The
Marine
One
of the most remarkable survivors of the Fall, Stavus was long considered
fallen. alongside brothers
of the Fourth
during the
initial boarding actions at the edges of Sothan space. Those first,
desperate, engagements against a wholly new kind of Tryanid strain
quickly determined the truly exceptional amongst the super-human
Astartes warriors. In a series of tragic events he was to be left
stranded upon a forgotten world, somewhere along the Damocles Gulf. Years
later, through a chance encounter and resultant escape effort, he would
be reunited with his kin, aboard the Tenax.
Noted through training for being
particularly astute in a tactical fire support role, Stavus
is considered a lynch pin member to any
Scythe action. His ability at range or in close quarter fire fights,
asserts just how devastating an Imperial Bolter can be when
placed in gifted
hands. During engagements, Stavus will position himself with superb
foresight, tenaciously refusing his position to the enemy with accurate,
incessant fire. A fusillade which can just as easily keep heads down
as remove them. This is not to say he is wary of hand to hand combat,
the foot long assault blade which projects menacingly under his boltgun's
muzzle, deftly greets any enemy that feigns a hope at contesting
the marine's chosen position should they survive the fusilade.
Stavus,
Fourth Company, Second Platoon,
Third
Squad.
 
Seen above,
Stavus carries two satchels of sickle clips, super Krak and Frag
grenades, a utility line and standard grenade discs in a hip pouch.
This kit
is predominantly used during Hunter missions, seeking out scouting Xenopmorphs
on outlying worlds, when speed is more advantageous than rate of fire. Should
he be involved in a boarding action, it is not unknown for Stavus to carrying
four more clip satchels affixed about his utility belt. Once one is depleted
he discards it, then methodically slides the remainder forwards to keep his clips
in easy reach. Possibly the most notable feature of his armor is the 'Mortis
Aquilae', a Sothan decoration for ability in ranged arms, which he was awarded
only weeks before the Tyranids arrived over Sotha. (Visible on the finished
model, see below..)
Rolling
the shell casing between his finger and thumb, Stavus
looked at the surface, his face smeared across the warping
reflective surface of the cylinder. He rolled it
back and forth slowly, watching with an appraisal that
saw more than what was crafted upon it. He saw the casing
fall,
and sizzle into the flesh-floor of the Hiveship, the warhead
open up a Tyranid before him as another received one after
that. Suddenly the explosions spread alien shades of eviscera
and sinew across the bulkheads of the Phrax, as the resolute
Destroyer fought free of an awakened hiveship.
Muzzle flashes took snapshots of living and the dead a, always the alien maws
snarling. He fought to leave the dying warship while the casings rained down
on metal
floors.
He held his ground for any of a hundred brothers to make that last rendezvous.
None came, their lives spent like so many rounds he had dispensed into the face of
their foe. Taking from the dead, he kept his vengeance
alive. He kept firing, kept hoping. But only the Tyranid flashed in
the light
of his defiance. Soon, even the Phrax cried out and so he shot down his closest
would be killer, then stepped away. Ejected amidst explosions and fire, his
hand seared from the last casing he had caught, just as the world below reached
out
for him.
A shrill ring made him aware that last casing now trickled across the walldesk
of his alcove, then it left the edge and fell away, to be caught by him again.
"Stavus.. we launch in twenty minutes, Ardan's just located the proto-nest" Stavus
was suddenly interrupted.
A hundred faces looked to Stavus as he nodded in acknowledgement to the one
alive among them. Turning back, he placed the spent casing on it's
end,
at
home amidst several electro-candles, rotating it about until his own etched
name marred
the reflection. Returning to his work, he slid aside the familiar scribing
tool and brushed away the fine shavings. Then methodically selected each round
from
serried ranks; Illian, Haetus, Rael, Herus, Locan.. sliding each into their
resting place within several magazines,
"I will fight with you always brothers.." |
Since his return
among fellow brothers, Stavus shows signs he has clearly struggled
to come to terms with his own survival amongst the death of
every brother in the Fourth, only to be stranded during Sotha's
final hours. Years of solitude have for now, entrenched whatever
mental reasoning he has found solace in, but it has left him
somewhat reserved and distant. Amongst the Scythes of the Tenax,
his skills are greatly respected and with an understanding
of shared experience, they are sure Stavus will come to integrate
with the crew given time.
|