The 12th Company of the Alfa Legion is the second of the Melee companies, that work alike to the 8th Company of more Codex-compliant Chapters. Because of Alfabusa's organisational reform for the Chapter, the Company has forgone tactical flexibility for the sake of taking in many Assault Marines, dispatching them across several battle zones on an as-needed basis. When the Company comes together however, it would become a force of blades to be reckoned with.
Specialisation and Doctrine
The Company is one of the two Assault Marine Companies of the Chapter - making it very specialized with an edge in mobility and close-quarters finesse. When engaging the foe on the battlefield, they would typically attack one or both of the enemy flanks - using their Jump Packs or some other form of transport or means to strike a hammer blow into exposed gaps or weak points in the battle line, before proceeding to wreaking havoc among the enemy foot soldiers. Weaving themselves in the midst of the enemy, the 12th Company acts as a single multiple-cell organism, weakened squads retreating while other squads provide support here, while other squads getting the jump on fleeing foes or reinforcements over there.
Land Speeders would provide support for the main thrust into the heart of the enemy host, providing much-needed anti-Armour support, while Storm raven Gunships and sometimes even Thunderhawk Gunships would land in cleared landing zones to dispatch their passengers in the midst of the fighting. Thus, the 12th would usually make use of Stormtalon Gunships to act as escorts for those airborne transports and/or air support for the rest of the company on the ground, loaning of course from the 9th.
This seamless hit-and-run amidst the enemy on the ground would be somewhat direction less and eventually bring the hammer of the enemy upon them however if given enough time and without purpose other than carnage and demoralisation. For that, the 12th almost always seeks out the enemy chain of command in the midst of the bloody chaos - affectively silencing them or otherwise taking them out of the picture, throwing the enemy into further disarray. The 12th thus tends to be selected for eliminating the heart of the enemy command structure in a single blow.
Walls matter little to the 12th Company as well - when given the opportunity, multiple squads could quickly scale the walls and eliminate it's defenders, thus allowing the rest of the Space Marine Chapter or Strike Force to follow in through the breach of the enemy defences. When fielded on a single battlefield in it's entirety, the 12th Company's purpose is simple - to bring about the end of the campaign to a swift and brutal end.
Land Speeders would provide support for the main thrust into the heart of the enemy host, providing much-needed anti-Armour support, while Storm raven Gunships and sometimes even Thunderhawk Gunships would land in cleared landing zones to dispatch their passengers in the midst of the fighting. Thus, the 12th would usually make use of Stormtalon Gunships to act as escorts for those airborne transports and/or air support for the rest of the company on the ground, loaning of course from the 9th.
This seamless hit-and-run amidst the enemy on the ground would be somewhat direction less and eventually bring the hammer of the enemy upon them however if given enough time and without purpose other than carnage and demoralisation. For that, the 12th almost always seeks out the enemy chain of command in the midst of the bloody chaos - affectively silencing them or otherwise taking them out of the picture, throwing the enemy into further disarray. The 12th thus tends to be selected for eliminating the heart of the enemy command structure in a single blow.
Walls matter little to the 12th Company as well - when given the opportunity, multiple squads could quickly scale the walls and eliminate it's defenders, thus allowing the rest of the Space Marine Chapter or Strike Force to follow in through the breach of the enemy defences. When fielded on a single battlefield in it's entirety, the 12th Company's purpose is simple - to bring about the end of the campaign to a swift and brutal end.
History
Pre-civil War
The 12th Company has funnily enough, a history of literal bloodshed behind it going as far back as the near-forgotten days of the Alfa Legion's founding. While it was not always a company meant for engaging close-quarter combat, many of it's most notable combats, both in victory and defeat had the Astartes of the 12th engaging the enemy up-close, whether routing the enemy or making a bloody last stand, resorting to using their ranged weapons as clubs when they ran out of ammunition, or using vehicles to run over the enemy or even ram enemy armour. The Company is regarded to have a certain bloodthirsty streak that makes it stand out from the other companies. Civil War During the Alfa Legion's civil war, the 12th Company would take part in it - as part of the insurrection itself. This very action would leave a black mark greater than any defeat upon the history and honour of the Company. The name of the Captain that was part of the insurrection thus had his name stricken off the record, never to be heard of again. The 12th Company had shed much blood in the conflict - theirs, and that of the opposition - that they took on a grave reputation that they would never be able to fully shake off until much, much later. The next two Captains of the Company - the late Captain Jendor and the now current Captain Ares - would work hard to correct Captain [EXPUNGED FROM RECORD]'s mistake and redeem the Astartes of the 12th of this treasonous blight upon their honour. |
The Gathrog Crusade
The Captain that would take the burden of rebuilding and restoring the 12th Company to it's former glory would be Captain Jendor, one of the few Astartes of that Company who had disagreed and even came to blows with his predecessor during the Civil War. Jendor would work hard, taking the 12th Company into many warzones, sometimes at a cost. The reputation of the 12th Company as "the bloody butchers" would continue to dog their footsteps during all this time. It is during this time that the 12th would be reorganised into the chapter's designated Assault Reserve Company, cementing the reputation just a little further, despite the immediate racking of several-score victories in several engagements.
It would have looked that the company would evermore be looked upon as shamed warriors, perhaps just a little better than their more treasonous brethren among the armies of the Lost and the Damned of Chaos... Then Jendor found an opportunity, and seized it. Several of the Chapter Librarians would predict that an Ork WAAAGH! is on the horizon, within the fringe space of the Ork Empire of Gathrog. Jendor would make an unusual request to the Chapter Master; To go on a Crusade into Ork territory, and enact preventative measures to delay or even prevent the WAAAGH before it gains traction. He would do this with little support other than that of the 9th Company. The Chapter Master inexplicably agreed to this request, and so Jendor set off with his crusade into Ork territory.
This crusade would go on for at least several decades, but it was during this crusade that the Company's niche would be found and perfected. At least several-dozen Ork Warbosses where put to the sword (sometimes literally) in lightning raids by the 12th Company across two dozen solar systems in Ork frontier space. It was only until the 12th Company was reduced to 100 Astartes that the crusade was finally called a success and called off - the Orks had their numbers severely reduced by then, and all potential Warlords were eliminated. If the prophesied WAAAGH were still to come, it's arrival would at least be severely delayed. Sadly enough, Jendor would give his life in a rear-guard action while the company was extracted en mass. But because of these preventative actions, the returning 12th Company would have regained a measure of it's honour - and of course, Jendor's corpse was recovered and given proper funeral rites.
The timing could not have been more perfect, for upon the return of the 12th Company to Swedesia, the Crimson Tigers would have denounced the Alfa Legion as heretical, and declared undue war upon it.
The Crimson War
The 12th Company would return to the Chapter Homeworld battered, but largely proud and lauded for their vital strength their crusade made apparent. Now they would be put to the test here within the coming conflict - to see what the survivors had learned, and whether there would they be more than mere warrior-butchers. A new Captain would be promoted to lead them; Ares, a veteran of the 1st Company. The first action the Company would take under Ares' command would be against astartes - other loyal warriors of the Imperium, of all the unthinkable.
There, they were sorely tested. The 12th Company would make hit-and-run tactics, the Captain taking note of the experience garnered by the veterans of the Gathrog Crusade - learning of Jendor's tactics and adopting them, knowing that the Company would work well with them. Even as the battle raged across the continent of Bjork, members of the Company would be ordered by Ares to keep their distance from Crimson Tiger Apothecaries as they worked during the fighting, even as they themselves are fired upon or otherwise attacked. As the invasion of Swedesia progressed, the same respect would be given in turn as Alfa Legion apothecaries would go out to recover the geneseed of their fallen, and would note of Crimson Tiger Astartes also keeping their distance as the Apothecaries did their work.
By the end of the war, and the resulting treaty, the 12th Company had proven itself - but the shadow of their treasonous history still lingered. So with much work still ahead, the 12th Company would rearm, rebuild, and head out into the stars once more.
The Ixianad Shadow Crusade
The Inquisition had at that point, confirmed that there is an Alpha Legion presence working within the Sector - to destabilize it and bring it to ruin. As such, a crusade was called to find and eliminate the traitors from the Sector. The Alfa Legion would be involved, and to an extent the Blood Ravens through a strike force, fresh from the Aurelian Crusade sent on a hunt and so would the Inquisition, the Imperial Guard and finally the Order of the White Heart, who would come to the Sector for the first time.
The 12th Company would see action alongside the Order of the White Heart many times, and develop bonds of respect with the Order, one respecting their purity of faith and zeal, the other respecting their martial prowess. As time would pass, the 12th Company would start adopting customs from the Sisters of Battle, becoming more and more driven by faith as much as the need to fight for the sake of the Imperium, and for the sake of washing away their company's past sin in blood. It was also during this time that the Company would come to the aid of a Forge World, ousting Alpha Legion invaders from it's metal surface. The Forge World would grant them and the Chapter a number of Archeotech Teleport Packs in thanks for the aid.
All those events would eventually come to a head on Kantorus - the headquarters of the Alpha Legion cell operating in the Sector. After gaining intel on the Alpha Legion presence there on that supposedly uninhabited blasted rock, Ares sent a message to the rest of the crusade force, before taking what forces there are within his vicinity, and quickly set out for the planet, not bothering to wait for the rest of the Imperium's army to gather for an assault. This seemingly rash action would bring about a swift, brutal and sudden end to the so-called Shadow Crusade - 12th Company elements, the 8th Company, The Blood Raven Strike Force and the Order of the White Heart would fall upon the barren world like the hammer of the Emperor itself. Taking the Alpha Legionnaires by surprise, they stormed the surface, stormed their base and proceeded to tear out the heart of the Cell. The 12th Company cemented itself as a brotherhood of pious, and zealous warriors, many roaring litanies of retribution as they hurled themselves into the enemy with unparalleled and joy, no longer quietly doing their work as warriors while surprising their brethren with their zeal.
The ragtag Imperial Force would report their confirmed victory by the end of the week to the rest of the Crusade force, and thus brought the end to the sector-wide campaign just like that. The Alpha Legion cell was declared purged and Kantorus was left behind, the matter supposedly settled.
Culture
The Company, as of now is notably pious, with good ties to the Adeptus Sororitas - especially the Order of the White Heart. It is not uncommon for Astartes of the Company to worship the Emperor as a god, although it is still considered an oddity. Most dedicate their spare time to scripture and prayer - some not being able to distinguish between prayer and training at all. Many others willingly volunteer themselves to guard sacred sites or accompany pilgrims throughout the subsector - sometimes beyond that, though never outside the Sector itself.
A custom of note of the Company is an "Oath of Hour" or "Oath of the Hour". Brought about during the Ixianad Shadow Crusade and unknowingly drawing parallel to the old "Oath of moment" of the old Space Marine Legions of the Great Crusade, it involves a Special Oath made by marines before battle or setting out on a mission. It is taken as a reaffirmation to the Emperor, The Chapter and the Imperium of Mankind, and it typically required at least two people, the swearing marine/s and the oath-holder.
A custom of note of the Company is an "Oath of Hour" or "Oath of the Hour". Brought about during the Ixianad Shadow Crusade and unknowingly drawing parallel to the old "Oath of moment" of the old Space Marine Legions of the Great Crusade, it involves a Special Oath made by marines before battle or setting out on a mission. It is taken as a reaffirmation to the Emperor, The Chapter and the Imperium of Mankind, and it typically required at least two people, the swearing marine/s and the oath-holder.
The oath is usually made on the honour of the swearing marine/s, although swearing it on a weapon or piece of wargear as well was not unheard of. The oath is then written down and affixed onto the swearing marine's power armour with a purity seal before he would depart on his mission. Alternatively, the Oath-taker would be hold the swearing Astartes to the oath. A third party is usually required to bear witness to the oath itself and while it is not necessary, it usually helps to affirm the fact that the oath took place.
Another custom associated with the Company is the eradication of temples, shrines, reliquaries and other structures made for xeno dieties and/or the gods of Chaos. Because such works are (rightfully) deemed heretical, marines of the 12th Company would take time to break and cast down such heretical sites and structures, whilst restoring or purifying defiled and/or broken Imperial holy sites and shrines. The marines would sometimes accompany Battle Sisters from the Order of the White Heart to help spread the word of the Emperor, or otherwise render assistance to them while they are nearby. |
Finally, it is customary to only give the Company Icon onto the armour of the marines - usually on one of the kneecaps - after the marines had proven themselves in battle, usually involving a lot of dead bodies. Once the marines of a squad had proven themselves greatly in battle, or had done an exceptional act, the icon is slapped onto their armoured kneecaps to be borne proudly. Until then, adopting the Black squad icon is all that marks them as part of the 12th Company.
Organization
Because of the demand for the presence of Assault Marines, the 12th Company is usually never wholly gathered on the same battlefield. To that end, the company is divided into segments called Demi-Plihort, comprising of 50 Astartes at most, which is assigned to campaigns on an as-needed basis.
A Demiplihort of the 12th Company typically consists of 50 Assault Marines, although there are a few Strike Hosts that replace a single squad for two Landspeeder Squadrons. All Demiplihorts are assigned some form of transport - A Thunderhawk Gunship and two Stormravens, or four Stormravens. Sometimes Rhinos or Razorbacks are loaned from the 2nd or 3rd Companies - especially when Jump Packs are eschewed for silent movement.
One or two Demiplihorts would have a Warp Squad - Astartes equipped with the rare Archeotech Teleporter Packs taken during the Shadow Crusade. They enable them to make lightning assaults on the enemy by warp shunting - although they are rightly distrusted and associated with bad luck by some, for some would shunt through, and exit as a mangled heap of flesh, merge with a wall or some form of material, or not emerge at all. Only the most strong-willed, pious, or lucky are willingly trusted with such strange and irreplaceable pieces of technology. Sometimes however, volunteers are accepted.
Each Strike Host is commanded by a Force Commander - usually the oldest or most experienced Sergeant of the Squads involved, although it is not unheard of for Strike Hosts to rotate with the rank between squads.
There is a single Strike Host that differs from this - the Lightning Blades. This Strike Host is the command formation, with Ares at the head - and the entire strike host consists of Warp Marines. One of these Warp Marine Squads would act in a similar manner to a Command squad - for adopting Jump Packs instead would make them cumbersome, and bikes are property of the 2nd and 3rd. They would usually keep themselves in reserve in orbit, only to be unleashed on the enemy at the right time - delivering a hammer blow at a critical area of the battlefield. Usually transports are not issued to them as a result, but when required, Ares would handpick whatever is at hand to send them down to the surface below, or to otherwise serve by his side.
A Demiplihort of the 12th Company typically consists of 50 Assault Marines, although there are a few Strike Hosts that replace a single squad for two Landspeeder Squadrons. All Demiplihorts are assigned some form of transport - A Thunderhawk Gunship and two Stormravens, or four Stormravens. Sometimes Rhinos or Razorbacks are loaned from the 2nd or 3rd Companies - especially when Jump Packs are eschewed for silent movement.
One or two Demiplihorts would have a Warp Squad - Astartes equipped with the rare Archeotech Teleporter Packs taken during the Shadow Crusade. They enable them to make lightning assaults on the enemy by warp shunting - although they are rightly distrusted and associated with bad luck by some, for some would shunt through, and exit as a mangled heap of flesh, merge with a wall or some form of material, or not emerge at all. Only the most strong-willed, pious, or lucky are willingly trusted with such strange and irreplaceable pieces of technology. Sometimes however, volunteers are accepted.
Each Strike Host is commanded by a Force Commander - usually the oldest or most experienced Sergeant of the Squads involved, although it is not unheard of for Strike Hosts to rotate with the rank between squads.
There is a single Strike Host that differs from this - the Lightning Blades. This Strike Host is the command formation, with Ares at the head - and the entire strike host consists of Warp Marines. One of these Warp Marine Squads would act in a similar manner to a Command squad - for adopting Jump Packs instead would make them cumbersome, and bikes are property of the 2nd and 3rd. They would usually keep themselves in reserve in orbit, only to be unleashed on the enemy at the right time - delivering a hammer blow at a critical area of the battlefield. Usually transports are not issued to them as a result, but when required, Ares would handpick whatever is at hand to send them down to the surface below, or to otherwise serve by his side.
Training
The additional training on new Marines as they arrive consist of the following;
- Additional close-quarter combat training.
- Advanced Pistol training, to use them as both ranged weapons and close combat weapons onto themselves. It was inspired by the Seraphim of the Order of the White Heart and some of the techniques where incorporated into the Company and spread out from there.
- Pilot training, for using the Jump Packs and piloting the company's attached Land Speeders.
- In-depth Assault Marine tactics. They are practically drilled into new Marines as soon as possible.
Noted Legionnaires
Ares Gildeon - current Captain of the 12th Company.
Jendor Boldran - late Captain of the 12th Company, Ares' predecessor. Spikonious Rhinon - Chaplain attached to the 12th Company Ishmel - Current Primary Apothecary of the 12th Company (Placeholder for name - current Primary Techmarine of the 12th Company. Wilhelm - current 12th Company Champion. Curly Halvar - Warp Marine Sergeant (Placeholder for name) - Techmarine attached to the 12th Company Ulric Lionheart - Assault Marine Sergeant Lamen’tolison Marrsh - Assault Marine Sergeant RelicsJendor's Sacrifice
Named so in honour of the late Captain, The Chainsword is ancient - a Thunder Edge Pattern, it is remarkable that it is still found in use. The late Captain Jendor had slain many a foe with this weapon, but not as many as he had during his last stand. Jendor held a narrow passage against the greenskin horde along with several other battle-brothers for over an hour to buy time for the rest of the Company to extract. Jendor ultimately fell, but not before killing at least a hundred of the foul xenos in the passage. His Chainsword was thankfully recovered along with his body. It turned out that despite being chocked with blood, the Chainsword still continued to function well. Despite minor controversy over it's bloodthirsty quality, It was cleaned after, and interred in the reliquary - as a keepsake, to remind the rest of the Company of Jendor's selfless act. |