Kill Team Raptor

Deathwatch Armorial

## Specialist Formation

### **Participants**

Watch-Sergeant Nereus Markov, Gabriel Avilion, V'rak Helion, Lazarius Hannibim and 1 other

### **Purpose**

Kill Team Raptor was designed for close-quarters decapitation strikes and the eliminating of enemy command structures.

Watch Fortress Black Bastion lies within the largely-forgotten Hyrulian Sector on the border of the halo stars. Even before it was separated from the guiding light of the Emperor's Astronomicum the sector was plagued by pirates, heretics and xenos, and the opening of the Great Rift has only stirred these foes of mankind into a frenzy, putting the sector as a whole at risk. The only hope for the sector lies in the kill teams of Black Bastion.

Kill Team Raptor is one of these kill teams, and consists of some of the most skilled close-combat fighters of the Fortress. Led by Nereus Markov, a seargent of the Molten Fists 2nd Company, the Kill Team has become famed for the skill with which they execute decapitation strikes against enemy command structures.

Unusually for a kill team, Raptor does not bear the name of it's current seargent - instead, it kept the name of it's commander prior to Markov taking command; a Raven Guard called Navian Raptor. Raptor - along with 6 of the kill team's 10 members - were slain by Heretic Astartes in an ambush shortly after the Great Rift opened. The only members to survive the ambush were Nereus Markov - who inherited the title of Seargent and Navian's xenophase blade - V'rak Helian and . Following these marine's return to the Fortress, the Watch Captain of Black Bastion shrunk the kill team to a more discrete 5 members.

## Members of Kill Team Raptor

### Nereus Markov

In many ways, **Watch-Sergeant Nereus Markov** carries the pride of his chapter, as he was among the first wave of Molten Fists veterans seconded to the Deathwatch following the Chapter's almost complete annihilation at the hands of the Tyranid race. Members of the Deathwatch were part of the relief team that ultimately saved the Molten Fists, and as a symbol of thanks Chapter Master Vulkus sent many veterans of the Battle of Fortiar to serve the Long Vigil. Nereus was one of these marines, and proved himself to be a capable sergeant during the tyrannic invasion as his squad was one of the few to emerge the battle unscathed.

However, in 065.M42 - 60 years into his vigil - Nereus's kill team was ambushed. He and two other marines survived but the rest were killed by members of the Thousand Sons. Nereus accepted command of the kill team, and now leads it to the best of his abilities.

### Gabriel Avilion

Hailing from the quiet Devotio Sector's Blue Flames, Avilion's mastery of the Meltagun makes him a valuable asset to the team. Having been the sole survivor of his squad after it was massacared by T'au, he felt sympathy for Kill Team Raptor's position, and in an uncharacteristically stern tone immediately demanded to be considered as a replacement member the moment he found out. His laid back demeanour has been known to cause friction between himself and his comrades, but for as long as he remains a crack shot with a Melta, he has a place in Black Bastion.

### V'rak Helian

V'rak Helian, also known as "The Phospherian", hailed from the nigh forgotten Excruciators, a deadly and elite cadre of the Storm Griffons 2nd Company. Helian has long since been a member of the deathwatch, since the complete tithe of the Excruciators to the long watch in 680.M41. Helian was assigned to Kill Team Raptor as one of its original members, his previous Kill Team Vermillion being dissolved after the loss of both Watch Sergeant Tarak Da-Cruz as well as fellow chapter brother Aelus Rhellion returning home to the Griffons upon their rediscovery in 122.M42. Helian is a very gruff and no nonsense kind of man, speaking his mind if he feels it should be said or keeping quiet if the situation warrants it. He much prefers to let actions speak louder than his words, but the old veteran is more than happy to share some merriment with his close friends in Raptor when pestered enough.

His intonation is tinged by cybernetics and the hoarseness of well over 5 centuries as an Excruciator, a role in the Adeptus Astartes not well known for its longevity. Most of his time spent not on operation he tends to both his equipment and body, quickly being nicknamed "The Phospherian" due to the permanent toxic vapors and radiation that permeate his battle-plate and arsenal of weaponry.

The clandestine and isolated nature of the deathwatch's operations means most of the shortcomings of the Excruciators very heavy handed methods are negated. Whether it be a barrage of Rad-missiles or the screaming fire of a Phosphex bomb, there are only Xenos to be slaughtered; and virtually no imperial citizens that could be caught in the nigh inhuman crossfire created. While other brothers of Kill Team Raptor may be a scalpel, or a bow, Helian is the hammer. A job he has become exceedingly good at.

[1 other marine needed]