Argos

Departmento Cartographicae pict-file of the *Argos*, post rebuild at Tvastar

The ***Argos*** is the flagship of the Nemean Lions, having served in that role since the early years of the 38th millennium. Hailing from the obscure and largely unknown Courageous class  line of vessels, her prior history is lost to time, but dates back to the time of the Great Crusade. A powerful but also deeply damaged vessel, she is a prestigious vessel for the Chapter to possess, albeit often a double edged sword.

## History

### Origins

While the origins of the *Argos*, like all those of the class it hails from, are lost to the modern Imperium and her current owners, the ship had an illustrious history prior to its rediscovery. Constructed under the name *Spear of Conquest* in the orbital docks of Forge World Lucius for the forces of the Great Crusade, she was originally assigned to the 1st Legion, the Dark Angels before being gifted to Taskforce Onyx as part of the 1st Legion's contribution. She would serve well as part of this taskforce, battling the xenos they faced without taking much in the way of damage in reply. When the taskforce returned home however, she would be badly mauled during the Horus Heresy and Great Scouring and was ultimately lost with all hands somewhere in Segmentum Ultima. Drifting through space the vessel eventually collided with what would be later known as Space Hulk Dominatus Felix Titanicus, a gargantuan hulk which lay in the void space near the Aeaean Cluster. While it was occasionally discovered by minor Rogue Traders and pirates, the Genestealers and other xenos residing within the hulk prevented its revelation to the Imperium until it was found by the Rogue Trader house Solar Winds of Auximite, whose scouts managed to report of their discovery before their transmission was cut off.

### Rediscovery

By this time, the warship was in a poor state, having taken additional damage from debris, the collision and those raiders which had attempted to strip it from the outside. Nonetheless the Baron of the House, Tyrannux Ezana recognised that the vessel was a formidable hull, and if salvageable a prize of incredible value. He had no personal use for such a ship but he knew that it would make an excellent bargaining chip, something he could trade for items he desired. He called upon the aid of a Chapter he had assisted in the past, the Nemean Lions, requesting their aid. In exchange they would get salvage rights on the vessel and a share of any other vessels recovered. The Lions agreed and conducted a hard-fought purge of the Hulk alongside the mercenary voidsmen of Ezana, a task which claimed the lives of a not insignificant number of soldiers and Astartes. The prize was worth it though, indeed it would have been worth many times this price. The ship was eventually cut free and towed to Tvastar, whose Tech Priests had agreed to restore the vessel in exchange for permission to extensively study the technology within (plus a hefty offering of exotic goods to sweeten the deal).

The restoration would take over a century, and in some areas the vessel was effectively rebuilt from scratch, or could only be restored to a sub-par state. One stroke of good luck was that the complex plasma reactor was near identical to that of the Adrias Class Battlecruiser, which Tvastar at the time held STC files on. Repairing or replacing this powerplant would've impossible otherwise, for current Imperial systems were significantly less powerful. Much of the exotic weaponry originally fitted was irreparable (or at least this is what the Tvastarians claimed) and had to be removed and replaced with new systems. Additionally the Lions requested that extra hangars be added and some of the interior bays enlarged to suit their needs. As a gift to the Chapter Master of the Lions, Regulus Shaka, the Tvastarians added a large hunting area, outfitted with holoprojectors to simulate the landscape of Caelus Prime, much like the one they had previously installed within their Fortress-Monastery.

### Service with the Nemean Lions

Rechristened the *Argos* by the Nemean Lions and made their flagship, the vessel has served this chapter faithfully in the three millennia since. A breath-taking spectacle of Imperial power, the *Argos* overawes those that behold it, in some cases quelling a fomenting rebellion just with its appearance into low orbit. This visage however hides the underlying issues though, for the *Argos* is in many ways a white elephant. Undergunned for a ship of her size, riddled with structural weak points and patched scars, and with large portions of the ship abandoned and slowly decaying, the main reason the vessel is still around is due to the extremely strong void shield which the plasma drive powers, and the prestige she represents. Despite this, during the Indomitus Crusade an urgent meeting was held between the Regulus and his Forgemaster, who revealed that *Argos* was living on borrowed time. She required an extensive rebuild, possibly even longer than the one upon her rediscovery, or her hull would fail within decades at most. Such was the importance of the Indomitus Crusade and the wider state of the galaxy however, that the Regulus decided to risk pressing on, commanding his Techmarines to do whatever they could to keep the ship going until a measure of stability had been restored.
After the devastation of Caelus Prime by the Tyranids, *Argos* has assumed the role of Fortress-Monastery, while Mytikas Peak is rebuilt, further frustrating any thought of putting the vessel in drydock.

## Notable Campaigns

* **Sebastus Crusade** - Regulus Nicarchus risks a low orbital insertion from the *Argos*, subjecting the vessel to intense fire and relying on the void shields to protect it as he deploys a massed Speria assault against an Iron Warriors stronghold.
* **Medean Crusade** - The *Argos* played a significant role in this campaign, engaging in multiple void battles against the Ork Waaaghs. During the first battle of Mytikas Plateau, she rammed the flagship Ork Deadnot, cleaving it in twain.
* **Aquivea Campaign** - *Argos*, as part of the larger Nemean fleet, oversaw the deployment of the present Speria. When an Inquisitor demanded the planet be subject to Exterminatus, Regulus Epamondas briefly considered turning the guns of the *Argos* on the Inquisitor's vessel before being dissuaded by cooler heads.
* **Fall of Cadia** - While the Lions were deployed to the outer worlds of the Cadian System, countering the attempts to cut Imperial supply routes, this did not stop *Argos* from engaging in multiple skirmishes with the warships of the Black Legion. During one such encounter she was rammed by an enemy cruiser and suffered severe damage to her starboard side. Forgemaster Hephaestus was able to stabilise the reactor and patch the damage before the vessel suffered irreversible harm. She nonetheless required a period of repair in the Orbital docks of Mars, during which she was studied as part of the development of the Courageous Tyrannis class for the Indomitus Crusade.
* **The Cleansing of Coele-Myr** - A sprawling conflict through a ravaged Imperial Sector, *Argos* was instrumental during the salvation of Chastisia III. Alkaios ordered the ship into a atmospheric dive, deploying the entire chapter directly onto the enemies' stronghold. The "thunderclap" of the ship's drives as it slingshotted back out of the atmosphere flattened the ancient forest of Martanei.
* **Marmara Passage** - During the securing of this vital corridor through the Cicatrix Maledictum, *Argos* shielded the fleet's strike wing from a blistering broadside by traitor vessels, tanking the hits on her formidable void shields. She later closed in to batter the enemy flagship with a brutal close range fusillade.
* **Indomitus Crusade** - The *Argos* has supported the Chapter during their deployments as part of this mighty crusade, acting as a mobile fortress-monastery while the Chapter is deployed away from home for this extended period. After the devastation of Caelus Prime by the Tyranids, she has adopted this role full time while the world is rebuilt.
* **Waaagh of Warboss Jawklaw** - During the invasioon of the Aeaean Cluster by this Greenskin and his warhost, the Argos proved instrumental in countering the ramshackle but potent fleet of the Orks. In battle she was a highly desired target, with Jawklaw greatly desiring it as a prize.

## Schematics

### Class

The *Argos* was an example of a *Tranche three, Lucius pattern* Courageous Class Battleship upon construction, with all the usual features. Upon it's rediscovery and refit, large changes were made to the armament, internal layout and capabilities thanks to the fact it was badly damaged and had to be rebuilt extensively.

### Armaments

The *Argos* boasts a number of powerful offensive systems, including prow-mounted launch tubes for boarding torpedoes, a broadside of heavy Macrocannons and dorsally-mounted turrets. A network of lesser turrets and guns provides close in defence against voidcraft and incoming ordnance.

### Hanger Bays

As part of the refit, additional hangar bays were fitted along the flanks of the main hull. As a result, she can hold a huge number of voidcraft, both transports and strikecraft.

### Private Chambers

These are private offices and rooms used by the various Masters of the Order, including the Master of the Ships, Master of the Forge and Master of Ordnance, when they are aboard. A number of these chambers, including those reserved for the Regulus, are equipped with the same holo-projectors fitted in the hunting plain.

### Cells

One for each Battle-Brother of the Chapter is available (though it is rare for all to be in use).

### Communal Dormitories

These contain the living and sleeping chambers of the vessel's Serfs and other personnel.

### Guest Chambers

Relatively luxurious chambers reserved for important visitors such as members of the Administratum or allies of the Chapter.

### Foundry

A foundry to rival that of the Fortress-Monastery is present aboard, located as part of the hunting plain.

### Hunting Plain

One of the most noteworthy features of the *Argos*, this vast structure resides deep within the hull. A huge sprawling plain, seeded with flora and fauna from Caelus Prime. A network of holo-projectors create the illusion of a sky and horizon, such that those who stand upon it could almost be fooled into thinking they are standing upon that world. This facility serves a number of functions, for it also houses the Great Hall, Assimularum and Terrarium.

## Personnel

In addition to the Astartes detachment, a large crew of Serfs and other personnel are present aboard. While extensive automation was installed as part of her refit, the *Argos* still requires a large crew for an Astartes vessel, with 100,000 listed aboard, including flight crew, engineering staff, Chapter Serfs and servitors. Unlike in some Chapters, the *Argos* is left under the complete authority of the mortal shipmaster/mistress, as it is recognised that this individual, with decades if not centuries of service under their belt, is more experienced at such matters than all but the most veteran of Astartes, whose talents are better employed elsewhere.

### Noteworthy Personnel

* **Fleet Navarch Avathis** - The current Shipmistress of the Nemean Lions' flagship *Argos* and holder of the position of Master of the Fleet within the Chapter. She ascended to the position in 983.M41 after the unfortunate escape of a Leonis from the reservation led to an impromptu hunt being staged throughout the vessel, with the prior Shipmaster encountering the Leonis as he vacated his stateroom. Avathis has already proven to be a skilled commander in combat, directing her vessel and the larger fleet with impressive ability. At the battle of Apenta Malna, she engaged a traitor fleet which outnumbered the Nemean forces 3-1, winning a significant victory.

## Notable Quotes

"*Feth me. How many are like this?"
"There’s about a dozen bad spots, the length of the ship."
""If they go, this thing’ll slam shut like a book.... How’d it get this bad?"
"*Argos *is at least ten millennia old. You've put her through some things that would crush lesser ships. Slammed her down on the atmosphere, rammed her into Ork Kroozers. Most of your predecessors weren't gentle either. And between you and me, she’s not built to spec. There’s lots of places where the skin’s too thin and the bolts are just too small."
"You’re fething telling me they cut corners?"
"Yeah, they did. But these big cracks, it’s a good, clean break. I can fix that, you just… just go easy on her for a while. I can squeeze some more life out of her.*"
—Regulus Alkaios discusses the state of the *Argos* with Forgemaster Hephaestus