Saved From Certain Death

The Reborn are a chapter that is often nicknamed 'a chapter of black shields' by some, due to the similar colors and the sheer variety of origins of its members. Despite, or perhaps because of, their immense differences, they collectively value unity, purity, loyalty, merits, and the privacy of one's origins. The origin of their name comes from the original founding members of the chapter being drawn from those whose bodies have never been found and who have been left for dead being dragged to the present by Vincent and nursed back to health. Essentially a deconstruction of the Rescue AU for Vincent; any interactions with Vincent regarding the Reborn are assumed to take place in that universe.

[kellancallic]

“And why should I do as you say?”

[therebornmarines]

“Because it is not going to hurt you nor your forces, and I’m sure we both know the potential issues involved with keeping the Tyranid aboard your ship,” the Reborn captain replies. 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

The legionnaire nods. [Undoubtedly so.] he replies. 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

Vespus nodded back.  “Anything else we should cover while I’m here?” he asked.

[therebornmarines]

The legionnaire shakes his head.

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

[I find that likely myself, both due to hearing the apothecaries mentioning it, and due to my knowledge of the commonly used technique of using various herd animals to lead the Tyranids either away from somewhere, or in a particular direction. Which is most commonly used on the lesser ones.]

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

“These Tyranids are quite curious,” Vespus commented.  “Whatever the case of them may be, you should keep a very close watch on them…”

[therebornmarines]

The legionnaire nods. [Undoubtedly so.] he replies.

[therebornmarines]

Skull Child: * its voice echos for a moment before its running form reach Vincent, despite how far it ran the child seems to be tireless* "Mister VINCENT! There is a fight happening in the mistborn quarters! A strange looking priest found them disassembling weapons You best hurry I don't know how long before an Ork joins in"

Vincent wasn’t surprised by Skull Children being tireless, it was to be expected with the undead. He does wince a bit as he hears of this particular altercation. “I shall head there now,” he responds, making a warp portal to get him closer to that location. 

If that is what I think it is, that techpriest is a little too orthodox for comfort... Vincent thinks. 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

The marine nods. [Indeed they are.] Suddenly the sounds of a small reptilian creature being pounced on, killed, and eaten by the hormogaunt are heard. The legionnaire lets out a faint chuckle. [Even those tyranids still need to eat. Must’ve decided it was hungry while it was watching us. We generally don’t interrupt survival feeding, but devouring of planets is something we look out for.] 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

“From what I know, most Tyranids actually lack digestive tracts, they’re so expendable,” Vespus responded.  “But I suppose they could’ve evolved them when they lost contact with the Hive Mind…”

[therebornmarines]

[I find that likely myself, both due to hearing the apothecaries mentioning it, and due to my knowledge of the commonly used technique of using various herd animals to lead the Tyranids either away from somewhere, or in a particular direction. Which is most commonly used on the lesser ones.]

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

The legionnaire nods empathetically. [Feelings are mixed about the weapons. Some find them useful, others have opinions like yours, and still others abhor them.]

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

“Understandable on all three counts,” Vespus responded.  “Most things Warp-related are not to be trusted, hence why they abhor them, but at the same time, they’re useful at slaying the Enemies of Man…”

[therebornmarines]

The marine nods. [Indeed they are.] Suddenly the sounds of a small reptilian creature being pounced on, killed, and eaten by the hormogaunt are heard. The legionnaire lets out a faint chuckle. [Even those tyranids still need to eat. Must've decided it was hungry while it was watching us. We generally don't interrupt survival feeding, but devouring of planets is something we look out for.]

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

[It is a side effect of my nature as a Damned Legionnaire. I am still grounded in the physical plane enough to use physical weapons. However, they become more ethereal as I use them in battle. In the short term, if I use them for one mission, this property is generally useful as it makes the weapon ethereal enough to have some of the cover-ignoring properties my own weapons do. However, progression beyond that makes the weapons difficult to near impossible to wield effectively by anyone but myself, with Librarians generally being the second best at manipulating them.] 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

Vespus nodded.  “Curious, but then again, I try my best not to involve myself too much in Warp Shenanigans.  Hasn’t stopped the Warp from playing around with me, however…”

[therebornmarines]

The legionnaire nods empathetically. [Feelings are mixed about the weapons. Some find them useful, others have opinions like yours, and still others abhor them.]

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

The legionnaire nods. [I do not feel it to be something to worry about either.] He hrms for a moment. [Have I told you about the ethereal weapons yet?] 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

Vespus raised an eyebrow.  “I cannot say you have, no,” he admitted.  “Care to elaborate for me?”

[therebornmarines]

[It is a side effect of my nature as a Damned Legionnaire. I am still grounded in the physical plane enough to use physical weapons. However, they become more ethereal as I use them in battle. In the short term, if I use them for one mission, this property is generally useful as it makes the weapon ethereal enough to have some of the cover-ignoring properties my own weapons do. However, progression beyond that makes the weapons difficult to near impossible to wield effectively by anyone but myself, with Librarians generally being the second best at manipulating them.] 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

[It hasn’t happened before and I do not sense it will happen again,] the Legionnaire replies. 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

“How curious,” Vespus commented.  “Ah well, it’s really something minor in the end, nothing worth worrying about.”

[therebornmarines]

The legionnaire nods. [I do not feel it to be something to worry about either.] He hrms for a moment. [Have I told you about the ethereal weapons yet?] 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

The legionnaire shakes his head. [The impulse came suddenly and was gone just as quick… I did not wish to show my face either.] He seems more than a little disturbed by this. 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

Vespus shrugged.  “Whatever keeps you going at night,” he commented.  “Just try not to make it too obvious on the battlefield.”

[therebornmarines]

[It hasn’t happened before and I do not sense it will happen again,] the Legionnaire replies. 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

[Indeed it is astounding. Vincent’s even called it ‘achievements in ignorance’ once when we talked about it,] the legionnaire replies. Suddenly the legionnaire looks taken aback, and audibly groans before moving in to ‘kiss’ the male, helmet still on. “Sorry,” he speaks quickly after it’s over. [I was forced to do it. I know not why.] 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

Vespus raised an eyebrow at this action.  “Is there something that I should know about you?” he asked.

[therebornmarines]

The legionnaire shakes his head. [The impulse came suddenly and was gone just as quick... I did not wish to show my face either.] He seems more than a little disturbed by this. 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

He nods in acknowledgement of this. [That and the orks seem to have recognized the practicality of having power armor where they can get it,] the legionnaire replies. [Heck, the armor works around as well as it does for the actual marines! That is definitely their psychic influence at work.]

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

“Ah yes, the classic fact that Orks make things work by virtue of being too stupid to notice it shouldn’t.  It’s astounding how one of the most numerous threats to the Imperium has the ability to bend the laws of reality by not realizing that it doesn’t work that way.”

[therebornmarines]

[Indeed it is astounding. Vincent’s even called it ‘achievements in ignorance’ once when we talked about it,] the legionnaire replies. Suddenly the legionnaire looks taken aback, and audibly groans before moving in to ‘kiss’ the male, helmet still on. “Sorry,” he speaks quickly after it’s over. [I was forced to do it. I know not why.] 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

[Well that’s certainly an intriguing story. I’ve heard one of the Carnosaurs keeps an ork runt that actually acts rather peacefully most of the time, unless he’s forced to fight. He was called Gorky if I remember correctly. As for the orks, I also believe that they have also joined of their own free will, from what I’ve seen. Of course, half the time we don’t even realize they’re orks, given that many of them have taken to wearing ‘kustom’ power armor and they generally consider themselves members of the Reborn before being Orks.]

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

Vespus chuckled.  “Orks pretending to be Astartes, what will they come up with next?” he mused aloud.  “I’m sure there are quite a few jokes that can be made out of such a prospect.”

[therebornmarines]

He nods in acknowledgement of this. [That and the orks seem to have recognized the practicality of having power armor where they can get it,] the legionnaire replies. [Heck, the armor works around as well as it does for the actual marines! That is definitely their psychic influence at work.]

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

The marine hrms. [That seems like a potential theory as well… I think we have more than enough marines casting suspicious glances their way already, however, that such a theory might better be saved for the highest-ranking marines. There is a theory that plays into that, however, that the Ork influence from our chapter’s orks has is leading them to, at the very least, remain ‘loyal’ to the chapter. It hardly explains how they were ‘loyal’ to begin with, however.] 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

“I’ve worked with an Imperial-sanctioned Ork before.  Crasher, his name is, a Mekboy at that.  Very docile for an Ork.  I believe he took a very nasty beating to the head that caused him to be not nearly as hostile as other Orks.

“Not to mention that some Orks sell themselves out as mercenaries to the Imperium, particularly the Blood Axes clan.  You wouldn’t catch me working with them, but I believe those Orks chose to join your Chapter on their own free will.”

[therebornmarines]

[Well that’s certainly an intriguing story. I’ve heard one of the Carnosaurs keeps an ork runt that actually acts rather peacefully most of the time, unless he’s forced to fight. He was called Gorky if I remember correctly. As for the orks, I also believe that they have also joined of their own free will, from what I’ve seen. Of course, half the time we don’t even realize they’re orks, given that many of them have taken to wearing ‘kustom’ power armor and they generally consider themselves members of the Reborn before being Orks.]

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

[None of us really know, and if they do, they’re keeping it secret and with understandably good reasons. But yes, it does seem like they’ve lost connection to the Hive Mind… although…]

He pauses for a moment, fingering the ‘chin’ area of his helmet as he thinks. [Forgive me as I have only just thought of this now, but perhaps they have formed their own separate hive mind?] 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

Vespus shook his head.  “No, probably not.  The Tyranid Hive Mind is more than just the collective thinking power of the Tyranids.  The mere presence of the Hive Mind casts a shadow over the Warp.  It is through the Hive Mind that the Tyranids can access their psychic abilities.

“Even assuming these Tyranids attained their own Hive Mind, the true Hive Mind could easily overrule this new one.  After all, the Hive Mind is capable of directing untold and unknown numbers of Tyranids all at once.  I cannot find it possible for the true Hive Mind to have been cast out by a new one.”

It’s a good thing Vespus served in the Deathwatch and also in the Aurelian Crusades.  He had a pretty solid grasp of Tyranids by this point in time.  Yet even his knowledge base could not explain these seemingly docile Tyranids.  This was an enigma to him.  He only had one possible explanation.

“There may be something of an idea I have behind how it is so, but it speaks ill of these sanctioned xenos,” he admitted.  “The Tyranid Genestealers, though they are not Synapse Creatures, cannot fall into their basic instincts.

“They were created to infiltrate Imperial societies for however long it took the Hive Fleet to arrive.  They are as much individuals as they are a part of the Swarm.  Though this is quite the long shot in terms of likelyhood, the only explanation I could think of for this is that your sanctioned Tyranids have somehow gained the Genestealers’ abilities to act for themselves, and they are choosing to remain docile and work for you for unknown reasons.

“It may be that these sanctioned Xenos will turn on you at some later point in time, or my theory could be wrong and it is something else entirely.  But that is the only theory I can come up with as to how these Xenos are docile towards Imperials.”

[therebornmarines]

The marine hrms. [That seems like a potential theory as well... I think we have more than enough marines casting suspicious glances their way already, however, that such a theory might better be saved for the highest-ranking marines. There is a theory that plays into that, however, that the Ork influence from our chapter’s orks has is leading them to, at the very least, remain ‘loyal’ to the chapter. It hardly explains how they were ‘loyal’ to begin with, however.] 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

[The perplexing thing is that it is those very same creatures that have aided us in directing the tyranids the most. It’s as if every tyranid of that particular strand has learned not to attack us, and to a lesser extent, Imperials. Heck… I heard one of the captains managed to have a ‘meeting’ with the hive tyrant that managed to vaguely resemble a strategy meeting…] 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

“How peculiar…” Vespus noted.  “It’s almost as if these particular Tyranids have lost contact with the Hive Mind somehow.  I don’t know how this is possible, especially given how you have multiple Synapse Creatures in this group…”

[therebornmarines]

[None of us really know, and if they do, they’re keeping it secret and with understandably good reasons. But yes, it does seem like they’ve lost connection to the Hive Mind... although...]

He pauses for a moment, fingering the ‘chin’ area of his helmet as he thinks. [Forgive me as I have only just thought of this now, but perhaps they have formed their own separate hive mind?] 

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

The black armor with white bone decorations was easily identifiable as that of a member of the Legion of the Damned, and yet it oddly conformed to the chapter colors of the other battle brothers nearby--as well as having the same chapter marking as them. There was also a tactical marine and a veteran with enough honors to easily be a member of a command squad nearby, idly conversing with the damned legionnaire. The legionnaire was primarily using an ethereal dataslate to communicate back.

Vespus was surprised to see what was obviously a member of the Legion of the Damned present.  ”By the Emperor, I didn’t think I’d see any of you off the battlefield!” he commented.  ”Don’t you Legion of the Damned Astartes have a tendency to vanish after a battle is won?”

[therebornmarines]

The legionnaire nods. [1 Tyrant, 3 Warriors, 3 Carnifexes, 1 Tervigant, 2 Lictors, 1 Zoanthrope, and multiples of the lesser tyranids at last count, although Gargoyles are very uncommon aboard the ship. The hull of your average ship isn’t very conducive for flight.]

[askaspacemarine-deactivated2018]

“A Hive Tyrant?” Vespus asked, quite astonished.  “That is a dangerous game to play with that Xeno on board.  Why these Xenos have not followed the Hive Mind’s orders to consume everything perplexes me, but I won’t question the circumstances…yet, anyways.”

[therebornmarines]

[The perplexing thing is that it is those very same creatures that have aided us in directing the tyranids the most. It’s as if every tyranid of that particular strand has learned not to attack us, and to a lesser extent, Imperials. Heck... I heard one of the captains managed to have a ‘meeting’ with the hive tyrant that managed to vaguely resemble a strategy meeting...]