[right][h3][b]Salamanders Chapter[/b][/h3]
[i]Prometheus[/i], in orbit around Nocturne[/right]
Tu’Shan, Regent of Prometheus stood at the front of the formation of Salamanders. The First company stood on the left with the Second, Third, and Fourth companies lined up to the right of these. On the far right of the line stood the [i]Sons of Nocturne[/i], the Seventh Company. The Second Company could only muster thirty-four officers and NCOs as they were in the process of rebuilding their ranks from the pool of initiates entering as Battle Brothers. “Salamanders, Attention!” The assembled Space Marines simultaneously slid their left foot to the right standing straight with heads and eyes forward. “Parade, rest!” Every Marine slid their left foot shoulder width apart and looked directly at Tu’Shan.

“Currently, the [i]Defenders of Nocturne[/i] are replenishing their strength here at the Fortress-Monastery in view of the Pantheon of the Salamanders. The [i]Firedrakes[/i] and [i]Pyroclasts[/i] are to remain here on Prometheus as well.  Captain Dacien and Captain Jacobi are taking a detachment of Salamanders to the Karia system, to assist in the defense of the Hive World Tergatus Magna and mining station Ruitegier. Their companies, [i]The Branded[/i] and [i]The Sons of Nocturne[/i] will travel from Nocturne aboard the Strike Cruiser [i]Fire Ark[/i], and escorted by the Frigates, [i]Fire Lord[/i] and [i]Forgehammer[/i]. I expect good deeds from you marines deploying to Karia and may you find Vulkan in your travels!”

“As Captain Dacien is the senior commander, he will have overall command of this detachment with Captain Jacobi as his second in command. Salamanders, Attention!” The formation of marines returned to the position of attention. “Dismissed!”
[hr]
[b]Weeks later…[/b]
Aboard the [i]Fire Ark[/i]
“Sons of the Harvest and the Black Templars have arrived ahead of us,” Captain Dacien told Captain Lucius Jacobi and the other officers and senior NCOs assembled. “We will coordinate our efforts with them and begin landing on the surface. Wait for my instructions.” Lieutenants Degener and Falck of the 4th and Lieutenants Clemens and Stengel of the 7th were present along with Senior Sergeants Stiegler, Marcellinus, and Feuerwerker representing the Non-commissioned officer corps of the Chapter. “Lieutenant Degener’s First platoon, 4th, will travel with Lieutenant Falck’s Executioners. Lieutenant Clemens’ Third platoon, 7th and Lieutenant Stengel’s Fourth platoon, 7th will initially travel aboard Senior Sergeant Feuerwerker’s Redeemers of Fifth Platoon. Each squad will be assigned a vehicle. We will keep our formations tight and react accordingly to any situation. As we receive intelligence on our enemy, we can adjust our formation as necessary. With [i]The Branded[/i] in the lead and [i]The Sons of Nocturne[/i] in trail, we will deal with whatever situation is in front of us. The fourth will move with First Platoon in lead and Second Platoon following. As soon as intelligence on the enemy disposition is sent to me, I will pass it along to you.”

Captain Dacien turned to the commanding officer of the [i]Fire Ark[/i], “Commander, do you have a plan to support us on the ground?”

“The void strength present is the [i]Fire Ark[/i] and two Frigates, [i]Fire Lord[/i] and [i]Forgehammer[/i]. Our priority will be in defending our ships against any hostile incursion here in orbit. Assuming there is none, we will provide orbital strikes to any ground targets you provide us. We will assign specific ships and/or gun batteries to provide direct support to each of your squads on the ground. Please prioritize your targets to massed formations of the enemy rather than individual targets. Do not waste the time and energy of our gun crews. Thank you, gentlemen, and happy hunting.”

“Thank you, Commander. Unless anyone has any questions, you can prepare for insertion,” Captain Dacien thanked the ship’s commander for his input and ordered the Salamanders to move to their jump pods.