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A Salamander successor chapter, the Ark Bearers were part of the 10th Founding. Their creation was sanctioned by the High Lords of Terra as a last-ditch effort to find an absolute advantage over the Ur-Council of Nova Terra. Rumors spread to the Adeptus Mechanicus by unknown, and thereafter hidden means of a Standard Template Construct in the Ghoul Stars. Of the more noble claims was that some of the uncorrupted data held blueprints to an armor in strength dwarfing that of terminator armor, with the mobility of power armor. However wary the Adeptus Mechanicus was of following such rumors, their need for the Imperium's decisive victory dwarfed such concerns. They prepared an explorator fleet to launch into the Ghoul Stars, a bold task considering it was past the influence of the Astronomican. However, the High Council of Terra deemed it a necessary and worthy risk. They commissioned a chapter of space marines to accompany this fleet, as their success had to be ensured.

Unbeknownst to the High Lords of Terra, the Adeptus Mechanicus also planned to create a forge world where they discovered the STC, as a means to quickly mass-produce this armor without the need to transport the technology back into Imperial space. This was a power play on their part, a means of endearing more favor with the Imperium at large. They would portray themselves as the saviors of humanity, and perhaps convince the administratum to allow them a larger allotment of worlds for their quest for knowledge. As well as this, they played on the Salamanders' sense of duty to all humans, convincing them that the fleet was in need of protection throughout, and long after their expedition. The Salamanders agreed, providing several of their veterans and what could be spared of their gene-seed for the founding.

Leading the explorator fleet was an Ark Mechanicus, the largest and most powerful of Adeptus Mechanicus ships. Aboard it was the Archmagos Explorator leading them, and the Ark Bearers, awaiting their chance to serve, and secure victory for the true Imperium. They began their expedition, and for a time were quite successful. They began their push into unexplored space, and continued for quite a time. Some of the fleet had experienced a fairly treacherous warp jump a few years into their exploration. Afterward, not wanting to risk such perils again, the fleet continued on, but traveling at sub-light speeds. This continued for three years, before the fleet was beyond infuriated with their lack of progress. Feeling pressed for time more than ever, the archmagos issued the command to warp jump. Feeling uneasy, the fleet, including the Ark Bearers agreed, although hesitantly.

Their gambit failed, and most of their fleet was lost to severe storms in the warp. What little survived managed to escape back into reality, but many aboard were driven insane, or even corrupted into chaotic reflections of what they once were. Smaller craft were overtaken by chaos, or were sabotaged by paranoid, insane minds. After the Ark Bearers purged all chaotic influence, and contained those too unstable to be of use, only a handful of ships remained. Several cruisers and escorts survived, but the larger ships of the fleet were devastated. The only surviving battleship was the Ark Mechanicus which the Ark Bearers were aboard. The Archmagos Explorator was driven mad by chaos, and turned traitor when offered the power given by the Chaos Gods. The Ark had suffered massive damage, and was barely functional. Luckily much of the main Adeptus Mechanicus forces among the Ark had survived, and with time repaired the Ark.

The knowledge of the fleet's fate was unknown to the rest of the Imperium, and they were thought lost to the ravages of what monstrosities lay beyond the Astronomican's protection. Limping through space, the remnants of the fleet made back for Imperial space. At first, they used only sub-light engines, but after a time again felt the need to risk a warp jump. This time, their jumps were much shorter, and not nearly as deep into the warp as normal. After several successful jumps, they again hit misfortune as they crossed a warp storm. However, being only a shallow distance into the warp, and their navigators knowing they could not survive another mishap, poured every ounce of willpower into riding out the storm. It took several years, but this time the risk paid off. Their jump, pushed along by the storm, left them very close to Imperial space. They relied entirely on sub-light engines to return back into the influence of the Astronomican. Yet to be realized was that the storm had not only pushed them further than expected in space, but also in time. Upon their return, the Nova Terra Interregnum had long since been resolved.

Thought lost, and met with suspicions by the Inquisition, the Ark Bearers' trials had not yet ceased. Scrupulous in their inspection, the Inquisition found no backing to their claims of chaotic influence upon the chapter. If anything the Inquisition was astounded by their seeming ability to resist the touch of the warp. In turn they were again put into service, their Ark Mechanicus now their fortress-monastery. They were the vanguard of forces sent into unexplored space, especially that beyond the range of the Astronomican. Time and time again they returned victorious, proving their steel nerve in the face of the unknown. In the 41st Millennium, they have served as the spear-tip of hundreds of expeditions, always returning in unbelievable speed, with extraordinary success. Their very existence is routinely speculated upon, and their loyalty commonly questioned by those unfamiliar with them. After experiencing their intense strength, and unwavering faith in humanity, they are often regarded as true servants of the Imperium.