Chapter One

The months that went by were far from easy, however Raphael was far from unhappy. The Deathwatch Watch Fortress was as

heavily defended as he suspected but most impressive was the gigantic ring he stood upon. It was clearly not made by man,

nor any alien he knew of.

The ring was divided into many different sections, each with personal rooms and customisable training areas. Raphael was

stationed in Section 16 along with many other potential Deathwatch operatives. But there was one part of the training

that Raphael despised above all.

The hypno-indoctination was understandable, in fact he had gone through similar procedures as a neophyte. There was a room

in each section with a chair and vid-gear, and every day he would be strapped into it and would watch endless videos of

fellow Space Marines being killed. He could feel their pain, their injuries and their deaths. He watched as Tyranids, Orks

, Eldar, Necrons and hundreds of other Xenos species murdered his brothers, over and over again.

The training was intense, each simulation a learning curve in combat. His melee combat skills in particular had been

proven many times against other Space Marine initiates, even equaling his instructors to everyones surprise including his

own.

Ranged combat was a similar story, in particular flame based weapons as well as bolters. After initial combat testing he

was assigned a personal weapon, a combi-flamer which Raphael had looked over and familarised himself with the day he

recieved the weapon. His armour had also been modified, sensors added and the left arm had been painted silver.

Other initiates for the Deathwatch had caught Raphael's eye as well due to their own great skill but he decided to focus

on the training and not on personal relations. "There would be plenty of time for that should they survive" Raphael thought

to himself grimly.

The final day of training had finally arrived, the day where the Kill Teams would be assigned.

Each Space Marine stood in Section 16's hall. Watch Commander Michael was giving a speech to the recruits, but above a

different situation was occuring.

Watch Master Lexus was observing the induction ceremony from his personal quarters overlooking the hall. He heard the door

open and shut, a man strode in and not a man he wished to see. Inquisitor Thorn strode into the room, his coat flapping

around him and the servo skull of his predecessor hovering around him.

Lexus sighed, "Inquisitor Thorn, can I help you?" He was deeply ingrossed in reports from the Ghoul Stars

Thorn frowned "Really Lexus? After all this time we can't be civil?" Lexus breathed in and simply said "When you come to

to me, you always want something that I can either give or can provide for you. So what is it, my lord?" he asked with a

great deal of contempt.

Thorn smiled but his eyes blazed with anger. "Fine, I need a Kill-Team." Lexus was confused "Why can't you requisition

one yourself? And on that note what happened to Kill-Team Scythe?".

"They died" Thorn replied in a flat voice. Lexus fumed, and turned away. "The teams are being put together now, you can

pick out one that suits your needs afterwards" Lexus said after a long pause. Thorn didnt bother to reply and the door

shut itself as he left, leaving Lexus to curse to himself.

Raphael listened intently as the names of the teams were announced and the composition of those teams based on the members

abilities, talents and levels of experience.

Finally the Watch Commander said the words he was waiting for. "Kill Team Striker: Damascus of the Iron Hands, Re-Shan of

the Salamanders, Cyiren of the Marines Malevolent, Varkas of the Destroyers and Raphael of the Black Dragons. Meet in

briefing room seven."

Raphael took the news easily. He knew that as long as he and his team survived the first few encounters his experience

would suppliment his training. He breathed in slowly.

Finally the words "All dismissed" were heard and Raphael took off repeating the names of his new team-mates to himself as

he made his way to briefing room seven. "What in the name of Holy Terra I say to these people?" Raphael muttered to

himself. He had reached the room sooner than he had wanted and sighed. He opened the door and strode in.

Four Space Marines were waiting for him, thanks to their insignias on their shoulders he knew exactly who each of them was.

Raphael sat down and then spoke "Well, I don't exactly have a speech planned so you'll have to be patient with

me". Three of the Marines laughed at this, as for the one that didnt it was clear as to why.

"Before we get started there is one thing I would have you know, if at anytime you have an idea in combat or in training I

want you to say so no matter who commands us. I actually want to live out my Vigil and there will doubtlessly be areas of

expertise I or others will lack. All in favour?" Raphael asked.

"Agreed" all four replied. Raphael breathed out in relief, he knew for a fact that as Space Marines went he lacked the

sheer experience that others did but it wouldn't stop him. Experience could be obtained but only through time.

The Marine Malevolent who Raphael remembered was named Cyiren then spoke "Exactly why are you here Black Dragon?".

Raphael had noticed his barbed tone, a bad sign. "Good point Brother, in truth I do not know what to tell you.

Regardless I plan to do the best as I can and should I die I plan to take as many foes to my grave as possible".

Cyiren folded his arms, his expression blank but his eyes blazed with repressed anger. "Damn, I thought I handled that well"

Raphael thought to himself.

"Good answer Raphael" said the Battle-Brother sitting opposite from him. Re-Shan was smiling broadly at Cyiren's

irritation. His green emblem indicated his chapter very clearly, Raphael knew there would be a problem there eventually.

Black Dragons and Salamanders did not get along well, and especially hated the Marines Malevolent. However Re-Shan seemed

friendly enough and Raphael hoped he wouldn't be too much of an issue.

"If I may interject Brothers we have a simulation in five minutes" stated Damascus as he stood. Raphael noticed his legs

and left arm had been bionically replaced, it wouldnt have surprised him that the bionics were voluntary rather than

nessisary. He seemed efficent however which Raphael appreciated.

But as they left Raphael noticed one team member hadn't spoken, Varkas of the Destroyers Chapter. He frowned and as the

team made their way to the section simulation chamber he fell in step with Varkas.

"Brother, I notice you didn't get a chance to speak. Do you have any objections?" asked Raphael. Varkas smiled at him "No

Brother, no objections". A man of few words it seemed.

The team had reached the simulation chamber. "Time to see how the squad fights together" thought Raphael, he then started

praying to the emperor at the idea of Re-Shan and Cyiren trying to fight alongside each other.