Inside Fortress of Hera, everyone was busy.
In the hangar, Storm Eagles—like iron beasts—were dragged to launch rails, blessed by Tech-priests.
Servo arms hauled massive ammo crates, loading missiles.
The Chapter serfs manned roaring flak guns, tracking heldrakes and traitors.
Servitors lugged ammo carts back and forth.
Lieutenant Cassian of the Ultramarines greeted Datch's party.
After brief introductions, he led them onward—the Lord of Ultramar awaited.
Datch bounced along at the back, drawing odd looks from Macragge's people.
He never walked properly—either running or hopping.
If he saw a box, he had to open it.
If he saw a ledge, he'd jump up and slide his sword for no reason.
He'd randomly switch weapons as he went.
If he saw something interesting, he'd play with it while walking.
If not for Celestine and Greyfax vouching, he'd probably have been thrown out.
Passing through bannered walkways and marble halls, Datch's group finally reached the Ultramarines' core monastery.
Squads of Ultramarines jogged by; in the garden, missile batteries fired at the sky.
Terminator squads and Dreadnoughts cleared armored ramparts, mowing down jump pack traitors.
After ten minutes, they entered a spacious round hall.
The walls and ceiling were painted with murals, flanked by consoles and holomap projectors.
The whole city of Macragge was mapped in glowing light.
Servitors were plugged into the data matrix, muttering binary.
Robe-clad scribes, servo-quill servitors, and officers clustered around the tactical display.
Chapter Master Calgar, Captain Agemman, Chief Librarian Tigurius, and Grand Master Voldus of the Grey Knights were present.
Datch's arrival drew everyone's attention.
The hall parted, letting Datch's group walk up to the Lord of Ultramar.
At Calgar's feet, Amalrich, Garrein, and the Black Templars knelt, planting swords tip-down, hands on the crossguard, showing respect.
Greyfax, Celestine, and her sisters bowed.
Cawl and the Ynnari stood motionless.
Datch bounced up to Calgar, who had a golden question mark overhead, and opened his info panel.
[Marneus Augustus Calgar, current Chapter Master of the Ultramarines, Lord of Ultramar, one of the Imperium's Big Three, Big Blue Guy.]
"Need anything from me?" Datch asked.
"You—" Calgar was furious at such rudeness,
Just as he was about to rebuke Datch, he glimpsed a golden figure flash behind him.
"My Lord, be careful." Tigurius stepped forward; he too saw the golden figure—its aura matched the Astronomican's light he'd seen in the Warp.
"Praise the Emperor." As a Living Saint, Celestine was sensitive; she sensed the anomaly in Datch at once and prayed devoutly.
Grand Master Voldus looked grave but said nothing.
"Need anything from me?" Datch asked again.
"Help us defend Macragge," Calgar said, suppressing his anger.
A Chapter Master must be diplomatic, not just a fighter.
Scolding the Emperor's envoy? Not a good move.
[Quest: Help Calgar defend Macragge.
Chaos is attacking, trying to stop Cawl from reviving Roboute Guilliman. Aid Calgar in defending Macragge and repel the Chaos army.
Reward: 1500 XP, 1500 Points, +220 Reputation, Fallen Empire—Sanctuary Fleet (3-day trial)]
Hiss——
Datch gasped.
The Sanctuary Fleet—one of the top powers in the galaxy.
Only the most advanced, ascended civilizations become Fallen Empires.
He'd seen his own ascended save in Stellaris turn into a Fallen Empire in a new game.
Imagine the power—they could sweep the galaxy!
Too bad it's only for three days.
"Macragge stands unbroken!"
Datch shouted, bounding out to slaughter red dots on the map.
Calgar: ...
The Macragge people stared.
The last world where someone shouted "stands unbroken" ended up shattered.
What did he mean by that?
Calgar looked back at Cawl and the others.
"I don't recall making any deal with Mars' priests. Why are you here?"
"Not with you, but with the true Lord of Ultramar—Roboute Guilliman."
"I hold a vital relic that must reach the Primarch. Please allow us to go to the sanctuary."
Cawl's words hit the hall like a bomb.
Aside from Celestine and the Ynnari, everyone was stunned.
Amalrich, Garrein, Greyfax stared at Cawl in shock.
All along, Cawl claimed only to be fulfilling a promise to the Lord of Ultramar.
But now, it turned out the Lord was the Emperor's own son—Roboute Guilliman.
The Ultramarines raised their bolters at the bold party.
Known for rationality, anything related to Guilliman was their bottom line.
Some things could never be discussed.
The Ultramarines would not tolerate any insult to their father.
"Lock these people up; execute the two dangerous Xenos immediately.
Once we've dealt with the Chaos traitors, we'll interrogate them at length."
Captain Agemman stepped forward, advising Calgar.
"No!" Tigurius intervened. He bowed to Calgar.
"My Lord, remember my prophecy from before."
Calgar nodded.
"Yes, you foresaw the Chaos invasion. Your prophecy let us prepare; otherwise, Macragge would have fallen."
"The prophecy also mentioned the arrival of Cawl and the others. Please let them go to the sanctuary and continue their mission. I'll stake my life as guarantee."
Tigurius' plea made Calgar ponder for a long time before reluctantly nodding.
He agreed to let Cawl's party proceed to the sanctuary—but under heavy Ultramarines guard.