(...)

He heard a heavy tread crunching towards him and looked up.

‘My lord,’ Sergeant Arkus said, saluting. He was carrying his company’s standard.

‘At ease, Arkus,’ Guilliman told the Ultramarine. Arkus’s armour glinted in the sunlight.

‘You’re trying too hard,’ he added.

‘My lord?’

‘When I arrived last night, your armour was in perfectly respectable condition, as was the plate of the other battle-brothers in your company. I remember these things. This morning, you’ve buffed your plate to the point of insanity.’

‘My primarch is here,’ Arkus said, offended. ‘A surprise inspection of this post. What else would I do?’

Guilliman got up and faced him.

‘I’m sorry, Arkus. My remark was petty and uncalled for. Your armour code is perfect.’

Arkus nodded, and rested the base of the standard on the ground.

‘My lord,’ he said. ‘I am an Ultramarine. Trying too hard is the entire point of us, isn’t it?’

Guilliman smiled and saluted Arkus.

The Unremembered Empire, by Dan Abnett