Location - Emperor's Brand, Armory<br/>Time - 2045 Standard Orbital Time<br/>Objectives (Primary)        Destroy Shield Generator<br/>(Secondary)    Destroy Anti-Aircraft, Assist in Seizing of Field Base<br/>(Tertiary)        Eliminate Pathfinder unit<br/><br/><br/><br/>The Emperor’s Brand shuddered.  Ancient bulkheads quivered and groaned like a lover in the throes of ecstasy.   A near palpable tension rose along the interior of the ship, one that seemed to spurn forward those that served her whims.  Eagerly crewmen moved down the tight corridors.  Some carried munitions that would soon be belched out into the chaos around them.  Others carried supplies to seal off injuries to the precious metal body that protected them.  All bore a grim determination across their features and a seeming joy for the battle that even now they fought.  Outside the dark depths of space were alight with weapon fire from not only the Emperor’s Brand, but many of her sister ships and those of the mysterious Tau that dared return fire.  Few understood but all knew that the Emperor’s Brand truly enjoyed the pain of battle.<br/><br/>Suddenly there was a lurch of the entire vessel, a thrust of the ship sideways as all cannons spewed forth their death at once.  Overhead sirens wailed a warning as another deck was engulfed in the flames of return fire.  Below the warring ships was the precious planet of their destination.  Peril M423. A pretty planet if one judged by the green and swathes of blue.  Still there were also deep fissures of black cut across the surface as if someone had dropped a glass ball and glued the surface back together.  Oceans turned into waterfalls and lands held canyons of lava while at the same time hosting lush vegetation.  The world was not the harshest or most exotic a Space Marine had ever set foot upon, but it certainly gained a second glance.<br/><br/>The Deathwatch members of the Emperor’s Brand were gathered none in their armory.  Nutrition gels were being dispensed to the God-like warriors of the Deathwatch while the Inquisitor took her place at their front.  Octavia Sol had put in a special request for a Deathwatch detachment and much to her credit the woman carried enough clout and respect to have her request granted.  Few among the Inquisition could boost such a claim.  A member of the Ordo Xeno, she had a particular interest in the Tau and in this system in particular rumor mentioned.  Rumor also spoke of the great beauty she had once been before half her face had been taken by tampering with some alien technology.  Even now as she looked at the assembled men, despite the advanced surgery available to her the woman’s face seemed to only be half present.  A black and red robe covered her frame from scrutiny, the cowl brought back to reveal that her hair grew only on half her head as well.<br/><br/>“Welcome members of the Deathwatch to the Peril System.  Close enough to the Black Reef that the gravity disturbances, as you may have noticed affect these solar bodies.  Beneath you is Peril M423, an unfortunate and perhaps fortunate victim of such gravity disturbances.  Torn apart by gravity and put back together by an unknown anomaly.  A truly grand undertaking that this world holds true at all.”<br/><br/>The woman moved across the front of the room as she spoke.  At her side hung a golden chained book of the Emperor’s Will.  Multiple religious seals and icons shined across her belt, along with the imposing and familiar image of a bolt pistol.  Delicate fingers circled around an offered vessel of ornate glass filled with a purple liquid.  She sipped with some relish before continuing.<br/><br/>“Today marks our first investigation into this source.   An inquiry into the matter of this planet and in truth this system’s existence.”  The woman moved her mouth as if to speak more, but she was silenced by the opening of the doorway.<br/><br/>“My men need a proper briefing Inquisitor, not fanciful theory and rhetoric.  If you will excuse me, they need to know what they are setting foot into rather than what you are hoping to gain.”  The grizzled voice was a familiar one belonging to Watch Captain Andar Scarion.<br/><br/>The power of his armored boots could be felt resonating through the interior of the room with each step he took.  As if by his will alone a holographic scene came to life between him and the Deathwatch.  Small points of red and blue were shown on the surface along with areas outlined in yellow.<br/><br/>“We are in need of a base of operations planet side Marines.  Standard codex procedure in regard to planetary assault.  Problem faced here is the xenos are hiding their misbegotten recruits behind their shields.”<br/><br/>A long stretch of field is shown on the map with several blue emplacements assaulting small, yellow crosshair areas.  “The Firth and Sixth Regiments are coming up short with heavy artillery and mobile infantry cannot penetrate.  Tech specialists have isolated the signal of the shield generators to areas beneath the ground in the mountains nearby.  We are going to drop pod you into the valley so that you can assault the inner workings.”<br/><br/>“Your primary objective is to take out those generators so that the shields will falter.  Then from there you are to proceed down to the fields to assist with capturing the base.  Along the route will be various anti-aircraft cannons as well.  Clearing out this will assist in providing air support to the operations.  Reports also place a Tau Pathfinder unit in the mountains so keep your eyes open Marines.  Do not underestimate these beasts.  They are cowardly, but they are fast and deadly when cornered.  Grab your gear and prepare for departure Marines.  You’re out in ten!”<br/>