《Deathwatch Team Fluff: A Warhammer 40k Story》Book 2: Chapter 4
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Chapter 4
The two days spent in the Warp were far from wasted as the Soul of War was a Deathwatch vessel above all and held many
different training rooms, a far cry from the advanced simulation chambers of the Watch Stations but they sufficed. Space
Marines trained extensively when they were not in combat and Striker was no different.
Raphael and Re-Shan were facing each other with looks of great concentration and practice swords, pacing slowly in a
circle and each was waiting for the other to make the first move. Raphael took a step forward and Re-Shan slashed at his
head to throw him off. Raphael blocked the strike with the flat of his blade and swiped in return but Re-Shan was already
stepping out of range pulling his blade back for his next attack.
The duel continued for several more minutes before Re-Shan made a mistake by over-extending his arm with a vicious stab
which Raphael deflected off his bracer, spinning as he did so and tapped the pommel of his blade against the back of
Re-Shan's head. They continued onwards regardless, strike and counter strike raining upon one another endlessly.
Just when Raphael thought he would lose Re-Shan slipped in his techinque in a moment of frustration, he latched onto
Re-Shan's sword arm by his wrist. Re-Shan tried to punch him with his other hand but Raphael ducked under the blow and
forced Re-Shan to drop his blade with a flick of his wrist. Then he stunned him with a well aimed to the side of his head
and angled his leg then pulled Re-Shan over it forcing him to the ground, Raphael raised his arm extending his bone-blade
and forced it into the ground by the left side of Re-Shan's head.
The pair of them were breathing heavily but Raphael had won the duel ten marks to eight, Re-Shan looked up at him from the
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ground and grinned at him as Raphael did the same, pulling the blade from the floor and grabbing Re-Shan's outstreached
arm pulled him to his feet. The other members of Striker as well as Invictis were watching from the sidelines with nods
of approval.
"Not too bad Re-Shan, next time it will not be so easy" said Raphael as he strode to the sidelines to allow Cyiren and
Varkas to take their place as well as their blades. They had continued these drills and a pattern was emerging,
while his team was skilled they tended to be very focused. Varkas for example was an excellent marksman but his close
combat skills were getting rusty. Raphael knew from harsh experience that no skill could be neglected.
Re-Shan was staring at his forearms, when Raphael raised an eyebrow at him Re-Shan tilted his head "Why do you have those
blades anyway? Are they an implant?" he asked. Raphael was used to answering questions of this nature by now, many Space
Marines did. "It is a trait Re-Shan passed to a few of my chapter". The pair sat down on the floor before Raphael
continued "Some possess them call it a curse but others call it a blessing. In my case I only gained the blades and these"
he pointed to the small nubs of bone on his head and the enlongated incisors in his mouth.
Re-Shan looked concerned "Are you not worried about the Inquisition or other such puritans?". Raphael's face was grim
"Always Brother, and we always will be. But we still remain loyal and I hope that never changes". Re-Shan seemed satified
with his answer and turned his head to watch the match between Cyiren and Varkas, making a note of their mistakes.
Invictis stomped towards him and his voice boomed at him "Raphael may I have a word?". He nodded at the ancient warrior
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then stood and the pair walked to the far side of the loading bay where even Invictis would not be heard from that
distance, a viewing panel showed the hellscape of the Warp around them. When they reached it Invictis was not his normal
cheerful self and it showed in the tone of his synthetic voice.
"How do you plan to do this Raphael?" asked Invitis, he towered above Raphael and as a result he had to raise his head
to talk to him properly. "I plan to first execute the leading Warboss or whatever is in command of the Orks on Valarim,
when this is done there will be a power struggle and we can exploit the chaos such a feud would create and cause as much
damage to the advantages the Orks have, numbers and firepower".
Invictis wasn't impressed "There is a lot that can go wrong with this plan, do not risk your brothers lives to show how
clever you are" he said angrily. Raphael was taken aback, Invictis wasn't entirely wrong. But he would not sacrifice his
team to show off anything.
Raphael took a second to regain his composure and then spoke "Begging your parden ancient one but I do not seek to prove
anything. The plan is risky I admit that much but there is also much room to adapt as the situation does and in truth any
other approach I can think of would lead to the mission failing, the deaths of the whole team or both. I accept none of
it". He meant it and he could tell Invictis could too, good.
Invictis chuckled "Well then. Since I can think of no better alternatives I shall be at your disposal". Raphael thought
he had gone mad "I'm sorry?" he asked. Invictis' mirth grew only greater "I will follow your command for now Raphael, you
seem to know what you are doing. If you need my help do not feel ashamed to ask". He then did his best to nod, it seemed
even after decades of being in this large metal body some habits did not change.
Raphael bowed, humbled "Thank you ancient one". Invictis' tone grew harsh again at that "Call me by my name will you? That
title is starting to annoy me to no end. I am a soldier, not a damn shrine to be prayed to". He pointed his arm at the
rest of Striker, apparently the battle was not over yet "Inform them of this as well" Invictis demanded.
Raphael smiled "Of course Invictis, is there anything else?". Invictis shook his head, his biological one in any case
before he realised his mistake and simply said "No Raphael, go on". He then turned away hearing Raphael's footsteps
trailing away, he was alone with his thoughts.
"You certainly know how to pick them Watch Master, we shall see if this new batch of proteges fares. Let us hope Inquistor
Thorn doesn't ensure their death like last time. He felt a familar grip of sorrow as he remembered fighting alongside
Kill Team Scythe, his pride as they were removed from his company and his grief at their loss. Floating in the tank that
contained his true, mutilated body Invictis closed his eyes for a few seconds in remembrance then turned and walked to
his new band of skilled misfits.
As he did however an alarm sounded, they had reached the Valarim system and final preparations were being made.
The operation would soon begin.
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The fallen (?) hero and Aži Dahāka's soul fragment
I have to apologize.A certain real life problem that I thought I got rid of has caught up to me once again.I tried to continue writing, but my mind was not in the right track to do so and thus, as some people had said, the quality of the latest 2 chapters had turned from the usual "bad" to "worst". So, I reluctantly have to say that I will be away until I can sort things out.I can't say when, but I do intend to return to writing. I might lurk around to read other people's works though. I will be turning my attention to stories with "tragedy" and "despair". The five of us were summoned to this world from our clubroom two years ago to be made as heroes.Shouldn't forceful summoning like that be counted as kidnapping?Well, we chose to go with the heroes route.After harsh training and battles, not to mention all the killings, we finally defeated the demon lord.However, all those achievements literally became nothing, it wasn't just forgotten, it was erased to be totally nothing as even the written records were somehow being disposed of. I was too naive. Who would have thought that the side we have been fighting alongside with, the side we were fighting for, was the one to bring our demise?After I had to see everyone else turn into nothingness, somehow... I alone survived. Note: I will attempt to fix the grammar problem with the help of lieutenant colonel fletterman. This may delay the release of future chapter. Chapter 1 is fixed. Chapter 2 is fixed.
8 136The Injured
Survival ain’t easy even in the best of times. These are not the best of times. Alexander lived because he had to. He really didn’t have another choice.
8 201Vigilantes Make Us Safe: Rebel Rebel
When the world was on the brink in the 1940s a group of men and women with uncommon ability pulled the world from the brink. They inspired generations to come and led to a golden age of vigilantes protecting the world. Times change. By the early 2000s almost nowhere was willing to tolerate unregulated men and women dispensing their own form of justice. The dawn of the internet made operating in the shadows virtually impossible. Everyone thought the days of vigilantes were done but presidential candidate Richard Hughes, riding a wave of populism, has promised to bring these men and women into the light and empower them to keep us all safe. The passing of the Vigilantes Making Us Safe Act changes everything. All teenagers feel like they don’t fit in at times. Ryaan Asfour knows the feeling well. As part of an immigrant family in a country turning against immigrants, there’s a lot of people who don’t think he belongs. The election of Richard Hughes and the passage of the Vigilantes Making Us Safe Act hasn’t helped matters. Suddenly anyone who wants to discriminate can just say they’re keeping people safe and do whatever they want. Sudden popularity at school after hitting a game winning shot makes it even more apparent how much he doesn’t fit in with the rest of his world. A clash with a pair of vigilantes on his way home from school puts things in perspective. What can Ryaan do to protect his family and his neighborhood? Vigilantes Making Us Safe will follow a variety of lead characters including Serenity, Toxic, Hitbox, the Rebel and more. I'll keep the cover image and title updated to reflect the current protagonist but I encourage you to check them all out.
8 234The Arilethi Legacy
Fai'lana Arileth was bored. Bored enough to strike out on her own to see the real world. With no real idea of what she was to face out there. Armed with a dagger, some book smarts, and some talent with magic and a bow, Fai'lana, princess of the elven kingdom, heir to the throne of Oakenshire, did what so many unsatisfied teenagers do... she ran away from home......and headlong into trouble.
8 193Legend of the Arch Magus
An Arch Magus dies, only to find himself in the body of a young man in a medieval Kingdom. He finds out that he is the second son of a Duke, exiled to a desolated town by his own family. Shackled by the notorious reputation of his new shell, he tries his best to develop his domain, implementing new policies and innovations, leading his subjects to prosperity. In this world where magic is undeveloped, he shall once again pave a new path. -------------------------------------- Started posting here since the book is ending and it'll be better if more people read it -- started regretting posting things for free tho. People are less forgiving and more critical to published writers, it seems. I'll post whenever my mental health allows. Hope everyone understands.
8 161The Forgotten Light
After hearing about a legend a girl goes on an adventure to find out if the legend is true or not. She runs into a man who shows her a future that she never knew existed. With this new information she must choose whether or not she wants follow this future, or go home and pretend she learnt nothing on her journey.
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