3rd Company

The 3rd Company have been around for a long tumultuous time with a more unfortunate history then other companies. The 3rd are a paradox that serve to be the antithesis of the Chapter. They spend a lot of time debating and probing decisions that are being made before finally voting on them, of striking down their foes through massed drop pod and gunship assaults, using the shock of their assaults to tear down the opposition. They are renowned for their orbital assaults and new found skills in air supremacy and dogfighting.

## 3rd Company

### Speciality

Orbital assault, iconoclasm, and Air supremacy

### Battle cry

We are the Storm! We bring the Lightning!

## Chapter History

The 3rd are also known for making use of bionic augmentation then the other companies and holding amount of large of techmarines . The old guard of 3rd Company member has at least one bionic. 3rd Company is made primarily from Iron Hands genestock, yet most do not share the same cold and calculated dementor of the geneseed. They seem to hold grudges and are usually brash when it comes to perceiving others opinions, but not being outright hostile to the other companies. The chapters past is troubled and chaotic like The Schism. It was a turning point for the 3rd Company in that records of their history up to that point were lost in the chaos. The traitor Ulysses had spread his web of deceit throughout the Chapter and had ensnared the 3rd Marshal Rebel and his Captain, whose name is lost. During the fighting, the 3rd Company was split in two as Malius, who's loyalty to Crabbus was unshakable, rose against Rebel and in a climatic duel, mortally wounded him while the lost Captain was slain by Banarus. The Schism also helped strengthen the bond between the 1st and 3rd company. The conflict on Urao IV century after the Schism, the 3rd found itself troubled once more. They had undertaken a campaign on Urao IV where the planet had not only risen in rebellion but also found itself under attack from the remains of a Tyranid hive ship and an Ork Waagh! Even during the events of the 7th's Treachery. Where there had been concerns over the 7th Company for a long time. Ever since a mysterious maiden named Lily had appeared in 7th, the Company had been acting increasingly erratic and there were reports of a "Cult of Lily" that had formed in 7th. Despite this, no action was taken aside from keeping the 7th under close watch.

### Royalus' betrayal/ Great Mutilation

After the events of The Schism, 3rd company was always uneasy. Most thought the intervention of the inquisition would help aid the wounds of the Schism, until the inquisitor sent to the company had other motives in mind. A long with the rouge inquisitor the 3rd Company Marshal at the time, Royalus Gratus attempted to kill off those loyal to the chapter alongside the 1st company. The plot was thwarted by the actions of of Lord Kirdius and Grand Marshal Anthonius on the Shattering Sun. On board the Tempest, the ship that housed 3rd company. At the time Captain Taris Erelek and the ~30 marines still loyal to the chapter that survived the initial "purge" Royalus executed. The loyalists did what they could but ultimately failed to stop the last order of Royalus, to have the Tempest fire all weapons on itself. Thankfully the loyalists managed to escape in time before the detonation. Captain Taris was given an order by the Grand Marshal to go to the world and Artsul, which was a hive world that was supposed to have send necessary supplies. But the world was slowly being dragged into the warp by a massive ruinstorm. Taris would have to hand pick a group of marines to accompany him and to aid in recovering the supplies the chapter needed, alone.

#### Aftermath of Artsul

After Captain Taris returned with the supplies which included 2 Fellglaives salvaged from a battle dating back to the heresy, various suits of ancient power armor and ancient patterns of boltguns, a full squads worth of new Mk.VIII and Mk.VI. Once Taris and his retinue returned to the Shattering Sun, Taris would be promoted to the rank of Marshal due to his valiant actions taken during the Great Mutilation and the recovery of the supplies from Artsul.

## The Mass Incus

The Mass in Incus (or "The Reborn Anvil" in low gothic) of the 3rd company was enacted after Taris Erelek became Marshal to the company. When Taris was running exercises with the other companies he found that what damaged the 3rd's initial effectiveness was the fact that his drop pods and transportation had little to no cover or escort once in atmosphere, so he decided to ask the Grand Marshal for some favors. The favors Taris asked for specifically were 6 Stormhawk interceptors, 6 Xiphon interceptors. Taris had 12 fighters in total now, he made them participate in drills for weeks after getting them to make sure those pilots had the situation and themselves under control during their missions. Nothing would prepare the Mass in Incus like actual combat,which they received in the aiding 1st company fend off the Tyranid fleet they had been trapped in.The Air division of 3rd company is made up of 2 squadrons of 3 Stormhawk interceptors and 3 squadrons of 2 Xiphon interceptors. The Stormhawk squadrons form their own fighter group and the same goes for the Xiphons, each fighter, squadron, and group go by their own names given by each pilot. The other air assets of 3rd company are not part of the Air division due to the fact the rest are meant as ground support and transport of infantry and vehicles, while Mass in Incus is meant purely as an air supremacy  division. After their first test of strength and the display of power that they had over the situation, The Marshal of the 3rd company made sure that Mass in Incus be given more support,but at a cost. The 3rd company was going to have to play a very difficult game of balance when it came to the ground and air forces of the company, since it would take far longer to replenish the lost aircraft (and pilots) of the air group then a standard astare. Another set of 6 squadrons would be added to the air group, also being made up of a mix of stormhawk and Xiphon interceptors. The air group would prove to be a vital part of 3rd company in later conflicts acting as the thunder to 3rd company's lightning.

## Chapter Tactics

The 3rd Company makes heavy use of drop pods and gunships to mass launch of fighters and gunships to secure the air. This allows for the 3rd Company to use the shock of the assault to their advantage and destroy their foes before they can react. The 3rd often act as the vanguard, attacking the enemy and leaving their defenses weakened before the rest of the Chapter attacks. Because of their role, the 3rd are rivals to the 7th Company. While the 7th uses rapid air assaults and close combat, the 3rd use sudden orbital strikes combined with drop assaults and overwhelming firepower and their endurance to annihilate their target. 3rd Company also has a friendship with 1st Company due to the fact they both act as the first wave for attacks. The 3rd Company acts as the first strike and weakens the defenses of the target before 1st swoops in to take advantage of the weakened defenses. Often both Companies go in a combined assault, utterly overwhelming their foes.

## Company Beliefs

Since the removal of the majority of the company, what was left still clung to their The 3rd Company is also known for having a habit of arguing against decisions. Dissension is commonplace with arguments about fighting style, tactics, decisions and even who’s turn it is to ride the Drop pod. Because of this, 3rd Company Astartes aren’t afraid to argue against their superiors if they think they’re wrong, making them well known for their honesty and advising skills, making them suitable diplomats. The 3rd Company has a difficult relationship with the new Primaris Marines, seeing that all but one of the Primaris sided with the Royalus during the Great Mutilation. In fact, the Primaris marines that have been added to the company after the betrayal have started to become more defensive and brutish in more social situations.

## Organization

3rd Company does not follow the rules set by the codex astares any longer. Their style of combat has led them to make some changes, they also go over the number limit and are believed to be 300 strong. They are very mobile and close to mid ranged oriented. Each squad is self sufficient and act independently from one another in combat while still working together. Each squad also rarely keeps to one role, switching from ranged to melee when needed. However some squads do stick to one role, The use of the "Mass Incus" has greatly improved the strike capabilities of the company as well as much needed air support for the other comapnies if needed. Tactical squads of the company are closer to company veterans due to their high usage of storm bolters/combi bolters and other standard combi weapons along with chain-axes when needed. The Company also have a large number of vanguard veteran squads that can quickly move around to provide support. Of all primaris units the modified incursor squads with an "up armored" version of Mk.X Phobos unofficially know as "Deimos amour". Inceptor squads are used as reserve forces who deploy to reinforce points or disrupt enemy counter attacks.  Their strike cruiser, the “Tempest”, was also outfitted with engines that provide for extra speed, allowing for the 3rd to rapidly deploy. Until it's nearly complete destruction by the traitor's hands.

## Notable Members

**Apothecary Duo** - Duo is the chief apothecary in the 3rd Company, he oversees the gene seed implantation in new recruits and maintains the physical health of the Company. Due to his role, Duo is well protected as he collects the gene seed from those who have fallen in battle.