“You see, Anderson, by advancing along the flank unsupported in the dark, I could attack them completely by surprise. They never expect that!”
++++ THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The truly heroic trust in blind faith ++++
Bickersteth was born on Merewald, a somewhat backward planet where everything appears to run on steam and cups of tea. Even after years of service on plasma-fuelled interstellar starships, he still refers to anything not entirely mechanical as “electricity”, and avoids having anything to do with it. In similar fashion he considers Chaos fanatics “unsporting” and the Eldar “tricky little blighters”.
Like many of the noble families on Merewald, House Bickersteth is descended from Lord Captain Seraiah Visick, who rediscovered the planet some centuries ago. Visick himself claimed descent from Saint Vanessa of Pascoe - a woman of surpassing purity who faced the lure of the Ruinous Powers throughout her life, and never once succumbed to their promises of earthly pleasures. Is the story true? Does Bickersteth really have the blood of a Saint in his veins? How accurate were the frescoes aboard the Temptation of Saint Vanessa? Only time will tell.
In the field, he attempts to command the small remaining contingent from the Confidence. What actually happens is that he and Commissar “Chalkie” White look dashing, drink tea, and eat custard creams, while Lieutenant Anderson carries all the guns and gives some semblance of following orders. (All of the other survivors are in a Navy tribunal at present.) The arrangement has worked well so far, and obviates the need for Bickersteth to know anything about military matters - or indeed anything else.
Chalkie and Bickers Hit the Ground
Their first ground mission on Kagg's World achieved its objective very satisfactorily, and apart from a scar or two they all got out unharmed. They have, however, learned that being “polite but firm” is not very effective on psykers...
Chalkie and Bickers Take Charge
The second mission, on [REDACTED], was also completed successfully. Being the ranking officer in the group, Bickersteth was put in overall command, led the ground troops into battle, and earned a commendation from [CLEARANCE LEVEL THETA]. Perhaps he will one day live up to his Saintly ancestor's example of duty and purity...
Bickers Gets in Trouble
On the third mission, Bickersteth and Anderson had to face a dastardly plot without White to back them up. Bickersteth faced some criticism from other Navy and Navigators, and got in a couple of tight scrapes. However, he avoided being shot, eviscerated, burned at the stake, and even being executed for incompetence - clearly thanks to the Emperor's protection...
PIRATE HAT, SINGLE!
- Keep up the good show old boy! --Drac