Editing The Viaticus Dynasty (section)

===[[Master-at-Arms Kommander Boris Ilyich Yevgeny]]===
House Yevgeny is of noble Valhallan stock. Once, they were a loyal vassal family to the Viaticus Dynasty, before the gradual dwindling of the Dynasty's fortunes meant that the Yevgenys were essentially absolved of their oaths to the once-great Rogue Trader house and left to find their own fortune in the galaxy. They chose to take over the defunct radethium mines that they negotiated with House Viaticus for, and as luck would have it, a new seam of the precious mineral was found the moment the ink dried on the Instrument of Transfer. 

Since then, the Yevgenys dedicated their industry to mining and farming, and their coat of arms represents this with a crossed hammer and sickle of gold. It has also been traditional for every Yevgeny male to join his fellow workers in the mines, so they will not lose touch with those who produce for the greater good. Unfortunately, radethium is teratogenic, and as a result every male Yevgeny has been plagued with mutation. Boris' own father had literal skin like granite, and even that was nothing compared to Two-Eyed Uncle Vanya (who lost his other two eyes in work accidents) and Boris' grandfather Dagonov, who had a very... animated beard. 

Boris himself was born with no defects, and his mother rejoiced in his normality. He grew up to be a large, well-fed young lad... and grew... and kept growing. Soon Boris' mother instead rejoiced that she had had him so early, because she would not have survived the birth if he'd been even a month late. It is commonly said that Boris only stopped growing because the mines were too small for him, and even as a youth, he was a believer in hard work and team spirit.

When the time came for Exaviar's World to raise a regiment for the Guard, Boris would normally have been exempted, being of noble birth. But like all Yevgeny men, he could not allow his people to go into service without experiencing what it was like himself. Against his mother's wishes, he enlisted in the tithe, not as an officer, but as a basic Guardsman. 

For the next few years, Boris' life was consumed in war. He survived where everyone else had fallen, and when the Exaviar 106th was depleted down to himself, he volunteered to join other units, where the winnowing continued apace. Along the way, he met several people who, like himself, were resistant to destruction. Eventually, they decided that they had had enough of pointless war, and after the end of a campaign which left them the only survivors, once again, Boris decided to return to Exaviar's World to reassure his mother, who must surely have thought that he was dead like the rest of his regiment.

Imagine his surprise when he found a strange vessel orbiting Exaviar's World, and even more so his mother telling him that the Viaticus Dynasty had finally regained its flagship. An idea came to Boris; he would renew the Yevgenys' oath of fealty to the Dynasty, and thus boost the fortunes of his household as well. This idea met with far less resistance than his original intention to join the Guard; at least this way he would be an honored retainer, and not a disposable pawn. His companions, now known as The Squad, agreed to follow Boris on his endeavour.<br><br>

'''Opinions'''<br>
''"They say 'Speak softly and carry a big stick'. I shall speak softly and, when necessary, point at Boris, who, even unarmed, would qualify as a big stick... As inconspicous as an Astartes Dreadnought in a china shop. And it is mightily convenient that only now the Yevgenys renew their oaths instead of sticking with us when we most needed them."'' - Alexis<br><br>
''"... It is gratifying, from the reports of Olim (File O-5-164-C), the reverence with which the Master-at-Arms treats his weaponry. It is unfortunate that he does not extend that proper respect to other equipment; Olim has reported abnormally high wear and tear on other machinery Boris interacts with... Boris, of abnormal size and appetite (note galley shortage and food entry 'sandvich') is suspected of mutation. As a proper blood sample has not been taken, claim is unsubstantiated. Discrete tests of mental function and stability have shown strong unused cognitive abilities, but no corruption of the mind - further observation on this front may be required. No twisting of the holy form is noted aside from the abnormal size, which is not outside (if barely) observed cases that have tested negative for mutation. If the possibility of mutation is correct, then subject should be placed through a set of tests to determine any future vulnerabilities in mind or body..."'' - Quintus<br><br>
''"Brawn all over the brains, oh my. We're lucky he haven't born as an Ork.  Still, alienating him might be hazardous for my health, and seeing him fumbling around will certainly raise my self-esteem."'' - Ramirez<br><br>
''He is a mutant, and there is a little bit of camaraderie in that fact, not to mention she admires his tenacity. The fact he can actually think on a deeper level than, "Shoot'em dead!" Like many guards.  Though her platoon is officially under Boris' command, the fact that he has been ordering them about under her nose despite being through hell. She does wish that his tactical infantry tactics were a bit more varied than hard defense.'' - Aeysha<br><br>
''Boris, what can be said? He's loyal to the Captain, and his oath. That is more then most. He does his job with admirable enthusiasm, but some of his squad bear watching.'' - Darrius