The Dasleahnomicron - Fluff - Women of the Adeptus Astartes

The Dasleahnomicron - Or, at least, a reasonable copy.

++INDEX ASTARTES: THE WOMEN OF THE ADEPTUS ASTARTES++

Genetic deviance is common within the Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes. Despite the regular purges preformed by the Inquisition and the Cult Mechanicus, the continuing onset of mutation and psychic disturbance within the Imperium has resulted with the very recruits that a Chapter draws upon are inevitably tainted. This, normally, has little effect. But over time, the innate psychic imprint of the Chapter is implanted upon their geneseed, resulting in mutation that often manifests itself to a form similiar to the Chapter mythos and beliefs. However, some mutations owe their creation to circumstances more sinister. There have been instances where doomed Chapters have been forced to implant their geneseed within forgein creatures so as to preserve it until it can be retrieved when the current crisis. Some are the result of the worst kind of Techno-Heresy: the direct and deliberate alteration of the genetic material by the Chapter for reasons unknown.
The reasons for the creation of female Space Marines are largely the sole knowledge of the Chapters themselves- to commit such a crime against the Machine God and the Emperor would require incredible circumstances just to consider it. Indeed, if such an option is considered at all, as the technology required to create such beings is rare and is often locked deep away within the most heavily armoured of Forge Worlds. A rare few know that it can be done-fewer still survive to tell the tale. Perhaps the Chapter, so desperatley ravaged by war and mutation would seek to create a temporary vessel for their geneseed to grow until such time they can rebuild their strength? Perhaps the Chapter itself was raised upon a great matriarchal world and it was inevitable that females were to be inducted? Or perhaps the reasons are darker still, whether by means accidental or deliberate? The reasons are as varied as the stars themselves.
Whatever the reason, the fact is that such beings do exist, despite the best attempts of the Cult Mechanicus. They view tampering with the geneseed as a crime most terrible-as, to some extent, it contains a part of the Emperor's genetic material, although to a far lesser extent than the Primarches. Although not a patriachal organisation, the Cult Mechanicus view the possibility that the geneseed has been tampered with so much that it can be safely and repeatedley used within a female biological system with horror.

The main problem associated with the use of geneseed within a female system is that fact that the hormones that the genetic material reacts to is testosterone, rather than estrogen. This is primarily because the organs need adequte muscle stimulation to promote growth and development, while estrogen has a less profound impact upon the body's muscular system than testosterone. Combined with the fact that the Emperor himself coded the genetics of the organs with a focus to make his armies on Terra stroner, faster and more aggressive, it makes the prospect of using such organs difficult. Indeed, the direct implantation of normal organs with result in the female body rejecting them, ususally resulting in severe genetic corruption and extensive internal damage (usually resulting in death)
The original response to this probelm was to introduce a series of carefully administered overdoses of several strength-enhancing drugs, along with a regular intake of testosterone supplements. While on the whole this was successful, it was not without its side-effects. Namely, the females that underwent the treatment were often violent and unhinged individuals, as along with their strength increase, an increase of aggression would accompany. Also, since implantation takes place during puberty when hormones are strongest and most numerous, it resulted in female Space Marines with underdeveloped bodies, their chemical therapy leaving them with bodies that are more biologically male than female.
Another, and perhaps the most preferred method, is the alteration of the organs to increase their effeciency and to work with, rather than against, the estrogen. During puberty, the female body still produces testosterone-just in quantities far less than estrogen. Using complex alteration, the organs are modified to operate with far less testonsterone over time than usual. However, although they are far better at using the tiny levels of testosterone present, the process still takes longer than usual, so rather than implantation taking 6-7 years, it is not uncommon for the process to take 10-12 years, and even greater given other considerations. Obvisouly, the process of puberty is normally well finished at this point, depriving the organs of the hormones that they need, so the levels of estrogen are kept constant for this period. This results in female Space Marines appering much younger than they actually are, as they are often well into their 20s before the implantation and training process is finished and complete to a level equal to their male counterparts. This process also keeps their bodies chemically identical to ordinary females, not taking into consideration the many other organs that they receive that actually make their bodies far superior than ordinary humans.

++Incoming Message.....++
++Transmitter - Astropath 9362529856/2551++
++Reciever - Astropath 3631763/486a++
++Author identified as Inquisitor-General Hael++
++Date 475/M.39++
++Thought for the Day: The Daemon is the Tool of the Heretic. Matyrdom is the Tool of the Loyalist.++
++Displaying.......++
Masters, it has so transpired that I have witnessed a most unusual sight, and I implore that an Inquisitorial Cell be deployed immeadiately so as to fully investigate the matter.
As you are well aware, after several incidents involving unregisted Xenos attack and frequent Chaotic intrustions, I have been assigned as commanding officer of the Ghaool V 122nd Regiment so as to better catalouge and defeat these new threats to the Imperium. My latest observation come under way when we were surveying a dead world believed to be connected to the [CENSORED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT] when were beset by a large armed force of natives-foul xenos they were, with skin of obsidian and stone, and they came at us as a great horde. With our supporting fleet on the far side of the system (they were forced to remain behind as the great energy outputs produced by their plasma drives would have almost certainly announced our arrival to any sentient beings in-system) I made a command on all channels for any Imperial-friendly vessels to come to our immeadiate aid (that I could do so with confidence simply futhers the fact that many Rouge Traders are consorting with Xenos most foul. We ourselves were forced to board several vessesls and revoke their Free Trade Agreements after proving that they traded with alien races without informing the nearest Imperial authorities) Whilst my loyal troopers lay dying around me, within a few short hours we recieved supporting fire from low orbit, allowing us to sally out of our makeshift mountain fortress and scatter our foes. I hailed the vessel, and the encryption of the com-link identified the vessel as a Space Marine Strike Cruiser by the name of Exempla Termentia. Although they at first refused my calls for them to make planetfall, they eventually agreed and within the hour a Thunderhawk was dispatched to meet with me and receive the praise of a fellow member of the Emperor's fighting forces.
As the doors of the Thunderhawk swung open, I was ashamed to admit that my mouth hung agape at the sight before me. The.....Space Marines, if that was what they were, were female. The one that strode forward to meet me came without a helmet, her features instantly recongnisable as that of a women, one in her late 30s by my reckoning, although given the ageless qualities of the Adeptus Astartes, it was safe to say that she was perhaps hundreds of years old. She was as tall as a Space Marine-perhaps a little shorter, and her modified Power Armour made her seem just as well built and strong as a normal Marine. Her hair was long and pulled back, and she came unarmed. Without taking her eyes away from me, she stalked up to me a stood directly in front of me, forcing me to crane my neck to maintain eye contact. She bent her head down and spoke but a single phrase - 'And so are we revealed.'
And they abruptly left. Our supporting fleet was still far off, operating on the lowest power output possible, so I could not pursue, and given that we did not expect orbital attackers, all our Delta-class ordnance was still on-ship.
Now that I am onboard, I submit this report and request that immeadiate action take place. The Skittari forces attached to my own have held their own counsels amongst their senior Priests and have not of yet.....'graced' me with an auidience.

Your most humble servant,
Gallius Hael, Inquisitor-General

Organs of the Female Space Marines
While the Cult Mechanicus have yet to recieve a full body for inspection, they have at least hypothesised the presense of several organs that would be unique to female Space Marines and their purpose within the female system:

Phase 1 - Secondary Heart While the presence of this organ is yet to be confirmed, it seems likely that like their male counterparts, they have an additional heart to better circulate their enhanced blood and to provide a reserve should the first one be damaged in combat. It is thought to be smaller than the ususal heart, as the female chest cavity is on averge smaller than that of the male, making space a premium. This has led several Magos to surmise that the heart may act as a supplementry heart, rather than an additional heart, acting in support rather than an independent organ.

Phase 2 - Ossmodula Believed to have the same purpose as the normal Marine organ. May be slightly less effective.

Phase 3 - Yisceopa The first of the unique organs, this organ is a direct gene-alteration of the male Biscopea. This organ is implanted at the back of the skull, growing into the brain and to a certain extent the spinal column. This organ is responsible for the prolonging of the puberty stage of the recepient, so as to continue a steady creation of hormones required for other organs that need stimulation to work. As a side effect, this also results in increased fertility within the young female Marines, and leads to a heightened sexual awareness and prowess. This, of course, has led to many urban myths about scattered temples of followers of Dark Gods giving into their base desires, but this has proved baseless as of yet. Like all Marines, they are not forbidden reproduction, but it is normally discouraged, as the Chapter is fearful of the genetic stability of the offspring. (Note-this phenomenon must also be present with male Chapters, although as of yet they are reluctant to make any refernces to this point of their initiation)

Phase 4 - Haemastamen As per standard, this organ synthesises chemicals to enhance the effeciency of the Marines blood. Combining with the effects of proper training and the output of the Yisceopa, this also helps to stimulate and enhance muscle growth.

Phase 5 - Kaliia Organs The female equivilant of the Larraman's organ. Instead of providing an effecient clotting agent like normal, this organ promotes rapid skin growth and healing. As such, many female Space Marines have scarring, but it is normally indestinguishable from their normal skin, albiet with a slightly darker tone. This is one of the disadvantages of the organ-it is quite possible for a female Space Marine to bleed to death if the wound is large enough, whereas a normal Marine would simply form a large clot that would heal into a mass of tough scar tissue. Also, as the female mind is far more effecient when dealing with pain than the male, this implant is actually two seperate organs that are implanted simultaneously-the first, being the one just described, grafted onto the Primary Heart, while the second is implanted into the brain from the top of the skull. This allows for a female Space Marine, given the right hypno-indocrination and chemical therpay, to completely shut off the pain receptors of their brains and bodies-although only the most veteran and seasoned of female Space Marines can do this for extended periods of time without fail.

Phase 6 - Catalepsean Node Believed to be far less effecient than normal, requiring female Space Marines to actually sleep more often than a normal Space Marine requires to.

Phase 7 - Preomnor As per standard.

Phase 8 - Emoghopea The female-specific mutation of the Omophagea. Allows for a Marine to 'learn' from the digestion of animal tissue. Has resulted in female Space Marines having a far greater sensitivity to the emotional aspect of this innate learning rather than physical memory (belived to be caused by the influence of the Phase 3 implant, which creates a controlled, prolonged puberty, a time where emotional influence holds most sway over the body) So, by the tasting of an animal, she is able to determine whether the target was confused, frightened, excited, enraged, or any other emotion, up to within 3 days of tasting the material. It is not known whether the same debasement that occurs with the male organ (the various blood-drinking and flesh eating Chapters) is present, but it is assumed that such female Space Marines do exist, albiet acting in a more psychological fashion than their more debased counterparts.

Phase 9 - Multi-Lung As per standard.

Phase 10 - Occulobe As per standard, although it is believed that due to the influence of estrogen, it is believed that a female Space Marine's eyes can distinguish between more colours than a normal Space Marine with more clarity, with a compareable level of night vision capabilites (although it has been suggested that female Space Marines eyes can be more sensitive to bright light, due to the increase in optical cells that allow them to distinguish greater colour depth)

Phase 11 - Lyman's Ear As per standard.

Phase 12 - Sus-an Membrane No evidence of such an organ can be found within the current post-mortem examinations preformed on the bodies that the Cult Mechanicus have recovered. This is believed to the fact that it is a very complex organ, and with the current profeciency level of mechanical suspended animation technology, has been ruled redundant and not used by the majority of female Space Marines. Also believed to be influenced by the Phase 6 implant.

Phase 13 - Melanochrome As per standard.

Phase 14 - Oolitic Kidney As per standard, although less effecient to prevent the Marine bleeding to death unnessecarily (see Phase 5)

Phase 15 - Neuroglottis As per standard, although it is suggested that this also alters the taste receptors for the Marine on an individual basis.

Phase 16 - Juucinaroid Female equivilant of the Mucranoid. Due to the influence of the Phase 5 implant, in addition to altering the sweat glands to create a heat-resistant liquid, this also aids in clotting blood by excreting a liquid that aids in blood clotting when exposed to oxygen. Unfortunatley, it appears that this organ has mutated from its original purpose, also aiding in the supply of oxygen to the blood by 'absorbing' some of it through the skin. It is then entirely possible for a female Space Marine to die of suffication if their entire body, externally, is deprived of oxygen for extended periods of time. They can operate normally for most combat purposes, but they rarely wear their armour outside of combat and formal occasions. Obviously, the more physical exertion that the Marine undegoes, the more oxygen they will be required to take into their enhanced system, increasing the risk. For that reason, initial training is conducted without much armour until appropriate hypno-therapy allows them to conciously alter their breathing patterns in all situations.

Phase 17 - Vanek's Gland Instead of providing the saliva of the Marine with an acidic quality, it instead works in conjunction with the Phase 2 implant to greatly strengthen the teeth of the Space Marine. The female can then chew, rather than melt, their way through several materials, although not as effective as a male Space Marine may do so with his Betcher's Glands.

Phase 18 - Progenoids It is not known what the influence of large amounts of estrogen has on the Progenoids, however it is believed that it serves the same purpose as the male equivilant-it must, unless female Space Marines have developed a method of storing and creating geneseed without biological incubation and subsequent maturation.

Phase 19 - White Carapace As per standard Black Carapace, suitably altered to take the female figure and internal organ placement into consideration.

Of course, all the organs above have been altered to operate over an extended period of time with small amounts of testosterone and a far larger influence of estrogen. The Cult Mechanicus are eager to recover a full specimen for examiniation, as it is quite obvious that female Space Marines are just as strong, fast, tough and effecient as their superhuman male counterparts, and the technology used to create them could be used to greatly enhance existing male organs with proper study and divination. And with all Chapters, it is theorised that some organs would have mutated from their 'Codex' behaviour, and some may have been lost altogether.

AdMech 837450/xxx/AutopsyReport
Attendant Magos: Senior Magos-Genetor Neroii
1.Initial visual investigation leaves no doubt to the cause of death-the subject suffered incredible physical trauma that resulted in the loss of 37.8% of the subject body, consistent with the reported method of termination, having being caught in open ground by a mortar barrage. The taint of Chaos has not yet been determined, so at this point the subject is being treated as female, and the appropriate surgical methods will be used. 2. The chest cavity proved just as tough to open as any member of the Adeptus Astartes, requiring the strength of two of my Servo-Meds. The ribcage itself was fused in much the same way as a normal Adeptus Astartes, although with futher testing it was revealed that the bone itself had less overall densile strength than would be expected, but was still of a level far above that of a normal human. Examination of the organs contained therin have since been removed and placed into storage pending transportation to Mars for investigation by the Collegica Genetoria. 3. The brain itself proved to be largely intact, the lower torso and limbs having taken the majority of the damage. It proved consistent in size and mass of a normal Adeptus Astartes brain, although there was present a most unusual organ that sat below the apex, whose purpose I could not fathom with the resources available to me now. 4. The chem-lab has reported back. No sign of viral, bacteriological or toxicological comtamination has been dected, and the hormonal patterns have identifed the Marine as a female at birth. An excess of estrogen was found, consistent with levels found within young females during puberty. DNA divination has determined that the Marine is within the ages of 30-35, an age comparable to a young Marine, although visual examinations place the subject in her late teens or early 20s at least. 5. In summary, it is my opinion that we have here a techno-heresy of the worst kind. The debasement of geneseed to such a level so as to make the recepient female the equivilant of a member of the Adeptus Astartes must have utilised technologies either forbidden or forgotten. I shall meet with Inquisitor-General Hael to suggest that we begin our pursuit of our so-called 'saviours' anew and recover the black arts used to create them.

Magos-Genetor Neroii

Chapters of Renown

It is not known exactly how many enirely female Space Marine Chapters exist. If there are any great number of them, then they are keeping aloof and rarely communicating with Imperial organisations. The still respond to requests and Crusades (and other military campaigns) but they rarely make direct contact with the other forces, preferring to fight by themselves or in conjunction with other members of the Adeptus Astartes, male or female (members of the male Adeptus Astartes refuse to be drawn into discussion regarding the subject) so information is hard to come by. They still venerate the Primarch of who their geneseed is based upon, although not as much as normal Chapters (note- remember that most female geneseed is simply a genetically altered version of existing geneseed, having been altered or debased by technology or circumstances. It is believed that the Apothecarion of Chapters with female Space Marines keep in close contact with each other to share resources and research) There are, however, several rumors that travel within the trade routes of the Imperium concerning 'Warrior Women' that can be placed within context with scattered battlefield reports and surveys.

Platnium Wasps
The Platnium Wasps are believed to be a largely Codex Chapter, with most reports suggesting that they are derived from Ultramarine stock. The colour of their armour is known to be a very light yellow (bordering on white), and true to their name, they have a silver and black wasp as a Chapter symbol. One of the few Chapters that are believed to consist fully of female Marines, it is not known whether this is through choice or circumstance. They have been most recently sighted taking part in the Ullyical Crusade as a frontline attack force, their Companies dropping directly onto enemy frontlines and securing advance bases. Casualties are high, but the full Chapter strength is believed to be in orbit to supplement attacks and provide covering fire. They have, of yet, refused summons by the Crusade's attached Inquisitors, whose requests that they be placed within holding pending investigation have been refused by the Warmaster, who has since been placed uner investigation himself. The Wasps have since dug themselves in within the moutanious terrain surrounding the Hive-cities on Tyiooh VII, where extraction would prove difficult, if not impossible. Their fleet has since moved out of orbit and their current whereabouts are unknown but are still believed to be in-system.

Grey Riders
Believed to be derived from White Scar geneseed, the Grey Riders are believed to have an equal proportion of female to male Marines. They are not divided into seperate Companies as one may expect-like the Imperial Guard, the sex of the soldier is irrelevant, so it is just as likely to find a squad made of 1 female Space Marine and 9 male Marines as it is to find 1 male Space Marine and 9 female Marines in a squad. They possess all the ferocity and ability of their male counterparts, and the male Marines appear to hold no ill-regard towards them. This is believed to be due to the fact that no-where in the Codex Astartes or the teachings of the Emperor say that it is forbidden for females to become Space Marines-it has simply been, up to this point, biologically impossible. It is also believed that the current Chapter Master is female, with references to the 'Mother Wind' believed to be refering to the name that her Chapter has given to her, highlighting her speed and power, and also a great mark of respect. Current whereabouts are unknown, but given the nature of the White Scar geneseed, it is safe to assume that they are speeding across the plains of some distant battlefield.

Upsilon Dragoons
Believed to be a 'Parade Chapter'-that is, one that is created more for show than actual combat purposes. The number of female Marines present are small, and interaction between the different sexes are discouraged. Females are orgainsed into seperate squads and into different Companies (although the Chapter can only muster just over a full Company of female Marines) As with all Parade Chapters, their armour is ornate and they have seen little combat duty, being delegated mainly to peacekeeping and ceremonial duties. It is believed that the inception of females into the Chapter came through the political pressure exterted by the matriarchal Houses within the Hive Cities on their homeworld of Upsilon V, as these Houses hold an influence over the resident Chapter that is viewed as unhealthy by the Inquisition, but do not act under the Chapters insistence that they remain an independent military power. The Chapter has so far escaped the attentions of the Inquisition due to the fact that the Chapter itself controls the incredibly precious Annalitium mines that are present on the planet. The Inquisition still maintains a high presence on the planet, but the Chapter will not submit to their wishes for their subterranian Fortress Monestary to be opened for investigation.

Splinter Eagles
The Splinter Eagles are the best documented example of inducting females into their ranks because they had no other option. One of the Marine Chapters sent to investigate a new Tyranid Hivefleet approaching from the galactic north, they faced the full fury of the Hive Mind are were forced to retreat, lossing 87% of their Chapter strength in the process. However, at the command of the High Lords, the Chapter was forced to remain at the frontline and to divert the threat as much as possible until such a time that enough resources could be found to deal with the threat. As the years went on, the Splinter Eagles began to suffer more and more at the hands of the Tyranids, unable to generate enough recruits from the male population of the surrounding planets, as the consrciption fored upon them by the High Lords made it so that every man of able body over the age of 10 was to be sent to the front lines. And so, the Marines begun to induct recruits from the remaining female population who had not yet been called to act on the front line. Currently, the Chapter has a total strength of 5 Battle Companies to call on, and their Scout Company is one of the largest in known Marine history (a total of 348 Neophytes at last count, mostly female) The Chapter still suffers daily casulaties at the hand of the Tyranid horde, and they are pushing the technology used to create Marines to points that are considered dangerous and wth great risks that have not yet emerged.

Crimson Spiders
This Chapter is currently listed as MIA after the Inquisition managed to determine the location of their homeworld and sent an Exterminatus Fleet to demand that they agree to submit themselves to the Cult Mechanicus and the Holy Inquisition. Instead, they fought their way out of the blockade and made for warp-space the instant they were clear. An inspection of their planet-based Fortress Monestary has revealed little, as the Armoury was detonated and their orbital docks were self-destructed. The planet has been declared Excommunicate Traitoris and is awaiting destruction after the local population rose up against the invading forces. It is also believed that the locals still harbour a small garrison of Crimson Spiders, both male and female, somewhere on the planet, but current interegation has not revealed their whereabouts. What information that was gleaned from the ruins of their Fortress-Monestary has revealed that they consist of 58.9% Male marines to 41.1% female Marines, and are of Space Wolves geneseed. They excel at infiltration and sabotage, and are especially fierce in combat as benefits their Canis Helix. The mutation of ever-growing canine teeth that is normally present within the Space Wolves Chapter is not in this case (believed to be due to individual mutation and the influence of the female Vanek's Gland), but it has been confirmed that the Marines are heavily tattooed (with spider web like patterns) and use this as the basis for seniority in their Chapter, each Marine being allowed to add to their tattoos for every confirmed kill they make. Their distinctive dark-red Power Armour has since been sighted in orbit around worlds where other Space Wolves desendent Chapters are believed to call their home.

Ebony Foxes
The Ebony Foxes are believed to be the Chapter that made contact and came to the aid of Inquisitor-General Hael (his report being shown above) They have flesh-coloured Power Armour and are believed to recruit from desert worlds, but for the most part are fleet based. It is not known why they made contact with the Inquisitor, which is an act that they knew would expose them to the Inquisition, but it is believed that it was a pre-meditated act, for they only made contact after they knew that the Inquisitor could not attack their vessels or pursue them. There have been scattered reports of Marines, both male and female, dressed in the Chapter livery of the Ebony Foxes preforming independent investigations on Dead Worlds, but the purpose of this is as of yet unknown. Given what little information there is about them, it is safe to assume that they are a very secretive Chapter, possibly from Dark Angels gene-stock, and so they inevitably have some dark agenda that they refuse to acknowledge. They have only taken part in a few military actions reigstered by the Imperium, and always arriving silently from orbit and leaving the moment that the conflict is over.

This is dedicated to all those who have included females within their Space Marine armies-you started it, I simply justified it.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws