Ghostface's nonchalant attitude and his handling of the Inquisitor created a chilling contrast that left everyone present speechless. The silence in the reception room only ended when Ghostface broke it himself, asking,
"So, what were you discussing before I arrived? Can someone summarize it for me, or is there a scribe taking minutes?"
"We were discussing withdrawal," General Commander Wendell finally took over, his voice deep. "Lord Lucian and I believe that remaining on Dalis would put the expeditionary force in a very dangerous situation."
"Oh, then the two space marines," Ghostface turned his gaze to Calgar and Ryman, "believe we must continue to strike at the xenos, correct?"
"Yes," Ryman replied, his words few.
"So, what is your stance?" Lucian stared intently at Ghostface, trying to find a key to break the deadlock from him.
"Mine? Or rather, the Helldivers' stance," Ghostface shrugged, speaking in a tone of detachment. "It's simple. If you want to keep fighting, the Helldivers are happy to accompany you to the end, but if you want to withdraw, the Helldivers don't mind going elsewhere and fighting a different target."
This was basically saying nothing at all... Lucian felt a headache coming on. A madman who dared to drag an Inquisitor around like trash could not possibly be as slippery as a politician on such a crucial matter. The only explanation was that they truly didn't care. Whether it was war or peace, it seemed to make no difference to this mortal legion.
This was not at all what Lucian wanted to see, because the situation was once again at a stalemate! He knew very well that they were currently engaged in a brutal war, and a clear and decisive conclusion had to be reached regarding whether to withdraw or stay. Indecision or a deadlock was the worst possible scenario!
Just as Lucian was racking his brain, trying to find a solution that could convince everyone, the Chapter Master of the Ultramarines, Lord of Macragge, Marius Calgar, suddenly changed his expression drastically. No one present was an ordinary person, and all attention instantly focused on him.
In the brief three seconds that followed, Calgar's marble-like face underwent several drastic changes in expression—from shock, to disbelief, and then to heavy resolve. Finally, he spoke, his voice deep and powerful: "I support the decision to withdraw. Send a negotiation request to those xenos called 'T'au' as soon as possible."
Almost everyone present was stunned. No one could have imagined that Calgar, whose attitude had been so resolute just moments ago, would make a complete 180-degree turn. Ryman of the Iron Hands immediately questioned, "What happened, Cousin Calgar?"
Calgar was silent for half a second, seemingly weighing the pros and cons, and finally said, "I can tell you about this... In fact, this news will soon echo throughout the entire galaxy."
He looked around at everyone and said gravely, "A newly discovered, extremely dangerous xenos is heading straight for Macragge. I must return immediately to personally oversee Macragge's defense."
Ghostface immediately realized what xenos Calgar was talking about, and how the magnificent storyline would unfold next. He almost instantly interjected, "If possible, the Helldivers Legion is willing to contribute to the defense of Macragge."
Calgar looked at Ghostface: "I think I have no reason to refuse the aid of such a valiant army."
"Not just one army, Lord Calgar," Ghostface chuckled, "Soon, all Helldivers from Perditia will proactively set out and gather at Ultramar."
Calgar's eyebrows raised slightly, a little puzzled: "Excuse me... I don't recall the Ultramarines ever being indebted to Perditia, or the Helldivers Legion."
"No, no, this has nothing to do with debt," Ghostface waved his hands repeatedly, excitedly saying, "This is history! The Helldivers yearn to be direct participants in history!"
"Oh, right," Ghostface suddenly thought of something and said seriously, "Lord Calgar, on behalf of the warriors of the Helldivers, I wish to make a small request to you. I wonder if you can grant it?"
Calgar was curious: "Please speak."
...Above the ruins of Guelbryn City, a brief and solemn prisoner exchange ceremony was underway.
On the human side, there was only one T'au Empire Ethereal "escorted" by several Helldivers soldiers. On the T'au Empire side, there were dozens of Ultramarines clad in azure power armor.
No matter how one looked at it, this trade was a huge loss for the T'au Empire. But when the Ethereal was released and urgently protected by his own personnel, all the T'au present visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Captain Numi, yes, he had already been promoted from a regular NCO to the temporary captain of the Eighth Company. As for the original captain Raido Ashus... he had, unfortunately, already died in service to the Emperor.
Numi looked at the cheering Helldivers who rushed forward, his mood complex and dejected: "Not only did we not achieve the same battle results as these mortals, but we were even saved by them..."
"Maintain solemnity, Brother Numi," Sicarius, standing beside him, said, his voice as steady as ever. "Astartes must always maintain dignity and composure, as clearly stated in The Codex Astartes."
"Sicarius!" Suddenly, a desperate shout came from the crowd, "Sergeant Sicarius! Is Sergeant Cato Sicarius here?"
The surrounding Ultramarines instinctively turned their gaze to Sicarius, and Sicarius himself looked puzzled. He stepped forward and responded in a booming voice, "I am Sicarius, may I ask..."
Before Sicarius could finish speaking, he was completely engulfed by a black wave. His voice was also completely drowned out by the deafening, enthusiastic cheers of the Helldivers.
"Sergeant Sicarius! I've been your fan since I was a child! Please give me an autograph!"
"Sergeant Sicarius! I grew up listening to your legendary stories! Please, please give me an autograph!"
"Don't listen to them, Sergeant Sicarius! Our family has worshipped you since my grandfather's generation! Sign for me first!"
What is going on... Cato Sicarius, who had endured countless battles and faced numerous terrifying xenos, uncharacteristically felt a hint of panic. He completely failed to understand the scene before him.
Just then, a communication request, like a lifesaver, appeared on his helmet display. Sicarius quickly connected, and Chapter Master Calgar's face appeared on the screen: "Chapter Master Calgar! I am currently..."
"I know," Calgar's voice sounded a little strange, as if he was trying to suppress a laugh. "Stay calm, Sicarius, this is just... uh, normal. The Helldivers, as mortal soldiers, simply admire your bravery."
"Chapter Master, this is absolutely not normal!" Sicarius said anxiously, trying to break free from the fervent crowd. "I am very sure that I have never been to Perditia before, nor have I ever had any interaction with the Helldivers Legion! The name Cato Sicarius, I think, is known only within the Ultramarines Chapter's Eighth Company!"
"It's alright," Calgar comforted him, "After today, the name Cato Sicarius will definitely be known beyond just the Ultramarines' Eighth Company."
"That's the problem!" Sicarius finally revealed the true reason for his anxiety, "I am just an Ultramarines Sergeant! Perhaps some people would calmly accept the enthusiasm of these Helldivers, but that person is definitely not me! This is not the glory my current achievements should enjoy!"
His voice trembled with agitation: "Chapter Master, have they mistaken me for someone else? Mistaken me for some famous space marine who just happens to share my name? I absolutely cannot steal the glory of others!"
"In fact, I have repeatedly confirmed this with their commander," Calgar said. "But they also repeatedly replied: 'Yes, it's him, Cato Sicarius of the Ultramarines'."
"Sicarius, do you know why this expedition is ending so hastily?" Without waiting for Sicarius to answer, Calgar continued, "Because I just learned that our shared home, Macragge, is under threat from another kind of xenos and is in grave danger."
"What?!" Sicarius exclaimed. Macragge was always the Ultramarines' top priority, not only because it was the Ultramarines' homeworld, but also because their Primarch, Roboute Guilliman, sat within a stasis field there.
"And the commander of this Helldiver Legion, upon hearing this, immediately guaranteed that all Helldivers from Perditia would gather at Ultramar to help us resist the xenos," Calgar said. "They are full of enthusiasm, and we, with the honor of the Ultramarines, must not dampen their spirits. I was previously thinking about who would be responsible for matters concerning the Helldivers, but now it seems I have a very good candidate."
"Me..." Sicarius instantly understood, feeling a heavy responsibility settle on his shoulders.
"Yes," Calgar said, "Since they admire you so much, why not go with the flow? Sicarius, if you truly feel that you are not yet worthy of this glory, then go and strive, go and fight, until you feel you are worthy."
"Yes, Chapter Master!" Sicarius' voice was incredibly firm.
Calgar hung up the communication with satisfaction. Sicarius then looked back at the surging black wave of people before him. He took a deep breath and shouted with all his might, "Line up, one by one!"
A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd.