Warhammer: The Worst Start There Is (40k) - Chapter 9: The Unyielding Battle

All those who could be considered influential were present at the meeting called by Guilliman.

The Ultramarine Chapter Master, Calgar, along with the leaders of various Chapters, Saints, and Adeptus Mechanicus, had all gathered in the council chamber of the Fortress of Hera, where Guilliman resided.

The history of this fortress was ancient, dating back ten thousand years, witnessing many extraordinary events.

Thinking back to when the Horus Heresy happened, the Warp storms raged, cutting off communication between star systems, and the Emperor was trapped on Terra, leaving many loyalist armies leaderless.

The Primarch of the Loyalist faction had gathered here to discuss the fate of humanity’s future.

In the blink of an eye, those years had passed ten thousand years.

Everything had changed.

The long millennia had taken away much but also brought many things.

Traces left behind by invaders could still be faintly seen on the Fortress of Hera.

The Tyranid, the Green-skinned Orks, and the forces of Chaos had all invaded here.

As a crucial defensive point for Macragge, the Fortress of Hera was always a prime target for the enemy.

Not long ago, it had been designated as a must-destroy target by the Chaos forces, sending numerous cultists, Chaos Space Marines, and Daemons to invade this place.

When Guilliman awoke, the Chaos forces had already reached the interior of the fortress, leaving ruins and corpses behind.

Now, this place had been mostly repaired, and the bodies had been removed.

The damaged marble columns and floors had been replaced, and the broken streets had been repaired.

The Cogitator computers used for tactical projection and data storage had been fitted with several new wetware components, allowing them to function normally.

Guilliman looked around at the many heroes of the Imperium. If he were not the Emperor’s direct heir, no one would have the ability to gather so many high-ranking individuals.

Everyone here had the authority to command the Imperial fleets individually.

With a single word from them, they could decide the future of millions of humans, wiping out planets and individuals they deemed threats to human survival.

Everyone here possessed courage, strategy, a sense of the bigger picture, unlimited love for humanity, and boundless loyalty to the Imperium. They would not hesitate to sacrifice others and themselves for the Imperium’s continuation and humanity’s survival.

In the center of the council chamber was an oval-shaped table, and as everyone took their seats, the mechanical devices inside emitted a soft hum. One tactical projection after another appeared in the air, floating in their designated positions.

These projections displayed the threats currently faced by them.

The Cadia Fortress had collapsed, and the Great Rift had already affected this place.

Daemons and Xenomorphs were wreaking havoc on human planets.

The Imperial citizens living in fear urgently needed redemption.

Beside the crowd, the Adeptus Mechanicus and others, dressed in dirty red robes, moved back and forth, maintaining the Cogitator computers and various mechanical devices used in the chamber.

It’s worth noting that the Cogitator computers used human brains as their core components.

During humanity’s Golden Age, there had been a rebellion of intelligent AI, so the Imperium absolutely did not allow the existence of machines or computers without human flesh. This was one of the Imperium’s red lines.

Anyone who crossed this line would be declared a human rebel, and the Imperial army would spare no effort to exterminate them.

The human brains used in Cogitator computers were sourced from unforgivable Imperial criminals or cloned brains from the Adeptus Mechanicus.

Cogitator computers use human brains, also known as “wetware,” sourced from unforgivable Imperial criminals or cloned brains from the Mechanized Cult.

After special programming, these brains are placed into hardened glass containers, and a large number of data cables connect the brain to the machinery, creating a Cogitator computer.

Once everyone was seated, Guilliman walked to his designated seat.

All eyes were on him, their enthusiasm and excitement showing openly in their gazes.

Their gazes followed Guilliman’s movements.

For them, the people who have endless loyalty to the God Emperor, being able to stand in the presence of the Emperor’s own son was undoubtedly a tremendous honor, one they would remember for a lifetime.

Guilliman could feel the weight of those gazes, and he felt a bit of pressure due to it.

Everyone was waiting for him to lead the Imperium, to save humanity. To face the Chaos Gods and other invaders, anyone would be nervous if they were in his position. After all, it could mean the end if they failed.

“The Imperium’s current situation remains dire. Besides the Chaos invasion, the ravaging of the Tyranids and the Necrons in the void also leave us vulnerable. You can speak your thoughts and opinions freely without concern for your status and position,” Guilliman said, his voice not loud but carrying immense penetrative force.

His voice echoed throughout the council chamber, ensuring everyone could hear clearly.

“Regent, you must hurry to Terra. It is the heart of the Imperium, with the most elite of humanity. There, you will gain the power and resources to rebuild the Imperium of Man,” said the Supreme Marshal, the Chapter Master of the Black Templar Chapter, speaking first.

His reasoning was sound; Terra was the Imperium’s most important capital, and any elite who could go there would. The wealth and status there were incredibly enticing.

Guilliman, as the Emperor’s direct heir and one of the 20 legendary Primarch, had a legitimate reason to return to humanity’s birthplace, Terra (formerly known as Earth). He had the authority to take control of the Imperium’s highest governing body, the Terra Council, and restore the Regent’s authority.

Hearing the Supreme Marshal’s words, Guilliman responded, “Now is not the best time to return to Terra. We cannot save the Imperium all at once. We need preparations, a stable rear guard. No one knows how Terra is faring after the Great Rift. Rushing back will only make us more vulnerable. The Five Hundred Planets under Ultramar need salvation. This is the best place in the entire Imperium that can provide us with enough ships and warriors.”

Returning to Terra? Wouldn’t that be like trying to gain the attention of the still alive Emperor? Guilliman was highly skeptical of how long he could hide the secret of having the soul of a transmigrator within him from the God Emperor.

Before his true identity was exposed, Guilliman decided to gather his trusted followers as much as possible, create his own rear guard, and enhance his ability to protect himself.

More importantly, there was another issue. Terra, and indeed the entire Solar System, was the territory of the High Lords of Terra, the Inquisition, the Ecclesiarchy, and the Mechanicus.

While there were undoubtedly many loyalists, there were also those who were enthusiastic about power. These individuals would not easily relinquish their authority for the sake of loyalty alone.

If Guilliman were to go there, he would need to consolidate his power, reorganize Terra, and reunite the Imperium. The resistance he would face would be considerable, and any misstep could lead to riots and turmoil.

Now was not the time to go there. Instead of wasting time on political balancing, it was better to build his own army and use direct force to break through.

Guilliman’s words led to some discussions, but there was not much opposition to his plan to first stabilize Ultramar as his rear guard.

Ultramar, encompassing the Five Hundred Planets, was like a paradise compared to other Planets in the Imperium. Each Planet had complete industry, medical facilities, and self-sufficient food production, something unimaginable on other Imperial Planets.

Restoring order and production in Ultramar was of utmost importance for saving the Imperium and humanity.

Guilliman proposed various war plans for clearing Ultramar and maintaining stability in this sub-sector.

The direction of the meeting shifted toward how to pacify Ultramar.

After much discussion, they decided to launch a comprehensive counter-offensive with Macragge at its center.

Guilliman named this all-encompassing counter-offensive the “Unyielding Battle,” signifying that humanity would not yield to the dark fate spoken of by the Chaos gods and would rise up to resist with all their might.

The meeting concluded, and Guilliman retained the Archmagos Dominus, Cawl, for a private discussion. There were important matters to discuss that would shape the future of the Imperium and humanity.