MTLNOVEL Chapter 16: chapter 16
Chapter 16: The Word Bearers Are Coming
"The traitor is not alone. The Warmaster has also betrayed your Emperor. He has already annihilated three loyal Legions in the Istvaan system," Bucky appeared in the projection, revealing the brutal truth.
"Horus... I understand."
Guilliman did not question the identity of the mortal who had suddenly appeared. Now was not the time for such concerns.
Gunfire erupted near the Global Museum. The sound of artillery fire was distinct from the crashing wreckage. The Primarch immediately realized that danger was approaching.
"I will welcome you aboard the flagship once this shameful betrayal is over."
Beyond the surface, the Word Bearers' fleet emerged from the Mandeville Point in the galaxy. The first warship opened fire without warning.
The battleship False Emperor unleashed its lance weapons against the fleet, which was only just beginning to react. Soon after, Crown of Colchis, Pure Flame, and Hand of Fate followed suit.
The sudden outbreak of space combat forced the transmission to be cut off. Ventanus relayed the Word Bearers' betrayal to all warships within range.
"Leave the space battle to them. We'll handle the enemies on the ground." Ventanus grabbed a grenade launcher and led the Ultramarines out of the underground bunker.
"For Ferrus! We are also sons of vengeance!"
Sabik and the other Iron Hands, unable to suppress their burning desire for retribution, roared as they rushed out of the shelter.
Unlike their battered state after the Istvaan massacre, these Iron Hands had been resupplied with devastating firepower—plasma weapons powerful enough to damage vehicles, power armor carrying hundreds of mini-nuclear missiles, and explosive guns with extended range and enhanced destructive capability.
In the ruins surrounding the Universal Museum, a horde of crazed mortal soldiers reveled in slaughter.
They ignored the burning wreckage still falling from the sky, laughing and cheering as they butchered survivors with rifles, pistols, knives, and even spears.
They were less like soldiers and more like frenzied cultists.
The lunatics of the Seventeenth Legion howled as they drove their spears into the belly of a wounded Numinas soldier. As he fell to the ground in agony, they pounced, twisting their blades to maximize his suffering.
Gunfire rang out, mowing down fleeing civilians. Those who survived the bullets were brutally executed with knives and machetes. It was less a battle and more a grotesque ritual—a massacre for their dark gods.
A thunderous explosion shattered the scene.
A group of cultists was torn apart in an instant, their bodies reduced to chunks of flesh raining down in a crimson mist.
The Ultramarines had arrived.
Ventanus led his warriors with ruthless precision, cutting down enemies with explosive rounds. Against such firepower, the mortal auxiliaries were nothing more than paper figures. Each hit tore bodies apart, leaving only blood and shattered limbs behind.
A cult leader, clutching a ritual dagger, was in the process of slitting the throat of a wounded officer.
Before he could finish, his men were obliterated one by one.
He barely had time to register what was happening before his own torso detonated. His severed hand, still gripping the dagger, tumbled to the ground.
"All enemies eliminated. Searching for survivors," Ventanus reported.
His helmet's display confirmed that all hostile targets had been neutralized, while those marked in green required rescue.
"Evacuate all survivors to the Global Museum. Medical equipment and supplies are being delivered there. Everyone else, follow me to the port."
Ventanus had three priorities: destroy the enemy, rescue the wounded, and regroup the troops.
The airport manager had mentioned some old equipment stored at the port, though with the advanced replacements provided by Bucky, its necessity had diminished.
But the port held more than just equipment—it housed a large number of mortal engineers, workers, and a stockpile of weapons waiting to be transported.
The port's control tower, located near the 60th landing platform, served as a natural stronghold. Most of the surviving personnel had gathered there, hoping for safety.
Fear and uncertainty were etched onto their faces.
They had no idea what had happened—only that the sky had seemingly collapsed, and starships were plummeting from orbit, crashing into the surface of Calth.
Even their makeshift shelter was not truly safe. Debris still rained from above. A single impact could obliterate them all.
But for now, it was the only protection they had. The heavy platform provided a fragile illusion of security. They huddled together, desperate for any semblance of safety.
"Space Marines! They're coming!"
A murmur ran through the refugees as they spotted Ventanus and his men approaching.
Dozens of Ultramarines strode openly toward them, their presence unmistakable.
The survivors broke into a chaotic flurry of questions, cries, and pleas for answers. They wanted to know what had happened to Calth.
Ventanus removed his helmet, securing it at his waist.
"War has come. There is no time for explanations. Head to the Global Museum—it will serve as your refuge," he commanded.
There was no room for debate.
The crowd obeyed, some supporting the wounded, others rushing to escape as quickly as possible.
"Sir, if you're continuing to search the area, we can assist," a group of volunteers stepped forward.
Ventanus did not refuse but selected only two of them to accompany his squad.
The Space Marines, along with their mortal auxiliaries, moved deeper into the ruins.
They reached the port's control tower, where the Marines spread out, searching each room for survivors.
Through an intact corridor window, Ventanus surveyed the devastation.
Entire sections of the port were engulfed in flames. Thick, black smoke billowed into the sky. Shipping containers burned. Wreckage continued to plummet from the heavens, their impact shaking the ground like thunder.
The once-thriving port now resembled a vision of hell.
Shouts rang out from below.
Ventanus turned and saw three squads of Space Marines clad in crimson armor advancing toward the tower.
The refugees had no idea what was happening.
Ventanus did not hesitate. He swiftly raised his bolter and fired, sending explosive rounds tearing through two Word Bearers' skulls.
Power armor made Space Marines far more resilient than mortals. The bolt rounds didn't obliterate them, but the injuries were still fatal.
The Word Bearers reacted instantly.
They had no idea why the Ultramarines, who should have been unaware of their betrayal, had attacked. But it was clear now—the truth had been exposed.
Both sides opened fire.
Walls and equipment were shredded by gunfire. Shrapnel from exploding metal and concrete became lethal projectiles.
The harbor was consumed by a storm of fire and death.
The Ultramarines and the Word Bearers clashed in brutal close combat amidst the ruins of the port.
(End of Chapter)