Chapter 218: Change the Status Quo
Calgar returned to his spartan private quarters aboard the Maccragre's Glory. There was no lavish decoration here, only sturdy metal walls, a simple bed, and a heavy wooden desk.
He sat down heavily on the chair, the slight whine of his Power Armour's servo-systems fading into silence.
The recent meeting in the command center still echoed in his mind.
He had to admit that, although he had led over a hundred Successor Chapters and tens of thousands of Space Marines to provide support, he had never considered it until Robert proposed that astonishing "best strategy."
He also had to admit that when Robert presented the plan, he was inevitably tempted.
Did the negative effects brought about by the splitting of the Legions not exist for the Ultramarines as the parent Chapter?
On the contrary, among all the First Founding Legions, the Ultramarines were perhaps the ones who experienced the negative effects of this split most profoundly.
The most obvious point was the shortage of manpower.
The Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar, once glorious and united ten thousand years ago, had their grip on this vast territory drastically reduced because the Ultramarines were split into Chapters of only standard complement size.
To this day, aside from the core world of Macragge remaining absolutely stable, many governors in the outer worlds have entertained unwarranted thoughts.
They believe that if they could escape the control of the Ultramarines, they could gain more profit and amass more wealth. As for the development of their own planets, the lives of the populace, or the construction of the PDF?
Hah, who would care about that?
In this regard, it was already considered good if the High Lords of Terra, far away, did not secretly add fuel to the flames.
They were happy to see it, eager to see the Ultramarines' strength further weakened!
Calgar couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh.
The Ultramarines are clearly the most disciplined Chapter, and under the Ultramarines' governance, the worlds of Ultramar could become stronger! Is the strength of Ultramar detrimental to the entire Imperium of Man?
The answer is clearly no!
But there are always some contemptible people who, for their pitiful lust for power or their desire for self-indulgent pleasure, do not hesitate to destroy all of this! Their only reason for fearing the Ultramarines is simply because this powerful and just force is not controlled by these dirty politicians.
A suppressed fury ignited in Calgar's chest at this thought. He abruptly raised his Power Armour-clad fist and smashed it hard onto the wooden desk in front of him.
~Bang!
The thick wooden desk splintered instantly, wood chips flying everywhere.
"How can the Imperium be well-governed with this rabble of insects!"
Just as Calgar's residual anger hadn't subsided, a polite knock sounded at the door.
"Enter," Calgar said in a low voice.
A mortal servant pushed the door open. Seeing the wood chips on the floor and the terrifying aura emanating from the Chapter Master, he couldn't help but flinch.
"Clean this up, and bring a new one," Calgar said, pointing to the wreckage.
"Yes, my Lord," the mortal servant respectfully replied, carefully adding, "Also, the Chapter Master of the Soul Drinkers Chapter requests an audience. He is currently waiting in the reception room."
Soul Drinkers?
Calgar certainly knew of them. They were an Ultramarines Successor Chapter stationed in the Orpheus Sector. They had answered the call for this Great Crusade, sending five hundred Space Marines, and the Chapter Master himself had come in person.
Though puzzled by the sudden reason for the visit, Calgar still said, "I will go to the reception room immediately."
A moment later, Calgar arrived at the reception room. After a brief greeting with the Sarpedon, an Astartes who was also a veteran of countless battles, the other man suddenly lowered his voice:
"Brother Calgar, let's move this conversation elsewhere. It's not convenient here."
Calgar instantly realized that the other party was about to discuss an extremely sensitive topic.
"Very well, follow me."
Calgar led the way through several corridors to a private conference room. The heavy adamantium bulkheads sealed behind them, isolating everything inside and out.
"No one will enter without my command, and no one will know what transpires within this room," Calgar stated.
The Soul Drinkers Chapter Master nodded, but he did not immediately state his purpose. Instead, he countered with a question: "Calgar, are you familiar with Libertas?"
"Your Chapter's homeworld?" Calgar replied. "I recall it was awarded to you after the devastating War of Faith in the Orpheus Sector. That was an honour earned by your valiant fighting."
Calgar did not press for more, knowing the other would continue.
"Yes, that was the result of that War of Faith," the other man sighed.
"The world only sees the glory of our Chapter's victory, but who cares how many unnecessary sacrifices we made? Calgar, did you know?
During that War of Faith in Orpheus, we lost hundreds of our brothers, while another Chapter just one Sector away knew nothing about it.
And by the time a major war erupted on their side, and we received the message and wanted to aid them, the battle had already ended."
He looked at Calgar, a hint of painful recollection in his eyes: "After learning that history, I often think in the countless late nights: if our two Chapters could have united, exchanged resources, with one readily supporting the other in times of need, and fully utilized each other's resources, perhaps not so many battle-brothers would have sacrificed themselves in vain.
I believe, Calgar, you also understand that a mission might require one Astartes to be grievously wounded to succeed; but if two Astartes go together, perhaps both could return unharmed."
Calgar remained silent, merely narrowing his eyes. He had likely guessed what Chapter Master Sarpedon intended to say.
"And now," the other finally revealed his hand, "tens of thousands of battle-brothers are gathered here, fighting together. In such close proximity, must we still insist on fighting individually, letting precious strength be sacrificed in vain due to lack of coordination?
Calgar, this doesn't even require more resource investment; it only requires us to unite and jointly allocate our forces!"
Calgar finally spoke, his voice cold and sharp: "Who told you about this matter?"
Sarpedon pretended not to understand: "Does someone need to tell me this? Calgar, any Astartes who has served long enough will realize this truth on their own."
"You know I'm not talking about that," Calgar said, his mind racing.
The content of the recent High Command meeting had been leaked so quickly! This could only mean someone had deliberately disclosed it. Who was it? Was it Magos Wick? Was it Inquisitor Kryptman? Or—
"Does it matter, this one or that one?" the other countered. "The battle brothers are fed up with this situation of fighting alone and being isolated. Many Chapters want to change the status quo, want to unite, Calgar, truly many, many—"
"Is uniting truly just for more effective warfare?" Calgar asked coldly, his words laced with scrutiny.
"Calgar, everyone merely wishes to serve the Emperor to a greater extent," Sarpedon cleverly replied. "We are facing unprecedented enemies, ones not even documented in the Codex Astartes—after all, even a Primarch could not foresee events ten thousand years into the future.
Perhaps it is time for us to use our own initiative, to strike at enemies never before documented, using methods not recorded in the Codex.
This, surely doesn't violate the Codex, does it?"
"I will consider it," Calgar stood up, making a gesture to dismiss his guest.
Sarpedon rose as well, and before leaving, he looked deeply at Calgar, leaving a final sentence:
"Everyone awaits your good news, Brother Calgar."
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