The Assassination of the Master of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica
0067215.M26
This assassination is noteworthy because its target, Lord Phaedrus, did not die, nor was it the intention that he should die. Goge Vandire, Master of the Administratum and Ecclesiarch, was having considerable trouble bringing the Adeptus Astra Telepathica under his control. Lord Phaedrus was a potent psyker and as such was not swayed by Vandire’s charisma. No matter how rousing his speeches were, Phaedrus could always see through the plots and deceits revealing Vandire’s true intentions.
Vandire knew that Phaedrus was using his psychic powers to stay one step ahead of him. Simply having the Master of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica killed would never do, he would simply be replaced by an equally powerful psyker. Vandire lured Phaedrus into a trap, using a Culexus Assassin to nullify his psychic capabilities. The helpless Phaedrus was strapped to a specially prepared life-support machine, whereupon the Culexus Assassin finished the job, permanently severing his ability to tap into the warp and making him incapable of using psychic powers.
Normally such an operation would kill, but with a life-support system and a bribed Magos Biologis, Vandire was able to keep Phaedrus alive. The Master of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica was utterly distraught; robbing him of his psychic powers was like blinding a man and leaving him to wander in the darkness. On several occasions Phaedrus tried to take his own life, but Vandire was always there to remove the blade from his hand or loosen the noose around his neck. In the end, Vandire achieved his aim and gained control over the Adeptus Astra Telepathica. He promised Phaedrus he would not disclose the loss of his psychic capabilities if he agreed to do his bidding.
- Codex: Assassins 2nd Edition