The dust of the war in orbit had not yet settled when a Thunderhawk gunship detached from the hangar of the of Macragge's Glory and plummeted toward the battle-scarred planet below.
Inside the gunship, the atmosphere was solemn. Chapter Master Calgar, Robert, Magos Biologis Wick, and Inquisitor Kryptman, these key figures who would decide the fate of the entire war zone – were the first to descend to the surface of Plantidium.
The ramp opened, and a pungent stench, a mixture of chemical toxins, gunpowder smoke, and alien musk, wafted in.
The welcoming party was surprisingly meager.
Only EGO himself, and the several thousand Heldivers behind him.
It was normal that Sicarius and Huron hadn't come; the group had already reviewed the combat brief sent from Plantidium, knowing these two Space Marines had been seriously wounded in the previous fighting and were likely still in the medical bay. But why hadn't even a single Astartes shown up?
"Welcome, everyone," EGO stepped forward. "I sincerely apologize for the lack of proper reception. When we received news of the fleet's arrival, Captain Aggeman was leading the Space Marines on the front lines against the tyranids. It will take some time for them to withdraw from the positions and return to headquarters. Therefore, only I could come to greet you."
"I see," Calgar nodded in understanding. He glanced around at the eager Helldivers who looked ready to rush forward and demand autographs, feeling that if they didn't leave soon, they would be swarmed by these fervent mortals.
"Let's head to the command center quickly. War matters take priority."
"I shall go to the front line to inspect these flora created by the tyranids," said Magos Wick, his bionic eyes flashing with investigative curiosity.
"I will accompany you," Inquisitor Kryptman stated immediately. He too held extreme caution and research interest regarding the alien ecology.
Thus, the group split into two.
After some more time, Captain Aggeman finally rushed back from the front line. His blue Power Armour was still stained with large patches of purple and green tyranid blood and bodily fluids.
However, none of the people here were spoiled; for them, having bloodstains was as normal as getting wet from walking into a room during a rainstorm.
"Chapter Master!" Upon seeing Calgar, Aggeman immediately stepped forward and saluted with a standard power fist-to-chest gesture.
"Aggeman, you've arrived just in time," Calgar motioned for Aggeman to approach. "Magos Wick just sent a message saying he has preliminary results from his research into the tyranid-created flora. He should be arriving soon... ah, and here he is."
Just as he finished speaking, the heavy blast door of the command center reopened, and Magos Wick and Inquisitor Kryptman walked in.
"Gentlemen," Magos Wick skipped any formalities and got straight to the point. "Our preliminary findings are not optimistic.
Those flora are, without a doubt, a part of the tyranid biological construct. But unlike the previous tyranids we've encountered, which only knew how to plunder and consume, these organisms have destroyed Plantidium's native ecology and are now rebuilding a brand new ecosystem atop the ruins."
He paused, his voice becoming more solemn: "Evidently, they intend to shape Plantidium into a vibrant planet, but one only suitable for tyranid survival.
Regarding this, I must commend the Helldivers; the action of saturating the planet's atmosphere with poisonous gas was an excellent idea. It has significantly curbed the development speed of the tyranid ecosystem."
"However, even so," Kryptman took over, coldly adding, "given the tyranids' terrifying adaptability and evolutionary speed, I dare say that now the entire Plantidium, aside from the few strongholds under our human control, has probably been transformed into their paradise."
This situation clearly contradicted the characteristics of the Tyranid Hive Fleet that everyone had previously understood.
All eyes in the room invariably turned to the two Helldivers standing together – or, to be precise, to Robert. After all, up to this point, all of Robert's previous speculations about the tyranids had proven true one by one.
For Calgar and Aggeman, both Ultramarines, this trust was amplified because it was overlaid with the counsel of Chief Librarian Tigurius.
Robert contemplated for a moment under the scrutiny of the crowd before slowly beginning: "I have a conjecture, just a conjecture—the tyranid craving for the flesh of the Primarch may far exceed our expectations."
He continued: "In fact, what the tyranids are currently doing still does not violate their fundamental behavioral logic: the pursuit of the Primarch's flesh."
"Yes, they are doomed to fail in this orbital battle; this tyranid fleet has no possibility of advancing further into the heart of Ultramar. But who ever said that the Tyranid Hive Mind can only afford the loss of one bio-fleet?"
The moment these words were spoken, everyone present changed their demeanor.
Calgar's voice lowered: "You mean, it's not over?"
"Yes," Robert affirmed. "As xenos from outside the galaxy, the sheer number of tyranid forces is far beyond our imagination.
This current Hive Fleet is highly likely not even their true vanguard; at best, it can only be considered a reconnaissance force.
If we don't view this campaign as an independent war, but as a single battle within a much grander conflict, then the tyranids' actions can be explained—in their view, they have not completely failed yet!"
"As the gateway to the Ultramar Sector, since the tyranids have successfully established a military presence here, how could they easily abandon it? They intend to thoroughly transform Plantidium, or at least a part of it, into their forward operating base for invading our home!"
Calgar silently pondered these words, eventually nodding: "The logic is sound. I can't find any fault with it."
Robert turned to Wick: "In fact, Magos Wick, as the one who first proposed the hypothesis that 'the tyranids are coming for the Primarch,' should also have considered this possibility."
No expression could be seen on Magos Wick's mechanical faceplate, but his heart was in turmoil.
No way? I only proposed that point to scare the Space Marines into bringing more manpower to help. Could I have actually hit the nail on the head by blind luck? Are the tyranids, truly coming for Guilliman?
"Governor Robert," Wick forcefully suppressed his internal shock and spoke in a steady electronic voice, "Since you have such a clear conjecture about the tyranids' strategy, do you have any countermeasures?"
"Of course," Robert said confidently. "First, and most importantly, we must thoroughly purge all Tyranid organisms on Plantidium, no matter what."
Calgar immediately expressed support: "Yes, even if part of this conjecture is wrong, we absolutely cannot tolerate the Tyranids defecating across the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar. Plantidium must be purified."
"Regarding the method of purification," Robert held up a finger, "I've got three ways to skin this cat: the easy way, the hard way, and the highway."
These words immediately piqued everyone's interest. The Imperials were eager to hear what these three plans were.
Only EGO, standing nearby, inwardly grumbled: Three ways to skin a cat? Where have I been brought? I'm in the Warhammer 40K universe, not a barnyard debate!
"The easy way is simple," Robert stated. "Since we control the orbit, we immediately evacuate everyone on Plantidium, then have the Naval Fleet conduct a saturation orbital bombardment, or just drop a few Cyclonic Torpedoes onto the surface. The matter will be solved."
Upon hearing this, even Inquisitor Kryptman shook his head and commented, "Truly the easier stratagem."
Calgar also resolutely rejected it: "The Space Marines will never issue an Exterminatus against any of the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar. This is politically absolutely impossible."
"Next is the the hard way," Robert continued. "Develop detailed operational plans and logistical support, have the tens of thousands of Space Marines in orbit descend to the surface in batches, and systematically sweep the entirety of Plantidium using conventional methods. As long as we have enough patience, we will eventually succeed. The only drawback is time, and what we lack most right now is precisely time—"
"Yes," Aggeman said gravely. "No one knows when the next wave of Tyranid reinforcements will arrive. The purification of Plantidium must be completed as quickly as possible."
Calgar offered no comment, only looking at Robert: "Tell us your last stratagem."
Robert took a deep breath and spoke the plan that was enough to shock everyone present:
"We will unify and reorganize the tens of thousands of Space Marines in orbit and the millions of Helldivers on the surface.
The Space Marines will no longer operate independently in Chapter-sized units, but will serve as the spearhead and vanguard of a single grand army; the Helldivers will act as support troops, responsible for the flanks, logistics, and defense.
We must concentrate all our forces to execute a large-scale combined arms operation! While this approach may lack the tactical flexibility of the thousand-man Chapter model, this campaign does not require a flexible dagger.
The tyranid swarm has no single vital point that can be struck for an instant kill. We must use a heavy warhammer to smash them to pieces!"
After Robert finished, the command center was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
After an unknown duration, Inquisitor Kryptman finally took a deep breath and said dryly, "The High Lords, will go mad."
Calgar's expression was now shifting, making it impossible to discern his attitude. Finally, he spoke in an extremely serious tone: "This—this gravely violates the Codex Astartes!"
Calgar was putting it lightly. Robert's "highway" was not just a "grave violation"; if it were actually implemented, it would be treating the Codex Astartes, personally penned by the Primarch Roboute Guilliman and revered as an infallible truth for ten millennia, like mere toilet paper.
Robert knew when to stop; having finished his proposal, he closed his mouth and waited quietly for the judgment.
Ultimately, it was Calgar who spoke again: "For xenos like the tyranid Hive Mind, which are unrecorded in the Codex Astartes, the operational strategy cannot be easily decided. We still need further discussion."
After saying this, Calgar paused, as if convincing himself or emphasizing his stance, and added: "But no matter what, we cannot violate the Holy Codex. It has guided us for ten thousand years and has been proven countless times to be the undeniable truth."