Helmabad
| Map | Basic Data | Planetary Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Name: | Helmabad | 
|
| Segmentum: | Unknown | ||
| Sector: | Unknown | ||
| Subsector: | Unknown | ||
| System: | Helmabad System[1] | ||
| Population: | Unknown, formerly billions[1] | ||
| Affiliation: | Unknown, former Imperium[1] | ||
| Class: | Unknown | ||
| Tithe Grade: | Unknown | ||
Helmabad was a world of the Imperium, until a civil war that erupted in 970.M41.[1]
The Third Company of the Avenging Sons Chapter, who were on a penitence patrol following an incident on Archimedon, were called to aid the Imperial government on the planet. Expecting to deal with a minor insurrection, by the time the Space Marines arrived at Helmabad, however, they found that the civil war had been raging for eight years, with the number of enemy insurgents numbering in the billions.[1]
Undaunted, the Marines took to the surface. After over forty days, the Company had been ground down from 103 to a mere 30. Supplies had dwindled and a shadow in the Warp around the Helmabad system had cut off the planet, preventing any hope of reinforcements. There seemed to be no hope of an Imperial victory, so Captain Gessart was considering a withdrawal from the warzone when he was informed by Librarian Zacherys that the rebels were preparing to open a Warp rift. Gessart wanted to abandon the planet to its fate, but the Company Chaplain, Herdain, wished for the disgraced company to avenge their honour by sacrificing themselves for an honest cause.[1]
Gessart, valuing the Marines' survival over throwing away their lives for the corrupt government of a backwater world, chose to forsake the Imperium. He killed Herdain, along with any of the Avenging Sons who opposed his plan, before contacting the rebel forces with a deal. In exchange for leaving the planet unopposed, the Marines would open the gates to the Imperial Commander's underground redoubt. The rebel forces agreed to the bargain, storming the Commander's bunker and publicly executing him as the former Avenging Sons returned to their Strike Cruiser Vengeful in orbit.[1]
The Vengeful was barely able to escape the system as the warp rift opened, with the renegade Marines heading for sanctuary in the Eye of Terror.[1]
