Research Station Epsilon

The days in the Station can pass quite fast with all the duties of the Adeptus Astartes even between activities in the field.

The delegation answers Ar'Mat's query by stating they want to extend personal invitation from the High Priest to the sons of the Sun-Emperor.

Brother Neledis Gierus, a member of the Deathwatch apothecary team on the station, set up a meeting in the strategy room dedicated to your kill-team.Brother Neledis is a sharp-minded and observant individual who both listen and speak with intensity.

"Greetings Brothers, thank you for meeting with me. I am Neledis Gierus, I was giving the sacred duty of studying the xenos specimen left behind since the planetary defense. Rumor has it that you encountered living specimens in your investigation. I would be grateful if you could describe me your encounter."

Cloten, having delivered his sacred armor unto the armorers for repairs and cleaning, has polished his weapons and left them on the shrines in his cell. He leans back in his chair, stretching a kink in his damaged leg, before returning to a polite attention pose. His clothing is simple, but has been chosen to fit tighter than is typical. It accentuates his genetically enhanced body in a manner that suggests sordid leisure pasttimes rather than holy contemplation.

He waits diligently for their squad leader to start the report.

Brother Neledis listen thoughtfully to your descriptions of the event. "Intriguing, a whole batch of fighting genus going into infiltration mode like a seeded Genestealer? I never heard of that behavior before. Well, its not like we had many opportunities to study a planet that successfully pushed back a Tyranid invasion in land battle before. What did you make of their behavior while fighting them?"

"They were suicidally committed to repelling our assault. We ended the threat largely in a single extended battle with several waves of reinforcements, then had to mop up only small outlying groups when clearing the cave system. They had grown this large tower like structure in their breeding pools that may have been the center of their operation. Lastly, they had grown several massive combat forms that were more difficult to combat even for a space marine, although no match for an experienced kill-team. I do not know why they would have grown such massive creatures unless they were expecting a powerful adversary."

Drinking from a very large mug of ale, Stein adds, "Judging by the quantity of larva present, I think it would be safe to assume that not only were they preparing for something big, but also that regular expeditions will be needed to make sure they do not gain a foothold again."

The Salamander was present in his plain robes, the simple aesthetic giving him the appearance of a massive monk. His armor was still being repaired and was not required for his current duties.
"I can add that this biological structure was the nexus for the Tyranid hive-mind. It was an exceptionally powerful psychic presence. I have speculated to my brothers that its stationary nature implied it was not intended for the typical Tyranid consumption process, but may have been a psychic beacon to connect with a splinter fleet."

Stein add that the track patterns he noticed indicated that the xenos in the cave complex, with the exception of the larva, had been waiting passively until the kill team arrived.

Brother Neledis continues. "The suicidal behaviour is typical when the Tyranid are organised, they either count on their numbers to overwhelm the ennemies or they used the first waves as sacrifices to find weaknesses and adapt to them by sending different genus of their kind. The bigger one you describe look like the genus identified as Hive Guard, they function as sentries for Tyranid capillary towers and spore chimneys. Its regrettable that you couldn't bring back some samples, we do not know much about these one.

As for the fleet, last information I received was that the fleet that attacked this planet as split after the assault. One part was headed in Hethgard direction and the other toward Tryphon. I expect it would that a while before they circle back here. Mmm, maybe some of the greater lifeform left on the planet received a command to hide and gather strength until a fleet does come back?"

The Librarian thought it over silently, then agreed.
"That would fit the pattern of their behavior."

Brother Neledis looks at you and asks "Are you planning to investigate if there is more Tyranid presence biding there time on the planet?

I think that would be the wisest choice for now. Any area you suggest might be of interest ?

Petrix seemed to loom out of nowhere, his arms crossed over his armored chest. Not sure if Neledis had heard him approach, he waited patiently for his answer to Stein's most astute question.

"Mmm, most of my time is spent studying the specimens, so I do not know much about the planet situation. The Imperial Guard are responsible for the security and their leader seem fairly competent. The only hint they brought to us was the one that you investigated, but maybe that they noticed more subtle details that warrant more scrutiny now that at least one living threat as been discovered. "

"They did not share any of those suspicions with us. I suppose they may have not wanted to misdirect our efforts, but withholding information... We should talk to them."

Taking a long draw of his ale, Well then, unless Brother Neledis has something else to say, I hope he won't mind me going to see the Imperial guard in charge to get some more infos. I'm pretty sure those damn xenos won't be so easily exterminated.

"Of course not, i'm certain you have much do, as do I. I would only add that, if you have the opportunity to capture a live specimen and bring him using the stasis field we integrated in the Aquila Lander, it could greatly help our research here, and we would make sure that it is recognized as a great accomplishment by the Chapter. Thank you for your information and, if you have any question about the xenos, don't hesitate to contact me."

Brother Neledis get ready to leave you to your business.

If you want to get more information from the Imperial Guard, you know that the person in charge is Colonel Alynal Mavis. You can also address directly any part of the hierarchy if you are looking for specific details. There was also Sergeant Rob which was your contact when you arrive, but none of you have seen him since you came back from the mountains.

Stein goes to the command center of the station and asks a guard, Tell Colonel Alynal Mavis that Stein from the deathwatch wishes to speak with him as soon as possible...

The guard looks confused for a moment "What's the Deathwatch? And who let you walk in here?"

A second guard almost jump to his side and elbow him hard in the ribs. "Of course my lord, right away my lord." He throw a mean look at the first guard whispering :"That's a Space Marines you idiot!" before running down the corridor.

You see the first guard face lose all color and you hear him mutter to himself Oh Emperor spare me!. You see him squirm in front of you, the eyes fixing the floor as he mutters incoherent apologies until the second guard comes back.

"The Colonel his waiting for you in her ready room, this way if you please Sire."

"I will return to my duties."
With a nod the Librarian departed. Ar'Mat had no plan on how to find the Tyranids, and firmly believed those best suited to the work should bear it. His battle-brothers would set the Imperial Guard to task. For his own part, Ar'Mat had his armor to finish for the next engagement should there be one. But he also made time to visit the archives, however resourceful they might be, to see if any data of tactical value was available..

Ar'Mat find the Archives poorly maintained. A lack of personnel and too many data added, copied and removed in the aftermath of the Tyranid attack left thing disorganized.

There were, however, thousands of reports, communication transcript and recording from the planetary defense available. Alot of time would be required to catalog and extract relevant information from them.

There is also more traditional archives installed when the planet was reintegrated in the Imperium earlier in the Crusade.
The research of the Deathwatch apothecaries was nowhere to be found in the archive.

Stein follows the second guard to the colonel ready room...
He waits for the guard to exit before speaking, "Colonel Alynal Mavis, I'm sorry we didn't have time to speak sooner, but I think that taking a few minutes together to discuss would be mutually beneficial...

Stein enter what is probably the main war room of the station. The walls are covered with screens and device, most of them turn off. In the middle, a standing oval table built to accommodate 20 officers is occupied by the lone Colonel Mavis. She is a middle aged woman with impeccable posture and sharp features. When she notices Stein waiting for the guard to exit, she makes a small hand gesture and immediately the few officers operating the screens head out of the room also.

The Colonel invite Stein to join him around the table and size him up respectfully, her eyebrow only raising slightly at his casual appearance. "Indeed, Sir. We all owe a debt to your Chapter here. I would be grateful for an opportunity to repay it."

Cloten makes his way to the kitchens as he did in Erioch. Helping clean up and prepare food, using his large size to the benefit of the seemingly mundane keeps him humble. Battling pride is a chore etched into him by instructors long ago. To little avail. But his easy manner and willingness to do hard work while sharing impossible takes of the heroics of the Adeptus Astartes is never turned away.

After the effort is complete, while sharing the customary tea, he asks the staff about the Tyranid threat that this starting is so focused on. What have they heard, where patrols and efforts are focused, and is the station more or less at ease than previously.

Cloten's entrance in the kitchen causes a bit of a commotion as everyone immediately stop working and stand at the far side of the room, unsure what to do. After a bit of prompting, reassuring and a kind order or two, the kitchen slowly comes back to its usual liveliness. Well, apart for the 1 meter distance around Cloten that nobody seem to ever use for some reason.

It takes most of the day to get the worker to start getting more than one word answer from the people there, but Cloten do learn that the base is on edge lately. The kill team coming back bloodied and even wounded as got the grunts afraid that the Tyranid are coming back.

Cloten is also confident that, if he comes back a few more days, it'll be easier to get them talking openly as they get accostomed to his presence.

Cloten takes the rebuff as best he can. His demeanor when alone is downright grumpy. Without the comradery of soldier life, it isn't much a life at all. But he isn't one to give up easily. The next day he'll repeat the chores, knowing that pride goeth before a fall. If his manner gains him no trust, familiarity may.

"I don't know how much you had been debrieffed about our presence. I know that in some places, there can be tension between Imperial troops and space marines, but in my mind, we are all doing the Emperor's work. We have cleansed a tyranid nest but I suspect there may be more... I would like to request the Imperial troops assistance in finding any signs of more nest. Can I count on you?

@Cloten On your second day, some of the workers get more comfortable with you. By the end of the shift, as you gather them for tea, a few of them can almost forget that you are a mythical figure descending directly from the God-Emperor.

You tell stories of heroism and sacrifice against the foes of Humanity and you hear some about the horror and despair that they felt when the Tyranid blackened the skies of Treyen. Even with almost all the Regiment of the Orpheus Salient assembled on this planet, not only was it not enough to stop the tide descending from the Hive Fleet, but they had feared not even being able to slow them down long enough for reinforcement to arrive. Until, like a miracle from the Emperor, the Imperial troops launched suddenly a planetwide all out assault and stopped the monstrous xenos. Reinforcement from Space Marines arrived later to clean up the rest of the planet and the Hive Fleet just went away.

The small contingent that was left behind struggled to keep watch over an entire planet with their limited ressources. The Tyranid was though to be dealt with, that is until the Kill-Team came back bathed in xenos blood. And now fear and rumors were sweeping in the Guards again.

@Stein "I was mostly informed that you were coming, I do not know about your mission, although I have my guesses. You have my thanks for exterminating this threat. I am not certain, however, of how I could be of assistance. We are already stretched thin as it is monitoring the planet. While it is worrying that such a nest as been found, I fail to see what more we can do other than what we are doing already."

Simple, as soon as you have any hints or signs of tyranid presence, you tell us and we go investigate. If we find something, we'll make sure there is nothing left when we leave. Then rinse and repeat until there is no more enneies of mankind left.

@Stein "Understood, I will definitely inform you if any trace of Tyranid presence is discovered. I suspect though, that if there are other nests, they are well hidden and we may not have the ressource to find it.

On the matter of mutual benefit, would you have a contraindication to me passing the word to the troops that the nest you found was thoroughly eradicated?"

I don't, as long as they are aware there may be more nest to eradicate.