(Best Quality — Ecclesiastical Mark VII/B)
Hidden deep within the biogenics vaults of the Ignis Aeternus lies one of its most eccentric and paradoxically revered components: the Sacred Albino Dove Cloning Apparatus—a cathedral-womb of flesh and steel that births flocks of pure white avians, purpose-grown for faith, sustenance, and defense.
This is no ordinary device. It is an arco-biotechnological miracle, a fusion of pre-Age of Apostasy gene-vats, choir-coded incubation naves, and a doctrine-looped litany sequencer designed by forgotten magi-biologians of the Adeptus Mechanicus Biologis sub-sect Suffusionists of Holy Flesh.
Clone-Hatchery Apparatus
The apparatus resembles a grotesquely sacred organ shrine, lined with bio-fluidic incubators and chrome-plated racks.
- Rows of transparent gestation tubes hang like censers, each one nurturing a developing albino dove within a clear amniotic glow.
- Servo-cherubim flutter silently overhead, checking hormone balances and hymn-purity levels, whispering catechisms into vox-nodes embedded in the artificial wombs.
- The doves are born flight-ready, feathered in luminous white, with eyes the shade of blood and beaks tipped in sacred oil.
The doves never age, nor do they breed. They exist solely to be used—in ritual, in defense, and in desperation.
Dispersal Mechanism: “Space the Doves”
At the climax of the ship’s void movement cycle, massive airlock hatches open with solemn mechanical elegance.
- Inside each hatch chamber lies a multi-tiered launch rack, shaped like a gothic reliquary-organ.
- With a deep chime, servo-trolleys release tens of thousands of doves, who are then catapulted into the void using low-impulse directional grav-propulsors.
- The action is known to the crew as the sacred rite: “Space the Doves”
As they stream forth in radiant swarms, their dense formation confuses enemy auspex systems, draws away incoming torpedoes, and disrupts the flight paths of attack craft. Their fluttering bodies and minor warp-halo signatures register as biological chaff, triggering premature detonations or interference with proximity sensors.
Combat Effect:
- +1 Turret Rating vs. Boarding Parties, Fighters, Bombers
- +3 Turret Rating vs. Torpedoes
(Effect lasts 1 void combat turn, usable twice per engagement at the end of the movement phase)
Sustain the Faithful – Nourishment from the Divine
As the Ignis Aeternus endures long warp voyages, many of the doves—those not launched in defense—are harvested, sanctified, and consumed.
- Their protein-rich flesh, when processed and blended into standard void mush, provides a caloric uplift and spiritual reinforcement far above ration baseline.
- The taste is faintly sweet and ozone-sharp—some claim it causes lucid dreams or visions of golden-winged seraphs.
Constant Effect:
- Doubles the time the ship can remain in the void without suffering morale loss due to extended voyage fatigue or ration degradation.
Ignis Aeternus WH 40K campaign notes 