Lin En flipped the communicator over, ended the call, and turned to face everyone on the bridge. "You all heard that, right?"
Everyone on the bridge nodded.
Lin En nodded too. "Good. Then we know where things stand. Khorne Army is besieging Macragge, and the main Ultramarines force is heading back to defend it. Get ready. We're going with the three Successor Chapters to reinforce Macragge."
The three Successor Chapter Masters looked grateful.
Gabriel and Sentoyor struck their fists against their chests at the same time. Two dull thuds rang against their armor. "Yes!"
Lin En sent them off to prepare. "Check your weapons, count your ammunition, see to the wounded, and finish repairs on the three barges. I'll call Chapter Master Dante."
"Yes!"
Lin En placed another call to Dante.
Somehow, coordinating the war effort had become his job too.
As Chapter Master of the parent Chapter stationed in the eastern reaches of the Imperium, Dante naturally had a Webway Communicator.
Static crackled through the channel again.
Then the call connected.
A golden mask with a weary expression appeared on the screen.
Behind it was a workhorse more than fifteen hundred years old. He wore the Death Mask of Sanguinius; his eyes were sunken, his cheekbones prominent, and his hair gray.
Behind him stood an office somewhere in Arx Angelicum. A portrait of Sanguinius hung on the wall, and thick stacks of documents covered the desk.
"Lord Lin En? What made you contact me so suddenly today?"
Then his eyes shifted. He had noticed the bridge behind Lin En and the purple-black stars near the Great Rift beyond its viewport.
"Has something happened?"
"Good afternoon, Chapter Master Dante." Lin En leaned back in his chair, speaking as casually as if he were calling to catch up. "It's been