Uneasy relations between Chapters

As the Dark Angel's slightly puzzled voice rang out, the leading Ultramarine reached up and removed his Laurel Helmet. The many scars on his face and the three golden Service Studs in his forehead left no doubt that he had served for at least three hundred years.

"Welcome, though I never imagined I would meet two brothers of the Dark Angels here."

The two Dark Angels exchanged a glance when they saw him remove his helmet, then took off their own, which were decorated with white wings and black swords.

"Ukkana, Dark Angels Chapter."

"Aure, Dark Angels Chapter."

"Calando, Ultramarines."

After both sides had introduced themselves and exchanged greetings, Ukkana was the first to ask a question.

"While encountering Ultramarines in this region is hardly unusual, meeting a member of the Victrix Guard is quite a surprise. What is your mission?"

Ukkana's words made Calando narrow his eyes slightly.

The other man's tone made him feel as though he were being questioned by a superior.

He had not experienced that feeling in many years.

The last time he had been questioned like this was two hundred years ago.

But as a veteran, Calando had served even longer than his appearance suggested.

Nearly five hundred years had passed since he had left Ultramar to wage war across the Milky Way.

He had simply stopped having Service Studs implanted after his third century because there was only so much room on his forehead.

The man who had asked him that question back then had been Chapter Master Calgar.

As for the Dark Angels, Calando hardly believed these two young-looking Adeptus Astartes could compare their service records to his.

Their manner of speaking clearly had something to do with the Dark Angels' fiercely independent way of doing things.

Although Calando had encountered many