Vulkan He'stan - Aboard the Grim Scythe: During one quest, as just an exmaple of the valour required of the Forgefather, Vulkan He'stan's path led him from a world in the midst of the Zombie Plague, through the Black Nebula and finally to the Space Hulk codenamed the Grim Scythe. He'stan had needed help in tracking the derelict Space Hulk, for it had a disturbing habit of sliding into the Warp only to reappear hundreds or thousands of light years away. Answering his call for aid came Vulkan's Wrath, a Salamanders Strike Cruiser. Aboard was half of the Salamanders 3rd Company and a supporting squad of Terminators -- enough troops to risk boarding the drifting Space Hulk. Led by He'stan, it was not long before a single Boarding Torpedo smashed through the hull. Although now aboard, they were trapped in the twisted wreckage -- hunks of metal hull and bulkhead wrapped around their reinforced tube.With a hiss and flare, the Multi-Melta ate through beams and bulkhead alike, opening a vent into the darkness beyond. Waiting only long enough for the melted metal to solidify, Vulkan He'stan was the first through. The Terminators behind were revving their Chainfists, ready to enlarge the gap so their massive frames could fit through. Although he and the Space Marines that followed him could see in the dark with their auto-senses, it was out of habit that He'stan led the way with the glowing blade of the Spear of Vulkan.The only sound was their ceramite boots echoing on the grated decking. Before long, the boarding party had broken into a long corridor stretching into darkness. They advanced cautiously, for there were signs that the Space Hulk was not empty. For one, so much Warp-contamination clung about the vessel that the Auspex gave no readings, showing only a single pulsing heartbeat, as if the hulk itself was alive. He'stan had seen too much to believe that this was happenstance or coincidence. A thick, viscous substance dripped down the walls, and disturbing gurgles of sludge-like liquid could be heard moving in the network of pipes that ran along the hall's ceiling. He'stan recalled the horrors of the Zombie Plague and he warned his comrades of his fears: Plague Marines, or at least Renegades in service to the foul Lord of Decay.He'stan was searching for the Chthonic Hammer -- a mining ship that had been lost in the Warp at about the time of Vulkan's disappearance. He had reason to believe the Primarch had spent time aboard that ship, perhaps even aiding its search for rare metals. After much tracking, the Forgefather had reason to believe that ship formed part of the conglomerate of hulls that made up this enormous Space Hulk. What else he might find, He'stan did not rightfully know...but the profusion of pestilent moulds growing on the walls gave him strong indications. He halted before a heavily sealed blastdoor. Using hand signals only, he set the squads in fire-breather formation -- a tactical deployment that led with a Heavy Flamer and kept strong fire support to the front and rear. At his signal, the Terminators stepped forward, Chainfists sending up sparks as they cut into the solid ceramite. It was, thought He'stan, the perfect place for an ambush. Soon the ancient ship was filled with the sound of Bolter fire and the sibilant hissing of Heavy Flamers. The battle of the Grim Scythe had begun...just another step in the quest to discover Vulkan's legacy, and ensure his return.