Chapter 3

As they made their way to the armoury the other team members were at a loss on how to delay an Ork force of that size by

themselves and were beginning to question Lexus's sanity for giving them such a task. Raphael however was dead silent in

thought.

"How in the name of Holy Terra are we going to pull this off? I mean each of us has done their duty and done it well but

we don't need a strike team here we need a damn army!" said Cyiren in obvious frustration but then he always talked that

way so no one was exactly shocked.

"Frontal assault is suicide obviously, hit and run and sabotage would be the best option" said Damascus. He was right but

that did not mean it would be easy, thousands of eyes looking for something would find trace eventually. Orks weren't

the most intelligent beings but they were persistant Raphael gave them that much credit.

"Guerilla warfare is my specialty, combined with the forest terrian we could do this" said Varkas proudly, he then looked

around "Come Brothers, dispair is the enemy we face here". He smiled around at the team until they all smiled in return,

all but Raphael. He had finally devised a plan.

They had reached the armoury at last, a bustling hive of metalic sparks, heavy machinery and tech adepts focusing on

their duties or bustling about. Their cybernetics were filling the room with sharp metalic sounds which the rest of the

team was used to thanks to Damascus but it did make it hard to concentrate.

After ten long minutes of tracking down a tech-priest who knew where Invictis was they finally found where he was, loading

bay 17 as two more tech priests left chatting away in binary but there was no-one else there. As they were starting to

look around in confusion a whir of machinery coming to life sounded behind them, in his haste Raphael thought it was a

wall but as it strode towards them it became clear who Invictis was.

Clenching his powerfist, recalibrating autocannons and moving with a heavy gait Invictis walked to them as each member

knelt in reverance. Through a vox grill he spoke "Greetings Brothers I am Venerable Dreadnought Invictis". Raphael smiled

to himself, his plan just got less risky.

Each member of Striker rose in one movement and faced the dreadnought, the heraldry of his body indicated he was once a

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brother of the Angels of Absolution but the fact he was here told them all he had decided to stay with the Deathwatch and

had become a hero as a result. But apparently he didn't seem to share that opinion.

"What are you all gaping at? Come, there is work to be done. Watch Master Lexus has briefed me on all the details and all

of you need to prepare for the mission ahead". He then strode off, his immense body clearing a wide berth as he continued

talking enthusiastically as the Striker team hastened to keep up.

"You know it has been nearly a year since I have seen any real battles, only a skirmish here and there and while the

priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus take good care of me they tend to worship me a bit too much for my taste. Just like the

Space Marines Ha ha ha! He continued laughing at his own joke for a good minute until they reached the tall shelves of

weapons they were looking for.

"Cyiren take a lascannon, everyone else take suppressed long ranged and area of effect options and that includes you

Re-Shan" Raphael said with a hard tone while cocking a Deathwatch Sniper rifle. Much different from the rifles used by

Scouts in usual chapters this kind of rifle was rarer and much more powerful. He turned and tossed it at Varkas with a

smile and a simple statement "Don't miss". He then located his favoured weapon, his combi-flamer and checked the

calibrations. They were perfect as always but he always made sure anyway.

He then looked at a servo skull carrying a different piece of wargear entirely and had a thought. He turned "Everyone grab

a camo cloak and as many remote explosives you can carry as well, I get the feeling they will come in useful here too".

He whistled at the servo skull to gain its attention and like a grim specter it glided to him and deposited the cloak in

his hand, he donned it muttering to himself "Why the hell would Dark Angels wear robes all the time, why not use these?".

He would have to remember that when he returned to his chapter.

Raphael breathed out and shook his head, thoughts of home would have to wait for another day perhaps when his Vigil was

nearly completed he would consider his options. The rest of the team was armed and ready, Raphael clicked a grenade into

place on his belt and then walked to the hanger bay right next to the armoury. Their transport awaited, the ship named

"Soul of War" had been docked for the last hour waiting for them. As he found out the ship would stay in orbit around

the planets second moon and out of sight, this was so Invictis could be deployed via drop-pod if he was needed. He would

not like that but he would have to understand.

As they traversed the halls of the ship and found their quarters beside the main vehicle hanger of the ship. Soul of War

had undocked and was moving slowly away from the Watch Station. A shudder was felt by all as the vessel entered the Warp,

a dangerous journey to be sure but one that was required.