The Defence of Cabeiri IV
I have spent some years collecting (and sometimes painting) a sizeable Ordo Xenos force. This consists of Inquisition, Imperial Guard and Deathwatch models. I have also collected a sizeable Tyranid force, the Ordo Xenos need something to fight against after all. This blog is a result of my dubious paint skills, as well as my effort to create some fluff for my forces, and the fruits of my labour trawling through Ebay to find some classic
GW models as well as other manufacturers’ models to add character to the forces I am collecting.
So without further ado I would like to introduce you to some of the protagonists in the war that was simply named The Defence of Cabeiri IV.
(Some of) the Inquisitors
Inquisitor Chang (Coteaz model – Ordo Xenos Inquisitor with Thunder Hammer)
Memorable quote – “All I ask is for your unquestioning loyalty and unending service.” – When enlisting a lucky new recruit into his retinue.
Inquisitor Chang is an Ordo Xenos Inquisitor. He has devoted his life and considerable influence to investigating, confronting and trying to defeat the Tyranid menace. He is currently busy playing his part in fighting Hive Fleet Leviathan in the Segmentum Tempestus. He feels that the galaxy won’t be safe until every last Tyranid creature has been wiped out, declaring it his life’s work to achieve this goal. It is unlikely that even Chang realises how lofty this goal truly is.
Chang sees his role not as fighting on the front line with the large battle fleets of endless Astra Militarum regiments and dozens of Space Marine Chapters. He feels he can best serve the Emperor by tracking down the remnants of defeated Hive fleets that could potentially consume planets in their path and spread the Tyranid threat. His sizeable retinue is dedicated to this purpose, either fighting as one force or spread out across various planets and systems, depending on what the needs are at the time.
Being an Inquisitor, Chang is able to requisition any Imperial asset, whether military or otherwise, and often does in his pursuit of the Hive Mind. It has been known for Chang to save planets using an army cobbled together with him as the
de facto Supreme Commander when the situation warrants it.
Chang works with a number of other Inquisitors on a regular basis, all of which bring their own expertise and retinues to bear. Strictly speaking they are all colleagues with nobody directly in charge, though Chang’s iron demeanour usually means that he is the one making the big decisions.
Inquisitor Abed (Solomon Lok model, Ordo Xenos Inquisitor with force sword)
Memorable quote – “Elementary my dear Chang.” – When piecing together various obscure and highly tenuous clues, where only Abed is able to see the connection. This infuriates Chang no end.
Abed is also an Ordo Xenos Inquisitor, working closely with Chang. Abed is best described as incredibly eccentric, highly intelligent though also appearing to function on a different level to others. Chang likes him as Abed is good at following leads and investigating xenos incursions, whereas Chang prefers to wade in and supply the muscle once Abed has found an enemy to fight. Like Chang, Abed is a powerful psyker.
In theory Chang and Abed are the same level and equals. In practice Abed tends to defer to Chang and follow his lead. Chang does allow Abed a great deal of leeway though, often not hearing from him for weeks or months while Abed investigates his leads.
Inquisitor Leonard (Ordo Malleus Inquisitor with Terminator armour and psycannon)
Inquisitor Leonard, like Chang and Abed, is an Ordo Xenos Inquisitor. He is not formally part of the same band, though his fight against the Great Devourer has meant he has joined forces with Chang various times in the past. He was also involved in the fighting on Cabeiri IV. Leonard is very independently minded, even for an Inquisitor, often embarking in endeavours without telling any of his colleagues what he is doing. In combat he likes to don the heaviest armour he can find, take the biggest gun he can find, and take on the biggest and nastiest enemy he can find. Despite being a wildcard nobody can question his devotion to the cause and Chang is always grateful whenever Leonard deems it appropriate to offer his services.
Chang’s City Rats (Imperial Guard)
The City Rats include what is left of the Asteroid XFV27441 mining colony evacuated by Inquisitor Chang. More details on the evacuation later. In exchange for his aid they have agreed to remain part of his retinue for as long as he deems it necessary.
The City Rats, as you can see from the photo, are made up of various different models; including old Catachan metal models, old Escher gangers and others. Fluffwise they are part of the Inquisitors’ retinues. In game they use the Imperial Guard rules, as Catachans.
The City Rats make up the meat and potatoes of the Ordo Xenos force, especially since the options for Inquisitorial Henchmen were mercilessly butchered at the start of 8th Edition.
Colonel Kurt von Strohm – Leader of the City Rats (Old Straken model)
Memorable quote – “I ain’t got time to bleed.” – Said on numerous occasions, most famously when he accidentally severed his arm in a mining accident, wanting to finish operating the machine before seeking medical assistance.
The leader of the City Rats, Colonel Kurt von Strohm, was the longest serving member of the Asteroid XFV27441 mining colony, having been there since its founding. He lost his arm in a mining accident, replacing it with a bionic arm. All the men and women under his command know and respect him, as such he was the obvious choice for leader when founding Chang’s militia. Von Strohm’s rank of Colonel is merely symbolic, he reports directly to Inquisitor Chang and is not part of any Imperial Guard structure.
For larger games I use the Iron Hand Straken rules for von Strohm. In smaller games he’s just a Catachan Company Commander with plasma pistol and power fist.
XFV27441 Protection Detail (Militarum Tempestus)
Memorable quote – “That’s it, man. Game over, man! Game over!” – Said by Overseer Hicks, leader of the XFV27441 Protection Detail, when first hearing of the incoming Tyranid fleet. Perhaps not his finest hour.
The Protection Detail assigned to the mining colony were primarily there to deter raiders and pirates, protecting the valuable minerals being extracted. Strangely enough they felt that single handedly repelling a Tyranid invasion fleet was not in their job description so helped with the evacuation and also became part of Inquisitor Chang’s retinue.
So that’s it for my first update. I’ve introduced you to some of the main protagonists in the war that was the Defence of Cabeiri IV. Questions still remain though. Like, who were they defending Cabeiri IV from? (I’ve kind of given that away already but whatever) Who else was involved? What was the outcome of the war? All will be revealed!
