Crusade of Fury. (insert your forces into the crusade, for or against)

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**jhe90**

The warp rift was closed or was it?

Spectral forms stalked near, some dismissed them as ghosts of energy left over, others a portent of woe and death.

Somthing looked upon the breach, deep in the warp they moved, the gargoyles some called them, natural warp predators unaligned too any God, taking advantage of new relms to harvest.

More chaos, some different beasts if you like. Can take on many forms as well chaos, numbers are flexible. Abilities and strength variable. Perfect counter character for a minor battle or two

**War Kitten**

I go away for a day and there's 3 pages of epic fluff? Now I feel terrible for being so bad at writing it. Probably need to figure out how my lads did

**Ezra Tyrius**

Don't feel bad, it could be worse.

You heard of the Death Ravens any time lately?

Yeah, me neither.

(I really should give those guys more attention, especially since they're supposed to be my main army lol)

**Sgt_Smudge**

Ezra Tyrius wrote:
Don't feel bad, it could be worse.

You heard of the Death Ravens any time lately?

Yeah, me neither.

(I really should give those guys more attention, especially since they're supposed to be my main army lol)

The Remnants are so much cooler, to be honest!
But, then again, Death Ravens haven't had much of the spotlight at all yet.

**Ezra Tyrius**

I do feel rather terrible about neglecting them so much, because this is the second time the Remnants steal all their attention; first in my painting blogs and now in even in the fluff!

**Sgt_Smudge**

Ezra Tyrius wrote:
I do feel rather terrible about neglecting them so much, because this is the second time the Remnants steal all their attention; first in my painting blogs and now in even in the fluff!

Are you sure the Remnants aren't the Blood Ravens?

**chazz huggins**

The night before the assault of hive Hasselgrave.

The Faustian companies were entrenched 10 miles away from the hive city. Despite the horde of clanking destroyers, the men were mostly in good spirits. None more so than Captain Tom Reiner of the 9th. Tom sat at a table raising a mug of cheap beer over his head singing drinking songs with his officers. “Oh you’ve heard about Cadians with their las guns and their Spears, about them Tallaran Raiders the heroes of recent Years, also I might mention the ogryn Grenadiers but none of them were in it like the Faustian Fusiliers.” The men were eager, they had spent too much time on Trissburge fending off pathetic ork raids. The morning would bring a real fight.

Sheppard was only passing by when Reiner saw him, “Lord Commissar come have a drink with me and the boys.” Not going anywhere important Sheppard decided to partake. The lesser officers grew nervous and silent as Sheppard took a seat. Tom smiled and spoke over his shoulder “Private Kariss fetch the commissar a mug, none of that fething cheap stuff.” The private spoke respectfully “Aye sir”. Sheppard, felt the men become uncomfortable each worried they had drank too much and that the commissar would execute them for insubordination. The fear became too much to bear for Lieutenant Commander Frey who stood up and said “I really should be going now sir.” Sheppard smiled “Nonsense I just got here lieutenant sit, one more round couldn’t hurt.” The man quickly sat down and forced a smile “I suppose it couldn’t my lord.” Reiner released a hardy laugh deep from his gut. The private returned with Shepard’s now full mug. Tom raised his half empty tankard and spoke “To the Nova Marines, may they lead us to honor and glory.” Sheppard clanked his mug and than drank. With a sigh of refreshment Shepard asked “You seem in particularly high spirits Captain Reiner.” Tom smiled “Of course I am, even if we died tomorrow the story of Gallor Prime will live on. Think about it when else in imperial history have we such diversity, we have seven different chapters of space marines planet side, A legion of Titans and Imperial knights, hundreds of regiments of guardsmen from dozens of worlds, and whatever else the inquisition won’t tell us about. You must admit it that is impressive whether or not we are successful, what happens here is fething history, and I’m just glad to be part of it.” Sheppard was pleased by Tom’s pleasant attitude he felt it rub off on him a bit. Shepard finished his mug and stood “I have some business to attend to, you men be sure to not get too drunk, I’ll need you sharp in the morning.” Tom laughed “Takes more than this piss water to get me drunk, my lord.”

Sheppard wandered the camps, looking over fortification, chatting with various officers. Sheppard took time to introduced himself to the newly appointed company commanders for Trissburge regiments. First he met Captain Ivan Sandov of the Brown Coats. Ivan’s gothic is rough to say the least, but it is comprehendible. Ivan like the rest of his men was tall and bearded, he was half a head taller than the commissar. What interested Sheppard the most was he learned that Ivan and all his men spoke ork, they were rather fluent in it after centuries of fighting the creatures. Than Sheppard met Captain Armando Rey of the Regulators. Apparently before his enlistment Armando was an Arbitrator, he still had the same sense of professionalism about him, the man even wore his helmet instead of the standard flakk armor helm. Lastly there was Augustus Samson. There were few who leapt at the opportunity to command of the Meat Brigade, but Augustus Samson saw conscripts and decided to make conscriptaid. Samson was once head of a notorious hive gang known as the 19th level reds, after the hive level his gang was founded on. He appointed all his ganger scum lieutenants to commanders, they horded all the best weapons for themselves selling upgraded gear to his unfortunate men. As you can imagine Augustus and Armando were not particularly fond of each other. The night gre late and Sheppard decided to return to his tent for some sleep. As Sheppard walked along the trenches he heard a deep voice call from behind him, “Commissar Sheppard” Sheppard turned to see a blue and white armor clad marine towering over him, his face uncovered, and his head was shaven. Sheppard looked confused he spoke with a hint of curiosity in his voice “Yes?” The marine spoke bluntly “Force Commander Axton request your presence.” The proposition caught Shepard off guard he nodded and said “Lead the way.”

Sheppard entered the massive war tent of the astartes followed by the messenger, the marine spoke “The Commissar as you requested Commander.” The acting captain leaned over the desk examining a map of the battlefield. He looked up from his plans and smiled “Thank you Brother Zethos, you are dismissed.” The marine made a fist and slammed it against the chest plate of his armor, then he exited. Sheppard bowed his head and said “My lord Astartes.” Axton smiled his face still bore a great deal of youth despite centuries of warfare, his hair was short and blond. “Ahh Commissar Sheppard, please forgive me if I disturbed you, I am acting captain of Nova Marines Caleb Axton.” Sheppard was well aware of who he was, though he never met him. Sheppard was surprised by the space marine, something about him felt oddly human, perhaps it was his tone. “Not at all my lord.” “I wanted to make you a proposition, for after the battle.” Sheppard’s curiosity was peaked, Axton had the authority to command him to do anything, why would he waste time asking? The marine spoke again “On continent Theta there is a Manufactorum still lays unspoiled by orks or chaos, as I understand it you have a company under your charge that is in serious need of equipment.” Sheppard nodded “Aye the third Trisbourgan regiments, some of those men are using bows.” Axton pointed on the map of the continent and spoke “Manufactorum Osmo, should be able to produce what your men need. The only thing is my scouts report that orks approach from the west and traitors approach from the east. If we are to secure the Manufactorum we need to get there fast. As soon as the battle is done you and I will take our men to secure the weapons plant. I won’t lie to you as a rapid strike force it is likely that most the men you bring with you won’t make back.” Without hesitation Sheppard nodded his head “I would be honored my lord.”

The next day the orks fired blindly at the trench and the pinned guardsmen returned the firing randomly into the black smog clouds. Then from the clouds emerged the first of the lesser walkers, Gorkanauts, Deff Dreads, and killkans. Las guns cracked at the armor singing it, the Las cannon teams and Nova Marines’ devastators did serious damage to the clanking dreadnoughts. Than a black spire pierced the sky roaring louder than anything they ever heard. It drew the attention of the orks back to their lord of war. Captain Reiner shouted over their short range vox to Sheppard “The Feth is that?” Than the explosion hit, the entrenched guardsmen felt the gust of wind from the explosion. Sheppard laughed he couldn’t believe the madness he just witnessed. As the gust settled Sheppard yelled “Advance” and all the men climbed out of their trench and began firing at the orks as they were unsure of what to do next. As the guardsmen and Astartes charged forward the orks once strong armor seemed to become paper thin as full charged las guns now penetrated their armor. Soon all the orks were dead or fleeing back to their wrecked master. Without a boss the orks did not stand a chance.

At the heart of the wreckage was the head of the once mighty citykrusha. All was still the impact killed everything in sight, the sky was stained black matching the scorched earth below. Than the head of the metal beast shook and out came the the wounded BoomGob. The force field couldn’t rescue the gargant but it spared him from dying with the rest of his boyz. BoomGob slowly rose to his feet yanking out the the wires and machinery that connected him to the massive Gargant. He snarled and yelled at no one “Omies You Zoggin cheated, I came ere fer a proper fight and you hit me wif a zoggin Krooza.” The mek raised a middle digit to the sky, he yelled again “Zog you I spent years workin on dis and you fink dat you can kill me so easy. Your gunna pay all of you iz gonna hurt.” BoomGob altered the Gitfinda that was implanted into his skull. He set it for orks and he saw that in the distance were faint signs of friendly orks. BoomGob looked to the blackened sky and swore “Dis aint over, not by a long shot.”

Spoiler:

**Ezra Tyrius**

Sgt_Smudge wrote:
Ezra Tyrius wrote:
I do feel rather terrible about neglecting them so much, because this is the second time the Remnants steal all their attention; first in my painting blogs and now in even in the fluff!

Are you sure the Remnants aren't the Blood Ravens?

Careful now Sgt_Smudge, the Remnants are always recruiting...and they're not very picky

Spoiler:

**Sgt_Smudge**

Ezra Tyrius wrote:
Sgt_Smudge wrote:
Ezra Tyrius wrote:
I do feel rather terrible about neglecting them so much, because this is the second time the Remnants steal all their attention; first in my painting blogs and now in even in the fluff!

Are you sure the Remnants aren't the Blood Ravens?

Careful now Sgt_Smudge, the Remnants are always recruiting...and they're not very picky

Spoiler:

Oh god-emperor, I can't stop laughing!
You know, if it came down to it, Aurelius may ally out of necessity to keep his interests safe. In fact- *BLAM* No consorting with heretics!

**jhe90**

Spoiler:

Spoiler ed as it came to 5 pages on word. I struggled abit to do ultramarine's but hope i did them justice.
Biker boss is dead, it took abit of writing. hope you folks enjoy it.

points to the person who finds the movie reference.

**Tactical_Spam**

Deep in the bowels of the Warpath Crucible sat a vault, a vault with seven locks. Seven locks on the Chapter Master knew how to unlock. Seven locks forged by the Chapter Master himself. In the vault was the most volatile weapon in the Chapter Arsenal. In the vault was an Astartes.

Conrax the Forsaken, the Exile, and the Omen was not an ordinary Astartes. No, he was a psyker. The only psyker in the chapter. The psyker with uncanny foresight. The psyker that managed to bring fear to an Astartes. The psyker that harbinged doom whenever he spoke.

* * *

Seven Locks lay unlocked, their door lay wide open like a bolter wound. The Chapter Master was called here when the guards could not stand the Forsaken's screaming. Ryus looked down at the armoured Astartes kneeling, chained, to the floor. The Astartes spoke quickly and with much fear of the vision he had. He demanded the audience of the only one who would listen to him, Chapter Master Ryus.

"The land were bleeding, wounded. The heavens were raining fire... An army of darkness festered in the ground... The great ocean stirs at their arrival, releasing creatures from its depths to aide them... The heavens stopped raining... Darkness consumed them... No one is safe"

Spoiler:

**chazz huggins**

The Killing Joke

The four Valkyries zoomed quickly over continent Beta. Bellow one could clearly see the havoc the orks had brought to this wasteland. Fires burned across the small cities, trucks raced across the cracked earth, and everywhere the sound of rapid fire ork Shootas could be heard. The orks on this planet were barely organized and the leadership began deteriorating since the Imperials arrived on this planet. There were some orks who openly rebelled against their own infamous “Overfiend”, and even stranger still there were roomers of orks conspiring for the Imperials. Commissar Dorian Gavor dismissed this notion as stupid, he is quoted for having said “The Ork wants for nothing aside from more bloodshed, they can be neither reasoned with nor bought, they lack the intelligence to barter or negotiate.” Gavor had briefed his men men on the mission, with a rapid strike force consisting of some fourty men and the Nova Marine Liberian Romulus they were on the hunt for a particular Eldar the men had come to refer to as a “Death Jester.” Reports have confirmed he has killed already over a hundred guardsmen alone, though it is the reputation of the masked killer that is causing the most damage, men fear to venture out so long as the masked killer hunts them. Reports mention entire squds being fired upon out of nowhere and all they would hear is laughter all around them as they would blindly fire at nothing. The Eldar would always leave one alive so that he may spread his dreadful tale to his friends. A tactic that Gavor found annoying, killing men is one thing crippling them with fear that was in his eyes far worse. To restore sanity to the men and protect future patrols Commissar Gavor with Romulus aims to hunt this creature and kill it.

Romulus stood in the center of troop hold of the Valkyrie, his mag-lock boots making the one of the few motionless things in the in the bay. His helmet was clipped to the left side of his hip, while a sheathed force sword hung from the right. The psyker wore a cloth hood over his head that shadowed the details of his face. Romulus spoke “Commissar when we arrive at the drop zone I want you to split your men in two groups, you will lead one as will I. I want to find this foul xeno quickly less the opportunist orks decide they wish to face us today in force.” Gavor spoke but was interrupted “It will be done, my lor…” even in the steel hull of the Valkyrie the bellow could be heard “WAAAGH!”. Corporal Gaspard Vorvan shouted over the roar of the engines “Stormboys!” The Valkyrie shook viciously as the rocket propelled orks hit the the speeding jet and began beating on the thick armored plates with crude choppa weapons. One orks was equipped with a crude version of a chain sword, the sword carved through the plate of the Valkyrie and grinded downward into lieutenant Forrester’s skull, clear through his flack helmet, the blood spat onto Gaspard. Immediately after that the bay doors of the transports slid open giving the men a chance to retaliate. Gaspard began firing at the at orks beating on top of the the Valkyrie to his left, but it was to late for them. An ork smashed the glass of the cockpit open, he than grabbed the man by his throat and threw him clear of the vehicle, the ork fired three shots into the chest of the copilot. Orks fled the sinking vehicle as it plummeted out of the sky. Librarian had finished mumbling something and than a flash of green energy enveloped him, then the Valkyrie in a bubble. The orks disintegrated as the bubble touched them. Than the Libarian moved to the open door of the the Valkyrie of the, he proceeded to fire bolts of lightning from his gloved fist at the remaining orks. Soon enough the orks had decided they reeked enough havoc and fled. Commissar gavor spoke with anger “Damage report.” The pilot replied “Minor damage to Valkyries one and three, we lost Valkyrie two, with Captain Hennely.” Gavor slammed his bionic fist to the wall, Hennely was one of his best men. Gavor spoke into the com again “What’s our ETA” The pilot responded “23 minutes till arrival sir.” The marine spoke “Emperor willing the rest of our trip will be calm.”

10 minutes later.

The pilots voice cracked over the com. “Lord Commissar we are getting some odd movements on the Auspex, doesn’t match any known ork vehicle classes.” Gommissar Gavor arose from his seat to look at the data pad, the flight movement was odd it didn’t match that of an ork Dakka Jet, something about this was more controlled, it moved like nothing an ork would create. When Libarian got a look at it he realized what it was “Commissar put your pilots on full alert.” Before Gavor could reach up to the com link in the vox the creature broke through the blanket of clouds. The metallic beast screeched and breathed fire. Like a mechanical bird of prey the beasts talons struck a Valkyrie knocking out one of the engines. Immediately the pilot of began shouting desperately into the com “Mayday, mayday, we’re losing altitude.” Than the com went to static as the dragon and Valkyrie fell out of the sky into clouds of black smoke. Gavor was furious, he had already lost half his men before they reached their destination, he considered cutting his losses and head back to base when Romulus spoke “Are goals are still obtainable, we must stay the course if their sacrifices are to mean anything.” Gavor hadn’t said anything, he was unsure if he had made a face or if the marine had used his magic, he disliked the latter prospect.

The remaining two Valkeries landed in the ruined city of Old Canton. The streets were scorched black and bore no sign of life. The Troopers exited the the Valkyries scanning the area to see nothing. Romulus dawned his helmet and drew his hood over it. The Librarian moved to the front of the sum twenty guardsmen. This was the where the stalker hunted most of its pray. For almost an hour the men slowly proceeded up the city street moving from cover to cover. Private Keller peeked his head out of cover and began to advance toward a burned out vehicle, when without warning he was hit by something, something invisible. The man gripped at his chest and began screaming. Two men rushed to him not knowing what was wrong. Keller’s skin boiled and expanded, as the medic ran to him. After a few seconds of the mans screaming he exploded in a disgusting mess of blood and and other fluids. The man exploded with such power that it knocked back the two men who stopped to help him. Than more men went through the same process and no degree of cover seemed to stop the plague. Than the killer revealed himself he was on the third level of a crumbling building. Romulus focused on him and raised his hand at the jester. Romulus attempted to open a vortex of doom atop the black clad hunter, but instead a green rift was torn in front of him and spectral chains entangled him and dragged him into the sealing portal. Gavor was confused and scared at what he saw, but he couldn’t react he instead unloaded the clip of bolt pistol into the where the Eldar had positioned himself, but the jester simply dodged the rounds. Gaspard saw already thirteen of the men who survived the trip over die, He yelled “Fall back, Fall back!” Gavor heard the order and allowed the remaining men to flee, they were to few to be of any use. Gavor threw a grenade to the level the Harlequin hid. The Eldar didn’t expect the grenade and was force to leap from his post to the street bellow. Out of ammunition Gavor charged the grim masked monster with his chain-sword. The Eldar dodged the initial blow and drew his knife. When Gavor struck again he caught the Eldar’s lower ribcage, and revved it. With the dying eldar’s last energy he shoved his knife into Gavor’s back. The Commissar kicked the Jester away from him and than fell to his knees, one bionic, one organic. He removed the stuck knife and laughed as he felt the acidic burn begin to spread across his body. He felt his blood burn and his eye sight became blurry. He saw a orange clad figure approach in the distance, Gavor spat blood as he spoke to his com link, “The bastard is dead, I fear I won’t be joining you.” All of Gavor’s sight went black and he collapsed on to the floor.

Gavor was sure he died, but than his eyes opened. He felt his wrists and ankels bound to the chair he was seated in. A white armored man stood over him “Ah, so the anti-venom took effect.” Gavor struggled against his bonds and spat “Release me you fething knife-ear” Without malice, The Eldar spoke “You slayed one of my kin Mon-Keigh, but I do not act out of vengeance. You are a high ranking officer are you not, you may have information I want.” Gavor spit at the Eldar. The tall xeno wiped the spit away from his face with a wash cloth and fetched a tool from the counter. What most closely related to plyers the Eldar forced the device into the Commissars mouth and violently yanked out one of the man’s molars. Gavor breathed heavly in pain and spat blood to the floor, he than proceeded to laugh hysterically. The Eldar drew close “What do you know of the Vault.” Gavor simply continued to laugh. The Eldar recoiled “You will talk, perhaps not today, or tomorrow, but you will talk.” Gavor just laughed.

Spoiler:

**War Kitten**

Oh. Are we picking numbers again? Oh dear am I behind. I'm terrible at this whole business

**Tactical_Spam**

War Kitten wrote:
Oh. Are we picking numbers again? Oh dear am I behind. I'm terrible at this whole business

We are supposed to pick numbers?

**jhe90**

It's our way of randomising the results using numbers 1-100 in a similar way to a dice roll

**Righteousrob**

Its more to help randomize things, you dont have to but if you have a mission or something youd like me to see how it goes just PM some numbers and the situation. Sometimes I give random things out or do stuff that will ask of numbers.

Say if you are raiding a supply situation and want to know how it goes, PM a number. I have a scale that I roll against and can say like "minor victory, you gather the supplies but have now lost half yoru company and have tipped the orks to your location"

**War Kitten**

My first attempt at writing some fluff, the after-effects of my lad's attempt to kill the Overfiend.

Colonel Veck sat down tiredly on the ridge and looked out over the shattered remnants of the Ork camp and wondered if it had all been worth it. The initial infiltration had gone off without a hitch, the discipline and training of the Kasrkin making it incredibly easy to sneak past the snoozing gretchin sentries. The Cadians snuck through the Ork encampment, slitting the throats of the ork sentries as they worked their way towards the Overfiend's hut. As they went the Kasrkin planted explosives throughout the camp, to help cover their exfiltration from the camp. All had being going well, until the storm troopers came across the Overfiend himself.

The well-trained Kasrkin had fired upon the Overfiend from multiple directions at once, as per their training, in hopes of killing the monstrous Warboss before he was able to react and alert the rest of his troops. They hadn't counted on the kustom force field that the boss had on him, and those precious seconds lost before heavier weapons were able to be brought to bear on the Overfiend had cost the regiment dearly. The sound of weapons fire had alerted all the orks in the camp to the presence of hostiles in their camp, and they had swarmed towards the positions of the Kasrkin. Everything after that was a blur for Veck, with only half-remembered blurs of fighting and death left over. When he had come to he was surrounded by a massive field of dead orks, humans and wrecked vehicles. While the regiment's losses hadn't been quite as bad as he feared, they had still been bad enough so that it would be difficult for Veck to sleep for a very long time. These men had trusted him to lead them and he had let them down.

Veck sighed again, but before he could sink back into reverie he was jolted out of his stupor by the sight of a few of his men struggling up the hill with a large box held between them. They dropped it at his feet and opened it, inside lay the head of the Overfiend, the ork that had brought about the death of so many innocents. The sight of the head of the hated foe reminded Veck of why he fought, and in that moment all his doubts were dispelled.

Veck stood up and began to bark orders once more. There was no time for contemplation, there were more battles to be fought, and enemies of the Emperor to be killed.

**jhe90**

I'm going to seach for the sisters next, can someone pm me a result, either if I'm successful or what I find at the site.

Numbers are 65 and 1, extra being 45

Be it orks, chaos, a bunch of criminals or deserters etc?
No killing characters please.

**Righteousrob**

Victrilo abandoned his terminator armor to make room for the rest of the squad hurtling through space in the dark blue drop pod. His phsyci hood over his head and staff locked to his side he surveyed the rest of the squad. Sargent Mirdes stood to his left, his red helmet signifying his rank. Unactivated power fist at his side and storm bolter in its holster. His other 8 battle brothers of Bravo Squad stood, strapped in place waiting on the decent to end.

"What if we come crashing down on top of the mission, miss our mark and come in the wrong corner of the warehouse?" asked brother Hisra, the newest replacement for the squad. His shoulder guards trim recently painted black for the 5th company.

"Ah young blood, thats because old Tear's of Rynn here doesnt miss her mark. Shes taken me into more battles than youve seen and has never missed her mark. Her machine spirit is one angry girl and hates xenos as much as I do." replied the Sargent. "Now check your bolters, sit back and enjoy the ride men"

Mirdes reached up his nonpower fist hand and hit a button to his left. At first it was a dull noise, but it grew ever louder into a crescendo. Guitars mixed with drums and roaring vocals the song surrounded the Wolverines Valiant. Each man embracing the sound around them, letting the music enter their helmets and growing their adrenaline. The Wolverines Valiant enjoyed music and used it to psych themselves for battle.

A red number 30 flashed in the corners of all the Marines visors. Then 29, 28...the count down to impact. The music growing louder the lower the number became.

3...2...1...the hatches blew open, followed closely by the Dark Blue Marines and their light blue Librarian. Music following close behind. The Eldar, caught off guard, were being cut down by reactive bolter rounds. Easily passing the thin armor the Xenos fielded. The warehouse, long neglected, housed old machinary for creating roads. Massive machines with dozer blades and rollers provided shielding for the quick responding Eldar.

At first believing a bomb or missile attack, the Eldar now understood the situation surrounding them. Diving behind machines and returning the fire the Eldar cut down brother Birod, his face cleaned in half from a rifle shot. Bolter and discs flying through the air, cutting machines and bodies alike. The last two eldar driven into the corner of the warehouse, sheltered behind a massive dozer blade which the bolters could not penetrate.

"Brothers, draw blades and pistols. It is time to root out the Xenos" Mirdes yelled through his comms.

Advancing as the Codex described, the Wolverines advanced. Each brother providing cover for the other, the Eldar unable to return fire. Mirdes allowed his men the honor of flushing out the Eldar, hanging in the back, taking in the battle. Ready to train the squad on the mistakes he was seeing before him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of movement. Turning he saw the Eldar jumping off the roof of the nearest machine, blade ready to impale itself into his helm. Even for a Space Marine he knew he did not have time to react to his impending slow motion death. Suddenly the Eldar was jerked sideways then backwards as bolter rounds impacted its hip then chest. The Tears of Rynn's twin linked bolters smoking from 20 feet away.

"Thank you" Mirdes said and saluted the machine spirit.

Mirdes turned back to see the progress his men were making, still unable to reach the quick moving Eldar. Victrilo pulled his staff from his back and could be seen muttering to himself while leveling the staff in the Eldar's direction. Suddenly bolter rounds were making the unnatural bend through the air required to drop behind cover. Psychic force driving them up then down over the large dozer blade. The Eldar blown apart in sections where the reactive bolts hit them.

"Clear?" Mirdes asked. Responses confirming what he already believed. "Ok, now find the mission"

Victrilo was the first to find him, or what was left of him anyways. Splayed across an upturned metal table lay Gavor, giggling slightly. His skin was peeled back in sections, his eyelids removed and no teeth were left in his mouth. Where bionics once held him together, they were now strewn across the warehouse. His right hand was gone, a stump in its place. Hair burnt away across his face, no hair remained.

"Commissar Gavor, I am Librarian Victrilo of the Wolverines Valiant. Are you in there?" Only giggling responded to the Librarian. "Just as I thought, secure the perimeter men. I need to be focused while I search his mind for what he told them."

Victrilo closed his eyes and let his soul wonder into Gavor's mind. The Librarian shifted through Gavor's memory like a dataslate, the Eldar kept asking about a Vault, what he knew about the Vault. Each question answered with a laugh and quickly followed up with some sort of torture, which only was met with giggling. Someone had trained Gavor well, his brain reacted to pain as if funny. Victrilo looked further on, Gavor had to have known something if the Eldar had gone through the trouble of keeping him alive. He searched past victories over Orks, past honor duels and commissar killings, amd past love making with his "hidden" lover. No mention of a vault, no mention of anything the Wolverines didnt already know. Then suddenly Victrilo found what he was looking for, in an old memory. Gavor hadnt caught it but the Librarian noticed it for what it was, Gavor's lover knew of the Vault. Gavor had been half drunk when she had mentioned some Vault she was going to find. Gavor dismissed it off hand, looking more to get into her vault.....

"I have the information, call in the apothecary for our downed brother and Gavor. Dont forget the transport and thunderhawk. Get us out of here" the Librarian said after returning to his body.

"He is coming with us? Why, he wont be of any use, grant him the Emperor's mercy"

"We may need him as a bargaining chip with her, and do not question me again brother" Victrilo snapped, using his powers always left him drained and easy to anger.

"Yes Brother Librarian, thunderhawk inbound, transport following closely to collect Tears of Rynn. Now someone change the tune, get our battle hymn going. Today was a good day, we continue to Clear the Way"

**jhe90**

The commissar may need alot of surgery when he gets back to the headquarters, the sister medical order could help him.

He might see combat again yet.

**chazz huggins**

As always another great story Righteousrob, Gavor had a romantic side to him, who knew. When I get a chance I'll expand on this. Maybe a memory or something from the Commissar.

**Sgt_Smudge**

Far above the surface of Hive Eastwatch, five figures descended through the sky. In perfect formation, they broke through the dense smoke clouds, leaving miniscule entry wounds, which sealed up as quickly as they had been formed. Just as the dark objects were about to slam into the blackened streets of the gaping open hive, they stopped. Repulsor jets on their oversized backpacks flared into life; they didn't make a sound. The five unslung their various armaments of war as they slunk into the nearest building. Swords, halberds, shields, claws. All shrouded in the darkest black, save for the gunmetal silver pauldron on their left shoulders.

--------------------------------------------------

Sergeant Raphael was beginning to worry. No sign of the reinforcements he'd requested. Had the beast hunted them down? Was there some kind of interference with his homing beacon? As the most technically minded member of the Scout Squad, Ecthillion had checked the device's capacity several times over: there was nothing wrong with it. Raphael trusted the scout's judgement: the Imperial Fist never said anything unless he was sure of it.

The Blood Angel's comm-bead buzzed. It was Lymaan's signal. Unknown contact. The whole squad retreated from their resting place in the building and took up their pre-planned ambush points. Raphael pulled his camo-cloak around him and peered down his sniper rifle's sights.
Nothing. Lonely dust particles drifted through the air, past isolated beams of light. Then, they arrived.
Five power armoured Astartes, equipped with jump packs. Black armoured, save for the silver crest - the sigil of the Ordo Xenos. Reinforcements had arrived.

"Sergeant Marr. We didn't expect you to be late." Raphael's voice came out from nowhere. The scout dropped down from a broken ledge behind the Deathwatch marines.

"Raphael, Angel of the shadows. You're getting slack."

The Blood Angel frowned. "How so?"

"Easy. Dust particles. Motion trackers turned up 534% would detect the movement and deduce recent movement in the area. Relatively easy to find."

Raphael snorted in humour. Marr was always like this. Always something wrong, according to the Charcaradon. He wasn't hypocritical, mind. He would always grunt to himself about how to improve his last kill. Raphael almost felt sorry for his squad. Almost. They were all equally bloody minded and brutally effective: there was a reason they'd been selected for Marr's squad, and this operation.

"So, fill me in. What's the situation?"

“I informed you before you dropped.”

The Space Marine shrugged. “Yes, you did. I just need to be sure that I’m not talking to someone else.”

The Blood Angel sighed, and motioned for his scouts to leave their covered positions. One by one, they dropped from their concealed places, moving with practised precision.
“We’ve been stationed on recon here for two weeks now. Minimal problems, bar one.”

Brother Oberyn took over the conversation. “We’ve encountered a Heldrake patrolling the area recently. It doesn’t seem attached to any local Chaos warbands, possibly an auxiliary that latched on to a ship’s hull.”

“It’s eliminated several ork patrols in the area, and that has helped the Imperial war effort. More importantly, its tendency to hunt aircraft in particular has jeopardised the Imperial front.” Brother Helionn spoke. “Yesterday, it preyed on the convoy of a certain Lord Commissar Gavor.”

Silently, Lymaan drew a dirt-stained finger over his throat.

Ecthillion was the last to speak. “It must die.”

Sergeant Marr nodded in affirmation.
“Understood.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

“++Ghavin, in position.++”
“++Carlos, ready.++”
“++Darvan.++”
“++Arkio, in position. Squad accounted for, Sergeant Marr.++”

Marr turned aside to Raphael. The two Astartes crouched low, shrouded by smoke and rubble. “My squad is ready.”

“Good. When Lymaan gives the signal-”

“Yes, yes. I know.”

It had only been a matter of minutes before a crackle of static burst on Raphael’s vox. Instantly, the Blood Angel sent a similar signal to Marr. Before either marine could act, two pairs of steel claws dug into the brickwork above their heads. The Heldrake had arrived. The creature’s heat was noticeable from where the two Deathwatch veterans lay unmoving. Marr could smell its ozone stench. The Charcaradon, as quietly as he could, sent a burst to Ghavin. The assault marine wasted no time. A black figure soared high into the sky, borne on wings of flame. The Heldrake snarled and craned it’s neck to the rushing Assault Marine. Embers of flame built up in it’s throat.

“For Obsidia!” Ghavin yelled, bringing up his storm shield. The coruscating hellfire licked around the edges of the shield, but the Astral Knight kept up his relentless charge. The Heldrake unfurled its wings and began to take off.
Then the rest of the Deathwatch sprang into action.

Marr shot up into the beast’s throat, his lighting claw and power fist crackling. Power cables were ripped out, spewing foul brown liquid and warp-tainted blood. The Heldrake screeched, recoiling in pain. Razor sharp claws sent Marr flying back, but the rest of the squad joined the assault. Carlos, thrust his power glaive into its flank, the sigil of the Scythes of the Emperor resplendent on its blade, as Darvan ripped his twinned lightning claws over it. Whilst the Heldrake was preoccupied, trying to shake off it’s attackers, Arkio bounded at the creature’s front, power sword grasped in both hands. The Heldrake turned to face him, but it was took late. The Blood Angel gunned his jump pack, rushing into the beast’s throat and slashing it open. Oily promethium oozed out.
That was all that was needed. As if commanded by an unknown force, the Deathwatch activated their jump packs and scattered. Wounded, the Heldrake lifted its battered wings and took off into the sky. Promethium still dripped from the wound.

“Oberyn, take the shot.” Raphael muttered into his comm-bead.

The Heldrake was getting away. No shots had been fired. Raphael lifted his sniper, watching the beast flee through his sights.

“Oberyn, take the shot!”

Still nothing. The Heldrake was rapidly fleeing. It was at least half a kilometre away by now.

“Blackshield, take the damn-”

The sound of a sniper rifle firing split the air, interrupting Raphael. Far in the distance, the Heldrake’s head exploded, an incandescent fireball erupting from its damaged neck. It briefly loitered in the air. Then the Heldrake’s remains began to plummet. A second explosion. Helionn spoke over the vox network.

“Confirming Heldrake elimination. Heldrake has crashed landed into a scouting ork patrol. Signs of ork survivors… negative.”

Raphael glanced up into the spire where Blackshield Oberyn had been stationed. Although he couldn’t see the scout’s face, he knew that Oberyn would have a huge smirk on his dark-skinned face. Marr broke the silence.

“Nice shot.”

Spoiler:

**jhe90**

Deathwatch plots?

Your the master of plots, should we rename you peter balish?

So next is the convent. Interesting things may be found there or new mystery's added on? Find out In my next chunk

**chazz huggins**

Gavor’s Memory

The day after the grand tourney on Trisburg, Commissar Dorian Gavor was sent for his final phase of amputation and surgery. They were going to remove his leg today. The bone had shattered into hundreds of pieces after an ork stomped on it. Gavor wanted all of the amputations and bionic limb implants done at the same time, but doctor Kravorkian had informed him that the trauma would be too much. Dorn’s Mercy hospital was jam-packed with the wounded. Gavor laid on an operating wearing a medical gown, his uniform folded on the nightstand. Gavor looked at his bionic arm, he still wasn’t used to its newness. The bionics were a boon in disguise as they enhanced his natural strength and toughness. Gavor wished he had some feeling in his leg, but the pain killers rendered it senseless. Than a masked man in white scrubs entered the room. He spoke in broken Gothic “Ah, If it isn’t my favorite patient, tell me how is the arm.” Gavor touched each of his metallic fingers with his thumb, an exercise that was supposed to help build his motor skills. Doctor Kravorkian laughed “Not bad, its already better than your old arm no.” Gavor spoke “Aye it is, my old arm could never hope to be so precise.” The man rooted around his pile of medical supplies as he spoke “It will be the same case for your leg, and don’t worry it’ll fit under your uniform, nobody will be able to tell.” Kravorkian pulled a clear breathing mask from the table and spoke “This is just like last time.” The man put the mask around his nose and mouth, “count backwards from ten” Gavor began “10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3” Gavor inhaled and darkness blanketed over his eyes.

Gavor awoke he was sore. He was no longer in the operating room, he imagined he was in the recovery ward. He looked to where his leg was, now there was only a metallic appendage. He thought to move it like his arm but the device did not comply. Than Gavor was hit by a pulses of pain and the heart rate monitor he was connected to began to alarm with a great deal of concern. Than a woman entered his room and carefully injected him with something, she spoke tenderly “Easy, easy, relax everything is all right.” With some concern in his voice he said “I can’t move it” The nurse than placed a small bandaged over the injection sight and placed the syringe on the table. “Your body isn’t merging as well with the new implant; it means its going to take some time before your fully recovered.” Gavor relaxed as the medicine remedied his pain “Thank you nurse, I’m sorry what is your name.” the woman smiled “My name is Sibyl, Sibyl Vail.” When Gavor looked at Sibyl he saw something he hadn’t in a while, kindness. Her red hair did not pass her ears, and it complimented her soft features. Gavor was almost flustered by her beauty, he cleared his throat and spoke “Thank you Mrs. Vail.” The woman took a seat near the commissar’s bed, “I wouldn’t thank me just yet Commissar Gavor, your road to recovery will not be easy, but I will see you through it.”

A week of therapy later

Gavor stood on his one biotic foot with his other directly in front of him. Sibyl spoke “Very good Commissar, just hold it for a few more seconds.” Gavor’s balance was perfect the mechanical leg was beyond stable. Sibyl spoke again “And put your foot down, I must say Commissar Gavor your transition has been dramatic.” Gavor smiled and spoke “It would not have been possible without your assistance Sibyl.” The nurse smiled slightly “Well Commissar I am pleased to say you are once again fit for duty.” Gavor matched the half grin and spoke “Well that is great news, I hear that there is a company that needs me to whip them into shape.” A moment of silence fell between the two, Gavor spoke “I believe celebrations are in order, would you care to join me for dinner tonight, I know of this delightful restaurant, they serve these fried fish things they’re pretty good.” Sibyl spoke, the proposal had caught her off guard, “Oh Commissar Gavor, I wouldn’t” Gavor interrupted “Please call me Dorian.” Sibyl was even more surprised by the Commissar’s request; she spoke again changing her original answer “I would be honored to join you Dorian.”

Dorian and Sibyl returned to Gavor’s hotel suite. Gavor had a half empty and expensive bottle of wine in his hand a gift from Governor Pavus who happened to be dining there that very evening. With an arm around Sibyl Gavor spoke with a laugh, “So than Ruck picked him up and threw him across the room. I thought Ogryn had broken Lieutenant Forrester’s neck but the insane bastard leapt to his feet threw his arms in the air and yelled that was fething awesome!” Sibyl laughed as they entered the Commissar’s suite. The two had stumbled into bed and one thing led to another.

Gavor looked over to the red headed woman in his bed and couldn’t comprehend the level of luck that befell him. He looked to her and felt old, though he knew she was only a few years younger than him his battle scars and biotic limbs made him feel ancient by comparison. Gavor traced his metallic hand across her face. She awoke and smiled. Gavor’s mind was still muddied by the drink but he knew what he felt to be real. He had spent most of his life dedicating himself in the art of destruction and cruelty and here was a woman who was dedicated to healing and kindness, what could she see in him. Gavor spoke “Throne I’m going to miss you when I get shipped out to Gallor Prime” Sibyl’s eyes widened and she recoiled in the bed “You can’t go there, you mustn’t” Gavor smiled “I’m afraid I must.” Sibyl looked down and than back to Gavor “You don’t understand you can’t possible understand” Sibyl told her tale.

“My mother was what some may call a witch. She was clairvoyant she spoke of the end time of our sector. I once dismissed her as mad but her prophecy seems to becoming to fruition. When the great Bear comes to free us from the orks. When Mogrok is but a bad memory. When man, ork, and fiend storm the Great Vault of the Imperator than the end of the system will come. The prophecy also speaks of omens of steel spiders devouring ravens, a great weeping warrior mourning the loss of his brothers.” Had anyone else told him this he’d dismiss it as simple madness but Gavor was in love, or he was drunk he wasn’t entirely sure, but he decided to humor her “The Vault of the Imperator?” “Its an ancient place hidden deep under the surface of Gallor Prime. It holds an unstoppable evil, an army of darkness that will blanket every world and freeze every star.” Gavor smiled “Well it sounds like someone needs to go over there and make sure those dirty orks and traitors don’t open it.” Sibyl spoke “Don’t dismiss this so easy Dorian, my mother has never been wrong.” Gavor kissed the woman's hand fell asleep in Sibyl's arm. Sibyl toyed with the Commissar's hair and thought of the vault and its prophecy.

He awoke the next morning to find a note on the night stand it read “My dearest Dorian, last night was one of the best nights of my life, I decided that I am quitting my job as a physical therapist and am accompanying you as your personal medic. PS don’t think about giving me some lame excuse why I can’t go I saw you come this far, I will not let Gallor Prime be the death of you.” Gavor was caught off guard by the letter, he actually didn’t remember anything from last night, but it must have gone well, possible too well.

Spoiler:

**jhe90**

"2 minutes to the drop zone" the servitors mechanical voice chimed in as Chaplain Vargos and a hand picked team prepared to mount a combat drop with jump packs onto the base the Sisters had called home, it had gone silent and now they where going to find out why.

Meanwhile before.

"May i enter Acting captain" a request for support was always a difficult one, such things had to be done in person.

"of course Marshall, welcome to my HQ planet side, SGT's Pullo and Vorenus, technical staff and Honour guard Quintus you know from the raid on the Biker boss camp."

"my men are about to launch a small strike force to deploy to determine the situation of the Sisterhood, Assault section is already prepared and combat ready, however i need to request the aid of one of your scout teams, my Chapter is short on those of that temperament and detection is vital to avoid if we are to succeed. " The Marshall never liked to ask, to rely on onws own forces was always ideal but pride had to come second to the interests of the mission.

"Scouts, yes the scout team is yours, Pullo, vox Nero and tell him to report to the pad with long range rifles and cammo gear"

"yes acting captain"

"your support will not be forgotten, and whilst i am here, i cannot give the bounty to my self as i set it so, you slew a mighty foe and just reward is earned."
"Ulf, bring the sword in"
"aye Mrshall" the box looked small in the vast marines gauntlets, made from a black hardwood, Chapter symbols worked in red and white it was a work of great skill and time.

The acting captain looked down upon the box, not a power sword from the size fit for a marine. :Lifting the finely carved lid he saw a training blade, at first a ordinary metal weapon for non lethal training and duels. lifting it by the finely wrought handle of bronze he noticed its balence was perfect, the blade flawless and carved and etched with a landscape of the Imperial Palace before the heresy , the other engraved in the same darker green secondary colour was a depiction of the final battle of unity on Terra. such work was rare to see, a true master artificer had made this one.

"such a gift, this blade is a true work of art"

"it is acting captain, Techmarine Spannerous is a true master of this work, the blade will still last many centuries of training without mark, the engraving takes a true masters eye however"

"i must return to my ship, good hunting acting captain"

"and a safe return Marshall"

Outside the Target building

Scouts lay in camouflaged positions, they had scouted the entire exterior of the complex, several towers where damaged and one looked burnt down, flame blackened windows and metal seemed buckled by the heat. windows where dark bar a few flickers of flames or lamps inside. this place was not as it should be. Sgt Nero looked down the high powered night scope, several figures where walking on the tower, hap hazed gear, weapons where random, a Las gun, auto gun, and what looked like a black powder rifle. something very odd was going on.

"this is Nero, drop zone is clear, strike force can deploy"

In the Thunder hawk lights blinked green. the ramp dropped and 20 power armored marines threw themselves into the black of night. armour was darkened and metal had been dulled, Falling down in formation onto the courtyard, if plans where correct it was ment to be the novice accommodation block, few windows, 3 floors deep and large enough to safely land a 20 strong team with a low margin of risk. Jump packs fired into life as they glided over the darkened buildings to the courtyard, helmet auto senses cutting through the pitch dark and turning it to day, no human could of landed with such precise accuracy.

Metal shod boots hit the deck and cracked the flag stones, Vargos landing first followed by the retinue and support team, 20 dropped, 20 landed safely. without a word they spread out securing the doors and searching the rooms, 3 floors, not a single soul found where 140 should be, rooms looked clean but dusty from disuse, some looked looted by scavengers but most was unspoiled.

"this is spooky sir, Looks like no ones lived here in a while"
"aye, keep your head, move out to the second block, we may find answers there"

Moving out to the second block across a dark bridge nothing moved, this section no sounds bar the scutter of vermin and marine foot steps was heard, little movement, what was going on?
The second block yielded nothing, much of its furniture had been stripped by scavengers, several rooms down the very wiring and pipes, again dust, no sign of the Sisters who had lived here, The Shrine was dusty, the alter candles long burned out but all still remained as Vargos bowed his head in reverence and reciting a short high gothic cant of the silent shrine.

"block clear, nothing to report sir"
"Second floor clear"
Third clear, Grafiti, nothing of note"
"basement, few bodies, scavengers got into a fight over loot, nothing of interest to mission"

"copy, all team advance to the south east tower, lets see what those humans scouts detected know"

Moving quickly they easily evaded a sentery on watch outside the gate, a entire grox charge could go by and he would be none the wiser.
"3"
"2"
"1"

Krag grenades blew the side doors clean off there hinges as marines took all 4 floors at once, opposition was futile as they disarmed the off guard humans in under 10 seconds of breaching the tower was secure. They looked ragged, clad in a mix of overalls, armour and industrial protection gear, the weapons found where a true mix, several las guns, auto weapons, numerous blades and a few black powder rifles, relic designs even at the war of unity.

"You, what are you doing here" the booming skull faced chaplain caused all to jump and cower, "who speaks for your group"

"i do my-my lor-lord. Faramir, i farm-farmed the grox herds with my family and relatives on the eastern pastures, orks raids began soon as this war began, weapons we had where useless, guard and PDF pulled backed to the hives, we fled when the mechaized bands came, too fast, to armoured to stop they burned every one of the outer towns to the ground, slaves taken south to some factory. we ran East, came across this place, few others here but easy to evade in such a large complex. "

"Who else, any sight of the Sisterhood"

"No, none, this place was abandoned about 7 months before the war, used to base a local group of the Order Hospitaller, many here owe there lives to the angles of mercy and faith in the emperor is strong where his angles guarded the citizens" pulling back arm revealing a servo limb, "lost it to a grox, no hive centre would treat a grox farmer, but they did, saved my life from bleeding out then fitted this, localy they where well known. seemed odd when they left, no one knew where but word was some inquisition was about,none asked any further"

"ran here after, knew it was safer, thick walls and defensible. theirs a group of bandits dwelling in the storage zones near the west gate, deserters recently are hiding by the south tower near the burned section, few odd looking lot in red, bloody are in the western stores too, them and the bandits scare us all, brutal lot, savage, there human orks"

"very well, your information has proven useful, you may live this day"

Striding out, this place was imperial property, yet they where decent citizens, honest and religious, mercy was rare for a chaplain but they where not worth killing. "move out, western zone, Chaos cult" the last words with a thirst for battle, vengence, defiling this place would soon end.
"strike in 20"
They waited, waited, the prime moment when the gate swung open to let out the ragged and modified former PDF patrol buggy, well armed, little Armour but fast, "fire"
Mass reactive shells exploded everywhere, a dozen fell in the first second, cover fire causing more to be forced into cover as the advance began to cross the large freight yard unopposed, 15 attacked this place. they stood no chance. Red clad cultests charged from the stinking warehouses they called homes, daubed in hateful runes and the damned 8 pointed stars, they engaged the templers in a brutal blade to blade fight. the out come was obvious but brutally quick. Vargos stood out in the centre, great sword cutting its foes clean in half, this was not war, it was a slaughter.

soon as the last bandit and cultest lay dead flames of the burning warehouse lit the sky up, all the symbols, bodies and marks burning in the purifying flames. now they knew where the sisters had gone but why? the Inquisition had called them off but why abandon this place, it was a large and practical complex, well supplied yet they left seemingly in hours, rarely did they leave without some form of garrison. did they know of some doom that the rest did not?

the remaining team broke off and took the deserters, moving quick in the deserted halls, dusty windows showing scenes of history, victory and devotion, the smell of old incense in some rooms, dust filtered in through a cracked glass portrait of the saint celestine, floors that should have shone where a dull and dusty shade, fresco's still bright but the air all hung with dust. why leave SGT Drum thought, this site was good as any, tech marine solo has seen to the data stacks and found the armory was still sealed, sensers showing it was still containing some equipment. Casting the thoughts aside, they soon closed on the south tower.
"strike in 12"
No deserter escaped.

Retrieval teams pulled out the strike force as both Ultramarine scouts in dusty scout Armour reclined back after a long stiff wait in the plains, Templers sat back in near silence, many thinking on what happened as the thunder hawk pulled off, Techmarines followed in second with a cargo 17 in tow, they had taken 50 suits of sisters Armour, weapons to match and thousands of rounds of ammunition from the armory. it would be returned to nearest sisterhood or cardinal, such dangerous weapons could not be left to fall into anyone but trusted hands. least of them Chaos or deserters.

On board the cargo 17 also sat the farmers, now sworn to Templer serfs in gratitude, it seemed a shame to waste such devout citizens, theyre faith was pure and and bodies strong, even the elderly members where good scribes and record keepers, all could be put to use by the chapter.

*********

Karak paced about his personal rooms, such mysteries on the planet, Vargos and the strike teams reports all matched, so did the farmers they found, data stacks, but why did they flee in such hurry when there was no visable threat?
Damned inquisition, never was simple when they got involved, and always came to bite you, trouble followed a inquisitors presence.

Spoiler:

**Sgt_Smudge**

Encryption Level: Vermillion

In response to questionable reports in the crusade effort, Watch-Captain Titus has been tasked with investigating possible illicit behaviour in the Crusade's commanders.
Encoded is a record of some of these questionings.

Session #001 - Acting-Captain Aurelius of the Ultramarines Chapter, commander of Strikeforce Praetoria

Spoiler:

Session #002 - Lord Marshal Karak of the Black Templars, commander of Strikeforce Hammer

Spoiler:

Session #003 - Codicier Victrilo, Librarian of the Wolverines Valiant

Spoiler:

Session #004 - Force Commander Zuelen of the Aurora Chapter

Spoiler:

Report concluded.

Verdict: Lack of unity. Traitor presence confirmed.

**Ezra Tyrius**

“What are you looking for, Brother?”, the Chaplain Appolon’s voice boomed through the empty halls.

Strike Commander Tullius had been standing at a starport window for several hours, peering into the vast nothingness of space, lost in thought. Although his mind had been elsewhere, he did not seem remotely surprised by the Chaplain’s voice.

“Answers. Reasons. Tell me again, old friend…”, he spoke softly, as he turned towards Appolon.

“Why did we leave Krakenhold prematurely?”

The Chaplain sighed. He had known Tullius from the moment he had ascended into the ranks of his Battle-Brothers, and Tullius’ character had not changed in the slightest throughout the long decades they had served alongside eachother. He was a brave man, a great commander, but he was deeply conflicted. He had seen many of his brothers die, a lot of them under his command, and Appolon knew Tullius cared deeply about his brothers’ fate, sometimes more than he should.

“Out of necessity, Brother. The Orks were too well entrenched, and our quarry is causing havoc on another planet. Our allies need us in the fight against the Remnants.”

“Do they? Do they really?”, Tullius scoffed. “I must have missed their calls for help, then.”

The Chaplain grinned. “Come now, Tullius. What did you expect? We fight alongside a First Founding Chapter, one of the most vaunted and praised of them all, and a Second Founding Chapter, known for its zealotry and stubbornness. We should be glad they even allowed us into this Crusade”, Appolon laughed, as he lay his hand on Tullius’ shoulder.

“But that is not why you’ve been standing here in front of this window, isn’t it? Your mind lies elsewhere, somewhere far from our cousins’ victories.”

“Primus.” Tullius blurted out the name before he even wanted to. His eyes turned towards the Chaplain’s, a hint of regret lingering in his pupils.

“His fate weighs on my shoulders.”

“He is no longer the little boy you saved from a group of hive-gangers, Tullius”, the Chaplain spoke, as he turned towards the star-filled vista in front of him.

“Whatever he’s got himself into, I know he will get himself out of it. And do not forget, old friend, that he is a Raven of Death. Our Primarch's geneseed flows through him as much as it does through us.”

Tullius smiled at the remark. “I hope you are right, old friend. This Crusade has seen us lose too many good men already”, Tullius spoke, as his hand glided over the small skull of a raven attached to his belt.

The Wrath of Pollo moved on, making its way towards Gallor Prime throughout the cold and lifeless void.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Encryption Level: #1ADFng (ERROR)

++ Operative Hex-Kilo-Seven, reporting. ++

++ I’m listening. ++

++ The Deathwatch is making inquiries. ++

++ So I’ve heard. ++

++ They’re getting awfully close. ++

++ You have your orders, Operative. ++

++ My orders won’t do me much good if I’m dead. ++

++ I can’t help you. Not while the Deathwatch is around. ++

++ Then what do you suggest I do? ++

++ Lay low for now. Wait until your pursuers’ attention is elsewhere, and then execute the next stage of our plan. ++

++ Fine. But don’t forget that you have a part to play as well. ++

++ I’m fully aware of my place, Operative. And you should remember yours. ++

Spoiler:

**Sgt_Smudge**

Spoiler:

**jhe90**

Sgt_Smudge wrote:

Spoiler:

Yes! Death Ravens have come, and I already like Tullius, seems like a nice guy.

And Alpha Legion operatives? Ze plot thickens...

The plot thickens, and not just a rooms atmosphere when captain Titus enters.

**chazz huggins**

General Problems
(With Special Guest Stars Gadnuk and the Gutrippas)

Gadnuk watched the Imperial convoy move west along the winding road that spaned through the jungles of continent Alpha. Through his crude telescope the nob saw his goal, an ebony black Taurox Prime, escorted by two other Taurox with forest green camouflage. Bonebleeda spoke as he took a gander at their prey through his binoculars “You fink dat da git wouldn’t make it so zoggin obvious.” Gadnuk grinned “Makes our job easier” Blakrog appeared from the shrubbery behind them with a Rokkit Launcha in tow he spoke sounding burdened by the cumbersome weapon “All da boyz are in postion.” Soon all the cars were in position. Gadnuk conjured a detonator from his trouser pocket, he said “Ere we go” as his finger made contact with the detonator. The charges attached to massive tree detonated causing the behemoth tree trunk to crash on top of the lead Taurox crushing the vehicle under its massive weight. The following vehicles came to a screeching holt, giving Blakrog the perfect opportunity to fire the massive Rokkit Launcha. The rear Taurox exploded and caught fire as the tank busta round penetrated its hull. At this point the carapace armored guards exited the unscathed Taurox looking for something to fire at. Than the infamous Gutrippa sprang from their hiding spots targeting the unarmored joints and crevices. One guard was vaporized by a hail of bullets that came from Bigrippa’s beloved DoomDakka. Another was held in a full nelson by the young ork known as Grizz, giving his twin brother Dizz the opportunity to put a blade through his gut. Once the guards were dead Old Skagnet and Fingaz busted into the taurox. Gadnuk descended from his vantage point to hear General Fracash screams “Release me you foul xeno scum.” The orks laughed as the two Kommandos ejected him from the vehicle. The general landed face down in mud ruining his uniform. The general scrambled to his feet but Grimmsnikk delivered a kick with the metal toe of his boot to the general’s ribs he laughed “And where do you fink you’re goin” The man laid there in the filth wishing he could just vanish. Bonebleeda spoke into his headset “Larpo, get da Kopta ready we got em.” The crazed pilot retorted “It’s a dragon!” Bleea annoyed by ork spoke into the mic “I don’t give a squigs arse what it iz get it over ere you git.” Gadnuk looked over to Blagnabba and spoke “You and Fingaz drive dis omie truck back to dem chaos lads, get what ever you can for it, more important dat dey have it den us getting paid” The ork nodded and mounted up in the vehicle and began to drive off toward the camp. just than Larpo landed in the kopta. All the Kommandos mounted aboard the vessel except Gadnuk, he dropped something on the floor and said with a smile “Da piece de resistance.” Gadnuk grabbed the general and hopped aboard the kopta with the rest of his men, leaving only the smoldering remains of the escort vehicles and a few armored corpses.

The Kommando’s camp was deep in the jungle, under the corpse of a petrified tree. The orks were celebrating the successful operation, drinking and making general merriment. Fingaz and Blagnabba came to join them, Fingaz spoke “We sold dat truck to dem chaos boyz, it’s a shame we couldn’t keep it though.” Blagnabba set down a trunk filled with random supplies, rope, medical equipment and other basic goods. Gadnuk spoke “Dem omies iz gonna be lookin fer dem wheelz, don’t want dem lookin ere.” Gadnuk lit his cigar and approached the wooden cage that held General Fracash, the man was tied down with his hands behind his back. As the nob approached the cage he spoke “I suppose you’ve come to kill me ork.” Gadnuk pulled up a seat near the cage and lit his cigar, “Nah, probably not, in fact dere is a chance you might go back to yer boss.” Fracash was confused “What do you mean” Gadnuk spoke “Well Overfiend Gorebone Killchop paid me and my lads to get you and bring you to him, he wanted you fer a pet or somefing. Turns out dat da git got killed a few days ago, luckily he paid us in advance. I figured since we already put so much time into dis ambush might as well spring it anyways. But dat leaves da question of what I should do with you, and way I sees it I only got three choices.” Gadnuk took a sip from his mug of fungus beer, when the human asked “What are they?” Gadnuk set the mug down and spoke “Da first one is I call up dem chaos boyz dat call demselves da remnants and sell you to them. The second is I call up old Krugga and tell him dat I’ll “rescue” you from dem chaos boyz dat kidnapped you for a modest fee.” Gadnuk putting air quotes around rescue. The man looked puzzled “You expect me to believe that know Lord General Kruger Zonand? And you expect him to believe that traitors pulled off this stunt.” Gadnuk laughed “You fink dat da truth is more believable, dat a single squad of orks ambushed you wif such precision? And yeah I know Krugga half da jobs I do are for him.” The revalation caught Fracash off guard he heard about orks fighting for the imperials, but he always thought those claims to be unsubstantiated, he also never expected the conspiracy to reach so high, for the Lord General himself to make compact with orks. Perhaps the ork was a liar or delusional, but how would the ork know his name, perhaps he saw some reference to him somewhere. Fracash spoke again “And what is the third option?” Gadnuk laughed “Dat one is my favorite, I get find some fun and creative way to kill ya, I was thinking I’d feed you explosives or something like dat.” Fracash smiled nervously “Well I hope it doesn’t come to that.” Gadnuk laughed “I like you omie, you can see da bright side of fings.” Gadnuk took another swig from his mug “If I were you I’d be more worried what dem chaos lads will do to ya if dey outbid yer boss.” Gadnuk rose to his feet and spoke “If you do go back to yer boyz what are you gonna tell em.” Fracash spoke “I was captured by traitors.” Gadnuk smiled and looked down to the caged man “If you don’t, I will find you and I will kill you bad. It dosnt matter where you go, I will find you.” Fracash nodded in understanding believing in every word the nob spoke.

The next day

Scout SGT Nero and his retinue of carapace armored initiates approached the sight of the ambush. Animal scavengers had came in the night and had eaten pieces of the soldiers corpses. Nero using plasma cutters opened the smoldering remains of the wrecked vehicle, only to find the black charred corpses of the General’s body guards. Nero looked at the dead on the floor, he observed that most of the men never made it out of the vehicles, but General’s taurox was nowhere insight, though the vehicle’s guards were scattered across the jungle floor. All the corpses were accounted for except Fracash. It was at that point when Initiate Rasparn spoke “Sargent, you better have a look at this.” On the floor bellow where the scout stood was the eight pointed chaos star, a pendant that would mark some lowly cultist as a servant to the dark gods. Than scout Corvier summoned for Nero’s attention, “Sargent look, tracks, these belong to the General’s Taurox, no question.” Nero put two fingers to his ear and spoke into his vox “Captain Aurelius, confirmed traitor ambush we found tracks that should lead us to where they took the General, requesting permission to continue investigation.” Auerlius replied after a few seconds of silence “Permission granted, do not engage the traitors, a squad of Nova Marines are in the area of operation ready to assist.” Nero spoke again “Roger we will relay our position if necessary.”

Nero and his men stalked the jungles with the assistance of their camo cloaks. They knew they were on the right trail as soon enough they saw cultist patrolling the area. Than they reached the out skirts of the compound. It was too well fortified for the scouts to eliminate by themselves so Nero relayed their coordinates to command. Nero and his two of his men decided to sneak into the compound and attempt to locate the general before the attack began. They were indictable with their camo cloaks dispatching some of the off duty guards. While they were able to find a holding cell, they found no trace of the general. Than over the vox Nero heard “This is Nova marine Sargent Zethos, we are beginning our assault.” Than he could hear the sounds of battle outside.

The Thunderhawk gunship swung low allowing the ten brothers to storm the ramparts. As they leapt from the flyer to the concrete walls they immediately began taking fire from cultist auto-guns. Their weapons did nothing but annoy the blue and white behemoths. Brother Oxnar fired a Frag missile at one of the towers that housed on of the anti air flak-guns, the missel not only destroyed the weapon but it caused the tower to come crumbling down, crushing dozens of cultists below. SGT Zethos drew his chain sword and shouted heroically “Nova Marines Advance!” the Scouts focused on taking out key targets in the chaos ranks, those key targets being cultist with half decent weaponry. Soon their leader revealed himself, a fallen astartes of the black legion. Zethos leapt from the ramparts to face him, “In the name of the Emperor I command you to die heretic.” The marine activated his power fist and spoke “Insolent dog, my gods will reward me for your death.” Soon the duel began and after a minute of swipes and dodges the black clad champion grabbed the sword with his power fist and crushed it. The Legionnaire knocked Zethos down and spoke “Any last words swine?” Zethos took a deep breath and recited “Only in death does duty end.” The corrupted marine laughed and began to hurl his fist at the exposed sergeant. But before he could strike he was shot several times in the back causing him to fall dead on top of Zethos.

Zethos quickly removed the dirty traitor from him and got to his feet. He saw standing in front him Scout Sargent Nero, with his sniper rifle. Zethos removed his helmet and bowed his head “Brother, you have my thanks, had it not been for your intervention.” Nero said “Think nothing of, I am honored to have helped a fellow son of Guilliman, this assault would not have been possible without your men.” Zethos spoke again “You humble me, but should you ever need us The Bulwark of Honourum would be honored to assist you.” Brother Oxnar spoke over the com “The last traitor is dead Brother Sargent.” Nero spoke with a sense of disappointment “There is no sign of General Fracash, we found his transport, but the trail ends here it seems to end here.” Zethos spoke solemnly and made the sign of the Aquila “May the Emperor protect him.”

Gadnuk spoke to the holographic display of the Chaos Sorcerer leader of the Remnants. The sorcerer spoke “Why, do you disturb me ork, if I wanted your services again I would contact you.” Gadnuk spoke “Calm yourself warp face, I got somefing you might want.” Gadnuk snapped his fingers and Bleeda wheeled the caged cart the held the General. The Thousand Son laughed “General Bertram Fracash, I sent several of my best men to try and capture him and not one of them could manage it, I must say ork you capturing “The Hero of Vollus” is a pleasant surprise, I take it you wish to sell me him? There are a few interesting possibilities here.” Gadnuk smiled “You got twenty-four hours to make me an offer warpy, otherwise I’m gonna sell em to someone else.” The Sorcerer nodded he figured he’d make the same offer to the Iron Warriors and Black Legion, “I will let you know soon.” Gadnuk killed the feed. He pressed a few more buttons on the console and began another call. Gadnuk Wheeled the General out of the room. After a few minutes Lord General Kruger Zonand’s image appeared on screen. The man spoke with anger “How many times have, I told you green skin, you do not contact me. If the Templars found out they would have my head. Why do you contact me I already payd you for the Eldar job.” Gadnuk did his best impression of a stupid ork. “Sorry boss, but I fink I know something you may want to here.” “I heard one of yer lads Rukkas, Frukuss, or somefing got captured by some Chaos lads, I fink I know which ones to.” Kruger was familiar with the General’s disappearance, he had made sure that the news didn’t spread, it could do irreparable damage to some of the men’s moral. “I can rescue him but its gonna cost ya.” Kruger was nervous, he couldn’t afford to get caught consorting with orks, but the moral shock would devastate the local regiments. Gadnuk spoke “You have twenty-four hours to make me an offer afta dat iz too late.” Gadnuk killed the transmission.

Kruger rubbed his forehead he was unsure of what to do next. With his Templar “bodyguards” watching him, he would have to be very careful.

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