Chapter 10

The clean-up took little time as the remaining Wracks on the station had escaped using webway portals, probably the same

ones they used to get on the station in the first place. The damage to the station was relatively minor, once Damascus

had returned the circuit he pulled from the generator that is. Each member had taken at least one injury but there were

no fatalities which Raphael was grateful for.

Medical Bay, Storm of Resolution

"How many alien leaders to plan to kill exactly Raphael?" asked Cyiren mockingly as an Apothecary put stitches through

his arm where a Wrack blade had hit a joint. Varkas rolled his eyes and then shook his head but Damascus spoke before he

did "Its Sargeant Raphael, I think he earned that title" smiling at him and nodding.

Raphael nodded back but he didn't feel the smile he put on his face. He looked at Cyiren and said simply "As many as are

needed brother". His answer seemed to placate him for the moment, thank the Emperor. Re-Shan was putting weight on his

leg keenly watched by Varkas who was waiting to intercept him from falling on the ground.

Damascus flexed his metalic fingers and nodded in approval, he then stood to attention as Thorn came through the door

while the rest of the Marines did their best to do the same. He looked annoyed but then he always did. Raphael's internal

bleeding had been stopped but the wound in his side made him wince. He stood up trying desperately to not let it show.

Thorns eyes softened if only a bit "Sit the hell down Raphael, I don't need you dying due to your stupidity". Raphael

couldn't help but laugh "Good to hear you care Inquisitor". Thorns eyes hardened again then he continued to talk "Overall

Kill Team not too bad, as there is nothing that needs your particular talents as of now so we are be heading back to the

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Watch Station as of now". He looked around at them and then at the Apothecary who nodded back, he then looked back at

them "Dismissed".

"Wait a minute sir" said Raphael, he then looked around the team "Can you give us a moment?" The teams members faces were

emotionless but he knew they would be full of questions by the time he got back to their quarters on the ship. Thorn

sighed "Fine, get out you lot" as he pointed to the door. The team filed out until only Thorn and Raphael remained in the

room.

"Whats the problem?" asked Thorn with his arms folded. Raphael took a second to figure out how he was going to say this

"Sir, the Haemonculus I killed spoke to me".

Thorns face remained like stone "Spoke to you? What did that foul thing say?" Raphael continued "It mentioned something

called the Masked Sorrow, how this whole incident isn't the end. Does that name mean anything to you?"

Thorn remained impassive but his eyes told a different story, he had heard that name before and from the look it was not

a name he had hoped to hear. Thorn pointed at him "You are certain? Did it say that name?"

Raphael nodded "Yes sir, specifically". Thorn swore and looked back at him "Tell no-one and I mean no-one else about this

or you and I will have a big problem. Do you understand?" Raphael suppressed the urge to grin, this was interesting but he

didn't have a death wish.

"Yes sir, I understand" said Raphael to which Thorn breathed out slowly, his nostrils flaring. "Good, dismissed" Raphael

bowed his head and left the room. He had to think of a story to tell his brothers before he got there. He hated having to

lie to them but he knew why it was needed.

Watch Station

The training simulations continued relentlessly as each team members wounds healed over the journey back. The drills, the

close combat training, the team exercises. It reminded Raphael of his chapter, except with much less friction between

brothers.

He smiled openly, the simulated forest streaching out around them. He could already hear the slight rustling of dead

branches about 20 meters ahead as Striker laid in wait for Kill Team Retribution, which meant the real threat was on the

flanks. He motioned to the left and right respectively and watched his firing zone as they angled their weapons.

He breathed out and loosed a shot. The shout of pain as the practice round hit home told him he didn't miss.

It is his duty, his fate and his purpose.

"I am a brother of the Deathwatch and I shall know no fear" said Raphael.