OD-A 517 (Call Sign: Cadejo)

[Hyaenidae]

Ah hell, here we go....

 

Been a regular here at B&C for a while now, but this is going to be my first real attempt to complete an IA within the Liber. Always been nervous about placing my ideas in here because, no offence to any veterans here, the Liber seemed to be a place where good intentions went to die. I dropped an idea a while back when I first joined the B&C, but I simply wasn't feeling writing an IA at the time, so I let the idea quietly die. I recently was struck by inspiration, and decided that I needed to let go of my nervousness and give an IA a try, to the fullest extent of my abilities. Should it get slaughtered, then...at least I can say I gave it my all, right? Anyway, I digress...

 

I present to the Liber my idea for a Chaos Warband, Alpha Legion in origin, to be specific. Before I carry this out into full IA format, I would like your opinions on the idea, whether it would be worth carrying forward, and any alterations that you ladies and gentlemen believe should be made. If it pleases the court, I present to you:

 

 

---Alpha Legion Cell OD-A 517 +++ Call Sign: Cadejo---

 

Alpha Legion Cell OD-A 517 (Cadejo) consists entirely of Astartes operators, specializing in infiltration, HALO, demolitions, air assault, mountain warfare, maritime operations (both void and wetwater combat), teleportation strikes, and urban operations. Due to its high visibility and area-of-effect footprint, drop pod and assault boat insertions are eschewed, being used only if no other options are available. During the Great Crusade, the Cadejo's were designated a 'dynamic entry' team, called upon to headhunt command groups, conduct 'special' reconnaissance, sabotage, and other covert direct action operations during operations against non-compliant worlds.

 

During the Heresy, their skills were called upon often to cripple Imperial Army command centers, sabotage critical targets (capital ships, supply convoys, etc.), and asymmetric warfare against loyal Legionaries attempting to reach Terra; including operations on Tallarn against the White Scars, and against Vlka Fenryka on Yarant. After the 'Eskrador Feint', OD-A 517 broke away from the Legion forever, disgusted at their brother's use of the warping effects of Chaos on their own bodies as a tool against the Imperium, viewing such abuse as an action of the desperate, and causing irreversible damage to flesh and steel, thus a waste of manpower and resources. Loyal to the Legion's ideals, but untrusting of other cells, OD-A 517 began their solo, covert war against the Imperium.

 

Operating from a battered, but heavily modified Obsidian class Strike Cruiser as a base of operations, OD-A 517 still strikes out at the Imperium. The Cadejo’s favored tactic is decapitating command units who are in conflict with other units at critical junctures, leaving the rest of the battlegroup to die at the hands of whatever force they were fighting prior to the Alpha Legion strike. As targets of opportunity arise, OD-A 517 will assess and strike if necessary, when the situation favors the cell's success.

 

Concerned about the intentions and corruption of other XX Legion cells, but unwilling to fire upon fellow Sons of Alpharius, OD-A 517 refuse all contact with their former brothers, and will disperse instead of fighting their erstwhile brethren. This procedure has been followed for the last 10,000 years sidereal, with only 3 instances of unavoidable violence.

 

The Cadejo's were once entirely of Alpharius's gene-seed (both Terran and Void-Born), but time and losses have forced OD-A 517 to gain recruits from elsewhere. Although the Cadejo’s have the capacity to create new Legionaries, their limited resources mean that only a handful of XX Legion can be created every few years. Due to the standard recruitment's inability to keep up with the cell's losses, an outsider adoption process has been initiated to insure the cell remains operational.

 

The team will only adopt new operators who can add to the success of the mission, usually those who are capable of team-focus, and already have skill sets compatible with the OD-A's mission. Purity is paramount as well, as the Detachment Commander believes that outright corruption is a detriment to the mission, both over the short- and long term. Historically, the cell has had the most success with recruiting warriors of the Raven Guard, and their successors, though Astartes from multiple Chapters and Legions have been inducted into OD-A 517 over the centuries. Upon death, these operator's gene-seed will be cut out and added to the gene-seed stockpiles, alongside Alpha Legion genetic material. That one is of the cell is all that matters, nothing more.

 

The OD-A 517's heraldry is a dark grey, trimmed in soot-smeared silver. Although they still paint the Hydra upon their warplate, the Cadejo’s primary symbol is that of a black hound with red eyes, the original Legion symbol upon its head. In ancient times, the cell enjoyed the full technological support of the young Imperium, including Infiltrator warplate, Stalker-Phobos bolters, silenced shells, and the like. Without such support, the cell has been reduced to salvaging warplate and ammunition from the dead, or making deals with other Traitors during the Cadejo's rare trips into the Eye and the Maelstrom.

 

Motto: Fortium Fracti- 'Break the Strong'

 

---Hydra Dominatus---

 

*Stands against wall, puts on blindfold, lights cigarette, and faces firing line* Alright, let's do this.... :)

[Malthe]

While I might not be your average bowling ball wielding psycopath, dressed in the terrifying robes of a true liberite, I still feel qualified enough to tell you that your idea sounds wonderful :)

 

It seems well thought-out, and more importantly you appear to be inspired, which is the prime criteria for any good IA!

I would love to read what you come up with, if you decide to write this up in an IA-format. I'm sure it would be a pleasurable experience to both you and your eventual readers.

 

 

Cheers!

[Dosjetka]

I quite like this :D I don't think that the usual IA format will be for you though. But then again, I could be wrong :)

 

Any more info about these chaps?

 

Ludovic

[Captain Juan Juarez]

More. Now.

 

That is all.

[Hyaenidae]

Thank you, gents; your words of encouragement are...heartening. However, I still await the imminent bowling ball before I begin applying this into a IA format of some sort or another, though. It's gonna hit sooner or later, I'm sure, heh.

 

More info will be forthcoming on these super-secret squirrel types, but slowly. Due to my current location, I will be conducting this IA as I can, mission depending. Family first, Army second, 40k third. Please be patient with me. :) As of right now, I am devising the cell's recruiting (including adoption) and training techniques, and will add them to the first post when complete. A quick thank you to M2C, who PM'ed some thought's on these fellas to me, and also raised the issue of the cell acronym (OD-A, aka Operational Detatchment - Alpha) being too closely related to our time period. I will hum and haw over a new acronym, though I am open to suggestions as well.

 

My main issue is my Intel Specialist (Librarians / Sorcerers). I'd like to include them (more for their covert abilities than overt), but there are so many inherent risks in using Psychic's, especially during the cell's runs into the Eye or the Maelstrom, that I'm having a hell of a time coming up with a realistic way to keep them usable and helpful to the team, but controlled. Plus, resources aboard our ship are damn short to run a functional 'Librarium'. *sigh* I'll keep bouncing ideas around, but again, any assistance would be greatly appreciated on this one.

 

Quick note: The call sign for the cell is pronounced 'Kah-Day-Hoe'. Here's the Wiki link to those not familiar with the legend of the Cadejo ( Linky Link ). I thought it was fitting to the Legion, the "eyes of evil", the ambush-type tactics, and the possibility that one is unsure if it's a 'good' or 'bad' Cadejo until it is too late. Groovy.

 

Alright, fire away...

[Dark Apostle Thirst]

1) Ok, the cell avoids their brothers because of concern of Chaotic degredation but recruits from outside the Legion when the vast majority of other legions have shown an incilination to mutate upon declaring themselves renegade? Whaaaaa?

 

I like the idea of recruiting outside the Legion but it really doesn't mesh with the avoiding their brothers (even if they want to avoid killing them). There are multiple solutions to this quandry - perhaps you might have a Librarian scan any AL forces for Chaotic taint, perhaps they're part of a network of those AL who avoid Chaos because it's Chaos. I'm sure you can come up with a working idea, but as it is it sadly doesn't work :)

 

2) Motto is repeated, and the first time it's used is a little out of place (it seems very trivial in the location it's at).

 

3) With placing the geneseed alongside each other, a few of the geneseed lineages need seperation for various reasons (IE, Blood Angels and their curses, Raven Guard for their failing organs, World Eaters for the Butcher's Nails, etc) and thus I'd reccomend blanket statementing something along the lines of -

 

"The apothecaries of the Cadejo thoroughly mantain each store of geneseed, seperating them by their progenitors due to the numerous defects that have affected the legions. They hold no favoritism, however, many of the apothecaries themselves are not of Alpha Legion geneseed and each knows that the only true value among the astartes is loyalty to the cell."

 

- if that works for you?

 

 

Looks nice though, and am definitely looking forward to more :)

[Hyaenidae]

@DAT: *CRUNCH* Ahhhh....there's the bowling ball! Thanks, I needed that. :)

 

1) Yeah...I had the same thought, but at the same time, corruption (in my personal opinion) would eventually comprimise the mission at an inopportune time. Gibbering prayers to the Dark Gods, and the crunch of mutating bone and cartlidge, has a habit of breaking one's stealthy approach, lol. I'm drawn on how to deal with the 'corruption' issue myself, without making it sound unrealistic (as you mentioned), or my warband just devolving into a pack of screaming madmen (definetley NOT my goal here). Not every Traitor immedietley develops a third eye in their belly button the second they spit on their oaths, either. Take the Night Lords for example. Granted, they have a large number of corrupt psycho's amongst their ranks, but just as many that are untouched, despite the fact that spend far more time in the Warp than my cell. Why? A simple belief that corruption is wrong, and having the will to fight it. To be fair, though, how about 'mindsets that would comprimise the mission' ? Would such an altered statement meet a middle ground that would be acceptable?

 

2) Motto will disappear from the top, it was just there for the idea 'rough draft' phase. *poof*

 

3) I'm assuming members of the Blood Angels and World Eaters would simply never be accepted into the cell in the first place (insanity is a bit of a no go for a covert unit), but I see where you're coming from. The Cadejo's don't just accept any renegade into their ranks, nor do they just pick up gene-seed from the dead of the enemy, a la Astral Claws; as I mentioned, "those who are capable of team-focus, and already have skill sets compatible with the OD-A's mission." A frothing Berzerker would never fit in, and anyone who breaks with the mission after surviving the recruitment phase (such as breaking tactical silence with a scream of "Blood for the Blood God!") would be put down without mercy, their gene-seed discarded forever. The Cadejo's may need recruits like never before, but never at the risk of comprimising the cell or it's operations. If that means I must exclude some forms of gene-seed due to instability, so be it. To put it simple, we're picky as hell, lol.

 

As for the Raven Guard and their slightly tricky gene-seed, see above. As long as such instabilities did not affect the success of the mission, and would not comprimise the cell, then it's acceptible. When I say 'Purity', I meant from a 'Corruption of Chaos' standpoint, not from a natural genetic one, unless it leads to uncontrolable actions, such as the Blood Angels Gene-Seed . For example, if there was a Imperial Fist in my ranks, the Cadejo's Medic Specialists would not burn his gene-seed because of the failed Belcher's Gland / Sus-An Membrane, as these are a natural genetic deficiency for those of Dorn's lineage. If that same individual began mumbling insanely though, or grew back-canted goat legs, he and his gene-seed would be eliminated, as a precaution to the preservation of the cell.

 

Thoughts before I make alterations?

[Dark Apostle Thirst]

1) I might be a Dark Apostle but really, I'm with you on avoiding corruption thing (especially since it's your idea and project, not mine :( ), it's all good :)

 

The part I'm having a problem with is the total and complete lack of contact you seem to be suggesting with the rest of the Alpha Legion. They value their brothers enough to go to lengths not to kill them - but they don't trust them as much as they do outsiders who have proven even more susceptible to Chaos's lures? Maybe I'm missing something here but the two belief systems aren't matching up.

 

2) Not all World Eaters are frothing madmen (especially if they got a few who would have turned to Khorne after the Scouring), and the sons of Sanguinus seem to be the sort who could be true masters of anything they have inclination to, especially with much longer lifestyle to practice with. Not to mention geneseed is an infinitely valuable resource when the vast majority of peoples hear only legends of the astartes, and it would be too wasteful to simply destroy it. It might actually be a good idea to trade it off to other warbands for recently captured geneseed, at the very least.

 

Or, you can ignore this and go even further towards extremism, and completely destroy any stocks of WE or BA or whatever else they would consider unworthy - better than letting their enemies use them, after all :( And this is particular idea just reiterating what you've explained to me, all you need to do is put it in your... IC (Index Cell) :)

 

One further thought that was playing at the back of my head and I forgot to mention - the strike cruiser is heavily battered, but also heavily modified. If it's heavily modified, a lot of work went into making it better - I assume that the work would also extend to repairing the vessel? ;) This is just my personal taste, but I also think it would be better if the ship had a name ;)

[Hyaenidae]

1) Hey, don't get me wrong, corruption is fun (err...you know what I mean, lol), but just not with these fellas. That is a damn good point though, I need to expand the reasoning why my cell avoids it's brothers, but accepts outsiders. Perhaps just 'those cells that have fallen entirely into the Gods' grasp'? Still avoiding corruption, to a point. To be completley honest though, how often would cells really make contact? The point of a cell is to be insular as much as possible, so that should the cell fall, it can't give up the positions/fighting strength/ etc, of other cells. Same reason the Taliban haven't collapsed yet, and my butt is deployed again right now. We eliminate one group, but they have little to no information on other terrorist cells. The cells fight the same fight due to ideology, and a dedication to a shared mission; less due to cooperation and coordination.

 

2) Meh, the BA's are just nutjobs, plain and simple. The only difference between a World Eater and a BA is nobility, and it's a dang fine line. I wouldn't think that my cell would have been adopting warriors since the end of the Heresy anyway, only when the survival of the cell became paramount and the rate of XX legion recruitment couldn't match the losses. Basically, they were forced to bend the rules to survive, but refuse to break them. A recruit must be a volunteer still, and must still survive the vicious selection process (yes, that means adopted Astartes too). I'm not saying we're in the buisness of taking out every impure gene-seed sample in existance, but we won't accept a potentially unstable warrior.

 

3)Ah, the strike cruiser. I was trying to imply that at one time, the ship was the top of the line, and modified by the Legion during the Great Crusade to better fit with the covert operations that the XX Legion is known for, but time and combat (and the lack of a dry dock) had diminished it's abilities over the years. Old girl still has some tricks up it's sleeves, but she's not the ship she used to be. I'll ensure to expand the reasoning in the second draft.

 

Again, thank you for your critisism. Any other alterations, or should I begin the second draft, so that it may be worked and improved from? (This is my first IA, not entirely sure how you guys work when it comes to drafts...)

 

SNAP EDIT: I would be remit if I did not mention that my cell is small. Maybe 60-ish brothers or so, nothing more. We are not a horde of sneaky types; We are a small, but specialized, combat detatchment of covert operators working in teams to break an enemy through infiltration and command decapitiation. We cause the most amount of damage with the least amount of force (and in effect, the least amount of direct actions). If we can sabotage a ship's Gellar Field to wipe out an enemy force without firing a shot, so much the better. On the other side of the coin, if we must shatter our foe the old fasioned way, then we will do so, but again, with the least amount of direct action necessary. Just needed to get that out....I'll get crackin' on IA draft version 2. ;)

[Dark Apostle Thirst]

Nope, nothing further ;)

[Yogi]

I think its a pretty cool idea. Have some ramblings.

 

IMO: Cadejo the callsign is out of left field and so Spanish (my brain goes.. Uhhhh... its a h not a j), that it throws my immersion. Probably just me.

 

Legion Ideals eh.. Does anyone know why the Alpha legion still fight against the forces of the Imperium? I always assumed they went 'native' and got all corrupted. Because the cabal thing falls apart upon the failure of Horus. What do you fight for now my untainted friend? Is not you true enemy the Primordial Annihilator? Other Alpha Legion likely fight for spite or to prove themselves superior. Perhaps others AL simply lack imagination. But these guys they seem above all the ego stuff marines love to fight about. What are they fighting for? I think it would be cool to explore they cells core belief/objective.

 

Another thought: I am a super deadly sneaky, untainted Night Lord/Raven Guard/etc. What does your little cell offer to sway me? The thing with traitors is they turn cause they are wronged or broken or corrupted or ambitious marines. Your lads want well adjusted fantastically competent marines. Those guys are usually pretty loyal. Something else to explore how do they sway the new converts and ensure their loyalty, possibly tie that to core belief above.

 

Ramble over. Feel free to ignore.

[Hyaenidae]

Oh good, glad you dropped in Yogi! I was just burning out brain cells in the BBcode 101 forum, about to begin the second draft. lol. Great timing, man!

 

1) Although I will keep the name itself, I might change the Cadejo spelling to something more...smooth(?). Hell, 40k has Sud Merica, so there has to be a way I can bastardize the spelling to fit better. Probably just go phonetic, and spell it Kahdeho, or something similar. I'll brainstorm it for a while, thanks for the input.

 

2) I will touch on their beliefs a little, but I am actually a fan of keeping some of the mystery surrounding the Alpha Legion just that, a mystery. The Horus Heresy books have taken some of that away, but I'd like to keep a bit of that 'unknown' feel to them. I'll give the readers something to run with, but obscure enough so that the reader gets a little smile on his face, saying "Heh, classic Alpha Legion..." Hope that makes sense.

 

3) Basically, it will be based on that individual's desire to be part of such an organization. A possible adoptee will be shadowed by a Recruitment and Training Cadre Team (RT-CT for [days, weeks, months] or however long it takes to determine if he is a potential selectee. Should the Team decide he is an individual worth approaching, they will do so; one RT-CT member will confront him, unarmed (in appearance) and unhelmed, in a private area. He will put forward the offer of being a part of something greater than himself, a chance to strike at the Imperium as part of an elite family of warriors, and a promise of brotherhood unsurpassed. Simple as that. He will then ask for the selectee to volunteer. Should the individual accept, he will be immedietly sniped by Cadre Operator 2, struck down by a dart laced with a paralyzing agent, strong enough to incapacitate an Astartes for many hours. He will be hooded, hogtied, and dragged back to a collection point. The volunteering selectee has just begun the first phase of his training. Should the individual refuse, he will be assessed as a potential threat. If the selectee walks away, he lives, confused on why a plain-armoured Marine would approach him with such an odd statement, none he wiser. Any show of aggression though, and the former selectee has just become a threat to the continued safety of the Cadre, and the cell as a whole. He will be struck by Cadre Member 2 & 3 at the same time, one poisoned round and one AP round, respectfully. Should these shots prove non-effective, Cadre 1 will step forward and attempt to dispatch the threat with blade work while the threat is distracted. The recruitment process is lethally dangerous for the Cadre Operators, but is considered a sacrifice worth making in the long run. Volunteering is an important aspect of the recruitment process, insuring the selectee understands that no matter what happens during training, he was given the freedom of choice.

 

Ow....my head....so sleepy....going to bed now...

[Yogi]

Hmm yeah bbcode can be a pain.

 

1) Hmm Kahdeho doesn't have the charm of Cadejo. Probably best of ignoring me there.

 

2) Sounds good.

 

3) Also sounds pretty good, and actually reasonable efficient assuming they have a good strike rate of volunteers.

[Hyaenidae]

1) Heh, gonna have to agree there, lol. Cadejo is just too gnarly.

 

2 & 3) Glad to clarify. I'll expand more with the 2nd draft.

 

Ok, seriously, going to bed this time... ^_^