The Emperor's Chefs: the Imperial Toasters

[Erasmus of Baal]

The Imperial Toasters were founded from the gene-seed of the Ultramarines in M41. They are strictly Codex in their organization and a fleet-based Chapter, but their activities outside of combat are wholly unique amongst the entire body of Adeptus Astartes. The Blood Angels craft great works, the Space Wolves recite sagas, the Ultramarines get political, and the Imperial Toasters...cook.

 

Most Chapters’ gene-seed has degraded over time, which is a gradual process that typically highlights a few particular Space Marine organ implants. In the case of the Imperial Toasters, however, two implants have actually been enhanced to the point of impediment; specifically, these are the Omophagea and the Neuroglottis. This peculiar implant change has made the notion of eating an enemy’s meat both extremely profitable and distasteful to the Chapter members: they can gain an unparalleled amount of tactical data from such practices, but they cannot bear the ill taste of raw meat. As such, the Chapter has taken up the practice of cooking the meats of battle to an amazingly high standard and has even discovered ways to extend the amount of information gathered from the enemy’s cadavers through proper cooking of the meat.

 

The practice of cooking within a Space Marine Chapter leads to a number of odd practices, especially when this cooking involves the enemies’ flesh. After every battle, the meat of the foes is made into a grand feast by the commanding officer who directed the battle; all Chapter members who were involved in the battle join in the easting of this meal. Those Battle-Brothers preordained to assist with the preparation of this feast have been known to go into battle with pots and pans hanging off of their Power Armor, even sometimes being used as weapons in dire circumstances. The post-combat meal is typically cooked directly on the battlefield and supplemented with local flora and fauna. If the Imperial Toasters’ force must move on quickly, Chapter servitors store the meat for the next battle-feast in that campaign. Unlike some chapters, such as the Flesh Tearers, that make rite and ritual out of eating their own dead brothers, the Imperial Toasters find this practice disgusting and flatly refuse to do it no matter how well-dressed the dish.

 

While the Imperial Toasters are strictly Codex in their organization and their combat doctrine, they have a strong preference towards melta- and flamer weapon equipped Assault Squads that also feature Power Fists. The melta- and flamer weapons are intended so that some of the meats of battle may still be eaten if the strike force must continue in haste; thus, little or no immediately relevant tactical information to be gained in this way is missed. The Assault Squads’ attacks, most notably the Power Fist’s strikes, are considered to pre-tenderize the meat so that it will have better texture during the post-battle feast.

 

Battle-Cry: “Burn in the kitchen’s flames!” alternatively: “To dinner!”

 

 

 

 

 

Just an idea that popped into my head earlier and I thought it would be fun to sketch it out, which it indeed has been. If anyone has any ideas for expanding it, I'll take it into consideration!

[StGene]

“To dinner!”

Very nice touch. I look forward to the special characters and color scheme (Grandchef Bobbitimus "Bobby" Flay, methinks?).

[Bjorn Firewalker]

I thought of giving an order of the Sisters of Battle, melta weapons with a special "Barbeque" setting- they drive Inquisitors NUTS by building barbeque pits in the Black Ships' bridges, along with enough Fenrisian beer to kill a mammoth! (Imagine female Space Wolves. Where do they get Fenrisian beer? By :) ing a Wolf Lord until his balls are no longer blue.)