Welcome back, loyal followers of the Imperium, to another deep dive into the intricate world of Warhammer 40,000. Today, we’re moving our focus away from the frontlines of battlefields to the heart of the action – inside the belly of the Baneblade, the Imperium’s ultimate symbol of armored warfare.
In stark contrast to most tanks we’re familiar with, where the commander sits high in the turret, the Baneblade commander finds his seat shielded beneath layers of protective armor, nestled amongst a clutter of complex equipment. Here, he helms the colossal beast through the chaos of war, his eyes glued to monitors that paint a vivid picture of the battlefield outside. External cameras, turret periscopes, and data feeds from various sensors – they all provide an abundance of critical information, but it’s a lot for one man to process, even for the battle-hardened veteran like the renowned Artm Lanic.
Despite the wealth of information at their fingertips, some commanders, like Lanic, still favor the old-school approach. They prefer to sit in the turret, their gaze sweeping across the battlefield, the raw grit of war playing out before their eyes. This, however, comes with its own perils. One wrong move, a single piece of shrapnel or a sniper’s bullet, and they could lose more than just their vantage point.
Now, this practice of popping out of the Baneblade’s hatch during battle isn’t exactly in line with standard Imperial tactics. It's risky and frowned upon. Still, it’s not uncommon to see tankers, especially those transferred from the Leman Russ battle tank, bend these rules in the heat of the moment.
Because the sheer volume of information is too much for one person to handle on their own, a Tactical Officer usually accompanies the tank commander. This officer watches the data screens, manages Vox communication, and often steps into the role of deputy commander when required. Along with the commander, the Tactical Officer’s workstation is a hive of screens and logical devices, their seat positioned to the left of the commander’s chair.
The Baneblade’s crew doesn’t stop there. The engine room houses a tech-priest, a recent Guardsman or a tech-priest of low rank. This individual is responsible for the tank’s engine and reactor if present, performing necessary maintenance, appeasing the tank's machine spirit, and initiating emergency repairs during combat.
The most taxed individual in this mix, though, is the tertiary gunner. This crew member manages all of the tank’s auxiliary weaponry – lascannons and twin-link heavy bolters located in the sponson, along with a heavy bolter in the front turret. It’s a hefty responsibility, and they're often assisted by a tertiary loader.
Despite the advanced Martian technology incorporated into the Baneblade, it is by no means infallible. For instance, when too many rounds are fired in quick succession, the loading mechanism may jam. This can be fixed by discharging and recharging the entire system, but the process must be carried out through the external sponson hatches, adding extra work for the tertiary loader.
In total, the second command deck houses half of the tank’s crew – five people. The commander, the tactical officer, an adept of the Mechanicus, the tertiary gunner, and the tertiary loader all work in close quarters, the deck overflowing with equipment. And yet, they work like a well-oiled machine, the Baneblade’s crew operating as one to ensure this behemoth of the Imperium stays on its destructive course.
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