Unexpected Reinforcements

Ultramar.

Macragge, the heart of the Five Hundred Worlds.

Gale, captain of the Ultramarines' First Chapter, stood in Macragge's command center alongside several senior officers, including officers from the mortal auxiliary forces, watching the holographic tactical display.

Beyond the Fortress housing the command center, crimson beams periodically descended from the heavens, sending ripples across the Void Shield.

Fighters plunged into the atmosphere, piercing the Void Shield.

On the ground, the Fortress and the city's anti-aircraft batteries poured fire into the sky.

Macragge, the heart of the Five Hundred Worlds and Homeworld of Guilliman, Primarch of the Thirteenth Legion, was engulfed in war.

And Macragge was not the only world under attack.

Beside the holographic display Gale was watching, more than a dozen red markers glowed on the strategic star map of the Five Hundred Worlds. Each one represented a sector under attack.

"The rebel fleet has begun concentrating its bombardment on our Void Shield."

"Frontline Soldiers report that ten minutes ago, they saw Space Marines in purple armor in front of their positions."

"Other reports indicate that unknown Space Marines have been carrying out massacres in every city on Macragge."

A stream of battlefield reports filled Gale's ears.

Gale immediately responded, issuing orders and arranging for numerous reserve units to head to the combat zones.

Then the captain of the First Chapter fell into a brief daze.

Gale had previously accompanied Qin Xa's Librarian fleet to reinforce Sotha, where they had wiped out the Emperor's Children landing force.

Dantiok had said Eidolon escaped, but Gale had not taken it to heart at the time. According to his orders, he had to leave Sotha and return to Macragge next.

Yet not long after he returned, Macragge came under attack.

The ones assaulting Macragge were Eidolon, lord of the Emperor's Children, along