Bligh (Captain)
Bligh is an Astra Militarum Captain in the Cadian 2012th Regiment, which is led by General Kvelter.[1]
History
The Regiment was among the Imperial forces that unsuccessfully defended Lazulai from a Tyranid invasion. As the world began to fall to the Xenos, after months of warfare, the Cadian 2012th were among the Regiments based in the Cobalt Fortress, which was under Kvelter's command. The Fortress was one of the last left on Lazulai and Major Wulf Khan, of the Catachan CMIII which was stationed there as well, believed this was largely due to the General's efforts and skills. Bligh also aided in this and his actions led him to be considered a hero to his Regiment. This included leading the last combat patrol out of the Fortress. After the Tank column was attacked by the Tyranids, the wounded Captain held the line so the surviving vehicles could retreat back into the safety of Cobalt's walls. He even carried three injured Guardsmen to safety, before escaping himself. However as Lazulai was being consumed by the Tyranids, cracks began showing between the Cobalt Fortress' Regiments.[1]
This became an issue after Bligh took it upon himself to be responsible for delivering the Emperor's Judgement on wayward Guardsmen, following the death of Commissar Schuto. Because of this, he later brought charges of infringement of discipline, breach of the disciplinary code and insubordination against the Catachan CMIII Guardsman Falke Adair, for her actions during an attack on the Cobalt Fortress. Though her efforts prevented the Tyranids from breaching Cobalt's walls, Adair had disobeyed an order to stay at her post and cover a Cadian 2012th squadron. The squad was then attacked by the Xenos during the battle, which led to the deaths of Sergeant Clay and the Guardsmen Dakor, Vance and Colm. Bligh held Adair directly responsible for the loss of his men and was going to execute her, after finding the Catachan guilty of the charges he had brought against her. However, Adair's commanding officer, Major Wulf Khan, was made aware of this by her orderly, Sergeant Rutger Haruto. This allowed Khan to stop Bligh, just as he was going to kill Adair. After learning why her Guardsman was about to be executed, the Major fully agreed with Adair's actions during the battle. Khan even went so far as saying she would have ordered Adair to do the same thing. Bligh refused to relent, though, as he believed executing Adair would ensure the Cobalt Fortress' Guardsmen would maintain their discipline. The matter was finally ended when the Major knocked the Captain out and ordered him to be taken to infirmary. While she had considered killing Bligh for his actions, she ultimately relented in doing so. However this was only due to the Captain's efforts against the Tyranids and that he was considered a hero to the Cadian 2012th. She and Adair also suspected that Bligh's behavior indicated he was suffering from Xenos-bait.[1]
Afterwards, Major Khan was ordered to meet with General Kvelter, who informed her that an overwhelming force of Tyranids was heading towards the Cobalt Fortress. Due to this, Lord Commander Stone of Sector Command, had ordered General Kvelter to send out a small force to retrieve a vital asset that was located far away from the Fortress. In order to ensure the best chance for the Major's success, though, the General would draw the Tyranids' attention by advancing towards Jasper Fortress. Kvelter would lead all of her surviving personnel in the attack, which included Captain Bligh.[1]
Sources
- 1: Deathworlder (Novel), Chapter 1
