The Emperor's Grace

Quote :

Emperor-class Battleship Castimonia Apprime, in orbit above Praethyus

The briefing room is dimly lit, lighting provided by hollowed skulls with candles housed within them. A long, wooden table with chair is in the middle of the room. At the top of the table sit a huddle of men in uniforms, obviously very high-ranking officers. None of you know why you are here: you were told to report to the Castimonia Aprime’s briefing room, ferried over from the various troop ships that surround the huge vessel. You were expecting to ship down tomorrow to reinforce the Imperial lines, but apparently you have been selected for something rather different. Your superiors have been tight-lipped.

As each of you enters, a Trooper at the door salutes and tells you to be seated, and that ‘the briefing’ will begin shortly. The officers at the head of the table take no notice of you yet, clearly deep in discussion.

OOC: This will give you guys a chance to give a little intro to your character with flair - just bear in mind the way the imperial guard military structures work etc. While your unit is a little 'looser' in its internal setup, outside they would still follow protocols and rank structures etc. Have fun guys!!!

as Werner enters the dimly lit room he notices the high ranking officers at the other end of a large table, he stand's next to one of the chair's and salute's, being ignored by his superiors gives him the shit's but he deals with it. Werner is a stocky well built man who is good at what he does, he is a demo and heavy weapons specialist his favourite saying is "there's nothing like the smell of burning flesh in the morning".

A young man enters the room, offering a salute to the guard ."Private Quintas reporting as ordered!" As the guard nods a head towards the awaiting seats, he also nods and turns smartly to step towards the seating.
Despite being a young man, his visage is heavily scarred and marked from conflict. His hair is dark and pulled into a short tight ponytail, though he sports a scattering of a weeks growth on his face. His guard armor is worn, though clean and he bears the marking of The Mara Landing Massacre on his right chest plate, showing he is a least a veteran ... or a survivor... of that conflict. A combat shotgun is slung over his left shoulder and a battered chainsword hangs from his right hip. Scatterings of various grenades and gear hang from his combat webbing. His demeanour is serious as he surveys his surroundings, letting it settle on Werner.
With a slight narrowing of his eyes, he offers a slow incline of his head towards the man. "Werner.... what sort of crap we gettin' chucked into now? 'Ave you heard anything?" with that he looks around at the gathered group, "I see the others are not here yet?"
He continues to walk towards the seating as he talks.

Werner turns to see his mate Quintas enter the room and replies to his question "i have no idea whats going on, i havent heard anything but the uniforms (motions to the officers) have been huddling like that since ive been here, (whispers) the bastards just stand there talking ive been ignored since i got here and the men?...havent seen them"

Quintas pauses a moment and scans the huddled group of officers, cocking his head slightly to try and catch some of the conversation, but soon realises the futility of it as the voices do not carry .. and the watchful gaze of a pair of commisaars ensuring the secrecy of the table.
Looking to Werner once more "I doubt we will get anything from there .. " as he says this he looks around the room at the other gathered soldiers. " There are a lot of other specialist units in there .. see ... devil dogs, arachnids, firebats .. theres definately some firepower here."

Werner replies to his mates comment "you'd think with the amount of specialists in here we would have been told by now what the hell is going on there must be some sort of invasion... i mean youre right theabout fire power in here it must be something big.... give it another 5 minutes then i'll try to find out whats going on".

Commisar Olvarix glances from the table with scattared documents to two Guardsmen sitting near the front of the room. His scar that from from the top of his forehead down to his jaw almost becomes on solid line though his left as narrows gaze to them. His weather worn face doesn't move apart from his eyes, keeping the same stoic look. His faded trenchcoat, that was once midnight black moves slightly as he moves his arm past his faded blood red Commisar hat to his battle worn Bolter Pistol that has got some writting on it, again which has faded but the Imperial seals have not.

As he grabs his pistol he stands, adjust his highly decorated scabbard (that also has Imperial seals on it) on his and runs his free hand though his black and grey specked hair and says in a commanding voice "Guardsmen you will sit down and be quiet. You aren't to question what the Emperor wishes!" lifts his pistol so that barrel is pointing and resting on the table. Take one last glance around the room and then takes his seat with the other officers and Commisar.

Werner sit's and listens to the commisar's words carefully, he knows him....a stern, tough, respected man who Werner has served under in the past he respects this man. It was the commisar who taught him the dicipline of a soldier from the time he was a boy he's is almost a father figure to Werner but he has never expected to be treated diffrently from anyone else and the commisar has never done so.

turning away from another group of soldiers that he was talking with Sergent Tolak moves across to the table where the other are gathered walking along slapping quitas on the shoulder as he passes
"with everyone assembled here all at once we must be totally fracked" with a grin across crossing his weather worn features "that goes double for you werner"
reaching out and grabbing a chair and spinning it around so that he can straddle it Tolak glances towards olvarix "emperor willing of course" he says as he places a hand on his scabbard shifting it slightly on his belt before reaching into his packet and pulling out a thick cigar and lights it up, the thick acrid smoke filling his nostrils as he takes a few puffs before blowing a smoke ring
"at least i hope we get to kill something this run, i'm sick of these recon assignments"

Sergent Tolak was another officer that Werner had respected and served under he had pulled Werner out of some pretty sticky situations in the past and like Tolak Werner was getting sick of recon mission's. Werner says in general " my trigger finger is gettin' real ichy, hope we finally get to kill somethin this time round".

With a half mocking grin Quintas heads to a chair and proceeds to seat himself, slapping Werner on the back as he passes; "An you hope it's at least edible this time, the emperor knows you'd eat anything not nailed down ... still laugh everytime I think of tha' time you tried to eat that chem rat on Verras Prime.. " his mocking laugh fades as he catches the junior Commisaar's glance flick across their huddle.
Lowering his voice to an almost whisper he comments to Tolak "Least Olly will give us a true heads up later'" he inclines hs head towards the Commisaar;" I bet he's storin' all that classified intel in that photographic memory o' his."
With another light shake of his head, he seats himself heavily with a grunt.

as Quintas walks past and says what he says to Werner, Werner replies "hey i was hungry...we dont know how long we will be out in the field so i'll eat anything that looks edible..".

looking to werner with a grin Tolak draws back on his stogie, letting the smoke waft from his mouth as he grins
"were all like that, but most of us draw the line at choking down our combat rations"

Werner says to Tolak "combat rations?.....wouldnt call what we get combat rations sir...maybe you could put in a request for 3 hot meals a day bought to us out in the field?"...Werner chuckles out loud.

Olvarix glance up from the table to where his men sit talking and shakes his head ever so slightly, thinking to himself "Such an undiciplined lot, if they weren't so damn good at what they do, would have put a bullet in the back of there heads a long time ago" Then he just smirks.

"glad to see you gents made the cut....the more fodder in front of me the better" chuckles a voice from behind the trio. Though not startling, its always unnerving how Diocletian seems to remain unnoticed till he chooses to 'unveil' himself.
The familiar click'clack of his constant weapon maintainence now resonating clearly to the others. An often annoying and jovial personality, Diocletian is a reasonably young guard who, despite being of slender build, is grizzled and wirey. Often the only thing that saves him from a beating from his crude jives is the fact that it has been his actions that have saved their arses so many times before

Werner stops talking to his mate's and sits back in his chair relaxed, scratches his head and yawns, takes a drink of water and says under his breath "wish this shit would hurry up as much as i respect the officers this shit has nothin on killing shit with me mates?.

Quintas glances over his shoulder with a grin slowly forming before offering the newcomer, Diocletian a single finger salute. "Typical Dio... late to tha' party as usual. Come ... grab a seat and join us for another round of What in the abyss we gonna kill today!"

Olvarix continues listening to the brief that in front of him. In a small pause from the Army Commander, he looks up from the various maps, plans and arrssorted papers in front of him to where his men are sitting. When his eyes meet Quintas's eyes after giving his "one fingered salute" to his squad mate. Olvarix's face becomes more stern and serious then what it is normally and slightly shakes his head as to not draw attention from the other ranking officers around him. Then lowers his eyes once more to the table as another officer begins to speak thinking "Just once would they act would they act like Guardsmen rather then rabble of obtuse children."


<OCC> Does the unit have name? Or did you want us to name it? </OOC>

Catching the Commisaars ever so slight motion and reaction, Quintas quickly nudges the others with his elbow, hissing a quiet from clenched teeth, despite the half grin still formed there.
At a noise from the doorway, he glances over his shoulder as the rest of their unit filters in.

OOC The unit will need naming - at least the squad - we also need to name the actual command and unit as well - loose structure - command and attached squds, then the specialist elements - not the same formation as a normal guard unit

Quote :

"Alright, silence please." At these words the huddle of officers break up, and take their seats, facing the assembled troops. At the very tip of the table sits a tall, lean man with grey hair in a General's uniform.

Without a pause he continues. "Gentlemen and ladies. Praethyus is a world at war. The enemy incursion here is one of the largest we have encountered for some time, and they have taken control of large areas of jungle, as well as several key hive cities. The battle rages down on the surface: it is hard, but very much winnable with the resources at hand, and your regiments' contributions will make sure that we are victorious. However, there is more at stake here than mere military might."

The projector screen in the centre of the table activated, showing an image of the world below, then zooming in on one of the huge jungles that covered much of the planet.

"Here, withing this jungle, lies the shrine of Saint Korrin, a huge temple that has existed since the Great Crusade first came to this world, though it was not always consecrated in the name of the Saint... But I digress. This site's spiritual importance cannot be overestimated, gentlemen."

He clears his throat. "This is why you have been assembled. You are going to be inserted behind enemy lines deep in the traitors' territory, and enter the temple. Save whatever you can, if possible prevent this sacred place from being destroyed or desecrated. There are good, stout paths through the forest and small villages along the way: armouries, forges and machine shops should still have supplies you can use: they can't possibly have taken everything. Besides, it isn't far from the main lines."

"You can expect to face considerable resistance, and avoiding the enemy where possible is recommended. You will be dropped in here" The holographic map flashed. "Around fifty miles from the temple. You will make much of the journey on foot, though we expect vehicles will be available to you, either untouched by the enemy or stolen from them. Take every opportunity to hinder the traitors' war effort. The route itself is mostly flat, so you should be more than capable of making the journey."
"You will be organised into squads and be issued your targets and intel shortly. Commissar's return to your squads and liase with the Sergeants on intel and orders. Enginseer Edinte, you will accompany Sergeant Tolak's squad." He nods towards a shrouded cloaked figure to the side of the main group. The officers stand up from the table. "Remain around here for the time being. You may use the antechamber next door, but do not move far from this place. We will return with everyone else's squad assignments and callsigns designations." He nods at the assembled troops who quickly stand and salute the man. "Good hunting. We are missing a few members: hopefully they will have arrived by the time we return. Sergeants, gather your squads, make sure they are combat ready. Gather back here in 30 minutes for final details."
All the officers leave in silence, leaving only the gathered units and the door sentry in the room. There are two doors, both leading to smaller antechambers, both empty (one, obviously, is the way you came in).

OOC you guys have been in a campaign against traitor guard units for the past couple of years on various worlds and sectors. You have only just arrived n this sector above this plantet, but are aware that some initial skirmishing has already been underway.

as the officers leave the room Werner says"hell yeah, killin things is what we do best"...he stands up and moves to leave the room to collect his weapons and gear then report back.

He stands begins to walk to his squad. Noticing Werner leaving he says in a loud voice "Guardsmen get back here! Nobody gave you permission to leave. All of you follow me." He begins to walk in to the antechamber.

as Olvarix order's Werner to stay Werner stops and says to " sir just keen to get into the action sir'...

Qunitas throws a grin in the direction of the man, before offering an almost passable salute at the Commissar. "Yes sah, Commissar sah.."
He then falls in to make a beeline to the ante-chamber, glancing towards the sergeant when he gets past the commissar, out of his view and winking and mouthing the words: "By the emperor's blue balls I need a drink now!"

"all right boy's" Tolak says as he puts his half smokes stogie out on the underside of the conference table "you know the routine, none of you are green horns after all. but I will go though it one more time for those of you who have a habit of not listening"

Tolak walks the the head of the group, keeping pace and turning to his men

"the General said Jungle, so that mean I want to see you with extra clothing, I want to see anything with electronics sealed against the weather, and I want you covered head to toe. last thing I need to do is hack of one of your legs from gangrene, end up with no comm, or have one of you freak out and get killed cause some space bug in crawling up your ass.
Tolak pauses a moment and grins
"and remember we are the best, the meanest sons of bitches who ever wore a uniform, begin mission prep. you know your jobs. so get em done"
with this Tolak looks back to the commissar and moves towards him
"do you have anything to add" sir commisar

Quote :

Around the room, Commisaars move to their relevant squads and liase with the squad leaders, gathering in their respective groups. Most faces are grim suggesting to thise that that may notice the seriousness of the details that they know.

as Tolak finishes his speech Werner waits to see if Olvairx has anything to add to the speech before moving out and gearing up he has been looking forward to a mission like this as he was getting sick of the bullshit recons he had been doing the last few times.