Company of Martyrs (Warhammer 40K Wargame Quest)

Victory. Triumph. Success. An oft sparse and fleeting claim in this grim and dark universe, usually drowned out by the blood spilled to achieve it so. Then it was stained and overshadowed in the greater scale of things, making it feel so pointless and worthless in the end.

Yet in that elusive moment, when a planet celebrates and cheers the success of the joint Militarum-Mechanicus effort, you found yourself still savoring the sweet wine all the same. And clearly, your allies agreed, the festivities seeming to go on for what seemed like weeks. You could hardly blame them when the news across all fronts was nothing elicited nothing but elation.

The 59th Moebian, thanks to the efforts of Fifth Battalion, had not only achieved their goal but forged new heroic leadership in that moment. Those who especially were daring in leading their teams into the depths of the Necron fortress were being promoted, refilling the lost officers within the regiment. They would soon be back to an acceptable readiness.

Similarly though in a lesser degree, the 407th Steel Legion had reclaimed their honor in the form of their lost command Baneblade. Even though techpriests had gone over it diligently and unfortunately declared it beyond repair, the fact that its wreck was still back in Imperial hands was a matter of redeemed pride. With their heads held high, the Tread Knights accepted the offer to remain on Otra Prime for the time being to await a fresh resupply of many things. They would be excluded from Oster-1 for now, but stayed on its rolls with expectation to return in the future.

Replacing them for now, with a grand showing that bode well, were the Knights of House Sovanov. The Questor Mechanicus had engaged several Necron Obelisks that had appeared in the plains between cities, felling many of them in a thundering battle that could only be outdone by the Titan Legions. Now flushed with the rewards of glory and wanting even more, the sworn knights had indicated to the leadership of Oster-1 a desire to accompany them for the time being. The Machine Cult was silent on the matter, indicating tentative approval for the assignment.

All that was needed left then was the approval from the battlegroup's own leaders. The answer was obvious, but out of courtesy you and the other senior commanders were summoned to a meeting with the Lieutenant-General onboard Back by Forty. This was also an opportunity to present the final casualty reports from the last battle.


"...acceptable losses," Merlyn finally declared and glanced at the room of tightly pressed lips. "I speak not out of callousness, but of frank consideration considering that this minor rebel suppression had turned almost turned into a Necron awakening. Given the sudden loss of our heavy armor unit right after their appearance, we would have likely lost far more had the Mechanicus not intervened. And even then, with your wholly under-equipped units, you still managed to honor noble Scintillia with a victory no less."

That did take the edge from many of the officers, realizing that this could have gone far worse without their intervention. You were among the few that persisted, speaking aloud an important observation. "Victory today, but what of next time? Fifth Battalion did achieve much, but we struggled equally so in the heat of battle with our lack of armaments," you pressed. "When will we be granted the equipment we have been requesting?"

You blushed when you realized the entire senior cadre was looking at your unseemly outburst, something most unbecoming of a nobleborn. Your tutors back home were probably sobbing at just how unladylike and crude that was too, speaking so openly and crassly to your superior even. At least Lieutenant General Merlyn seemed to take your words to heart, gently raising a hand and motioning for you to sit. "Your frustration is understandable," declared them when you clamed down. "Though I'm afraid to say the matter is out of my hands. A...certain somebody has commandeered our logistics."

That earned a murmur of heated whispers which was cut off by the follow-up statement. "And I'd say she's doing a better job than our old quartermasters were doing. So go and seek her out for what you seek."

After a few more debriefing reports and reviews, the meeting of 99th Scintillia was dismissed and you immediately went straight to the regimental stockroom assigned onboard the transport ship. There, a familiar face awaited you that had you blink. Then you blinked again and rubbed at your eyes, casting a wide stare at the activities all about.

There was Magos Flammel, moving some crates about. There was Magos Flammel, conducting maintenance on some firearm. There was Magos Flammel, standing over a surgical chair. And there was Magos Flammel, standing in front of you with a raised eyebrow and arms crossed. "Finally, you're here. Late according to my calculations," she grumbled and a mechadendrite waggled in your direction. "Do not tardy next time. I do still have to make sure the manufactorum I'm currently installing is properly sanctified."

"Er," you stuttered, taken aback when her voice seemed to echo from the entire room like all of them speaking at once. "I might have a few questions. This...isn't tech-heresy, right?"

"Now you sound like one of those luddites who whined about how a centralized nervous control system was 'defilement of the sacred machine principle.' As if the Dominatus Dominus isn't worst with his cortical linkage! Look," she groaned and patted her chest. "I am Flammel. Her over there is Flammel. Working the forge right now is Flammel. In the conductor control room is Flammel. Do you understand?"

"Not particularly," you admitted with a shake of the head and the techpriest rolled her eyes. "But I suppose my lack of comprehension doesn't matter to you."

"It doesn't, but it offends me so. Perhaps I should schedule you for a surgery to remedy it, if you were interested so." The duplicate standing over at the operation chair waved her hand in response. "And if you had the means to requisition the appropriate modifications. Cybernetics are frustratingly tedious to make, so you had better make it worth my while."

"So you're a Magos Biologis? That's the term, I think."

"Hm, you've just shot up in my estimations! But I am not just a Biologis, though it is definitely one of my better fields." She gestured to the duplicates of her working about. "I've been many things. Once, a Logi that pondered the mysteries of the Machine. Occasionally, a Dominus that takes to the battlefield. Often, a Forgesmith for blessed equipment. Sometimes, a rather reluctant Executor Fetial for diplomacy. Recently, an Explorator that worked with a rather rogueish Rogue Trader. But now, after being so unceremoniously kicked off House Sovanov's ship?

"I am but a Magos turning this vessel into my latest lair, and you have the distinct pleasure of being my latest subjects." The lips twitched. "I assure you, Fifth Battalion of the 99th Scintillia will have want for naught should my interest be adequately piqued. My genius is capable of sculpting whatever you wish, and what you yearn to be. As a token of proof, here!"

She snapped her fingers and the one stacking crates stiffened before hauling one specifically before you. The lid was opened and you gaped at what was lined within. Shakily, you reached in and took one out to behold, sure it was the genuine article. "Your official designation in the records are Grenadiers, yet it clashes severely with your preferred doctrine considering your adequate firearm craftsmanship." Flammel sniffed. "So let's remedy that by allowing you to bring your heavy firepower to bear. No thanks are needed, merely promise that you will care for the machine spirits well."

Fifth Battalion has unlocked Grenade Launchers!

"I think that if any of my soldiers dared mistreat such treats, I'd have them written up," you absently muttered and run your fingers along the barrel of the grenade launcher. "Are- no, you've already likely tailored them to work with our own explosives already. And I suppose you'll want some supplies in exchange for access to these."

"You catch on quick. Good, we need to make up time for your delay and my little rant." Flammel coughed and looked away. "Now then, you happen to also have recently come with a wealth of new experiences for me to listen to. Depending on what you recall to me, I could very well be motivated to open a new line of service for you and yours. Come, tell me what you have experienced, and allow me to see the spark of interest!"

You supposed she was asking you to recall the battles of the campaign on Otra Prime. They came to you quick enough, flashes of distinct moments from each conflict that could highlight things you lacked or yearned for. All you had to do was vocalize one of them, hopefully sparking Flammel's fickle muse into brief action.

[ ] "All throughout our first landing, we wanted to contribute more to the fight, bring more to the field. If only it was more easily direct with the others." Increase the limit of Command Escorts to nine (9) Veterans.

[ ] "When we encountered the heavy weapons team of the enemy, all I could think of was how much of a danger they were. And how much I wanted them too." Unlock Heavy Weapons Squads.

[ ] "The Necrons nearly broke our line, which bothers me. A lot. We couldn't do anything, and yearned for something- anything- that could be our salvation against the alien foe." Bear no mark, bear no glory, bear only penance in death. Unlock a special retinue member.

- If you can't tell, I was super excited to reveal your quartermaster and how you could just break the system. Cuz RAW goes out the window when you've earned it in blood, sweat, and tears.
- You get one guaranteed random reward, then one you can choose. Note that all your picks are permanent; unlike that temporary cache of Heavy Bolters you picked up, these will always be available to you moving on. They might be in lower immediate supply compared to the supply caches, but dice be willing, they will be there for you to pick up from/replenish.
- Third option is a mystery bag option that I don't want to reveal wholly, but it's...yeah. Sort of useful. Randomly rolled for by the way.