Alien Hunters (Warhammer 40,000)
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In the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe, the Ordo Xenos, (more commonly known as the Alien Hunters) are one of the three Ordos of the Inquisition, faced with counteracting the threat of alien species. Currently, there is no Alien Hunter Codex, but rules for Deathwatch Space Marines have been printed in White Dwarf, and a background book, Xenology, was released by Black Library Publications in February 2006 (Spurrier, 2006).
[edit] Formation and Role
The Ordo Xenos was set up by the Emperor shortly before the Great Crusade, to investigate and study alien races, and destroy any that were deemed to be a threat to humanity. This jurisdiction has been expanded to any members of the Imperium that deal with aliens, trade in their technology, or seek to hide alien species from the armies of the Imperium. Inquisitors of the Ordo Xenos are devoted to their cause, and are amongst the greatest forces that can be arrayed against an alien species.
Armed with the best human and alien technology available, extremely knowledgeable about their foe, and filled with hatred for non-human species, the Ordo Xenos can respond to any alien threat. Their tactics vary depending on the situation and level of alien taint revealed. Where the threat is subtle they will use guile and stealth, wielding their power as if a scalpel used to cut out a cancer. When the alien menace is great, the Inquisitor can enlist the aid of entire regiments of Imperial Guard and Space Marines. When the threat is too great for even these to handle, the Inquisitor will call on the elite battle-brothers of the Deathwatch, a squad made up of volunteer Space Marines from all of the Space Marine chapters. Ordo Xenos is well known for either being extremely ponderous or extremely quick to act. A major example of this is when the Tau first made contact with Imperial governors on the eastern fringe, and alien technology was allowed to penetrate all the way to Holy Terra. However, at times the Ordo Xenos can truly bring the hammer of the Emperor down on the foul alien, a prime example of Ordo Xenos power can be seen during the Damocles Gulf crusade in which an Ordo Xenos headed battle group penetrated deep into Tau space. The death watch teams may specialize in any race, the Tau, Tyranids, Orks or even Eldar, it depends upon the experience of the team.
[edit] References
- Spurrier, Simon (2006). Xenology. Nottingham: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-010-6.
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