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True Adamance
Praetoriani Classiarii Templares
Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris
12277
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Posted - 2014.07.28 01:14:00 -
[1] - Quote
It was odd to consider in the very moment he became aware of himself that he was nothing more than a swirling mass of nanites, the soft and fleshy organs that formed the being he was, and that as his mind raced to the simple realisation of exactly what he was, that his features were being formed as one might shape clay for a sculpture. As his body neared completion a single sublime arc of pain raced up his spine as the drop suit melded with his spine.
And then he was whole.
Light flooded his eyes but the drop suits advanced photo processors cleared his vision in an instant, as static golden HUD's formed the core of his vision feeding information through the three primary sensors in the Comando Suit's visor, indicating the status of his environment and his allies.
He surveyed the cloning facility.
It was nothing more than a small laboratory one of dozen on this level of the Research Complex's East wing. It was sterile. It was the only word for it. Simple grey steel plates of interlocking plas-steel lined the walls, devoid of ornamentation of any kind the facility as a whole felt cold.
Kador shivered for a moment, despite his suits regulatory systems that kept his body temperature stable he could not help but be reminded of how different this entire structure was from the traditional Amarrian designs her was used to.
"Sir?" a voice on Kador's left.
Palir, one of the two Classiarii Kamiera's who had accompanied him to the battlefield, and though he dwarfed the man through the sheer bulk of his Commando's heavy armour plating he could not help but admire another prime example of the quality of theTheology Council's soldiery.
The man was a tall nearly six and half feet tall, dark skinned, with steely eyes. Clad in the traditional garb of the Kamiera, the chest plate of his combat armour emblazoned with the heraldic Griffin of the Praetoria he would have looked quite intimidating to even the most hardened of soldiers.
Kador nodded his acknowledgement. Beckoning the man to follow. They stepped out of the laboratory, passing through the observation decks as they made their way towards the West Wing's main laboratory.
The security team had been here a week now and had fortified themselves in the shattered remains of the Research Hub overlooking the districts settlement. Assigned to guard Luxanne Thaira, a valued member of the Carthum Conglomerate's research staff.
Kador had seen the chaos escalate from small skirmishes as insurrectionists clashed the local police forces into heavy street to street fighting and Imperial Paladins deployed with heavy fire power to quell the fighting.
From the vantage point set upon the barren, and rocky plateau, Kador could look out over the shattered remains of what had once been a peaceful and thriving Imperial Colony.
Blocks of gutted and burning buildings sprawl out amidst the thunderous claps of gunfire and antiquated artillery pieces in routinely scheduled bombardments, as local armed forces clashed with aggressors in small brutal building to building skirmishes. Thick plumes of filthy black smoke rose from crucibles scattered throughout the streets pollution the skies and adding to the already oppressive pall of the oncoming storm front.
"Sir" Palir repeated " Communications from fleet...... it seems that the requested battalions are a twelve days out at best. Barring a show of God's grace it is likely the fighting here will get worse."
"Acknowledged Palir. We'll just have to hold out until then, God willing. Find Aram and have him relay that message to the District Commandant." Kador commanded the Kamiera, scowling. " Some good new would be a pleasant change for them I should think."
The Kamiera gave him a respectful salute before moving off to carry out his orders.
The Templar let out a long sigh, despite the cathartic feeling of being in a fresh clone he could not help but worry. The district was a mess.....but it was contained. However that containment could not last the month and if Imperial stability on the planet was to be re-established then drastic action would have to be taken.
He was still wrapped in his own worried when he entered the Main Laboratory. It was just as cold and implacable as the first....if not more so since this one was in use. There was a cold logic about the laboratory that fundamentally clashed with his own sensibilities.
The Laboratory itself was nothing more than a series consoles displaying various laser profile signatures and damage reports. Around the room at regular intervals were holographic projectors, all displaying vast quantities of information, most of which was unintelligible to Kador, however he did notice various figures and measurements relating to the energy consumption of laser weapons as well as precise data for focusing crystal arrays.
He said nothing however. It was not his place to comment on such things. He was to look but not see, such was often the nature of his role when dealing with sensitive information.
The briefest of motions in the corner of his eye drew his attentions to Doctor Thaira. She was slumped over a NeoCom unit, barely moving, save for the occasional twitch of her rich brown hair, tied back by a single silken band in a pony's tail, as she adjusted her position.
"Doctor Thaira?"
She did not respond. She was so small. Tiny really, as all mortals were, but in her case it was something different. Her pallid complexing and sunken eyes spoke more than she did. The woman was exhausted.
In a good way he thought, if such a thing was possible. In his observations as her escort he had seen her throw herself wholly into her work, rarely sleeping and spending the early hours of the morning working through the complexities of her research.
"It's my shift watching over you Doctor.....and its about time you eat....or sleep...."
"Your Faith stands as a shield for the Faithful, and you are one of His Angels." - Soren Tyrhannos to Templar Ouryon
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True Adamance
Praetoriani Classiarii Templares
Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris
12294
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Posted - 2014.07.29 00:18:00 -
[2] - Quote
Noting the Doctor was hard at work he silently moves to a position behind her right shoulder, a perfect position defensive position, before sliding into the natural parade stance, hands clasped behind his back.
The heavy armour plating of the Commando Ak.0 did not allow for much freedom, in fact he found after a few moments his arm began to ache as the bulges of his weapons, resting in mag locked sheaths at his hips forced his arms back at unnatural angles. However he did not drop the stance, the ache would remind him of his duty, keep him alert, as the long hours of patrol and watching the Doctor had taken their toll on his patience.
CAPTAN BAss wrote:"Good master Templar Ouryon, give me a sitrep. How's the good Doctor?"
Came the burst of staccato communications intermingled with a light interference , a product of the dust and sand being kicked up into low orbit by the encroaching storm-front.
He glanced down at the woman and responded through the personal communications channel.
"Our Doctor is emaciated as ever Captain Bass..... currently absorbed in her work at the moment. No change to her physical status. How are things on your end?"
Luxanne Thaira wrote: With considerable effort she forced her gaze up. She gave the Templar a tired but genuine smile. She was glad that it was the Templar that now stood before her; she disliked having to deal with the Caldari mercenary for reasons she could not be bothered to try to explain. It may have been his insistence on being called Captain. Something about the way he carried himself annoyed her.
GÇ£Templar Ouryon, I didnGÇÖt hear you enter. And IGÇÖm fine I slept earlier, besides there is to much work to be done.GÇ¥ Her response was quick but surprisingly polite. The lack of sleep and nourishment may have started affecting her personality.
"Of course Doctor, as you will." He responded to the Luxanne, his tone was kind and understanding but carried a weight of concern. "Forgive my interruption."
They lapsed into a companionable silence for a time as she turned back to her work. Her diligence surprised and humbled the Templar, she was but a mortal and bound by all the weaknesses of the body and mind that state of being carried, yet she devoted herself entirely to her work and her Faith.
In their time station in the laboratories he had never seen her offer her prayers to the Lord, but it was the way she spoke the told him she held to the Faith, her words bore weight, what little few she had offered her guardians.
It was her sense of duty however that reminded him of Satja, perhaps it too was her bearing, tentative around the Immortals, but used to their presence as though it were no small thing.
Another sigh.
This was set to be a long shift, and it would be many hours before Palir or Aram returned for the District Commandants headquarters to relieve him.
Duty is its own reward, he recited inwardly. And it is on the shoulders of the dutiful the advancement of the Imperial Creed rests. Do you realise this Doctor, is this why you are so absorbed in your work?
"Your Faith stands as a shield for the Faithful, and you are one of His Angels." - Soren Tyrhannos to Templar Ouryon
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True Adamance
Praetoriani Classiarii Templares
Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris
12393
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Posted - 2014.07.30 23:11:00 -
[3] - Quote
Luxanne Thaira wrote:
GÇ£Templar Ouryon,GÇ¥ She called him over.
She unhooked the cables that were transferring data from the weapon to her terminals.
GÇ£If you wouldnGÇÖt mind, let me know what you think.GÇ¥
The Templar came forward at the Doctor's request without a word and assessed the weapon with a practised eye, making a note of it weight and design philosophy while admiring several theological designs that had been integrated into the weapon's form itself. Form was only a single part of function, and one his people believed served a secondary purpose of the battlefield, changing a mere weapon into something much more significant.
This weapon was more, it was a shrine to God, and like all of the Templar's weapons each lancing beam of energy fired would be his own personal exaltation to God.
"Dr Thaira...." He replied, a slight tinge of frustration colouring his voice, though it was more directed at himself than anyone else. " I do not believe my current Dropsuit will be able to wield this weapon effectively enough to provide accurate combat data....."
Kador took a step back, the Doctor was relying on his experience to test a new form of Imperial armament, he could not allow himself to fail in this endeavour.
He turned to face Doctor Thaira. He noticed oddly that the woman did not bow her head in his presence, nor did she seem to shrink in on herself while standing before him. Though he towered over her she stood tall......as tall as she could.
"Could not this weapon be mounted as a fixed position? Or perhaps to a vehicle of some kind....? We have a number of possible variants down in the lower garage that could be have the two systems integrated...."
"We were commanded us to burn the system...We did. I mourn the loss of the innocent caught in our fires" -Kador Ouryon
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True Adamance
Praetoriani Classiarii Templares
Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris
12457
|
Posted - 2014.08.01 01:52:00 -
[4] - Quote
With a grunt of effort Kador and the Caldarian managed to heft the heavy Laser Cannon from the display table, even in its compacted form as Doctor Thaira had indicated and clad in the bulky form of his Commando class dropsuit, the weapon was heavy enough to send sharp jolts of pain down his back.
As the pair lowered the weapon onto the cart Kador felt the weapons weight shift as it turned side ways to lie flat upon the bed of the cart. He tried desperately to adjust his grip but the barrel slipped out of his grasp , but fortunately only dropped onto the cart below.
With the weapon now resting comfortably on its side he could see its intended design features. It was designed to be carried by a much heavier and stronger class of dropsuit, connecting the energy feeds into the dropsuits own internal systems.
Rising he took the handle of the cart and rolled it towards the laboratory's main portal. Noting as Crownrule entered, providing a polite nod of acknowledgement, was not wearing his helm.
"I can have this connected to one of the vehicles within the hour if it please you." He said, directing his voice towards the Doctor. " My apologies but I will either need you to accompany me down to the garage or for one of the others to take my watch."
"We were commanded us to burn the system...We did. I mourn the loss of the innocent caught in our fires" -Kador Ouryon
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True Adamance
Praetoriani Classiarii Templares
Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris
12571
|
Posted - 2014.08.04 23:35:00 -
[5] - Quote
Crownrule wrote:
"B2 go to the doctor and the Captain and help them out, me and Templar Ouryon got everything over her." Crownrule tells the drone.
"Yes Templar, right away." The drone replies hovering out the door. Crownrule looks back to Kador waiting for an answer.
The entirety of the corridor shudders under the force of a massive impact, shock waves run through the walls, buckling the interlocking steel beams and shattering the reinforced glass in razor sharp clouds, each refracting the last of the half light as the over head neon lamps lost power. Tiny shards pelted the the blast guard of his dropsuit ensuring no a single one of the razor sharp shard penetrated his visor, bouncing off harmlessly, as he stuggled ineffectively to maintain his balance and grip on the prototype weapon.
A second wave of explosions from the North Wing rocked the facility, casting him to the floor, dazed, concussed by force of the impact. Over his suits internal communications networks he could hear Crownrule, his voice distorted by static interference, barely recognisable over the din cause by the security protocols klaxon call.
He recovered quickly, as only a clones enhanced physiology could, and propped himself up onto his knee, his photo-sensory units over clocking to process the facility being thrown into gloom.
He noted with a detached precision that the cart and weapon had only rolled several metres away, its outline faint, but slowly coming into focus. It was imperative that the weapon itself was secured for transport and extraction, a prototype could not be allowed to fall into enemy hands.......
Enemy hands, as single thought amongst a storm, as tactical information was being relayed to him through the Suits internal HUD. Unknown assailants.....identify, engage, extract.
"Understood Tiro....."
With a great effort he pushed himself to his feet, and made for the cart. The moment his hand touched the its handle and wave of relief washed over him. The prototype had suffered not damage as far as he could tell, only a slight dent in a section of the armoured shell where one of the support beams hand come to rest on top of it.
However it wasn't the external damage that concerned him. Focusing crystals were notoriously fragile things, even slight misalignments in the beam projection arrays could see significant damage done to the internal structure as the beam energy could be dispersed inside the weapon.
An instant later he was aware of a figure moving unsteadily down the corridor towards him, something that looked suspisiously like a rifle gasped in it hands. With practised movements he deactivated the maglocked sheath and drew forth the Assault Scrambler Rifle and leveled it down the corridor.
"Halt" He roared over the din. " Lay down you......"
It was a familiar figure. Palir. His face pale, exhausted, streaks of blood running down his face from a gash across his cheek. He limped over, offering a tired salute. He was still carried his rifle, an archaic projectile weapon, but noneless durable and effective, and his breast plate was dented and thick with a layer of Dust. Kador nodded his thanks, caught the man as burst of sparks lit up the corridor.
"Classiarii" he was breathing in sharp, ragged, bursts. " Message passed to Aram........ she....got the message...."
"Well done soldier." The Templar replied, his voice thick with pride. These were the Kamiera's he himself had taken command of during the recent peacekeeping efforts in Devoid.
" However we're under attack, I need you to go with the Tiro over there. You two have to secure the breach.....and ensure the Doctor and Captain can make it through to the hangars. I will head there myself and secure the cargo."
Without a word he reslung his rifle and gasped the fallen beam lying across the cart. With a heavy grunt of effort bent the support beam off the weapon, dislodging it, and Without hesitation, dragging the cart behind him mad his way towards the central concourse and cargo lifts.
"We were commanded us to burn the system...We did. I mourn the loss of the innocent caught in our fires" -Kador Ouryon
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True Adamance
Praetoriani Classiarii Templares
Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris
12930
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Posted - 2014.08.17 23:49:00 -
[6] - Quote
Research Facility: Main Concourse
The corridors were awash with flicking bursts of amber light as the facilities security systems slowly failed, as the significant damages done to to the North Wing cause numerous chains of critical failures across the research hub's main powergrid. Lights flickered eerily plunging the area into gloom periodically forcing the already over clocked photosensors of his dropsuit into a state of flux, whirring like and angry hornet as the light pulsated sickeningly. Mist leaked from the severed pipes that had once composed the facilities temperature control grid, tumbling to the floor with an ethereal, weightless grace where it over the floor in thick clouds that obscured his legs up to the knee.
The Templar hurried through it all, ignoring the icy chill, ignoring the growing sense of nausea, ignoring the chattering clap of gunfire as it echoed down the halls towards him.
It all fell still however as he stepped out of the serpentine, darkened corridors and onto the main concourse. The concourse itself was part atrium, part foyer of the research facility, containing several security check points, biological matter scanners, and desks for the research staff and administrators.
On his right was the main service elevator he would need to take to the Hangars, if, God willing, they were still active he could access them in a matter of minutes.
However that was dominated by a massive frame of steel beams and plas-glass that composed the frontal portion of the complex. Critical failures had ensured the storm shudder had only descended part way, leaving the entirety of the complex exposed to the storms wrath. Several sections of the plas-glass had already shattered and thin wisps of sand was already whipping though the penetrations..... a solid wall of deep browns and black dominated his view through the plas-glass.
It was a moment later that he realised with an abject horror that he was staring our into the storm front, watching with each second as its terrifying bulk dominated the horizon beyond the settlement below. It was reminiscent of the destructive sandstorms that had ravaged the planet of Iesa III, that forced their columns to laager down once a fortnight, but on a massive scale.
"God preserve us...." he whispered, awestruck.
It certainly was a sight. It was inspiring, a symbol of God's majesty and presence, He was after all a part of all things.
Kador stared but a moment longer, wondering how long it would be before the facility was entirely engulfed. However a short skittering sound behind him diverted his attentions. He dropped the carts handle and in a single fluid motion dropped to a knee, levelling his Assault Scrambler Rifle at the source.
Something moved in the dark, a flurry of motion, human.
"Halt!" he called out, projecting his voice through klaxxon of the alarms, finger tightening on the trigger.
The figure slowed...but did not stop. Through the gloom he caught sight of a single flapping section of white fabric...... possibly a laboratory technician.
He relaxed visibly, breathing deeply to still the natural reactions a combat state had to his enhanced phjysiology, lowering the rifle into a rest position.
A Crackle of static buzzed, close to his ear, broadcasting his allies communications.
Crownrule wrote: He turns on his comms and connects to Kador.
"Templar Ouryon, I can't hold them off for much longer, Palir is dying and I'm badly injured...
Dammit, he lamented internally, berating himself for not being on the frontlines. He'd made his choice though, the Medium Attack Vehicle would have to be prepared if the security forces were going to extract from the facility, and he was the best suited to prime their systems.
But it was painful. When a Kamiera died their body was preserved as was tradition, and the fallen was then cremated and had their ashes rubbed into ceremonially inflicted wounds.
I'll be back for you Palir, all of us will. Aram, myself, the unit.... and then these Matari will pay.
" Tiro pull back and establish a position with Thaira and the Captain if you can, they will need you."
With that the Templar in him rose to the fore, dragged the cart over to the service elevator, struggled with the elevators main doors, struggling to pry them apart. With a grunt of effort he shoved the two doors apart in a brief shower of sparks, and started into the cavernous vertical shaft, air being sucked through as the pressure equalised.
He assessed it quickly, main cabin had sunk down and was inaccessible but the door was ajar. Through the slight gap he could see a prone, unmoving form, it was then he became aware he was standing in a puddle of sticky crimson which surrounded the severed leg of the unlucky technical officer. He glaced down the adjacent shaft noting its elevator was fortunately down on the Hangar level, a fair, but manageable jump.
"Of all the damnable ways to die......" He said, shaking his head and offering a prayer to the poor unfortunate. Next he tore off the elevators computerised panel, noting with frustration that the circuits themselves had burn out, probably when he had forced the doors open earlier.
There was likely no graceful way down the elevator shaft.
Sighing, bitterly wishing he had an alternative, he undid the mag locks on the cart, and groaning with effort hefted the laser cannon.
As soon as he stepped onto the roof of the elevator he knew he'd made a mistake, with a deafening screech the evelator gave way, the nanoweave cables snapping above, dropping down into the abyss below.
The Templar fell. He fell three stories, cushioning the weapon's fall, and hammering through the roof of the elevators cabin into punching an indentation into its floor below.
"We were commanded us to burn the system...We did. I mourn the loss of the innocent caught in our fires" -Kador Ouryon
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True Adamance
Praetoriani Classiarii Templares
Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris
13031
|
Posted - 2014.08.26 01:02:00 -
[7] - Quote
The fall was over in an instant.
A single blissful instant of weightlessness, then vertigo, then pain.
As he crashed through the roof of the elevator he saw stars. As he ploughed into the floor beneath those stars were replaced by a blinding white light where dark patches of black danced in and undulating pattern like spots across the face of a sun. His chest was afire with pain where the weight of the Laser Cannon had crushed his rib cage into his chest despite the rigid frame of his dropsuit. His spine fortunately was undamaged, the reinforcements for the suits spinal integration systems had protected him during the fall, he would still be able to move.....but it would be slow and excruciatingly painful.
With a terse grunt he pushed the cannons weight of his chest, acknowledging the indentations in the metal floor that his body had made, almost like a miniature crater. His vision began to return to him, first shadows and silhouettes, then colours, finally motion.
Someone was standing over him..... thin, tanned skin, a cascade of dark hair running down the right side of their face.
"Sa...t--ya?" he mumbled groggily trying to prop himself up onto his elbows.
His confusion grew..... it was impossible. The Matari girl wasn't even in system. She was supposed to he far away in the Mandate.
A solid hand on his chest thrust him downwards, sending spasms of pain through the shattered ribs. He had not the strength to get up, the clone was dying......unless.....
He fumbled about one of the many tactical harnesses strapped to his plating for the Nanite Injector.
" No sir" a quick, militaristic response. " Ensign Aram sir.....still yourself a moment while the Nanites take effect."
The Templar barely heard her as the fire in his chest grew more intense, reaching the intensity he was all to familiar with, as the compressed Nanite bundles that were forced into his flesh took effect. With their bio-mechanical efficiency they immediately triaged and began to repair his broken bones and ruptured organs.
The whole experience was over quickly and left his chest tingling. He felt strength surge into his legs and with a groan forced himself up out of the elevator and into the hangar.
He glanced around taking stock of his situation.
He'd made it to the Hangar, and much to his relief the the Cannon had not been damaged in the fall, his body absorbing most of the shock and cushioning the heavy armament. Though he'd spent much more of his time in the laboratories protecting the Doctor and her support staff he still knew his way around the Hangar. It was laid out like many others he had seen before, one of the many benefits of prefab structures he supposed.
Crates of tools and military grade armaments lined the walls surrounding the golden frames of six heavily armoured Vehicles, the convoy they had arrived in nearly a week ago....or what was left of them. Most of the hulls had been taken to pieces for the mandatory maintenance that had been scheduled. Several were missing their core components, and several had their armour stripped back for a reworking of their powergrids and sensor suites. Only two of the vehicles would drive, the Solace class Heavy Assault Vehicle and the Imperator Armoured Personel Carrier.
To compound his frustrations through the crackle of the communications channel came a short transmission.
Luxanne Thaira wrote:
GÇ£My apologies TemplarGÇÖs but it would seem that I am in need of your assistance.GÇ¥ She spoke over the internal communication system.
Just as she finished speaking the door opened. Several soldiers streamed into the room weapons at the ready. Luxanne held her hands in the air in a sign of surrender.
GÇ£This is Squad 6, we have secured the package and are proceeding to extraction. Expecting heavy resistance.GÇ¥
He cursed violently, a slew of rather foul language involving the mother of a Shakorite and several Fedo ,which evoked a snicker from the female Kamiera. In spite of himself he could not help but be amused..... of all the things to go wrong.
He turned back to Aram, noting that she too was clad in a more conservative armour that protected her forearms and legs with heavy plating. Looking at her more closely she did resemble Satja, the dark hair, which cascaded down the right side of her face, and her deep brown eyes, the shape of her face.
"What is the situation in the city?"
"Stable Sir, patrols are on the streets looking for the insurrectionists as we speak, sweeping towards the air fields. Civillians and Slaves secured and awaiting evacuation."
"And your message?"
"Unable to deliver it in person sir. Used and encrypted channel to contact Imperial Command."
The Templar hesitated, slowly considering what to say next.
"Palir is dead." He said with great sorrow.
"I....... I see. God preserve him." Aram, echoing his feelings. "He is with us still"
It was only then he noticed a number of huddled forms behind the Kamiera, shrunk back into the corner of the hangar, peeking over the piled containers at them. Most bore the distinct facial features of Amarrians, some Khanid faces, a Ni-Kunni, and to his surprise a pair of ethnic Gallenteans by their enviable jaw lines.
He retracted the vision, exposing his hairless grey flesh, burning red eyes, yet decidedly Amarrian face and cast a concerned look down at the soldier.
She shrugged then shook her head.
Kador let out another sigh, racking his brain for a solution.
"We were commanded us to burn the system...We did. I mourn the loss of the innocent caught in our fires" -Kador Ouryon
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