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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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Giant fortresses orbit desolate worlds at the edge of the galaxy, keeping constant vigil over possible xenos forces. There are also several secret bases spread throughout the [[Imperium]], which provide a launch site for their [[crusades]].
The warriors who fight are given the honour of painting their armour black (to show their service to the [[Emperor]]), while leaving one shoulder pad with the original insignia of the Chapter from which the marine came. Although the armour is painted black, it is never all painted black as this action would dishonour the armour's [[Machine Spirit]]. They also are equipped with a new shoulder pad with the symbol of Deathwatch onto their other side. Once in the employ of the Deathwatch, there is no set length of time for service, rather it is as long as the commander deems necessary. Each Space Marine may serve a discrete amount of time, or for the duration of a mission, which may be a number of years. Once the mission is complete, the Space Marine is allowed to return to his chapter, under an oath of silence, as their honour duty has been fulfilled.
The orders of the Deathwatch are not merely the cleansing of xenos cultures. They also include the recovery and study of alien devices and artifacts. Sometimes it is necessary to use a weapon against the enemy who created it, although this is not taken lightly. The Deathwatch are constantly vigilant for sabotage, or to advise if it is truly safe to use a weapon of xenos origin. The [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] are always on the lookout for alien technology; the [[C'tan Phase Weapon|C'tan Phase Sword]], used by the [[Callidus Temple|Callidus assassin]] was recovered from a [[Necron]] tomb world and successfully integrated into the arsenal of the Imperium.
Usually, a Deathwatch team is led by an [[Inquisitor]], but in extreme circumstances, a Deathwatch [[Captain]] or [[Librarian]] may take command of the unit. Their word is law, and can requisition anything they desire to get the job done. They are the best armed and trained units in the Imperium. They might be deployed in areas where conventional methods are insufficient or if the troops available are not properly equipped or trained for the task. The presence of a Deathwatch team is always welcomed, even though they are feared by all those who know of them.
==Note==
Though strongly against their [[Primarch's]] [[Codex Astartes]] doctrines, most [[Space Marines]] in the Deathwatch are [[Ultramarines]] since they have superior experience in battling [[Tyranids]]. The outcome is another 'anti-xenos' organization called the [[Tyranid War Veterans]], a group with only Ultramarines in it.
==Notable Members==
