Just as the screening process was proceeding in an orderly fashion, several inhuman screams suddenly erupted from the crowd. A genestealer, hidden among the noble retainers, suddenly raised its head, its eyes rolled back, and an invisible psychic wave spread out from him.
This was the Magus of the cult's final counterattack. Realizing he was fully exposed and had nowhere to run, he used a psychic link to issue a mutual destruction order to all his lurking kin.
In an instant, hundreds of genestealers scattered in various corners of the starport, who had not yet been ferreted out, simultaneously launched their riot. They tore off their disguises, revealing their hideous faces and hidden claws, and ferociously pounced on the nearest Astra Militarum soldiers and innocent civilians.
However, this desperate struggle seemed incredibly laughable and futile in the face of absolute power.
"For Macragge!"
Calgar didn't even move his feet; the First Company Terminators behind him had already reacted. Their storm bolters roared deafeningly, and a metal storm of dense bolter rounds instantly swept through the entire hall. The alien spies, who had just been ferocious, were torn to shreds in the explosive hail of bullets before they could even put up a decent resistance. The Magus of the cult who released the psychic power was smashed into a pulp by Calgar himself with a casual punch, along with several meters of reinforced ground beneath his feet.
The chaos, from start to finish, lasted no more than thirty seconds, and under the precise control of Calgar and the Terminators, not a single civilian was accidentally injured.
When the smoke cleared, apart from the alien remains scattered everywhere and some frightened civilians, order had already been restored. This sudden riot, ironically, saved a lot of vetting effort. Seriously, with such meager strength, did they dare to make trouble in front of the Ultramarines Chapter Master and the entire First Company Terminator Guard?
"The situation has been resolved, and it's highly probable there are no more genestealers," Governor Robert said, though the doubt on his face was still evident.
Calgar naturally saw it, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's: "What, are there still aliens that should have been ferreted out but haven't been?"
"Yes," Governor Robert said, pointing to a puddle of minced meat on the ground, "genestealers, as scouts and spies for the Tyranid Swarm, have their greatest advantages in their unshakeable morale due to psychic links, as well as their terrifying contagiousness and stealth — although their stealth largely stems from the Imperium of Man's official administrative agencies' incapacitation — and these points all require a source: the genestealer patriarch to achieve."
"Wasn't that psychic alien him?" Calgar asked, pointing to the Magus of the cult who had been smashed into a pulp by a power fist.
"No," Governor Robert shook his head, "This was just a Magus of the cult, at most a mid-tier. A Patriarch's combat power, generally speaking, can be compared to a Dreadnought."
Governor Robert's words did not cause much surprise among the space mariness. Scouts are inherently synonymous with elites in the military, and the Tyranid Swarm is a cosmic-level war swarm; if their "top scouts" didn't have that level of combat power, it would invite ridicule.
Calgar was somewhat curious: "Have you ever confronted a genestealer Patriarch?"
"Yes," Governor Robert replied, "At that time, the Helldivers only numbered a thousand, just a subordinate unit of the Perditia Astra Militarum. A dozen of our warriors, loaded with tactical nuclear bombs and grav-chutes, jumped out of a Valkyrie transport, and perished with the tyranid Patriarch who couldn't escape."
Calgar's massive helmet nodded slightly, his tone carrying genuine admiration: "They must have been warriors of extreme honor and courage!"
The other Ultramarines around him also deeply agreed. Such a heroic act of self-sacrifice for humanity is worthy of respect in any world.
During their conversation, Calgar had already arranged all follow-up matters for the remaining inspection work and a large-scale screening of the entire Macragge through the Chapter's communication network. He said to Governor Robert:
"I imagine Governor Robert, you must be very eager to go to Hera Fortress now."
After this incident, Calgar had updated his impression of the Helldivers from merely an heroic legion unafraid of sacrifice to now also including experts at dealing with tyranids. If nothing else, their prevention of the disaster at Sirocco Starport alone was enough to incur a heavy debt of honor for the Ultramarines.
And Governor Robert's answer to Calgar was naturally: "I couldn't ask for more!"
Governor Robert followed Sicarius, Calgar, and the First Company to Hera Fortress, but the small squad of Helldivers he brought remained there to assist the Astra Militarum with the upcoming major screening.
Governor Robert and these Helldivers saw no problem with this. Although their duty was to protect the Governor, who could harm Governor Robert with the Ultramarines Chapter Master and an entire Terminator Company at his side?
Even if, by some incredible stretch, an enemy of that caliber appeared, Governor Robert felt that if he could attract such a high-level character for an assassination, his life would have been well-lived.
Along the way, through the observation window of the armored transport, Governor Robert saw many Macragge citizens looking hurried, and the entire city was enveloped in a solemn atmosphere.
The Ultramarines had no intention of concealing this. Sicarius, noticing Governor Robert's considerable interest, explained: "The news of the impending war has had quite an impact on Macragge."
"Yes," Calgar nodded, "To counter the threat of the Tyranid Swarm, we have initiated a general war mobilization across all of Ultramar, and Macragge is naturally included. Workers' hours have been extended to eight hours a day, and holidays have been cut to only two days a week."
Upon hearing this, Governor Robert immediately showed a conflicted expression: "Perditia still maintains a fourteen-hour workday, with only ten days of holiday a year..."
Hearing this, Calgar's stern face couldn't help but let out a booming laugh that echoed within the armored vehicle. His words carried the pride of being the Lord of Macragge: "There's no need to belittle yourself, Governor Robert.
Not every planet can have the superior conditions and profound history of Macragge. The fact that you care about the lives of the Perditia people already puts you above ninety-five percent of planetary governors in the Imperium of Man."
The armored convoy passed through the streets of Macragge's capital, finally heading towards the magnificent structure perched atop the mountains — Hera Fortress.
When Governor Robert stepped out of the transport and witnessed this legendary fortress with his own eyes, even he, accustomed to the Imperium of Man's colossal constructions, was deeply shaken by the sight.
Hera Fortress was less a fortress and more a city integrated with the mountain range. It was forged from pure white marble and indestructible adamantium, with countless towers, spires, and gun emplacements pointing skyward.
The massive Aquila emblem and the Ultramarines Chapter symbol shone brightly at the highest points of the architecture. An ancient and solemn aura washed over him, as if every stone was telling tales of millennia of glory and war.
Governor Robert's heart couldn't help but quicken, and his breathing became somewhat hurried. He knew that deep within this fortress, a legend slept, a space marine, Roboute Guilliman. He was about to see the Primarch with his own eyes — albeit in a state of slumber encased in a stasis field.
The massive Terminators moved with heavy steps. Calgar stopped and turned to Governor Robert. His voice, amplified, carried a hint of softness: "Well then, Governor Robert, Captain Sicarius will guide your tour first."
He raised his power fist and pointed to the other end: "Once you feel you've finished your tour, come to the Polar Fortress, where we will discuss matters of dealing with the tyranid together."
Governor Robert was somewhat surprised by this: "I thought the Ultramarines' command center was located in Hera Fortress."
Calgar shook his head: "Hera Fortress certainly has a long history and holds many things… However, it is no longer a purely military facility. You will understand the specifics once you go inside."
With that, Calgar led the First Company Terminator Guard and turned into another passage. Their figures quickly disappeared behind the massive archway, leaving only the sound of heavy footsteps echoing in the corridor.