Preparations

[Steve Trustrum]

A grin spreads across Fuegus' face inresponse to Kerr's coment.
Attempt to parry

The blow slides in low, under Fuegus' parry attempt, rattling across his ribs with a sharp snap.

[Fuegus takes 2 wounds]

[BVrtis]

A grin spreads across Fuegus' face inresponse to Kerr's coment.
Attempt to parry

The blow slides in low, under Fuegus' parry attempt, rattling across his ribs with a sharp snap.

[Fuegus takes 2 wounds]

Fuegus' breath jolts out of him with the blow. "First blood to you Brother," he congratulates Kerr with a renewal of the smile he had on his face. For all that he enjoyed the librariums, and the knowledge that they contained, there was something to be said for the simple pleasures of physical exertion, of the battle. Spinning the staff in a loose circle, he sweeps out at Kerr's legs.

Sweep attack.

[Steve Trustrum]

Fuegus' breath jolts out of him with the blow. "First blood to you Brother," he congratulates Kerr with a renewal of the smile he had on his face. For all that he enjoyed the librariums, and the knowledge that they contained, there was something to be said for the simple pleasures of physical exertion, of the battle. Spinning the staff in a loose circle, he sweeps out at Kerr's legs.

Sweep attack.

Your staff comes in low, but Kerr manages to sidestep it in time.

Kerr's turn

[Retias]

Kerr laughed in turn, his arms and sword moving in familar patterns. Politics, stealth, other such challenges he would involve in when needed, but nothing compared to the honest simplicty of honourable combat. With blood spilled and seeing a chance to step up his advantage, Kerr unleashed a flurry of fierce blows to seek a hole in Fuegus' guard.

All out attack, no parry or dodge for Kerr this turn.

[Steve Trustrum]

Kerr laughed in turn, his arms and sword moving in familar patterns. Politics, stealth, other such challenges he would involve in when needed, but nothing compared to the honest simplicty of honourable combat. With blood spilled and seeing a chance to step up his advantage, Kerr unleashed a flurry of fierce blows to seek a hole in Fuegus' guard.

All out attack, no parry or dodge for Kerr this turn.

Kerr overextends himself in his attack, allowing Fuegus to sidestep him, exposing Kerr's flank to retaliation.

[A miss with one degree of failure. Fuegus' turn to respond]

[Steve Trustrum]

As Nero steps into the armoury, Procel, who was inspecting the weapon vaults, carefully verifying the integrity of the machine spirit within their locking mechanism, and points at the rows of small vaults.

"It is almost sad that such proud wargear should be stored hidden away, isolated from it's brethren. May the Omissiah bless them, that they may find purity and purpose within their confinement." he states before turning to face Nero.

Nero in turn sees the Techmarine step out of the vault assigned to the team. Unlike Nero, the Techmarine still wears his full armor, including his helmet.

[What is everyone else doing, aside from those at the amory and sparing? Waiting for the time to go to the Strategium to meet the Inquisitor and captain?]

[Kai Tave]

When you arrive at the armory, you see it is guarded by a squad of security crew in body armor and armed with las rifles. They allow you to pass them, into the vault wherein small arms and ammunition are stored. You notice the main armory is broken into sections, each with its own solid security door and required pass code.

Gunner Havolk leads you to one such vault and tells you the code. "All kill team members will be given the code at some point, lord. Within you will find space to store your weapons and armor. Once your team's arsenal has been accounted for, the armorers will ensure a good stock of ammunition and the like is brought forward for your use."

Nero nodded with approval, particularly at that last part. "Excellent. My weapon in particular has a hearty appetite," he said with a small smile, "and the enemies of mankind are legion. I trust that the quartermasters have also laid in a goodly selection of specialized rounds for our use as well?"

As Nero steps into the armoury, Procel, who was inspecting the weapon vaults, carefully verifying the integrity of the machine spirit within their locking mechanism, and points at the rows of small vaults.

"It is almost sad that such proud wargear should be stored hidden away, isolated from it's brethren. May the Omissiah bless them, that they may find purity and purpose within their confinement." he states before turning to face Nero.

Nero turned and nodded his acknowledgment as the black-clad techmarine made his presence known. The unadorned pauldron, the same solid black as the rest of his power armour, was an unusual sight...no Chapter heraldry marked the Battle-Brother's shoulder, no sign revealed of his home or Primarch. He knew, of course, of the so-called "Black Shields," Astartes who petitioned for admittance into the Deathwatch and in doing so forsook their former allegiances and pledged themselves eternally to the service of the Inquisition. Still, it was one thing to know about them and another thing entirely to fight alongside one. To not display pride in one's Chapter was...unseemly. And suspicious.

Still, the techmarine had been nothing but efficient devotion to their mission thus far. "I do not imagine that they shall be isolated for long, if the Lady Inquisitor's mission is as dire as she believes it to be. What I know of the region we sail for speaks to a sector plagued with strife and beset by enemies from all directions. Our wargear shall be put to the test, Brother, of that there is no doubt."

[jimmythand]

Ramiel is still in his cell, waiting for the appointed time. The Red Thirst was slowly but surely creeping in, and he tried to ward it off with prayer and meditation. This did not seem to help too much as far as he could tell.

Battle would be the only respite from the all-consuming hunger.

[BVrtis]

Kerr laughed in turn, his arms and sword moving in familar patterns. Politics, stealth, other such challenges he would involve in when needed, but nothing compared to the honest simplicty of honourable combat. With blood spilled and seeing a chance to step up his advantage, Kerr unleashed a flurry of fierce blows to seek a hole in Fuegus' guard.

All out attack, no parry or dodge for Kerr this turn.

Kerr overextends himself in his attack, allowing Fuegus to sidestep him, exposing Kerr's flank to retaliation.

[A miss with one degree of failure. Fuegus' turn to respond]

The wind from Kerr's missed blow was a testament to the force that the hit would have connecte with. Taking the opportunity, Fuegus strikes at Kerr's exposed flankand to follow up with positioning.
Standard attack, then KnockDown attempt

[Steve Trustrum]

As your conversations continue and your sparring match is about to get more heated, the voxs of your respective areas crackle on.

"Kill-team report to the Strategium, please. Kill-team to the Strategium immediately."

[MorioMortis]

"Well, it appears you were correct in your assumption. Let us hope that the fires of war temper their strength and ours."

Turning to his guide he adds "Would you please guide us to the Strategium?"

[barkman]

Roland is brought out of his meditations on the level of corruption in these surroundings that he and the rest of the kill team will be exposed to.
Satisfied that his faith in the Emperor and his Primarch will enable him to stay pure, with the exercise of suitable devotions, he is content to grab his data pad and stick in the leg pocket of his jumpsuit, and head out towards the Strategium.

[jimmythand]

Ramiel awakens from his meditation. Standing up, he starts recanting one of the litanies for preparation for battle.
Taking the shortest route possible, he heads off to the Strategium.

[Steve Trustrum]

[Are Kerr and Fuegus going to keep at it or heed the vox?]

[BVrtis]

[Are Kerr and Fuegus going to keep at it or heed the vox?]

At the vox signal, Fuegus stops mid strike. Recovering to rest he bows to Kerr.
"It looks like this round goes to you Brother. We should make our way to the the Strategeum."
He turns to stow the training weapon and makes for the hallways into the ship, pausing to let Kerr accompany him.

[Retias]

Kerr gives a faint grunt and nod, frustrated at the interruption of a promising match. "Or a match to resolve later. Honour to your skills brother." He bows in turn, stowing his own weapon. "I'm hoping this provides us more detail, and isn't simply our Inquistior stating there's more to hold from us." He chuckles with no real rancour in his voice. It was the way of Inquistors and in a sense he pitied them, unable to trust even the honourable warriors of the Adeptus Astartes and with no true bother or sisterhood within their ranks.

He falls into step just behind Fuegus, keeping pace with the Librarian. "Have you fought in the Jericho Reach before? It's a wild part of space, filled with war and conflict." He grins broadly. "An excellent place to earn glory and add renown to your name."

[BVrtis]

"The Reach? No, I have not." Fuegus pausedfor a moment at a corridor intersection to make way for a troop of ratings on their way to some other assignment. "I understand it to be a place oce lost to us, one that the Imperium is fighting to bring back into the fold. It will be good to assist in that effort." He grins to himself as he resumes his way. "I confess the chance to earn renown will be gratifying as well."

[Steve Trustrum]

Your assigned ratings lead you to the Strategium, or you find your own ways. You each enter the vaulted, circular chamber, the centre of which is filled by a large holopict projector, much like the one around which the Inquisitor briefed you before disembarking. Aside from the Inquisitor, who has changed into a similar, uniform-like outfit of light grey, your keen senses penetrate the low light levels to see several several men and women wearing uniforms of the Ordo Xenos' navy standing around the room's periphery. One in particular--an aged man whose face is broken by the cold shine of an augmented eye and plating over the right side of his skull--steps forward to stand beside the Inquisitor as the last of you enters.

"I am Captain Berephon" he says with a bass rumble broken somewhat by a metallic twang and pitch change, almost certainly indicating his larynx has also been bionically replaced. "This ship is mine to command. I officially welcome aboard the gallant Space Marine's of the Deathwatch, in the Emperor's name."

[Kai Tave]

As the call went out over the ship's vox, Nero quickly but carefully stored his weapon within one of the armoury's secure lockers before setting out across the ship to reconvene with the others at the Strategium. The mandate to openly carry such weaponry was his as an Astartes, but to appear before what would doubtlessly be a council of the ship's senior officers while carrying a heavy bolter would almost certainly appear disrespectful.

Your assigned ratings lead you to the Strategium, or you find your own ways. You each enter the vaulted, circular chamber, the centre of which is filled by a large holopict projector, much like the one around which the Inquisitor briefed you before disembarking. Aside from the Inquisitor, who has changed into a similar, uniform-like outfit of light grey, your keen senses penetrate the low light levels to see several several men and women wearing uniforms of the Ordo Xenos' navy standing around the room's periphery. One in particular--an aged man whose face is broken by the cold shine of an augmented eye and plating over the right side of his skull--steps forward to stand beside the Inquisitor as the last of you enters.

"I am Captain Berephon" he says with a bass rumble broken somewhat by a metallic twang and pitch change, almost certainly indicating his larynx has also been bionically replaced. "This ship is mine to command. I officially welcome aboard the gallant Space Marine's of the Deathwatch, in the Emperor's name."

Nero nodded, a deeper, more formal sign of respect than he had shared with Gunner Havolk. "Lord-Captain, it is an honour to travel aboard your vessel. May she fly true and untroubled and deliver us to glory."

[Retias]

Kerr nodded once, dipping his head in acknowledgement of the Emperor's name. "Captain." There was no need for more, time would determine the man's courage and worth.

[BVrtis]

Fuegus gave a quick bow to acknowledge the captain. "My thanks for your hospitality, Captain."

[Steve Trustrum]

"And welcome to you all, Lord Marines. I hope that together we may bring the Emperor's works to this benighted galaxy! These are ..." the captain replies with a zealous snap of the head, his arm sweeping towards the other figures lining the room.

"Indeed" adds the Inquisitor as she steps forward and around Berephon, putting herself between him and the projector. "I'm sure we'll have time to introduce the rest of your command crew later. Right now, let us press forward." The captain seems a bit nonplussed at being so abruptly cut off, but bows his head and steps away.

"Our mission, Deathwatch, is to head to the Jericho Reach via the twinned Warp Gate of the Segmentum Obscurus. Given current Warp conditions, this will likely take us several months to reach, but from there the transition to the Reach, via the Gate, will be nigh instantaneous. Once in the Jericho Reach, we are to avoid all other Imperial forces so as to not alert our enemies of our presence. As much as I would like to believe there are no security risks among the Emperor's blessed forces, lips loosened by drink can be as dangerous as a heretic hiding in the ranks."

She pauses a moment, leaning forward to activate the projector's controls. A gleaming hologram of Imperial space is projected and a few more touches of the controls zooms the image in upon the Jericho Reach, located within the vastness of the Segmentum Ultima.

"You have no need for specifics at the moment, but our first objective upon entering the Reach is to search for a lost Deathwatch keep that was lost to the Xenos centuries ago and somehow purged from the Order's records. Once recovered, this keep will become our watchpost and base of operations for further actions throughout the Reach."

[MorioMortis]

As the inquisitor finishes, Procel steps up and faces her. "Before we go any further, I have a few questions. I do not question the Ordo's motive, but isolating ourselves from reinforcements makes us easy prey for the forces of the Enemy if they discover our emplacement."

[Retias]

"So many secrets Lady Inquistior." Kerr chuckles with an amused grin. "I doubt you'll share how, but impressive you know of a keep lost and unrecorded for so long."

[Steve Trustrum]

As the inquisitor finishes, Procel steps up and faces her. "Before we go any further, I have a few questions. I do not question the Ordo's motive, but isolating ourselves from reinforcements makes us easy prey for the forces of the Enemy if they discover our emplacement."

She turns to face you and raises an eyebrow and fixes you with a penetrating stare.

"You will learn that the most valuable weapon the Inquisition, and by extension, the Deathwatch, has at its disposal is secrecy. Sometimes we must even hide those secrets from those who would be our brothers in arms, lest our actions be misunderstood, would you not agree?"

[Steve Trustrum]

"So many secrets Lady Inquistior." Kerr chuckles with an amused grin. "I doubt you'll share how, but impressive you know of a keep lost and unrecorded for so long."

After letting here stare linger on Procel's helmeted visage for a moment, she then turns to you.

"Any secrets I have that you need to know will be yours when the time is appropriate. As for the keep ... certain information came into my possession while pursuing an unrelated case. It is no mere mistake of record keeping that this keep has been lost to us."

[Retias]

Kerr's grin broadens. "Excellent! Then it is taken by others and we are assured there are suitable foes waiting!" His eyes gleam with satisfaction, any further details clearly of no current interest to him. "They'll learn the price of taking from us, something long overdue."

[BVrtis]

"So many secrets Lady Inquistior." Kerr chuckles with an amused grin. "I doubt you'll share how, but impressive you know of a keep lost and unrecorded for so long."

After letting here stare linger on Procel's helmeted visage for a moment, she then turns to you.

"Any secrets I have that you need to know will be yours when the time is appropriate. As for the keep ... certain information came into my possession while pursuing an unrelated case. It is no mere mistake of record keeping that this keep has been lost to us."

"Do we have information as to what strain of Xenos may have perpetrated this action against the Deathwatch?"

[Steve Trustrum]

"Do we have information as to what strain of Xenos may have perpetrated this action against the Deathwatch?"

The Inquisitor turns to address you.

"Not with certainty, Lexicanum. The information I have managed to uproot from where it was deeply buried does lead me to believe it was Greenskins, but there is no confirmation. If it was the ork, that would mean they would have had all the intervening centuries to ravage the keep's stores, including Deathwatch relics and relics from all loyal Space Marine chapters, including your own, that had loaned them along with their warriors to the Deathwatch. So, although it would be valuable to be able to verify the presence of Greenskins before undertaking the mission, I hope the information is wrong and that some other xenos -- one that is less destructive and willing to subsume our technology into its own -- was responsible."

[jimmythand]

Ramiel cocks his head just slightly, trying to remember the Blood Angels' stories of relics given to the Deathwatch. Common Lore (Adeptus Astartes) and Common Lore (Deathwatch)

"What would greenskins want with our relics? Besides destroy and deface them of course." Ramiel looks intently at the Inquisitor, hoping to pick up any emotion from her.

"And other than that, why would Orks stay in one place? They wouldn't have a reason to unless they were promised a lifetime of fighting." Looking at his brother-marines, Ramiel continues, "Going on what little we know, those foul Xenos are most likely dug in very well. We must root them out and destroy their vile taint once and for all."