Domus Discordia Chapter 45

The grand council chamber had witnessed history unfolding and in recent times it had been tragic indeed. Treachery, betrayal, heresy and death had all played out to their inescapable conclusions here, yet at last the chamber was being put to its proper purpose. Finally it was to host unity and rejuvenation, as it should always have done.

Toran reflected upon this as he sat in the circle of chairs, thinking upon all the past and the future. He was clad in his robes of office but bore his sword, as was traditional. He and the other Masters had all agreed that the rebuilding of the Chapter must be done properly, in full accord with tradition and the Lex Imperialis.

Toran looked across a circle of chairs, half of them empty. Directly across from him was Eighth Captain Hakulo, with his power spear by his side and Ninth Captain Phalros who had a Plasteel gauntlet on his hand, an actual powerfist being too cumbersome to bear without his power armour. These were the surviving Captains of the Storm Heralds, who in the absence of a Chapter Master would vote to determine their course. Yet they were not alone, for the other Masters also had the right to have their say.

The Forgemaster was incapable of leaving his sacred communion with the Machine Spirits of the Fortress-Monastery, so had sent an equerry, Techmarine Vorgal. The Techmarines had sat out much of the fighting and so had made it know they would abstain from interfering, they were only here to satisfy tradition. A few empty chairs down from him sat the white-robed form of Apothecary Memnos, a much more controversial appointment. Tradition demanded that someone speak for the Apothecaries, so Memnos was here on sufferance. Yet he looked distant and thoughtful, barely paying attention at all.

In complete contrast the seat of the Chaplains was being occupied by Furion, in coarse black robes. Furion bore his new Crozius with pride, claiming it was a gift and a blessing in equal measure. Toran didn't know what that meant but he knew that Furion's armour had presented a more vexing problem. The serf-artisans had tried to assign him one of the relic suits from the Chaplaincies' sequestered vaults, but the giant Astartes had simply been too big to fit into any of them. In the end they had been forced to retrieve his venerable Mark III plate, for consecration and repainting. It seemed his familiar silhouette would not change so much after all.

The last Master present was Chief Librarian Echeb. Many in the ranks resented Echeb but he seemed not care, holding himself aloof with unflappable dignity. In the absence of a Chapter Master Echeb was acting as chairman, an unsettling development but as the only actual Chief of his order present, tradition gave him the right. Nobody was happy but tradition was tradition and now was not the time to be arguing petty details.

Toran's attention was dragged back to the meeting and realised his mind had been wandering. Solemnly Echeb was saying, "If we are in agreement, it shall be put to the vote."

Toran saw Phalros and Hakulo each clasp one open hand over the other fist, the traditional vote for yes. Furion joined them and Echeb too; however Memnos and Techmarine Vorgal hid their eyes behind their palms, the signs of abstaining. Realising they were waiting for him, Toran spent a second recalling the last few minutes of talk, then he hurriedly clasped his hand over his fist in agreement.

"It is done," Echeb proclaimed then lifted his head and cried, "Call forth Nimodes!"

The cry rang in the council chamber and then was answered by the ringing of boots. In moments Nimodes approached the Masters, his robes were plain but his bearing proud and his head held high. Nimodes drew up to the circle of chairs and then stood at full attention as he called, "Masters, I await your decision."

As chairman it fell to Echeb to pronounce, "Brother-Commander Nimodes, you have served with distinction and valour. Your loyalty and bravery are beyond question as is your devotion to the Scout-Novices and neophytes. This Chapter is currently lacking a Master of Recruits and it has been decided that you shall be appointed to the rank. If you accept this office then the future of this Chapter will rest in your hands. Do you agree to bear this burden and swear to serve to the fullest of your abilities?"

Nimodes replied confidently, "So I swear."

Formally Echeb declared, "Be welcome among us, Tenth-Captain Nimodes, Master of Recruits."

Nimodes bowed low but then Hakulo cried, "Well don't just stand there, pull up a seat!"

Captain Nimodes grinned and moved to sit down, he didn't look surprised though, for everybody knew this was a foregone conclusion. They had all agreed upon it much earlier, this was merely a formal stamp to officially seal the appointment.

Unfortunately Toran knew that what was to come next was far more contentious. Echeb moved the meeting on saying, "Our next order of business to address the gaps in our ranks."

Furion spoke then, "I must caution against hasty reform, wide-sweeping changes will degrade morale in the ranks."

Phalros shook his head saying, "But we must, our order of battle is in tatters. We must reorganise now or waste years rebuilding, when we should be fighting the Emperor's wars."

Toran elaborated, "We have fifty-six First Company veterans and three hundred and eight line-Initiates from our side. We also discovered a score of Brothers locked up in the barracks of Fifth and Sixth Companies, who refused to serve the True Believers. That is enough warriors to comprise three full Battle-Companies, if we break up the Reserves."

Nimodes tapped his chin thoughtfully and remarked, "A Battle-Company is a fully-operational unit, capable of acting independently without assistance. In conjunction with our fleet assets and vehicle-pool, scouts and veterans, we could be viable for combat within a month, not years. We can make a Second, a Third and a Fourth Company out of the ramshackle remnants we currently have."

Furion sighed, "But if we are to elevate a new leader, that will leave us short one Captain."

Hakulo smirked and said, "What about Terminator Sergeant Orath?"

"No!" barked Nimodes suddenly, making Toran blink in surprise at his vehemence.

Hakulo looked surprised and asked, "Why not?"

"Without meaning to slur his name, Orath is not suited to being a Captain," Nimodes stated, "A peerless warrior, but he lacks concern for the well-being of his Marines. He has no respect for lower ranks, especially scouts."

"Now see here," Hakulo spat.

Yet Echeb interjected, "I have weighed Orath's hearts and while he is suited perfectly for the role he already plays he does not consider the wider picture, as a Captain must. A superlative warrior like him belongs at the front but a Captain, he is not. The very traits that make him so formidable in the field rule him out as a Master."

Thoughtfully Toran ventured, "What about Sergeant Cyvo?"

"Cyvo of the Seventh?" Hakulo said cautiously, "Rather young isn't he?"

"Wasn't I?" Toran countered with a grin.

"He is more than competent and commands the respect of the Seventh," Nimodes stated, "The Initiates would gladly follow such a Marine."

Phalros rubbed his chin and said, "Maybe, but a Veteran would have more experience."

However Furion argued, "We are committed to a path of upheaval and the ranks will be greatly troubled by it. To appoint a lauded veteran says we impose these changes upon our Chapter, but to raise up a humble Brother sends a message that we Masters are not excluding ourselves from this reform. None can be exempted, not even us."

"Very wise," Phalros concurred, "Yet I must insist that Cyvo is tutored under one of us for a time, until he is ready."

Firmly Echeb declared "We shall put it to a vote."

Heads nodded and then the vote was taken. Toran, Phalros, Nimodes, Furion and Echeb voted yes, while Memnos and Techmarine Vorgal abstained. Only Hakulo crossed his forearms in an x-shape, the traditional no vote.

Echeb declared, "The ayes have it, Cyvo will become a Captain, in due time."

Phalros stated, "I recommend to this council that Cyvo be first to take his pick of Seventh Company and use it to form the nucleus of a new Second Company. The First shall remain under the purview of the Chapter Master until our numbers increase. Hakulo, I nominate you for Fourth Captain while I take over as Third."

It took Toran a moment to follow the implications and then he spluttered, "Wait, what?! Third Company… then what am I to do?!"

Everybody glanced at each other, suppressing grins and Nimodes remarked, "Still not too quick on the uptake. We all agreed earlier that you should inherit Gorgall's post."

"Me?!" Toran yelled practically leaping out of his chair, "You seek to crown me Chapter Master?!"

Furion smiled widely as he explained, "We all support this nomination, nobody has done more to preserve our Chapter, to lead us through the dark times. You led us through the worst of battles, you deserve to be Chapter Master."

Toran was flummoxed and gasped, "You cannot be serious. Hakulo you support this?"

"Leave me out of this," Hakulo scoffed, "I don't want the job, its all politics and paperwork. It was Furion who suggested this; I think he wants payback for you forcing him to become a Chaplain."

Everybody seemed certain this was right but Toran's mind was whirling. In his soul thoughts arose of the glory of being Chapter Master, of the power. He could ascend to the apex of authority, the rank all neophytes secretly dreamed about. He could make his will a reality with but a word and command armies across the stars. Chapter Master Toran, his soul whispered, he could do anything with such authority. But then Toran remembered the last time he had thought this way. The overconfidence that had seen him lead his Marines into a bloodbath, of the piles of dead it had created.

Toran's delusions shattered instantly and he barked, "I cannot accept for I would be a poor Chapter Master."

Phalros exhaled loudly and said, "Now is not the time for humility, we have already agreed."

Yet Toran rebuked them, "As much as it pains me, I have been a divisive figure in this Chapter. All I have ever done is to make enemies."

Hakulos sneered. "Lessall and Samect…"

"Not just that," Toran overrode him, "I have made mistakes. I did not see this war coming and I am as much to blame as any other. I do not deserve this praise; I did not turn the tide of battle, that was Hakulo. I did not break the True Believers, that was Ajax."

Furion pressed, "It was your idea…"

"Storm Heralds died by my hand!" Toran cried trying to make them understand, "Not just True Believers. Brothers died because of my mistakes and if I command, then all I can do is drive our divisions even deeper. None can lead whom has shed the blood of their Brothers, we cannot be commanded by a kin-slayer! We must have a pure leader, one unsullied by kin-strife and bloody feud!"

Echeb raised an eyebrow and said, "You don't mean…"

Toran declared, "There is only one amongst us who can truly claim to have never raised a hand against his own blood. Only one who can unite us, when any other would tear us apart. We need a pure Chapter Master, free of strife and above reproach; we need Phalros to lead us!"

Phalros looked stunned and gasped, "What are you saying?"

"I am not the right choice," Toran avowed, then he stood up and drew his blade. He stepped forward and reversed his sword, then laid it at Phalros' feet proclaiming, "I nominate Phalros, for Chapter Master!"

There was a scrape of a chair and then Nimodes stood up, he drew a combat blade before placing it at Phalros' feet saying, "I second that, our first choice was made in haste. Toran should remain Third Captain, Phalros is the wiser option."

Furion joined them, laying his Crozius beside the blades saying, "It seems I erred, Phalros alone retains the purity we have lost, he must lead."

Then Hakulo stood up, he took his spear and laid it before Phalros declaring, "I can't think of anyone better to chair meetings and battle mountains of paperwork. Phalros has my vote!"

Memnos and Vorgal joined them silently and then last of all Echeb stood up. He laid his staff at Phalros' feet and then took to one knee. All joined him, kneeling to the stunned officer as Echeb proclaimed, "The vote is cast and it is unanimous. All hail our new Chapter Master: Phalros the Pure!"