Ordo Xenos
From Lexicanum
Compassion is reserved for servants of the Emperor: aliens deserve only our scorn.
~ Inquisitor Czevak, Teachings on the Unholy
The Ordo Xenos is the Ordo of the Inquisition dedicated to counteracting the threat of alien species. Their military arm is the Deathwatch.
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Foundation
The Ordo Xenos was set up by the Emperor shortly before the Great Crusade. The word xenos means alien.
Role
They were created to investigate, and catalog Xenos species, and destroy any classified as a threat to the Imperium. This jurisdiction has been expanded to any members of the Imperium that deal with xenos, trade (or deal) in their technology, or seek to hide or protect hostile alien species from Imperial forces. Inquisitors of the Ordo Xenos are devoted to their cause (fanatically so, in many cases), and is among the greatest force that can be wielded against any given xenos species.
Armed with the best human and xenos technology known, extremely knowledgeable about their foe, unflinching in their mission, the Ordo Xenos can respond to any possible xeno threat. Their tactics vary depending heavily on the situation, species of xenos involved, and level of xenos influence on the local population. Where the threat is subtle they will use guile and stealth, wielding their power as if a scalpel used to cut out a cancerous growth. 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. In extreme cases, entire planets are known to be destroyed through Exterminatus.
The Deathwatch
The Deathwatch, the Chamber Militant of the Ordo Xenos, are a unique force of Space Marines composed of individual warriors from many different Chapters. They are specially trained by the Ordo Xenos to counter any, and all known xenos species. From ancient times there stood an oath between the Adeptus Astartes, and the Ordo Xenos that the Space Marines would provide the necessary soldiers to them. They are required to serve a full term with the Ordo Xenos before being returned to their Chapters. They can be set apart due to the fact that all but their right shoulder pads are painted black (the shoulder pad retains their chapter symbol, so as to not anger the spirit of the armor).
They operate in Tactical Squads, called Kill-Teams. Each Kill-Team consists of soldiers from all different chapters. However, it is not uncommon for rivalry to re-ignite among chapter members. The Kill-Squads are heavily armed, and capable of operating independently in a hostile, xenos environment. If the situation calls for it they have been known to use xenos technology against their current enemy as a means for an end. They are led into battle either by a Brother-Captain, a Librarian or in some cases, even Inquisitors of the Ordo Xenos. Being incredibly fluid in their deployment abilities, they can operate in any environment and are known to even infiltrate Tyranid Hive Ships. 1
Games Workshop has yet to release a Codex for the Deathwatch. Eventually, the Deathwatch may form part of an assumed Alienhunters Codex, in a similar way to the Sisters of Battle with the Witch Hunters and the Grey Knights with the Daemonhunters. Games Workshop has however released a few Deathwatch models and have also published unofficial rules on their official website.
