Fame Cimex Chapter 8

"Third Company" the words came, rolling around the tongue as the speaker tried them out, "Thirrrd Company. Third commmpany. Third Companyyy."

"Stop that," barked Furion with a glare "We all know what we're called now."

Persion looked up, "I am just trying to get my head around the concept."

In Toran's quarters the Command squad and the existing Sergeants were gathered, there was also the serf Jareq, sitting quietly in the corner taking minutes of the meeting. Toran had just broken the news that they were to be merged with another formation and become a proper Battle Company. The change had shocked everyone and they were all processing the new status quo.

Bylan was practically beaming with pride that Toran, his personal hero, had been set so high in the command structure, "+This is a high honour, we have been covered in glory+"

But Persion snorted, "That's the problem, I've spent my whole life in the Reserves or a scratch company. I've gotten used to being looked down upon by those glory hogs in the Battle Companies, now I am one of those glory hogs. I don't know if I cope with that."

"Get used to it," growled Furion, "We are a Battle Company now, no more running about in sewers for us. We are the front line, the glorious cutting edge of the Chapter's blade."

Novak declared, "Well I for one think this is great news, if you are Third Captain that means you are above all the other Captains... you can boss anyone about now."

Without any expression at all Furion extended his arm and swung it about to clip Novak about the back of the head as he wearily said, "No he can't, he's still the most junior of all the officers and if you value your position as Champion you will never, ever repeat that where any Master can hear you. You will spend the rest of your life wielding a scrubbing brush and battling dirty latrines."

Novak rubbed the back of his skull but there was a faint grin on his lips that hinted how much he had enjoyed pushing everybody's buttons. Meanwhile Jediah rolled his eyes and said, "What was that bit about finding allies?"

Toran was stood by his desk and said, "Chapter Master Gorgall wants us to call in all our favours, he says it is time to stand with our allies."

Furion said, "Well you can certainly be of help there, you have made friends within the Mechanicus, the navy and even other Chapters."

Toran agreed, "I will start sending missives as soon as we emerge from the Shadow in the Warp. The Imperium should have a few months warning before the Tyranids arrive at Angle's Redoubt, we can only hope it is enough time to rush reinforcements to the system."

Sergeant Priyar interjected, "Before we think about fighting a war we first have to merge two unfamiliar formations into one whole. We only have three months to get ourselves into fighting trim and a hell of a lot to do first."

Sergeant Zeax sniffed, "Shouldn't be that hard."

But Sergeant Mylos spoke up, he had appointed himself the Company's nay-smith, and he said, "You underestimate the challenge ahead, Second Company have just lost their beloved Captain and now they are being reformed. Morale will be at rock bottom and combat efficiency will be poor."

Sergeant Lorath snorted in a dismissal of ideas of morale, "Toran's a Captain, they are initiates. Give them orders and they will obey."

Toran raised a hand and said, "No Mylos is right, we need to build a firm foundation from the start or this will all fall apart. I am planning to speak to each new Sergeant individually and build trust. I will start with that Sergeant Matheus, he seemed competent."

"Matheus?" said Priyar.

Toran raised an eyebrow and said, "You know him?"

"Yes," replied Priyar, "We fought together in First Company before he got shipped out to serve under Captain Laryen. Matheus is a good choice, fierce and driven, his only weakness is he's a real stickler for the rules, does everything by the Codex. Sometimes i thought he was an Ultramarine in disguise. He was a considered to be on a fast track for command, maybe even in line for a Captaincy one day… until you came along and stole all his thunder. If you can win him over it will go a long way to smoothing the transition."

Toran nodded, "Excellent, we will begin there, now get back to your squads and spread the news, make sure they know that the Emperor expects them to treat the newcomers with all honour. We have months of hard training ahead and I don't want to start with sour relations."

The assembly saluted with the sign of the Aquilla and filed out, leaving Toran alone with his serf equerry. The Captain watched them go then walked to his desk; he settled down and sighed when Jareq cleared this throat and discretely pushed a mound of unread parchments forwards. Toran had thought that the red tape was bad when he was Sergeant, but a Captain's paperwork staggered belief. He grabbed the first page and wondered what the Imperial preachers would say if they saw one of the Emperor's Angels, a mighty Space Marine, sitting at a desk to do battle with files and clerking.

Toran put his head down and started reading but after a few minutes the door chimed and Toran eagerly shoved the parchments aside to say, "Come!" The door rolled back and a Space Marine stood there in Storm Herald blue, Toran looked him over and saw Veteran Sergeant Matheus, still in Second company heraldry. Matheus was a grizzled warrior, with a large scar that ran up over his head, splitting his short cropped hair. Yet he had only a single service stud in his forehead, he had served for only a century and so was only slightly older than Toran. Toran sat watching as Matheus marched in and stiffly stood to attention before his desk.

Toran crossed his hands and said, "Welcome Veteran Sergeant Matheus, you were very prompt. Now I trust that you have been informed of the recent changes in our order of battle?"

Matheus stood ramrod straight, "Yes Brother-Captain!"

Toran blinked at the brisk answer, "I know that this is a harsh change, especially with the tragic loss of Captain Laryen, but I want this to be a smooth transition. Are the squads ready for such an abrupt reordering?"

Matheus was staring right over Toran's shoulder and he said, "Yes Brother-Captain."

Toran frowned, for he knew when he was being given the run-around, he had done it himself. The Captain raised an eyebrow and said, "Sergeant, is there a problem I should be aware of?"

Matheus replied, "No Brother-Captain."

Toran picked up a report and made a show of flicking through it, he had memorised it perfectly of course but a bit of theatre never hurt. He said, "Sergeant your record is commendable, a swift rise through the Reserves, followed by exemplary service in Second Company and then promotion to First Company following the great triumph at Rashack Fall. Three decades of Terminator service then a transfer back to Second Company to serve as a Veteran under Captain Laryen. It's fair to say you are one of the Chapter's rising stars, but I imagine losing your beloved Captain has been a blow. It must be hard for your Squads and you personally."

Matheus replied evasively, "Couldn't comment."

Toran saw that this was going entirely wrong and sighed, "Jareq, go get a Recaf."

The serf blinked and said, "Master?"

Toran bluntly said, "Go away."

The serf stood and bowed before leaving. Toran waited a moment then waved to a chair and said to Matheus, "Can we speak off the record for a moment."

Matheus looked wary but sat down and said, "What would you like to talk about?"

Toran replied, "You don't seem very happy about this assignment."

Matheus said carefully, "I wouldn't like to speak out of turn to an officer..."

Toran reached to his chestplate and removed his rank badge and golden chain, he set it on the desk and said, "I need honesty from you, i have no use for Sergeants who think they cannot tell me their concerns, so for the next few minutes we are just two brothers talking. So tell me what's bothering you, is it Captain Laryen's death?"

Matheus eyed the rank pin for a moment then said, "Off the record… my problem is not Laryen. It is you."

Toran was surprised, "I wasn't aware we had served together before."

Matheus leaned back and said, "You have quite a reputation and it's not all good. You came out of nowhere and suddenly you're the hero of the Chapter. Saving the Fortress-Monastery, wielding the Sword of Thiel, commanding a Battlebarge. Some brothers see you as the next Lord Solar Macharius, others as an arrogant glory hog, pushing an inflated reputation to oust better battle-brothers. Whether you meant it or not, you have become a divisive figure and that's not good for the Chapter as a whole."

Toran was surprised to hear that, "And you believe this?"

Matheus replied, "I am not blind, the Master's infighting has become obvious. Five years ago we could all pretend that this was a united Chapter but now it's tearing us apart. Chapter Master Gorgall wants to stop the Emperor-Worship and all of a sudden his favourite protégé gets a rushed promotion. He's manoeuvring you like a pawn, to be his own man in the Battle-Companies. Then there this 'Primarch's Own' business, it carries the stink of the old Warrior-Lodges that led to the Horus Heresy. Frankly it looks to me like you are building a cult upon the legacy of your weapon, a cult dedicated only to yourself."

"I... thank you for your honesty," said Toran slowly somewhat shocked by the accusation, "I was not aware that I had become so controversial. I never meant to elevate myself in such a manner; I only wanted to do what was best for the Chapter."

Matheus replied, "I wish I could trust that."

Toran said, "Trust is not bestowed as a right it must be earned… very well I shall have to prove my intent to you."

Toran stood up and Matheus followed curiosuly as he walked over to the reliquary and opened it. Within the Sword of Thiel sat in its case. Matheus bowed reverently at the sight and Toran picked it up saying, "This relic has been with the Chapter since our Founding, it has been carried by the greatest of heroes and is revered by all. But it has a secret, a secret known only to a handful."

Toran suddenly flipped the handle up and tossed it into the air saying, "Catch."

Matheus reacted instinctively, grabbing the handle and his eyes went wide at the sight of the relic weapon in his hands, he blustered, "What?!"

Toran quickly said, "Look at it, really look. Do you see any aura of divine splendour? Does Roboute Guilliman appear in a vision to bestow you wisdom? Do you feel the power of the Primarch following through you… no? Because there is no such thing, this is a sword, a good one yes, but still only a sword. A weapon is a weapon and a company is a company, no more no less. I intend nothing more than to be a good Captain and you should know that I have expressly forbidden my Marines from using the words 'Primarch's Own' at any time."

Matheus looked uncertain, he gazed at the sword in his hand then at Toran. Long seconds passed then he sighed and said, "It seems I owe you an apology, you are no political animal afterall and you are certainly not building a cult. You seem a good officer, if a trifle naïve about how things are in this Chapter."

Toran smiled, "Then perhaps we could start afresh. I will be the best Captain I can be if you, in turn, can be the best Sergeant you can be."

Matheus nodded then he gave the sword an experimental swing, he handed it back saying, "That is a good sword, wear it proudly and lead us well, we will follow you… Captain."

Toran took back the sword saying, "That is all I hope for, now let us talk about how to shape this new Third Company. We have a lot to arrange and only a few months to whip these squads into shape."