Inside the flagship.
Tigurius, Chief Librarian of the Ultramarines, entered the Primarch's quarters to report an urgent matter relayed through Psychic Power.
"The Chapter's Fourth Company has fought a brutal battle with the Death Guard traitors over a section of the wall. Their losses are severe, and the captain has requested withdrawal."
Tigurius had come to report to the Primarch rather than Lion because orders from the Primarch would be carried out faster, even though his primary duty within the fleet was not to formulate strategy and tactics, issue combat orders, or make the corresponding decisions.
"Redeploy the remaining personnel of the Fourth Company to Strategic Node 211."
"The defensive node in the middle section of the fortress's southern wall."
"They will be useful there."
Guilliman stood with his back to Tigurius, gazing out the viewport, his voice utterly cold.
It was not the coldness of anger or any other emotion, but something like... something like...
Tigurius thought for two seconds before suddenly recalling the Abominable Intelligence used by the Tyranids. Though both they and the Imperium tacitly called those intelligences products of human brains and the pinnacle of biotechnology, they were clearly Abominable Intelligence.
The Librarian felt that the Primarch now spoke just like the Abominable Intelligence used by those Tyranids: cold and numb, devoid of all emotion, considering only pure mathematical outcomes and optimal strategies. He could handle trolley problems even more smoothly than the Emperor.
"Only twelve men remain in the Fourth Company." Tigurius spoke with difficulty. He thought he had not made himself clear to the Primarch. "Twelve men. They..."
"Even if only two remain, they still have a place to be useful." Guilliman cut Tigurius off. After a pause, he added, "As my subordinate, you should answer yes and carry out my orders, not stand