Derek Palmer

Frost arrayed in his Wargear after the Fall of Cadia

### **Relatives**

Cassandra Palmer (Wife), Devereaux Sarrin (Son), Markus 'Slayer' O'brian (Surrogate brother)

## Physical Description

### **Weight**

205lbs (93kgs)

A seasoned veteran of the Cadian 348th Regiment, **Captain** Derek Palmer is a leader who has gotten many campaigns under his belt with the scars to prove it. An uncompromising soldier in the face of humanity's enemies he is not above getting his hands dirty himself. Currently serving in Marshall Aulirus's King Breaker retinue as a Captain he now brings las fire and blade to the xenos threats in the galaxy.

## History

Derek's history is nothing noteworthy If you were to ask him however those who have served with him for any length of time would disagree and go into several stories where he put his own life on the line for the people under his command.

### Early Life

Derek's early life was not too dissimilar to the average Cadian, learning how to shoot at a very young age and showing a great potential for a sharpshooter even at the young age of 8 years old. It was during this time that he met a younger Marshall who had recently joined the Cadian 348th Kasrkin regiments which were often referred to the Cadian Sabres Though the two would never meet until both were much older. This encounter would inspire the young Derek to strive to become a member of the Cadian elite, The Kasrkins.

during his teenage years Derek would near nonstop train for his eventual enlistment into the ranks of the Cadian Shock Troopers. However only a year before his enlistment tragedy would strike when he was informed that both of his parents had fallen in battle against the great enemy, This would only strengthen his resolve to honour his parents legacy and he would when he would graduate basic training with flying colours and would later join the shock troops and would serve for many years until his eventual elevation to the Kasrkins.

### The Cadian Sabres

After serving in the rank and file of the Cadian shock troops with distinction for years he would eventually join the ranks of the Kasrkins alongside two of his childhood friends Markus 'slayer' O'brian and Cassandra Miller, they would be assigned to the Cadian 348th and would remain in the regiment to this day.

During their time in the 348th Cassandra would achieve the rank of Lieutenant and Derek would achieve the rank of Sergeant. It was serveral years later during one of the regiments deployments alongside the Ordo Xenos where Derek and Cassandra would slowly begin to fall for each other and by the time of the end of the deployment the two would be an 'item' as some of their fellow kasrkins would refer to them as.

### Battle of Carus

During an uprising on the world of Carus elements of the 348th would be deployed alongside other Cadian regiments where they fought the great enemy for control of the planet, leading the charge Derek or 'Frost' as he had become known by, as well as Slayer would bring las fire and blade upon the traitors and would sustain many scars and stories from the battle.

In the climax of the battle both Slayer and Frost come into contact with a heretic Astartes, though it bore no heraldry on its armour. In ensuring scuffle the Astartes slew many guardsmen with Slayer and Frost narrowly avoiding each swing of the fallen marines weapon. The Astartes would be brought low by a lucky shot from Frost when he managed to prime the melta bomb on its belt before getting as far away as possible. the resulting explosion would completely obliterate the heretic Astartes.

### The Fall of Cadia

During the 13th Black Crusade the 348th in its entirety were deployed against the Black Legion and would hold the line up until the planet started to break apart. During the ensuing chaos of escaping Cassandra who was now married to Derek, was separated from the others and would be rescued alongside other kasrkins by the recently returned Inquisitor Marshall Aulrius.

Frost and Slayer would make it off of the dying world with Slayer pulling an unconscious Frost onboard the ship they were in, Frost would later awaken with a cybernetic replacement and would vow vengeance for the murder of Cassandra and Cadia.

### The Reprisal Crusade

During the months leading up to the Indomitus crusade, Frost would be promoted to Lieutenant to lead what remained of the 348th during what would become known as the 'Reprisal Crusade' he would be a Lieutenant for a year until his promotion to Captain following his predecessors demise.

As the crusade drew closer to its conclusion Frost would be contacted by Inquisitor Marshall Aulrius and was 'requested' to join his retinue. Reluctantly Frost departed leaving Slayer Behind to take command and would soon begin the journey to link top with the King Breakers.

### The King Breakers

Now Frost spends his time amongst the retinue of the King Breakers where he would reunite Cassandra who he had presumed had perished on Cadia and his now grown son, now they fight for the imperium together. They are Currently stationed with Marshall at the the Deathwatch Watch Fortress known as Black Bastion.

## Appearance

    Derek has a fairly standard build for a Kasrkin, preferring to keep a more athletic build compared to some of his peers who prefer a more muscular build. That is not to say he lack any strength or muscles as he has plenty from his years of service and the scars to prove they were earned.

His hair used to be fairly bright red though with age its has darkened down to the reddish brown that it is now, with signs of greying. his eyes have never been the typical purple that most Cadians are known for instead almost appearing Lilac instead.

## Personality

Derek was always a fairly shy child which only worsened when he learned off his parents demise, while he grew to be less timid his quiet nature from his younger years remained which often made him seem cold and distant, it was only after serving alongside him that the 'Frosty' exterior would begin to melt.

While in most situations he is cold and aloof in combat he is authoritative and clear in his instructions, while he has never directly disobeyed an order from his superiors he has often 'interpreted' the orders with how the situation presents itself. It has been noted that he strongly dislikes being tied down by rules of engagement stating on many occasions that they often hamper the effectiveness of the troops he has.

## Abilities and Traits

Frost has always had an affinity for Marksmanship and was originally going to become a sniper but was offered a place in the Kasrkins instead.

He also has grown quite competent at adapting and using unconventional tactics against an enemy that has an advantage against the forces he is with.

## Equipment

### Used Weapons

* Hellgun
* Bold Pistol
* Combat knife
* Powersword

## Relations

### Friends/Allies

**\*Marshall Aulirus**: Derek views the inquisitor with a tempered level of admiration that he once held as a youth, Marshall often uses Derek as an advisor and a confidant.

**\*Lt Cassandra Palmer**: Being the second half of Dereks heart Cassandra and Derek are often inseparable and it would often take quite a lot to force them away from each other, while not overly affectionate in public those who knew them could tell they are always watching over the other. Since their reunion they have become more overtly affectionate as a way of making up for lost Time though both still maintain a professional standard when dealing with a situation.

**\*Devereaux Sarrin**: Being the only child of Derek and Cassandra, Devereaux was left with a trusted friend on the planet of Travda so that Dev might make his own choice regarding service in the Imperial Guard, this resulted in both Cassandra and Derek being absent from Dev's life up until this point.

**\*Markus 'Slayer' O'brian**: Being the surrogate sibling of Derek, Slayer and Derek are close and bicker like siblings constantly. Though currently not with the 'Delinquent Trio' Slayer remains ins fairly frequent contact as much as his new duties allow. Derek is confident that Slayer will lead what is left of the 348th with distinction.

## Quotes

"*When lines are drawn in war there are those who will want to know which ones can be crossed... that's why we exist, to find those lines and cross them! Now I understand many of you will take issue with how we fight our battles and something you all must understand is that when we get dirty others stay clean! and that is worth more than an entire fortress of steel.*"
— Captain Derek Palmer addressing new recruits during the Reprisal Crusade