The Space Marines of the Adeptus Astartes are blessed and entrusted with custodianship over some of the most potent war machines in the service of the Imperium. Most owe their origins to the Standard Template Construct system ( often abbreviated to STC ) of the all but forgotten Dark Age of Technology. Developed to supply colonists with reliable, easy to manufacture technology as humanity expanded into the cosmos, the basic STC designs later became the backbone of fighting vehicle patterns deployed during the Great Crusade. The standard Rhino hull is a prime example. It is one of the oldest STC designs still in use and provides the basis for many other armoured fighting vehicles , from whirlwinds to Predators to the Sisters of Battle Immolator.

帝國中某些最強大戰(zhàn)爭機器的監(jiān)護（使用）權(quán)，都被授予了阿斯塔特修會的星際戰(zhàn)士們，后者們也受其賜福。其中大部分裝備都起源于來自幾乎被人們遺忘的黑暗科技時代的標準化模板建造系統(tǒng)（通常被簡稱為STC）。隨著人類（的領土）拓張進入宇宙，該系統(tǒng)被開發(fā)出來用于向殖民地們提供可靠且易于制造的科技制品，這些基本STC設計之后成為了人類在大遠征時期部署的戰(zhàn)斗載具的（研發(fā)）基石。標準型犀牛車體底盤就是最鮮明的例子，它是仍在使用中的最古老STC設計之一，為其他很多裝甲戰(zhàn)斗載具提供了底盤，從旋風坦克到掠食者坦克，再到戰(zhàn)斗修女的不朽者運輸車，盡在其中。

Just as it can be said that the Great Crusade forged the Space Marines, it was the demands of fighting against a myriad of foes on every type of battlefield imaginable that created many of the Space Marines' most common fighting vehicles . At the time they were also not just restricted to use by the Space Marine Legions and there is evidence that the Imperial Army——the combined forerunner of the Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy——also used the same standard vehicles.

就像我們可以說是大遠征鑄就了星際戰(zhàn)士們那樣，也是在無法想象的所有類型戰(zhàn)場上對抗各種敵人的戰(zhàn)斗需求，創(chuàng)造出了星際戰(zhàn)士的大多數(shù)最常見戰(zhàn)斗載具。在當時，它們也并非僅限于星際戰(zhàn)士軍團使用，有證據(jù)表明帝國軍——帝國衛(wèi)隊與帝國海軍共同的先驅(qū)——也使用著同樣的標準化載具。

In the thousands of years since those legendary times many vehicle designs have been lost, and knowledge and science have become so debased that the Adeptus Mechanicus is unwilling to court the wrath of the Machine God by attempting to recreate them. STC patterns might be discovered, see considerable use and then fall into disfavour for a myriad of possible reasons. Recently discovered archives describe a battle tank used by the Space Marine Legions during the Great Crusade that is similar to one fielded in large numbers by the followers of the so - called?Blind King during the terrible wars of the Occlusiad of mid M37 for example.This medium sized, tracked vehicle was equipped with a remotely operated turret-mounted weapons system thought lost since the time of the Scouring , and outclassed many of the tanks fielded by the Imperium against the rogue Tech-Priests serving the Blind King.

在那段傳奇歲月之后的數(shù)千年中，很多載具設計都被遺失了，（相關的）知識技術(shù)也已經(jīng)變得極其下賤惡劣，以至于機械修會不愿意冒著惹怒萬機之神的風險去試圖重新創(chuàng)造他們。STC可能會被發(fā)現(xiàn)尋回，得到大量使用，然后因為無數(shù)種可能的原因被棄用。例如，新近發(fā)現(xiàn)的檔案文件中描述了星際戰(zhàn)士軍團在大遠征時期使用的某種戰(zhàn)斗坦克，而在M37中葉那恐怖的Occlusiad戰(zhàn)爭中，所謂“無明之王”的追隨者們就大量部署了類似的載具。此類中等尺寸的履帶載具上所安裝的遠程操控炮塔，（原本）被認為在大肅清時期便遺失了，其性能超越了人類帝國為了對抗那些服務于無明之王的非法技術(shù)神甫而部署的諸多坦克。

Some vehicles currently in use by the Adeptus Astartes, such the Land Raider , have been lost and then rediscovered, whilst other patterns have been handed down from generation to generation, for thousands of years , with very few changes. It is generally held that many other paterns aside from those used in the 41st Millennium?have existed , and may still exist on distant worlds Mankind reached during its earlier expansion across the galaxy.

阿斯塔特修會目前使用中的某些載具經(jīng)歷過遺失后再被重新發(fā)現(xiàn)的過程，例如蘭德掠奪者；而其他載具型號則是在數(shù)千年歲月中代代相傳，幾乎為發(fā)生過改變。人們普遍認為，除了那些在第41個千年仍被使用著的載具之外，其他很多型號的載具也曾存在過，而且它們可能仍然存在于遙遠世界上——人類曾在其遍布銀河各處的早期拓張中抵達過這些星球。

The Chapter Forges?

戰(zhàn)團鑄爐

Each Space Marine Chapter has its own base;a homeworld or space-borne fortress-monastery within which are various facilities such as the Chapters Apothecarion, Chapels and Armoury . Construction of most Space Marine vehicles takes place in the Chapter forges , each Chapter having an officer known as the Master of the Forge who is responsible for ensuring its armouries receive a steady supply of vehicles and munitions. This is a high ranking and honourable position amongst the Chapter Masters headquarters staf that reports directly to the Chapter Master and is supported by an extensive staff comprising Techmarines , Artificers , Servitors , Techno-mats and the forge's slave workers.

每個星際戰(zhàn)士戰(zhàn)團都有屬于自己的基地：一顆母星世界或一座艦基要塞修道院，其中包含著諸如戰(zhàn)團藥劑室、禮拜堂和武庫等多種設施。大部分星際戰(zhàn)士載具都由戰(zhàn)團鑄爐制造，每個戰(zhàn)團中都有一名被稱為“鑄造之主”的軍官，其負責確保戰(zhàn)團武庫獲得載具與彈藥的穩(wěn)定供應。在直接向戰(zhàn)團長匯報的戰(zhàn)團司令部中，鑄造之主享有可敬且崇高的地位，并由包含技術(shù)軍士、（凡人）工匠、機仆、技術(shù)（支援）團和鑄爐奴工在內(nèi)的大量人員對其進行支援。

Amongst their many duties, the Techmarines oversee the construction of new vehicle chassis , and although each Chapter has its own traditions and rituals of construction, they all folow a broadly similar pattern. The Chapter forges manufacture and assemble the required components, then the complete chassis——be it Rhino , Land Raider , Land Speeder , etc , is blessed and omens are read. Interpreting the omens indicates what specific type of vehicle is to be constructed from the metalic skeleton , so , for example , a Rhino chassis?may then be earmarked to become a Predator Annihilator , Razorback or Vindicator , and the vehicle is then returned to the forges to be completed.

在技術(shù)軍士的諸多職責中，就包括監(jiān)督新載具底盤的建造，盡管每個戰(zhàn)團都有自己的習俗和建造儀式，但他們都遵循著大體相同的模式。戰(zhàn)團鑄爐制造并組裝起所需的部件，之后完整的底盤（它可能是犀牛、蘭德掠奪者或蘭德速攻艇，等等）會被賜福并解讀預兆。對預兆的解讀，將表明這具金屬框架要被鑄造成哪種具體的載具種類。例如，一部犀牛底盤可能被指定為處決者型掠食者坦克、豪豬運兵車或維護者坦克，之后底盤將被送回鑄爐去完成載具制造工序。

Once any additional equipment required has been fitted , the Ceremonies?of Naming and Awakening are then performed ,the naming ceremony giving each individual vehicle its unique title.Examples include the Salamanders Rhino Nocturne’s Hamner, or the Iron Hands Land Raiders Myrmex and Metallus Gravus. Some Chapters proudy display this name on the vehicle’s exterior, while others believe it must be kept secret lest the enemy learn it?and gain power over the vehicle’s machine spirit.

所需的任何額外設備都被裝配好后，便要進行授名與喚醒儀式，授名儀式會給予每臺載具一個獨一無二的名稱，例如火蜥蜴的犀牛運輸車“夜曲之錘”號，或鋼鐵之手的蘭德掠奪者“米爾梅克斯”號與“沉重金屬”號。某些戰(zhàn)團會將載具的名稱自豪地展示在其外部，而其他戰(zhàn)團相信載具名稱必須保密，以防敵人得知并獲取載具機魂的力量。

The Ceremony of Awakening sees the initiation of the vehicle’s machine spirit into the Chapter. The machine spirit within is awoken from its slumber and only once this ceremony is complete, and the vehicle has been declared fit for service, is it handed to the armouries for storage until required. With the Chapters constantly fighting wars across the galaxy, attrition is high, and the Master of the Forge will allocate?new vehicles to fighting companies in need of replacements, or if a new major offensive is planned, will store them as part of the Chapter’s central reserve of heavy armour until they are needed.

“喚醒儀式”會見證載具的機魂被戰(zhàn)團所接納。載具內(nèi)部的機魂被喚醒，而且只有當儀式完成，載具被宣布適合服役之后，其才會被送交軍械庫儲存起來，直到需要時再被啟用。由于要在銀河各處不斷征戰(zhàn)，阿斯塔特戰(zhàn)團們承受著高昂的（裝備）消耗，鑄造之主們會將新的載具分配給有替換需要的戰(zhàn)斗連；如果戰(zhàn)團計劃進行一次新的大規(guī)模進攻，新載具就會被儲存起來，成為為戰(zhàn)團重裝甲編隊的中央后備力量，等到需要時再被喚醒。

Not all Chapters have the facility to make every vehicle they require. For example , the largest vehicles , such as Thunderhawk gunships, require vast manpower and ancient and arcane processes to construct. So some Space Marine Chapters have ties to nearby Forge Worlds and can draw on these in times of need——the Adeptus Mechanicus and the Space Marines long ago swore mutual oaths of service to the Imperium and ancient charters exist requiring Forge Worlds to supply Chapters with arms and armour when required.

并非所有戰(zhàn)團都有條件能制造自己所需的全部載具。諸如雷鷹炮艇之類的最大型載具，其建造就需要大量人手和古老且玄奧的流程。所以某些星際戰(zhàn)士戰(zhàn)團與自己周邊的鑄造世界們擁有協(xié)議，并會在有需要時引用其中的條款——很久之前，星際戰(zhàn)士和機械神教便向帝國宣誓要相互協(xié)助，古老的憲章也要求鑄造世界們在戰(zhàn)團有需要時為其提供武器和裝甲載具。

In these cases vehicles are constructed to order and can only be supplied to the specific Chapter. Strict monitoring ensures that they do not fall into less trustworthy hands, and once complete, the new vehicle is delivered to the Chapters base of operations, often with great ceremony, renewing old ties of fealty or repaying ancient debts. The strict security around such arrangements is essential because Space Marine vehicles rank amongst the most potent technology available to the Imperium, and help to give the Space Marines an edge in battle. They cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of traitors, rebels, recidivists or spies, who might turn them against those they were originally intended for.

在這些情況中，載具會依照訂單被建造，而且只被提供給特定戰(zhàn)團。（人類帝國）嚴苛的監(jiān)督將確保這些新載具不會落入不可信任者之手，而且一經(jīng)完工，它們就被被送到（特定）戰(zhàn)團的行動基地——過程中通常伴隨著盛大的慶典儀式，雙方會重申忠誠協(xié)議或償還古老債務。圍繞此類安排設置的安全措施是至關重要的，因為星際戰(zhàn)士載具是帝國最強大的科技造物之一，并幫助阿斯塔特們在戰(zhàn)斗中獲得優(yōu)勢。它們不能被允許落入叛徒、叛軍、慣犯和間諜之手，這些裝備可能被后者們?nèi)沟蹏?/p>

The Techmarines of the Adeptus Astartes are one of the very few bodies outside of the Adeptus Mechanicus inducted into the arcane rites of the machine, yet the two ancient institutions are so divergent in doctrine and demeanour that relations are often strained. The servants of the Machine God are rarely allowed within a Chapter's forge, except where long-standing ties between individual Forge Worlds and Chapters allow it. Despite this, some formal contact between the Adeptus Astartes and the Adeptus Mechanicus exists, and ancient treatises prevail whereby Techmarines receive training in the arcane arts of science and technology by serving an apprenticeship on a Forge World, some even travelling to Mars to learn from the master Techno Magi of the Red Planet. Each Techmarine initiated into the ancient lore of machines before returning to they Chapter and a few may even one day rise to the honoured rank of Master of the Forge.

在機械修會之外的人員中，阿斯塔特修會的技術(shù)軍士是少數(shù)學習過機器的玄奧儀式的群體之一，但由于這兩個古老機構(gòu)在教義和行為上差異迥然，雙方也經(jīng)常陷入緊張關系。機神仆役們幾乎不被允許進入戰(zhàn)團鑄爐，除非某個鑄造世界和（特定）戰(zhàn)團間的長期協(xié)議允許其造訪。不過，阿斯塔特修會和機械修會之間仍存在正式接觸，古老專著也提到技術(shù)軍士們前往鑄造世界成為學徒，接受科學技術(shù)神秘技藝的訓練——某些人會前往火星，受業(yè)于赤紅星球的技術(shù)賢者們。每位技術(shù)軍士都接受關于機械的古老學識，然后他們將返回自己的戰(zhàn)團，其中少數(shù)甚至終有一日會升級為可敬的鑄造之主。

Techmarines and the Chapter Cult

技術(shù)軍士和戰(zhàn)團教派

Techmarines often occupy an unusual position within their Chapters, especially in relation to the particular 'Chapter Cult' they and their brethren follow. Each Space Marine Chapter has its own traditions and rituals by which it venerates its Primarch and other key figures from its long and glorious history, some of them highly idiosyncratic. To be initiated into a Chapter cult is a high honour, and grants the initiate knowledge that is only possessed by a small number of warriors across the Imperium. Like their brethren, Techmarines are also initiated into the mysteries of their Chapter's cult, but they are also possessed of the secrets of the Cult of the Machine, into which they are initiated whilst learning their arcane craft alongside the Tech-Priests of Mars or other Forge Worlds.

技術(shù)軍士通常在戰(zhàn)團中占據(jù)著不尋常的位置，尤其是與他們自己和兄弟們所遵循的特定“戰(zhàn)團教派”相關。在崇拜自己的原體和自己漫長光榮歷史上其他關鍵人物的事項上，每個戰(zhàn)團都自有一套傳統(tǒng)與習俗，而且其中某些內(nèi)容已變得頗為怪異。加入戰(zhàn)團教派是崇高的榮譽，并且入會者們能得到僅為帝國中的一小群戰(zhàn)士們所知的學識。就像自己的兄弟們那樣，技術(shù)軍士們也被納入了神秘的戰(zhàn)團教派，但他們也掌握著機械神教的秘密——他們曾與火星或其他鑄造世界的技術(shù)神甫們一道學習玄奧技藝。

In most cases, the Techmarine is able to absorb and reconcile the divergent secrets of both his own Chapter cult and of the Cult Mechanicus, but in some instances the doctrines of the two might be at odds in some way. They might both require certain oaths of the initiate, which may clash at some point in the Techmanne's future, for example, The Dark Angels and their Successors are a case in point regards this, for the oaths of the Unforgiven are terrible indeed and demand the initiate's complete adherence .Many Techmarines in the service of the Unforgiven Chapters are often a class apart from their brethren, party?to many secrets of both cults but never fully inducted into the deeper truths known only to the grim-faced masters of the Inner Circle.

在大多數(shù)情況中，技術(shù)軍士能夠同時吸收并調(diào)和來自戰(zhàn)團教派與機械神教的相異知識，但在某些情況下，兩派的教義也可能在某些方面存在分歧。戰(zhàn)團教派可能要求入會者發(fā)下特定誓言，其內(nèi)容或許會未來的某個時刻與技術(shù)軍士（的機械神教誓言）發(fā)生抵觸。例如，黑暗天使及其子團就是恰當?shù)睦樱驗椴豢绅埶≌叩氖难缘拇_是恐怖的，要求入會者對其完全遵守。很多服役于不可饒恕者戰(zhàn)團的技術(shù)軍士，都是一個獨立于自己兄弟們之外的階層，他們掌握著戰(zhàn)團教派與機械神教的諸多秘密，但永遠不會完全了解到戰(zhàn)團的深層秘密——只有那些面容冷峻的內(nèi)環(huán)主宰們才掌握這些機密。

Rites of Battle

戰(zhàn)爭儀禮

Adeptus Astartes combat doctrine is very different to that of Imperial Guard forces and is largely dictated by the size of a Chapter and the nature of the mission, who are only required to take on the most vital and arduous of operations. Combat doctrine can generally be described in terms of rapid response and rapid strike, although all Space Marines are masters of all forms of warfare. Most Chapters lack the numerical strength and indeed the inclination to hold on to or dominate large areas of around, instead providing forces for short deployments with specific and strategically vital objectives.?

阿斯塔特修會的戰(zhàn)爭信條與帝國衛(wèi)隊大不相同，而且在很大程度上是取決于戰(zhàn)團規(guī)模與任務性質(zhì)——星際戰(zhàn)士們僅被要求去執(zhí)行最為關鍵且艱難的行動。雖然星際戰(zhàn)士們精通各種形式的戰(zhàn)斗，但他們的作戰(zhàn)信條通?？梢悦枋鰹榭焖俜磻涂焖俅驌?。大部分戰(zhàn)團都缺乏兵力優(yōu)勢，也不傾向于固守陣地和控制周邊的大范圍區(qū)域，而且是在特定關鍵戰(zhàn)略目標處進行短期部署。

Chapters operate a very flexible command structure and although each is divided into ten companies, these generally provide a pool of warriors which can be combined to create strike forces of varying sizes. A company may fight together as a single unit or be split up into smaller combined arms forces, with strike forces being generally organised around a core of Tactical squads, supported by specialist Assault or Devastator troops as well as armoured units of all kinds.

阿斯塔特戰(zhàn)團運行著一套非常靈活的指揮結(jié)構(gòu)，雖然各戰(zhàn)團都被劃分為十個連隊，但戰(zhàn)士們通常也可以被組合為不同規(guī)模的打擊部隊。一支連隊可以作為獨立單位作戰(zhàn)，或被拆分為更小規(guī)模的混成部隊——這些打擊部隊通常以戰(zhàn)術(shù)小隊們?yōu)楹诵?，并由專業(yè)化的突擊和破壞者部隊以及各種類型的裝甲單位來提供支援。

Each company will have its own complement of transport vehicles, but the heavier armour is invariably drawn from the central Chapter Armoury — the exception to this is the Chapter's 1st Company, which often maintains its own Land Raiders and Stormravens as transports for its Terminator squads. Companies do not generally maintain Predators, Vindicators, Hunters or Whirlwinds as part of their permanent strength as such valuable and revered assets are more likely to be allocated on a mission-by-mission basis. When a strike force is dispatched,?its commander will request assets from the Armoury. The Master of the Forge, in consultation with the Chapter Master's headquarters and the strike force commander, will then allocate vehicles suitable for the task.

每個連隊都有自己的裝甲載具補充，但更為重型的裝甲載具向來是調(diào)撥自戰(zhàn)團中央武庫。不過戰(zhàn)團第一連隊例外，他們保有自己的蘭德掠奪者和風暴鴉炮艇，用于運輸終結(jié)者小隊。各連隊通常不會將掠食者坦克、維護者坦克、獵手防空坦克和旋風坦克保有為自身永久性力量的一部分，因為這些珍貴且可敬的裝備更有可能是以每次任務為基礎加以分配。當一支打擊部隊被派出后，其指揮官會要求武庫提供此類裝備。在與戰(zhàn)團長指揮部和打擊部隊指揮官進行過協(xié)商之后，鑄造之主會分配適用于當前任務的載具。

The crews for a Chapter's armoured vehicles comprise solely Space Marines, many assigned as required from the Tactical squads of the Chapter’s 6th?and 7th companies. All?Space?Marines are trained in the operation of armoured vehicles and armoured formation tactics as part of their core indoctrination——some going on to specialise in armoured operations, being trained upon larger vehicles and even being entrusted with basic maintenance tasks. All Space Marine vehicles are fitted with spinal interfaces that link with the custodian’s body by plugging into his power armour and black carapace.This alows them to become part of the vehicle , granting intuitive communion with its controls and systems.

戰(zhàn)團載具的駕駛員組完全由星際戰(zhàn)士構(gòu)成，其中很多人都是按要求調(diào)配自戰(zhàn)團六、七連隊的戰(zhàn)術(shù)小隊。所有星際戰(zhàn)士都接受過裝甲載具操作和裝甲編隊戰(zhàn)術(shù)的訓練，這是他們催眠灌輸學習的一部分——某些人將繼續(xù)專攻裝甲作戰(zhàn)，受訓駕駛更大型的載具，甚至被委以基本的維護任務。所有星際戰(zhàn)士載具都被安裝了脊椎接口電路，載具保管員們能夠?qū)⑵洳迦雱恿缀秃谏讱ぶ?，將自己的身體與機器連接起來。這允許他們成為載具的一部分，和載具的控制器與（內(nèi)部）系統(tǒng)進行直觀交流。

Deployment of Armoured Units?

裝甲單位部署

Infantry are the core fighting force of all?Adeptus Astartes Chapters. Heavily armed and armoured, and operating in Assault , Tactical and Devastator squads, they form the backbone of most Space Marine strike forces. Other arms are primaily deployed in support of these elite infantry warriors , although some do occasionaly operate independently when the situation requires them to do so.

步兵是所有阿斯塔特戰(zhàn)團的核心戰(zhàn)斗力量，他們身披厚重的動力甲，手持精良的武器，以突擊、戰(zhàn)術(shù)和破壞者小隊的模式行動。他們組成了大部分星際戰(zhàn)士打擊部隊的基石。其他的武器主要是用于支援這些精銳步兵戰(zhàn)士，但在有需要的情況下，這些武器偶爾也會獨立行動。

The role of a Space Marine armoured unit is to deliver the decisive blow to an enemy at the critical point in the battle. It is deployed to break an enemy defensive system and , in close coordination with other arms, to destroy the most dangerous hostile units. The paramount principle of a Chapter's tank deployment and tactics is cooperation with its infantry squads, the infantry-tank assault force concentrating a Chapters fire and shock power into a narow sector for breakthrough and deep penetration operations. This is the preferred offensive method used by most Chapters for ground operations in the open field.

?星際戰(zhàn)士裝甲單位的用途，就是在戰(zhàn)斗的關鍵時刻向敵軍發(fā)出決定性的進攻。它們被用于突破敵軍的防御系統(tǒng)，并通過與其他武器的緊密配合來摧毀最危險的敵對單位。星際戰(zhàn)士坦克部署與戰(zhàn)術(shù)的首要原則，就是與步兵小隊協(xié)同配合。這種步坦進攻編隊能將一個戰(zhàn)團的火力與沖擊力都集中到一片狹窄的區(qū)域，以突破敵軍防線并深入其陣地。在開闊戰(zhàn)場的陣地戰(zhàn)當中，大部分戰(zhàn)團都偏好此類進攻方式。

The deployment of heavy armour by Chapters is always for a specific mission or role. Tanks are rarely used for general advances, holding ground or for prolonged siege warfare, although none of these capabilities is beyond the Adeptus Astartes, and some may excel at them where necessity dictates.

戰(zhàn)團部署重型裝甲載具，通常是為了完成特定任務，或者發(fā)揮某種用途。（星際戰(zhàn)士的）坦克很少被用于全面推進、陣地固守和長期攻城，不過阿斯塔特修會也具備進行這些戰(zhàn)爭的能力，而且在有必要的情況下，某些戰(zhàn)團的表現(xiàn)可能還頗為出色。

A Chapter of around only a thousand warriors cannot sustain long deployments and such are the foes assailing Mankind , that there are ever more emergencies to avert elsewhere. The Space Marines' modus operandi focuses therefore on short term operations and rapid strikes, attacking fast with overwhelming force before redeploying to another war zone.

一個戰(zhàn)團由大約一千名戰(zhàn)士組成，他們無法維持長期部署；而且襲擾人類的敵人也極其眾多，其他區(qū)域中需要防止（發(fā)生）的緊急事件會更多。因此 星際戰(zhàn)士們的作戰(zhàn)方式側(cè)重于短期行動和快速打擊，利用壓倒性力量快速進攻，然后再被重新部署到另一個戰(zhàn)區(qū)。

During rare extended campaigns, after each deployment troops wil usualy be recalled?to their battle barge to re-arm and refit , before being redeployed to the surface for subsequent assaults.

在罕見的長期戰(zhàn)役中，參戰(zhàn)的阿斯塔特部隊在每次部署之后，都會被召回到己方的戰(zhàn)列母艦，以進行整修和彈藥補充，然后再被派往地表以發(fā)起之后的進攻。

Some war zones preclude the use of heavy armour. Examples include ship-to-ship boarding actions, infiltration missions for sabotage or intelligence gathering (often carried out by lightly equipped Scout units ), tunnel fighting and planet strikes. Orbital drops require a landing zone to be secured before heavier equipment can be landed safely, unless a Thunderhawk Transporter is available to deliver Rhinos or even Land Raiders directly into battle.

某些戰(zhàn)區(qū)會妨礙重型裝甲載具的使用，其案例就包括艦對艦的跳幫行動、為暗中破壞和情報收集而采取的滲透行動（通常由輕量化裝備的偵察兵單位執(zhí)行）、坑道戰(zhàn)和行星突襲作戰(zhàn)。當進行軌道空降任務時，星際戰(zhàn)士們需要先開辟出一片安全登陸區(qū)，然后才能令重型裝備安全落地，除非他們是利用雷鷹運輸機直接將犀牛運輸車甚至蘭德掠奪者直接投放進戰(zhàn)場。

As well as armour and infantry units , strike forces also include artillery?assets. To a Space Marine commander , traditional artilery is of litte value.The nature of Space Marine operations means that there is often little time to establish artillery?positions or for the lengthy work of reducing an enemys fighting strength by attritional bombardment. Artillery?is invariably of the mobile, close support variety, able to move with the rest of the force and deliver short, sharp salvoes of fire to saturate a target immediately before or even during an ongoing assault. Few Space Marine Chapters possess heavy artilery capable of reducing enemy bunkers , pillboxes or walls to rubble at long ranges, and where they do, such war machines are often the relics of the earliest days of the Legiones Astartes and rarely used by the Chapters of the Age of the Imperium.

?除了裝甲和步兵單位，打擊部隊通常也會攜帶火炮。對星際戰(zhàn)士指揮官而言，傳統(tǒng)火炮意義不大，因為星際戰(zhàn)士們的任務性質(zhì)意味著他們通常幾乎無暇建立炮兵陣地，也來不及利用消耗性轟炸削減敵軍戰(zhàn)斗力。阿斯塔特的火炮是具備機動性的近距離支援改型，能夠隨著其余部隊一并移動，并能在戰(zhàn)斗之前或戰(zhàn)斗中提供猛烈的炮火齊射，以立刻對目標進行飽和轟炸。只有極少數(shù)戰(zhàn)團還握有能從遠距離將敵方碉堡、掩體或護墻轟為瓦礫的重炮，而且此類戰(zhàn)爭機器通常都是來自阿斯塔特軍團最早期階段的遺物，幾乎不被帝國時期的戰(zhàn)團們所使用。

The heaviest firepower available to a force commander is provided by the Chapter's fleet. Orbital bombardment by the macro weapons of a battle barge or strike cruiser is a very blunt tool for a surgical strike force. Inaccurate, although devastating, an orbital strike is used to prepare the ground for a major assault, for destructive fire against large targets, for harassing fire or as a weapon of last resort. It might be able to hit a city or a map grid , but it cannot be relied upon to hit a specific target such as an individual bunker within that city or a moving target such as an enemy tank column. It lacks the speed to react to new targets or the accuracy for counter-artillery battery fire. Other factors also restrict its use. Spaceships must be pre - positioned in low orbit, which is not always possible or desirable during rapid assaults or where the world in question possesses effective?orbital defences.

一名部隊指揮官能調(diào)用的最強大火力，是由戰(zhàn)團艦隊所提供的。但對于一支外科手術(shù)式打擊部隊而言，戰(zhàn)列母艦或打擊巡洋艦的巨型武器所釋放出的軌道轟炸，是一種非常鈍拙的工具。軌道打擊雖然具備毀滅性，卻并不精準，它被用于為大規(guī)模進攻做準備，也能用于向大型目標投射毀滅性火力，進行襲擾性射擊，或者是被用作最終手段。軌道轟炸能夠擊中一座城市或一個地圖坐標方格的區(qū)域，但星際戰(zhàn)士們無法用它來擊中特定目標——比如城市內(nèi)部的某座碉堡，也不能以此來摧毀諸如敵軍坦克縱隊之類的移動目標。而且它還缺乏對于新目標做出反應的速度，以及應對反炮擊炮塔射擊的精準性。其他因素也制約了這種武器的使用。星艦必須被事先部署到低空軌道處，但在進行快速突擊或不確定目標世界是否具備有效軌道防御機制的情況下，這種行為并不總是可行或可取的。

The Rites of Modification?

改造儀式

The Tech - Priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus claim stewardship over all forms of machine utilised across the million and more worlds of the Imperium, and it is certainly true that without their constant ministrations the vast?majority of those machines would fal silent , and with them many of the cultures they sustain. The servants of the Omnissiah abhor almost all forms of progress, distrustful of advancements that might cause machine to turn upon man, as indeed it is held by some once happened. New war machines therefore are not invented but discovered , beneath the dust of ancient battlefields or in crumbling tomes in continent-sized libraria. The Space Marines exist apart from the bulk of humanity however , and the technology they utilise is of a distinctive class visibly different from that available to most within the Imperium. This difference extends further than mere aesthetics, for the Techmarines of the Adeptus Astartes know that their war machines are more favourably disposed to modification and augmentation than those utilised by the Imperial Guard or other divisions within?the Imperium's sprawling military. Thus , it is not unusual to uncover accounts of Space Marine commanders confronted with new?tactical situations ordering their Techmarines to modify their vehicles or weapons in some manner , and for a solution to be forthcoming. Such accounts enrage the servants of the Machine God, who regard it as blasphemy and an affront to al they hold sacred , and it is far from uncommon for delegations of Tech-Priests to demand access to a Chapter’s forge having heard of such modifications being undertaken , but few Masters of the Forge are likely to suffer such an insult. Nevertheless, even the mighty Space Marines must rely upon the Adeptus Mechanicus at times, and so wise Chapter Masters act to ensure that the Tech-Priests are appraised of the Forge’s developments and , where necessary, new patterns are ceded to them for further study .

人類帝國超過一百萬顆世界上所使用著的機械，全部由機械修會的技術(shù)神甫們進行管理。毫無疑問，倘若沒有這些科技教士們的持續(xù)照料，絕大部分機械都將陷入沉寂，由機械所維持的眾多文明也會隨之靜默。萬機之神的仆役們憎惡幾乎所有形式的進步，不信任可能導致機器背叛人類的（技術(shù)）發(fā)展——某些人相信，過去曾經(jīng)發(fā)生過此類事件。因此，新的戰(zhàn)爭機器機器是被發(fā)現(xiàn)而非發(fā)明出的——人們挖開古代戰(zhàn)場上的陳沙，或者在面積橫跨大陸的圖書館中翻閱已然破爛的巨著，才發(fā)現(xiàn)了這些裝備。不過，星際戰(zhàn)士們是獨立于人類主體之外存在的，他們所使用的技術(shù)是一個獨特的類別，與帝國內(nèi)部的大多數(shù)技術(shù)都迥乎不同。阿斯塔特修會的技術(shù)軍士們也知道，相比于帝國衛(wèi)隊和帝國龐大武裝力量的其他分支所使用的戰(zhàn)爭裝備，自己的戰(zhàn)爭引擎更偏愛于接受改造和增強，這導致雙方間技術(shù)的差別愈發(fā)明顯。因此，當星際戰(zhàn)士指揮官面對新的戰(zhàn)術(shù)狀況時，他們會命令技術(shù)軍士以某種方式改造載具或武器，并為即將到來的問題尋求解決方案，這種情況并不罕見。關于此類事件的報告會激怒萬機之神的仆從們，他們會認為這是一種褻瀆，是對自己所信奉的一切神圣事物的侮辱；在聽說了這種修改后，技術(shù)神甫代表團會要求進入（當事）戰(zhàn)團的鑄爐，這并非罕見的情況，但幾乎沒有哪位鑄造之主可能會遭受此等冒犯。畢竟無論如何，哪怕強大的星際戰(zhàn)士們偶爾也必須依賴于機械修會，因此那些明智的戰(zhàn)團長們會采取措施，確保戰(zhàn)團鑄爐得到技術(shù)神甫們的評估；在必要時，新型載具樣本也會被轉(zhuǎn)讓給機械修會，供其進一步研究。