[i][...Lord....our forces have made progress in the removal.....of World Eaters....but have found Alpha Legion troops.....also Emperors Children Noise Marines calling themselves the Angels of Perfection....have moved forward and have begun....bombing of our armoured column.]

[Then reduce them to...ash!....I am tired of these irritations....I have heard that Greystone has been captured....is it true?!]

[I believe so....and the Second Apostle is.....dead my l...]

[I know...I enjoyed every moment of his pain...now deploy forces to....remove the Imperials at once..]

Transmission ended

(OOC) I'll wait till WARKORK's returned

Thade casually but firmly held his bolt pistol in one hand and pointed it at the Archon's head as it entered. To his side, Pask aimed his hellgun at the general direction of their enemies. Thade did a quick scan of the room, the men Greystone had picked up had at least set up a loose semi circle perimeter around the valkyrie. He didn't spot Inquisitor Greystone around him but assumed the man was somewhere behind him. Thade looked back at the Archon as he finished speaking. Thade scowled at the disgusting thing.

"First of all, xenos, let me make it clear that I have no obligations to tell you anything. Second of all, why in the name of he who sits on the throne are you asking me what our intentions are!? Your fighters chased us here, your ship captured us, your crew tried to kill us, we have no intentions here, you do you damned scum." Thade said simply, never lowering his bolt pistol from its aim at the Archon's skull. Thade held his chainsword in his other hand but hadn't activated it yet, he was certain that this was about to come to it though, so he kept his finger over the trigger.

"Your weapon cannot harm me, and you best realise I had no intention of killing you. Capturing and questioning was the agenda expect for my troops made the mistake of attacking you, and I hear Greystone my old friend is hear?"

Greystone emerges from the crowd of Imperials and shakes the hand of the Xenos, he smiles and raises his hand to his men

"This ones an old friend troops, he means us no harm. Just tell however ordered the firing to bow before the Commissar and count to three."

"My apologies, I had no idea that you where hear. What brings you to this barren wasteland?"

RP:

NO...

... impossible...

... I'm alive?

On the dark surface of the eye of Chaos, on a dusty broken arena, a hand rose from the rubble. He then came forth, a gladiator, bearing the bandages of his previous wounds, and wearing the leg armour of a simple Fire Warrior.

He was Kais. He was the general.

Your part is not yet played...

"Wha... what now...?" is all he could manage to say

You are...useful...but require....more power.....freedom....seek me out

The ghastly, soulless voice echos thorough the Tau's skull....

"Leave this realm of the anathema... " the whisper trailed off...

Kais pushed forward with all of his strength, but fell to his knees, all the energy trailing away from him.

"I will help you... this once..."

Simply put, he vanished.

GS decides what happens next, he is /censored/ after all.

A voice... reassuring and familiar. Kais could hear it was a fellow Tau's. It couldn't be, the Shas'O thought. A horrific wasteland... an arena of death... the anathema... such vague yet poignant memories... he was sure. Certain. That was where he had just been.

Shas'O Kais opened his eyes. It was bright. The location felt warming. He could see a kind looking Fire Caste member looking over him.

"Rest, dear. You have been through so much. Brave hero of our people..." the female Shas'Ui spoke gently, while stroking his head

All of a sudden doubt consumed his thoughts. Those horrific memories seemed so distant... so unreal... nightmarish... dream like... It must have been a dream he thought.

The Tau looked down at his arm. There was a set of tags which bore a name so familar to him. Yet... he could not remember whom it belonged to... "Shas'O Kais" it clearly read.

"Who am I! I demand to know who I am!" he suddenly bellowed

And then another familiar voice whispered... this time solely in his head "You are my Emmisary... You are destined for greater things... "

41.381.8.15
Helmian watches the marines retreat with a mixture of disgust and apathy. They were cowards that is all there is to it. He looked down at the lascannon and bent down to heft it up in his massive gauntleted hand.
"It is tainted.... But I shall take it with me nonetheless, this weapon shall be a valuable addition to the inquisition."
He waves behind him and the rhino rumbles closer. When the tank hatch opens he gets in without comment to general respect from the three guardsmen in the hull.

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The tank had made its way west along the equator back to the Stormraven. By and by large the mission was a success. They had disturbed the peace down on the planet and by the looks of it had destroyed a minor chaos lord. Helmian was rather proud of the fact none of them had died. But more pressing matters had to be attended to. If inquisitor Greystone was MIA then it was up to Helmian to find him. The stormravens flight back to the Amoneo Obscurum was short and uneventful, the pirates still staying well away from the inquisition vessels.

As the Stormraven docked Helmian made sure that the Fist of Gausse was ready to move out at a moments notice, they would be going after the Inquisitor and there were no two ways about it. The Rhino was brought out and the pintle mount made ready for the lascannon and a fast ammo feed for quick reloading, its bits and bumps were also seen to. While this was happening Helmian passed the lascannon on to the care of the ecclesiarchy to be blessed and purified, they took the weapon with glee looking forwards to adding anouther weapon to the inquisition, and the redemption of something of chaos, even if it was only a weapon. Helmian himself went to the command centre calmly demanding to be told the whereabouts of Greystone.

Gausee approached Marbles, a small and quite but happy Imperial servant. While he appeared weak and timid he was a veteran of many campaigns and crusades, he even carried around the burnt out soul stone
of a long dead creature. Forgotten in the mists of time...

"Ah Gausee, we have news of Greystone. A Dark Eldar ship named the Shadow of Intent had apparently taken him hostage and we nearly sent the fleet to get him back, turns out he and the Archon of the ship are old friends! He's happy for you to meet this old friend of his as well. Jolly good indeed."

(two ss's one e)

41.381.8.15 Personal Log of Inquisitor Helmian Gausse
Aboard the Amoneo Obscurum subsector 11.9.Alpha

Inquisitor Greystone nearly was taken from us today. Hoever I was surprised to find that he was simply met by a Dark Eldar... Friend of his, perhaps the same one we met out in the ghost stars. regardless I simply hope that Greystone gives warning of such a venture in future it could jeapordise missions that do not need to be jeapordised. I will go to the ship and meet him and ask him as such. Emperor willing he will remember that not all of us are as popular as he is.

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The stormraven as readied and the four of them, Helmian and his three Stormtroopers, made thier way to the vessel in question. It was not a long flight, apparently the ship was part of the blockade around the planet and the Amoneo Obscurum had made quick time in getting close. A simple vox declaration of peace had prevented a fight niether side wanted and the ship had coasted in close to the Dark Eldars ship and Helmian had flown across the gap with his retinue in the Emporio deus The flight was a quick one and soon Helmian was disembarking with his glaive in hand, he had seen the Renegade chaos marines and was in full preparation for a fight however they stood down and he saw a tall villanously clad Dark eldar stridingtowards him with a grim smile.
"I welcome you to the Shadow of intent, your fellow Inquisitional's are just this way, please, follow me."
Helmian followed cautiously leaving hi sretinue with the Stromraven, if things went pear shaped he wanted an exit.

He was soon ushered into anouther hangar where Greystone was standing, Greystone had apparently been informed of his arrival and met him with a raised hand, which Helmian took and shook.
"Sorry old friend, I hadnt planned on this little visit, but here we are. It is good to see you are in one peice, I take it the mission went well?"
Helmian looked around and spotted the commissar. He oticed the hostile attitude, there had been fighting, at the moment he wasnt sure how much to trust the Inquisitor infront of him... this was radical, even for Greystone.
"Very well Inquisitor, very well indeed, we managed to at least dent thier prie, but perhaps more, I am uncertain. I shall give you the full details when we are back on Inquisition turf. I see that you have aquired a Commissar. I would meet him as soon as plausible. He would be a valuable addition to my staff."

"My friend Archon Herkoi is willing to assist us, and I here you encountered a group of Chaos Marines? Of what legion, and leader? I must know, I have a bad feeling that another older friend lurks here. A very old friend indeed."

Greystone seems vaguely worried but keeps up his confident appearance and smiles, he nods to a Renegade Marine who leaves the hanger while the Archon remains.

Helmian nods but doesnt otherwise answer, something was seriously odd here, he strode over to the Commissar and the other guardsmen present.
"I am Inquisitor Lord Helmian Gausse, my flagship the Amoneo Obscurum is currently next to this vessel. You will all be leaving with me and departing for my flagship and I will be your direct superior for the remainder of your stay in this subsector and potentially this Inquisition. Any questions?"

Marbles rushed into the room carrying a large Vox-receiver and carefully maneuvered round the ships hulking and tall crew, he ran into the hanger where Gauess and Stone where located and set down the massive vox--recevier and saluted the two before returning to the device;

"Incoming transmission sirs! Unknown channel so I'll 'ave to adjust the settings just a tiny wee bit.....ah here we go!"

The small man activated the device which created a massive red glowing image of X'csrhais, Marbles jumped back and screamed before returning to his upright position.


/"I am Chaos Lord X'chrsis of the Word Bearers Legion, you lick-spittle prove even more foolish than before. I will enjoy grind your bones to dust and drink your blood, you are nothing and fight for a dead cause and do not believe I have forgotten you Greystone. I will be seeing you shortly! Ha ha ha...."/

The Image dissipated, while the device short circuited.

(need to wait for Warork and lord of change to post)

"Lord Inquisitor of his Glorious Inquisition, I am Captain Victorus Elixan, loyal servant of the God-Emperor," Vic eloquently spoke, while bowing to the Inquisitorial official, "I pledge the support of myself and my men to your cause."

The other members of of Vic's squad bow down as a sign of respect, after observing their superior officer's declaration of loyalty to Lord Inquisitor Helmian Gausse.

Thade felt his hands tighten, this entire situation was confusing to say the least. First they were attacked and now Greystone was saying they were allies? Thade had heard of the radicalness of some Inquisitors but allying with xenos and renegades? This was so far from what Thade was used to that he had to fight the urge to pull the trigger on his bolter and instead forced his arm to holster both his weapons. Pask followed suit, Thade was sure the man didn't like this just as much as he himself did not, but the Kasrkin's loyalty to Thade was unquestioned. Slowly, Thade felt the tensity filter out of the room as most of the xenos and renegades left with their wounded or dead. Thade was silent while Greystone and the Archon spoke, he looked to the men they had picked up on the ship earlier and knew that they too were filled with a sense of unease...

Thade examined the scene, something definitely was not right about this Greystone.

A few minutes later, another Inquisitor, this one seemed to be Greystone's superior, arrived via a stormraven and presented himself to the congregation. When Lord Inquisitor Helmian spoke of him, Thade cam forwards and came to attention with Pask by his side.

"Colonel Commissar Edric Thade at your service Lord, I have come to serve the Emperor and if you wish me to do so by your side then that is what I will do." Thade said sternly and was surprised to realize he meant it.

Greystone had been a shifty character, this was one of the first times he'd seen him outside of his dark private quarters and it seemed he kept friends in low places, Thade's level of mistrust with Greystone grew every moment he was near him but this Helmian was a bit different Thade could tell, whether that was a good thing or not would be revealed in time.

"This is my aide Corporal Pask, both of us would be proud to serve the Holy Inquisition further." Thade finished with the sign of the aquila. After he was done speaking he threw Greystone and his "friend" a disapproving glance but only for a moment, if he had time he would confess his misgivings about Greystone but now was not the time.

No reactions to the Chaos lord? I believe most of Imperials would....

The dark red image of the Chaos lord began to re-form, he shines and flickers and stares down at the imperials with dark, vile burning eyes that steam from his helm. He laughs and raises his blade to a captured Storm trooper who squrms and cowers in utter fear, the Lord cackles and de-capitates him with black glee;

"Is this the muck, the waste, flesh, bags of blood you send me? You have to be joking, they cower and beg for mercy at my hands and lack any proper skill, if this is your finest group of warriors I will find it enjoyable to rip you limb from limb as you beg for mercy! My powers are unopposed by you fouls!"

The image fades away.....

blood reaper wrote:No reactions to the Chaos lord? I believe most of Imperials would....

I'm sure there will be some official reaction...but yelling at a transmission with stuff like "You think so? I shall smite you in the name of the Emperor!" and the other guy coming back with "you worship a corpse god!" back and forth yields no production, I'll wait until we're face to face to say something but until then understand that Thade just watches the transmissions with the same amount of hate he approaches all traitors with and relishes the chance to kill the chaos lord but keeps his air of professional soldiering in check...

And I'll make more live executions, oh this will be fun.

Helmian had, had his misgivings about this Inquisition from the beginning, it was too far from the beaten track. But he also saw the need for it. The titan on that planet could not be allowed to continue to exist. Helmian found Greystone's need to fraternise with the Archon strangely familiar but he couldnt place the feeling. Regardless he now had several new worthy men to add to his direct retinue. He looked over the commissar and his aide. They looked sturdy enough and the Aide had cleary been by his master's side for some time, The captain and his men also appeared to be worthy of the Stormtrooper rank. Helmian was pleased with his "Find".
"As of right now you, all of you, are men of the inquisition for the planet below us, (I can never remember the name) you will, one and all be given the badge of office pertaining to that cause, I thank you for your loyalty, the Emperor's holy spirit follows us in this task and he approves of your faith. Come, we have much to do. Firstly we must get off this ship. There is room for you all in my storm raven. Commissar, walk with me.
The small group move back towards the Storm Raven, Helmian's helmet dias having recorded the route that he took through the ship not moments before. Helmian only has a stiff salute to give to Inquisitor Greystone before they leave. And a equally stiff warning.
"Do not forgo your faith Inquisitor."
This Inquisitor's warning was a standard one to mean in pleasant terms that the actions of the Inquisitor in question were being watched, for furthur misdemeanour. Helmian knew he had to do something about this but at the moment he was sure what. He stroked the cheek of his Cyber familiar a couple of times to calm himself down as the Commissar came abreast of him.
"Commissar Thade. I would know your thoughts on the esteemed Inquisitor Greystone's actions, and I would hear of them from the moment you entered his company. What has he been up to? I fear for the Inquisitor's faith and I need to be sure of my fears before I can act on them. As Greystone's superior I assure you that no harm will come to you if oyu speak and you have the Emperor's blessing to speak freely."

Greystone moved over to Guasee and smiled weakly, doubt very obvious in his eyes and he was shaking;

"My friend, this Chaos lord who has contacted us is a very serious threat. We must act quickly to silence him before he becomes more of a threat, he's proved himself past his expectations and I should know. He was my student, my greatest student. Now we should move, I fear that the trendils of the Alpha Legion lie within this place."

The doorways open, Chaos marines moving through them along with Dark Eldar pirates and the Archon who carries twin blades;

"It's sad to say that friendships don't last forever my old friend, I hope you don't feel to much pain. Kill them all, leave nothing."

Helmain hears the fright in Greystones voice but stays firm as he moves down the corridor but when the Archon appears he reacts instantly his Infernus pistol firing at the Archon as even he han hear the sounds of his allies firing weapons all around him, Gausse's Blade is also in his hand ready to be wielded.

OOC: Who said the last line, just so I'm sure?