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Lysimachus Cestus

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Lysimachus Cestus[2]

Lysimachus Cestus was a Captain and Fleet Commander of the Ultramarines Space Marine Legion 7th Chapter during the latter stages of the Great Crusade and the early stages of the Horus Heresy. He is most famous for leading the interception mission against the Furious Abyss, the giant dreadnought vessel of the Word Bearers, and ensuring its destruction before it could play a role in the Battle of Calth.[1]

History

Spoiler!
This page contains spoilers for: Battle for the Abyss (Novel)

A native of Macragge, Cestus competed at the Temple of Hera to be selected for Space Marine training. He put his success down to his determination and willpower, qualities that would come to define him in his later career.[1]

Just as the Heresy was breaking out in the Isstvan system, Cestus and nine battle-brothers had been acting as Honour Guard for an Imperial dignitary. At the completion of this month-long mission, he and his warriors sojurned upon Vangelis space-port, awaiting pick-up by the Ultramarines vessel Fist of Macragge. This never happened, as the Fist of Macragge was obliterated in a short space-battle by the Furious Abyss, when the two vessels apparently encountered each other by chance. Learning of the destruction of the Ultramarine vessel through an astropathic death-scream - and also experiencing what he believed to be a vision of Macragge — Cestus assembled as great of a fleet command as was possible from the resources available at Vangelis station and took off in search of the Fist of Macragge or its killer.[1]

Using his authority as an Astartes Fleet Commander, Cestus requisitioned the use of elements of the Saturnine Fleet under the command of Rear Admiral Kaminska, including the ships Wrathful, Boundless, Fearless, Ferox, Ferocious and Fireblade. Additionally, a Thousand Sons vessel under the command of Fleet Captain Mhotep, the Waning Moon, joined the fleet. Additional units of Astartes of the World Eaters and Space Wolves volunteered their participation.[1]

Following a trail from the destruction site of the Fist of Macragge, Cestus' ad-hoc fleet soon came across the Furious Abyss. In the confrontation which followed, Cestus' fleet was massacred - the Fearless, the Waning Moon, the Ferox, the Ferocious and the Boundless were all lost. Despite these losses, Cestus declined the suggestion of traveling to Terra in order to warn the Emperor of the Word Bearer's treachery and instead ordered a continuance of the pursuit of the Furious Abyss, and a jump into the Warp. During this warp-transit the Fireblade was lost to daemonic possession. Cestus next tried to destroy the Word Bearer dreadnought whilst it was at anchor at Bakka Triumveron with an Astartes assault led by Antiges and Captain Skraal of the World Eaters. The casualties incurred were heavy, with only Antiges, Skraal and a few others making it onboard the Furious Abyss. Unfortunately, the massive ship escaped, taking the boarding party with it.[1]

Cestus faced one final disappointment generated by his chosen course of action when he was challenged for command of the venture by the leader of the Space Wolf contingent of his force, Brynngar Sturmdreng. Defeating the Wolf Guard in combat, Cestus was able to lead the final assault on the Furious Abyss, when the Wrathful caught up with it in the Macragge system. A desperate boarding action was ultimately successful, principally due to the valour and combat-skills of Cestus, Brynngar and Skraal, who together managed to begin a process that resulted in the ship's self-destruction. Cestus himself was able to kill Zadkiel, the Captain of the Word Bearers ship, although he was mortally wounded in return. He perished, duty done, as the Furious Abyss blew herself to pieces just short of the intended combat zone.[1]

Appearance and Abilities

The model of an Ultramarine in appearance, Cestus was decked out in ornate gold-edged Power armour and equipped with a Bolter, Power sword and Gladius. Additionally, Cestus wore a silver laurel wreath about his forehead.[1]

Cestus was interested, to some degree, in the human experience, and enjoyed learning about the more unusual (to him) sides of life. This included an interest in the more esoteric studies, which partially explained his tolerance of Mhotep and his methods. He was disappointed that his gene-built appearance, even shorn of his armour and weapons, could unnerve or intimidate ordinary humans. He shared a strong friendship with Antiges, his immediate subordinate. This friendship was said to improve their battlefield performance, as their personalities mixed together to form balance - where Cestus was emotive but cautious, Antiges was impatient and aggressive.[1]

Cestus was possessed of a great store of 'intellectual faith', where his willpower appeared to be so strong that he could convince himself of the certainty of his beliefs despite little evidence existing to back him up. His will was also strong enough that he was able to convince other Astartes to go along with his intentions despite dubious circumstances.[1]

Honour Guard Cestus

  • Cestus: Honour Guard Commander, Fleet Commander and Captain. Died of wounds inflicted aboard the Furious Abyss.
  • Antiges: Second-in-command and friend to Cestus for over 20 years. Killed in action whilst attempting to sabotage the Furious Abyss.
  • Saphrax: Standard Bearer. Renowned for being particularly straight-backed and rulebound, to the point where it is quipped that he always appears to be at attention, no matter the situation. Practical and somewhat dour, he was considered the third element in the command trio of the Honour Guard. Killed whilst attempting a boarding action on the Furious Abyss.
  • Lexinal: Killed in action whilst attempting to sabotage the Furious Abyss.
  • Pytaron : Armed with a Plasma Gun. Killed in action whilst attempting to sabotage the Furious Abyss.
  • Excelinor: Killed in action whilst attempting to sabotage the Furious Abyss.
  • Morar: Armed with a Flamer. Killed during a daemonic incursion aboard the Wrathful.
  • Amryx: Wounded during a daemonic incursion aboard the Wrathful. Killed whilst attempting a boarding action on the Furious Abyss.
  • Laeradis: Apothecary. Killed during a daemonic incursion aboard the Wrathful.
  • Thestor: Armed with a (Heavy Bolter). Physically larger than a typical Astartes, he expressed disdain towards the World Eaters. Killed during a daemonic incursion aboard the Wrathful.

Sources