+++Deathwatch Reborn+++
++Opening Shots ++
+First Phase+
++Deathwatch Strike Cruiser Xenos Bane++
++Under Current Command of Inquisitor Hex++
++Deathwatch Senior Officer Captain Demos Fannell++
++Ferrers Sub Sector++
++In orbit of Deathworld designated YJ9653++
++Destination Scarre System ++
++Meditation Deck++
The scrape of flint on blade hissed through the chamber steady and methodical slowly he drew the whetstone over the bone white blade in his hands his combat blade fashioned from the tooth of a copper basilisk from his homeworld close to two centuries ago, before him on an ork hide mat lay a carving of ironwood a indigenous fauna to the world that turned below the Strike Cruiser Xenos Bane, the wood was intriguing to him soft to work but given time to dry and season was as hard as plasteel or the plates of his armour which awaited him in the armoury below, he stopped mid stroke his head tilting up his voice echoing round the chamber a cold rasp.
“You are not Matthias.”
Matthias was his serf from the Chapter he’d come along to tend his armour and weapons and to act as his aide and to tend to his needs during his tour, this newcomer smelt wrong, Matthias stank of oils and unguents used to clean his armour, the blessed fluid used to lubricate his bolter and the rank odour of the protein meals and supplement drinks all the hallmark smells of a serf of any Chapter, this newcomer was perfumed and slick with the stench of fine foods and wines, an Inquisitional dog he hesitated unfamiliar with the curt tone he’d used.
“No Captain Fannell I am not, Matthias is preparing your armour.”
“So the Inquisitor decides when I am to arm myself now?”
“Indeed, you are too be armoured to greet your new task force.”
He sat back breathing deeply his hands resting on either side of him still holding his tools he finally pushed himself to his feet in one fluid movement coming to his full height he turned on the Inquisitorial aide, the man was pudgy a life spent stuffing himself on the finest things in the Imperium, he took an involuntary step back as Fannell came to his full height.
“My name is Demos.”
“What?”
“Fannell is my Clan name, my name is Demos not Fannell.”
“I apologise for the confusion our records have your full name I just assumed.”
“It is a common mistake, think nothing more of it, who are you?”
“I’m Rigal aide to Inquisitor Hexx, can I ask lord what is that?”
He gestured at the carving on the floor, Demos turned scooping it up he tossed it to Rigal who caught it as it hit his chest.
“A Copper Basilisk from my homeworld.”
“They look vicious.”
“Their young are more so, their venom from their fangs can kill marines in minutes.”
“Marines? What about the adults venom?”
“An irritant at best, when they become fully grown they don’t need the venom to hunt, they have enough
power and strength to rend tank hulls open.”
“Truly vicious.”
“Nothing compared to my battle brothers, come let us go and claim my armour you can brief me on the way I wish to know who my new watch brothers are.”
Rigal watched as the giant strode past him he notice on the marines face a look of hunger and relish at the coming conflict it sent shivers down his spine as the Captain’s eyes fell upon him as he passed, it had been one of the first things he’d spotted when the marine had spoken the pair of fangs within his mouth where his incisors should be, he swallowed hard then followed.
++Thunderhawk wing Fulman++
++En route From Strike Cruiser Hunters Spear to Strike Cruiser Xenos Bane++
++Transporting Task Force Demos Marines++
A wing of Black Thunderhawks approached Xenos Bane large silver seals of the Inquisitor standing bold on the sides marking them clear as vessels of the Deathwatch. Within the carriage compartment of the Thunderhawk designated Alpha the marines of this new task force sat in quiet reserve for some this was their first tour with the watch their armour still bearing their chapters heraldry boldy, for others this was just another assignment during their tenure of service to the watch, their armour already black the right pauldron and arm silver and bearing the badge of the Deathwatch. Brother Kurtis of the Angles of Absolution sat looking at the others from all the chapters this was his first tour with the watch though he was far from green he’d served his chapter for over a century in the 3rd company. He had made this requested this of his chapter master his desire to better understand the xenos threat and to learn new methods of killing then after a prolonged engagement with the Orks and Tau, he hoped to learn new skills from his battle brothers in his watch so that he would be able to take them back to his chapter so it could grow and become stronger for it. Looking around the marines once more he finally broke the silence.
“Have any of you served alongside the Brother-Captain before?”
