Shadows of Lumeia (RP thread)

[JudgeGrimm]

The very aptly named Arterial Station was the hub of nearly all travel in and out of the system. It was a constant wave of traffic, civilian, merchant and military alike. Not a single corner of the station was saved from the hustle of never-ending traffic, being crammed with low-lifes and scum of all sorts. The sight of armed Arbites was very common throughout the station to monitor activity and to serve as a presence of authority to hinder the thoughts of rebellion and heresy onboard the station.

It was also the closest to the unknown Xenos ship which had mysteriously appeared within the system three days ago. Sensor sweeps of the vessel revealed no outward energy outputs, weaponry and no life signs, revealing the ship to be an unpowered, drifting hulk.

The most peculiar of events happened when a boarding team had been dispatched to the unknown vessel but did not return. Communications with them had been severed and their signals could not be found anywhere on the ship.

So, the government of the system decided to send for help from Inquisitorial agents whom maintained a presence within the system. The first to get the message was Inquisitor Antheros, an incredibly clandestine individual whose history is largely unknown. A man of incredibly psykic and Xenos knowledge, he is the perfect man for the job despite his unfamiliar and dark air he carries about him.

The Thunderhawk he had secured for the mission was located at dock B-23. It was a largely unused dock reserved especially for Inquisitorial agents for matter such as today. The large chamber was empty, save the Thunderhawk itself, a handful of menials and adepts of the Mechanicus and Antheros himself, whom stood at the ramp of the Thunderhawk, speaking with an Adept and going over last-minute checks of the vessel.

The man was a very large and imposing figure. Dressed in a very ornate and rare make of Power Armor that was colored a deep gold, wearing a long, flowing red cape and a rather oversized Plasma pistol strapped to his side. Somewhere in his armor was concealed a pair of Bolt pistols and strapped to his back was a chainsword inscribed with prayers and holy wardings.

[Lord General Armstrong]

OOC: Just introducing my troops in the roleplay and scene in the roleplay character introductions are next.

IC: The Corilithian Battle Fleet known as Bismarck was engaged on its long-range patrol to halt pirate activity. The ships astropaths screamed and were muttering all kinds of dialects. The translators were going crazy, men running back and though in Battleships Athens communication tower. The message was garbled and distorted and sensors were picking up an unknown vessel. A man in a fine peaked cap and a ceremonial cape was looking into the pict screen. “Put on main vid screen.”

“Aye Captain spoke one of the many bridge officers.”

The screen flickered and came alive the Captain took a step back. “This may be a problem.” There was a stationary xeno vessel, no running lights, and completely silent. Without the ancient and constantly upgraded sensor equipment of the Oberon class vessels. It would of remained completely unnoticed. There was something else on the screen a planet and a space station. The Captain could not divert his fleet from his current course, but this had to be investigated. “Bring me a vox, trooper.”

“Aye sir.”

The trooper ran out and returned in earnest “There you are Sir.”

“Good thank you, as you were.” The trooper saluted and returned to his previous assignment. “Sergeant Mackinaw of Engineer party 007. I have a job for you. There is a derelict xeno vessel in orbit around a nearby planet. Planet reports indicate that a investigation party was sent but contact with them has been lost. Pick your team, head to the armoury and proceed to the docking bays you are moving to escort vessel Apollo.” Stated the Captain.

Gabriel Mackinaw turned to his Engineers there was 60 of them in the room. The other sergeants were walking around and grouped up with Mackinaw. Mackinaw raised his voice and coughed. The Engineers immediately turned and looked at the young officer. “All right we are moving out I need a team 20 Engineers follow me” Everyone stepped forward. “Good, but I only need 20.” He moved his finger and personally selected the 20 men. They moved as one toward the armory. To grab their gear, “I’ll meet you in the hanger.”

[Laughing Man]

Orvin sat calmly in the Arbites shuttle that was ferrying him and a small hunt team of specialists to a waiting docking bay at Arterial Station. Orvin felt some Chargrin as he hadn't been briefed on anything yet, he was just told to bring himself and his two best specialists to the dock B-23 of the station in full combat gear. He checked his weapons making sure the holdout las-pistol he always carried was snug in it's concealed holster.

His other companions were his two best officers. Shalla Tupel in all terms a rookie having only served for 3 years however she had two excellent talents. She was a crack shot with a pistol and she could track a vallahallan in a blizzard if she tried hard enough.

The other was a man known as Grent no-one asked his first name. Easily the largest Arbiter in the precinct he carried his shock maul and supression shield, a drum magazine grenade launcher on his back. Grent was simply a blunt instrument.

"We'll be docking in 5 minutes Sir"

Orvin checked his own commbead was sending.
"Good good" her turned to Shalla and Grent. "Helmet's On you two and double check your gear"

[Hetfiltrator]

Clang clang...

Osairus motioned to the members to form up. "Brothers, pray. I must speak with the inquisitor" Osairus stepped quickly up to the inquisitor "My brothers are yours, My leige... May we live and kill... For the Emperor... Let there be so many heretical corpses they will send horror up to the blasphemous gods!"

Clang clang...

[Laughing Man]

The Arbites shuttle touched down in the bay and the 3 Arbites disembarked and the shuttle left as quickly as it arrived. Orvin smartly brought his feet together and brought his hands up to his chest to form an aquilla. "Marshall Secundus Orvin Draken and team reporting!"

[JudgeGrimm]

So far, the turnout was rather well. Antheros had not expected to receive a team of Astartes and was rather satisfied. He nodded to Osairus and replied back in a deep, bellowing tone, "I can assure you He will see fit to grant us as such." Not a hint of emotion or expression could be seen on his hard, battle-scarred face. He had seen enough to justify his cold nature, more than enough to drive any man past the brink of insanity.

The next group wasn't quite as impressive as the last, seeming to be just another group of Arbites looking for a thrill. He turned his stone-cold gaze onto the Marshall, sizing him up before speaking. "I hope you are prepared for this, Marshall. I shall not go easy on you in the least." After speaking, he turned back around to face the Thunderhawk, looking it over ocne more before turning around to address those present.

"As you may well know, a Xenos vessel of unknown origin appeared within this system three days ago. A team of Imperial agents was sent to the craft to investigate, but all contact with them were lost shortly after disembarking. Our job is simple; to go on that ship, secure a foothold on the place from which to scour the vessel, look and secure the team, and lastly to find out what the hell it is doing here and where it came from. Any questions?"

[Laughing Man]

Orvin raised his hand. "What was the make up of the Imperial team, my lord?"

[JudgeGrimm]

The Inquisitor turned to the Marshall and replied. "It consisted of a few Adepts and a single squad of Arbites. The importance of the individuals is in no way reflected by their ranks or units, but in the information they may have gathered. No doubt by now they would have discovered something onboard the vessel, and we must bring them safely back for debriefing."

[Laughing Man]

Orvin subvocalised a message to Shalla "Contact HQ see if they can give us any info on units operating in the area from our jurisdiction or possibly from outside?"

Orvin looked up "Sir if they're from the planetary precincts then they'll have been implanted with a sub-dermal tracker, all officers that see combat duty are implanted. If they're are active we'll be able to tell two things, firstly where they are and secondly if they're alive, unfortunately the implants don't work in corpses."

[Lord General Armstrong]

The armoury was full of weaponry it had ranged from the simple and elegant lasgun and pistol, to the massive vehicle depot which house thousands of armed vehicles. The small 20 man team of Engineers geared up grabbing whole suits of carapace, grabbing there weapons and putting there personal upgrades upon them. “I want 5 combiflamers under-slug on those hotshots and no AT rockets we don’t want to puncher the ships hull.” Stated Mackinaw

The team moved to the hanger prep teams were evacuating to the green zones to avoid being sucked out in the coldness of space. The team entered the small transport vessel, the red warning lights flipped on and the rear hatch door started to close. A jolt came across and knocked a member of his feet. The coldness of space was beautiful in a way, the stars and nebulas. It only took 30 minutes for the transport to land in the escort vessel. Mackinaw felt the ship turn and accelerate, it would be mere hours before he would reach the space station and find the rest of the investigation team.

...

The escort came to a halt off starboard of the space station and a small transport shuttle exited from its armored hull. The ship moved slowly but carefully towards the station. "Prepare docking proceeder, everyone sit tight and lock down." There was a heavy thud and the shuttle landed. The rear hatched opened and the team stormed out. They were welcomed but not in the way they thought 8 security officers stood weapons at the ready. Mackinaw raised a hand. "Someone get a arbities officer so I can tell him why were here."

[Hetfiltrator]

Osairus motioned for his brothers to accompany him into the armoury "Brothers of the primarchs! We will not be cowed or killed. We will take the fight to these foul xenos and let their screams be the wings of our prayers! Carrying them to the Emperor! Deathwatch, kill or be killed! Do we fight or are we the foul xenos we swore to exterminate! Bring your weapons forward, my brothers, and I shall bless them."

[JudgeGrimm]

The Inquisitor looked over his team once more with a scrutinous glance, taking no chances and remembering all of their faces. Too many times he had been assigned to a mission and those whom had been his comrades turned against him, forcing him to bring down the judgement of the Emperor unto their tainted souls. Something about this mission called to him, as though the Emperor himself was guiding his hand and had a plan for him.

After he was satisfied, he nodded and spoke once more. "All of you, steel your souls and begin your rites and prayers. In half an hour, we leave whether you are on the ship or not." Without another word, not caring if the others had anything to say, he swiftly turned around and headed up the ramp of the Thunderhawk to begin his own rituals and prayers for protection and guidance from the Emperor. Something told him they would all need it.

[Hetfiltrator]

"Brother librarian, please offer your weapon." Osairus watched as Belfast, slowly and meticulously stepped up to him. Belfast offered his Force Staff and Osairus grasped it. He lifted the staff so it was perfectly straight and upright. Osairus made several rapid hand guestures, and cracked open a vial of water. "Brother. This is water from Terra. May it protect you from all that do not deserve a clean death." Osairus splashed Belfast with water on his armour. "Now we have finished. "

[Laughing Man]

Orvin turned to his team. "Set your trackers for closed environment, make sure you're weapon actions and clean and Grent watch your head"

[Hetfiltrator]

Osairus looked over his back at Orvin "Listen BOY, I don't want you to get in the way of me and my team. I'd hate to say it but I'd have to say one of my bullets is worth more than your life. And you do NOT want to get shot with these."

[Laughing Man]

Orvin ignored the arrogant space marine and continued to talk to his team, "Executioner rounds will be order of the day set them to track non-human life signs."

Orvin walked calmly over to a recaf dispenser in the bay and filled a small paper cup with lukewarm drink. He slid the faceplate of his helmet up and sipped keeping his face away from everyone else in the bay, then finished and slid the helmet back down presenting yet again a faceless arbitrator.

[Lord General Armstrong]

After 10 minutes of thick negotiation, one of the local arbitie officers cleared them through. Each member given a small pass and directed to the staging grounds. He saw the preparing team, space marines, more arbities, an inquistor the list went on and here they were a team of 20 Corilithian Engineers armed to the teeth and armoured just as equally. "Sorry were late boys, can anyone give us a sitrep." Said Mackinaw as he seated on an ammunition crate.

[Hetfiltrator]

"Deathwatch, get to the Right of Wrath. Inquisitor? Will you accompany us to the ship? or will you ride with the guardsmen." Osairus noted the man called Orvin blow off his advice. It didn't particularly upset him, but he had a feeling that he worded his friendly suggestion wrong.

[Laughing Man]

Orvin looked at his two team mates and grinned under his helmet, "Oh remember both of you, check your suit seals, i don't want to tell your mother's you died of explosive decompression."

[Hetfiltrator]

Osaitus looked back at the new trooper. "Well, let us see. The Inquisitor has recruited us to investigate the disappearances of the boarding boarding parties. Essentially we gotta hulk to exterminate." He turned back to the black armoured marines about to board their matching thunderhawk and shouted at the last one who bore the symbol of the ultramarines on his shoulder "Hey, Brother Tompkin! What do you think? Stealers or something else?" Brother Tompkin laughed "Chaplain! If that is the truth, we've been demoted again! Ahahahahaha!"

[Laughing Man]

Orvin shuddered. "Damn stealers, remember Thrant's moon, that got ugly, didn't we have to overload the colonies fusion core to kill them all?"

[Hetfiltrator]

Osairus remembered a conversation he had once with Master-Captain Vesuvius Hetlan of the third company...

A newly promoted Osairus had been running down the halls, excited to announce his promotion to his brothers. In his zeal he ran around the corner and smashed into another power armoured brother. The impact actually knocked him on his rear. Osairus looked up and started to yell at the other marine only to see the golden cross on the middle of the forehead indicated a high-rank and the red cloak indicated 3rd company. The figure looked back to his companion, an Imperial Fist, and excused himself. He reached down and grasped Osairus's hand and then pulled him up. "Good brother, keep thy zeal in check. There is spirit on thy tongue, no?" Osairus nodded sheepishly "That is what Brother-sergeant Faviel says." The figure turned to leave but he stopped "But please do not forget to respect all of the Imperium, young brother. For without them... we would perish. We can not be the mighty Imperium without guard would be a shell. The Imperium without the inquisition would be a knight with no shield. And without us the Imperium would be naught but a turtle. Slow and ponderous. Tough but weak."

And now here he was. The High-chaplain of the 2nd company and a proud Deathwatch member. "Enough introspection. Let us go, my brothers"

[JudgeGrimm]

((I'm sorry guys, but I think I need to put a minimum post length for this thread. From this point on, we will do the standard two paragraph minimum post length, each paragraph being at least five sentences long. To some this might seem like alot, but I feel it is what it needs.))

The nagging feeling at the back of the Inquisitor's mind would not go away, even after meditating for half an hour in his private stateroom. Something felt... different about the mission, as though it was his destiny. No matter what, he could not, would not, back out of this for any reason. He had to push through anything and everything that came their way. Nothing would stop him.

Slowly he opened his eyes and let out a sigh as his consciousness returned to the confines of his stateroom. He sat alone for a minute or two, double-checking his power armor and weapons before standing up and heading back to the ramp. The group had increased dramatically in size thanks to the group of a few dozen engineers. They looked wet under the ears to Antheros, but they would have to do. He stood up straight and beckoned them all forth. "If everyone is finished, we shall now depart. Double check everything, this will not be an easy mission." After those last few words he proceeded to the cockpit to consult with the pilots of the craft, making sure everything was good to go.

[Lord General Armstrong]

Gabriel signaled his team and they moved towards the vessel. They planed to get the front row seats. They would be first into the xeno vessel. They remembered their training the guard were expendable, marines weren't. Gabriel didn't like the term one bit, but in fact him and all other Corilithians hated the space marines but treated them with utmost respect.

Gabriel spoke up "Inquistor why are we travelling in a marine vessel and why are we only going in one ship. Shouldn't we spread out just in case its weapons reactivate. One last thing sir we have our escort vessel on stand by just in case with fire support and guard reinforcements." He turned and took a seat and looked back at the inquisitor.

[Laughing Man]

Orvin and all of his team suddenly had massive heart attacks and died.