Chapter Summaries

Rorschach and Thor found the Space Hulk’s core chamber and confirmed the Shipborne Machine Spirit was still there, though it was too complex for them to dismantle. After they returned to camp to celebrate, the system began to reactivate and announced that Cortana was about to return.

• Rorschach and Thor reached the core chamber, where they found the Shipborne Machine Spirit surrounded by repair Servitors and the remains of Fleet Lord Shekhz.
• Rorschach scanned Shekhz and confirmed he showed no signs of life, then ordered Abominants to guard the chamber until his technocrats could handle the machine spirit.
• Rorschach and Thor celebrated beneath a cliff, and Thor said he would visit Jane before returning to stay with Rorschach.
• Rorschach told Thor about recent changes at Kamar-Taj, but the two drank, ate, and traded jokes instead of discussing magical advice.
• The Cerebrus System began emitting signs of activity and reported system failures, detected the Adeptus Mechanicus legion, and announced that Cortana was about to return.

Rorschach welcomed the last members of his team and the captured Natasha and her companions to Twin Islands, then assigned urgent work to expand the base. He planned how to acquire and safely use Astartes genetic technology, leaving the future of his forces dependent on the Simulator and the risks of Gene-seed contamination.

• Thor left Eldest Son Island with a Phase Sword that Rorschach gave him after warning him about its dangers.
• Rorschach welcomed the arriving team members and brought Natasha and the other hostages into the camp, where they could work or remain in their quarters.
• During a roundtable barbecue, Rorschach gave Raditus a quota to build ten thousand Auto-Servitor Robots and told it about the Shipborne Machine Spirit, the Space Hulk, and its technological relics.
• Rorschach assigned Jessica to help Magnan clear the Forge Factory on Second Son Island and supervise Raditus, while Iron Man David reminded them that the island lacked basic accommodations.
• Rorschach explained his plans to study the Star Knights' remains with Teacher Connors and pursue genetic technology, while weighing Gene-seed contamination and the possibility of obtaining Astartes through the Simulator.

Rorschach planned to equip the gang dogs as an Elite Stormtrooper squad while preparing for threats that could endanger Earth. During a late-night conversation, he explained to Natasha why he avoided competing for power and instead worked toward humanity’s future, ending by asking what might happen if Earth united.

• Connors began studying the Astartes remains with help from Iron Man David.
• Rorschach planned to replace the gang dogs’ equipment and eventually build modular powered armor for an Elite Stormtrooper squad.
• Rorschach and Iron Man David discussed the Twin Islands Base, which David expected to be operational within two months.
• Natasha approached Rorschach at night, and he warned her against trying to escape Twin Islands.
• Natasha asked why Rorschach concealed his power, and Rorschach cited Earth’s many supernatural, alien, and cosmic threats as reasons to focus on humanity’s future.
• Rorschach asked Natasha to consider the power Earth could wield if its nations and forces united.

Rorschach confronted Raditus over neglecting the Forge Factory, but the Space Hulk’s Shipborne Machine Spirit Cortana activated and recognized him as its new Fleet Lord. After Cortana objected to Raditus’s handling of the wreck, Rorschach sent Raditus away and arranged energy and servitors to transfer Cortana.

• Rorschach visited the Space Hulk and told Raditus to finish its duties building the Forge Factory before continuing to excavate relics.
• Raditus revealed that it had found a damaged Void Shield and urged Rorschach to let it study the wreck’s Shipborne Machine Spirit.
• Cortana contacted Rorschach, confirmed his command authority after he pledged loyalty to the Emperor, and offered to transfer itself with servitors and a stable energy supply.
• Cortana objected to Raditus’s treatment of the wreck and crewmen’s remains, so Rorschach arranged for Iron Man David to deliver Arc Reactors.
• Rorschach told Raditus to leave and build its own territory, and Raditus began moving the excavated relics before quietly returning to the worksite.

Cortana was repaired and brought into Twin Islands Base, while Rorschach and Iron Man David weighed how much authority to give her. A month later, the base was nearing completion and Rorschach was training the Gang dogs as elite stormtroopers when David brought news that Old John and Bucky’s operation in Japan had ended and criminal organizations were stirring again.

• Iron Man David confirmed to Rorschach that Cortana was an Artificial Intelligence loyal to the Imperium and The Emperor.
• Cortana used Auto-Servitor Robots and salvaged materials to repair herself and build a mobile metal body, then offered to help develop the base and organize relics.
• Iron Man David completed Connors's biological laboratory as Raditus built the Forge Factory and an Auto-Servitor Robot production line.
• Over the next month, Twin Islands Base stabilized, and Raditus began adapting Auto-Servitor Robots for underwater mining while Rorschach trained the Gang dogs using his Elite Stormtrooper Combat Manual.
• Iron Man David told Rorschach that Old John and Bucky's operation had ended, the Yashida Clan controlled nearly all of Japan, and criminal organizations were becoming active again after S.H.I.E.L.D. supposedly destroyed the Terra Astartes Legion.

Rorschach ordered his base to lie low while renaming its operations the Justice League, and he checked on Raditus’s work at the Forge Factory. Raditus explained that raw materials were delaying auxiliary Power Armor production and proposed using Jessica’s pet to uncover seabed minerals.

• Iron Man David reported that S.H.I.E.L.D. still suspected the Terra Astartes Legion’s destruction and that Steve Rogers was assembling the Howling Commandos.
• Rorschach told David to help Rogers if needed, leave S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra alone while their planted plans developed, and monitor Leviathan under the Justice League name.
• Rorschach visited the Forge Factory, where Raditus was dismantling a Thunderhawk Gunship and a Rhino while complaining about Jessica’s frequent visits.
• Raditus said a modular auxiliary Power Armor design was feasible but that a discreet supply of raw materials remained the main obstacle.
• Raditus asked for permission to use Jessica’s pet to uncover seabed minerals and also suggested repurposing Space Hulk metal and remelted Necron metal bodies.

Rorschach selected five exceptional Gang dogs to form a Stormtrooper squad and equipped them with Living Metal auxiliary Power Armor and Bolters. He began their training by challenging them to work together and defeat him, then vanished using Shadow Step.

• Rorschach arranged for Raditus to make five auxiliary Power Armor suits while Jessica recruited Magnan to mine for fifty pounds of candy a day.
• After half a month of training, Rorschach chose Craig, Horn, Gao Qi, Big Bane, and Little Bane as the five Stormtrooper candidates.
• Rorschach warned the five that their missions would be dangerous, and they refused his offer to return to the Gang dog force.
• Auto-Servitor Robots fitted the candidates with auxiliary Power Armor, and Rorschach demonstrated how its Living Metal could repair damage while explaining its limitations.
• Rorschach ordered the five to train by coordinating and attacking him until he called a halt, then used Shadow Step to disappear.

Rorschach trained against a Stormtrooper squad on Twin Islands, then learned what Iron Man David had uncovered about Leviathan. The investigation identified Leo as Mary McClaren, also known as Titania, a potential source of intelligence on the organization.

• Rorschach stopped Cortana's Abominants from attacking the Stormtrooper squad and established rules for their training drills.
• The Stormtroopers attacked Rorschach repeatedly, but he defeated them and coached them on their tactical mistakes.
• Rorschach paused the training when using Shadow Step began to strain his stamina, then sent the Stormtroopers to deal with the gang dog force and seek recruits.
• Iron Man David reported that Leviathan was influential in Europe, favored elite operatives, and had a prominent Zodiac member named Leo.
• Rorschach learned that Leo was Mary McClaren, who was also known as Titania.

Rorschach led a Stormtrooper squad on a covert mission to abduct Titania from a manor in Belgrade, Serbia. After discovering the manor held more dignitaries and guards than expected, the team began its raid under cover of a sudden blackout.

• Rorschach briefed the Stormtroopers that they had to infiltrate the manor and recover Titania alive, then assigned Craig to the Valkyrie, Chief to sniper support, and himself, Gao Qi, and the Bane Brothers to capture her.
• Iron Man David warned that the team had only forty minutes before Serbian forces could respond, and later estimated they had only twenty minutes because high-ranking officials were attending the manor banquet.
• Iron Man David piloted the stealthy Valkyrie into a forest near the manor and used an Automaton Bee to locate Titania, identifying her as a tall blonde woman in a silver gown.
• Rorschach led Gao Qi and the Bane Brothers toward the manor while Chief moved to find a sniper position.
• Rorschach ordered Iron Man David to cut the manor's power, and the Stormtroopers launched a three-pronged raid as the guests and guards were thrown into darkness and confusion.

Rorschach and the Stormtroopers attacked Titania at a manor banquet, where they discovered her overwhelming strength and fought to restrain her. As Titania’s ring began teleporting her away, Rorschach slashed at her shoulder with his Chainsword.

• Rorschach and the Stormtroopers stormed the manor and shot the bodyguards who resisted.
• Rorschach identified Titania among the fleeing banquet guests, and she sent Gao Qi flying with a punch.
• Bucket and Big Bane restrained Titania while Rorschach struck her in the forehead.
• Titania’s golden ring activated and began teleporting her, so Rorschach slashed at her left shoulder with his Chainsword.

Rorschach’s team captured the powerful Titania and escaped before Serbian military forces arrived. After treating Gao Qi’s injuries, Rorschach praised the team and ordered improvements to their tactics and equipment for restraining superpowered targets.

• Rorschach’s team severed Titania’s arm, subdued her, and carried the unconscious woman out of the banquet hall.
• Rorschach spared an old general who accused the outsiders of invading and warned him against trusting Leviathan’s Zodiac.
• Rorschach and Gao Qi reached the Valkyrie, where the Chief joined them before the aircraft took off as Serbian military units arrived.
• Rorschach and Big Bane restrained Titania aboard the Valkyrie, while Craig assessed Gao Qi’s injuries and said he would recover with a small amount of Resurrection Potion.
• Rorschach praised the team, reassured Gao Qi, and called for better combat methods and equipment to capture superpowered enemies.

Rorschach tortured Titania until she revealed what she knew about Leviathan’s teleportation technology and its foothold in Latveria. He and Iron Man David then considered taking advantage of the country’s unrest to seize it.

• Rorschach had Titania restrained and questioned her about Leviathan’s teleportation technology and headquarters.
• Titania identified Rorschach as part of the Terra Astartes Legion and refused to cooperate, but Rorschach threatened her with torture and repeated healing.
• After several procedures, Titania revealed that only Gemini knew the teleportation technology’s details and guessed it came from alien technology left on Earth.
• Titania told Rorschach that Leviathan had spent nearly twenty years installing the Harlin Family in Latveria, where resistance had risen against the incompetent and brutal rulers.
• Rorschach told Iron Man David about Latveria, and David suggested that stealing a country would be easier than governing one.

Rorschach convened a Roundtable Conference to discuss supporting Latveria’s resistance against the Harlin Family and Leviathan. The team agreed to contact the resistance and provide aid while keeping its forces out of open combat, and the conference ended with Old John sharing advice on supporting and managing local forces.

• Rorschach gathered Raditus and Jessica at the base hall and connected with Bucky and Old John in Japan.
• Rorschach announced plans to support Latveria’s resistance and eliminate the Harlin Family and its Leviathan backers.
• Bucky warned that action in Latveria could attract official forces, so Rorschach outlined a plan to supply the resistance while reserving covert operations for Stormtrooper squads.
• Bucky offered Mariko’s ninja force for covert operations, but Rorschach said the team would first make contact with the resistance and asked about the gathered orphans.
• Mariko reported that she and Old John had established separate Loyal Son Academies for boys and girls, and Rorschach reminded her that Old John’s harsh training had his approval.
• The attendees shared suggestions for the Latveria effort, and Old John advised them on balancing their treatment of local forces and keeping them in check after victory.

Rorschach prepared the Stormtrooper squad for a first meeting with Latveria’s resistance, bringing weapons and supplies intended to earn its trust. The group landed in the northern mountains and set out toward the resistance’s stronghold.

• Rorschach asked Raditus to produce grenades and portable adamantium handcuffs for future missions.
• Rorschach and Iron Man David studied information about Latveria’s resistance and planned their approach.
• Rorschach told the Stormtrooper squad to avoid killing ordinary enemies and explained that they were going to make first contact with the resistance.
• Iron Man David piloted the Valkyrie into Latveria and landed in a forest clearing far from the resistance’s location.
• Rorschach and the Stormtrooper squad left David to guard the Valkyrie and advanced toward the resistance through the mountains.

Rorschach’s squad reached the suspected resistance stronghold and found only a starving, poisoned boy, whom they rescued. When he mistook them for Harlin Family lackeys and tried to threaten them with a dud grenade, Rorschach reassured him and promised vengeance for his mother, leaving the boy sobbing.

• Rorschach led the Stormtroopers toward the resistance stronghold, but they found no sentries or signs of living people.
• Gao Qi and the Chief scouted ahead and discovered a boy who was barely breathing beneath a tree.
• Craig gave the malnourished boy a dose of Panacea and warned Rorschach that the resistance might be too weak to help.
• The boy woke, accused the squad of serving the Harlin Family, and raised a grenade before Craig took it and identified it as a dud.
• Rorschach told the boy they fought for humanity and promised to kill one hundred enemies in honor of his mother, prompting him to break down sobbing.

Rorschach learned that Latveria’s resistance was stranded in the mountains after its leader disappeared and its support dwindled. After rescuing Cain and meeting his sister Zola, he offered the resistance a chance to work with his group against the Harlin Family and Leviathan, and Zola agreed to take them to the resistance.

• Rorschach calmed the hungry Cain with a chocolate energy bar and learned that the boy carried messages for the resistance, whose supplies and communication routes had collapsed after its leader vanished.
• Rorschach’s group carried Cain through the forest in their Power Armor while he asked whether he could join them when he grew up.
• Zola attacked the group with a double-bladed War Spear and ordered Rorschach to put Cain down, but Cain explained that they had saved him and that Zola was his sister.
• Rorschach returned Zola’s weapon and offered to cooperate with the resistance to defeat the Harlin Family and Leviathan.
• Cain offered Zola some of his chocolate, easing her suspicions, and she invited Rorschach’s group to come with her.

Rorschach found the starving remnants of Latveria’s resistance and offered Zola help rescuing their leader, Victor von Doom, in exchange for loyalty. After Zola accepted, Rorschach began aiding the rebels and considered accelerating his Astartes enhancement procedure.

• Zola and Cain led Rorschach into the rebels’ cave stronghold, where the wary residents lowered their weapons after Zola introduced him as an ally.
• Zola told Rorschach that traitors had sold Victor to the Harlin Family, leaving the resistance defeated, starving, and nearly out of fighters after failed rescue attempts.
• Rorschach asked whether Zola’s people would still fight and offered to help rescue Victor in exchange for their loyalty to him and humanity.
• Zola accepted Rorschach’s terms and identified the resistance leader as Victor von Doom.
• Valkyrie left to escort Iron Man David’s supply transport, while Craig treated the sick and wounded with Panacea Capsules.
• Rorschach realized Latveria was Doctor Doom’s homeland and considered accelerating the Astartes procedure since he could not leave Earth.

Rorschach shared hunted meat with the rebel army, earning their trust, then began a simulation to consider his next moves. The simulation placed him aboard a Conqueror-class freighter in the body of a towering, bronze-skinned man, where he frightened a crewman into fainting.

• Rorschach and the others brought back a bear, elk, and rabbits to feed the rebel army while they waited for supplies.
• Rorschach distributed grilled meat to the rebels, then went to a nearby hill to meditate and plan.
• Rorschach started the Simulator and descended into the Warhammer Universe aboard a Conqueror-class armed freighter.
• Rorschach’s simulated self examined his unfamiliar body, found a Las pistol and a strange silver spear, and assembled the spear.
• A middle-aged crewman ordered Rorschach to work, and Rorschach’s menacing smile made him faint.

After learning that the sailors planned to mutiny, you killed Wald and took command of the Conqueror-class armed freighter. After clearing the ship of xenomorph threats and finding damaged Mark II Expeditionary Pattern Power Armor, you put it on and wondered who you were.

• You went to the lower decks and heard the sailors complain about Wald, their rations, and xenomorphs aboard the ship.
• You returned with Wald’s severed head, declared yourself captain, and promised fair duties and food to the sailors.
• You led the crew in clearing the ship, destroying hundreds of Gloom Shadows, Xenomorph Drill Worms, and a clutch of Zos Blood Locust eggs.
• You found damaged Mark II Expeditionary Pattern Power Armor among Wald’s cargo and, with help from trusted sailors, forced it on.
• You discovered that your body could endure the armor’s weight and wondered who you were.

After reaching Savol, the narrator traded the armed freighter’s cargo for supplies and Servitors, then discovered that Rangdan warships had invaded the planet. He seized the pale-skinned Rogue Trader and requisitioned his arms warehouse as the ships began destroying the starport.

• The narrator reached Savol, trained the freighter’s sailors, and paid a docking fee in Laser weapons for a temporary trade permit and berth.
• The narrator led the sailors into Savol’s bustling marketplace, where Xenos and humans traded weapons and other goods.
• The narrator found Vald’s trading contact, a pale-skinned Rogue Trader who raised the cargo price by ten percent and exchanged the arms for Servitors and five years’ worth of food.
• Big Head rushed into the shop and warned the narrator that Xenos were invading.
• The narrator saw Rangdan warships fill the sky as electromagnetic storms destroyed the ships docked at the starport.
• The narrator stopped the Rogue Trader from fleeing, revealed his bronze face, and declared that he was requisitioning the Rogue Trader’s arms warehouse.