Iron Hands
The Iron Hands in the Battle for Velaraxis
The Iron Hands Legion, known for their cold, mechanical precision and disdain for weakness, have been deployed to Velaraxis as part of the Loyalist effort to seize control of the planet’s vast industrial and technological resources. The Iron Hands see the planet's critical Nexiumite reserves and xenos relics as key to strengthening the Imperium’s war machine. Their mission is to secure these resources while applying their brutal, methodical tactics to the ongoing war against the Traitors.
The Iron Hands have arrived on Velaraxis under the leadership of Iron Father Garran Tyros, a brutal and uncompromising warrior-priest of the Mechanicum-aligned Iron Hands. Tyros and his forces have been assigned to the northern hemisphere of the planet, where they are tasked with taking back control of several key mining operations that have fallen to the Dark Mechanicum and the Alpha Legion. In typical Iron Hands fashion, they are relentless in their pursuit of victory, relying on their enhanced bionics and advanced war machines to crush the enemy and restore the Emperor’s order to the planet.
Iron Hands' Strategic Goals on Velaraxis
For the Iron Hands, Velaraxis is not just another warzone. It is an opportunity to refine their war-fighting capabilities, to strip away any weakness, and to perfect the synthesis of man and machine in their ranks. They view the Traitors—particularly the Dark Mechanicum—as an abomination that must be purged. The planet's xenos relics and mechanized infrastructure represent both a danger and an opportunity to bolster their forces.
Seizing Mechanicum Assets: The Iron Hands are focused on securing Velaraxis’ rich Nexiumite mines and Mechanicum forges, believing these will be essential for producing the war machines needed to repel the Traitors and ensure the Imperium’s long-term survival. Their forces have reinforced mining outposts and begun restoring damaged refineries, often incorporating xenos technology in their weapons and armor, despite the dangers this poses.
Purging Weakness: True to their Legion’s philosophy, the Iron Hands see the chaos and disarray on Velaraxis as the result of human frailty. Under Iron Father Tyros, they have taken a hard-line stance on both enemy forces and even fellow Loyalists who they perceive as weak or ineffective. To the Iron Hands, survival of the fittest is not merely a belief—it is a law of existence, and they ruthlessly eliminate those they deem unworthy.
Eliminating the Dark Mechanicum: The Iron Hands are particularly fixated on the Dark Mechanicum, which they consider a vile perversion of the sacred bond between flesh and machine. Tyros has personally led assaults against Dark Mechanicum-held strongholds, targeting the heretical war machines and corrupted constructs that pose a threat to the purity of Imperial technology. They also seek to reclaim and sanctify the corrupted forges and machinery, purging them of their Warp-tainted influence.
Exploiting Xenos Technology: While many Loyalist forces are wary of the xenos relics buried within the planet, the Iron Hands are pragmatic. They recognize the power these relics could bring to the Imperium, provided they can be properly controlled and weaponized. However, this has put them at odds with the Imperial Fists and Dark Angels, who are more cautious about the dangers of xenos corruption.
Combat Doctrine of the Iron Hands on Velaraxis
The Iron Hands have brought with them their trademark blend of overwhelming firepower and implacable resilience. Their battle tactics emphasize heavy armor, advanced cybernetics, and brutal efficiency. Their forces often include heavily mechanized infantry, Dreadnoughts, and cybernetically enhanced Techmarines who integrate seamlessly with the forge worlds and mining colonies scattered across Velaraxis.
Key Tactical Elements:
Mechanized Assaults: The Iron Hands excel at warfare that requires extensive use of armored vehicles and heavy firepower. On Velaraxis, they have made use of Land Raiders, Sicaran battle tanks, and Contemptor Dreadnoughts to spearhead their attacks on Traitor-held positions, often employing devastating frontal assaults supported by long-range artillery.
Relentless Infantry: The Iron Hands favor cybernetically enhanced infantry who are equipped with advanced bionics, granting them enhanced strength, endurance, and firepower. In the narrow tunnels beneath Velaraxis, these infantry units—often led by Gorgon Terminators—engage in brutal, close-quarters combat, using their superior resilience to overwhelm Traitor forces. Their Medusan Immortals—elite, heavily-armored veterans—hold strategic locations with stoic, mechanical precision, standing firm in the face of even the most savage assaults.
Techmarines and the Mechanicum: Iron Hands Techmarines have been instrumental in restoring and operating the derelict mining equipment and war machines found across Velaraxis. These Techmarines are not only battlefield engineers but warriors in their own right, armed with servo-arms, plasma cutters, and advanced weaponry. They view the recovery and repurposing of the planet’s machinery as a sacred duty.
No Mercy for the Weak: True to their reputation, the Iron Hands show no mercy to their enemies, nor to their allies if they deem them inefficient. Their cold, calculated approach to warfare has led to several instances where they have refused to support weaker Loyalist forces, prioritizing their own objectives over the greater cause.
Notable Engagements
The Purging of Forge Delta-9: The Iron Hands were among the first Loyalist forces to launch a direct assault on Forge Delta-9, a Dark Mechanicum stronghold deep within the Acid Wastes. Iron Father Tyros led the assault, supported by multiple Contemptor Dreadnoughts and Gorgon Terminators. The battle was brutal, with the Iron Hands systematically dismantling the Traitors’ corrupted defenses and reclaiming key sections of the forge, though not without heavy casualties.
Battle for the Nexium Ridge: When the Iron Hands arrived to reinforce Loyalist defenses along Nexium Ridge, they quickly turned the tide of the battle against the World Eaters. Their heavily armored infantry and mechanized columns punched through Traitor lines, shattering their advance and securing critical mining facilities. The Iron Hands' cold efficiency and refusal to retreat saw them hold the ridge despite overwhelming odds, though their allies noted their lack of concern for the survival of nearby Loyalist forces.
The Alpha Legion Sabotage: The Alpha Legion have been a persistent thorn in the side of the Iron Hands, launching several covert operations to disrupt their efforts to repair key Mechanicum facilities. In one notable engagement, the Alpha Legion infiltrated a mining complex under Iron Hands control, planting explosives that crippled the facility. Though the Iron Hands responded swiftly and ruthlessly, they struggled to anticipate the Alpha Legion’s subterfuge, resulting in significant setbacks.
The Future of the Iron Hands on Velaraxis
The Iron Hands remain committed to their cold, methodical conquest of Velaraxis. For them, the war on Velaraxis is not just about survival but about proving the superiority of machine over flesh and the power of iron over weakness. As they continue to fortify their positions and exploit the planet’s resources, their uncompromising tactics are both a boon and a bane to the Loyalist cause. The Iron Hands will stop at nothing to crush the Traitor forces, even if it means sacrificing their allies—or themselves—in the process.