Chapter 4

The two days spent in the Warp were far from wasted as the Soul of War was a Deathwatch vessel above all and held many

different training rooms, a far cry from the advanced simulation chambers of the Watch Stations but they sufficed. Space

Marines trained extensively when they were not in combat and Striker was no different.

Raphael and Re-Shan were facing each other with looks of great concentration and practice swords, pacing slowly in a

circle and each was waiting for the other to make the first move. Raphael took a step forward and Re-Shan slashed at his

head to throw him off. Raphael blocked the strike with the flat of his blade and swiped in return but Re-Shan was already

stepping out of range pulling his blade back for his next attack.

The duel continued for several more minutes before Re-Shan made a mistake by over-extending his arm with a vicious stab

which Raphael deflected off his bracer, spinning as he did so and tapped the pommel of his blade against the back of

Re-Shan's head. They continued onwards regardless, strike and counter strike raining upon one another endlessly.

Just when Raphael thought he would lose Re-Shan slipped in his techinque in a moment of frustration, he latched onto

Re-Shan's sword arm by his wrist. Re-Shan tried to punch him with his other hand but Raphael ducked under the blow and

forced Re-Shan to drop his blade with a flick of his wrist. Then he stunned him with a well aimed to the side of his head

and angled his leg then pulled Re-Shan over it forcing him to the ground, Raphael raised his arm extending his bone-blade

and forced it into the ground by the left side of Re-Shan's head.

The pair of them were breathing heavily but Raphael had won the duel ten marks to eight, Re-Shan looked up at him from the

ground and grinned at him as Raphael did the same, pulling the blade from the floor and grabbing Re-Shan's outstreached

arm pulled him to his feet. The other members of Striker as well as Invictis were watching from the sidelines with nods

of approval.

"Not too bad Re-Shan, next time it will not be so easy" said Raphael as he strode to the sidelines to allow Cyiren and

Varkas to take their place as well as their blades. They had continued these drills and a pattern was emerging,

while his team was skilled they tended to be very focused. Varkas for example was an excellent marksman but his close

combat skills were getting rusty. Raphael knew from harsh experience that no skill could be neglected.

Re-Shan was staring at his forearms, when Raphael raised an eyebrow at him Re-Shan tilted his head "Why do you have those

blades anyway? Are they an implant?" he asked. Raphael was used to answering questions of this nature by now, many Space

Marines did. "It is a trait Re-Shan passed to a few of my chapter". The pair sat down on the floor before Raphael

continued "Some possess them call it a curse but others call it a blessing. In my case I only gained the blades and these"

he pointed to the small nubs of bone on his head and the enlongated incisors in his mouth.

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Re-Shan looked concerned "Are you not worried about the Inquisition or other such puritans?". Raphael's face was grim

"Always Brother, and we always will be. But we still remain loyal and I hope that never changes". Re-Shan seemed satified

with his answer and turned his head to watch the match between Cyiren and Varkas, making a note of their mistakes.

Invictis stomped towards him and his voice boomed at him "Raphael may I have a word?". He nodded at the ancient warrior

then stood and the pair walked to the far side of the loading bay where even Invictis would not be heard from that

distance, a viewing panel showed the hellscape of the Warp around them. When they reached it Invictis was not his normal

cheerful self and it showed in the tone of his synthetic voice.

"How do you plan to do this Raphael?" asked Invitis, he towered above Raphael and as a result he had to raise his head

to talk to him properly. "I plan to first execute the leading Warboss or whatever is in command of the Orks on Valarim,

when this is done there will be a power struggle and we can exploit the chaos such a feud would create and cause as much

damage to the advantages the Orks have, numbers and firepower".

Invictis wasn't impressed "There is a lot that can go wrong with this plan, do not risk your brothers lives to show how

clever you are" he said angrily. Raphael was taken aback, Invictis wasn't entirely wrong. But he would not sacrifice his

team to show off anything.

Raphael took a second to regain his composure and then spoke "Begging your parden ancient one but I do not seek to prove

anything. The plan is risky I admit that much but there is also much room to adapt as the situation does and in truth any

other approach I can think of would lead to the mission failing, the deaths of the whole team or both. I accept none of

it". He meant it and he could tell Invictis could too, good.

Invictis chuckled "Well then. Since I can think of no better alternatives I shall be at your disposal". Raphael thought

he had gone mad "I'm sorry?" he asked. Invictis' mirth grew only greater "I will follow your command for now Raphael, you

seem to know what you are doing. If you need my help do not feel ashamed to ask". He then did his best to nod, it seemed

even after decades of being in this large metal body some habits did not change.

Raphael bowed, humbled "Thank you ancient one". Invictis' tone grew harsh again at that "Call me by my name will you? That

title is starting to annoy me to no end. I am a soldier, not a damn shrine to be prayed to". He pointed his arm at the

rest of Striker, apparently the battle was not over yet "Inform them of this as well" Invictis demanded.

Raphael smiled "Of course Invictis, is there anything else?". Invictis shook his head, his biological one in any case

before he realised his mistake and simply said "No Raphael, go on". He then turned away hearing Raphael's footsteps

trailing away, he was alone with his thoughts.

"You certainly know how to pick them Watch Master, we shall see if this new batch of proteges fares. Let us hope Inquistor

Thorn doesn't ensure their death like last time. He felt a familar grip of sorrow as he remembered fighting alongside

Kill Team Scythe, his pride as they were removed from his company and his grief at their loss. Floating in the tank that

contained his true, mutilated body Invictis closed his eyes for a few seconds in remembrance then turned and walked to

his new band of skilled misfits.

As he did however an alarm sounded, they had reached the Valarim system and final preparations were being made.

The operation would soon begin.