Watch Station Eulara

Watch Station Eulara, so-named for the Imperial designation of its system, sits in orbit around the planet now known as Shi’ur.  Burrowed deep into the crust of the dark side of the planet’s moon, Station Eulara was one of many Watch Stations established on the borders of Tau space to monitor its expansion closely.  The station is not visible in any wavelength of light from the surface; using a combination of clever placement and rare technology the Deathwatch commonly employs to hide such structures, the Station’s entrance is hidden in the side of a moon crater, and it has a number of retractable orbital defenses that are, collectively, capable of taking down any ship up to Cruiser class in a reasonable period of time.

While Shi’ur burned in the cataclysm following the Cicatrix Maledictum’s explosive growth, Watch Station Eulara hummed on.  Its powerful augur arrays look deep into space, collecting data on nearly half the sector, and this has proven quite useful as the sector has become a hotbed of aggressors, of all stripes and races.  The Watch Station, formerly only lightly manned, is now practically bursting with activity. A Watch Captain has taken semi-permanent residence, and an Ordo Xenos liaison office has been established. Information from the Watch Station is used to help sector-wide efforts, though few realize where the data truly comes from.  The Watch Station’s true location is known only to a select few; the Deathwatch themselves, the Ordo Xenos, and a mere handful of Inquisitors outside the Ordo Xenos.

The station began as a simple two-level complex, but has expanded into a multi-level fortress; for ground defense, it sports many retractable turrets, of both heavy bolter and lascannon types.  These are sufficient to, by themselves, hold off a veritable horde of Orks or a reasonably-sized Tau assault force. Ammo supply for all of these trails down to the second level, which holds the Station’s armory.  This armory is sufficient to equip and supply a Deathwatch defensive or offensive force for a few years without resupply, though most of its supplies are fairly basic in fare.

The first level is the busiest level by far.  Its most notable feature is the primary strategium; this chamber and its powerful cogitator array collate data gathered from dozens of planets into a usable set, and it is here the Deathwatch plans its operations across the sector.  It also houses a respectable vehicle bay and hangar, with basic Space Marine ground and aircraft.

The station’s next several levels down are newer additions; these house the Inquisitorial liaison office, additional bunks (the original Station design only accommodated a single Kill-Team), and hold the ammunition stores for the orbital defense arrays, as well as a more powerful power source to make all of this function.  Finally, it has a backup cogitator array in case of the destruction of the top level, so that its data is not lost if the first one is destroyed.

The Station itself is constructed of near-solid adamantium, with ceramite layers on its top facing underneath the moon’s crust.  Even direct orbital bombardment would have difficulty doing much direct damage, and if it did, most likely every level below the first would survive.  Despite this solid construction and massive preparation for enemy assault, the Station’s guns have never fired a shot. The Deathwatch never enters or leaves this station, or permits others to do so, without great stealth; this is largely true even after the demise of the Tau colony it orbits.