As Alex's command was issued, the First Strike Group's fleet assembled in a tight formation in the void, like a burning arrow, pointing directly at Zaporozhye IX.
The Imperial Navy's warships' engines spewed dazzling exhaust flames, illuminating the cold void.
Within the fleet, several cruisers and frigates occupied the core positions, their weapon arrays fully charged, carrying plasma bombs, Macro Cannon shells, and Macro Cannons poised for a devastating orbital bombardment of Zaporozhye IX's surface.
As the fleet entered Zaporozhye IX's orbital range, the Space Necrons' defense system rapidly activated.
Energy nodes on the surface flickered with eerie green light, and countless Gauss beams and particle cannons rose from underground, piercing the sky like deadly thorns.
These beams were precise and lethal, attempting to intercept the Imperial warships.
However, the Imperial Navy's escort fleet was already prepared, unleashing a deluge of Macro Cannons and torpedoes that rained down like a storm, destroying the Space Necrons' ground defense facilities one by one.
The escort ships' Void Shields flickered with dazzling light under the bombardment of energy beams, enduring immense pressure, but the Imperial Navy's captains did not flinch, steadfastly executing their bombardment mission.
With the weakening of the ground defense system, the orbital bombardment officially began.
The cruisers' weapon arrays emitted a low rumble, and massive plasma bombs and Macro Cannon shells poured from their launch bays, striking Zaporozhye IX's surface like a divine punishment.
Explosive flames and shockwaves swept across the entire planet, tearing apart the surface, with massive fissures spreading like abysses.
The orbital bombardment's goal was not only to destroy surface facilities but also to obliterate the Space Necrons' underground complexes.
As the bombardment deepened, the crust was peeled away layer by layer, gradually exposing the hidden Space Necrons' structures to the sunlight.
These structures were composed of living metal, their surfaces shimmering with cold green light; even when parts of their structure were destroyed during the bombardment, their self-repair mechanisms rapidly began to operate, with broken metal structures reconnecting as if alive, demonstrating the terrifying nature of Space Necrons' technology.
However, the Space Necrons did not simply wait to be annihilated.
As their underground structures were exposed, their counterattack swiftly unfolded.
From the surface fissures, several giant gun emplacements hidden underground rose from the ruins, their Gauss beams directly penetrating the atmosphere, targeting the Imperial warships' weak points.
An Imperial frigate was hit by a beam, its Void Shield instantly overloaded, its hull torn apart, and the explosion's light bloomed in the void, like a brief star.
The Imperial fleet swiftly adjusted its tactics, with the cruisers concentrating their firepower on these giant gun emplacements, while the frigates continued to suppress the ground-based Space Necrons' forces.
Astartes Monks' Thunderhawk Gunships also began to take off from the warships, preparing for ground support.
The orbital bombardment's flames intertwined with the Space Necrons' counterattack beams, dyeing the entire sky of Zaporozhye IX into a red and green battlefield.
As the battle continued, the Space Necrons' counterattack grew fiercer.
At the same time, after the orbital bombardment ended, the First Strike Group's landing forces swiftly moved.
Hundreds of Thunderhawk Gunships and transport ships took off from the warships' hangars, carrying Astartes Monks, Sisters of Battle, and Astra Militarum soldiers, diving towards Zaporozhye IX's surface.
The aircraft quickly dispersed during low-altitude flight, evading sporadic Gauss beams fired from the ground, while the gunships' autocannons continuously strafed, suppressing scattered resistance on the ground.
The landing forces' primary mission was to establish a stable stronghold on the surface to facilitate the deployment and resupply of subsequent forces.
The Star Realm Army Lord General personally commanded, choosing a plateau on Zaporozhye IX as the landing point.
During the Imperial Army's landing process, the Space Necrons' forces also swiftly launched a counterattack.
Countless Necron Warriors and Destroyers surged from underground, attempting to annihilate the Imperial landing forces on the beachhead.
Necron Warriors' Gauss Flayer and disintegration rays traced deadly green trajectories in the air, while Destroyers hovered in the air, using Gauss cannons and particle projectors to precisely strike the landing forces.
The first wave of Astartes Monks and Sisters of Battle, arriving via drop pods and Valkyries, quickly engaged in battle, their Bolter and flamers tearing open gaps among the Necron Warriors.
The roar of Bolters intertwined with the bellow of flamers, filling the battlefield with the smell of burnt metal and the piercing shrieks of destroyed Necron Warriors.
Imperial Knights also joined the battle, their melta weapons and Chainsword tearing the Necron Warriors' living metal bodies into shreds.
The Knights' armor glittered dazzlingly in the sunlight, each swing of their swords accompanied by the metallic scraping sound of Necron Warriors' bodies being torn apart.
The searing beams of melta weapons burned the Necron Warriors' living metal into molten slag, while the roar of Chainsword was like the whisper of death, announcing the enemy's demise.
After several hours of fierce fighting, the landing forces successfully landed on Zaporozhye IX's surface and began to establish defensive fortifications.
Astra Militarum engineers swiftly erected temporary gun emplacements and communication facilities, ensuring the stronghold's stability.
Anti-aircraft guns and heavy machine guns were quickly deployed at the highest points of the facilities, ready to respond to potential aerial and ground attacks.
Communication facility antennas were erected amidst the ruins, ensuring contact with the fleet in orbit and coordinating the landing and resupply of subsequent forces.
At the same time, the Holy War Army's forces also began to spread out, attempting to expand their control.
Holy War Army soldiers, armed with flamers and heavy Bolters, their faith transformed into fearless courage on the battlefield, charged towards every potential threat, shouting, "For the Emperor!"
Although the battle remained fierce, the landing forces' initial objective had been achieved.
However, the Space Necrons' counterattack did not cease; more Space Necrons' forces surged from underground, attempting to reclaim the lost territory.
More Space Necrons' ground forces surged from underground, including Canoptek Scarabs, Space Necrons Destroyers, and Space Necrons Reapers.
Canoptek Scarabs moved across the surface at astonishing speeds, their living metal bodies capable of rapid self-repair, making them almost impossible to utterly destroy.
Space Necrons Destroyers hovered in the air, their Gauss cannons and particle projectors capable of easily piercing Imperial armor.
Space Necrons Reapers wielded massive scythes, each swing capable of cutting several Imperial soldiers in half.
Facing the Space Necrons' large units and diverse ground forces, the Imperial forces swiftly adjusted their tactics.
Astartes Monks and Imperial Knights formed assault teams, concentrating their firepower on the weak points of Monoliths and Doom Scythes.
Sisters of Battle used their flamers and melta weapons, attempting to slow the advance of these giant units.
Astartes Monks shouted, "For the Emperor!" on the battlefield, their Bolters and Chainsword tearing open gaps among the Necron Warriors.
Imperial Knights engaged in close combat with Monoliths, the roar of melta weapons and Chainsword echoing across the entire battlefield.
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