Greetings fraters et sorores! 

It is finally, finally warm enough to prime some miniatures. For now at least. Among this weekend's batch were five Assault Terminators and the new Vulkan He'stan. My kitbashed Tu'Shan also got a touchup; I'd removed the flames from his hammer which necessitated a bit more spray on the weapon. Just wasn't happy with the sculpt. I'm still new to doing that stuff. No doubt I shall get better with time, but the skill has not yet been tempered. The imperfect has been cast into the furnace so that a better work may come of it. I do quite enjoy sculpting so will have to see what other projects I can practice on. 

Anyway, just that small update really. I was so excited to start painting that I didn't get any freshly-primed pics, but here's one of where they stand now. Very much the "ugly stage" but all good. Very excited to be doing terminators again, and the Indomitus ones are so good. 

Walp... didn't have a Unit Focus ready for last time but there was some fiction stuff there anyway  But this time...

Unit Focus: O'tann's Intercessors, 4th Company, 7th Squad

Extract from mission debriefing, Gholgar's World, Captain Xavus personal data repository

Apothecary Ghel'nir's Testimony; Concerning Sergeant O'tann

051M42

O'tann's demeanor continues to cost us. The Archon city deployment commenced without flaw, our force landing in the central monufactorum-district streets in support of the Krieg 131st Armored as you ordered. We advanced up the Cathedral road in good order. O'tann led a combat squad element in rearguard as has become standard practice, but in this instance the position was insufficient to keep him out of trouble. The traitors attempted a significant flanking maneuver through the streets of Manufactorum XV-XXI and O'tann's squad noted their approach. However, instead of withdrawing and covering for our response, O'tann engaged in an attempt to slow the enemy counterattack. With typical rashness, he led his men into the teeth of an assault that could have been easily turned aside by our tanks and massed flamer units. Regretfully, two of the squad, Taruk and Ekran, were slain in the engagement. This marks the second instance in which O'tann's rash protectiveness has resulted in needless loss of Astartes life. Authority has not tempered him. I, alongside those of my brothers listed below, petition that you remove O'tann from his position. 

From the writings of Meric Van Damm, Historitor Adept

Extract from file entitled "Warriors of the Crusade" [parent file ref: Notes & Meanderings on The Crusade for the Unbound Flame (data repository)]

047M42

Among all the fine Astartes aboard the Nox Ignis O'tann is the one I would most want to have by my side in a battle. He is also the last. Born into a Nocturnean noble family towards the end of M41, he was chosen for ascension at about the same time the Noctis Aeterna ripped away the skies. Rumor among my fellow historians, though it must be apocryphal at best, suggests that the spoiled boy-child O'tann was a glory-hungry little whelp until that point. Seeing that the Astartes alone could offer hope to his world in this time... it changed something in him. O'tann now aspired to join these demigod protectors and earn a different glory - won through selflessness and resolve. 

Yet for all this it seems O'tann's record is plagued by rash behavior in battle. He places himself in danger to achieve a glorious kill or lend aid to lesser allies. He is dangerous to be around, as he boldly draws the enemy's fire to himself... and incidentally those around him. Kyra said, in a moment of levity, that the only reason the young Astartes reached the rank of Sergeant was to tame him with responsibility. Perhaps leading others will teach him to master himself. I know not. It is a matter best left to the Salamanders. Indeed, I doubt these thoughts of mine will ever see the light, nor should they. 

Extracts from the record of Brother O'tann

[990M41] Scout brother O'tann single-handedly saved a convoy of Nocturnean merchants from attack by a Sa'hrk pack in the Scorian Plane. His brother Scouts stood back, continuing with their assigned training mission. Though O'tann's mission performance was negatively impacted, Apothecary Ghel'nir commended his selfless act. 

[028M42] Brother O'tann avenged his sergeant's death at the hands of an Aeldari wych, slaughering the xeno with the sergeant's thunder hammer. O'tann was subsequently chosen to ascend to the vacant position of squad leader, one of the youngest to hold that role. 

[034M42] Sergeant O'tann led a combat squad in defense of the rear on Victoria prime, assisting Venerable Brother Umaroth in destroying a Zoanthrope swarm.