015.012.M42

REPORT OF HYO FLAVIGNUS OF THE DISPOSITION AND DEPLOYMENT OF ULTIMA FOUNDING INVESTED CHAPTER CINERE VIGILIAS – THE ‘ASHEN SENTINELS’

Thought for the Day: Blessed are those in the eyes of the God-Emperor who hath died in His service.

My Lord, I humbly submit for your attention the report you requested, the culmination of six Terran-standard months’ research and investigation, following the events of 229.011.M42 (c.f. war for Strontium Epsilon). As you will rightly recall, the Torch Bearer fleet bearing reinforcements intended to a number of beleaguered Astartes Chapters – including the subject of your attention, the Shadow Stalkers – had almost reached the further edges of the Segmentum Pacificus. Here the elements of the Indomitus Crusade that had split from the main fleet had become embroiled in multiple war zones in every Sector – their intervention stabilising or turning conflicts to the Imperium’s favour. Our task force, led by Shield-Captain Provon now set to locating the Shadow Stalkers – as we progressed through the Gundate Sector to neighbouring Odothese, we learnt that the Chapter had fallen before the emergence of the Great Rift, so the Primaris contingent intended to reinforce them had two choices – re-instate the Chapter, or establish a new one.

At this time, we received reports that the situation in Strontium three Sectors to the west, was dire: an Ork Waagh! was threatening to overrun the entire Sector, taking advantage of depleted Imperial defences in the aftermath of the Cicatrix Maledictum’s opening. Indomitus battlegroups, including a contingent of ‘Greyshield’ Primaris under the command of Captain Noumen Arkos, were attempting to stem the Xenos tide – our task force made the decision to head to Strontium, in order to push back against the Ork threat. I needn’t repeat the details of that campaign, as you are aware it was successful in pushing the Xenos back, finally defeating their command at the battle of Genovian III; nor shall I repeat the details which led to the decision that the Primaris and gene-seed intended for the Shadow Stalkers would make the basis of a new Chapter, with Capton Arkos – who, like the Shadow Stalkers, was forged from Rogal Dorn’s lineage – as its Master.

Now this new Chapter has had some time to establish its structure and disposition, I will update you of the Ashen Sentinel’s status. The Chapter has taken upon itself to watch over a large area of space, encompassing multiple Sectors; they have termed this area the ‘Strontium Protectorate’. I have prepared two astral cartographs so that you may see for yourself this area of space; forgive their crudeness, I am no cartographer, but I hope they will aptly illustrate this report.

The area designated the Strontium Protectorate has three designated areas; the first, marked by the red line, consists of the three Sectors traditionally referred to as the Strontium Cluster – Cellarion, Lustris and Strontium itself. The second, indicated by the blue line, almost fully encompasses two more Sectors (Adurentis and Glincaestir), as well as covering parts of three others (Nova Fondatus, Iceni and Promontor). The final area – the green line – covers the rest of these Sectors, as well as Odothese, heading South-East spiral-wards.

The Chapter has established its home world on one of the moons of Strontium Beta – a bleak planetoid of barren, craggy, mountainous plateaus, and valleys filled with toxic pools of noxious chemicals. The moon had long been the site of a significant fortification, intended as a lynchpin for co-ordinating defence of the system, and the Ashen Sentinels have further reinforced it into a truly imposing and indomitable structure.

Fidaelus Vigilus, moon of Strontium Beta, home world of the Ashen Sentinels 

View of Strontium Beta from Fidaelus Vigilus

Ashen Sentinels' fortress 

Since its official investiture, the Chapter has quickly established its structure, which is almost entirely adherent to the tenets and traditions of Lord Guilliman’s Codex Astartes – incorporating the changes he himself made after the introduction of the Primaris. I had opportunity to meet briefly with Chapter Master Arkos himself – it is, perhaps, unsurprising that his lineage and experience of fighting in the Indomitus Crusade that has had a significant impact on the Chapter’s fighting doctrines and philosophies. Aptitude with the holy Boltgun, in all its variations, is emphasised – both as a weapon of defence and of aggression. As well as that, it is clear that the Chapter’s beginnings, replacing another destroyed Chapter, has shaped some of their attitudes and temperament. Speaking to the Chapter Master, as well as other personnel at all levels of the Chapter, it is clear that they do not see the demise of the Shadow Stalkers as a tragedy, or even a failure – rather, that standing in the face of even certain defeat is a laudable fate; if duty demands they stand in the face of overwhelming odds, they believe it is their honourable duty to do so.

The Chapter maintains 10 Battle Companies, and during the months of the investigations which inform this report, I have learnt a great deal of their deployment and disposition. As is traditional amongst many Astartes Chapters, the Captain of the 2nd Company is entrusted with the defence of the Chapter’s home world and systems, and as such Captain Theolen Errikos bears the honorific title ‘Castellan of Strontium’. As the Chapter sees their duty as covering several Sectors, Captain Errikos’ duty is not simply to the Strontium Beta system, but to the entire Strontium Sector. So the 2nd Company, as well as supporting elements, appears to be the first to respond to any threat that occurs here; at the time of our investigations, forces under the command of Captain Errikos were engaged in hunting down any remaining Ork forces still present at the fringes of the Sector, following the successful campaign at Strontium Epsilon.

In the neighbouring Cellarion Sector, a task force of elements from the 3rd Company, under Captain Kaius Timaeron, and the 4th, under Captain Therryn Ouranos, is (at the time I write this report) liaising with the Adeptus Mechanicus of the Rostokhar Forges. Recently shipping in that sector has been blighted by reports of lost or missing flotillas – a great concern to surrounding systems and Sectors that are reliant on the plasma coil-based technology forged on Rostokhar III. Presently the cause of the disappearances are unknown; I have reached out to my contacts working with the Ordos Hereticus and Malleus, but there are no known Chaos forces thought to be operating in that area. I will continue to monitor this and will update you when more details are known.

Orbital defence array, Rostokhar III 

To the other side of Strontium, beleaguered Lustris Sector struggles to retain those systems which had not fallen when the Cicatrix Maledictum swallowed near half of the Sector. Here, a task force led by 5th Company Captain Iyabrax, is supporting Imperial forces in defending the systems nearest the fringes of the Rift. This defence is based upon a line of hastily fortified worlds, these have hastily been turned into fortress worlds where incursions from the great enemy are met, and – with increasing cost – repelled. In the midst of this, the Ashen Sentinels have been forced to spread themselves to support embattled Imperial military assets; although the front is established and fixed to those fortified worlds, the situation can be fluid – during the period of our investigations, Chaos forces attacked in multiple ways, sometimes using massed assaults against a small number of targets, or sending smaller parties to probe and stretch Imperial defences. In response, Captain Iyabrax has chosen to split his forces into smaller strike groups, even individual Squad or specialised ‘Kill Team’ configurations. I was unable to meet with the Captain during the course of my investigations, but instead I had communication with one of his Lieutenants; he indicated that spreading their strength along the lines has made it easier for the Ashen Sentinels to respond to enemy incursions, and with greater efficacy. With their forces spread, it would be logical that any losses would impact upon this – I was unable to ascertain details of this from the Ashen Sentinels. Therefore, I will continue to monitor the situation in this front – arguably, if it worsens would be an indication that the deployment chosen by Captain Iyabrax has not been successful.

Beyond these primary deployments, those reserve elements of the Chapter not garrisoning their home world are apparently to be found operating throughout their Protectorate. The largest group I was aware of during our investigations was that under 6th Company Captain Palaemon, which apparently incorporates elements of the 1st, 6th, 9th and 10th Companies. I obtained reports that Battle Group Palaemon has been engaged in various warzones in the Tertiary zone of the Protectorate – principally in the Iceni and Odothese Sectors. As you will know, in many Astartes Chapters the 6th Company Captain bears the Honorific title Master of Rites, being responsible for overseeing adherence to the Chapter’s traditions and values; I learnt that instead Captain Palaemon bears the title ‘Master of Relics’. On the surface neither role would seem suited to a relatively new Chapter of Astartes, however when you consider the Ashen Sentinels’ beginnings, and their respect for their predecessors the Shadow Stalkers, it is possible to understand the Captain’s role. It is not the Chapter’s relics that are sought, but anything relating to those that preceded it. Here, the presence in Odothese, and that elements of the 1st Company are part of this Battle Group, becomes clear. I do not need to remind you of the recent history of Odothese, and of the wars that have raged in recent decades, but it is here that the Shadow Stalkers fell, defending the Sector. I noted that the Ashen Sentinels apparently have very limited access to suits of Terminator Armour – I’ve been unable to obtain numbers, but based on evidence I have seen, only somewhere between 10-15 of these – so arguably they would seek to recover those that belonged to the Shadow Stalkers. I can only base this on an informed assumption – one report we received was of a complaint from Militarum Commanders participating in the ongoing conflict to eradicate xenos Aeldari from Vilnekaan; while Ashen Sentinels were known to be fighting here, they refused to support Militarum forces, or co-ordinating their strikes with them. Instead, the Ashen Sentinels deployed only in specific areas, and after defeating the Xenos, did not allow time for Militarum forces to capitalise and reinforce those gains.

This behaviour is the only cause for concern I can honestly report based upon my investigations – I do believe that it is worth monitoring the Ashen Sentinels’ interactions with other Imperial forces, in case their apparent desire to reclaim what they arguably see as their lost legacy inhibits them being an effective asset in maintaining the gains of the Indomitus Crusade. But aside from this, they appear to be as loyal and capable as the majority of other Astartes Chapters fighting in service of the God-Emperor. Though their belief that honour demands they would stand to their last may see them commit to situations where other forces may withdraw to fight again elsewhere, this is a trait that is shared by many other Space Marine Chapters.

I trust that this report finds you well, if any further information is required I am always at your disposal and will endeavour to meet your demands.

As ever, I remain your faithful servant,

In His Name

Interrogator Hyo Flavignus