Aquila Token
Aquila Tokens are usually worn by Space Marines as pendants hanging from their belts or on chains around their neck. The Aquila is a universal symbol within the Imperium and more than anything else represents the dominion of the Emperor. It appears most commonly as a double-headed eagle, its wings spread and its heads looking in different directions. Only one of the heads is depicted with an eye, representing the one head which gazes into the Materium and the other which gazes into the Immaterium.[1]
This Honour is specific to the Achilus Crusade, and is usually presented to the Space Marine by a powerful military commander, usually an Imperial Guard General or Imperial Navy Admiral, or other important personage such as an Imperial Governor as a token of his devotion to the Emperor and the Imperium. It is a mark of those outside the Adeptus Astartes showing favour and respect to the Space Marine and to wear one usually indicates that the Imperial Guard, the Imperial Navy or even a Lord Militant has officially given his thanks to the Space Marine for some great deed or service. [1]
The Token narrows the gap between a Space Marine and the rest of humanity. Those that know to look for such tokens will single out the Space Marine as someone they can either talk to or trust and as being generally more approachable than the bulk of the Adeptus Astartes. Finally, those that hold this Honour will often be singled out by their own Chapter, or peers, for missions dealing with the personage or organisations which awarded the Aquila Token.[1]
Sources
- 1:Deathwatch: Rites of Battle, pgs. 206-211
