They're pretty underground...

[Messor]

Just how invisible can a Chapter become while maintaining its duties to the Imperium? I ask because of the Cerberus Chapter. They do a lot of really deep black ops, sometimes things that could be(and in some cases are) heretical, because they believe that to increase their own strength, militarily and politically, is to do the same for humanity, and the cost is of little concern. In prosecuting this mission, they try to remain anonymous, i.e. they all but destroyed their first homeworld in order to fake their destruction. Is it feasible for a Chapter to play dead that way? Can they get away with joining other Chapters on the battlefield (as rarely as possible) without identifying themselves, and maintaining the same silence towards other Imperial organizations (mostly concerned with the Inquisition)?

[Erasmus of Baal]

In theory, yes, but it's damnably difficult. You'll have to get by with either thievery or scraps (granted, scraps can be pretty darn good with a clever Techmarine or two), and if you take to the battlefield with other Chapters you'll have to pretend to be another Chapter, most likely the Legion of the Damned just because it's easiest.

[Wulfebane]

and if you take to the battlefield with other Chapters you'll have to pretend to be another Chapter, most likely the Legion of the Damned just because it's easiest.

 

Alpha Legion is another reference.

[Messor]

Well thievery was already in the cards, since they play as Blood Angels, and there's only so many ways to come across Stormravens and Lucifer Pattern engines, plus some political machinations. Is it the Chapter that decides on heraldry, or is that a choice made higher up? IF its up to the Chapter, would they really need to pretend to be someone else? 1)No-one would recognize the colors 2)Are their allies in a warzone really going to make a big deal if they don't go through all the pleasantries of introducing themselves? I suppose they aren't above pretending to be someone else, but if they did they would claim to be Sons of Unity. Things might get ugly if said allies were already familiar with the Sons of Unity.

[Erasmus of Baal]

1)No-one would recognize the colors

True, but do you seriously think that unrecognized Space Marines saying nothing to you as the enter your battlefield will be treated as anything other than a potential threat? See also: 6th Ed. rulebook, allies, "One Eye Open" rule.

2)Are their allies in a warzone really going to make a big deal if they don't go through all the pleasantries of introducing themselves? I suppose they aren't above pretending to be someone else, but if they did they would claim to be Sons of Unity. Things might get ugly if said allies were already familiar with the Sons of Unity.

What do they stand to gain from claiming to be the Sons of Unity in particular?

[Messor]

True, but do you seriously think that unrecognized Space Marines saying nothing to you as the enter your battlefield will be treated as anything other than a potential threat? See also: 6th Ed. rulebook, allies, "One Eye Open" rule.

 

Of course not, though I'd forgotten about the One Eye Open rule, its actually sounds fantastically fluffy for 'em. I'll have to find out whether or not it will screw me over on the playing field. Narratively, thing the issue can be mitigated. A little, "I'm Captain Don Pelos. The Thunderhawks under my command are ready to provide air support wherever needed," No mention of the Chapter, but with the world burning down a round your forces, its not the time to look a gift horse in the mouth. Sure, the questions and suspicions are stirring in the back of your mind the rest of the battle, but as long as they're not shooting at your guys, there's no cause for subvertive behavior.

 

On that note, does the Legion of the Damned speak to their Brothers, or do they just get by on reputation?

 

What do they stand to gain from claiming to be the Sons of Unity in particular?

 

Nothing really. They're true marines, fighting for the Imperium. I based that statement on my own personal opinion. If I were them, I wouldn't just impersonate some Chapter I'd never heard of, and the Sons are the only Chapter Cerberus has ever had any sort of tie to. If anything, all they would end up doing is getting combat honors pinned to a Chapter that wasn't present...unless they plan on stealing something from the allied Chapter. In those cases though, they'd try to make it look like the work of the enemy as much as possible.

[Erasmus of Baal]

A little, "I'm Captain Don Pelos. The Thunderhawks under my command are ready to provide air support wherever needed," No mention of the Chapter, but with the world burning down a round your forces, its not the time to look a gift horse in the mouth. Sure, the questions and suspicions are stirring in the back of your mind the rest of the battle, but as long as they're not shooting at your guys, there's no cause for subvertive behavior.

Seems workable. You'll have to evac pretty quickly after the battle, though, otherwise there will be some troublesome questions leading to unpleasantness and probably "friendly" fire.

On that note, does the Legion of the Damned speak to their Brothers, or do they just get by on reputation?

As far as I know, the Legion of the Damned doesn't say a thing. They're just pretty recognizable.

Nothing really. They're true marines, fighting for the Imperium. I based that statement on my own personal opinion. If I were them, I wouldn't just impersonate some Chapter I'd never heard of, and the Sons are the only Chapter Cerberus has ever had any sort of tie to. If anything, all they would end up doing is getting combat honors pinned to a Chapter that wasn't present...unless they plan on stealing something from the allied Chapter. In those cases though, they'd try to make it look like the work of the enemy as much as possible.

Whatever happened to "camoflage is the color of cowardice"? Hiding under someone else's banner is rather cowardly, methinks, and I have a hard time believing that these Marines would be completely OK with that.

[Messor]

Whatever happened to "camoflage is the color of cowardice"? Hiding under someone else's banner is rather cowardly, methinks, and I have a hard time believing that these Marines would be completely OK with that.

 

Heh, very true, which is why I wanted to avoid this route altogether if possible. The Chapter operates alone in 9 out of 10 cases, but if there's a Chapter nearby in need of aid, they'll drop in, help out and dust off, probably while allied forces are mopping up the last of the enemy. If they can get by just being silent, no need to resort to something so lamely underhanded.