DEATHWATCH RECOMMENDATION REPORT
BROTHER-BANIEL
NOTES ON CHOICE OF BLACK SHIELD CAN BE FOUND IN EACH SECTION.
NAME: Baniel
AGE: 510 years.
CHAPTER: Flesh-Tearers (BLACK SHIELD).
WARGEAR: Despite severing ties with his former Chapter, the Flesh Tearers, he insisted on bringing his Tactical Dreadnought Armour, and associated weapons, with him. Why he didn't bring the rest of his venerated wargear, I do not know for sure.[footnote]It is possible he didn't want to bring any more wargear than necessary from his former chapter. The lack of Crux Argentum, despite his outstanding action at [i]Mirian[/i], suggests a counter-resentment from the chapter as well.[/footnote]
In traditional Deathwatch style his armour is black, with the only exception from the norm being his right shoulder-pauldron sporting black instead of his Chapter Insignia. This shows his posistion as a Black Shield. On his breast-plate, and the back of his chest-top, the words [i]Ira Albus[/i] are inked. [i]Ira Albus[/i] means white rage.[footnote]It is likely that it is meant to contrast with the black rage his chapter is heavily-cursed with. This further reinforces his resentment of his chapter[/footnote]
In his left-arm he wields his modified power-fist the [i]Ira Tempero; Comminus[/i] or as it was nicknamed by his battle-brothers the Soft Fist. Needless to say, Baniel heavily resented it however the same could be said for his preferred name. [i]Ira Tempero; Comminus[/i] means controlled or moderate rage; close combat.[footnote]Further reinforces the contrast with his chapter. His comrades most likely found it insulting to the Flesh Tearers as part of their culture was to be blood-thirsty. This is the most likely reason for its nickname.[/footnote]It is modified to have its entire energy out-put doubled so he doesn't need to afflict as many blows.[footnote]There was a rumour among his battle-brothers that he chose this modification so the risk of falling victim to the Black Rage was reduced which was, presumably, offensive. Whether or not it was intentional, his modification was the logical thing to do taking to account his method of combat. See more under:SKILLS[/footnote]
In his right-arm he wields his Storm Bolter [i]Ira Tempero; Disto[/i] or as nicknamed by his battle-brothers the Cold Gun. [i]Disto[/i] means distance.
He is also equipped with a Cyclone Missile Launcher [i]Ira Tempero; Grandis[/i], notorious among his battle-brothers as a fearsome weapon. For this particular mission he has chosen to use Frag and Smoke missiles with Concussion as a back-up.[footnote]I assume he wants to gain his battle brothers' trust before using his skills to the fullest.[/footnote]
SKILLS: Unlike his former comrades, Baniel is a calm and thinking warrior; he does not subject himself to the rage. He uses every blow sparingly, only striking when and where it would do the most damage. This melee tactic proved incredibly useful when he acquired his power fist as it was a slow, yet powerful weapon.
Likewise, with his Storm Bolter, he does not spray the enemy with torrents of bullets and instead opts to fire bursts when and where it would be the most damaging. He never lets loose and instead shoots at random intervals. This has proven to strike fear in his enemies as they never know when the next burst is going to be fired.
The same applies to his Cyclone Missile Launcher. Years of usage in tight-spaces and small corridors has resulted in Baniel having incredible control over the missile launcher. He fires this too in random intervals which is considerably more frightening than his Storm Bolter.
HISTORY: LARGELY OMITTED FOR SECURITY REASONS.
BATTLE OF SPACE HULK MIRIAN.
It was during a routine patrol when an Imperial Destroyer squad encountered the remains of the [i]Mirian[/i], a thought-to-be-lost Battleship of the Imperial Navy. They immediately reported their discovery to their flagship and the message was passed on to the Adeptus Astartes. How they would handle it was up to them. Unsurprisingly, the task of clearing out the Space Hulk was given to the Blood Angels chapter, famous for their skill in operating in such environments. Although the task was given to the Blood Angels, they offered any second-founding Blood Angels chapter a chance at clearing the Space Hulk with them. This was a bold attempt to strengthen ties with each other that would prove largely successful.
Within weeks, the Blood Angels forces mobilized and arrived at the Space Hulk. The Flesh Tearers, being low on numbers themselves, only sent in a Terminator Squad and a Veteran Squad accompanied by a Chaplain. Baniel had the suppourt role, armed with his Storm Bolter, Cyclone and Power Fist mentioned above. They were deployed alone at the centre of the Space Hulk, tasked with eliminating any hostile forces. To any other chapter it would have been offensive but the Flesh Tearers did not care for to them it only meant more enemies to kill. Upon entering the Space Hulk itself they were met by genestealers. After finishing the initial waves with ease, they moved deeper and deeper into the derelict.
As they moved deeper, they became more and more savage. Before they knew it, half their squad was suffering from serious symptoms of the black rage. They were muttering mindlessly about their primarch Sanguinius and Baniel knew that if they went any deeper they would be doomed. He suggested to the Sergeant that they should hold their position and wait for reinforcements. Completely ignoring him, he instructed the squad to continue advancing. Baniel had no choice but to obey and followed the squad.
Eventually a vox-link was established and the Chaplain ordered the Sergeant to hold his squad's position. By now he was almost completely lost and only managed to form a reply of slurs. Not wishing for his Sergeant to be disgraced, Baniel slammed the walls of the hulk, inviting all nearby genestealers to their position. What was supposed to be a short-engagement turned into a long tedious one as the combination of his cyclone and the brutality of his battle-brothers fought off the genestealers horde. As the bodies began to pile up, they were forced into the centre of the room they were in. Even the ferocity the black rage gave his brothers wasn't enough to fight through the lifeless genestealer husks. Soon, only four remained and two were devoured by the rage. Not only did they attack the genestealers, they attacked each other. The Sergeant, after tearing through the almost indestructible Tactical Dreadnought armour, turned on Baniel and the other last sane battle-brother. Baniel was fighting off both the genestealers and his warped Sergeant. Miracously, the Chaplain's veteran squad arrived and cleared the room of genestealers. It was Baniel's own soft fist that delivered the killing blow to his Sergeant. How Baniel managed to defeat his own Sergeant that was invested in the Black Rage, no one is sure.
After Space Hulk [i]Mirian[/i], Baniel joined the DeathWatch and became a Black Shield. Whether this was overdue or the last straw is not known.
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