Such is the experience wielded by the Sergeants of an Astartes squad that their seniority and authority is second only to that of their company's commanding Captain. It is not unusual for a senior Sergeant to be given command over several other squads at the battle's onset, allowing the company Captain to focus his strategic and tactical acumen on a particular area of the conflict rather than dissipating it across the battlefront. Should the Captain be slain or otherwise eliminated, command of the strike force automatically and seamlessly passes to the most senior Sergeant. Only a foolish enemy would think this to their advantage however -- any shortfall in experience a Sergeant has in comparison to his fallen Captain is more than made up for by the newfound determination he possesses to a