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Beginning
988.M41
Krugerport, Badlanding
Serving in the Crimson Fists 3rd Company, Holders of the Line, under Brother-Captain Ashor Drakken was an honor, Drakken was a hero of the Crimson Fists, and a true leader Veteran-Sergeant Zacarias Gerhart would follow into the Eye itself. Gerhart had known leaders in his time, mouthing an oath to Him on Terra, and what had become a habit; touching his fingers to his two service studs above his right brow. Indeed he had known a few, but none had instilled the confidence, the loyalty, the courage, and perhaps most of all the brotherhood of Captain Drakken. Gerhart modeled himself after his beloved Captain. He prayed to the Emperor to let him lead his own squad with such skill. Since his return from the Death Watch Gerhart was assigned to the 3rd Company. Drakken did not hesitate, putting Gerhart in command of the Assault Squad, as Gerhart had been a sergeant of an assault squad in the 7th before being seconded into service of the Death Watch.
Gerhart had heard the rumors, he was destined for Captaincy, and his service record was stellar. Captain’s had debated over who would receive him upon return. Gerhart cared nothing for this, he merely wished to serve, and do his duty. Upon meeting Drakken he was granted Veteran status earning the second crimson fist. Something about that meeting had lit a fire in Gerhart, Drakken he realized was everything he aspired to be. They formed a close bond, Drakken took to being his mentor without hesitation, and Gerhart accepted with humble honor.
Finishing his thought, he spied Drakken, who nodded in turn before issuing more orders.
“Brother-Sergeant…..” Brother Aries says, “Sergeant the squad is ready” Aries. Snapping out of thought, Gerhart slamming his helm into place and giving a nod to Drakken, turns to his second. Returning the nod to his mentor, and turning back to his squad “Brothers, sound off.” As Squad Gerhart, the Indomitables as they had become known, finished checking in Gerhart finished taking in the latest report from the scout squad.
“You know our orders Brother, I don’t need to repeat them. In His name we will turn the greenskins back here!” Gerhart says, seeing the effect on his brothers he is satisfied. They move into position quietly, like ancient tigers ready to pounce when given the word. They flank the command squads right as Drakken’s sword arm, his most deadly order he can give, to unleash the Indomitables.
As they moved forwards into Krugerport, Drakken gave the order for Sergeant Werner to split off with his thirty men. Gerhart knew why he was not given command of that group, he was needed by Drakken should things go wrong. Drakken was a master tactician, Gerhart had marveled and been humbled by it many times since his return. Continuing in, Gerhart could sense his squad’s anger at the slaughter by the greenskins. It was difficult for even him to contain and maintain focus, but he would, and he would illuminate these foul xenos to their folly. Rubbing his thumb around the activation rune of his power hammer, Pax Vobiscum, gifted to him while in service to the Death Watch. Settling his mind he begins to speak to his Brothers ‘remember what you see here bro..’ a shot rings out. Gerhart's mind races, it was not a xenos weapon, it was a rifle, the scouts had given their position away!
‘Astartes fall back!’ Drakken. Gerhart could not believe it, what had happened? He tried to raise his Captain on the vox, but it was just static. ‘Indomitable, to skies!’ cried Gerhart, he would know what happened, and he would not abandon his Captain. At the peak of his jump he saw it, the moment that still haunts him, the only moment in his two hundred and forty years of life that has haunted him. A giant, giant for even a greenskin fired upon Drakken and a downed Brother. Gerhart roared in protest as he saw his Captain fall, this could not be he thought not now not here. ‘Indomitable one too Tempest one,’ ‘Tempest one, go ahead’ said Werner. ‘Drakken is down, I repeat Drakken is down,’ silence was returned. ‘Werner, I’m getting his body, call the thunderhawks, some must return to warn Kantor.’ ‘Understood Brother, we will cover you.’
The fighting that followed was some of the worst of Gerhart’s in his long service. The xenos numbers were far too large, brothers gave their lives in countless heroic deeds. Deeds that would be lost, deeds that deserved to be remembered, and yet this was just the beginning. This was the beginning of the worst disaster that would befall the Crimson Fists. Of eighty four marines sent, only twenty eight would return to Rynn’s World. The worst was yet to come.
993.M41
New Rynn City
Five years after the disaster of Rynn’s World
‘Brother-Sergeant Gerhart, Master Kantor and the Crimson Counsel request your presence,’ Brother Maximus White. ‘Understood, thank you Brother.’ Gerhart knows what is coming, rumors have always been around. The 3rd company is at full strength, and has no Captain. Yes he knows what is coming, but it makes it no easier. How can he take the mantle of Master of the Line, command of the 3rd Company. He has spoken with the Reclusiarch countless times about his failure. It is not my failure he is told, yet he carries the burden. Making his way toward the heroes of the Chapter, is mind races, doubts, wonders, worries. As he approaches the room he crushes the thoughts, ‘Focus.’ With a word he steps in, Pedro Kantor sits upon a throne a giant mural of Alexis Polux behind him, Captain’s arrayed to his sides. Captain Ibelin Balian 2nd Company, Captain Alessio Cortez 4th Company, Captain Selig Torres 5th Company. There were others in the council, but they were sent on recruiting missions as the Chapter was in dire need of more Astartes.
Gerhart approaches the throne, kneeling before Master Kantor. ‘Brother Gerhart, rise please. I’m sure you know why we are here, why you are here, but first we must talk. We must review, as is tradition.’ says Kantor with a smile of honest brotherhood. ‘Of course Master, I’m humbled by this is all,’ ‘See I told you, he’s Drakken all over.’ says Cortez grinning from ear to ear. ‘Would I be so worthy Brother-Captain,’ says Gerhart while standing. ‘Enough Brothers, let us begin. Balian, a review of his joining if you will’ says Kantor with a reassuring nod towards Gerhart.
I would write more, but I’m crazy tired!
