Smiles asked if he slept well, commenting on the fact he looked better, and he shrugged idly. Not really, if he could have called his sleep that restful, but he was used to few hours of sleep before, so this was hardly anything new. So, beyond the unpleasant sleeping one could consider him well enough. He put up a brave front regardless, having gotten no response or even acknowledgment from the Cannoness. Great, the usual frigid bitch routine, he really didn't have time for that. But he turned his focus back to Smiles before the brief started and gave her a verbal response, that much was at least necessary. [b][color=9e0b0f]"Terribly, really. But sleep is sleep, I suppose."[/color][/b]

Stukov had noticed the wooden boxes that Smiles had with her, but he didn't have time to actually ask about them before the briefing started. While Boss worried about dancing, which Stukov was thankfully unaware of, his mind was on far more practical terms. Guards that detonate with bunker busting levels of ordinance, which would have gotten a groan of irritation or disbelief on another day. Right now though, he was just contemplating on how to put the bastards down without setting them off. Since he was going to blatently ignore that little order if the needs demanded it, and he couldn't help but hate this pompous Cannoness. Sis had at least been attempting to be tolerable, but this one was just acting like she owned everything and everyone. Probably used to it, too, since most cases Sisters of Battle seemed to like and pull rank on things. But he kept his silence for now, since she [i]was[/i] covering useful information. Even if the presentation was less than stellar. He had no problem taking orders, hell, that was his life. He had a problem taking orders from people who had no place to be issuing them, let alone in the place of technical and actual superiors. Far as he was aware, Inquisition trumped pretty much any organization when it came to the whole level of authority.

When the Cannoness decided to make a comment on termination, the silence afterwords was disturbed by a snort of amusement from the Armsman as he met her gaze with a dead even stare right back. The hellish burn of hatred in her eyes was met with a frigid glare in return, the disdain and utter contempt for her threat equal in level with her own glare. No, frankly, she would not be 'terminating' anyone. He would no break the gaze off first, but once she continued on he would continue to leave the icy cold glare locked onto right where she had met his own gaze. Any other day, he would have at least tried to be respectful and not be a pain in the ass. But he was sick and tired of how things had gone on this planet already, reinforcing his preference to never set foot planetside when able, without the advent of psyker powers and countless problems with Chaos, and even the Sisterhood itself early on. Now he had this Cannoness strutting around like she was the end all, be all of this operation. This is why he preferred Naval and Guard assets, when doing joint operations. Naval was in house, and Guard was typically far more tolerable and you knew what you were dealing with. Sororitas, the zealots tended to do things that did not make sense from a tactical manner, due to their faith and burn it all mentality. Sure, each individual was different, like Sis for example, but then there were the ones like this Cannoness. She was going to get them all killed, and that look in her eyes was distinctively abnormal for some faithful, pious being.

As she finished, the Armsman stood up without being dismissed or requesting as such, cracking his neck and picking up the Galvanic rifle. He couldn't be sneaking that along, not an oversized rifle meant for cogboys, so that would have to be stored for a mission that wasn't meant for being subtle. But he left the Cannoness with a parting comment, turning as he was really not looking forward to spending any moment longer in her company than he could possibly avoid. If Smiles had something to give him or show him, she would have to either catch him upstairs, or in their transport. [b][color=9e0b0f]"Being subtle is fine and all, but drop the blatant threats, Andromedai. Poor leadership, poor judgement, and unimaginative all rolled up into one depressingly common ball of a 'Leader'. Besides, if memory serves, no one executes agents of the Inquisition without either their consent, or a legitimately damn good reason. Your weapons will probably thaw after we've left."[/color][/b] It hadn't been a conscious or even intentional gesture, but the temperature had dropped again when Stukov squared off his retaliatory comments towards the Cannoness, and anyone who knew Stukov for a long period of time would realize that using someone's full name was not a good sign from him. Her weapons motors and actions would be ice blocks, the cold gradually fading as the Armsman walked back upstairs, and while he was not happy with the warp powers manifesting, he couldn't help but approve of how they did.

Knowing he was going to have to leave the Galvanic rifle behind, he locked it away before looking at the clothing laid out for him to wear. Most of it was not terribly comfortable looking, and there was far too many ties. He had no idea how to wear a tie, so he went with the militaristic looking dress uniform, since it didn't seem like he was getting out of having to dress nicely. He chose a coat that would hide his armor and pistol, and would not be asked for at the door, and his knife was hidden in his boot. The one that was not bionic, at any rate. He still questioned how no one would confront him on the crude bionics, since most rich noble types would have equivalent bionics. But the attire was matte black, with no signs of metal or fancy flourishes. It was a very simple attire, but suitable for a formal affair. Very much the attire of a no nonsense veteran, or a bodyguard. Or both. But if Smiles didn't intercept him, he would make his way down to the transport and find his seat, not saying a word as he instead focused on his plans. He had ditched the non lethal ammo, not like his Naval pistol would punch through heavy enough carapace or power armor anyways, and was carrying ammo designed to punch through armor. Sure, wouldn't do much to power armor, but it would make a right mess of most anything else.