The 53rd acknowledges the warband's effort to assist the campaign, but my feeling is that they do not go far enough.
Commissar Dukane, Vox Intercept VIII (Dukane's Arrival)
Commissar Dukane is a leader of the famed Steelheads, a Branx-born Moebian 53rd Regiment. She states that she's taking control of the war efforts in Tertium and has been working with Searant Major Morrow directly to do so.
The leader's of the Inquisition aren't keen on Dukane's arrival aboard the Mourningstar. Interrogator Rannick keeps her at arm's length and Explicator Zola remains elusive and occupied with her own pursuits. Inquisitor Grendyl, of course, continues to do as they do and hasn't been in contact with the Commissar. So Dukane is left to work with Sergeant Major Morrow and their rejects in a more direct fashion.
Commissar Dukane believes in firm, swift, decisive action, striking at the heart of the traitor forces and ensuring each mission takes the maximum toll on the enemy. An uncompromising taskmaster, she demands the best from all her charges, rewarding those she deems worthy with yet more perilous missions, or as she might say, opportunities for greatness. (Havoc Mode)
Dev Blogs[]
Only in Death Does Duty End[] |
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| The release of Unlocked and Loaded brought a new face to the Mourningstar. Commissar Darinda Dukane has assumed command of the Moebian 53rd regiment - the famed Steelheads. These stalwart troops have been deployed to Tertium at the behest of the Planetary Governor, Lord Margrave, who is disturbed by the perceived lack of progress made by the Inquisition.
But what is a Commissar of the Astra Militarum? The Commissars of the Officio Prefectus are fearsome, iron-fisted authoritarians who keep the wheels of the Astra Militarum in motion. To the masses of Humanity, most of whom recognise the black greatcoat, peaked cap and polished boots of a Commissar from hab-block propaganda frescoes or grainy recruitment vids, these inflexible men and women are Imperial authority made manifest. Their amorphous remit is to ensure that all do their duty in the Emperor’s name, and the high rank and wide-ranging powers of these Departmento Munitorum agents give them leeway to enforce discipline at all levels. Should discipline and morale falter, should orders fail to be obeyed in anything less than exemplary and immediate fashion, it is these ruthless men and women in black who take whatever steps necessary to restore order – no matter the cost. A Commanding Presence Commissars rarely assume direct command of a regiment and the circumstances by which Commissar Dukane came to head up the 53rd remain shrouded in mystery - or are at least snarled up in the processes of the Imperium’s infamous bureaucracy. However, it is plain that she enjoys the full confidence of the sectors lord militant, and has swiftly moved to assume immediate control of the Atoman warzone, masterminding aggressive deployments by the 53rd and rallying the winnowed survivors of the Moebian 21st - until now, the only official Astra Militarum presence in Tertium. Uneasy Allies With initial drop zones secured, Dukane has taken station on the Mourningstar and even now casts a suspicious eye over Grendyl’s warband, whose motives and masters she clearly does not trust. Nonetheless, she is too practical not to recognise the necessity of allies and has assigned the finest drill sergeants of the 53rd to tutor the rejects in proper weapons drill. Expendable allies they might be, but every heretic the members of the warband eliminates is one less heretic to stand in her path. But not everything is going Dukane’s way. Tertium’s insidious cult refuses to let this upstart newcomer foil their long-held plans. Even as the 53rd secures new ground the heretics prepare to strike a humbling blow, presenting Sergeant-Major Morrow with an opportunity to prove the warband’s worth… |
Dukane's Journal I & II[] |
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Commissar Report I[] |
| MILITARUM WARZONE MISSIVE ALPHA-ONE
TO: Astra Militarum (Moebian) Command Staff FROM: Dukane, D. Commissar ++via astro-node x-sym-226-aleph++ |
| My honoured lords militant. I am now in rapid transit to the capital world Atoma Prime, lacking as I am updated orders from you. I intend to build upon the instructions you have already blessed me with, which is to say to inject fire and disciplined determination into our beleaguered forces in the face of this wretched traitor uprising.
There is no time to regroup for direct consultation. In the last few months (relative) the Traitorous 6th have committed sundry crimes of violence and treachery across the Domain. This would be unacceptable from any adversary, but when this horror is perpetrated by soldiers of the Astra Militarum, it is a crime and an outrage against our highest honour. I do not have the words to express my disgust. These were our own people. The 53rd Steelheads are proud soldiers, impeccable in their loyalty. Moreover, as I need not remind you, they are Branx-born. Like their birth world, they are young and aspirational. Atoma Prime has ruled the Domain for too long. It has grown fat and lazy, and slumped into privileged corruption. How else can one explain the gross deviation of their infamous 6th? Atoma, and the Lord Margrave, has allowed this treason to breed. Yes, Atoma must be freed and delivered. Yes, the traitors must be expunged without delay. But beyond that, I believe that the ancient hive must be soundly purged. The uprising must be put down and the enemy eradicated, but the soil from which this infamy sprang must also be cleansed with fire. It must be the Astra Militarum that achieves this. I trust, my lords, that you will concur with my intent. The direct military deployment of the Steelheads, their honour bruised and their pride mauled, is the most expedient solution, and it is the most just. Let us clean our own house. Let the Guard restore its own dignity. I am told, by coded transmission, that an Inquisitorial warband leads the reclamation effort on Atoma. On the one hand, I am reassured by this. On the other, I am dismayed by the lack of material strength. A warband is merely paramilitary. This outrage requires a response of the full force of the Astra Militarum on a formal war footing. Rest assured that, under my direction, the 53rd will execute the matter with the strictest and most steadfast discipline, a credit to the Throne and the Aquila banner. I invite your response and instruction, but until any such is received, I will press on with my intent as stated above and bring legitimate war and restored honour to the hive of Atoma. The Emperor protects, and the Guard prevails. [affirmed by my sigil] - Dukane. |
Commissar Report II[] |
| MILITARUM WARZONE MISSIVE ALPHA-TWO
TO: Astra Militarum (Moebian) Command Staff FROM: Dukane, D. Commissar ++via astro-node z-ki-787-talos++ |
| My honoured lords militant. Upon Atoma, in the great and ancient hive of Tertium, things are worse than we feared. The Traitor forces, all soldiers of the once vaunted Moebian 6th, now deplorably transformed by heresy and corruption, have wrought great damage and hardship and, further, have claimed significant areas of territory.
I have conferred with the Inquisitorial undertaking, in the person of one Rannick (though not directly with their Inquisitor himself, an individual known as Grendyl). I fear this Grendyl may be trying to keep me and the Steelheads at arm’s length, out of concern that we might fall as the 6th fell. The Ordos clearly have little faith in the Astra Militarum. Rannick, for his part, insists to me that the corruption of the very Warp itself has lodged within the hearts of the traitors, and that we face a foe empowered by forces beyond mortal limit. I remain unconvinced. I believe we face an enemy driven by disdain, by privation, and by idolatry, and an enemy that has been allowed to breed thanks to the venal weakness of a hive and a ruling society that has fallen prey to its own luxuriating entitlement. I have declared to Rannick that the Steelheads are born of greater mettle, and thus can be fully trusted, for they are not prey to such infantile whimsy. Of the Inquisitorial warband itself, I have little to remark. They are, for the most part, thugs and rejects, who seem little better or more disciplined than the very traitors we combat. They are ill-tempered, and regulation-shy. They are not soldiers, and they certainly lack the numerical strength to achieve any lasting compliance. Further, their loyalty to the Throne appears shabby and forced, not bright and willing as is the case with the Astra Militarum Steelheads. I will, in fairness and balance, record that this “warband” has fought hard and at great cost thus far, achieving some gains against the enemy. But it is not enough, and they are not enough, and I fear that their morale will soon snap as thoroughly as the loyalty of the Traitorous 6th. I will take field command of their endeavours, and have my trusted sergeants train their rabble squads to something approaching military composure. This is a perilous situation. For all its wrongs and its canker, Atoma cannot be allowed to fall and give this enemy a foothold in the Domain. The Emperor protects, and in his name, the Steelheads will prevail. [affirmed by my sigil] - Dukane. |
Dukane's Journal III & IV[] |
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Commissar Report III[] |
| MILITARUM WARZONE MISSIVE ALPHA-THREE
TO: Astra Militarum (Moebian) Command Staff FROM: Dukane, D. Commissar ++via astro-node y-kappa-331-sigma++ |
| My honoured lords militant. I am now in rapid transit to the capital world Atoma Prime, lacking as I am updated orders from you. I intend to build upon the instructions you have already blessed me with, which is to say to inject fire and disciplined determination into our beleaguered forces in the face of this wretched traitor uprising.
There is no time to regroup for direct consultation. In the last few months (relative) the Traitorous 6th have committed sundry crimes of violence and treachery across the Domain. This would be unacceptable from any adversary, but when this horror is perpetrated by soldiers of the Astra Militarum, it is a crime and an outrage against our highest honour. I do not have the words to express my disgust. These were our own people. The 53rd Steelheads are proud soldiers, impeccable in their loyalty. Moreover, as I need not remind you, they are Branx-born. Like their birth world, they are young and aspirational. Atoma Prime has ruled the Domain for too long. It has grown fat and lazy, and slumped into privileged corruption. How else can one explain the gross deviation of their infamous 6th? Atoma, and the Lord Margrave, has allowed this treason to breed. Yes, Atoma must be freed and delivered. Yes, the traitors must be expunged without delay. But beyond that, I believe that the ancient hive must be soundly purged. The uprising must be put down and the enemy eradicated, but the soil from which this infamy sprang must also be cleansed with fire. It must be the Astra Militarum that achieves this. I trust, my lords, that you will concur with my intent. The direct military deployment of the Steelheads, their honour bruised and their pride mauled, is the most expedient solution, and it is the most just. Let us clean our own house. Let the Guard restore its own dignity. I am told, by coded transmission, that an Inquisitorial warband leads the reclamation effort on Atoma. On the one hand, I am reassured by this. On the other, I am dismayed by the lack of material strength. A warband is merely paramilitary. This outrage requires a response of the full force of the Astra Militarum on a formal war footing. Rest assured that, under my direction, the 53rd will execute the matter with the strictest and most steadfast discipline, a credit to the Throne and the Aquila banner. I invite your response and instruction, but until any such is received, I will press on with my intent as stated above and bring legitimate war and restored honour to the hive of Atoma. The Emperor protects, and the Guard prevails. [affirmed by my sigil] - Dukane. |
Commissar Report IV[] |
| MILITARUM WARZONE MISSIVE ALPHA-FOUR
TO: Astra Militarum (Moebian) Command Staff FROM: Dukane, D. Commissar ++via astro-node z-rho-773-gamma++ |
| My honoured lords militant. The war for Atoma continues. Though its cost remains high, be assured that the 53rd are resolved to restore the God-Emperor’s light to this benighted world.
I must inform you that Intelligence has revealed that the Traitorous 6th are supplemented by some miserable internal force, deemed to be a heretical cult, that has arisen within the hive. The existence and operation of this cult, known as the Admonition, offers proof of my suspicions that corruption has been allowed to brew in Tertium for some considerable age. The ruling powers including, I am sure, the Lord Margrave himself, our Lord Moebian, have allowed this delinquency to fester, either through weakness or indolent ignorance. Such are the vile teachings and preachings of these heretics, it seems to me no wonder that battle-weary troops, such as the 6th, having been worn down by thankless tours on the Fringe Worlds, are rendered helpless and susceptible to toxic ideas. I implore you, my lords, we require further Astra Militarum assets here. The Guard can contain this blasphemy, but we need reinforcement. Further regimental portions, from Inchron and Branx Magna perhaps, must be dispatched with haste, by your good graces. Regardless, we will press on, our courage undiminished, and seek to make gains in conjunction with the warband rabble. Though their overall aspect remains unimpressive, there are those among them who show promise. Atoma will need many more of their ilk before victory is ours. [affirmed by my sigil] - Dukane. |
Quotes[]
Morrow speaks to Operative directly when walking past Commissar Dukane for the first time on an Operative.
- Morrow: You'll have seen by now that we have a new face aboard the Mourningstar. My advice? Keep your head down and let it play out as business as usual.
- Morrow: "Good" and "Bad" don't come into it when you're dealing with a comissar. We're all just meat for the grinder.
- Morrow: But if you want to live long enough to even MAKE it to that grinder, keep your opinions to yourself.
- Morrow: I might let you backchat me, but if you do that with Dukane you won't even see the bullet that kills you.
- Morrow: And if anyone asks ... you never heard this from me. Got it?
Mourningstar Vox Chatter[]
Morrow[]
- Dukane: Sergeant-Major, I require access to the strategium. Has it been attended to?
- Morrow: We should have the correct crypt-key clearances in place, ma'am. I'll get it confirmed.
- Dukane: See that you do.
- Dukane: The 53rd acknowledges the warband's effort to assist the campaign, but my feeling is that they do not go far enough.
- Morrow: Mine too, ma'am. I'll meet with your adjutants. We'll see what can be done.
- Dukane: Do so swiftly. I am not a patient woman.
- Morrow: Right you are, ma'am.
- Dukane: You've been a long time from Armageddon, sergeant.
- Morrow: Have I? To be honest, I can't say that I've really noticed.
- Dukane: Surely you yearn to be part of a true military command, rather than ... whatever this is?
- Morrow: You making me an offer, ma'am?
- Dukane: Not as yet. But we shall see.
- Dukane: I am still waiting for Explicator Zola to present herself to me.
- Morrow: Yes ma'am. Working on it, ma'am. I'll have her report at the earliest opportunity.
- Dukane: See that you do.
- Morrow: [Sotto] If only it was up to me ...
- Dukane: Just how did you find yourself in Inquisitor Grendyl's service, sergeant-major?
- Morrow: Well ... The way I see it if the Inquisitor hasn't seen fit to tell you, I probably shouldn't. Sorry, ma'am.
- Dukane: I see.
- Dukane: I've been reviewing your record, sergeant-major. Large sections of it appear to be ... missing.
- Morrow: Probably just data-gremlins. ma'am. Back on Armageddon, things got a big(bit?*) tricky during the final days of the war.
- Dukane: Which war was that, exactly?
- Morrow: There's only one Battle for Armageddon that matters, ma'am.
- Morrow: Commissar? You asked me to tell you when the command uplink was working again?
- Dukane: Excellent. I'm on my way.
- Morrow: Yeah, well ... I'm afraid the system's still down. The Interrogator suggested you speak to Enginseer Kayex to arrange a stopgap.
- Dukane: What kind of a war are you prosecuting here?
- Morrow: The only one we can, ma'am. However we can.
- Morrow: Commissar? If the supply situation continues to worsen you'd do well to talk to Commodore Hallowette. She has a good line on that stuff.
- Dukane: Let us hope such measures do not become necessary. This is a military campaign, not some privateer's hobby.
- Morrow: [Sotto] Yeah, the rest of us used to think that and all.
Idle Conversation[]
Overseer Marsett
- Dukane: Where are my strike teams? We require additional support.
- Overseer Marsett: I relayed your request to Interrogator Rannick.
- Dukane: I do not make "requests". I issue instructions. I expect them to be carried out.
- Overseer Marsett: I made certain to relay that also.
- Dukane: Is there any report from Battlezone 12?
- Overseer Marsett: Not so I have heard, ma'am. But then ... the entire sector is cut off. I fear the worst.
- Dukane: Martyrs all. They will be remembered.
- Overseer Marsett: The Battlegroup has engaged in Sector Twelve. Knight Commander Dragor reports ... significant enemy casualties.
- Dukane: I am sure he does. He has a tendenct to count every dead heretic at least twice.
- Overseer Marsett: Even so ... the tally is rather impressive, ma'am.
- Dukane: For all his bluster, he is a true soldier. The Imperium could use more like him. This Warband doubly so.
- Dukane: Interrogator Rannick instructed you to spy on me, did he not?
- Overseer Marsett: It is not for me to speak for the interrogator. I am to provide you every courtesy ... ma'am.
- Dukane: Yes ... most convincing.
- Dukane: The cultists keep coming in greater numbers. (approximate from memory)
- Overseer Marsett: And they keep dying. Better they do so where we can see them.
- Dukane: Yes ... perhaps. (approximate from memory)
- Dukane: These Rejects make for a poor army.
- Overseer Marsett: They may yet surprise you, ma'am.
- Dukane: I do not care for surprises. I strive ever for certainty.
- Overseer Marsett: Of course, ma'am.
Guardsmen
- Guardsman Pragg: I hear that Knight Commander Dragor's making a real mess of the heretics.
- Guardsman Harket: Proper officer, him, standing his turn on the front lines.
- Guardsman Pragg: Not like us, you mean?
- Guardsman Harket: That's different. We're not officers. We go where we're told.
- Dukane: If you prefer to be assigned latrine duty, keep talking.*Dukane: Through Steel, Salvation.
- Guardsman Harket & Pragg: (simultaneously) Through Steel, Salvation.
See Also[]
- Vox Intercept VIII - Dukane's Arrival
- Commissar Report I & II - Dukane's journal
- Only in Death Does Duty End - Dev Blog
- Narrative Trailer | Unlocked and Loaded
- Tertium Tales: Training Day
- Introduction to Havoc Game Mode - Dev Blog
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
Voiced by Rebecca Hanssen.