The light of the holographic star map flowed quietly in the tactical chamber, casting a cold blue glow on everyone's faces.
Calgar's voice echoed in the tactical chamber: "To resist the tyranid threat, to sweep away these man-eating bastards who covet my father, we first need a clear objective—which of our worlds are these xenos most likely to invade first?"
As soon as this question was posed, a glimmer of thought flashed in Inquisitor Kryptman's eyes, Magos Wick's logic engine began to operate at high speed, and the representative of the Astra Militarum subconsciously looked at the most heavily fortified military strongholds on the star map.
However, Robert, with the advantage of foreknowledge of the plot, preempted everyone and gave the answer without hesitation: "Planditium!"
His voice was clear and firm, like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, instantly drawing everyone's attention back to him. The entire tactical chamber fell into a brief silence, broken only by the low hum of the holographic projector.
Calgar's gaze also fixed on Robert: "Why Planditium?"
"It's simple. Planditium is an important agricultural planet, producing a large amount of agricultural products under the governance of the Ultramarines, which is a veritable piece of fat in the eyes of the biomass-hungry tyranid. " Robert's thinking was crystal clear, "Moreover, this planet is also the throat leading to Macragge. The Tyranid Swarm are not mindless insects; they possess extremely high strategic intelligence and will surely realize this."
In his mind, what emerged was that inglorious plot. Planditium was precisely where the Imperium of Man and the Tyranid Swarm first engaged in large-scale combat in the original story. But that war did not bring a glorious victory; on the contrary, the Ultramarines' preparations at the time were completely insufficient to cope with the tyranid's world-shattering offensive. Ultimately, both the ground and space battles ended in disastrous defeat, and the Chapter could only shamefully withdraw the surviving space mariness, handing over Planditium and its auxiliary forces and hundreds of millions of civilians, leaving the gates of Ultramar's Five Hundred Worlds wide open, allowing the Tyranid Swarm's claws to plunge directly into the heart of Macragge.
"But there are many similar planets in the Ultramar Sector," Inquisitor Kryptman questioned, "Why are you so certain it's Planditium?"
"It must be Planditium." Robert remained resolute. Although the arrival of players had brought some changes to this world, the impact on the Tyranid Swarm was minimal, as they were previously outside the galaxy and had no place to be affected even if one wanted to.
Apart from the Ultramarines, only the T'au Empire and the Necron Overlord Trazyn the Infinite in the Eastern Sector could organize military forces of significant scale, but Robert did not believe the T'au Empire had the ability to divert the tyranid Hive Fleet, and Trazyn, that old relic, was even less likely to get involved in this matter.
"After taking Planditium, the Tyranid Swarm might send some small splinter fleets to invade other planets, but their main force will definitely head straight for Macragge."
What Robert said did not sound like a well-reasoned tactical analysis, but rather like a prophecy from a Ministorum zealot. Although his tone was extremely firm, everyone else present, except for Sage Wick whose attitude was unclear, harbored obvious doubts.
Robert ignored their gazes and continued: "I suggest that we immediately gather most of our forces, evacuate non-combat personnel from Planditium, and fully fortify the planet. May I ask how the naval forces are prepared?"
The Admiral, who had been silent, finally spoke, his voice filled with the characteristic pride of the Imperial Navy: "Very well. Centered around the Gloriana-class battleship 'Macragge's Glory, in addition to our Navy's battleships and cruisers, there are also a large number of temporarily conscripted and modified armed merchant ships. Relying on planetary defense platforms and the cover of the asteroid belt, I believe that our fleet will not be weaker than this newly emerged xenos, either in quality or quantity."
"Not enough." Robert interrupted him without hesitation.
"What?" The Admiral's brow immediately furrowed.
"I said not enough." Robert repeated, his tone resolute, "Armed merchant ships are not combat effective at all. Temporarily modified, their armor, firepower, and maneuverability are all insufficient to cope with space combat against the Tyranid Swarm. The tyranid don't even need to use their bio-plasma and strong acid; they only need to release enough disruptive spores towards the fleet, and these merchant ships' sensors and communication systems will immediately fail. Sending them to the battlefield is not fighting; it's delivering canned goods to the tyranid."
"With all due respect!" The Admiral's anger finally erupted. He already disliked this fellow who had suddenly appeared and was issuing orders, and now the other party had directly negated the Imperial Navy's tactical deployment, which made him feel greatly insulted. "Governor Robert, you seem to have never commanded a single interstellar naval battle, have you? How can you groundlessly question that the Imperial Navy's might would be weaker than those inferior xenos!"
"I am not questioning; I am merely stating the truth." Robert responded calmly.
"Then you can keep your 'truth'!" The Admiral slammed his hand on the table and stood up furiously. He turned to Calgar, bowing slightly, "My apologies, Lord Calgar, I cannot endure the humiliation of staying here any longer. Please issue your orders to me after the meeting; I will obey them no matter what."
With that, he strode out of the tactical chamber without looking back, the heavy metal door slamming shut behind him with a 'bang,' making the air hum.
The atmosphere in the tactical chamber became somewhat awkward with the Admiral's angry departure. The cold metal walls seemed to absorb all the warmth, leaving only the faint cold light emanating from the holographic star map.
Calgar was the first to speak, his voice as steady as a mountain, easily breaking the deadlock: "I apologize to you on his behalf, Governor Robert. Admiral Dean is simply a straightforward person; please do not take it to heart."
"It's nothing. My arguments indeed lack sufficient data support, and I myself have not yet established enough credibility. I can understand him." Robert sighed, showing extraordinary tolerance. He knew very well that at any time, a 'prophecy' without the backing of achievements and qualifications would indeed be difficult to convince people. But he had to persist.
"But I still insist on my point of view," he cast his gaze back to the gray starfield, "If the Ultramarines truly cannot spare enough forces for a full defense of Planditium, then please allow us to deploy the Helldivers Legion on Planditium on a large scale."
"That is certainly possible," Calgar agreed without hesitation, "The Ultramarines will never withhold resources from allies. At the same time, I will send space mariness from the Second Company to defend with you, and Officer Sicarius will also be among them. I believe he will play a very good coordinating role."
"If that's the case, then nothing could be better!" A hint of surprise flashed in Robert's eyes.
Perhaps most people would think that in the face of the overwhelming invasion of the Tyranid Swarm, a mere company of one hundred space mariness would be futile. But Robert, who knew the inside story, was well aware that the Ultramarines' Second Company was a place where extraordinary individuals emerged. Legendary combat examples, such as a few astartes charging in with boltguns and chainswords to take down a Hive Tyrant, were not unheard of among them.
"Oh, right," Calgar seemed to suddenly remember something, his massive body leaning slightly forward, "I recall there was a successor Chapter that came with all their space mariness to provide support, and they happen to be resting in a nearby star system. I imagine they would also be very willing to garrison Planditium with us."
The always-silent Scribe immediately interjected: "It is the Astral Claws Chapter, my lord. A full thousand space mariness, including their Chapter Master Lufgt Huron himself, have already arrived at the designated rendezvous point."
"Who?"
Robert blurted out in surprise. Lufgt Huron? The Tyrant of Badab? Didn't his betrayal happen during the Badab War between 730.M41 and 740.M41? It's already the First tyranid War, 745.M41, how is this guy still alive and well, and even bringing at least a fifth of his assets to support the parent Chapter?
However, Robert quickly reacted.
Someone must have been meddling with the plot! Has someone already figured out a way and successfully implemented it to save Huron and his Astral Claws? This is no small matter.
"Lufgt Huron," Calgar repeated the name, with a hint of admiration in his tone, "The ruler of Badab, I have heard of him; he is a very excellent warrior and leader. The fact that he can bring his entire Chapter this time shows how deep his feelings are for the parent Chapter."
At the same time, Calgar keenly caught Robert's loss of composure: "But judging by Robert's reaction just now, you seem to know him?"
"It's just that I know him unilaterally; how could he possibly know me?" Robert quickly waved his hand, swiftly composing his expression, "The Conqueror of the Maelstrom, the famous Tyrant of Badab, I have naturally heard of him."
"Your Helldivers Legion," Calgar's tone carried a subtle hint of teasing, "You wouldn't also want to ask him for an autograph, would you?"
"If there's an opportunity, why not?" Robert did not deny it.