+++ One Year before Contact +++
The Cruel Blade shuddered and groaned as it translated into warp space. Captain Octavian was keeping a tight-schedule, and as such every calculation, every command, every last detail had to be precise. The Captain sat atop his command throne, overlooking the bridge of the Alpha Legion Strike Cruiser, keying in a command to pull the blast-shielding down across the reinforced glass looking out into space. Even with the Geller fields active, Warp travel was never a safe thing, and Octavian preferred to err on the side of caution. Especially when the safety of the bridge was concerned.
A full staff of augmented Legion officers crewed the many banks of complicated computer terminals surrounding the throne. In truth, the bridge wasn't particularly large. It wasn't lavish or decorative, like those of the Emperor's Children, nor rough and bold like the Imperial Fists. The Cruel Blade served a very specific purpose, after all, so wherever the artificers could save space, they had done so. Apart from the necessary machinery, tactical and diagnostical displays, and command terminals, there wasn't really much else there.
Octavian flexed his neck, rechecking the co-ordinates the ship had locked on to were correct. They were, of course, but that didn't stop him checking.
"Hmph," grunted the Captain, before inputting some final commands into his console. They were headed for a difficult patch of space, one that had often caused trouble for Navigators and Warp travel. Not that Octavian was worried, but still, he preferred to err on the side of caution.
Especially with something as notorious as the Berslythe Nebula.
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+++ 3 Month before Contact +++
Cell Zyon was in the training cages, yet again. Katrex, whilst usually a little less uptight in how he ran operations, was anxious. The new Cell hadn't yet fought in a proper engagement, and already they had been given an Assignment. Whether this was a sign of good faith in the Cell, or simply over-stretched Legion resources, Katrex didn't know. He was damn sure the squad was going to be ready, however.
The Cell was undergoing individualised, combat-lethal training. The cages had been set to Level 4, which would put quite a strain on even Astartes physique. Captain Octavian had ordered that all combat-lethal sessions be conducted in power armour, as some marines aboard, including the Cell's own Varspex and Ruggbroder, had yet to see active conflict.
Kan, the Cell's flamer specialist, was training in the use of his bare fists. He was already highly adept at using his specialist weapon, which is why Katrex had instructed him to train his weaker aspect. Kan will face three groups of three combat-servitors, armed with all manner of blade and saw. Whilst your power armour will stop any killing-blows, a strike from these powered weapons will do serious harm. Using only your fists, and your wit, you must disable or destroy these servitors. They look slow, but are in fact deceptively quick; how will you deal with them?
Because the threat the Cell would be facing was unknown, Katrex had Varspex work on his bolter-drills. Armed with your boltgun, and sheathed in power armour, you must successfully hit a series of mechanical limbs, with bladed attachments, as they move to strike you. The limbs are attached to walls and the ceiling of the combat-cage, and the lighting has been dimmed to make it harder to see. Your helmet's senses would normally go some way to diminish this, but for the exercise your auto-senses have been disabled. The limbs will start slowly at first, before coming faster and faster until you are struck. How many will you be able to shoot down, considering the tiny size and speed of the targets? How will you manage reloads, timing them just right? Maybe you will also utilise your pistol?
Keen to put Ruggbroder's imitative skills to use in combat, Katrex himself has decided to duel the marine in the final combat cage. Both are fully power-armoured, and armed with a chainsword. Katrex will adopt several different styles of combat as the duel flows along, increasing in intensity, and it is Ruggbroder's to imitate and adopt them the best he can, in the midst of combat. However, the Alpha Legion are nothing if not cunning; whilst the initial parameters of the exercise are that one is supposed to lead with a style and the other follow, perhaps you both might consider being one step ahead? Maybe you will call each other's bluffs, change style unpredictably, and move into an altogether more complex exercise completely? It's up to you.
Kraff-Vadst is currently in the ship's apothecarium, finishing an extended medical examination. He was injured recently in a training exercise, which was partly why the Captain ordered for power-armour training. You wake up in the apothecarium, and, after briefly being explained that all has now been fixed, you are released. You should make your way across the ship back to the training area, where you can ask Katrex for a individualised training session.
All: Don't just describe your task. Describe the short lead-up to it, when you retrieve your weapons from the racks after the Sergeant gives you your individual tasks. This brings up another point for Katrex, in that you do need to give each member their exercise and parameters. Everyone should read the entire update, not just the bit that has your coloured name in it! Describe your thoughts and feelings as you progress through the exercise, and remember what I've said in the Recruitment thread; detail, not machine-gun effect. Talk to other members of the squad, express your thoughts about the upcoming Assignment, on the long voyage, and for some of you on your experience as a new astartes.
Happy roleplaying!
The Cruel Blade shuddered and groaned as it translated into warp space. Captain Octavian was keeping a tight-schedule, and as such every calculation, every command, every last detail had to be precise. The Captain sat atop his command throne, overlooking the bridge of the Alpha Legion Strike Cruiser, keying in a command to pull the blast-shielding down across the reinforced glass looking out into space. Even with the Geller fields active, Warp travel was never a safe thing, and Octavian preferred to err on the side of caution. Especially when the safety of the bridge was concerned.
A full staff of augmented Legion officers crewed the many banks of complicated computer terminals surrounding the throne. In truth, the bridge wasn't particularly large. It wasn't lavish or decorative, like those of the Emperor's Children, nor rough and bold like the Imperial Fists. The Cruel Blade served a very specific purpose, after all, so wherever the artificers could save space, they had done so. Apart from the necessary machinery, tactical and diagnostical displays, and command terminals, there wasn't really much else there.
Octavian flexed his neck, rechecking the co-ordinates the ship had locked on to were correct. They were, of course, but that didn't stop him checking.
"Hmph," grunted the Captain, before inputting some final commands into his console. They were headed for a difficult patch of space, one that had often caused trouble for Navigators and Warp travel. Not that Octavian was worried, but still, he preferred to err on the side of caution.
Especially with something as notorious as the Berslythe Nebula.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+++ 3 Month before Contact +++
Cell Zyon was in the training cages, yet again. Katrex, whilst usually a little less uptight in how he ran operations, was anxious. The new Cell hadn't yet fought in a proper engagement, and already they had been given an Assignment. Whether this was a sign of good faith in the Cell, or simply over-stretched Legion resources, Katrex didn't know. He was damn sure the squad was going to be ready, however.
The Cell was undergoing individualised, combat-lethal training. The cages had been set to Level 4, which would put quite a strain on even Astartes physique. Captain Octavian had ordered that all combat-lethal sessions be conducted in power armour, as some marines aboard, including the Cell's own Varspex and Ruggbroder, had yet to see active conflict.
Kan, the Cell's flamer specialist, was training in the use of his bare fists. He was already highly adept at using his specialist weapon, which is why Katrex had instructed him to train his weaker aspect. Kan will face three groups of three combat-servitors, armed with all manner of blade and saw. Whilst your power armour will stop any killing-blows, a strike from these powered weapons will do serious harm. Using only your fists, and your wit, you must disable or destroy these servitors. They look slow, but are in fact deceptively quick; how will you deal with them?
Because the threat the Cell would be facing was unknown, Katrex had Varspex work on his bolter-drills. Armed with your boltgun, and sheathed in power armour, you must successfully hit a series of mechanical limbs, with bladed attachments, as they move to strike you. The limbs are attached to walls and the ceiling of the combat-cage, and the lighting has been dimmed to make it harder to see. Your helmet's senses would normally go some way to diminish this, but for the exercise your auto-senses have been disabled. The limbs will start slowly at first, before coming faster and faster until you are struck. How many will you be able to shoot down, considering the tiny size and speed of the targets? How will you manage reloads, timing them just right? Maybe you will also utilise your pistol?
Keen to put Ruggbroder's imitative skills to use in combat, Katrex himself has decided to duel the marine in the final combat cage. Both are fully power-armoured, and armed with a chainsword. Katrex will adopt several different styles of combat as the duel flows along, increasing in intensity, and it is Ruggbroder's to imitate and adopt them the best he can, in the midst of combat. However, the Alpha Legion are nothing if not cunning; whilst the initial parameters of the exercise are that one is supposed to lead with a style and the other follow, perhaps you both might consider being one step ahead? Maybe you will call each other's bluffs, change style unpredictably, and move into an altogether more complex exercise completely? It's up to you.
Kraff-Vadst is currently in the ship's apothecarium, finishing an extended medical examination. He was injured recently in a training exercise, which was partly why the Captain ordered for power-armour training. You wake up in the apothecarium, and, after briefly being explained that all has now been fixed, you are released. You should make your way across the ship back to the training area, where you can ask Katrex for a individualised training session.
All: Don't just describe your task. Describe the short lead-up to it, when you retrieve your weapons from the racks after the Sergeant gives you your individual tasks. This brings up another point for Katrex, in that you do need to give each member their exercise and parameters. Everyone should read the entire update, not just the bit that has your coloured name in it! Describe your thoughts and feelings as you progress through the exercise, and remember what I've said in the Recruitment thread; detail, not machine-gun effect. Talk to other members of the squad, express your thoughts about the upcoming Assignment, on the long voyage, and for some of you on your experience as a new astartes.
Happy roleplaying!
