Master of Mechanics, Fergus McFien

Background and Employment
Among the unorthodox, if indisputably effective decisions of the estimable Chapter Lord and Lady, the hiring of Fergus McFien stands high among them. An avowed alcoholic, professional irritant, and accused tech-heretic, he nonetheless remains a proud member of the Chapter Fortress staff, and an (as of yet) indispensable part of it's workings.

As is normal for an Astartes Chapter, a number of Techmarines are trained and installed at the Chapter home fortress on O'magudnis. However, being a Chapter devoted to the discovery and salvage of Golden Age artifacts, a large portion of these specialists are deployed with each Strike Team, Salvage Team, and of course, standard military operation. As such, the Chapter Lord and Lady faced a dilemma: their ever-growing collection of armored vehicles, artillery, and super-heavy tanks demanded attentive care, even beyond the standard overhaul repairs necessary after a full campaign. Additionally, the Chapter had already acquired a collection of massive, ancient vehicles, whose state required intensive engineering before they could ever dream of fielding them. The Techmarines who would normally be responsible for this were simply too few, too far afield, and on occasion, too physically large, to provide daily care and repair to their growing collection of war vehicles. The Chapter's legendarily strained relations with the Adeptus Mechanicus only served to exacerbate this situation.

The answer to this question of manpower came almost by accident. Being a Chapter with close relations to its home human population, the Chapter elite had long since established a program of training and hiring the local populace to handle low-priority Fortress maintenance and upkeep. Virtually all of the human population of the Chapter fortress, including its PDF detachments, were natives of O'Magudnis. As such, it made sense that some engineering work could be handled by these technicians and shift-workers. Originally, this did not include vehicle maintenance, until Fergus McFien made himself known to the Chapter higher-ups. His first recorded incident on record involved him, at the time of the janitorial staff, repairing a Typhon (Heavy Siege Tank)'s engine block, without orders or clearance to do so. By the time the Techmarine staff found him, the previously ancient and unusable engine was showing signs of life. McFien was nonplussed by the Astartes vehicle repair crew, or their threats over his clear overstep. To quote the initial incident report, he was smoking a small, foul-smelling cigar, and apparently stated: "Ah dain fixed yer engine, mucker. Nae mah faut ye cooldnae hack it." [sic]

After retrieving some local help to translate the statement, and all further vocalizations, the incident was pushed up the chain of command, with the attached note that he had, in fact, repaired an ancient and broken engine, of unfamiliar design and incredible size, in the time it had taken the overworked vehicle repair crew to go on break and return. After a short conference with the head of the Fortress Techmarine detachment, it was agreed that skilled labor from O'Magudnis would supplement the strained Astartes capabilities. Further, after interview with the Chapter Lord and Lady, McFien would be raised to their invented rank of Master of Mechanics, given his abilities and useful lack of social skill.

Of his civilian background, not much is known. His accent does bear similarity to that of the inhabitants of Finreht Three-Seven, supported by his proclivity for the garment known as 'kilts'. He has never responded to this line of questioning. The Chapter Lord and Lady ask only that he do his job, and wear issued pants while on base.

Career and Habits
The Chapter's decision to take on the foul-mouthed mechanic seem to be vindicated, if not directly in the way initially expected. While it is true that every vehicle in his care is more than up to spec, it is his style of management that continues to bother those outside the Chapter proper. First off, he has never given the slightest nod to the Cult of the Machine, their methods, or general philosophy towards his steel charges. He has, on several occasions, stated in firm tones that machines are truly just that: machines. When a tire needs replacing, he replaces it without ceremony, prayer, and frequently, while muttering profanities. Despite this heretical slant, he remains a superlative engineer and mechanic, capable of repairing and retrofitting nearly any Imperium-made vehicle, regardless of its age or complexity. Furthermore, his a byproduct of his hours spent with the Chapter's vehicle armory has led to a noted, and widely admired quirk: every vehicle McFien has tended to, he has given a woman's name. It is a frequent diversion among Marines returning from deployment, when delivering their war-vehicles back into McFien's care, to ask him the name of the individual tanks, scout vehicles, and mobile artillery pieces. Without fail, McFien will answer them the name he gave the vehicle in short order, apparently able to tell the difference between exactly identical specimens. This ability has given him a near legendary status, and solidified his position as Master of Mechanics. The rare downside of this unique talent has also earned McFien the respect of the Astartes of the Chapter. Many a Marine has returned from war, simple patrol, or a distant mission to find themselves the target of McFien's ire. Standing no more than five foot seven, his temper and outrage over the fate and treatment of his "ladies", has caused many a Marine to pale. This may have something to do with the fact that, despite his miniature comparative stature, he frequently wields all manner of power-wrench, cutting torch, and pneumatic jack, and frequently has one about his person. Whatever the reason, Chapter Marines give the garage a wide berth if possible, and make the delivery of battle-damaged vehicles the responsibility of junior Captains. Certain senior Marines have voiced their opinion that, given the choice, they would rather go to war without armor, than stare down the bristling temper of the red-faced Master of Mechanics. To quote the legendary High Captain D. Slu, "An Ork horde can only kill you. McFien can make you feel guilty about it."

Despite civilian training as a mechanic and engineer, McFien remains a hard-edged hire. While his success can be counted in every Land Raider sent on mission, and every Fellblade tank refurbished for service, his career and actions are a constant source of astonishment and amusement.

While no one could accuse him of slack work during the normal dawn-to-dusk hours, as soon as the last shift ends, McFien begins his legendary nightly routine. Consuming unheard of amounts of amasec for hours after, he can usually be found nightly, drunk and incoherent, in the Fortress repair garage. Most security servo-skulls have at some point captured video him stretched across a Chimera tank, the picture of slovenly intoxication, singing off-key. Despite the fact that most of his pay goes directly to amasec from the Fortress exchange, he invariable wakens hours before first shift, moving about the garage with explosive energy, no doubt due to the inconceivable amounts of recaff he drinks during the course of the normal day. According the the Apothecary staff, this habit should have killed him long ago, and yet he remains a tireless force, day after day. This habit does, thankfully, abate during larger-scale campaigns, where his energy is required for days at a time. During the wind-up for the Outlastian Campaign, he is credited with outfitting and re-checking every vehicle deployed from O'Magudnis, over the course of three days, without sleep. His resulting bender, after the Battle Barge Lobsters launched for war, is still a matter of myth and legend among Fortress personnel.

The one outstanding incident in his career, and the cause of most of the controversy over his continued employment (and freedom) follows as such:

During a cross-check of Chapter Dreadnoughts by a Adeptus Mechanicus task-group, McFien collided with a Skitarii squad in "his" garage. After a discussion concerning his expertise and the state of war-vehicles in his care, McFien became enraged and violent outbursts were reported from both sides. It should be noted before continuing, that the Skitarii were, in fact, armed - and that several Skitarii reportedly maneuvered their mechadendrites towards McFien, "in a threatening manner." The argument intensified from there. What little can be definitely said about the conflict is a fragment of McFien's tirade, as recorded by a security servo-skull:

"Ye buggers cannae un'erstand! These machines arenae holy vessels ay yer damn gear-god. They're ladies - yer gotta treat 'em proper! Only ye cannae un'erstand 'at, can' ye? Cause ye damn whacked off yer tackle for ye feckin' Omni-fecker!" [sic]

It is at this point that the Skitarii threatened McFien's life, even as he was carried off by several Astartes, still spitting and thrashing in his fury. It is also at this point that a full squad of Astartes Assault Captains, fresh from repairing their thunder hammers, intercepted the Skitarii, and ended the incident without bloodshed. The Captains reportedly told the enraged Skitarii commandos, in no uncertain terms, that McFien was a harmless bother, all in good fun, what a kidder, and no - they would not be seeing him later for an inquest into heresy. The Adeptus Mechanicus incident complaint makes unfair note that the Captains were all fully armored and wielding immense thunder hammers, as this was an unavoidable consequence of their meticulous maintenance, and could not reasonably be construed as being part of a threatening gesture on the Captains' part. By pure coincidence, no Skitarii squads have alighted on O'Magudnis since, preferring to stay in orbit.

Appearance and RP Resources
Standing at 5' 7", Fergus McFien does not present a formidable image. The Apothecary has been unable to precisely guess his age, roughly estimating him to be in his late 60s or 70s. Of course, due to the prevalence of life extending technologies in the Imperium, this could be off by as much as a half century. McFien has been less than forthcoming on this subject, one of several points of his background that his hidden behind his iron obstinance. Nevertheless, his red-and-grey hair and mustache are a signature all his own.

He is normally found in his work clothes, a one piece blue coverall, and ceramite-toed boots. The overalls are serially replaced, being slowly morphed into a greasy gray-black by his work in the repair garages. The number of pockets on and within these simple clothes in currently unknown, and has led some of the more imaginative members of the Chapter to call for investigation for Xenos pocket dimension technologies. Suffice to say that McFien can seemingly draw any number of objects from his stained uniform, from simple repair tools to cigar cases to inventory manifests.

While never a combat veteran to the Chapter's knowledge, and being on the slight side of fit, McFien does seem to be physically capable. While his borderline technical genius is well known, it is the mechanics and technicians under his command that know his tenacity. No one who has ever seen him take a 20 kilo rivet gun to a slab of ceramite armour would doubt it.

Gyrinx Familiar
Following a stopover by Ordo Xenos Inquisitor Baron Nagant, a rare and valuable Xenos animal escaped his custody within the Chapter fortress. It was later secretly adopted by Master McFien. It resembles a large Terran house-cat, or midsize wild feline, with tabby fur and blue eyes. As such, it's true nature escapes most people's notice. While keeping the creature in his office whenever possible, McFien has grown fond of the animal, in his own cantankerous way. He named it 'Mittens', under the pretext of keeping up the illusion of normalcy. He has not, as of yet, attempted to determine its gender.

Because of his new companion, McFien is subject to certain benefits not available to other humans. Gyrinx, being a psychic species, are often used by high-ranking Eldar as a familiar and psychic amplifier. This effect is mediated by close proximity, but powerfully effects speed of thought, reaction time, and all manner of psychic energy via an empathetic bond. As such, McFien, whatever his sobriety and state of mind, is instantly recharged during its presence, his thoughts turning white-hot, arcing from detail to detail with great speed and clarity. His skill with tools is also magnified, taking his mastery of Imperium technology to new and inventive heights, matching that of an Ork Mekboy in speed and ingenuity.

It would be equally apt to say that the creature adopted McFien in this way, creating a powerful kinship with the graying mechanic. As the bond works both ways, Mittens has grown to resemble its master in a number of ways, from its occasional torpidity, to its fierce and unexpected temper. It is even rumored to drink amasec from a bowl during McFien's frequent binges. It spends most of its days in or near the repair garages that McFien works in, usually well out of the way. It has on occasion leapt up on certain mechanics and ridden atop their shoulders or head for as long as allowed to. Being a large feline, it resists being dislodged rather well.

As far as nearly all Chapter personnel are cognizant, the Gyrinx escaped and disappeared a while ago, and was relegated to mere trivia. The fact that Master McFien adopted a large cat sometime thereafter did not manage to publicly raise any eyebrows. McFien continues to defend this secret fiercely, subjecting any who even hint at the creature's true nature to a bevy of deadly threats and damning blackmail. Mittens, for its part, takes threats to its master poorly, and being a wild animal, is a force to be reckoned with.

Notable Actions
While primarily among the Chapter's support personnel, McFien has been embedded on rare excursions and high-level missions. His file indicates a strong aversion to leaving Omagudnis, as well as atmospheric travel, space travel, warp travel, and active combat zones. Despite his total reluctance, he is nevertheless responsible for a few of the Chapter's more unusual and fascinating technical triumphs.
 * Modifying the Gellar field of a Chapter destroyer being pursued by an Ork vessel. McFien overloaded the field generator, causing the field to become visible to the naked eye, reportedly turning the destroyer Counterproductive bright red. Reportedly in an attempt to manipulate the Ork mob-mind into psychically accelerating the destroyer further. Purportedly a success, although the details differ between individual reports. See classified document The Roadtrip Logs for further details.
 * Arming Chapter Dreadnought Smirkeh with a side-mounted Thunderfire Cannon, and experimental Jump Pack. Prototype details and list of additional modifications available upon request to Chapter command.
 * Uncovering rogue Adeptus Mechanicus cell. [DETAILS REDACTED] See file The Visitation for details, clearance pending.