The Imperium's Frontier: The Emperor's Champion

Vito stood on the airport's flight deck. The vast, massive tarmac extended from the hive city's architecture, its base meticulously sculpted into the shape of a golden eagle. It was the Imperial Aquila, wings spread wide across the hive's colossal structure, spanning three kilometers from tip to tip, the sun's golden light reflecting brilliantly off its feathers.

The golden eagle's talons gripped the airport as if to carry it into the cosmos. This suspended aerial platform hung high above the surface, with hazy clouds drifting beneath the pristine, protruding landing field.

Strong winds whipped across everyone's faces. Olivia was forced to keep tucking her hair behind her ears, the messy strands rising and falling with the gusts. Above their heads, the banners held by the honor guard snapped violently in the gale, golden and red flags echoing one another.

Only the four giants remained relatively unaffected. Clad in power armor, they stood behind Vito and Olivia; the fierce wind battering their plating drew no reaction. Though none wore helmets, they seemed to feel no discomfort from the gale.

Vito stood with his hands behind his back, his deep crimson Inquisitor's cloak billowing behind him. He seemed not to notice the discomfort, focusing all his attention on the Thunderhawk slowly descending toward them.

The blue Thunderhawk touched down on the nearby tarmac. As its hydraulic landing gear hit the ground, the recoil structure allowed the massive raptor to settle steadily onto the surface. With the landing complete, the boarding ramp, engraved with a letter U, lowered.

The ground crew around the tarmac knelt in succession, bowing their heads in submission to the blue iron feet stepping off the deck. Olivia, the honor guard of the Victoria System, and the officials all stared with wide eyes at the giants emerging from the Thunderhawk.

There were eight giants in total. A massive, hanging banner fluttered among them, marked with the ancient Roman numeral III to denote the affiliation of its members.

At the head of the eight blue-clad giants stood a burly, imposing figure who commanded submission. He wore a distinctive Centurion helmet with a transverse crest of deep red and white. A bright red tabard extended from his right shoulder pauldron, but most striking was the power sword at his waist.

The blade was slender and resilient, its scabbard a work of art. Countless strands of gold and silk traced its edges, and brilliant blue gems were inlaid in the center of the hilt to form the letter U.

The giants marched forward, their heavy footsteps causing the ground to tremble. The honor guard soldiers and airport staff along the way instinctively knelt in salute, paying homage to the Angels of Death of The Emperor.

The giants reached Vito and Olivia. The lead Astartes warrior removed his helmet, revealing a handsome face. His resolute features scanned Vito before lingering on Olivia, who instinctively took a half-step back, though she quickly regained her composure after Vito gripped her arm.

The Angel of Death bowed to Vito, and the Ultramarines accompanying him followed suit. Olivia and the local officials looked as if their eyes might pop out in shock, but Vito returned the gesture with effortless composure.

"Thank you for coming, Captain Mikael. On behalf of the Victoria System and The Imperium, I thank you and your battle-brothers."

Captain Mikael gave a firm nod. "Chapter Master Calgar asked me to convey his respects and greetings, Inquisitor. He dispatched us to provide support, as is our glorious oath."

"Please thank Chapter Master Calgar for me. I am also honored to fight alongside the Ultramarines and their blood brothers once more." As Vito spoke, he looked toward the four giants behind him; they nodded to Captain Mikael, who returned the gesture one by one.

Mikael looked at Bell and smiled, reaching out to press a hand on his pauldron. "It is good to see you again, brother. Chapter Master Calgar asked me to greet you." "And you, Captain. It is an honor to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our battle-brothers again."

Vito leaned toward Olivia, whose astonishment had yet to fade. "Captain Mikael is one of the finest swordsmen in the Ultramarines Chapter, a glorious Champion. In the entire Chapter, only Second Captain Cato Sicarius could trade blows with him."

Olivia stared at the giant in shock, then leaned toward Vito in surprise. "How did you call for the help of the Angels of Death? They are not beholden to the Inquisition or The Imperium." "They have a history with us; you could say it is a matter of mutual favors."

"Inquisitor, I have noted your methods in purging the traitors and xenos infiltrators within this system. Please accept my respects; your methods are as swift as thunder yet as cunning as a raptor." Mikael looked back at Vito, who smiled and nodded slightly. "A small matter, Captain, but now we require you and your brothers to resolve the looming crisis."

"Say no more, Inquisitor. We have faced the Tyranids together on Macragge, and we have served as the glorious vanguard to defeat those abominable enemies of The Imperium. We shall do so again!" Mikael clenched his fist, his passion and confidence impeccable, as resilient and unyielding as steel.

Vito smiled and looked toward the firmament. The visibility was excellent, perhaps due to the proximity to low orbit. Above them, the newly arrived joint fleet of Space Marines was clearly visible.

If Vito's eyes did not deceive him, there were two battle flagships and three or four battle barges docked in orbit, accompanied by dozens of smaller Chapter vessels. It seemed Chapter Master Calgar had been quite generous; he had sent at least an entire company, along with several successor chapters of the Ultramarines.

Vito lowered his head and leaned to look past Mikael at the Honor Guard. They were not the Chapter Master's personal Honor Guard, of course, but their armor and markings were familiar to Vito.

"Karl, Ustibulus, and Brutus. It is good to see you." Vito smiled as he spoke. The Ultramarines he addressed also removed their helmets, striking their fists against their chests. "An honor, Inquisitor. Especially to face the Tyranids with you once again."

"Indeed, Inquisitor. The Chapter Master ordered me to bring the veterans of the Tyranid Wars. They are honored to be reunited with you. I still remember the scene at the Arctic Bastion when we faced the enemy like a tidal wave. The Emperor is my witness! That was a battle of honor!" Mikael said, his voice ringing out as he clenched his fist. Vito placed a hand over his chest and bowed in respect.

Ah. Truth be told, Vito did not want to recall those images, but alas, they had already surfaced. He remembered the ferocity of the Tyranids that day, like a surging tide. He had thought more than once that he would meet his end alongside the entire Ultramarines company, but clearly, They and she were not yet ready for him to finish.

But obviously, those bastards had no intention of helping either. Vito was certain at least two of them had been laughing quite heartily.

"Captain, what is the total strength you have brought?" Vito returned to the matter at hand. Mikael turned serious, looking up at the firmament where the fleet he had brought hovered.

"Including the Ultramarines company, there are five companies—five hundred battle-brothers—standing by. Chapter Master Calgar granted me permission to bring Dreadnought brothers; they will provide us with powerful support."

"Brother, are there any other Chapters coming?" the old wolf asked. Mikael looked at him and shook his head slightly. "We do not know, brother, but we must be prepared to fight alone. We shall carve out another moment of glory with the soldiers of The Imperium."

"Of course, Captain. The sons of Leman Russ will always fight at the forefront against the endless enemy." Ragnar laughed, revealing his wolf-like fangs. Mikael nodded in affirmation. "The sons of Guilliman shall do the same. Under the light of The Emperor, we shall not fail the blood of our Primarch."

"We will complete our combat deployment as soon as possible. I and the other captains have decided to keep three companies on the ground to assist the surface forces, while the remaining battle-brothers will join the fleet to engage the Tyranids Hive Fleet."

"Naturally, Captain Mikael. I have received word that the Astra Militarum has completed its deployment, and now we only need to wait—" Vito's words cut off. His expression froze, causing Mikael a flicker of unease. He tilted his head slightly to look at the starry firmament.

In low orbit, all Imperial ships were urgently departing, and the joint Ultramarines fleet was turning.

Vito looked at Olaf, who nodded in affirmation. Vito let out a long sigh and looked up at the sky. "The Hive Fleet has arrived."

"This shall be a battle of glory! Citizens of The Emperor! We have stood with you against the countless enemies of the galaxy. For ten thousand years, we have held the lines of The Imperium, and today shall be no different!"

Mikael shouted, raising his arm. The Ultramarines behind him raised their arms and roared, and the mortals nearby joined in the cry.

"Long live The Imperium! Long live The Emperor! Advance for Macragge!" "Long live The Imperium! Long live The Emperor!"

The thunderous war cry echoed across the airport. Vito looked at the starry sky, frowning slightly before breaking into a helpless smile.

"The Emperor protects."