Diamondbacks

"Fear our fangs of rage!"

-Diamondbacks battle cry

The Diamondbacks are a loyalist Space Marine chapter created in the 36th millennium from the gene seed of the Imperial Fists. Their home world is a desert death world of Tejaz (pronounced Tayhahz), located in the western most reach of Segmentum Obscurus. Orbiting this planet are two moons, Austona and Alamus, which each have become a garrison outpost for the chapter. The planet itself has a population that consists of renegade outlaws and cut throat bandits, usually starting their criminal campaigns at an early age. These young boys are perfect candidates for recruitment by the Diamondbacks chaplains, who are known within the chapter as the Preacher Men.

The Diamondbacks follow the Codex Astartes, though not to the letter. They agree that the chapter should only have one thousand Space Marines, but they utilize five companies instead of ten, having a biker company named Rough Riders. The chapter also accepts the Primaris Marines, even going as far as giving the Reivers their own company known as the Mamba squads.

Not many battles are documented to have included the Diamondbacks, although one fleet based battle has been recorded in great detail. The Diamondbacks flagship, known as "Come and Take It", and a Gladius ship named "Don't Tread on Me" came into conflict with a fleet of World Eaters, though the exact location was unfortunately classified by the Inquisition. What went down was not certain; all that is known is that the Diamondbacks somehow survived the battle with little damage to their ships. What is also known is that their ammunition was hardly depleted at all, yet all the World Eaters ships were destroyed. This scenario makes sense, considering that the Diamondbacks are known for being one of, if not the, most accurate shots of any Astartes. This has made the Inquisition skeptical and suspicious of such skills, though they have never found any taint of Chaos within the chapter. They are so accurate with their shots that it is not uncommon for other Astartes chapters to ask to borrow some of their ammunition.

The chapter's signature weapon is the power whip, which they call Viper Tongues. They practice with these weapons upon Large Horns, which are giant horned predators on Tejaz. It is Diamondback tradition to have aspirants hunt down Large Horns in the desert wastelands and ravines of Tejaz with nothing but a power whip and a knife. Should he return with the head and pelt of the creature, they are then accepted as brother Astartes. Another tradition is an honor duel known as the Duel of Hot Irons, where two battle brothers will walk fifty pases from eachother and fire non lethal shots at one another, whoever lands the shot first is the winner.

The Diamondbacks tend to get along with other Imperial Fists chapters, such as the Black Templars and Crimson Fists, as well as Astartes from the Salamanders and Space Wolves. Even the Black Dragons find a friend in the Diamondbacks, who see their mutation as nothing more than a tool, and not a plight. They do not however, get along with the Inquisition, due to the Inquisition being suspicious of their marksman skills. The Angry Marines despise the Diamondbacks; in their own words, "These prissy pistol using faggots are using fucking aimbot!"

The chapter's colors are a base of black, with lime green added upon the pauldrons, face, and knee guards. These are then complimented with silver trim. The chapter's badge is a black spade with a lime green serpent upon it.

Famous individuals within the Diamondbacks chapter are as stated;

1rst Captain Alejandro Del Le Cruz, who is notorious for having the most accurate aim in the Diamondbacks, which says much considering that the Diamondbacks are one of the most accurate shots within all the Adeptus Astartes. His primary weapon is a bolt pistol which he calls simply "Lucky." His skills with Lucky are legendary, even among his brethren. He has been said in one account by one Diamondbacks scout that Alejandro stood against a massive swarm from Hive Fleet Kraken with a few of his lessers, and cut them down with only one bolt round per Tyranid. This deadly accuracy has earned Alejandro the title "The Death Dealer" by his fellow Diamondbacks.

Preacher Man "Willy" Gaboon, a chaplain with such a glare as to strike fear into any xenos he comes across.

Chief Librarian Dances with Adders, who calls upon the Emperor, who the Diamondbacks call the Big Man, to guide them in battle and in training.

Chapter Master Cash Wayne, who is perhaps the most dauntless of all the Diamondbacks. He has lead the chapter since the start of the 39th millennium.