Alert Star, Hyberia Hive Sector.
As a massive world with a population exceeding one hundred billion,
unlike other worlds that divide regions by Hive Cities, Alert Star groups several adjacent Hive Cities together, naming them as Hive Sectors.
And as the largest and most prosperous Hive Sector on Alert Star, Hyberia is the core of the Imperial side on Alert Star, and the safe zone Commander Sith yearns for.
Previously, because Hyberia still maintained an intact industrial system and order, its civilians felt relatively fortunate compared to the outside world.
Now, with Calgar arriving with a large number of Ultramarines and Astra Militarum forces, and establishing Hyberia as his command center, its defenses have been further strengthened.
Simultaneously, through Calgar's excellent political maneuvering, the previously fragmented forces of Alert Star have finally been unified. Hyberia's vast industrial system has begun operating at full capacity.
At this moment, atop the Hive City spire of Hyberia.
The original Alert Star Parliament had been reorganized by Calgar into The Senate.
The Adeptus Mechanicus, the Ecclesiarchy, the Astra Militarum, the Astartes, and local nobles—virtually all factions have joined The Senate, becoming aids to assist Calgar in directing the entire war.
In the upper levels of The Senate at this moment, figures clad in ornate artificer power armor, adorned with golden-winged helms—the former Second Imperium Praetorians, now the Ultramarines Honor Guard—were fulfilling their duties as Calgar's personal guard.
In the grand and splendid hall, the Honor Guard stood vigil in the corners.
At the center, officials from various factions, dressed in diverse attire, were queuing up to have an audience with the representative of the Imperial Regent Guilliman on Alert Star.
The large doors ahead swung open, and a group of Astra Militarum Commanders hurried out, each holding orders personally signed by Calgar.
Through the gap in the opened doors, one could see Calgar seated at the highest point like a giant, his massive power fists resting on either side of the throne.
'From this moment onward, no Imperial position is to be abandoned.'
'Every Imperial soldier shall fight for the God-Emperor until their last breath.'
'I repeat, without an order personally signed by me, any retreat by any Imperial unit will be considered treason!'
In the great hall, the lavishly dressed nobles, the merciful-faced Ecclesiarchy, the uniformed Astra Militarum, the highly mechanized Tech-Priests, and the Astartes representatives from various reinforcing Chapters all stood below Calgar, bowing their heads and listening to the admonition.
Calgar was already physically imposing; even among the Astartes, he was considered tall.
Now, having undergone Primaris ascension, he appeared even more like a giant.
Seated on high, although some mockingly called this legendary Chapter Master the'Stretcher King,' merely by sitting here, Calgar exuded an authority that even Astartes dared not meet directly.
The other Mortals, in turn, offered boundless reverence to this legendary Chapter Master, second only to a demigod.
Seeing that none of the representatives in The Senate below showed dissent to his orders, the red light in Calgar's large left bionic eye finally dimmed slightly.
Lowering his gaze to the battle report respectfully held aloft by a Servitor, Calgar glanced at the mountainous pile of defeats on the left, then shifted his attention to the right side.
There, another Servitor held up a tray, but the report on it was just a single, thin sheet.
After a moment of silent observation, although the mountainous pile of defeats was the reality, Calgar still chose to pick up the report from the right side at a time when frontline troops on Alert Star were generally in despair.
Scanning the report held lightly between his two massive fingers once more, Calgar spoke with icy tones:
'Since this 101st Regiment is still holding out in the outer regions, why hasn't the Departmento Munitorum elevated its supply priority to the highest level?'
'Since this 101st Regiment has achieved so many merits, why hasn't its regimental Commander been given the due commendations and promotions?'
'And most importantly, since the Imperium is still achieving victory! Why hasn't their heroic deeds been broadcast to the entire army?'
Three consecutive 'whys' caused the people below to exchange fearful glances. After a silent game of passing the blame with their eyes, everyone focused their attention on the Astra Militarum and the nobles.
Sensing Calgar's gaze following, before the Astra Militarum could speak, the nobles, skilled in deflecting blame, stepped forward first:
'Although the 101st Regiment is a Planetary Defense Force, its command authority was long ago transferred to the Astra Militarum. We are unaware of the specific reasons behind your questions, my lord.'
The noble explained, but after speaking, he cautiously glanced at Calgar. Seeing that Calgar showed no sign of satisfaction, the noble immediately added:
'However, now that the 101st Regiment's combat record has been verified, our noble council has drafted a series of commendation plans and will provide Commander Sith himself with a set of artificer power armor.'
Alert Star possessed a powerful Adeptus Mechanicus presence. While artificer power armor for Mortals was priceless and rare, on Alert Star, it wasn't absolutely scarce.
One must understand that artificer power armor isn't just distinguished by the word 'artificer' in its name. It represents a qualitative improvement over standard power armor in materials, craftsmanship, core components, and many other aspects.
If standard power armor is merely a modular product of assembly lines, then every piece of artificer power armor is a supreme work of art.
Finally, this time Calgar gave a slight nod:
'Necessary commendations are the prerequisite. Most importantly, the 101st Regiment's sacrifices for the Imperium, and the Imperium's rewards in return, must be emphasized as key points in the army-wide broadcast.'
Seeing that Calgar accepted his response, the noble's expression finally relaxed.
Then, bowing his head slightly and stepping back, he cast a sidelong glance filled with mockery towards the Astra Militarum.
This time, with no nobles to share the focus, as all eyes fell upon the Astra Militarum, the Astra Militarum Commander, sweating profusely, gritted his teeth and stepped forward.
With the noble's Prelude, prelude (foundation-laying) beforehand, even a fool would know what Calgar needed at this moment.
Calgar, a distinguished Chapter Master of a First Founding Chapter, taking so much time amidst such busyness to focus on a mere Mortal Legion of over a hundred thousand—was it truly because Commander Sith and his regiment had fought so remarkably that even Calgar found them noteworthy?
Of course, Calgar admitted they were somewhat noteworthy.
But compared to the wars he had experienced in his long life, and even battles alongside Guilliman against traitor Primarchs, this wouldn't make Calgar overly concerned.
At least not as concerned as he appeared now!
What Calgar truly needed at this moment was to establish an exemplar, a benchmark that could inspire Mortals to hold out until the very last moment.
And Commander Sith, being a Mortal himself, was the only choice before Calgar at this time.
The Astra Militarum Commander took a deep breath, as if to outdo the noble, and made even more extravagant promises of rewards.
After all, it was only a force of over a hundred thousand. With the production capacity of the Hyberia Hive Sector, equipping each of them with a fully enclosed combat suit wasn't impossible!
Looking up, opening his mouth, the Astra Militarum Commander spoke with a fierce expression:
'Regarding Commander Sith's merits, the Departmento Munitorum will immediately formulate commendations. Simultaneously, based on the application submitted by the Deathwatch, the Astra Militarum promotion process for the 101st Regiment will officially commence.'
'Furthermore, the Departmento Munitorum will establish a complete aerial supply route for the 101st Regiment and, according to troop strength, deliver one hundred and fifty thousand fully enclosed combat suits, as well as...'
The Astra Militarum Commander's forehead dripped with even more cold sweat, showing obvious distress even in front of Calgar.
But as Calgar frowned openly, the Commander took another deep breath, gritted his teeth, and spoke:
'...as well as five thousand sets of Stormtroopers gear!'