"Now put all effort into treating the wounded. Eradicate every Ork spore fungus. For the next month, comb the planet day and night. I will not permit a single Ork spore to appear on this world.
Then compile losses. I want casualty reports from every unit," Calgar's voice rang across the Ultramarines' comms.
Local garrisons and the Imperial Navy likewise received Calgar's signal and began tallying losses immediately.
"You heard Lord Calgar! Treat the wounded, count losses, and carry out post-battle protocols. All Orkoid threats must be eliminated," the Ultramarine herald shouted across the Vigilus.
Though many company captains had already ordered mortal auxiliaries to clean up Ork remains, Calgar's edict was carried once more to every corner.
One could imagine how seriously the Ultramarines took the greenskins.
"In a few months, the Father will arrive on this world. I will tolerate no mistakes. When the great Guilliman arrives, I want a clean, holy Vigilus," Calgar said.
He had come ahead to this war-torn planet to put its disorder to rights—surely the Emperor's will.
It was to secure this world, to ensure no strange powers claimed it.
After the fighting, Calgar went to the High Council's reception hall to await reports on losses.
In the meantime, he summoned the local nobility, the Ecclesiarchy, and the Adeptus Mechanicus.
"I've heard ill news. Before I came to the Vigilus, I was told you harbor heresy," Calgar said.
"Slander—pure slander, my lord Calgar. Our Vigilus is a prosperous Imperial planet. We have always served the Imperium.
We produce fortress-grade power shields sold to many Imperial worlds. There can be no heresy here," the local noble Planetary Governor said, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Is that so? My information says otherwise. I am told there are vile Genestealers on this world.
I fought the Tyranids centuries ago, when they first set foot in our sacred galaxy.
I know how terrifying they are. Now, summon all nobles, high and even middle ranks of the Ecclesiarchy—everyone—into this hall. Remove your hats. Strip away all disguises," Calgar said.
Before leaving Macragge, Calgar had gathered intelligence on the Vigilus. One item stood out: there might be Genestealers here.
For ten thousand years, the greenskins were the greatest scourge of the galaxy—until a few centuries ago, when the Tyranids arrived and changed that.
Now the greatest scourge is not Orks, but the dread Tyranid swarms.
So Calgar took any Tyranid report with utmost gravity. There could be no slipups. Should a major Hive Fleet arrive, the Imperium would be locked in a grinding war.
On the fringes of the Baal system, Lord Sanguinius's sons were already battling the Tyranids; their power was horrific.
Only Lord Rhodes had maintained an unblemished record against the Tyranids.
"That's impossible, Lord Calgar. We—there have never been Tyranid infiltrators here. How could those foul bugs pass among humans?" the Governor said, dabbing at cold sweat.
He knew the truth of the Vigilus better than anyone. Deep in the underhive, a cult called the Pauper Prince had been attracting many followers these years.
But they also worshiped the Emperor—albeit their "Star Children."
Calgar narrowed his eyes and fixed the Governor with a hard stare—one wrong word and he looked ready to draw his bolt pistol and blow the man's head off.
"I'm not here to bandy words. Summon every noble—high or low. Every last one. I will ensure this planet is untainted," Calgar said flatly.
"Y-yes, Lord Calgar. I—I will see to it at once." The Governor dared no further excuse and scurried out.
Lord Calgar's presence was simply too imposing. Rumor even had it that Lord Guilliman meant to pass the mantle of Chapter Master of the Ultramarines to him and assume the role of Lord Regent of the Imperium himself.
When the others had gone, Calgar sat and allowed himself a brief rest.
"Calgar. It's Rhodes. I'm speaking to you via psychic link. Do not act abnormally. Let no one sense anything amiss," a voice sounded in Calgar's mind.
"Lord Rhodes—you—how are you here?" Calgar bolted upright, looking around in confusion.
A wash of golden light blossomed from nowhere, and Rhodes stepped out—from it, with Tartarus at his side. For now, Tartarus retained a human guise.
Only when alone with his master and summoned allies did he reveal his true form.
"Lord Rhodes, Lord Tartarus—why have you come to the Vigilus?"
"Tartarus and I are here to handle certain matters—Imperial top secret.
At present only the Emperor and Guilliman know I am here," Rhodes said.
"Have you orders for me, my lord?" Calgar asked at once, sensing the moment.
"Are you not curious why you arrived on the Vigilus suddenly? Because I knew the wastrels here could never hold against the Ork horde.
So I moved your fleet directly here to purge them. You have done well—crushed the greenskins in days," Rhodes said.
Calgar understood. No wonder he had reached the system early—it was Lord Rhodes's doing. If it was Rhodes, it made sense; Tartarus possessed terrifying spatial teleportation that spanned the entire galaxy.
Then why had his gene-father escorted that so-called Emperor Avatar here? Why not have Lord Rhodes open a transit gate directly? If Rhodes could arrive, he could surely open one from the Vigilus, no?
"It seems you've guessed some of it, Calgar. You are very clever. The Emperor, Guilliman, and I have laid a great net here—one that concerns the future of all humanity.
If the plan succeeds, mankind will be saved. If it fails, a new Chaos God will be born in the Warp, and humanity's souls will be devoured, as happened to the Aeldari—perhaps even birthing a new Eye of Terror," Rhodes said.
"What!! My lord—can this be true? Is it truly so grave?" Calgar was shaken.
"More than you think. Which is why your next task is crucial. You must do exactly as I say—you are a keystone of this web.
No one may know of this conversation but you—not a single brigade commander or Chapter Master," Rhodes said.
"I understand, my lord. I will keep this secret. What task do you command?" Calgar knelt on one knee.
He had never imagined a seemingly routine escort mission would touch the life and death of all humanity. He dared not be careless.
"Here is what I need you to do…" Rhodes began.
"Th-this—Lord Rhodes, are… are you certain?" Calgar stared, incredulous.
"I don't like it either, but it's the only way to draw that one out," Rhodes said.
"B-but will it even work?" Calgar asked, troubled.
"Calgar, this is your test. Are you willing to sacrifice for the Imperium—even to bear infamy for a time?" Rhodes asked.
"I—I will, my lord. I would die for the Imperium. But—but—" Calgar stammered. The request truly was outrageous.
"Think of it as an assignment. Afterward Guilliman and I will restore your name. It's just undercover work—hardly difficult," Rhodes said.
"But, my lord, even if I'm willing to pretend to defect to Chaos, Abaddon the Despoiler will never believe it," Calgar said.
Lord Rhodes was asking him to defect to Abaddon?
Absurd.
Abaddon was no fool. How could he believe it?
"Be at ease. The real Abaddon is already in my custody. The Abaddon over there is an impostor—ours," Rhodes said with a smile.
"…" Calgar.