"Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful."

Shellei, M., Francynstein. fl. M2

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I'm sure you will recall my previous discussion of Transhuman Dread and the deleterious effects it has upon unaugmented humans. It may surprise you to learn that in time, one may become, if not immune to it, then sufficiently inured as to not flinch in fear at the slightest movement an Astartes makes.

Even Transhuman Dread pales to insignificance in comparison to being regarded by the targeting augers of a 'Dreadnaught' though, and the first time that I found myself in the presence of [REDACTED] it was all I could do not to flee in terror.

My hosts appeared amused at my discomfiture and assured me that should my nerves get the better of me, the threat responses hardwired into the mnemocoils of [REDACTED]'s warsuit would ensure I would not live to make such a poor choice again. Though I never did find out if they spoke in jest, I can assure you that I was instantly resolved to never put their words to the test...

Illiatariu. C., Rememberancier Documantist Minoris. To Walk Among Demigods. A Treatise Upon The Nature of The Argyntum Stellae., Published 863.M33, Sector Heliopolis, Segmentum Pacificus.

To many, the warriors of the Astartes must seem as though cast from exactly the same mould, particularly when fully clad in warplate. Indeed I have occasionally heard it said that so similar do they look that some think them to be no more than automata like the fearsome constructs of the Cult Mechanicus.

But to the more patient observer, the distinctions in markings, personal heraldry and unit identifiers even if esoteric and untranslatable begin to emerge from the canvas of each suit of armour.

I cannot pretend that I discerned the true meaning of much in my time with the Argyntum Stellæ, such was their penchant for veils of secrecy that was perhaps greater even than that of the Holy Ordos of His Inquisition. I was able though to glean some tantalising morsels that I believe are truths regarding the Kapihe though.

Counted among Volnoscere's most trusted and capable warriors, where others of lesser rank within the Legion displayed the characters 'CV' upon their left pauldron, I observed at least two officers that bore the designation 'CII' instead. This variant of such a common marking along with the peculiarities of their personal heraldry led me to conclude that these men were chosen and I resolved to try to discover what had made them so.

Illiatariu. C., Rememberancier Documantist Minoris. To Walk Among Demigods. A Treatise Upon The Nature of The Argyntum Stellae., Published 863.M33, Sector Heliopolis, Segmentum Pacificus.

 

I believe it was The Weeping Philosopher who said: "War is father and king of all. It proves some to be gods and others merely human". As a non-combatant in what was clearly an Astartes war, my humanity was as painfully obvious to me as the inhumanity of the Astartes. I don't mean that they lacked mercy or compassion, though naturally those are not traits they are renowned for possessing. No, I mean that they are to us as we are to the Neyanderthel or Kro-Magon.

From the outset it was clear that Volnoscere had gathered to him those of aptitude and capability in the disciplines of war and arts of diplomacy or more often than not facets of both. Like a king naming warrior princes he formed what I came to know was ‘The Kapihe’, and to them he entrusted portions of the Legion, safe in the knowledge that with his forces in their capable hands, he could then focus his energies upon the reason for his return to the Imperium.

Illiatariu. C., Rememberancier Documantist Minoris., To Walk Among Demigods. A Treatise Upon The Nature of The Argyntum Stellae., Published 863.M33, Sector Heliopolis, Segmentum Pacificus.

When at last I saw them, I recalled a passage that I had read, though even now I cannot recall the source:

“An Astartes is designed to fight and kill anything that doesn't annihilate it first. If you saw an Astartes, you knew you were in trouble. Their appearance alone would cow you with fear.  

But to see one move. Apparently that was the real thing. Nothing human-shaped should be so fast, so lithe, so powerful, especially nothing in excess of two meters tall and carrying more armour than four normal men could lift. The sight of an Astartes was one thing, but the moving fact of one was quite another. Psykologians called it ‘transhuman dread’. It froze a man, stuck him to the ground, caused his mind to lock up, made him lose control of bladder and bowel. Something huge and warlike gave pause; something huge and warlike and moving with the speed of a striking snake, that was when you knew that gods walked amongst men, and that there existed a scale of strength and speed beyond anything mortal, and that you were about to die and, if you were really lucky, there might just be time to piss yourself first."

I was no foolish Chelon, and had done my research of course, but reading about a thing and experiencing it are not the same. I had wanted to know though, I mean really wanted to know. Gods but how I wish now had been able to temper my curiosity.”

Illiatariu. C., Rememberancier Documantist Minoris. To Walk Among Demigods. A Treatise Upon The Nature of The Argyntum Stellae., Published 863.M33, Sector Heliopolis, Segmentum Pacificus.

“I petitioned through the latter half of 785 and into 786. Travel throughout Sector Heliopolis was becoming more difficult due to the presence of predation fleets and I feared that even if I were successful, my destination might prove beyond reach.

Thankfully, my worries were to prove unfounded and thus it was that by Septimus of 786 I was well upon the path that would come to bring me to the court of Those Who Had Returned.

At this time I had little idea of what lay before me though and I thus spent much of my journey reading and rereading such scraps as I could find of the works of Keyler, Karkahsee and Gerontius. They had been where I sought to go and I believed any enlightenment they might grant me could serve me well in the presence of the Legiones Astartes Argentum Stellæ."

Illiatariu. C., Rememberancier Documantist Minoris. To Walk Among Demigods. A Treatise Upon The Nature of The Argyntum Stellae., Published 863.M33, Sector Heliopolis, Segmentum Pacificus.

"...Many of us call the Astartes Angels of Death without truly appreciating the meaning of those words. But then how could we? To the Imperium at large they are saviours and protectors. They are paragons of virtue and warriors without peer, not unlike the Knyghtes of antiquity. But there was nothing noble in what was visited upon those worlds that declared for Volnsocere..."

Illiatariu. C., Rememberancier Documantist Minoris. To Walk Among Demigods. A Treatise Upon The Nature of The Argyntum Stellae., Published 863.M33, Sector Heliopolis, Segmentum Pacificus.

 

I have witnessed a great many things in my time abroad in this galaxy. Of all of them, the most terrible to behold was the wrath of the Adeptus Astartes when roused to war against their own kind.

Illiatariu. C., Rememberancier Documantist Minoris., Collected Essays vol.IX, Sector Tyraxus, Segmentum Pacificus. 835.M33