Extinction of the Katara
The Extinction of the Katara was a campaign waged by the Emperor's Children during the Great Crusade.[1]
Overview
When an Emperor's Children fleet discovered the Abhuman civilization known as the Katara, diplomacy eventually went well. However when Lieutenant Commander Abdemon requested the civilization formally surrender, the Katara withdrew before returning with a warship that destroyed the Light Cruiser Locrian with Radiation Weaponry. Provoked, Abdemon ordered the invasion of the largest Kataran city-complex, using orbital bombardment to crack open the upper levels before landing Space Marines.[1]
Despite anticipating mass resistance, the Katara only put up a token fight by lone warriors who while unsupported fought with plasma-tip spears with dazzling skill and grace. These warriors could slay entire squads, but stood little chance before the combined arms tactics of the Emperor's Children. Eventually, Kataran representatives came forth and requested that the war be settled not with pitched battle but with a duel of champions. In the subsequent duel, Abdemon battled the Kataran champion Hamaya. Abdemon emerged the victor, to which the Kataran's committed collective suicide on a civilizational level.[1]
The Emperor's Children came to respect the skill and honour of the Katarans, collecting their weapons and armour and treating them as relics.[1]
See also
Sources
- 1: The Horus Heresy Book One - Betrayal, pg. 117
