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Index Astartes: The Legio Bolter & Chainsword by the members of the Bolter & Chainsword The Space Marines of the Adeptus Astartes are posthuman warriors, genetically enhanced and equipped with the best weapons, wargear, and training that the Imperium can provide. Even among these mighty warriors, however, there are traitors and renegades whose vile treachery threatens the Imperium from within. To face such foes demands warriors whose hearts and souls are trained to withstand extremes of pain and terror, whose faith in the Emperor is as unwavering as it is strong. Since the dawn of the Imperium a brotherhood of Space Marines have fought these foes and defeated them. They are the Legio. Origins Starting in the days of the Second Founding, many Chapters maintained a loose alliance. This wasn't a formal alliance, but an unwritten agreement to communicate and cooperate insofar as they were able. This communication and cooperation was achieved through a class of officers appointed by the Chapter Masters to serve as liaisons with the other Chapters. Though most commonly known as Delegatus-Heralds, some Chapters had unique names for these officers, such as the Knight-Heralds of many Successors of the Dark Angels Legion, and the Apestalmenarchs of the Iron Snakes Chapter. Regardless of naming conventions, most Chapters had a handful of such officers. Over the millennia, these officers created and maintained informal alliances that allowed a means of arbitration and cooperation among the participating Chapters. For example, the Delegatus-Heralds of the Successors of the Ultramarines Legion were instrumental in coordinating the attack on the world of Tsagualsa, which had been used by the Night Lords Legion as a base of operations after the destruction of Nostramo. Similarly, it was the Delegatus-Heralds of the Imperial Fists Chapter who notified the other Successors of the VIIth Legion of Chapter Master Koorland’s enactment of the Last Wall protocol during the War of the Beast. The coalition of four Chapters that laid siege to Holy Terra during the Age of Apostasy in M36 was also facilitated by such officers. On numerous other occasions this loose alliance and the efforts of the Delegatus-Heralds prevented whole-scale battle between Chapters and allowed the Adeptus Astartes to police their own before the rest of the Imperium learned of wayward Chapters. Over time, though still informal, the participating Chapters systematized the alliance, referring to it as “the Legio” in reference to the legions of the Great Crusade. The liaisons, now known simply as Legio Heralds, were identified by a black and white check pattern, most often displayed on tilt shields. Most Legio Heralds were Veteran Sergeants, bearing the Chapter Approved identifiers of that rank. Despite the systematization and recognition of the Legio by the Adeptus Astartes, participation wasn’t universal, and some among the most independent or insular of Chapters refused to take part. Over the millennia, however, numerous events convinced leading Chapters of the need for the Adeptus Astartes to take the lead in policing their own ranks. Two key events in particular impelled a movement to formalize the Legio. The first was the War of the False Primarch in M33 and the second was the Ecclesiarchal purges of M37. In the aftermath of the War of the False Primarch in M33, five Chapters were tasked with the destruction of eleven Chapters that had been judged Traitoris Perdita by the High Lords of Terra for their actions during that war. These five Chapters, the Carcharodons Astra, Charnel Guard, Death Eagles, Flesh Eaters, and Red Talons, were known as the Pentarchy of Blood, and they were successful in systematically destroying the traitor Chapters and laying waste to their homeworlds. Many of the Chapters that weren’t involved in the event wondered if the High Lords of Terra had been rash in their condemnation of the eleven Chapters, basing their judgment on vindictiveness rather than actual evidence of corruption. In M37, Saint Basillius became highly powerful during the Ecclesiarchal Purges of the Age of Redemption, even commanding several Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes, his ‘puritas division.’ After Warp Story Dionys appeared over dozens of systems, Saint Basillius declared that the thirty Chapters whose homeworlds had been affected were corrupted, ordering them to take part in a crusade into the Eye of Terror. These Chapters, known as the Judged, willingly acceded to his judgment, though they knew that the crusade was doomed. Many members of the Judged Chapters fell to Chaos and the incidence of Heretic Astartes raids increased considerably. Remnants of the Judged Chapters returned from the Warp 800 years later, confronting the still-living Saint Basillius and revealing him to be an apostle of Chaos who orchestrated the Abyssal Crusade to weaken the Imperium. The vengeful Adeptus Astartes slew the servant of Chaos and thousands of his followers, destroying all his shrines and every relic and tome of his creed. After the revelation of the perfidy of Saint Basillius, a rare council of over a dozen Chapter Masters, including some from among the survivors of the Judged Chapters, convened. These leaders agreed that the Legio offered a superior alternative for both the coordination of the Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes as well as their monitoring and discipline. A delegation of these Chapter Masters approached the High Lords of Terra, proposing the formalization of the Legio. They cited the contributions that the Adeptus Astartes had made to the Imperium as a result of the efforts of the Delegatus-Heralds and used the creation of the Deathwatch as an example of how the proposed Legio could be created and sustained. After over three months of debate, and over the objections of the Ecclesiarch (whose influence had been weakened as a result of the unmasking of Saint Basillius), the High Lords approved the request on the condition that the Legio would serve as the Chamber Militant of the Ordo Astartes. The Adeptus Astartes delegation acceded to this request and the Adeptus Mechanicus was tasked with provisioning the newly-created Legio. Many survivors of the Abyssal Crusade – those from Chapters that were no longer viable – formed the core of the formalized Legio; and most Chapters seconded one of their Legio Heralds as their first contributions to the newly-formed Chapter. Role The Legio has several objectives: maintain bonds of friendship and loyalty among the manifold Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes serve as a means by which the various Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes may share tactical expertise and innovation keep an eye on the various Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes On the surface, the Legio is most well-known for the first two roles. In these, the Legio is also known as the “Collegium Astartes.” Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes will attach individuals, squads, even whole companies to the Legio temporarily. Members of Chapters attached in this way are known as “Prospecti” and, though they maintain the livery of their parent Chapters, they often bear the mark of the Legio upon their armor. This may appear as a campaign badge, in place of a squad badge, or elsewhere as determined by Chapter leaders. During such periods, these battle-brothers will interact with counterparts attached from other Chapters, exchanging tactical information and ideas, even new developments in equipment. Often, detachments will be attached for specific training, and it is through these attachments that specific Chapters share their expertise with other Chapters. When these detachments return to their Chapters, these members often retain the Legio marking as an honorific. The Legio also has a corps of veteran squads tasked with providing training to the other Chapters. Known as ‘Mentor Cadres’ or ‘Legio Mentors,’ these teams transmit new tactics, newly-approved wargear, and information about new enemies to the Chapters, ensuring that the expertise to defeat the Imperium’s foes is as widespread as possible among the Adeptus Astartes. A byproduct of the Legio's role in keeping an eye on the various Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes is the Legio's self-imposed mandate to hunt down traitor Astartes. On the rare occasion when a Chapter reveals information about renegades, the Legio is willing to work in concert with that Chapter and to turn captured traitors over to their parent Chapter. On other occasions, the Legio will execute heretic Astartes, recovering and purifying wargear. The Light of the Emperor Is a beacon for Mankind's salvation. The Justice of the Emperor Is the doom of the enemies of Mankind. The Blood of the Emperor Is sacrificed for all Mankind. Base of Operations The mobile star fort Arx Vigilans serves as the Legio’s headquarters. Conferred by the Adeptus Mechanicus upon the Legio’s creation, the Arx Vigilans is able to service up to three Adeptus Astartes battle barges, twelve strike cruisers, and multiple smaller vessels, the massive construct rivals the famed Blackstone fortresses in size and firepower. Within the superstructure of the star fort can be found multiple training areas of sufficient size to allow for company-sized training evolutions, to include employment of vehicles. Of unknown provenance, some believe that it may be a remnant from one of the Legiones Astartes during the Great Crusade while others believe that it may be of more recent construction. Fleet In addition to the Arx Vigilans, the Legio operates two battle barges, the Sword Bearer and Fidei Rex, and seven strike cruisers, including the Divine Hunter and the Spear of Justice. The Legio also possesses numerous smaller Adeptus Astartes vessels of various classes. When going to war, the fleet is often augmented by the vessels of the Prospecti forces that are attached to the Legio. Training The Legio spends considerable time training, serving as a vehicle by which the various Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes can share tactics, techniques, procedures, and equipment. In this, the Arx Vigilans serves as the training venue for many of the training evolutions at the company and below. When specific environments are required, or when the forces involved in the training require larger training areas, the Legio will utilize suitable worlds and interstellar bodies that the High Lords of Terra have approved. While the Legio lays claim to several such locations, the vast majority are used only temporarily, with the Legio and forces to be trained traveling to those locations. Occasionally, other Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes may consent to their own worlds or training areas being employed for such use, but this is often only when those Chapters are participating in the training. More often, the Legio will evaluate the requirements for training and will locate a suitable world, moving on once the training is complete. The Mentor Cadres usually serve as facilitators for training, providing instruction and serving as opposing forces when necessary. On occasion, other Chapters will serve in these roles, typically when they excel or specialize in the training to be delivered. Combat Doctrine The Legio generally follows the dictates of the Codex Astartes, though the Legio’s access to multiple interpretations of the Codex Astartes as well as the doctrines of most other Chapters allows it to incorporate a significant degree of flexibility in its combat doctrine. With the return of the Primarch Roboute Guilliman and his efforts to update and revise the Codex Astartes, the Legio has served as a source of both variations and proofs for new doctrine. While an individual company or detachment might be trained extensively in a specific area based on the experience and desires of the commander, the overall combat doctrine of the Legio follows the Codex Astartes mandate of maximum flexibility. The Legio acts as an independent battle force, sending detachments where it will, often in aid of other Chapters or military organizations within the Imperium. Companies are composed to whatever suits the needs of the leader. Since most members of the Legio are experienced battle-brothers from their respective Chapters, the Legio can draw on a wealth of experience and training, enabling leaders to task-organize their forces and conduct operations in ways not normally available to standard battle companies. Organization The Legio is not organized into the Codex Astartes Chapter construct. Though organized into typical 100-man companies, each company is fluid in its organization depending upon its training and operational goals. The members of the Legio train to perform all standard roles found within a normal Chapter and a company can shift from Battle Company composition to any of the Reserve Company compositions based on availability of equipment. Multiple companies are formed into the three Great Companies that serve as the primary organizational construct of the Legio. Each of the Great Companies is named for an aspect of the Emperor and has an associated color. The Light of the Emperor Great Company represents the beneficent influence of the Emperor and is represented by the color white; the Justice of the Emperor Great Company represents the punishment of the Emperor upon those that threaten Mankind and is represented by the color black; the Blood of the Emperor Great Company represents the sacrifice made by the Emperor in service to Mankind and is represented by the color red. Each Great Company is composed of three or more companies, depending upon the overall strength of the Legio. Owing to the Legio’s focus on training and flexibility, each Great Company includes one company that is equivalent to a Veteran company, this comprised of the Great Company’s Mentor Squads and led by the Great Company’s First Captain. The other companies will vary in composition and role depending upon its training and operational objectives, as well as the availability of equipment. It is common for members of the Legio to transfer between the Great Companies. The First Captains form the council that, with the leaders of the specialist orders within the Legio (the Chief Librarian, Reclusiarch, Master of the Forge, and Chief Apothecary), directs the overall efforts of the Legio. Recruitment When a member of the Legio is slain, their gene-seed will be returned to their parent Chapter by an honor guard led by a Herald. In addition, pure stocks of the Chapter’s gene-seed will be included as a gift, the gene-seed drawn from Adeptus Mechanicus stocks after being screened for purity. The parent Chapter will then select a replacement for the fallen brother, typically a battle-brother or veteran who has proven himself to be both tactically sound and pious in the Chapter’s warrior cult. Occasionally, a Chapter may send multiple members as Prospecti, with one remaining with the Legio permanently after undergoing training and screening by the Legio. Assignment to the Legio is always an honor, never a punishment. Service in the Legio is for life. Battle-brothers often return to their parent Chapters on temporary sojourns, often to renew their indoctrination in the warrior cult of their parent Chapter and to submit themselves for testing to progress through the ranks of their Chapter. In many cases, Legio members who are promoted to the rank of veteran within the Legio will take a sojourn to undergo the trials of their parent Chapter to confirm their veteran status. When a battle-brother is seconded to the Legio, he will craft an honor shield. This shield serves as a pictorial representation of the battle-brother’s accomplishments and honors, and it will often feature his parent Chapter’s iconography, the squads and companies in which he has served, and personal oaths of fidelity and dedication. This honor shield will serve as the basis of the battle-brother’s record within the Legio, and this record will be maintained by the Legio’s servitors. When the battle-brother dies, the Legio’s artificers will craft two death shields based on his record of service. One of the death shields will be returned to the battle-brother’s parent Chapter along with his remains and his gene-seed while the other death shield will be placed in the Legio’s Atrium Mortuorum. Livery Battle-brothers that are permanently assigned to the Legio by their parent Chapters usually adopt the distinctive livery of the Legio, replacing their original livery with the mostly black armor and red helm. The only permanent reminder of their Chapter of origin is upon their right pauldron, which is kept in their original Chapter colors. By default, the left pauldron and chest decoration are light tan in color, and the Great Company is identified on the left kneepad. The Legio’s Veterans, the Mentors, often incorporate black and white checks, most often upon their right knee and/or greave, as well as black or white stripes upon the helmet. Battle-brothers often transfer their personal battle-honors and the markings of their Chapter’s warrior cult to their Legio armor. For example, Legio battle-brothers from the Salamanders Chapter often include the Promethean Cult’s hammer and flame markings upon their armor. The Legio allows its members a great deal of flexibility in their livery, however. For example, members often display their Great Company affiliation through the color on their left shoulder pad, either by using that color for the background or just the Legio marking. Metallic colors are often used to indicate veteran status either in place of or in addition to the black and white checks, and these colors are often used on the chest decoration or the left shoulder pad, or both. Tilt shields are also worn by many Legio members. In addition, members of the Legio often serve alongside the agents of the Inquisition; and those that have been sanctioned in this role often incorporate the marking of the Inquisition upon their armor. In this way, a Legio force has a unique appearance that draws upon diverse influences. For more details and examples of Legio livery and flexibility, refer to the Insignium Astartes: Legio. Using the Legio in Games The key to using the Legio in games in the Warhammer 40,000 setting is remembering that (to paraphrase @BLOODSAINT ) “the Legio isn’t a super squad, it’s just a uniform that is worn.” This means that there are no special rules for the Legio. The most likely way to include the Legio in your games of Warhammer 40,000 is to feature a single Legio model in one of your “veteran” squads (i.e., a Legio veteran on Sojourn) or a squad as a “veteran” squad (i.e., a squad of Legio Mentors training with a Chapter), either option working for any army using Codex: Space Marines and the codex supplements for that book (except the Deathwatch). You would not use any additional special rules for these models, but they would provide you with a focal point that is distinct from the rest of your force. An even easier way to include the Legio is to have one or more models that feature the Legio badge without otherwise changing the color scheme (i.e., Prospecti). This would work for the same armies. If your army uses Codex: Imperial Agents, the Deathwatch rules can be used to represent veterans from the Legio (i.e., Mentors) while a Grey Knights Terminator Squad might represent a squad of Terminator-armor-clad Librarians. When playing Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team, any ADEPTUS ASTARTES faction may be used. In this case, a Deathwatch kill team might represent a unit of Legio veterans (i.e., Mentors) while a Grey Knights kill team might represent a unit of Librarians. It is even possible to use a non-cult HERETIC ASTARTES faction as a creative representation of loyalist Adeptus Astartes. Regardless of the game, the Legio should represent loyalist Adeptus Astartes. If you have any questions about the Legio Bolter & Chainsword, please post them here. A .pdf version of this article can be downloaded here. -
From the album: Miscellaneous Images
A piece of art work I had commissioned from Blazbaros on DeviantArt (as part of his Chapter Approved 2: Approved Harder multi-piece work), depicting a member of my British Redcoats-inspired DIY Chapter from the Liber Cluster thread, the Scarlet Sentinels. -
From the album: Other Chapters
"Veteran Sergeant Tahel Kyvrann" from golfdeltafoxtrot's Grey Ravens. My completed vow for the LIBER ASTARTES SWAP CHALLENGE 2019. -
From the album: Vanquishers
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From the album: Vanquishers
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From the album: Vanquishers
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Version version 1
540 downloads
This is the file for the current version of the Inquisitorial Guard, my custom Space Marine Chapter. Future updates will be made as I continue to flesh out the lore and history of this Chapter. -
From the album: Other Chapters
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From the album: Other Chapters
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From the album: Other Chapters
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From the album: Vanquishers
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From the album: Vanquishers
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From the album: Vanquishers
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From the album: Vanquishers
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Techmarine Collage 1
Brother Cambrius posted a gallery image in Adeptus Astartes / Legiones Astartes
From the album: Vanquishers
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From the album: Sons of Doom
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From the album: Sons of Doom
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From the album: Sons of Doom
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From the album: Sons of Doom
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From the album: Sons of Doom
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Well to follow on my new post in the WIP forums bringing back Operation Reclamation, which some of you older members may remember form around 2010-11, here's the Completed, or "Reclaimed" thread, where I showcase the completed miniatures from my exploits! Now to start off with, I'm very embarrassed to say the first mini I'm showcasing is one that I in fact damaged/abused. After getting my first Storm Talon through the post from GW, I immediately got to work on building it and I decided it would be in the colours of my newest Space Marine army, a Crimson Fist successor called the "Vanquishers", who are the masters of city-fighting and urban warfare. Unfortunately, I made a mistake I will only ever do once, after discovering what a lamp's light bulb does to a Storm Talon if too close. I was trying to dry the blue wash on the cockpit glass, but I got too engrossed in an Imperial Armour book and must have lost a few minutes, which led to this horrific outcome, after 12 hours of work on it: Needless to say, I was pretty stunned and felt a bit hollow after seeing what I'd done, the Talon was so close to being finished too, all it needed was some washes, detail painting and transfers and then it would have been finished! But pretty much immediately after this moment of neglect happened, I immediately got to work on making emergency repairs, seeing this as a chance to make my Storm Talon look a teensy bit more unique. Grabbing my Green Stuff, I started to work on fixing the giant hole in the Talon and start making a base for my plasticard shrouding on the aircraft: Eventually, I managed to build a suitable Plasticard cockpit shroud/cover, making it look like a field addition for added shielding and worked on finishing the Storm Talon and its base. Unfortunately, the painting gods were clearly not on my side as more calamities befell the Talon. My black wash went crazily goopy and all over the place, leading to horrific streaks and other nasties and the 'Ardcoat I added onto the cockpit area did not cooperate well with the plasticard, leading to a bit of a mess on the front edges...but I stuck to it and finished the Storm Talon up, leading to this: And here's a better look at the base, where I made a custom satellite dish using a round base and some sprue pieces, along with other detritus I had in my bitz box. The Vanquishers are the masters of city/urban warfare, so I wanted to emphasise that with the pieces on the base: Whilst the Storm Talon isn't drop-dead gorgeous, I'm very proud and happy with how it looks after my huge error. Unfortunately, I had no way of repairing the upper vent intakes on the Talon, so I've kept them as they are and I've come up with a back story for this Storm Talon to explain its appearance: The Storm Talon "Kalore's Revenge", is a venerated aircraft in the armoury of the Vanquishers chapter. Kalore's Revenge has a very unique cockpit shrouding addition to it, along with distinctive battle damage along the top of its fuselage. This damage, and the subsequent naming of this Talon to be "Kalore's Revenge" emerged in the wake of the fall of the Hiveworld Kalore in M37; where a Chaos incursion, led by the Oblivion Warriors occurred. In the final days of the war, where the Imperial forces worked on evacuating as many citizens and Imperial assets as possible, the Storm Talon and its pilot, Techmarine Tandiel worked on harassing enemy aircraft to prevent them from attacking the evacuation forces. Despite the overwhelming numbers against Tandiel and his Storm Talon, they successfully brought down four Heldrakes and two Hellblades, before a squadron of Heldrakes managed to score a direct hit on the Storm Talon with a combined cataclysmic torrent of balefire. The top of the Storm Talon suffered serious damage, with the cockpit and upper fuselage being melted away and warped from the tainted flames, but remarkably, in his sheer stubbornness of refusing to die, Techmarine Tandiel and the Storm Talon continued to battle with the Chaos flyers, taking out the squadron with barely contained fury before retreating after expending all ammunition and running out of fuel. When Tandiel returned, his fellow Techmarines were stunned and awed by the damage wrought upon the aircraft and the apothecaries marvelled at how Tandiel was still alive, despite suffering catastrophic burns to his upper body and bionics. Eventually, with Kalore lost to an Exterminatus and the Vanquishers returning to their homeworld of Caeron, the Techmarines of the chapter began to work on repairing the Storm Talon. Despite the horrific damage from the taints of warpfire, they discovered that the Machine Spirit within the aircraft was defiant of the damage and still pure from any taint. Eventually, the Storm Talon and Tandiel were ready to take to the skies once more, with both having been extensively repaired and healed form their damage. The Storm Talon was giving extra reinforcing to repair its damage and was given an up-armoured cockpit, which also added sensor filters to better aid its pilot in dogfights. Upon flying with his Storm Talon once more, Tandiel declared that it would be renamed "Kalore's Revenge," bringing fire and vengeance for all those lost on Kalore. Kalore's Revenge continues to serve in the Vanquishers' forces, attached to the Fourth Company and has earned further honours since the Fall of Kalore. To pilot this aircraft is seen as a great honour and responsibility amongst the Techmarine pilots of the chapter and only the very best are permitted the honour to fly it into battle. And that's that! I will hopefully bring new images of reclaimed miniatures soon, now that I have a RT Land Speeder being stripped along with a classic Apothecary, so stay tuned! Any and all comments/critiques are greatly welcomed and appreciated! Cambrius
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Greetings denizens of the B+C! Some of you may remember a couple of years back my old "Operation Reclamation" thread, where I took abused and poorly built/painted/damaged Space Marines and proceeded to fix them up with some stripping and a new colour scheme befitting their status as the Emperor's Finest. Each mini I would "reclaim" would be given one of my numerous DIY colour schemes and perhaps a small background on that chapter. Thus far since I started in 2010, I have reclaimed over 20 miniatures, each in a different colour scheme and a small handful being used in my current Sons of Doom or Vanquishers army. So to give you an idea, here's how some of the original victims in need of some TLC looked, from an eBay job lot I won back in late 2009: It might not look too bad, but the white paint what Humbrol enamel, so the shoulder pads were a serious mess and the paint was put on thick for their eye lenses and other spots. These were in fact the least damaged minis from the lot I got, I've since gone on to fix other, even worse looking miniatures from this and another job lot I got for cheap. But here is how some of them look now, guarding a tactically vital "asset" : But that's the past, now onto the present with my newest effort in reclaiming damaged minis and giving them the paint job and love they deserve! This time I'm going seriously old school with something I got from a friend, which he once owned as a wee little 10 year old, it's scary to think this vehicle may very well be older than I am: Yes indeed! It's an old school Land Speeder, armed with a Multi Melta beneath the cockpit and a Heavy Flamer on the turret! I have no idea how this thing is put together as I didn't have any instructions, so once I've stripped it down, trying to build it will be fun! Actually if any old school veterans of the hobby are reading this, can I ask if all the pieces are there or is there anything missing I'll have to kitbash to replace it with? I also have another miniature currently in the stripping tub right now, which is going to become an Apothecary for my Vanquishers' Command Squad eventually: And that's that on this thread for now! I will be posting an Operation Reclamation - Completed thread in the Hall of honour very shortly, displaying my newest reclaimed mini after I made a HUGE boo boo involving a Storm Talon and a lamp being too close to it... Any comments etc. are greatly welcomed and appreciated! Cambrius
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-Except from Administratum database: Index Astartes- -Clearance Level: Inquisition- -Access: Granted; Limited- The Praetorians (Chapter) The Praetorians are a Chapter believed by the Imperium to have been created in the Thirteenth Founding. They are noted for daring strikes at the heart of the enemy and precise disruptions of enemy infrastructure. They have been declared Lost twice and have been brought to the brink of annihilation on innumerable occasions, but have endured due to the resourcefulness and pragmatism of the Astartes. Colours and Chapter Symbol http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e319/Kelbeef/Praetoriantactical-1.jpg http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e319/Kelbeef/ChiRho.jpg Origins Records Lost The early history of the Praetorians has been lost to all but themselves. This is not an uncommon occurrence, especially for Dark Founding Chapters, but also due to the Age of Apostasy, which resulted in the loss or destruction of many records. The loss of records regarding the Void Stalkers Chapter and its demise may not have been caused by the Age of Apostasy, but rather a result of deliberate intent. It is believed by members of the Ordo Scriptus that only one Chapter was involved in their destruction and that the Chapter was the newly-formed Praetorians. Solid evidence still eludes them, but why this would be the case remains to be discovered. They suspect that the revolt was a much more serious affair than the limited Inquisitorial reports suggest. Like all of the Chapters founded during the Dark Founding, the reason for their founding have either been deleted from Imperial records or have been lost in time. The only hint to the reason being an early incident regarding the destruction of the renegade Void Stalkers Chapter not long after the Praetorians Founding. The records of the forces involved in the conflict do not name the Astartes Chapter that was present, but the Praetorians own records state they were involved in the conflict. The equipment and fleet of this 4th Founding Chapter vanished after this event, with only past Gene-Seed tithe and scant records of their past remaining to substantiate their existence. Homeworld Byzantium is a Feudal World that is located in the centre of a major cluster of systems that form the Byzas Subsector. Aside from the period which trapped the Praetorians in the Sector it is one of the few relatively safe routes for Warp travel in the Northern Segmentum Obscuris. It is a planet where fortified city-states and republics constantly rise and fall across the habitable regions of the planets equator. The planets population is focussed on the main continent, with a large inland sea where the most powerful city-states and republics reside along the coast. This inland sea is dotted with large volcanic islands, the home of port-cities and pirates. This sea is almost divided by a peninsular into two seas. Historically, the city-state or republic who controlled the city built on the peninsular was the most influential (and wealthy) on the planet. The Byzantines have a classical warrior culture, with the greatest ambition for every boy being to be granted command of their city-state or republics military. However soldiers are almost useless against the sophisticated fortifications of the major towns and cities on the major continent. The generals must rely on subterfuge, sabotage and assassination to allow their armies any chance of occupying these fortresses. As such, each State and Republic have extensive spy networks, as well as highly trained assassins that are recruited from orphans as soon as they can stand to be brilliant, but silent killers. These methods are the only way to have any chance of taking these fortresses without destroying the military, as losing excessive numbers of troops will result in the generals own rapid replacement and disappearance. The population is renowned throughout the Sector as ruthless and cut-throat, happy to murder anyone if it would help to improve their social status. The population is therefore constantly fighting each other, either for the honour of their city-states and republics or for social promotion. As such a strict code of honour has been necessary in the prevention of assassinations, with no-one allowed to go within an arm's length of each other. This has resulted in forging a scheming, deceptive and politically-minded population, very happy to get their hands dirty but also very good at not being caught doing so. To rule in the City-States or Republics is to live a hard and fast existence, with the entire nobility constantly looking for ways to gain greater privileges, usually via a well-placed knife in the dark. The Byzantines view the Praetorians the same way they view each other; with great suspicion, but with a general acknowledgment that their presence provides long term protection against a Galaxy of horrors. Finding a population with similar ideals that the Chapter upholds, the Praetorians established their Fortress-monastery; Castra Praetoria. The Fortress and city that surrounds it is situated on the peninsular which forms a bottleneck of the major inland sea, allowing the occupant of the city to control all trade between the major city-states and republics. The location was formerly controlled by the rebels of the planet when the Praetorians arrived, and thus received their highest level of attention. Castra Praetoria is now viewed by the Byzantines as a reminder of who holds supreme power over the population, but also of the glories and majesty of the Imperium. Early HistoryThe Praetorians built a reputation as a ruthless fleet-based Chapter, famed for their flexibility and on destroying their opponent's leadership structures rapidly. The first know Imperial record of the Chapter in action being the cleansing of Nerus, a rebel Forge World in the Segmentum Obscurus. In this they won great renowned for their rapid assault on the Ad Mechs headquarters early into the campaign, disrupting the rebel Skitarii legions, resulting in a fast conclusion and surrender of the rebels. Prior to this, there are Imperial reports that suggest they took part in the conflicts revolving around the Age of Apostasy and Plague of Unbelief. Another notable campaign in their early history was a crusade into the Halo Stars region. They wished to bring the Halo Stars region into the Imperium, and hopefully re-discover lost human colonies. Here they lost contact with the Imperium for two centuries, only to resurface below half-strength to declare only the dead reside in those stars, giving no other explanation for their absence or heavy losses. The reason for abandoning their fleet-based past was due to the events now remembered as the Pacification. The Praetorians were requested by Lord Solar Theodosius to spear-head the assault on the Byzas Sector; only infamous for being a hotbed for Xenos, rebels and pirates on the Northern edge of the Galaxy. The campaign was a drawn out affair due to the sheer number of different rebel factions, but ended with great success for the Imperial forces. However during the campaign, the Chapters Librarians and Astropaths felt great turbulence in the Warp, which was confirmed by a Warp storm erupting into existence, engulfing the entire sector, cutting them off from the rest of the Galaxy. Undaunted, they continued their mission until completion. This period of isolation from the Imperium was to last for over a Millennia. What exactly transpired during this period of isolation, just like the Halo Stars incident remains a complete mystery to the Imperium, and is never openly discussed by this reserved Chapter. Upon the Warp storm abating, the Inquisition moved into the Sector and assessed the Chapter. Finding the Chapter to still be completely loyal despite their isolation from the Imperium, the Inquisitors recommended that the Praetorians be gifted the Byzantine System formally and charged with garrisoning the Sector. This the Chapter were granted and to this day the Praetorians now garrison one of the few reliable routes through the Northern reaches of the Segmentum Obscuris. Since the end of their isolation, to continue their tradition as a fleet-based Chapter the Prefect Heraclius started a two-Company crusade to last for a century a time. This has resulted in their involvement in conflicts all across Imperial space, but in particular the conflicts surrounding the Eye of Terror, including the Gothic War. Details of the conflicts these Crusades fight in are fragmentary at best, at worst result in the disappearance of two whole Companies for a whole century before returning to Byzantium. Recent History Centenary Crusade The Chapters past is a strong source of pride for the Praetorians, and their past as a fleet-based Chapter is of particular importance. Indeed if it was not for the fact that they were granted the planet and had resided among their population for over a Millennium, they almost certainly would have taken to their old ways again. They still retain a particularly large fleet, alongside the Imperial Navy stationed in the Subsector. To not be found idle, each Century two Companies from the Chapter, alongside the entire Scout Company take part in a Centenary Crusade. In this they feel they can send aid to other Sectors, or even different Segmentum when the need is particularly dire elsewhere, such as during the Macharian Crusade, and also the ensuing Heresy. The greatest threat to the Byzas Sector in the last century was a revolt against Imperial rule, believed to have been instigated by the Alpha Legion two solar years after the Justinian Plague ravaged the Sector, resulting in the death of the Guard Stratagos Justinian. Initial conflict led to substantial losses, mainly due to the rebels hitting simultaneously on many different key planets throughout the Sector, which overwhelmed the Praetorians and Guard Regiments. Captain Apollyon of the 3rd Company was elected to the position of Prefect, mainly due to his Company getting results against the uprising. The Prefects more patient hit and run policy, designed to probe the rebels bases for weaknesses soon put the rebels onto the back-foot. This resulted in a swift conclusion to the conflict, however in the final days of the campaign, the Alpha Legionnaires escaped the battle and the Sector. In the final years of the M41, the Praetorians have been charged by the Ordo Hereticus and Xenos with the pacification of the neighbouring Pergamus Sector, since it has largely fallen into rebellion. Upon hearing that this rebellion is fronted by a Chapter located in the Sector, Prefect Apollyon has issued the mobilisation of six of the Chapters Companies with the intention of destroying the rebel Astartes in this Sector, supported by the regiments of Guard raised on the planet Thassalos, the other inhabited planet in the Byzantine system. At the same time, as is tradition within the Chapter two Companies are on a century long Crusade. This is a tradition to remind the Praetorians of their past as a fleet-based Chapter. Currently the IV and V Companies are en-route to the Eye of Terror to help the desperate defence of the Cadian Gate from the 13th Black Crusade. Timeline M36 Early M36 - War of Brothers: The Praetorians records state involvement in the renegade Void Stalker Chapters destruction. All Imperial records remain classified regarding the conflict. Early M36 - Age of Apostasy & Plague of Unbelief: Conflicting reports suggest Praetorians took part in these conflicts. 516.M36 - Nerus Rebellion: Forge World Nerus revolts, Praetorians commit the II Company. Rebel leaders killed in there first assault. First known engagement of Praetorians to the Imperium. M37 209-513.M37 - Halo Crusade: Entire Chapter deployed to search the Halo Stars for human occupation. Contact is lost with the Imperium for two centuries; Chapter declared lost 342.M37. Praetorians re-emerge from the Halo Stars with only four Companies remaining. Contact re-established with Imperium. Praetorians report that the Halo Stars are only inhabited by the dead. Despite the losses, they immediately offer aid to the Iron Knights Chapter, with their howeworld under siege by an unknown Xenos threat. 550-560.M37 - Occlusiad Wars: Chapter played some part in the war against the Apostles of the Blind King. Exactly what role remains a mystery. M38 101.M38 - The Watch: Chapter spends several centuries patrolling the Eye of Terror, aids in the defence during 9th Black Crusade. 877.M38 - The Pacification: Lord Solar Theodosius requests Praetorians aid in purging the Byzas Sector. When the campaign is near completion, a Warp storm erupts, trapping Imperial forces in the Sector for over a Millennia. Declared Lost to the Imperium. M39 M39 - Insolation: The Chapter is not seen or heard from for the entire M39 due to the Warp storm. What transpires in the Sector remains a mystery to the Imperium. M40 131.M40 - Isolations End: Warp storm abates, and reveals the Praetorians in control of the Byzas System. Formally gifted Byzantium as a Homeworld for remaining loyal. 139.M40 - Crusaders Legacy: Prefect Heraclius declares century long fleet action on the boarder of the Eye of Terror. The V & VIII Companies are the first dispatched. 619.M40 - Wraagh! Gorgotha: Ork invasion sweeps the Byzas Subsector. It is halted and crushed on Byzantines moon, Constance II, but not before the II & IX Companies were wiped out. M41 139.M41 - Gothic War: Companies III & IV take part in the Gothic War against the Despoiler. Heavy losses suffered during the battles in the Schindlegeist system. 979-981.M41 - Insurrection: Revolts break out all across the Byzas Subsector, two years after the start of the Justinian Plague. Heavy initial losses. Captain Apollyon declared Prefect. Tide turns against the rebels. Finally beaten above the planet Megara, but Alpha Legion cell responsible escapes. 997-present day.M41 - Pergamus Purging: Beginning of a crusade against the Pergamus Sector, after it fell to revolt and xenos invasion. Conflict on-going. 999-present day.M41 - 13th Black Crusade: IV & VI Companies dispatched to aid in the defence of the Cadian Gate. Gene-Seed The Gene-Seed is stable and exceptionally pure, with the only mutation being to the Occulobe, causing the iris of all Marines to turn orange or red. The Neophytes produced by this Chapter are renowned for their relatively rapid development into Astarte form, and the quality of the Marines that are produced. This is at complete odds with the Praetorians claimed descent from Corax, the Primarch of the Raven Guard, with a Gene-Seed that is known to be deteriorating. As such, there Gene-Seed has been analysed on numerous occasions by the Adeptus Mechanicus. Their findings have publicly concluded that the Gene-Seed is indeed descended from the Raven Guards, but the actual reports have never been made available. The Raven Guard themselves have never acknowledged the genetic link to the Praetorians. Whether this is because they just do not want any link to be known, or because they do not believe there is a link remains a mystery. Beliefs Like most Astartes, they do not view the Emperor as a God, but as the greatest example of Humanity, a pinnacle whose example all should strive towards. As with most Chapters who share this view, this puts them at odds with the Ecclesiarchy, but there is little ill-will between the two organisations. They maintain strong contacts with the Mechanicum, despite finding the worship and hoarding of technology distasteful. Reports suggest that the Praetorians secured a working STC in their reclamation of the Byzas Sector and gifted it to the Mechanicum upon the end of their isolation. These reports remain unsubstantiated, but it would explain there armoury being particularly well-stocked even after extensive periods of isolation. The Praetorians have always been renowned throughout the Imperium as being ruthless and efficient, even before their isolation. Recruiting from the Byzantine population has only heightened this sense of identity and their secretive nature. They were greatly influenced by the Chapter Master Scapula, who adopted Byzantium as there Homeworld, and with it adopted many of the Byzantines cultural practices, such as the Byzantine code of honour and the local language. Organisation The Praetorians broadly follow the tactics presented in the Codex Astartes, though like the Raven Guard they do not see the Codex as infallible and emphasise more flexibility in interpretation to suit their own fighting preferences. The Chapter deviates from the Codex in the structure of its Companies; most notably that there Battle Companies have there own Veterans. The I Company are specialised in boarding actions, so still maintain the Tactical Dreadnaught Armour and most of the Centurion War suits, though its members are not considered "Veterans." The X Company is a standard Scout Company, however when the Neophytes are close to completing their training and development they are selected by a Company to finish training alongside there future Battle Brothers depending on their mentality and skill set. This is a legacy of their isolation, with all Companies being required to fight on multiple planets and systems with no hope of outside support. To honour their past as a fleet-based Chapter, two Companies are launched into a Century-long crusade which has seen the Chapter fight all over the Galaxy. The two Companies selected also take the Scout Companies entire collection of Neophytes with them to maintain there numbers during the Crusade, meaning that once every Century the X Company has to be completely replaced with fresh recruits. Titles also differ from Codex Chapters, the Chapter Master being referred to as the Prefect though their function is usually identical, other titles for Codex units are referred to by the Byzantine languages interpretation, such as the Honour Guard being the famed Varangian Guard. The Kataphraktos make up the land vehicles of the Chapter, including Bikers, tanks and Land Speeders. Recruitment Each Company is responsible for completing the training of Neophytes. This is done to allow the Companies to focus on there specialty, and recruit appropriately. As the population of Byzantium is in a state of constant war among themselves, they make for brilliant recruits for the Astartes. Those that reside among the city-states where most recruits originate from, are trained as soon as they are able to fight. The only time the Byzantines will trust another being when they are marching to war together. Hypnotherapy is only utilised to ingrain trust for their fellow Battle Brothers to temper the populations cutthroat nature. The most notable quirk of there recruits is the speed with which they mature into their Astartes form, and the individual quality of the neophytes. The reason for these quirks are unknown to all outside of the highest ranking members of the Adeptus Mechanicus considering the Chapters claimed descent from the XIX Legion. Combat Doctrine The Codex Astartes is viewed with high regard by the Praetorians, even if they do not follow it to the letter. They see the Codex as a great guide, but not infallible and thus open to interpretation and change if the situation demands it. Many speculate this unpredictability originates from there conflicts with renegade Chapters and Traitor Legions, who are either ingrained with the teachings or have experience fighting against its teachings. The Praetorians put greatest emphasis on eliminating command and supply structures, resulting in the rapid collapse of the opposing military. More emphasis was put on this maxim during their periods of isolation, where they had no hope of reinforcements or resupplies and therefore had to plan every use of resource with meticulous detail. Thus their attacks initially involve stealth and reconnaissance, followed by rapid insertion of forces to key positions. When on the back-foot, they utilise sorties, hit-and run tactics, though this is usually intended to be a precursor to getting back on the offensive. They are known to have the uncanny ability to hit an opponent where they are most vulnerable, which is achieved through the diligent work of their Scouts. The Praetorians take the lessons they learn while Neophytes very seriously, allowing them to approach an enemy without alerting them. Usually the first moment the enemy notices the Praetorians is the flash of their Bolters at close range. Equipment Due to their periods of isolation from the Imperium, the Praetorians do not count on being resupplied for long periods of time. This has resulted in the recycling of armour, weapons and vehicles, and with the loss of most of their Land Raiders. Only a single Land Raider Redeemer, Byzantines Flame is still in service. The Prefect himself must sanction its use; such is its importance to the Chapter. Notable Members of the Praetorians Prefect Apollyon - Current Chapter Master, formerly Captain of the III Company. Ended the Cultist insurrection in the Byzas Sector, currently leading the Pergamus campaign. Known for being calculating, patient and resilient; he was seen as the best option for leadership during the insurrections. Prefect Heraclius - Former Chapter Master. Began Century long crusading tradition after Isolation period. Chapter Master Scapula - Former Chapter Master. Reorganized the Chapter after the Pacification events. Codicier Garro - Librarian, earning distinction in the 13th Black Crusade. Notable Elements of the Praetorians Megara - Flagship and former Fortress-monastery. Details as to when the Praetorians acquired this Battle-Barge is unclear, it was first sighted in the Nerus Rebellion. Byzantines Flame - Land Raider Redeemer, earned distinction during the period of Isolation in the Byzas Sector. Blade of Valens - Polearm that dates back to the Chapters campaign in the Halo Stars, this has been the Prefects symbol of office since there return to Imperial space. Motto Per ardua. (Through adversity).
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Greetings! I am building my first ever 40K army, though I am an experienced painter and WHFB player. I like the White Scars, but always have to put my own spin on things, so I will be creating a successor chapter: the Storm Brothers. I will be following the WS codex 100%, so only painting/modeling tweaks. My original thought was purple and gray, with yellow highlights, but the test model came out too dark for my taste. So I have used the awesome SM Painter to try out a lighter gray, more of it, and more yellow. I like this version a lot- I think it will paint well, show up strongly on the table, but not be too "busy". Opinions welcome! http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm.php?b62c=@iagtx_hnsaQ.i2SsX@@@@@@@i6hFq@hozqSiakk7.@@.hozqS@.@__.@__@.@i3rau_@____@___hozqShozqSiakk7..@@@hozqS@@@@@@hozqShU25M&- 827 replies
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Part One: Enter Caduceus The pirate frigate had first tried to flee, but the first time it had reemerged from the Immaterium, the green clad Astartes frigate had been only moments behind. Each time after that, there was one more Astartes ship than before. Seeing the uselessness of running, the pirates had put up stiff resistance, but could never have hoped to out maneuver so many ships. The way they moved, like one long segmented vessel, seeking to encircle the pirates in a death grip, the Space Marines appeared to treat the battle with disturbing leisure. Three times the hapless vessel tried to fire on the more predictable escorts in the coiling Astartes formation, but each time the lead frigate would strike in the opening with its own lasers, followed by a torpedo, and to change targets only resulted in a blow from another unattended angle, every salvo obliterating gun batteries until none remained. Anticipating another attempt to flee, the Space Marines ships fired on the pirates’ engines, and after a number of shuddering internal detonations in the ship’s aft it began to drift listlessly. Moments later a much larger vessel broke through the warp, a strike cruiser bearing that same heraldry, the serpent, winged and crowned. No sooner did it appear then it had launched a single Thunderhawk which streaked across the void and came to rest on the hull of the disabled pirate frigate, clamping down near one of the breaches left by a destroyed laser battery. A dozen Astartes descended the ramp, their leader a Marine in identical armor save for the gray tabard covering it and the gold coloring of his helmet’s radio spine, unlike the red on his brothers. Three Marines immediately broke from the group and made towards the aft of the ship. The remaining nine briefly surrounded the mangled hole left by a destroyed gun emplacement. Through the sparks that pierced the darkness they could just make out the shape of the torpedo that had punched through. Apparently satisfied, the Marine leading the squad lowered himself into the opening, pushing off the rim until his boots could lock onto the deck. As his brothers followed into the dark, he crossed silently to the nearest hatch leading toward the bridge. It appeared to have been sealed prior to the chamber’s decompression…unusual. Cocking his head toward the rear of the ship a vox crackle finally cut the silence among the Astartes. “Brother Lorens,” the voice was low, hardly more than a whisper, and chillingly smooth, “We’ve encountered a sealed bulkhead. They may have been prepared for the virus warheads. Have you reached the environmental systems?” The voice that responded was deeper, and coarser, but equally cold, “Negative Captain, ETA in thirty seconds.” “Very well,” returned the Captain, checking that the eight marines with him had fallen in, “it will take us more time to reach the bridge, and if they sealed any more bulkheads, we’ll likely meet resistance. Introduce the agent with a five minute time release, then meet us at the bridge.” “Yes, Captain Vitras,” the line died with the simple reply, and the Captain returned to the sealed hatch blocking their path. He gestured at the nearest Marine, who held a plasma rifle, stepping back as the weapon unleashed its blue fire on the door. The blast dissipated before the vacuum could throw it back in their faces, and when the initial mixture of smoke and atmosphere cleared, there wasn’t much left of the hatch. Streaks of atmosphere still pulled at the ragged edges of the opening as the corridor on the other side continued to depressurize, and moments later a limp form slammed through the opening trailing a spray of red. If the pirate hadn’t already been dead, he was now, the limply held mask in his hand too little too late now that he and his right arm were drifting slowly apart, the silent marines looking on approvingly. Vitras wordlessly stooped through the now crimson rimmed opening, eyes and helmet optics accommodating for the deeper darkness. The marines filled almost the entire corridor as they followed it deeper into the ship. They reached the next bulkhead almost without incident, but just as the plasma gun was about to do its work, lights flickered on overhead, and a blast door came down behind them. With a pneumatic hiss the hatch before them unsealed and burst open, autogun fire already spilling through. With no door on hand, Captain Vitras let roar his chainsword and tore through the wall to his right, finding sleeping quarters on the other side. Four of his men further back found doors on the other side of the corridor, while two more followed after Vitras. The brother bearing the plasma gun, and the brother behind him made no move, already in the act of carrying out the order that followed. “Cover fire!” Barked Vitras just as the bolter fire began, “Brother Viboras, to ash with them!” Vitras and his men leaned into the corridor to fire as one while a pair of plasma blasts streaked into the flashing gunfire that was the enemy. The volume of incoming fire immediately dropped, and as it did Vitras thundered back into the corridor, the bulkheads shaking with the collective pounding of his ceramite form and the renewed roar of the chainsword. The rest of the squad followed after, though all they really had time to see was the Captain surrounded by a halo of autogun fire and viscera as the chainsword arched and slashed, cleaving everything before it. Seconds later, the corridor was silent again except for the quiet dripping of blood both from the chainsword and the ceiling. Brother Viboras stepped up behind the Captain and could see that the autoguns had chinked away enough armor on his arm to expose the bionics underneath. These whirred briefly as Captain Vitras gestured to his squad once more, and they passed through the scene of the carnage. “Captain,” the vox crackled with the incoming hail. “Speak, Brother,” Vitras’ voice remained disturbingly level. “The distributor is in place, as are we.” “Status of the bridge?” “The corsair is cowering here with his retinue, awaiting your arrival.” “Excellent. Trigger the distributor. How much time was left?” There was a chuckle on the other end, “A minute and thirty three seconds, Captain.” “Hm, best time yet.” An alarm began to sound, and the lights dimmed, replaced by pulsing red glow, a sign that the ships environmental systems had been compromised. Through the next unsealed hatch was the short corridor leading to the bridge. Visible through a small viewport, two of the pirates stood guard about thirty feet outside the door, though they seemed awfully relaxed for their situation. Both leaning almost casually against the walls, they at least gripped their weapons tightly. When the Marines appeared in the corridor…the pirates didn’t move, nor did the Marines react to their presence, but strode directly towards the bridge access doors. Around the necks of the brigands hung oxygen masks ready for use, but the dimness of the corridor made it difficult to distinguish their faces until they were close. Neither Vitras nor Viboras payed them any mind, but walked past the guards to the door controls, the Captain replacing his pistol on his leg as he went. Each Marine except the last ignored the guards as though they weren’t there, the brother in the rear removing his bolt from its maglock as he approached. As his brothers approached the door he leaned down to see the face of each pirate. Satisfied with the terrified, strained and even tearful faces he found, he put a bolt round into each one’s head, practically destroying their skulls. At the door, Captain Vitras had found to his surprise that the controls weren’t locked out, and the doors opened to the last echo of the bolt shots. The bridge was darker than the rest of the ship, lit more by the panels and instrumentation than anything, and as the hulking marines fanned out into the room they found that each of the stations was still occupied by a crewman, and the captain sat in his throne in the center of the chamber, facing the Astartes, his mask only half on. There were several other armed pirates around the room, but each lay on the ground in an awkward position, unmoving, but with apparently unwounded. As Captain Vitras stalked across the chamber to the captain the rest of his men drew their pistols, and when the Captain leaned down and spoke, gripping the back of the throne with a bionic fist, his words came with the staccato of the bolt shots executing his crew. “Your struggle against the Imperium is at an end, heretic,” breathed that cold, smooth voice out of the helmet, “I am Captain Vitras of the Basilisks. You have lived to this moment only so that the fear of our name can go with you into death.” He lowered his hand and tapped the arm of the throne, where the pirate captain was still depressing a rune with a white knuckle grip. An attempted transmission, or a successful one in truth, as the text on the tiny screen above it indicated that the corsair had opened a line to somewhere…and they were still listening. Whether a call for help, or last instructions to another clan of raiders, whoever was at the other end was hearing the grim last moments of the doomed ship. “Consider it a final act of loyalty to--” “Cap-tain,” the pirate had managed to speak! To resist the Basilisks’ nerve agent to that degree without the help of a mask would have required bionics in the lungs. Apparently this was not an average pirate, and Vitras soon discovered why, “I ha—mess-age,” with enormous effort, the pirate lifted his finger, releasing the rune to allow return communication. A garbled voice came hissing through the ship’s vox, barely distinguishable as Low Gothic. “Blood of the crowned snake! Vengeance for Bahl’s sons!” There were a number of flashing lights through the viewports and, crossing rapidly to the nearest, Captain Vitras peered out into the void. A sizeable fleet of Astartes-class ships had emerged from the warp, easily twice the strength of the circling Basilisk fleet, and from where he stood Vitras could already see guns turning on his brothers…as well as the disabled ship where they now stood. “Lorens, now!” he cried, voice turning ragged, drawing his pistol and unloading into the viewport, and in answer, a meltagun discharge struck it from the outside, bathing the room in white for a moment before the meter thick panes disintegrated and exploded into space. Vitras and his men inside barely had time to lock their boots, but no sooner had they done so than they charged out of the opening onto the ship’s hull, greeted by Brother Lorens and his two companions. Behind them the bodies of the crew and the still living pirate captain vented into the void, but the marines were already traversing the hull towards the Thunderhawk as fast as they could go. Flashes above them told Vitras that the enemy fleet had engaged them, and a shudder below told him something had struck the frigate. A violent buckle and a blossoming orange glow from behind followed promptly, and two of the Marines were swatted off the hull by the impact, no chance to react. The rest of the squad carried on, and they soon reached the boarding ramp of their ‘hawk. Detaching as soon as the last marine had a sure foot on the ramp, the Marines locked themselves in place and the Thunderhawk rocketed away from the frigate. The former pirate ship was already coming apart, wracked with explosions both internal and external. In the tense minutes since the appearance of the enemy fleet, the Basilisk’s hadn’t yet lost a ship, but as the Thunderhawk docked with its Strike Cruiser, Vitras leaping prematurely from its hold and making for the command deck, the voxes announced the destruction of the frigate Stone Fang. Bursting into the command center, Vitras’ gaze sought the ship’s commander. “D’selvus, status!” “Captain! The enemy is unkown! Our formations are dogged but holding, reinforcements enroute!” “Damned heretics! I want to know who these faithless traitors are!” “Vitras!” The Captain whirled to find Codicier Seranus striding into the command center, “I have your answer,” Vitras followed the Librarian to the viewport where both could clearly make out the dulled, dark red hulls of the enemy ships, the symbols at their prows all but erased for want of attention, save one. A red serpent coiled threateningly over the atlas ellipse of an unknown world, resting on a sand colored field…familiar, “They are Pythons,” Vitras’ head snapped back to the Codicier, revealing shock and disbelief, “That’s right, brother, the Baal Pythons have returned.” ~~~~~~~ Comments & Critiques very welcome, looking forward to refining and expanding this story.
