socalfunplaces Page 147
Page 147
Loken, if only you were still alive.
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Chapter 179 Divine Machines Deployed! (Titan Lands)
Lynch took a deep breath and stepped down from the Stormbird.
According to the timeline, the boarding of the Terran mothership and the killing of Queen Norn occurred three Terran days ago.
After the death of the creature at the central node, the remaining creatures in the entire Terran fleet completely collapsed. Whether it was the weakest Ripper or the most powerful Hive Tyrant, they all lost their reason and degenerated into simple beasts.
But dealing with simple wild animals is naturally incredibly easy.
In three days, aside from a small number of Zerg that went into the depths of the void and to the surface, the remaining Zerg, along with the Chaos fleet, were destroyed by the Empire.
The Empire has gained absolute initiative in the void. The orbit of the Galmyk has been captured, and the only thing the fleet needs to defend against is the attack from the anti-ship cannons located on the ground.
On the ground, based on the blueprints provided by Danteok, the engineering corps, the Mechanicus, and the executioners of the Imperial Fist Order jointly established a temporary fortification.
However, Chaos was also well aware that this position posed a threat to them, and during this period, they frequently sent out small groups of troops to harass it.
However, without the presence of the main force, these small units pose little threat to the safety of the position, aside from harassment.
After the entire position was established, Lynch disembarked from the Wolf Shepherd on the Stormbird and arrived at this place, which was also the front line of the battle.
Astronauts from all corners of the galaxy were busy in the camp. The Cardians and Alicia checked their equipment together, while Kree engineers silently instructed engineers from other units to carry out their work.
The Lightling ratmen were cooking in the open air, surrounded by a group of seemingly silly Oglin apes, mouths agape, drooling over the delicious aroma.
The Astartes from each chapter were scattered around the camp, but most of them were at the very front of the line. There were only a few dozen people in the center of the camp and around the landing zone.
"grown ups."
Fross and Seth walked up together, followed by their Honor Guard, making quite a spectacle.
“I already said that,” Lin Qi sighed helplessly. “We’re at war now, so keep things simple.”
"But the proper welcome should still be given. You are the commander-in-chief of the allied forces, and your dignity must be upheld."
Frost said this, and upon hearing his words, Lynch said nothing more.
The group moved through the camp, and in its center, using technology and Omnesia's blessing, the mechanical priests successfully erected a temporary wartime command center. Machinery and cables piled up, and tall data antennas transmitted signals to the fleet in the void.
As Lin Qi entered the command center, the busy staff stopped what they were doing and bowed to him.
"loyalty!"
Lynch waved his hand, signaling them to continue working. He walked to a large sand table, which, using a technology whose principles were unknown, could be modified to change the terrain according to the user's needs. It was an essential tool for the high-ranking generals of the Empire's Star Forces when conducting campaign command.
A servant opened its mouth and spat out a long parchment. A mortal servant took the parchment and respectfully handed it to Lynch.
"Thank you."
Lynch nodded to his mortal servant and took the parchment. Beautiful and intricate High Gothic script was engraved on the paper, and Lynch had successfully obtained the latest intelligence about the battlefield.
"The person opposite is an outstanding descendant."
Danteok stood beside Lynch, looking at the battle report with him.
"Previously, he built a large number of small fortresses and battle lines in order to wear down our strength. After the barrier was broken, he decisively abandoned most of these fortifications that had cost a lot of resources and manpower, and he did so very efficiently. He has surpassed most generals in this respect."
Upon hearing Danteok's assessment, Lynch remained expressionless. After all, the enemy was Hongsuo, an iron warrior who could carve out a place for himself in the chaos, whose personal abilities were undoubtedly formidable.
"So? Did you figure anything out?"
"Take another look... and tell me about this city."
"it is good."
Lin Qi put down the battle report and turned his gaze to the sand table.
The sand table showed a vast, desolate plain, and at the very center of the plain was a hive city shrouded in mist.
This city is the first tough nut to crack that Lynch and his team will face after landing, and it is also a place they must destroy before they can destroy the node city of the ritual.
Galon.
"This is the closest large enemy stronghold to us. The power of chaos and the Void Shield have distorted that area, so we have no way of obtaining accurate intelligence about it."
Lynch used his psychic powers to convey his words to Danteok, who was a spirit.
"However, based on our assessment, there are at least two thousand Word Bearers and Black Legion Astartes troops mixed together in this city, as well as a considerable number of cultists and rebels."
"Isn't there a way to get around it? I don't think it's a good idea to immediately invest resources here."
“Latest intelligence.” Lynch pulled another parchment from the mouth of the servant beside him. “We have discovered traces of the Titans. Based on our assessment, part of the enemy’s Titan army is located in the city of Galon.”
"Titan?"
"Yes, Titan."
Danteok's expression turned serious. As a master of city defense, his skill in defensive warfare was second only to two people in the entire galaxy.
With his skill level, he naturally knew that attacking a fortress with or without Titans made a world of difference.
Titans—the most powerful war machine in human hands—are true divine machines. The appearance of a Titan legion often signifies that the battle has entered a heated phase, and the intensity of the war can be definitively described as apocalyptic.
The most powerful Imperial Titans can easily destroy a small hive city; their movement is enough to cause a small earthquake; their appearance is enough to invigorate any allies and terrify any enemy.
If a stronghold contains a Titan, then for the attacking side, that stronghold must be eliminated. They cannot bypass that stronghold to attack their main objective, unless they want to be vulnerable to being ambushed from behind by the enemy's devastating weapons.
Danteok pondered, while Horus gazed at the sand table before him. The two war masters were deep in thought, occasionally exchanging whispered conversations and their views on the future course of the war.
"I think we can take a penetration attack. The biggest problem right now is the Void Shield that protects the Galon. Its existence reduces the effectiveness of our orbital strikes. Moreover, the anti-ship firepower of these hives is very strong. Our ships are hovering in their sky and are very likely to be blown up by them."
"Infiltration is not feasible. The enemy consists of the Word Bearers and the Black Legion. Putting aside how to infiltrate, the mere disguise alone is enough to give us a huge headache."
"How about luring the enemy's Titans out? Once they come out, we can take steps to defeat them."
"Even if they launch an attack, they won't stray too far from their nest. They are a defensive asset and an obstacle to sieges. That guy named Hong Suo isn't stupid; he wouldn't do something like that."
"Then we'll have to resort to the brute force method."
"Yes, it's a clumsy method."
Horus sighed and looked at Lynch.
"Let our Titan Legion prepare; it's time for them to make their appearance."
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Lancelot looked up.
Nothingness. The sky was filled with ash and engine smoke, and the murky clouds stretching to the horizon glowed blood-red, like blood flowing from a wound.
He looked down. The massive landing site had been cleared and was ready for the next guests. A bright ring of light shimmered around the edge of the landing area, where five to six thousand Astral Army soldiers stood in pairs beside the glowing spheres, protecting them and preventing any mishaps during the upcoming operations.
Lancelot straightened his back, making sure he stood properly. Holding such ceremonial welcoming ceremonies during wartime was generally repulsive, but because of the distinguished and powerful guests, such rituals were unavoidable.
Fortunately, Caesar, his friend, was standing beside him. With his friend by his side, even a boring wait like this didn't seem so tedious.
“They’re late,” Lancelot said.
“They are never late,” Caesar replied.
“I’m a little curious,” Lancelot said casually. “Don’t they know this thing will be filthy by the time they get here? And do they know how wasteful it is? Don’t they know how difficult it is to find a wad of fabric like this during wartime?”
Caesar understood what Lancelot was talking about; he was referring to the red carpet laid on the steps, the one that had been clean when it was first brought out, but had become filthy from being washed up in just half an hour.
"It's just a symbol, don't take it too seriously, Lancelot."
"Symbolism? What symbolism?"
"A symbol of status, a symbol of power, or whatever, its appearance is necessary because it demonstrates our respect and importance for them, allowing them to become a devastating hammer in the upcoming war."
Lancelot stopped talking and just stared at the empty landing area, lost in thought for a moment.
Many others stood alongside them, including Astartes, mortals of the Astral Army, and priests of the Cult of Mechanics. At the very front stood the Chapter Commander of Astartes and representatives of various factions. All were waiting on this steel-built grandstand, awaiting the arrival of a legion, the arrival of a representative of power from mythology.
If, at this very moment, this stand suddenly collapsed because it couldn't bear so many people, and everyone fell to the ground in a sorry state, then... that would certainly be very interesting.
Lancelot suddenly thought of this in his mind.
It's a terrible idea, but it's also quite interesting.
Just then, it seemed as if something fell from the sky, the wind changed direction, and the clouds dispersed.
“Ah, here they come,” Caesar said.
Lancelot also noticed the change, looking up at the sky. The soldiers responsible for the landing zone lighting also stood at attention, making sure their posture was correct.
“Although I saw it at the last parade,” Caesar remarked, “the feeling on the battlefield is truly different.”
Lancelot shrugged.
"You'll get used to it."
A beam of blazing red light pierced through the clouds and struck the very center of the landing site. The low growl of the massive engine suddenly turned into a roar, and even with the protection of his helmet, the sheer volume of sound still made Lancelot's brain buzz.
The wind picked up, changing the color of the entire world. Another beam of red light fell, followed by another.
The appearance of three beams of red light caused many mortals present to close their eyes, and when the red light dissipated, the enormous landing device appeared before everyone's eyes.
These landing devices are decorated with bronze, gold, and ruby colors, and each flashing light cluster bears the Machinist Order's skull and gear emblem, with a cluster of burning flames on each emblem.
Unlike the monotonous, utilitarian vehicles of the Imperial Guard, these landing craft were born with a strong sense of authority and mission.
“The Heart of the Forge.” Lancelot exhaled. “The Titan Legion’s pomp and circumstance are truly impressive.”
Caesar couldn't help but let out a strange smile. "If these guys are really as powerful as the legends say, then I'll like them."
The three landing craft came to a complete stop and remained silent until the dust from their landing had completely settled. The mortals surrounding the landing site craned their necks, trying to get a clear look at the giants that were about to appear.
A cyborg priest appeared on the landing field, surrounded by a servo skull with an enhanced megaphone. He stared fervently at the three landing devices before him, his electronic male voice brimming with emotion.
"The bell tolls once, starting the piston and pump."
The bell tolls twice, the button is pressed, the turbine is started, and life is injected.
The great bell tolls three times, praising the god of all machines, praising Ommesiah!
Immortal God of Machines, hear our prayers! We are your children, scholars of the mechanical way. We praise science above all else. For your eternity, grant humanity your power to trample all evil that hinders the spread of your teachings…”
The priest's prayers echoed in the air, and after he finished speaking, he opened his arms and solemnly began to speak.
"The divine machine is deployed!"