Mountain of Document

"There's a book in the library, The Book of Astartes. It records how our Ultramarines Chapter once provided the gene-seed for nearly 60% of all Space Marine Chapters. We were already unmatched. But raw strength alone is meaningless. The flames may destroy more effectively, and the sledgehammer may strike harder, but only the sword remains in the knight's hand. Jacob, we are the Emperor's sword. Don't forget that."

Jacob nodded slowly, the fear in his heart easing. "I understand."

"Good. Then go and congratulate Kayvaan. He's our new chapter master, and he'll need your support. The Eastern Fringe is critical to the Imperium's future, and we need strong leaders there." Marneus turned to leave but stopped at the doorway. "Oh, and tell Adams and his team to take care the next penal training cadre. Let them reflect on their failures while preparing our neophytes for the battles ahead. Discipline is forged through duty, not leniency."

He than glanced back at the thin figure in the arena. A strange feeling stirred in his chest, as though this man would bring monumental change to the Imperium. Whether it would be for better or worse, none could yet say.

___________

The next morning, Jacob found a sealed parchment bearing the Chapter Master's sigil on his desk. It was an official reassignment order issued by Marneus Calgar himself. He read it once, twice, and finally a third time, the weight of the words sinking in. "The new chapter?" Jacob whispered. "I'm… being reassigned to serve as a tactical advisor to the new Chapter?"

In one month, Jacob would leave the Ultramarines and begin his new role. For now, though, he remained the deputy strategist for the Ultramarines "Do your best to help them? Ugh, easier said than done," he muttered to himself.

Jacob understood Marneus's reasoning perfectly. In fact, he even felt a sense of gratitude toward him. His previous actions had been reckless, inadvertently offending a newly established Chapter faction. While such a blunder might seem trivial to the Ultramarines, who feared no force in the universe, it was still a mistake. And since it was his mistake, Jacob knew he had to make amends. Yet, on an emotional level, letting go of his role with the Ultramarines was difficult. He had served them for two centuries—an almost inconceivable span of time for ordinary humans, equating to nearly two lifetimes.

Jacob sighed, but being a practical man, he quickly pushed his emotions aside. With just a cup of tea, he cleared his mind and set off to find Kayvaan.

Kayvaan, meanwhile, was buried under an avalanche of documents and forms from various imperial departments. The newly formed chapter was little more than a name in the Administratum's records, and Kayvaan could only imagine what it might become years down the line. 

He was completely out of his depth. His time on Terra and the combat lessons from his mentor had done nothing to prepare him for the maddening bureaucracy of the Imperium. Even establishing a minor guild on Terra required navigating at least seventeen different departments—health, taxation, local enforcers, trade guilds, and even the Ecclesiarchy. Starting a Space Marine Chapter? That was bureaucracy on an entirely different scale.

It was in this dire situation that Jacob arrived, like an angel descending from the heavens. "Emperor's grace, a whole room packed with documents! This sight never gets old," Jacob said with a wry smile as he stepped inside. He glanced at Kayvaan, his tone playful. "Need some help, Chapter Master?"

Kayvaan looked up, his face a mix of exhaustion and relief. Jacob's words felt like a lifeline. He nodded quickly, grateful beyond words.

Jacob chuckled, picking up a few forms and skimming them before setting them aside. "Taking on three Space Marine veterans as an unaugmented human? Easy. But a pile of Administratum paperwork? Now that's your true enemy."

"I'd rather face a Chaos Warmaster in open combat than deal with this pile of Administratum drivel," Kayvaan groaned. "It'll take me an lifetime to get through all of this."

Jacob chuckled, shaking his head. "An lifetime? You're an Astartes—you've got all the time in the galaxy."

Kayvaan sighed, his voice grim. "Exactly. That's what makes it so horrifying."

Jacob couldn't help but laugh again. He understood Kayvaan's frustration. Most Astartes felt the same way. Space Marines were forged for war—humanity's ultimate defenders, not glorified clerks. "Relax. It's not as bad as it seems," Jacob said, rolling up his sleeves. "Only about a tenth of this is actually important, and less than one percent needs your personal attention." He began sorting through the piles with practiced efficiency. "This is just a game the Administratum plays with anyone who doesn't know the ropes or fails to show them proper respect. It's their way of keeping you… overwhelmed."

"Well, it's working," Kayvaan muttered.

"Do you hate these bureaucrats?" Jacob asked, glancing at him.

"Absolutely," Kayvaan said without hesitation. "They've got a little power, and they act like they rule the galaxy. They don't respect the responsibility they've been given. Worse, they don't produce anything. They don't mine ore, forge weapons, grow crops, or sew uniforms. They don't fight the enemies of the Imperium. All they do is push papers and shuffle resources, yet they walk around like they're the backbone of the Imperium."

Jacob paused, raising an eyebrow. "Shuffle resources?

"Yes," Kayvaan replied, his tone sharp. "They don't create value; they just shuffle resources around," he said with a dismissive wave. "Of course, that's just me being dramatic. Don't take it too seriously. I just can't stand their style—their smug expressions, their rigid procedures. None of it sits well with me."

Jacob turned to face him, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Master Kayvaan, why are you telling me this? These aren't the kind of thoughts you should share openly."

Kayvaan shrugged. "We're at home right now."

Jacob raised an eyebrow. "Even so, we've only known each other a short time. Aren't you worried I might tell someone?"

Kayvaan chuckled lightly. "And if you did? What's the worst that could happen? I'm just venting."

Jacob shook his head. "Words like that can make enemies, ones you can't see. Individually, they might hold little power, but together, they can use their authority to make your life difficult. Look at what you faced today. And remember, you're not Marneus. Lord Calgar can say what he pleases. His words might ruffle feathers, but he's the Chapter Master of the Ultramarines. His position alone protects him. You, Master Kayvaan, don't have that kind of shield."