The Creators: From Night City

Page 520

A massive holographic projection displays the real-time terrain of the entire star field.

When Ultramarines Chapter Commander Calgar arrived, several Imperial Navy admirals, a group of high-ranking officers of the Imperial Guard, the Archsage Belisarius Caul, a representative of the Mechanicus Forging World, and the local planetary defense commander of Alarius were already present.

Because of the presence of the progenitor, the atmosphere in the hall was very solemn and respectful. There were no arguments, no shouting, and no tense standoffs, much better than the environment on the Calgary flagship.

Guilliman's power was enough to quell any unrest, and the most immediate benefit of his arrival was that he immediately unified the command of this chaotic and complex massive fleet.

“The decisive battle won’t start so quickly,” Guilliman said, examining the panoramic view of the battlefield. His mind was filled with a massive amount of data, and he shared his assessment with his beloved chapter commander and all the high-ranking fleet commanders present.

As the Primarch of the Ultramarines, Guilliman was already one of the most outstanding tactical masters of the Imperium of Man, and his mind, enhanced by the Orm Messiah, made him even more formidable.

His powerful data processing capabilities, combined with his rich combat experience, allowed Guilliman to completely grasp the course of the war shortly after entering the fray.

"We won't, and neither will Mortarian."

The exquisitely crafted gauntlet points to a holographic image, and the panoramic view of the battlefield quickly shrinks into a complete star map.

The red forces, representing the Plague Fleet, are eroding vast swathes of surrounding planets; these are forces previously dispersed by the enemy.

“My arrival will inevitably cause Mortarion to recall its previously scattered forces and integrate all its strength, while we will also need to wait for reinforcements to arrive.”

"During this period, the ownership of Alarius has become the key to the struggle and the power struggle between the two sides. My Chapter Master, you need to be prepared for a tough tug-of-war on the surface."

Chapter 1055 The Broken Bridge Meat Grinder

Ground-based protracted warfare is a form of warfare that most powers in the galaxy dislike.

This kind of close-quarters, protracted tug-of-war will drag both sides' forces into the quagmire of a protracted positional war.

At this point, death becomes commonplace, and the already lowly value of life is further trampled into a quagmire mixed with carrion.

Ararius, the 12th War Zone, a bridgehead position of the century.

A massive acid-corroding shell, as large as a truck, flew from a great distance and slammed heavily into the void shield, causing the ground to shake.

More spore-bearing mines, after being fired, swayed their green-glowing tails and swam and leaped merrily through the plague-ridden atmosphere, traversing long distances before crashing headfirst into the void shield.

The massive circular shield rippled and steadfastly withstood the enemy's deadly firepower.

Attacks like this happen all the time.

The intense ground fire was deafening; the sounds of impact and explosions were deafening.

Countless trenches lay haphazardly across the once luxurious and orderly stone plaza, like a beautiful body covered with centipede-like stitched wounds.

Large numbers of Astral Army and local defense force members supporting the battle huddled inside, lying in wait for the call to counterattack.

Century Bridge is a giant metal bridge that stretches for hundreds of meters.

Its main material is ceramic steel mixed with a local metal called ohm alloy, making it very strong.

Its high cost justifies its importance.

This bridge of the century connects the two sides of the Tongsi Grand Canyon, creating the only, and only, suspended passageway.

The Tongsi Rift Valley is hundreds of meters wide and was formed during the frequent planetary geological activity of Alarius.

Its magnificent body, over a long period of time, meandered and plowed thousands of kilometers across the surface of Alarius, successfully splitting most of the plain in two.

At the end of the bridge lies the largest industrial satellite city on the planet Alarius.

Although this planet is defined as a fortress world, bearing the important responsibility of defending the extreme star field against external enemies, it does not mean that this planet is entirely composed of military structures.

Fortress World, despite its name, is essentially still a world.

Alarius is undoubtedly a complete human world with an equally complete planetary ecosystem.

To ensure the normal supply of resources within the planet and to alleviate the empire's transportation pressure, numerous large factories have been built on this planet, producing everything from firearms and ammunition to vehicles and airships, as well as daily necessities, cleaning tools, and other small items, supplying the entire planet's garrison.

Industry is the sector that attracts the most people, and industrial zones are undoubtedly the most densely populated areas on this planet.

Faced with the invasion of the Chaos Fleet, a harsh reality was laid out before everyone: for both the Human Empire and the Plague Fleet, population was a crucial resource that determined the outcome of their battles.

The human empire needs manpower, cannon fodder, line-filling babies, workers, and transportation capacity.

Similarly, the Nagoufang can leverage its large population.

All it takes is a few vile plagues to silently seep into the residential camps, and after a short wait, they can brew a 'sweet' mutation.

The plague-corrupted zombies can infect each other, destroying order, unleashing waves of infection, and shattering humanity's carefully constructed defenses.

These cannon fodder creations, transformed from the enemy's forces, are, in turn, the perfect low-level soldiers and slave laborers for the Nurgle faction.

This is the cruel reality of this universe: ordinary people have no freedom of choice or right to live.

Even if the invaders were replaced by other Chaos forces instead of Nurgle, their fate in their hands might not be any better than becoming plague zombies.

In contrast, the human empire's unbridled conscription and forced recruitment of people to the front lines to die were portrayed as a positive act.

It can only be said that in this world where everyone is competing to be the worst, everyone is only able to stand out because of their peers.

In conclusion, civilians are the most valuable resource that both sides are vying for.

The large population within this industrial zone was a key strategic objective that both sides were vying for in this war.

In order to protect these precious imperial assets and cover the evacuation of all civilians, nearly six regiments of the Astragalus Army were wiped out on this battlefield in just a week and a half.

Even with such a victory, it was still based on the fact that the human empire occupied the advantageous and naturally fortified location of the Century Bridge.

Although in the interstellar age, natural geographical barriers are no longer considered impassable, the wide Great Rift Valley, while unable to stop plague flies, carrion flies and activated daemon engine flying units, or the parachuted plague space marines, can stop the clumsy and massive hordes of plague zombies.

Without these excellent meat shields, the other Nurgle demons on the surface of Alarius are simply no match for the human's carefully constructed fortresses.

Therefore, the Plague Fleet went mad to seize this vital transportation hub and open up a passage for the zombie horde to pass through the Twelfth Ward.

Therefore, nearly half of the forces that Chaos deployed on the surface were concentrated here.

As a strategic stronghold that neither side was willing to give up, the battle here naturally escalated to a fever pitch from the very beginning.

What was once a beautiful bridge has now become a road of death forged from blood and flesh.

The sturdy bridge was ravaged by artillery fire, with windows scattered everywhere.

A gap more than 30 meters wide lies across the middle of the magnificent bridge, with a deep abyss below.

These gaps were the work of PDF. At the outset of the war, the commander acted decisively and blew up the bridge immediately to hinder the enemy's offensive.

However, this measure had little effect, and the corrupt officials had plenty of ways to repair the gap in the bridge.

The gaps were now covered with some kind of tough fungal saplings, which, under the encouragement of several squads of plague sorcerers, were constantly twisting their bodies and growing rapidly, taking advantage of the air raid firepower to suppress the human defenders, attempting to fill the gaps with their bodies.

On the other side of the bridge, dozens of Astartes equipped with jump packs were ready and poised to go.

They silently inspected their equipment, many of them with their armor covered in fresh wounds.

They will strike when the 'repair work' is halfway done, and under the cover of the accompanying Astral Army, they will blow up the 'bridge' made of these twisted plants and slaughter the plague sorcerers who wish they could bury their heads in their asses.

They have carried out similar operations several times.

The Chaos Wizards who were doing the work had also been replaced several times. Of course, the assault team had also suffered nearly 4% casualties.

Neither side was willing to give up, so a bloody and brutal tug-of-war ensued on this bridge.

This also made the broken bridge the most brutal meat grinder in the war.

Chapter 1056 The Second Company Commander of the Ultra Warriors = ?

Behind the bridge position, at the edge of the vast factory area, was the temporary front-line command post surrounding the broken bridge.

This place was originally a fortified distribution hub for supplies, but due to its advantageous location and reasonably stable structure, it also became the site for a temporary war command post.

The commander of the 493rd Regiment of the Astronomical Army in Valaha, his face covered in dust, was ordered to come and report on the progress of the personnel evacuation.

"How is the evacuation of all residents going?" The commander had sculpted features, high cheekbones, and a classic buttock chin, his face perfectly fitting the classical aesthetic of a human empire hero.

Coupled with his confident and dignified demeanor and tall, robust physique, he gave the impression of being even more imposing than the squadron leader and company commander, Karga.

He is the invincible current Ultramarines Second Company Commander, Cato Sicarius.

The commander of the 493rd Regiment of Valaha solemnly performed the Eagle Salute in response to the question.

"Lord Sicarius, so far, about 70% of the people have been evacuated."

"Can we speed things up?" The deep voice of Cato Sicarius, the second company commander of the Ultramarines, carried a hint of exhaustion.

"All transport vehicles and emergency evacuation routes are operating beyond capacity, sir."

How long is expected to take for the entire evacuation?

"Three days, sir."

The command post fell silent.

"Go back to your work, Colonel."

The other party practically jogged out of the command post.

"Company Commander Cato, you should know clearly that we don't have much time left."

"Our position cannot be held for that long."

The speaker wore a black cloak that covered his sophisticated power armor, and the Inquisition badge on his chest revealed his identity.

He is a high-ranking judge of the empire.

“Judge Gray Fax, you might as well say what you have to say.” Cato slowly turned his head, looked at the other’s gloomy face, and asked expressionlessly.

The Inquisitor is one of the most powerful and feared figures in the Empire. He hunts down any heretics, aliens, and demons that threaten the Empire in the name of the Emperor. Independent of the Imperial administrative system, the power of the dispatched Inquisitor is almost limitless.

They have the power to conscript Imperial Guards, Space Marine Chapters, naval fleets, and even Titan Legions, and the power to declare anyone a heretic and execute them on the spot (including planetary governors, high priests, and even Space Marines).

Most importantly, they can authorize the use of extermination orders to destroy an entire planet if necessary.

They hold the lives of hundreds of millions of people in their hands, and often resort to any means to achieve their goals, which is why they are generally opposed by most of the empire's forces.

The second company commander of the Ultramarines clearly didn't like them either.

However, he still needed to show the judge a semblance of respect.

“You understand, Company Commander Sicarius, your brilliant mind is perfectly clear about this.”

Judge Gray Fax seemed oblivious to the other party's coldness, calmly expressing his thoughts.

"If we continue, we will only waste these precious imperial military forces here. If we want to win this war, we must avoid unnecessary losses of every bit of our strength."

"These people need to be abandoned."

The second company commander suddenly turned around, narrowed his eyes slightly, and looked down at the judge. An invisible pressure began to spread in the simple command post.

"You want me to abandon these citizens of the empire?"

It's no longer appropriate to describe these words as questions; the second company commander's tone at this moment was more like an interrogation.

Although the mortal judge who was "handling" the case was smaller than the other party, his fierce and cold aura was in no way inferior.

He tilted his head back, his eyes sharp as an imperial double-headed eagle.

"They need to be completely destroyed to prevent them from being infected by the plague and becoming a new force for the enemy."

The judge's words were hundreds of times colder than the chilling aura he exuded.

"What do you want to do, Judge Gray Fax?" The second company commander's eyes narrowed, like a tiger ready to pounce.

The entourage behind the judge had already quietly gripped their special explosive pistols and small power swords at their waists.

The members of the Extreme Warrior Company Commander's Guard, who were responsible for security at the corner, did not make any move, but simply tilted their full-face helmets slightly to the side.

Just kidding, this is Cato Sicarius, the Ultramarines' 'Supreme Champion', a top swordsman, and one of the Ultramarines' most outstanding (and capable) combat heroes in history.

The judge, whose face was marked with several scars, gently raised his hand to calm his follower.

“I was just doing my job, Company Commander Cato Cicarius.”

"Indiscriminate slaughter of innocent citizens of the empire?"

"This is the most rational solution, and I believe you should understand."

Cato understood, of course, but that didn't mean he could accept it.

“For the sake of the human empire, all of this is a necessary sacrifice, Company Commander Sicarius. If you can’t bring yourself to do it, I can give the order. You know I have that authority.”

The second company commander knew that what the other side said was true.

But sometimes what is right is not right.