Inside the Supreme Command Post on Plantidium. In the core of the command chamber, a massive holographic projection hung in mid-air, vividly displaying the chaotic, real-time battle situation across the planet's surface.
Densely packed red markers for the Tyranid swarms interlocked with blue markers for the Imperial forces in a ragged, complex pattern.
"Sicarius has some nerve!" Marneus Calgar, Lord of Macragge and Chapter Master of the Ultramarines, stood before the command console.
His broad shoulders looked especially heavy beneath the Chapter Master's Power Armor. His fists were clenched tight, and he forcefully slammed them onto the console, producing a muffled, resonating thud.
Though his voice wasn't raised, the anger and an indescribable complexity of emotion contained within it caused every Space Marine in the command room to stiffen:
"To commit such a vast force—over a hundred thousand Astartes and others—to a 'Great Decisive Battle' that has not been centrally planned, immediately after being appointed Captain of the Second Company!"
The Ultramarines present—whether commanders or Librarians—stood in silent, rigid positions, their bodies still as classical statues. Their breathing became exceptionally shallow, as if they feared any sound might ignite the Chapter Master's simmering rage.
They knew Calgar's temperament well and understood his current dilemma. Everyone could hear the conflicting emotions in Calgar's words—beyond the fury lay a deep sense of helplessness and a reluctant, grudging approval, like two extreme forces colliding violently within him.
In any previous age before the Tyranid invasion, Sicarius, as a newly appointed Captain, would have undoubtedly faced severe punishment for such unauthorized action, committing such vast forces to an unsanctioned "decisive battle."
Even if his action had achieved monumental success, perhaps even completely annihilating the swarm, he would still face trial for grievously violating the Codex Astartes' strict regulations on military command and strategic deployment.
The Ultramarines, the most disciplined of all Chapters, held reverence for the Codex deep within their gene-seed.
But now... well, it was pointless to bring it up. Many tenets of the Codex had been mercilessly torn to shreds by the blood and fire of this unprecedented war in the Eastern Fringe.
For the sake of survival, for the Emperor, and for Humanity, many things that were once "forbidden" had now become "imperative."
Thus, Calgar was deeply conflicted about how to handle the Second Company Captain who had delivered such a shocking 'surprise' right after taking command. Should he, as always, strictly enforce discipline to uphold the authority of the Codex and the Chapter?
Or should he grant an exceptional commendation to recognize his grasp of the fleeting opportunity amid the chaos, which resulted in such unexpected success?
A wave of headache washed over him. He even raised one hand slightly, gently rubbing his temple—a rare display of human weariness.
Ultimately, Calgar chose to skip the thorny subject for now. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm his internal turmoil. His gaze sharpened, focusing again on the chaotic war zone displayed in the holographic projection, attempting to discern any semblance of order.
"What is the situation on Plantidium?" he asked, moving directly to the next core question. His voice had regained its usual steady authority.
Although he was physically on Plantidium, the entire planet was currently engaged in fighting—and disorganized fighting at that. Previous sector demarcations were useless, units were chaotically intermingled, and intelligence collation had become extremely difficult.
Calgar could only ask such a broad question, hoping to piece together the general picture from fragmented information.
An Ultramarine responsible for intelligence synthesis spoke first, his voice measured: "Chapter Master, according to the latest battle reports, the situation is... highly complex."
He paused, seemingly searching for the most appropriate words to describe the current state, and finally just shook his head helplessly.
Another Space Marine, clad in the yellow and black Power Armor of the Scythes of the Emperor, stepped forward, his face alight with a near-fanatical excitement, his tone filled with the joy of victory as if he could already see the total collapse of the swarm and the complete triumph of Humanity.
He announced loudly: "The Tyranid xenos are in full retreat! Our unit has broken through several of the swarm's defensive lines and is pushing deep! Their resistance is clearly weakening!"
Following him, another Astartes from a different Chapter reported, his language and tone far more cautious, clearly not completely swept away by the current general offensive: "Our unit encountered stubborn resistance on the northern line of City Cluster Three, but the Tyranid forces are indeed reduced. We are attempting to flank the enemy; progress is slow but steady."
"Our units have successfully penetrated several incubation nests and are proceeding with purification!"
"On the East and West lines, the assault force of the Helldiver corps is astonishing," reported a Sergeant from the Ultramarines Third Company. "They have entirely disregarded casualties, brutally tearing open the Tyranid defenses, and we are closely following to exploit the breakthrough!"
Listening to these fragmented yet invigorated reports, Calgar's brows furrowed. Breakthroughs everywhere, fighting everywhere—this was utterly different from the static war of attrition he had anticipated.
Aside from a few areas where progress was hindered by local Tyranid superiority, most of the front lines were reporting welcome advances.
The Tyranids were being stretched thin in every direction by Humanity's frenzied counterattack, even being forced to redeploy troops, which led to a decrease in resistance on numerous local battlefields—undeniably a positive sign.
This chaos, this utterly disorganized "mess" of a tactic, had unexpectedly worked. It had thoroughly disrupted the Hive Mind's overall deployment, forcing it to scramble and exhaust itself on multiple front lines.
Calgar's mood grew even more complicated. He knew this was no brilliant strategy; it was purely the chain reaction sparked by Sicarius's daring deep strike and the near-blind fanaticism of the Helldivers. Yet the result, against all odds, was surprisingly good.
If that's the case, why didn't we use this approach from the start? The thought flashed through his mind.
But Calgar dismissed the idea instantly. Such a chaotic offensive would undoubtedly bring about astonishing casualties.
The previous focused attack was like an indestructible steel spearhead; while its overall efficiency in destroying the Tyranids was less than what they were achieving now, the spearhead itself sustained virtually no losses because of its hard-material composition.
The current offensive, however, if executed when the Tyranid forces were at full strength, would likely have been nothing more than feeding the swarm.
"Continue to compile the battle reports," Calgar finally commanded. "Keep a close watch on the movements of Sicarius and the Second Company. Tell all units to maintain the offensive! Give the Tyranids no time to breathe!"