Preparations

[Steven Trustrum]

[Retias]

Kerr clenches his fist at the thought of the Greenskins despoiling Chapter relics, with no understanding of the true value behind such holy weapons. He controls his anger, shackling it until a time when he can release it upon the twisted brutes. He does worry at something however, a stitch in the thread that is hard to look away from. "This Keep was taken by the Greenskins and then purged from records? What reason would the Deathwatch have to not only abandon one of our own keeps, but to hide its existence from themselves?"

[MorioMortis]

"The defiling of our relics is a shameful fact, but it does not warrant being stricken from the records. On the contrary, the Astartes would only redouble in their efforts to reclaim it and to annihilate those responsible for such an insult." Procel adds, glancing at his fellow space marines.

"No, something more dire is at hands here; something so vile that the very memory of it must be expunged. Xenos, whatever their nature, may have been involved, or even been the cause, but it was by the hands of the Emperor's servants that the keep's history, and that of it's inhabitants, was purged" Procel replies to the Inquisitor, with a hint of guilt in his otherwise stoic voice.

[BVrtis]

[Steven Trustrum]

The Inquisitor fixes you all with a hard stare.

"This mission was not undertaken without first investigating why the records were purged. Unfortunately, no such details remain. Although it places us at a tactical advantage, we have no choice other than to press ahead and reclaim our property. The Emperor's purity is sullied by allowing anything of man's to remain in Xenos' command."

Her gaze softens somewhat and a sarcastic smirk crosses her lips as she continues.

"I'm certain the Emperor's chosen warriors are up to whatever the task may hold in store, would you not agree, gallant Space Marines of the Deathwatch?"

[Retias]

Kerr matched her stare, then smiled with a light chuckle. "But of course, Lady Inquistior!" He laughed. "We'll purge the keep of the greenskins and whatever other flithy Xenos have infested its halls!" He nodded firmly. "Even with centuries to breed, they'll still fall." He pondered. "How many centuries?"

The question was tossed out idly, but Kerr perceived a pattern in everything they'd learnt, and it was simply a case of seeing if he was right. That would have to wait until they retook the Keep, however.

[Steven Trustrum]

"As best I am able to discern" she addresses to Kerr, "the keep was lost over five centuries ago. Perhaps as long ago as a millennium. Tracking down lost records such as these are difficult enough in ideal circumstances, but given how long communications were lost with the entire Jericho Reach, anything more than a guess is impossible."

[Kai Tave]

"If it is Orks we face," Nero finally said consideringly, "then that weighs heavily on our tactical disposition. Only the Tyrannids stand alongside the Orks in terms of sheer numbers. Should they be the foe we face, it suggests that we shall need to bring overwhelming firepower to bear in short measure so as to achieve a maximal impact on their forces. Focused decapitation strikes against what passes for leadership amongst such vile creatures will also plunge them into disarray and infighting, allowing us a greater degree of flexibility in prosecuting the remainder."

"Tell me, Lord-Captain," he asked respectfully, turning towards him, "can we rely upon your vessel to provide us with orbital fire support? Depending on the concentration of xenos upon the planetary surface, targeted lance battery strikes or macrocannon bombardment may be ideal for crippling their forces in anticipation of a ground assault."

[Steven Trustrum]

The captain looks towards the Inquisitor, who in turn gives a barely perceptible nod. He then steps forward to reply.

"We can indeed provide a degree of support, such as a ship from orbit may. Obviously, unless the Greenskins are exposed and in the open it will be like a medicae attempting fine surgery with a sledgehammer." Again, the captain's eyes slide over to the Inquisitor before continuing. "We cannot fire too close to the keep for fear of damaging what we move to reclaim, so once your kill-team is close enough to it, let alone in it, bombardment will no longer be an option."

[BVrtis]

"It would also be good to know what the conditions on this world are like. The gravity, prevailing climate and especially the terrain surrounding the keep. That will be useful in planning an approach."

[Retias]

Kerr nods, considering the situation thoughtfully. "I am no coward, but taking the Keep must come before purging the Greenskins on the rest of the planet. With it and its weapons in our hands, a cleansing will be effective and complete. The brutes will always seek out battle, and once we enter the Keep, more will be drawn in, unless they have a distraction elsewhere.."

He glances over at the Captain. "Tell me Captain, how many troops does this vessel hold and what ability do you have to establish fortifactions on the planet's surface? A lance strike will purge a signficant area and allow you to form a reasonable bulwalk held by a number of troops.

The Orks will be drawn in to seek battle, and a siege will begin, ensuring the majority of Xenos are in the same location." Kerr grins savagely. "Another lance strike would be prudent at that time."

[Steven Trustrum]

The Inquisitor cuts off the Captain before he can reply.

"You seem to misunderstand your role here" she states with a blunt monotone. "That is your role. We do not yet know where the keep is located or what opposition we will face. This is the very definition of a 'lost keep'. YOU are the sword's edge of this mission. You are of the Deathwatch. There are no other forces to take the keep. If any of you feel this is beyond your abilities as Space Marines, tell me know so that I may return you to your respective Chapters in shame."

[Retias]

Kerr's eyes narrow faintly. "I made no mention of other forces within the Keep. And as you say yourself, we are the sword's edge to take the keep, not to lose ourselves fighting the hordes that likely cover the planet's surface. As you wish however, Inquistior, I will see where your own wisdom takes us. I apologise if you feel your authority is challenged."

[Steven Trustrum]

Her eyes narrow in return as she leans forward, her face aglow in the holographic map as she addresses Kerr.

"I've no worry of my authority being questioned, Storm Warden. Aboard this ship, among the Deathwatch, my authority is absolute and immediate."

[Retias]

Kerr settles back with a calm nod, the angry tension he'd displayed gone and nothing left but a hint of amusement behind his eyes. "Understood Lady Inquistior." He joined his hands behind his back, "I have no more questions, and I'm ready to serve."

[BVrtis]

So she's not hiding her information. That's comforting, in a way.
Having to fight an unknown enemy wasn't the ideal situation to be in to Fuegus' mind. It may be that the Orks have taken the world, but there may well be more to it. Still, if there was not likely to be a wealth of information, then they would have to make do with what they had.
He repressed a smileat Kerr's response to the Inquisitor. Quick to leap he may be, but the Storm Warden was starting to grow on Fuegus.

"I am prepared to serve as well, Inquisitor. Direct us to Man's foes."

[MorioMortis]

[Steven Trustrum]

"Thank you, Storm Warden" she replies. "Does anyone else have a question or comment, or may I continue?"

[Steven Trustrum]

[By the way, our Space Wolf seems to have gone AWOL. He's not logged in since the beginning of January and isn't answering emails. If I don't hear from him soon I may be opening his slot open to a new player, so if you know anyone who may be interested, keep them in mind should the time come.]

[Retias]

[If I come across anyone, I'll keep them in mind as a replacement. They'll be taking over the character, rather then having a new one?]

[Steven Trustrum]

[Taking over. Nothing wrong with that, though, as nothing's really been done with it yet.]

[barkman]

Roland takes in the meager information in the briefing, knowing that this is the mere beginning of the strategy for the mission, and that there will be plenty of time to train with his fellow Marines to be able to form a squad and act as one. He is amused by the thoughts of his fellow marines that an inquisitor could run a mission without the sanction of the hierarchs of the Deathwatch and her Commanders in the Inquisition.

[Retias]

Kerr is silent himself on more questions, and after a glance at his equally silent brothers, believes they have no more to say themselves. "It seems you can continue." That light tone was back, though in truth, he was eager to get to grips with the enemy and for the briefing to be concluded.

[Steven Trustrum]

Seeing no one has any more questions, she continues.

"We are still missing one piece of the puzzle regarding the keep's location, but an agent of mine should meet us within a few days of the Jericho Gate after we arrive. Until then, I'd suggest you spend your days preparing as best you are able."

With that, she leans over and turns off the hologram. She nods her head to the Captain who then bows slightly from the waist towards her and then nods his head to you all with a curt "my lords," and then exits after the Inquisitor. The Captain's adjutants follow him out, leaving you all alone in the Strategium.

[jimmythand]

"Hmm, I don't trust her motives. But then again, it is the ways of the Emperor's Inquisition to keep secrets," Ramiel says. "No matter, we must start preparing for our mission."

With that in mind he mentally prepares his training regiment, splitting it between weapons training, personal study and reflection, and his medical doctrines.

[Retias]

"Oh, her goals are for the Imperium and the Emperor, I've no doubts of that. But as you said brother, she's an Inquistior, and keeping secrets is what they do."

[MorioMortis]

"Her goals may align with those of the Imperium, but I nonetheless believe she's pursues a more personal agenda in this. In any case, I will be retiring to the armory. If any of you require modifications or blessings for your weapons and armor, I will be there."

[Steven Trustrum]

[Anyone want to have anything specific they want to address or take care of during the weeks you'll be aboard ship, in real space and the Warp, reaching this side of the Jericho Gate? If not, I'll just summarize and jump ahead.]

[BVrtis]

If possible, Fuegus would like to see if it is possible to get access to te library. His time will be spent training and in the Library, studying up on the history of the Reach.

[Steven Trustrum]