[IC] Chaos Descending: Warhammer 40k Dark Heresy Roleplay

[ClocktowerEchos]

-=+:||:+=- Thought of the Day: Even a man who has nothing can still offer his life. -=+:||:+=-

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. . . . . . . . INQUISITORIAL DATASLATE. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . TO: RETINUE OF INQ. KARTHIS. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . FROM: INQ. KARTHIS. . . . . . . .

Greetings,

I know these past few weeks have been tough on us all. We have been significantly delayed and under constant attack from daemons and warp creatures who prey upon un in our sleep. However, it is through our strength of character, will power and faith in the God-Emperor which has kept us strong and able in these testing times. I hope that everyone has gotten to know each other marginally more in the additional two weeks of Warp travel we did not plan for as we will (hopefully) be serving along side each other as comrades for a long time to come. I will not lie, such incidents like the one we have just experienced and perhaps even worse things are not uncommon to those who do the Emperor's holy work, but we shall prevail with the Emperor as our witness and Shepard.

As for our current mission, we will be heading to Elpos III, a Shrine World dedicate to Saint Sara. Saint Sara was an Adepta Sororitas Sister of Battle whose brave actions of slaying a Greater Daemon of Tzeentch had also lead to the closing of the Warp portal. Interestingly enough, Elpos III still allows it citizens to take part in leisurely activities such as drinking an traditional festivals. However, I expect all of you be able to control yourselves in the face of such distractions; we are here on official Inquisitorial business and all of you should abstain from such activities with the Emperor acting as your witness if you commit such acts on one of his holy shrine worlds.

The objective is to find the Inquisitor Valgone who has seemingly disappeared while investigating claims of heretical activity on Elpos III. For the time being, we shall be using the monastery belonging to the Order of the Martyred Saint as a base of operations, I have already informed to their Canoness, Canoness Phaedra, about our arrival (and our tardiness) and as such she will be waiting for us once we make planet fall; she is also allowing us access to her order's armory and motor pool should we need it but I feel the need to remind everyone that we are on investigational duties first and I would personally prefer not to turn a Shrine World into a Death World.

Included is a list of potential people and places that I believe deserve further investigation or of some importance:

People:

• Inquisitor Valgone - Our primary person of interest who was looking into claims of heresy prior to his disappearance, tt is said that the last few times Inquisitor Valgone had been seen he had been quite distressed.
• Canonness Phaedra - Canoness of the Order of the Martyred Saint who we will be staying with for the duration of this investigation. Her order is fairly small only contain about 30 Sisters of Battle although this number does not non-militant Sororitas.
• Confessor Oemon - This man has apparently travelled to Elpos II with Valgone but has also been missing for quite some time according to the Canoness and was last seen with Valgone.

Places:

• Execution Square - A public execution place which according to the words of the other priests that Canoness Phaedra has heard, was almost all surprisingly heretics. Surprising for a Shrine World with so much zealotry. I recommend everyone keep alert as this is clearly a sign that something is off and further evidence of why you should not go out drinking or eating less something happens to you.
• Sector 8 - The only area on the planet where traditional festivities and drinking is allowed. All of you should know that such an area is not normal for Shrine Worlds and can easily be a prime, wicked breeding ground for heresy where Imperial morals are not nearly as tightly enforced. Investigation here may uncover some thing of value to our cause.

That will be all for now. I will be updating everyone with additional information once we arrive at the Monastery of the Martyred Saint and additional data arrives. Our current itinerary will have us getting straight to work in researching and gathering information soon after we arrive. We will be divided into two teams, one that will do data mining from within the Martyred Saint's monastery and setting up a base and the other who will be going out to do field work. I myself will be hoping between the two roles.

For those of you who are more combat oriented and worry that you will not be of us, fret not for you shall be accompanying the field teams. Alternatively you can assist in the defense and guarding of the Monastery of the our Sororitas friends should you decide you do not want to assist in field or investigation work. I have no doubt heretical eyes will be watching us from the shadows once we land. The Inquisition is not the only eye that sleepeths not I'm afraid but with the light of the Emperor acting as our beacon and his divine hand acting as our guide, we shall succeed in uncovering the fate of Inquisitor Valgone.

The Emperor Protects.

Signed,
Talvyrn Karthis

OOC Note, Please Read

THIS DOES NOT SIGNAL THE START OF THE IC, ITS JUST THE DATASLATE.

[The Emperors Blade]

Arrival

Sister Superior Laedi

Arrival on Elpos III was smoother than expected if delayed. What the Inquisitor, and retinue would find though when they stepped off their ship into the port was something very different than what they had expected. Before them were five Battle Sisters, none of which bearing the mantle of Canoness, rather the highest ranking was simply a Sister Superior. Two rhinos were also parked behind them likely to be the Inquisitor, and retinues means of travel while they were on Elpos III. Regardless the sisters were rather unremarkable, their hair cut short, and in varying natural colors, except for the Sister Superior who wore hers in the standard bowl cut, and platinum white. Each carried a bolter, and a short sword, except for once more the Superior who carried a bolt pistol on her hip, and a chainsword on the opposite hip.

The Sister Superior stepped, forward, but stopped as a procession of clergy, and pilgrims paraded by the open garage of the port. The clergy members dressed in bright white, and gold heads held high, and bits of fat jiggling around on various points of their bodies. Meanwhile the pilgrims looked defeated, their skin tight against bones, bodies malnourished by fasting, many of them with eyes sunken as they shuffled slowly behind those that served the God Emperor so fervently. For a moment her eyes had turned, as did all the other sisters who watched the procession closely as if they might suddenly attack. Once more the Superior looks back to the Inquisitor, and takes a deep breath. “Apologies Inquisitor Karthis, but we are all on edge. Things are not what they were last you were contacted.” Her lips purse for a moment as she considered how to continue.

The sound of autogun fire could suddenly be heard in the distance, and a large wheel vehicle went peeling down the street, with an Arbiter hanging out of an open sliding door with shotgun in hand before disappearing in the distance. “As you can see things are rather, disruptive at the moment, a cult has sprung up naming itself ‘the flames of the Emperor’, having seen some kind of vision of the Emperor burning the entire Galaxy they believe that the Emperor is going to come purge everyone, and only have those who follow the way of Flames be reborn.” A single hand reaches up pushing hair from her brow, her eyes looking over the retinue. “Also I apologize Canoness Phaedra was not here to welcome you. She has gone missing along with three other superiors a week ago, we haven’t heard or seen from them since. I’m Sister Superior Laedi. I also feel the need to apologize for having a less than acceptable escort, you see the Followers of the Flames have been, attacking randomly throughout the city so most of the Sisters are currently guarding it, as they have tried to take it twice now.”

Turning and walking towards one of the Sororitas rhinos, the other sisters spread out scanning the perimeter. “Please all of you accompany me in here, the other sisters will follow behind us, should something take place I would not want it to be on my head that one of your company fell on my watch.” It was then that several explosions crackled off in the distance. “And don’t worry about those. That’s the Execution square, the Followers of the Flame have turned it into a small fortress, and the local PDF are trying to break down their defenses with rockets.”

[ClocktowerEchos]

-:- Inquisitor Karthis -:-

As the doors opened to reveal Elpos III, the first thing the Inquisitor noticed was the smell. It smelled like... death. Not an overbearing miasma that fogged the air, but a much more subtle stench that drifted from somewhere yonder. He couldn't sniff out a source, it was like it was everywhere. Screwing up his face for a second before return composure, giving a serious but warm smile to the Sister Superior. In the back of his mind, Karthis was glad that the Sororitas came to escort him, their graceful figures and elegant beauty helped to offset the less attractive members of the clergy and pilgrims (Emperor knows what kind of zeal can lead a man to not eat for a week).

"Fear not, I'm sure that we'll--" Karthis began before jumping a little at the sound of gunfire, his frontier senses tingling. His hand reflexively reached for his gun with the other baring his buckler already raised. Once it was clear that he was in no immediate danger for the time being, the shield was lowered but his hand was still hovering around the grip of his bolt pistol. As the Superior began to explain the situation, Karthis realized that the fumes of death that wafted by his nose was probably just a few dead bodies that no one picked up. The Inqusistor's eye trailed the Arbites vehicles that zoomed by, heading to the thick of the fighting no less. "I suspect that if this is not just another doomsday death cult, that we may have a heretical uprising in the works; I would place my money on Khorne with all the fighting and fire and death and all." Karthis muttered under his breath, "Could also be some Tzeentch cult trying to destabilize the planet for some reason. Doubt its Slaaneshi or Nurglite."

The man's ramblings halted when he heard that Canonness Phaedra had not only went missing, but a week prior to their late arrival. Karthis subtly stamped his foot into the ground and bit his lip, if only they came here on time Emperor dammit! Now he had lost a valuable source of information and had one more person he had to look into. Emperor knows how much more work that was going to take. Facing Sister Superior Laedi, Karthis contained his internal rage and assured her that she was doing a fine job, "You have nothing to apologize for, Sister. Considering you are on the cusp of fighting a war, if not fighting a war flat out, this is still a fairly impressive escort you have granted us. We are humbled by your generosity, truly the light of the Emperor shines upon thou."

Giving a slight, formal bow, Karthis finished his thanks to Laedi before she instructed everyone to pile into one of the Rihnos. With the sound of rockets going off in the distance, Karthis once again had his hand on his gun but the Sister Superior dismissed them with an quick explanation of the PDF's current plans on dealing with the little "Execution Fortress" the Flame Fuckers had erected in Execution Square, gave more credence to the idea of a possible Khornate cult in his mind. Picking at his nose with the faint smell of death still lingering about, Karthis embarked on to the transport vehicle and took off his hat before running his hand through his hair. It was a simple gesture that helped to calm him down in addition to a simple breathing and counting trick his father used when he was on the front lines in the Guard. After a few seconds, enough anger had boiled out of the man's soul and he faced Laedi with some more questions, "I guess that we should start with the important topics. What were the circumstances around the Canonness's and the three other Superior's disappearances? When and where were the last seen? Were they visibly troubled or doing something they wouldn't normally do? When and how did you find out they were missing?"

Karthis paused before he shot off more questions, remembering he still had a retinue with him, "To those of you who are wondering, you will not be harmed by any Imperial organization while I am here; you are all technically part of the Inquisition and under its watchful eye. Plus my own eye."

The Inquisitor ran through everything he had recently learned in his head, he could see how some pieces fell into place while others made no sense. Something told him that there has to be a connection between both Inquisitor Valgone and Canonness Phaedra, there just had to be one. Oh and the death cult with a fire fetish must also be in this web somehow but he just couldn't make sense of it! Karthis wished that Hargos was here with him, the old man's mind must have been able to see something he couldn't, what would he do at the moment?

Deep in his thoughts, a chill ran down Karthis's spine as he remember a very important question, "Oh, Sister Superior, before I forget, I would like to make a special arrangement for my sleeping quarters. Could you please let me requisition a transport in your motor pool so that I can lay out a sleeping arrangements guarded on all sides? Perhaps also with some of those clergymen around. If you could do so, it would be greatly appreciated. I will, of course, not use all of the space and transform it into a personal room and will still be willing to let it be used during the day of course."

With something gnawing at the back of his thoughts, Karthis couldn't tell what was going to happen but he sensed there was something far deeper and far more sinister behind all of these recent events and things were going to get... interesting.

OOC NOTE

You know that odor of death that Karthis keeps complaining about? Its actually something that's exclusive to him. No one else really smells it and so they just see him sometimes screwing up his face, picking his nose or sniffling.

[Squad 404]

Jessica stepped lightly off of the ramp and onto the surprisingly clean ground. For a planet currently in what was best described as a civil war, it was still remarkably clean. Jessica scanned the surrounding area calmly and ignored the passing clergy and pilgrims. Her spy mask fed her various bits of data about the environment. Fair temperature, low winds, good atmosphere. No psychic disturbances to be seen thus far. Everything seemed to be relatively normal outside of the civil war taking place. Jessica briefly glanced at the Adeptus Arbites vehicle moving by and quickly returned her gaze to the Sister Superior who was speaking. Jessica's Exitus rifle was slung across her back snugly, and her Exitus pistol holstered on her left hip. The two small bands of bullets twinkled gently in the soft light provided by the nearby star, and the inquisitional pendant that hung around her neck gleamed gently along with them.

Outside of that, Jessica reflected no light. The stealth suit she wore absorbed and dissipated it, leaving next to no reflection. Taking a deep breath. Jessica noted no abnormal smells to be had and overall judged the current situation to be fairly normal. Jessica checked various corners and shadows for anyone who might be lurking nearby, and currently saw nothing. Switching the view modes of her spy mask to thermal and nightvision Jessica checked again and once more saw nothing that would provoke a response. Returning the mask to normal view Jessica merely waited for the conversation to progress. Jessica didn't speak much and thus had nothing to add to the conversation. Merely waiting until it was over or the inquisitor and his retinue, which she was a part of, were given instructions or orders. When the Sister Superior turned toward one of the Adepta Sororitas rhino transport vehicles, Jessica followed the inquisitors lead.

Once everyone began to board the rhino transports Jessica wouldn't be far behind. Sitting gently next to the Inquisitor or Sister Superior Jessica removed her rifle from her back and placed the butt of the weapon upon the smooth metal floor of the rhino. This allowed her to sit far more comfortably and it kept the weapon in a much more accessible position should the transport come under attack. Now Jessica could do nothing but wait. It wasn't hard for Jessica to accomplish this since most of the time assassination targets took quite a while to appear, though it was the least enjoyable part of the job.

Jessica listened to the Inquisitor and the Sister Superior exchange various tidbits of information and made her own mental notes about the situation as well. Still keeping quiet, Jessica noted that the inquisitor believed the cult to likely be khornate in nature with the possibility of Tzeentch being involved and that the Inquisitor doubted that either Nurgle or Slaanesh were involved. Jessica made a personal note then that Slaanesh could possibly have more involvement than the Inquisitor first assumed due to the presence of usually forbidden activities like drinking and festivals. Though obviously she didn't dare to challenge the inquisitor's assumptions without solid proof.

When the Inquisitor paused to remind Jessica and the rest of the retinue that they would be free from harm while he was here, Jessica almost sighed. The small pendant around her neck marked her as an agent of the inquisition and guaranteed her safety from any imperium loyal forces while it was present. The others, however, would probably find themselves assured by this statement. The Inquisitors request for a Rhino to sleep in brought some curiosity from Jessica. He believed that someone was already hunting him? Jessica knew of some of the internal strife that the Inquisition had, but the Inquisitor was still freshly appointed and even though he was a radical he had yet to actually perform anything that was largely out of line for any inquisitor.

Regardless. Jessica knew that it was her job to keep the Inquisitor safe from harm, and since Vindicares were often regarded as some of the best assassins in the entire galaxy this would be a relatively simple task. Anything that any would-be assassin would try Jessica would already have considered. Only if the Inquisitor went rogue did he truly have to fear.

[agentmanatee]

+ENVIROMENTAL UPDATE PROCESSING, OUTER SCAN AND DIAGNOSTICS PROGROMS RUNNING+

A distinct pattern of whirs and beeps could be heard emitting from the figure swathed in long, thick light red robes. The hunched figure stepped out of the transport with a series of audible and heavy clanks, signalling that he was most likely heavier than his size suggested. On his back sat a largely moitonless pack, a myriad of mechanical arms folded and dormant against it, save for one thick metallic limb ending in a powerful servo claw which held a data-slate before the figure with surprising delicacy as he scrawled over it with his organic left hand. His righthand was currently a simple three fingered 'hand'. It simply spun and whirred in place, largely idle. Cables ran from his back to what seemed to be a glowing panel sticking out from his chest.

+INITIAL SCANS COMPLETE. AIR - TERRAN ANALOUGE, NON-TOXIC, REDUNDANT SCRUBBERS DEACTIVATED FOR POWER CONSERVATION.+

A burst of binary emitted from his cyberneic throat, and behind him now walked two servitors. The braindead automatons each carried a pair of extremely large crates with Mechanicus seals on them and followed the Tech Priest closely. He saddled up alongside the Inquisitor as he spoke with the sisters. He scarecly gave the Sisters themselves a glance but lingered on their armour, weapons and vehicles for a short time before returning to his data-slate. It was impossible to tell however if he was even reading it, for his 'eyes' didn't move. Three bright green orbs could be seen beneath the hood where several large cables ran into, as further bursts of binary mixed witht he whirring and beeping of his systems as he ran his routine checks upon landing

+GRAVITY LEVELS - 97% SURFACE GRAVITY COMPARED TO TERRA. 22% TO MARs.+
+PLANET CLASSIFICATION - SHRINE WORLD+
+OXYGENATION OF-+
+NATIVE TOXIN COUNT 8-+
+ATMOSPHERIC DENSITY OF-+

He largely ignored the stream of new data, having loaded much of it into his cogitators already, but letting his mechanical parts acclimate from both pre and post landing was a redundant if extremely important ritual for him. He largely ignored the gunfire and general chaos, aside from noting calibers, likely makes, weapon origins, and the myriad of violations to holy machines he could see in the immediate area. The Arbites had illegally modified their Taurus to increase its speed as well as attaching further, non-regulation armoured plating. All minor, all things he would bring up as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Machine spirits must be livid. As the Inquisitor and Sister spoke his cogitators picked out anything interesting or of even minor use to him. Notes about a possible cult, meaning a high likely-hood of illegal Tech heresy, as well as possible unique mutant specimens for study. He largely ignored the overal conversation, most if it largely pointless to him, aside from the names of those now missing in addition to the Inquisitor they had been sent to find.

As they were beckoned to board the Rhino's another burst of binary sent the servitors to the second Rhino to place and secure his precious cargo within. Ortiz himself accompanied the Inquisitor and sat directly next to him, still recording and analyzing the conversation around him. He largely disregarded the Inquisitors promise of safety, he knew the shpeell by heart seeing as he had recorded it the first time it had been uttered to him five years past. It was reassuring, but a sentiment Ortiz saw as unnecassary. His arrangement of sleeping quarters was... odd, and Ortiz made a memo to inquire further about it later during an examination. As the Inquisitor finished speaking the Tech Priest finally dayned to lift his head to the Sister Superior, a burst of binary filling the air before he seemed to pause, as if he were switching gears, before speaking in gothic tinged by and filtered through his vox. +I wil require several things in order to - 1. Aid in Inquisitor Karthis' investigation - 2. Provide medical services for him and other Inquisition personnel - 3. Continue my research. I will need access to all records available to you, as well as your medical facilities and a location to set up my laboratory.+, he paused again, as if cycling through to his next statement so unpractised he was at using it. +I am Genetor Ortiz Freelon, of the Adeptus Mechanicus - Sup division Adeptus Biologis.+, a short introduction no doubt added in the hopes of better speaking with non-Tech Priests.

[LHG100]

Elijah followed the Inquisitor out of the ship, and let him do the talking with the Sister Superior and the rest. He mindlessly nodded in agreement to whatever Karthis was saying to the Sister Superior, as he was too busy taking in the majesty and wonders of the Shrine World they just landed at. In all his (relatively few) years in the Guard, he never occupied a Shrine World before, he barely had any idea they were this breathtaking. To an Agri-Worlder, anyway.

Of course, his amazement was wrenched away from him when the sounds of autogun fire and the odd explosion reached his ears. Shoved back to reality, he reminded himself to check his lasgun when Sister Laedi was finished. When Ortiz was requesting a space for himself and his duties, Elijah made a mental note to ask the Tech-Priest if he was even doing his rites correctly. He was pretty sure he remembered the ritual for cleaning lasguns, but his Merovech pattern was unusual. It would be smart to ask from someone who knows what he's talking about if it perhaps required special rites and he's been doing it wrong the entire time.

Boarding the Rhino, he was mildly amused by the sheer size of it, both inside and out. He was quite used to the cramp interiors of a Chimera; it was a nice change of pace. Almost pleasant. He was particularly, visibly amused when he remembered that this is the exact same type of vehicle the Angels of Death rode about in when necessary.

He sat in Rhino alongside the Inquisitor, sitting on the opposite bench and facing the Inquisitor, the Vindicare Jessica, and the Genetor Ortiz. As everyone else was loading up, he decided to strike up some work-related conversation while inspecting his Merovech. Turning the safety on and preparing to eject its two power packs, he asked "Hey, do these Rhinos have Lasgun ports?" while he set the power-packs on his lap. Unscrewing the barrel, he continued onto the actual mission. "So, ain't meanin' to be rude or nothing, but we've any theories on what we could be goin' up 'gainst, Mister Karthis? I know our primary ob-ject-ive is to find this fellow Inquisitor, Valgone." Elijah began using a clean rag to wipe away at the barrel's focusing lens. "If he is... unavailable to continue his duties when we find out what happened to 'im, are we s'posed to finish his job for 'im? Don't mind, just wondering's all."

He shrugged when examining his work on the lens and began to screw it back in. "I ain't got any theories myself, I'm quite obviously new to this whole Inquisiting thing so's, I'm not gonna assume nothin'". He then set out to fulfill his mental note from earlier. "Hey, not trying to bother, Mister Freelon, but do these Merovech patterns require any special care or rites? It's obvious I gotta inspect two power packs and all that. But, if you got any expertise on the matter I'd like to be enlightened on anythin' else, if it ain't too much to ask."

[Andreyich]

The Squat yawning walked out of the ship, stretching his hands and by reflex his mechadendrite too. Eyes hazy, he looked at the Sisters of battle. "The nutters," he thought. He was quite faithful to the Imperial Cult, but anyone with five minutes outside of authority's influence would guess that, much less someone who grew up outside of direct Imperial authority. Lighting up a pipe and pouring down a bit of Lho-stick powder into it, he nodded approvingly at the shooting. A sign of soldiers not slacking, he thought.

"Oh just mole-morta...." He started and nearly instantly stopped as the flame cult in the Executioner's Square came up. "You've been out of the guild for decades." he thought to himself. He really needed to work on getting those habits out of his system. Yankel would listen intently, and go into the Rhino as instructed. It seemed one of the members of the party was already talking to the Inquisitor, so the half-man would have to ask for slightly larger quarters later. His face would go into an expression of digust and contempt at the sight of the Tech-Priest. If he was like any other of his kind, they would not get along well.

When the topic of sleeping quarters came up, he perked up. He had to ask the Inquisitor about some more room for his "projects." After all, the space for his tinkering is where the 'magic' happened. Besides, he need it for his personal... projects. The legacies of his people that he still had, and must work on. He knew he was speaking out of place, but better now than never. "Oh err, can I have some more space too? I need it for all the repairs and things I do, what." Finishing his words, he would let out a thin ring of smoke into the air, satisfied and lean back.

[dereken]

Tupp McKennan strode from the ship, stopping a moment to take in his surroundings. With a sigh he took in his surroundings. He'd been to a couple shrine worlds once before in his days in the Guard. They didn't hold his attention long. This one wasn't much different, though his hopes were high for Sector 8. Tupp took a place next to his fellow abhuman, feeling a vague sense of camaraderie with the squat, despite hardly ever speaking to him upon the squat's joining of Karthis's entourage. Tupp hardly paid attention to the priests and pilgrims, but he watched the sister superior and her subordinates. Of course, he knew that the Emperor botherers were disdainful of his kind at the best of times, so he didn't say anything to draw their attention just yet.

Tupp, however, paid close attention to what was said, in case he would need to make use of the information. It seemed like he wasn't going to have any chance to 'investigate' Sector 8 as he had hoped. The fighting had already broken out, and he turned to face the sound of the autogun's sharp cracks in the air. 'Like being back with the regiment.' Tupp thought as he watched the Arbites vehicle speed off into the city. The familiar sound of Imperial Guard rocket launchers firing in the distance served to strengthen the comparison. He shrugged, uncaring about the fortified square. It wasn't his problem.

Approaching the rhino, Tupp smiled to hear he was under Inquisitorial protection. Immediately he produced several lho sticks, sticking one in his mouth and lighting it, before proffering one to the squat on his right, and another to the Vindicare nearby. He didn't believe for a second that either would take him up on the offer, but it was still best for him to take care of his own, however new they were. When they reached rhino, Tupp couldn't help but stare up, it towered over him, much more than even a chimera. Tupp shook his head and clambered in, finding a seat to pull himself up and into. Tupp could understand why the inquisitor would want such a thing as sleeping quarters. Even without it serving as a mobile command base, it's size was positively luxurious compared to the kind of places Tupp would usually be stuck in when he was in the guard.

[Sophrus]

Oskar Stepped onto the planet feeling a little uneasy, a convicted criminal stepping foot on a shrine world had to be heresy of some kind. He wasn't sure, and its not like anyone could do anything about it, he was after all with the inquisition. He adjusted his gear, slinging his flamer over his shoulder and resting a hand on his chainsword, now that he was sure that they where not landing under fire. he glanced around the landing pad, still uneasy, and lit an Lho stick breathing and drew a slow drag. The sound of gunfire and explosions was actually oddly calming, the planet was just as much of a battle field as any other. He noticed the Inquisitor jump at the distant sound of battle. He chuckled quietly to himself, 'The Inquisitor is skiddish as a white shield' he thought grinning beneath his environmental mask.

The Inquisitor and sisters where hashing things out so Oskar turned and took up more of a sentry position on the outskirts of group and examining the pilgrims as they walked past. They where all normal as far as he could tell, but he hardly knew what he was looking for other than a crazed maniac with a chaos star tattooed into their forehead. That thought struck him a little too, remembering the penal legion serial number on his own forehead. He sighs, watching a bit of ash fall from his Lho stick while the up and ups figure out whatever they are doing.

Everyone began loading into the Rhino, Oskar followed everyone in and stood by the door with his flamer in hand preparing to be driven into a warzone. He heard the Guardsman, Elija or whatever his name is, incessantly asking questions. Oskar turns and stares at Elija, 'by the emperor, this kid wont last long' he thinks to himself.

[Ollumhammersong]

Michael was more than happy to finally touch down on the surface of a planet, any planet. Even one as cold and bitter as this. He respected it's station as a shrine world to his lord and Emperor, but he was willing to set down just about anywhere with an atmosphere after spending so long aboard ships breathing recycled air stained with the odour of oil and lubricants. And to be away from the void. Being connected physically to the rock and soil of a planet was far more comfortable for his mind's eye than the coldness of space.

His lungs filled with the frigid air, Closing his eyes and letting his mind reach out around him. Sensing for something, anything that might spell initial and sudden misfortune or simple interest. Gripping the haft of his staff tightly, using it as a conduit to further strengthen his search and to defend against anything looking back. He was also counting on it keeping the surrounding sisters and clerics from denouncing him as a mutant and stoning him, or worse. For his staff was topped with a simple bronze 'I' of the inquisition. Showing him to be an official sanctioned servant of the throne. And out of reach of the overzealous harpies that often made up the ranks of the sororitas militant.

To him the noise and explosions were little details. More nusences to his concentration than cause for alarm. He once more find reason to be thankful for his service with the Astra militarum. Even the inquisitor jumped and ducked all in one move at the sound. But he was accustomed to walking through battlefields. Where weapons fire whipped around you, only with him weapons fire was often mixed with actual fire, warp fire being thrown at him by sorcerers. It has been some years since he walked an actual battlefield but his discipline seemed to hold all the same. And he wasn't about to show weakness in front of anyone. He was in control of his own mind, body and composure. Regardless of whatever external stimuli was nearby to provoke him.

He folded his second arm behinds the small of his back and straightened himself upright. If it wasn't for the staff and the steel psyker hood attached to his skull he might have passed as some kind of official or officer arrived to assume an open command posting. What with his greatcoat, boots and gloves which he kept meticulous.

The only emotion that crossed his face aside from indifference, was while watching an arbites vehicle rip and squeal its way through the streets only a few dozen yards away. He raised and eyebrow and the right hand corner of his mouth curled into a smirk. This planet was going to keep them very busy. This smirk became a frown when he was ushered towards the rhinos.

Just what he needed, an enclosed metal box filled by woman who think he is an abomination, And he was expected to climb inside. “Vermilion Hells.” He growled and adjusted his greatcoat. Hoping the second bronze 'I' he had pinned to it like a brooch or medal would also serve as even further warning and reminder of his protected status. When one was a psyker he had to make that statement as obvious as possible to all around him.

He didn't loathe the sororitas, nor was he resentful about their existence as an organization. They served a vital role and have done much to further his Majesties holy cause both on and off the battlefield. But their zealotry reminded him often of regimental commissars. People who took to their solemn duty to execute the witch just a little to willingly. And often without the same IFF filter that they would apply to ever other allied combatant on the field. The execution of psykers is necessary and appropriate, under circumstance. But whether the wider Imperium liked it or not his kind had their role to play too. And individually it was often more important than whatever purpose made up their mundane existences.

So he boarded himself in and settled for what was a silent and awkward drive. Just him and some sisters militant and whatever other acolytes joined him in that particular vehicle. A very awkward drive.

[FrostedCaramel]

Love the Emperor...

The shuttle came to a rocking halt as it touched down, the inside of the bay bathed in light as the ramp opened onto Elpos III to reveal the beauty and majesty that was a Shrine World. Father Adrias fought back a tear at the site of such a holy and devout land, "Never had I thought I would step foot on a world so devout to the Emperor..." he said to himself as he simply stood in the shuttle allowing the Inquisitor and the rest of the retinue to exit out before him. Gathering himself before stepping off the shuttle and onto sacred ground, Father Adrias recited a short prayer in thanks to the God-Emperor for such a chance to strengthen his faith before stepping out into the light.

Standing just as speechless as before, Father Adrias quickly called Tobias over to him, who just a moment later floated from the shuttle bay with Father Adrias' great Holy Book hefted beneath it. The Servo Skull watched intently as the Father flicked his finger to the side, as he did so it began flipping the pages of the book before coming to a sudden halt as his finger stopped its movement.

...for He is the salvation of mankind...

Taking a moment to assure he was ready to read the short verse, Father Adrias opened his mouth to speak before being cut-off by the sound of gun fire in the distance and an Arbites Tauros roar by with an Arbites practically standing outside of the machine as it did so. Stopping his sermon before it began, Father Ardias turned to the Inquisitor that was deep in conversation with the Sororitas about what was happening on the planet. Before long he was fervent with the need to cleanse the Heretics from the planet, giving brief thought to the merits of rousing the Emperor-loving populace to take up arms and simply overwhelm the cultists in the so called "Execution Square" with their bare hands in the name of the God-Emperor he dismissed the thought as likely being beyond the plans that the Inquisitor had for the Cultists, He did smile at the thought of the Heretics being ripped limb for limb by the faithful of Elpos III for just a moment though.

...Obey His words...

Following the Inquisitor and his retinue to the Rhinos, the Father forewent the Inquisitors Rhino and instead climbed aboard the one that was apparently just for their security to the Sisters greetings of "Father" as he did so, "Sisters, please, be at ease. I am but a servant to the Inquisitor on this day, and by doing so I am but a servant to Emperor himself as we all are." he slightly bowed his head in his seat and noticed the Psyker sitting across from him. 'By the Emperor, I should have taken a space int eh first Rhino.' he thought as Tobias lazily floated into the Rhino, "Tobias! You are lagging behind, keep up or by the Emperor I will have you replaced. See if you find the Emperor to be forgiving when you fail your service to Him." he spoke aloud to the Servo-skull which offered no excuses, or really any sort of reply for that matter.

After his short reprimand of Tobias, Father Adrias turned to the Psyker, "My name is Father Adrias, I don't believe we have been acquainted yet." he said with a nod, "Do not fret, I am not such a zealot as to condemn a sanctioned Psyker such as yourself." he said pointing toward the Psykers staff with the 'I' of the Inquisition above it. "Do know however; that if you show any signs of taint or possession... I won't hesitate to cleanse you in the name of the Emperor Himself." he said as he lifted the flamer at his side slightly up.

Adrias laughed and placed a hand on the shoulder of the wound-up Sister to his right who reacted with lightning speed, bringing her weapon almost fully up to the Priests head, "Sister please! I'm simply enjoying myself with the Psyker, for a sanctioned-Psyker must have great faith in the Emperor and any man that has such faith is an ally of mine, even a Psyker!" he proclaimed to the Sister and in turn everyone aboard the Rhino. "If ever you require any purity seals or assistance against the grip of the Warp and the Chaos within, do not hesitate to call for my aide." he said to the Psyker as the Sister lowered her weapon back into its holster.

...for He will lead you into the light of the future...

[Asura]

It had been a long and draining trip to this Shrine world of Elpos III. For Ellyn, that much was obvious. The fouls dreams of senseless madness and putrid debauchery which had plagued her and so many of the Inquisitor's retinue weighed heavily on her mind, even as their ship touched down and the crew amassed around the bay doors. Much of her journey had been spent in solitary prayer, finding solace in the comfort of worship and the warmth of God Emperor. Yet, even for one as pious as she, worship could not remove the edge such visions of horror put her on. Perhaps it was for the best. In all her years of service purging the enemies of man, the inability to find relaxation had served her well. She could not afford to allow the bliss of piety to blind her to the taint of corrupt.

She could only allow it to empower her with righteous zeal. As the sharp hiss of a mechanical entrance permeated the cargo hold, the Sister braced herself for what was to come. Karthis himself led the disembarking, followed by a number of Ellyn's 'companions'. An odd word, considering how so many of these men mocked the glory of her Emperor. Abhumans, mutants and warp touched accompanied her in the righteous fight. No matter how just or necessary the Inquisition's plight was, working with such... abominations left a sour taste in the woman's mouth.

Descending the ramp on the heels of the damnable Psyker whose company she had been lucky to avoid for the most part, Ellyn's hazel hues shifted instinctively to those gathered to meet them. The small squad of Sororitas was a welcome sight. Proud warriors of the Martyred lady, if their black armor and crimson vestments were anything to go by. They stood as a stark opposite to the scarlet shine of her own suit and the silky slips of ebony fabric which clung around it. A less welcome sight, she found, was the clergy who stood farther off. Never would such words escape her lips in mixed company, but the slugs who called themselves 'priests' on this world disgusted her. Gorging themselves on rich foods garnered by the power His creed bestowed upon them. Such hedonism had no place among the Ecclesiarchy. On a world so renown for festivities no less, the repenting Sister could only question if Slaneesh had not a blasphemous hand in this planet's possible corruption. A passing glance was given to the starving pilgrims, although it was one of softness as opposed to harsh judgement. Those who denied themselves pleasure for His sake were worthy, in her eyes, for more than simple rags and positions of meekness.

Such a look of compassion could not remain for long. Immediately, her focus was brought upon the Sister Superior and her welcome. Standing staunchly at attention, the distant rings of battle did nothing to stir the woman. Unlike her Inquisitor, she had seen combat first hand on her tour around the galaxy. It was a relief to find that many of her companions did not find such disturbing either; a sign she was in the company of seasoned warriors who had also brought down the hammer of holy justice upon xeno, heretic and worse. Words exchanged by the Sister and Karthis were heard but not trifled with. It was only when their group made for the transports provided by the local convent that she stirred from dutiful stoicism.

The gentle clink of power armor followed her every step as Ellyn boarded the Inquisitor's chosen rhino and sat on the very edge of its spacious interior. She always preferred the seats by the door for the quickness of deployment. First in the fray and last to leave was always her personal motto when launched into battle. She was well equipped for it, too, as became apparent as the strongly built woman unlatched the magnetic harness which held her massive chainsword to the back of her breast plate. The Eviscerator was a terrifying weapon for any who would oppose those zealous enough to wield it, but it also made sitting difficult. With a soft mechanized whine, she sat upon the rhino's bench and held her beloved weapon close for the sake of politeness.

Others in their group were none so kind. Smoke quickly filled the air of their transport, Lho-sticks aplenty among the less tolerable members of their detachment. Though her nose scrunched in disgust from the stench, Ellyn restrained herself as to listen to the Inquisitor's odd requests. Having a rhino for ones personal chambers was odd, but so rarely did the nun understand the man she followed. Ever dutiful, the woman spoke for the first time since her morning prayers back aboard the ship, directing her words primarily to Karthis.

"I volunteer to watch over the transport upon its conversion, Inquisitor. Your safety among this planet's populous is paramount, should we seek to rid it of the heretical plague which has taken root." A simple declaration, but one of iron conviction.