The Heart of Iron

Space Marines Portal Iron Hands

The Heart of Iron is a relic of the Dark Age of Technology, a bionic of a kind unknown outside the vaults of the Iron Hands.

Worn under armour, it looks not unlike a mechanical spider wrapped around a Battle-Brother's chest, where it links to his organs via monofilament tendrils and maintains his life (keeping his twin hearts beating) despite even the most terrible of injuries.

A Battle-Brother that bonds with the Heart of Iron has better regeneration and never becomes tired. The heart comes at a cost, however: if it is worn for lengthy periods it slowly drains a Battle-Brother's vitality even as it strives to keep his organs functioning, and will eventually kill the wearer.

Sources

• 1: Deathwatch: First Founding, pg. 102