XXII - Attrition

[This chronicle is best read from the beginning.] 

Precisely why the Brethren of the Tenebrous Shield took their leave of Schrödinger’s Syndicate remains a mystery, for the mighty Adeptus Custodes explain themselves to none but the Emperor of Mankind. Nonetheless, they held Rogue Trader Schrödinger in sufficiently high regard that their Shield Captain - one known to the Syndicate only as 'Protos' - delivered news of their immanent departure in person.

Within hours, the magnificent, black-gold frigate became the first Imperial craft permanently to leave the armada. Schrödinger hoped others would not follow, but in truth, the Rogue Trader was not sorry to see the Custodes leave. While their presence was a welcome deterrent to all and any enemies of the Imperium, she had her own secrets, and withholding them from such demi-gods was not something she took lightly.

Justinius Mote of the Ordo Hereticus, on the other hand, was furious. Now that he knew for certain that a heretical cult lurked within the armada, he wanted assurance that the Emperor's Vendetta could draw upon the psychic dampening abilities of some Sisters of Silence should the need arise. But there was nothing to be done about it - as a mere Interrogator his inquisitorial powers were limited. Reluctantly, he instructed Schrödinger’s astropaths to send a message to Witchfinder Lukas requesting the assistance of the Blighted Sisterhood.

The Blighted Sisterhood (Vigilators)

As a psychic null, any Sister of Silence is experienced as an unnerving and unpleasant presence. But there was something even more profoundly disturbing and unsettling about the Sisterhood of Blighted Souls. Justinius Mote couldn't put his finger on it, but he knew he did not like them. Nonetheless, given the circumstances, needs must.

With the launch of the new edition of Kill Team, the Custodes are no longer a playable team. My son decided he wanted to sell the models to help him buy a new PC so I have written them out of the story, including the Sisters of Silence. Luckily I had converted a few of these to use as vampires in Age of Sigmar, so Justinius Mote can co-opt them should I fancy fielding Vigilators with my Inquisitorial Agents. The new edition also means that the Barfunweltz Repenitentiary are soon likely to make the ultimate sacrifice for the God-Emperor of mankind. And of course Hive Fleet Quernoh have been left far behind (or so Lady Schrödinger hopes anyway...)

XXIII - Cult

I had some unassembled Custodes jet bikes (Vertus Praetors) so I painted them up too so I could sell the whole lot as a matching army. So here is the complete Brethren of the Tenebrous Shield, all ready to disappear into the Empyrean on some mysterious mission to protect the Emperor of Mankind...