Ch. 861The Iron Hands' Love, Hate, and Grudges
Key Plot Points and Events
- Stunus, an Iron Hands Space Marine, has extensive cybernetic enhancements due to the Chapter's obsession with mechanical modifications.
- The Iron Hands' history and obsession with machinery are tied to the Primarch Fulgrim's betrayal and the birth of the Sapphire King daemon.
- The Sapphire King manipulates the Iron Hands' emotions, driving them to extreme flesh-replacement modifications and madness.
- In 460.M41, the Iron Hands face a Slaanesh trap on Gaodinia, where they are corrupted and possessed. Stunus leads them to overcome the Sapphire King's influence by embracing their rage.
- Centuries later, the Iron Hands remain unaware of Slaanesh's recent changes and prepare to face an unknown threat.
Character Developments
- Stunus: Stuggles with his emotions and cybernetic enhancements; ultimately embraces his rage to save his Chapter from corruption.
- Iron Father Christos: Falls to Slaanesh's corruption after witnessing the Gaodinian factory's horrors, assimilating with the facility and attacking his comrades.
- The Iron Hands: Struggle with their obsession with machinery and suppression of emotions, leading to corruption and possession.
Significant Themes
- The struggle between flesh and machinery, representing weakness and strength.
- The suppression of emotions and the consequences of extreme obsession.
- The influence of the past on present actions and beliefs.
- The role of rage and anger in overcoming corruption.
Character Interactions
- Stunus and the Iron Hands: Stunus leads his Chapter in embracing their fury to overcome the Sapphire King's influence.
- The Iron Hands and the Sapphire King: The daemon manipulates the Iron Hands' emotions, driving them to extreme flesh-replacement modifications and madness.
- The Iron Hands and the Emperor's Children/Slaanesh: The Iron Hands face off against Slaanesh cults and the Emperor's Children, leading to a chaotic battle on Gaodinia.