Liber Challenge - Gehnum's 87th "The Boomers"

[Aqui]

Order name and History

The Imperial Guard regiment formerly known as Gehnum's 87th "The Boomers" was a unit that was primarily an armoured division. The remnants of the Gehnum's 75th "Walkers" regiment, an infantry regiment was added to bolster troop numbers after a disastrous attack on a world invaded by the Xenos race known as the Dark Eldar. Discipline was a problem within the ranks to begin with, many troopers disturbed by what they witnessed during that campaign. When the High Command made Colonel Buryon J. Mason the unit leader, morale increased to such a point, that they made significant head way in retaking the planet from the enemy. It was on that planet, known as New Ground, that the Boomers first encountered the Order of Machaeram. Links with the Order, were tenuous to begin with, the Sisters initially believing that the Guard were contaminated by their exposure to the Xenos. The Guard wanted nothing to do with the Sisters, believing them to be over zealous and too willing to sacrifice those Loyal to the Emperor over "trivial" matters. It was not an easy relationship, but trust was eventually gained over the following years, as the regiment was officially ordered to support the Sisters in their undertakings, mainly to rid the sector of the Dark Eldar.

The regiment was known for favouring heavy bombardment tactics, before sending the infantry portion to take the enemy in close quarters. Having to support the Sisters, their tactics changed slightly, insofar as their Basilisks now added their firepower to the immolators and Exorcists. The infantry would advance before the Battle Sister groups, acting as snipers and scouts, advising their allies on the best targets to attack.

The Betrayal
It was upon the return to their homeworld that Mason's turn to Chaos became evident. At the height of the last campaign, an artefact of unknown origin was discovered. The Sisters' Canoness, Irene Chang had ordered the despicable object turned over to the Inquisition to be dealt with. The Colonel was willing to comply, as he had no intention of allowing it to be used against the Imperium. His ship was to be the one to take it to a World near to Gehnum, where an Inquisitor would ensure that it would be destroyed. The voyage was a long one, the Empyrean was in turmoil, to such an extent, that the ship had to leave the Warp and became stranded between systems, even the sub light engines unwilling to function. It was during this time that the betrayal occurred. Details have never been established, but it is assumed that for reasons known only to him, that Mason decided to make the artefact his. Sending a cryptic message to the Canoness he had fought besides for over two decades, he made haste to leave his home forever.

The Canoness was enraged at his betrayal, vowing to find him and take his head personally. Spending the next fourteen years, they both fought upon a mountain top, the advantage seemingly belonging to her. His body was flung over the edge, but never recovered. Canoness Chang still pursues any hint of his activity within the Imperium, knowing that he survived the descent.

Home planet

Gehnum was a world known for commerce, light manufacturing and had a small Mechanicus presence to the south pole. A hardy people due to the harsh winters and hot summers, the natives were surprised when told of the Imperial decree that they would be tithed men and women for the Guard. After Mason's betrayal, the world was put under Inquisitorial review, to establish whether the world was fallen to Chaos.

The review is still under way...

Regiment Founder

Colonel Leon Dally was responsible for the initial raising of the regiments, a veteran of thirty years in other Guard formations. Whilst not of Gehnum, his demeanour made him popular with the Gehnumites. A loud, brash man, his apparent inability to speak at less than a shout, was the inspiration for the nickname for the regiment. He was killed in action, when his custom shotgun misfired as he was trying to take down a Tyranid Broodlord. His loss was greatly lamented.

Notable Guardsmen

Buryon J Mason (Laterly known as Buryon the Trecherous) Formerly a loyal and circumspect man, Mason's betrayal of the Imperium was a genuine shock to those who had fought at his side. The careful and diligent Colonel was replaced by a slavering maniac, who welcomed mutants, heretics and malcontents to his warband. The specific details of his fall are still unknown.

Lieutenant F.T Huw was Mason's second and was one who had doubts about the direction his commander was taking the regiment. Mason forced Huw to endure possession by a Daemon of Slaanesh. The rite nearly killed the Lieutenant, but both man and Daemon have accommodated each other, their tempting whispers in Mason's ear of possible futures all the more difficult to resist.

Sergeant Lita L Sommers was also possessed by a Daemon, a Lesser Daemon of Khorne known only by a word physically impossible to utter with a human throat. Unlike Huw, Sommers was more than willing to share her body with a Daemon. Her strength, already formidable was enhanced beyond mortal comprehension.

Gunner first class Wallace "Wally" King was another who was possessed by a Daemon. A Tzeentch Lord of Change. However, as King was still inside his Chimera at the time, the fusion of man, machine and Daemon has resulted in a gestalt that is extremely disturbing.

Significant battles joined

The sacking Mons Hak'te

The planet was assaulted by Dark Eldar, their desperation to gather slaves leaving them open to attack. With the help of the Order of Machaeram, the Xenos were routed.


The battle of Gehnum

The supposed final battle of "the Boomers". The Canoness of the Order of Machaeram had finally cornered Mason atop a mountain and after a furious duel, had forced his body over the mountain edge. Canoness Chang knows that that was not his end, his handiwork appearing in other parts of the sector. There will be another reckoning...