Battle-Brother Markus Cato of the Imperial Fists won great renown during the Khai-Zhan Insurrection. Traitors and cultists on Khai-Zhan, spurred on and aided by the Night Lords traitor legion, rose in open rebellion against Imperial rule. The loyal elements of the PDF, aided by the formidable Cadian 122nd, held off the enemy attacks until reinforcements could arrive in the form of several more Cadian regiments and the 5th and 9th companies of the Imperial Fists.
Markus Cato and his squad, as part of the 5th company, were heavily engaged against the Night Lords. The capitol city of Vogen was the primary objective, and thanks to the Loyalist strongholds of the Cadian 122nd headquarters and the Arbites precinct-houses, the Imperial reinforcements were able to gain access to the city easily. What followed was a bloodbath. For three weeks, Cadian foot and armored elements, spearheaded by the Imperial Fists, fought their way through the shattered streets and sewers of Vogen, overcoming one traitor strongpoint after another. Promoted to Sergeant in the second week, Cato led his men ever onwards until Imperial forces had driven the enemy to the gates of the Palace of Peace itself.
Never was there a strucure less aptly named.
Masters of Siege warfare, both in attack and defense, the Imperial Fists were given the task of breaching the walls of the palace. The loyalists were at great disadvantage, for the walls were formidable and thick, and the narrow streets and alleyways surrounding the Palace denied the loyalist forces the use of armored units which would have otherwise greatly assist in the siege.
It fell to the Imperial Fists to breach the walls, allowing the rest of the imperial forces to gain access. Many of his battle-brothers fell in hellish hours it took to make the breach and hold it, but finally defenders, exhausted by the bitter defiance of the sons of Dorn, drew back apace, and the Cadians and PDF troops could brave the gauntlet of fire. The end had come for the insurrection. The Night Lords fought bitterly, stiffening the resolve of the cultists. Cato and his fellow Imperial Fists were instrumental in rooting out these dangerous foes, and in the long and bitter twilight struggle that followed, Cato slew several of that accursed Legion. After three months of bitter siege, the Palace of Peace was free of the taint of Chaos.
The loss of so many of the men under his command, friends and brothers all, eats away at Cato's heart. A stricter adherence to the Codex Astartes could have prevented several of their deaths, he is sure of it, and he has spent a great deal of time punishing himself for his percieved failures. Around his neck he wears a small leather pouch, and within it are the knuckle-bones of his two closest friends- Arminius and Cadfael-who died at his side at Vogen. Amongst the many lines of devotional script and verse are the favorite pieces of devotional scripture.
Arminius' reads: "Betwixt the wash of the river and the waft of the wind, let my sins be transfigured to virtues."- Catechism of Hagia, Book I, Chapter 3, verse XXXII
Cadfael's says "I tread the path of righteousness. Though it be paved with broken glass, I will walk it barefoot. Though it crosses rivers of fire, I will pass over them. Though it wanders wide, the light of the Emperor guides my step." It is a quote from Dolan Chirosius, The Great Confessor, an Imperial Saint martyred by an apostate cardinal 4,000 years ago.
That two of the finest warrios and greatest men he has ever known would choose such humble scriptures such as these is eye-opening to Cato. While the fires of battle burn bright in his stomach, his heart is touched by the love of the Emperor, and a devotion to the higher ideals of mankind.
He is gregarious and outgoing, slow to quarrel unless provoked. Though comfortable leading others, his percieved past failures weigh very heavily upon him. He will shirk from no duty, but he is not sure if he better serves the Emperor as a Leader or a Follower.
WS 45 Wounds- 23
BS 41 Fate Points- 3
S 48
T 43
Ag 42
Int 47
Per 40
WP 63 (+10 for being Imperial Fists, +5 for XP spent)
Fel 46 (+5 for XP spent)
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