Editing Conservators (section)

===Looting the battlefield===
Following combat with some factions, the Conservators will thoroughly loot their fallen enemies for any useful gear. Orks are a frequent target of this as they often use captured Imperial gear, such as bolters if they can get their green hands on them. Reclaiming these weapons is often simply a matter of sending them to a techpriest to bless and soothe the enslaved machine spirit, properly cleaning and refurbishing them after their rough treatment at the hands of the greenskins, before being given to a battle brother to wield. More difficult, and controversial, is taking gear from fallen traitor marines. While they are loath to put such gear back into Imperial service, the traitor legions suits can be a source of desperately needed spare components. The reconsecration and use of any part or weapon taken from the hands of fallen chaos servants is a painstaking and careful process undertaken with the utmost security and care.

Perhaps just as controversial and upsetting is their tendency to take gear from fallen allies. While they are not often blatant about it, Imperial Guard regiments recovering a damaged Chimera might find its bolter emptied of rounds, or dropped lasgun power packs disappearing after a battle. Even more touchy is the recovery of material from fallen Astartes. In general, if it is possible to return the fallen body of a marine to his chapter, the Conservators will do so, sending along his armor and weapon, taking only his easily replaced ammunition. However if it is not reasonably possible to return the body, the marine will be given an honorable burial as if he was a member of the Conservators own battle brothers, before his armor and weapons are reclaimed for use. 

The chapter even goes so far as to harvest his gene seed for later implantation into a new aspirant of their chapter, though as this may well outrage some other chapters it is something they usually do not speak of to outsiders, seeing it as the sad necessity they must perform if they are to grow their chapter to sufficient size to defend their homeland. One of the few events which will cause a force of Conservators to venture far from their homeland is to aid a chapter which has 'donated' gene seeds in this way, seeking to repay their debt of honor for utilizing that chapter's valuable progenoid glands to aid in their own growth, even if there was no way to return the harvested organs to their rightful owners.