Okay, I've got two more excellent illustrations by Goatboy and two more pieces of fluff for you guys to check out. I'm currently gathering together enough fluff and pics to make a Codex: Black Widows to print out. I think that will be really fun for people at the LAGD to be able to pick up a codex to go along with the army.
Incoming Message.....
Transmitter - Station Oriationem 8A57H10-Omicron-5B-Theta…
Receiver – Station Audentia 83645-12B…
Author identified as Senior Santicas Genetor Harkoy…
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Beginning Video Feed…
Beginning Holo Feed…
Displaying now…
Puertia Class Autopsy Report #93472-J.40
Ardura Primus-Steiermark-Polizeirevier Sechste
15/09/11668
1930 Local Standard Time: Subject corpse delivered under attendant polizei guard operating under Lentus clearance 234.754-H. Subjects clothing and gear removed with some difficulty due to cauterized blood around torsal wounds and delivered to Junior Santicas Joseph Kileman for examination. (Reference #93472-J.43 examination report) 1 (one) set of civilian clothes; 1 (one) mesh-material under-suit, materials identified as local make normally issued to standing guard, small power-supply unit, heavily damaged during removal process; 2 (two) pistols, make and design identified as autobaugn reuger 22’s; 17 (seventeen) pieces of jewelry and personal artifacts discovered, among them imperial dog tags from private Fraun Ultren. Datum Servitor Y3.64-D beginning tabulae search but cautions that complete search of all imperial worlds will require 14.66 standard years without further search refinements.
2010 LST: Initial visual investigation leaves no doubt to the cause of death. Subject suffered complete circulatory-system failure, consistent with the reported method of termination, having received a direct hit from a Triplex Pattern Plasma Gun during a peace demonstration, burning a hole .32 meters into the chest cavity, destroying the primary heart, and the left ventricle of the secondary heart, and cauterizing the primary lobe arteries. Presence of secondary heart in female frame indicates high-functioning levels of mutation, mandating a Secunduas-level internal autopsy to follow.
2014 LST: Subjects vital statistics measured as follows: Height: 6’2”, (93rd percentile for standard human female), weight 168 pounds, hair color black-22. Eye color, green-16. Spectral analysis indicates hair and skin pigmentation with altering bio-dermal compounds normally associated with the Melanochrome gland found in adeptus astartes. Mammory glands noted to be unusually large for frame (89th percentile for standard human female). Singular example of ritualistic scarring consistent with the Yparah peace-movement detected. Large symbol discovered on the back of subject’s neck, bearing unidentified markings. Unable to determine if mark is brand or tattoo. No other scars or birthmarks noted. Fingernails, Toenails, and face of subject were painted with various pigmentations to alter their color. Data Servitor 823.X53 could not correlate colors and patterns to any known cult, but suggests a 91% possibility that the markings are linked to Arduran courtship and dance customs. Skin type 2-C showing a consistent tone with no blemishes. Subject appears to lack body hair except for head and eyebrows. Epidermal analysis indicates that hair growth appears to have been deactivated at the cellular level. No explanation currently available.
2039 LST: The chest cavity proved difficult to open, requiring the strength of two Servitors with Tygor pattern servo-meds. Ribcage displayed ossification and inter-laced bone plates consistent with Ossmodula organ modifications, but required 28% less force then standard, possibly due to smaller frame. Remnants of secondary heart indicate reduced capacity and size, again, possibly due to smaller chest cavity. Datum Servitor Y3.64-D calculates 71% probability that secondary heart acts merely as a supplement to primary heart, and would be unable to sustain sufficient diastolic pressure independently.
2210 LST: Examination of internal organs progressing. Unable to locate anticipated scarring, internal or external, from implantation of additional organs. Biscopea not present, which is consistent with muscle mass and distribution, both of which are within normal human ranges. Both Preomnor and Multi-Lung exist not as separate organs, but as integrated chambers of stomache and lung respectively. Both Progenoid Glands completely absent, and appear to have never existed, meaning that there would be no way to harvest gene-seed from subject and create additional ones. If more abominations like this one, cannot be created, this would indicate a finite threat.
2341 LST: Skull has been opened and examination progressing. Catalepsean Node and Sus-an Membrane are completely integrated into surrounding tissues. Genetic sampling indicates lack of genetic neutrality. Datum Servitor Y3.64-D calculates 82.1% probability that additional organs present since birth or possibly conception, but offers no explanation on how such a thing could be achieved. Lyman’s Ear also shows lack of scarring nor shows genetic neutrality, and appears to be the natural inner ear developed from conception.
Occulobe organ appears to be heavily altered and presents itself as a large hemispherical organ integrated directly onto the brain’s sensory centers. Effect unknown, although Data Servitor 495.X43 noted an unusual distribution of the different regions of the subject’s brain. The subject’s brain’s pleasure center is approximately 38% larger then in found in standard human females, and has far more connections to the sensory areas of the brain then is normal.
2417 LST: Servus M-433.S reports completion of genetic analysis. Analysis indicates that subject is genetically female, making possibility of surgical alteration now .2%. Serves reports heavy presence of non-mamillian chromosomal sequences and possible presence of fifth base pair. Servus M-433.S deactivated and scheduled for incineration to prevent possible taint of witchcraft. Servus M-317.S tasked with repeating genetic sequencing to verify findings. Station Oriationem instructed to stand by to relay verified findings to Inquisitional Center at Pars-Oriens Datatarium (Reference # 93472-J.41)
0116 LST: Epidural layers on torso have been peeled back, revealing the presence of invasive neural bundles consistent with Black Carapace organ. However, no neural sensors or transfusion points have been fitted, masking it’s presence until now. Without plug-in points the implant serves no purpose, leading to speculation if plug-in points were intended to be fitted at some future time. Data Servitor 823.X53 observes that without the plug-in points, there is no external variation between subject and a normal human female.
0122 LST: Servus M-494.T reports completion of blood analysis. No sign of viral, bacteriological or toxicological contamination has been detected, and the hormonal patterns are only marginally consistent with standard human female, with estrogen and glycogen 23% higher then normal, and three unknown hormonal types present, making possibility of surgical alteration now .005%. Levels of HCG, Human Corionic Gonadotine detected, indicating pregnancy.
0235 LST: Opening of uterus revealed unborn fetus, which appears to have died some short time after the subject. Calcium dating and cellular differentiation indicate that the fetus has been developing for eight weeks. This is inconsistent with visual examinations, which place the fetus well into the second trimester. Servus M-494.T estimates 4 month gestation period, but unable to confirm with available data.
0251 LST: Internal autopsy of fetus has revealed presence of additional organs in development, patterns identical to the mother subject. Rather than being implanted, they seems to have been hard-wired into the genetic code, although no known craft could achieve such a thing. It is highly inappropriate for me to inject personal commentary into this report, but for the sheer shock in which I find myself I feel I must. By The God-Emperor this creature is abhorrent to me, and I cannot in good faith proceed without fear of tainting my own soul. It makes my skin crawl just to look at it, and my soul shakes to consider the purpose of such a thing. I am ordering a hault to this autopsy, and will contact my superiors at…
Message feed interrupt.....
Transmitter - Station Inquisit-J25321 666 Location blocked…
Message redirect without tracer authorized – Clearance Level Ultraviolet…
Immediate execution by lethal weapons fire of Senior Santicas Genetor Harkoy and attendant staff commanded of attendant polizei guard…
Subject corpse and attendant Servitors to be placed in stasis immediately until further notice.
Puertia Class AutopsyReport #93472-J.40 No longer found
Transmission Ends…
Lord Ustin Michka had only two regrets in his life. The first was that in his youth, he was possessed of an unquenchable ambition. He wanted power. Not the meaningless power that his peers sought, the kind of power that enjoys titles and ceremony, but real power. The power to make decisions that affect the lives of trillions of people. He wanted the power to guide the course of humanity, and change it for the better. He wanted the power to triumph over the enemies of the Imperium, and keep safe the lives of its citizens. This ambition had lead him to create many alliances with questionable individuals over the years, and had lead him to break many promises to people of integrity.
His second regret was that he had achieved his goals. In front of him lay an incredibly detailed three-dimensional map of Segmentum Ultima, which covered a large portion of the northern part of the galaxy. More than three-hundred-thousand inhabited planets, united under a single banner of The Emperor.
Without asking leave, Ustin’s attaché Miskyla Valkashin entered the room. There was no need to stand on ceremony when it was just the two of them. Ustin trusted her completely, and added a third regret to his mind. After so many years sharing duty and bed, he should have taken her to wife long ago. Miskyla did not know that Ustin had already appointed her as his successor, instead of that idiot Valkiev, but it was doubtful that anything would be different between them if she knew, for in addition to her stunning beauty, she had a mind like a razor, partnered with a terrible patience, which Ustin knew would make her a very dangerous leader for anyone to contend with.
A saucer of rassolnik stew was placed down along with a shot glass of uralite vodka, which would go un-drunk, just like all of the others. In his youth, Ustin had been a heavy drinker, but now he could not touch the stuff. He needed both eyes open to make the decisions that were his burden to make. Ustin took in a few spoonfuls of the hearty stew, before pushing the bowl away from him. He could not remember the last time he’d had an appetite.
In a recess built into the floor, sat a ring of mysterious figures, hooded and cloaked. Wires and cables spilled out from where their arms should have been, connecting to the base of the projector which created the display in front of Ustin and Miskyla. Some of the higher-ranking members of the cult of the machine, who had voluntarily given up their humanity to become the most perfect expression of their faith. Cyberneticly altered to such a huge degree that their will had been completely swallowed up in their function. In fulfillment of ancient oaths, they served Ustin as they had his successors, as the core of his intelligence network. Their minds touched every ghost of the Machine God, on every planet under his supervision. Their eyes saw through every machine-eye and auger on countless worlds, and their minds perceived every message and command.
Ustin had ordered them hooded and cloaked, for they were horrible to look upon, with cables and machinery bursting forth from grey necrotic flesh, and small clicking mechanical mandibles which twitched and flexed grotesquely with a will all of their own.
With a simple command, the projection spread and passed around Ustin and Miskyla as it enlarged, highlighting the center of the Tyrant Cordon, where the fighting was most fierce. The latest reports from Tridia indicated that Gual’Du’Har’s Legionnaires controlled nearly sixty percent of the surface, and nearby Ural was faring no better. The battle for the space lanes over Tridia, which had been the only part of the campaign going well for them, had been reversed by the arrival of several Ork fleets.
Ustin wished that he could go back in time and speak with himself as a young man. There was no glamour in command. There was no glory or honor. To be in command is to be a butcher, not of the enemy, but of your own men. To be in command is to send men to their death, and it was not something that anyone should aspire to achieve. It was a horrible numbers game. You kill ten men, in the hopes that it will save twenty, but it does not change the fact that you are the one sending those ten to die. Trade a thousand lives to save a billion and you are a hero…to everyone except the thousand that die, that is.
“Battle group Omera is to disengage from Ural immediately, and reinforce Battlegroup Nepena at Tridia,” Ustin commanded, with some difficulty.
“Estimate complete loss of Ural system within sixteen days of Battlegroup withdrawal,” came the cold reply from a priest.
“Execute,” Ustin ordered coarsely. The decision was wrenching, but he had to make a dozen such decisions each and every day. This decision, in particular, had been acutely difficult. If he did nothing, both systems would be destroyed, but Ural was his homeland, and most of his family still lived there. Ustin put his aged hands up to his face. He would kill every man, woman, and child on Ural, in the hope of saving Tridia, which was, unfortunately, more important strategically.
“I am a butcher,” he said as he thought about his nieces and nephews. At that moment they were probably playing in the backyard of his brother’s estate in the nekov mountains, blissfully unaware that their uncle had just condemned them to die, or worse.
Ustin felt a pain in his chest, but it was not brought on by the burden of his office. He clutched feebly at his heart and doubled over in pain. He moved to scream, but his throat was on fire, and he could barely squeak out a whisper.
“Miskyla…Valkiev…anybody, please call an apotheacry in here,” he choked out.
“I’m afraid Mister Valkiev has been dead for some time now,” came the cold reply from the woman standing over him.
Ustin tried to reach out to tap the control runes on his console, but his strength gave out and he fell out of his chair to the ground, knocking over the bowl of stew that she had brought in.
His vision blurring with pain, Ustin could feel his heart stop beating. As he lay there dying, he could only watch helplessly as Miskyla lowered herself down into the recess with the machine priests. Pulling out a small ceramic dagger, the woman began cutting the cables and tubes coming out from their backs, one by one. The priests could do nothing to defend themselves, their decaying bodies having lost the ability to move centuries before. With their nourishment cut off, the clicking of their mandibles became slower and slower, and then finally stopped.
The projection of the Tyrant Cordon flickered a few times before dying, and the room went dark.