According to the formulated tactics, all Astartes Chapters mobilized to save the explorer fortresses that had been besieged for a long time. The operation was codenamed "Blood Eagle".
According to the latest reconnaissance results, there are 4 fortresses in the northern part of the main continent of Pai Shang that have not yet fallen, and they are marked as fortresses 1-4, while there are 3 fortresses in the southern coastal area of the mainland that have survived, and they are marked as 5-7.
, and on the subcontinent and a larger island, there are three fortresses that survived, labeled No. 8-10. Because these three fortresses were relatively remote, they only suffered sporadic attacks.
After a simple allocation, the Dark Angels are responsible for 4 fortresses in the north, the Astral Knights are responsible for 3 fortresses along the southern coast, the White Templars are responsible for 3 overseas fortresses, and the Gray Knights are on standby to deal with emergencies at any time.
According to the plan, they will give priority to rescuing the residents in the fortress. However, due to the violent activity in the atmosphere of the planet, large transport ships cannot pass through. They can only use small transport vehicles and local floating barges, which will undoubtedly reduce the efficiency a lot.
But if you want to attract the Black Legion, you must do this.
Hao Mo quickly ran to the ordnance deck of the ship. He fastened his helmet and relaxed his body. As a new round of orbital bombardment began, he could already feel the sound of the ship's guns rumbled rhythmically from the deck beneath his feet.
.
As the assault module was sealed in the launch tube like a large torpedo, the thick steel hatch was closed in the huge landing module. Only one drop module was still on the loading bracket, above the last launch tube on the left
balance.
Only one cabin door was still open, and red light poured down from the cocoon-like drop cabin inside the cabin.
There was an artillery officer waiting for Hauma in the open bilge, and they followed him up the ramp, making sure he was strapped into the descent harness, and installed a series of data cables to secure the plugs from his helmet to the generator.
Safety.
It only took them a few seconds to complete the task, and then left the assault module without saying a word.
The readings flashed coldly on the lenses on the helmet, and the red and blue icons shone with the light of life, reflecting against the curves of the planet.
At first, he struggled to understand the torrent of information, but after a few seconds, he grew tired of it.
As soon as the ramp was sealed, the entire drop cabin made a harsh bump and landed into its launch tube.
Suddenly, Oscar's rough voice echoed on the team's channel.
"Boys, this is your first airborne mission, so don't wet your pants."
In this operation, except for the batch that was still undergoing transformation, all the new recruits of the Astral Knights participated, a total of forty-five people.
Hao Mo, Oscar and the returning Robin each lead a team of 15 people. Zod serves as Oscar's deputy due to personal reasons. The reason why Soshyan arranged a team of 15 people for the recruit company instead of the regular 10 people is also
Because the new recruits are not as cooperative as the veterans, they need more firepower support on the frontal battlefield.
"Come on, Oscar, you threw up the first time you sat in the drop pod."
With a loud noise, the drop cabin jolted to a stop, followed by a bang of the sealed hatch overhead.
"All you little guys out there better get a barf bag."
A burst of laughter spread through the channel, and Hao Mo glanced at the status meter while laughing.
All 15 recruits showed green, as he expected.
Oscar was about to roar back, but was interrupted by the priority signal from the command channel.
"Tenth Company Airborne Troops, I am Fleet Commander Lothar."
The voice of the Lord of the Fleet accesses the channel.
"You still have 30 seconds before entering orbit—"
A hollow rumble echoed across the battle barge's hull, and the signal turned to piercing static for a second.
"—Now in contact with troops on the ground, now loading new landing coordinates and tactical data onto your data pad. Prepare for action."
After a few seconds, the team's status map disappeared, replaced by a detailed map depicting a small, scarred fortress city and a vast outlying area.
The fortress, labeled No. 6 in the picture, sits on the shores of a restless gray ocean, with mountains stretching for tens of kilometers north and south along the coast.
20 kilometers east of the fortress, there is a desolate plain composed of black rocks and red oxide. On the edge of the great plain, the dirty swamps and jungles are like another ocean. This plain combines cruel savagery and human beings.
Civilized and orderly life is separated.
But now, Fortress No. 6 is under fierce attack by the enemy, and the main force should be cultists mixed with a small number of Chaos Space Marines.
Hao Mo wrote it all down, using his keen mind to write down every detail.
The icons flash with the light of life: blue represents the defending troops, red represents the enemy.
After a while, Hao Mo realized that the situation on the ground was indeed critical.
Although the Chaos forces have suffered long-term orbital bombardment in the past few hours, there is no doubt that the traitors' main method of maneuver is through underground passages. Therefore, it is difficult for orbital bombardment to accurately locate their general direction and can only temporarily contain their attacks.
offensive, but as the distance between the enemy's front and the fortress gradually narrowed, orbital bombing was no longer effective - because the distance was already too far to avoid accidental damage.
The enemy has successfully breached a stronghold at the southern entrance of the fortress. There is currently no data on the enemy's strength inside the stronghold. The blue markers are traveling south and east along the railway tracks, trying to attack the rebels from the flank and drive them away.
Leave the base.
It was a brave attempt, but the enemy's rugged front prevented the defenders from counterattacking.
"There are still ten seconds left before entering orbit."
Glowing blue circles appear on the tactical map, showing the landing zone for the drop.
The three squads would land in a foothill at the southern end of the fortress, about two kilometers from the rebel-held stronghold. From there the strategy would be obvious: the Astartes would push north and attack the rebels from the other side, cutting them off.
The passage leading to the fortress completely cuts off the enemy's attack route.
Moreover, the high ground in the southern stronghold of the fortress will provide excellent firepower and sufficient cover, allowing them to attack the enemy at will.
The assault module's onboard generator was activated after launch, a flash on the data board indicated recovery, and the attitude thrusters were activated, correcting the capsule's tumble in the atmosphere.
It quivered like a toy in a giant's rough hands.
Twisted air roared past the drop module's stabilizers, but the dizzying spiral eventually stopped.
A yellow circle danced on the tactical map. Hao Mo frowned. The airborne trajectory still deviated. Now they may be very close to the enemy - probably less than one kilometer.