As the battle for Zaporozhye IX intensified for the First Strike Group, the warriors of the Imperium displayed unparalleled courage and determination.
Every inch of the battlefield became a focal point of contention, with the air thick with the smell of gunpowder and blood, as if even the sky had been stained dark red by the fires of war.
Elite assault teams composed of Astartes Monks and Sisters of Battle launched multiple deadly raids behind enemy lines, each operation meticulously calculated to cause maximum damage in the shortest possible time.
The Astartes Monks' tactics were precise and ruthless; each of their raids was like a sharp dagger, plunging directly into the enemy's heart.
The Sisters of Battle followed closely, their fires of faith burning on the battlefield, each sword swing accompanied by fervent prayers to the Emperor.
Meanwhile, the heavy mechs of the Imperial Knights moved across the battlefield like mobile fortresses, their meltaguns and Thunder Fists tearing open gaps in the Space Necrons' lines.
The Supreme King, from one of the Knight Families who answered the call to this crusade, personally piloted his mount, "Pale Fury," sweeping through the battlefield unopposed.
Each bombardment was accompanied by the destruction of Necron armored units, the cannon of Pale Fury spewing pale plasma, as if a divine judgment had descended, completely tearing apart the Necron lines.
The Knights' armor gleamed with a cold light under the sun, like indestructible giants, standing firm on the battlefield.
Their heroic performance greatly boosted the morale of the Astra Militarum, whose infantry units followed closely, advancing step by step, consolidating every inch of reclaimed territory.
Under the cover of their strongholds, the Astra Militarum's artillery units continuously subjected the Necron positions to saturation bombardment.
The roar of heavy artillery was deafening, and the trails of rockets streaked across the sky, shattering the Necron lines.
The artillery Commander constantly adjusted the bombardment coordinates via communicator, ensuring that every shell landed precisely on the enemy's vital points.
The light of the artillery illuminated the entire battlefield, smoke and fire intertwining to form a doomsday-like scene.
Each bombardment was like the Emperor's wrath, mercilessly unleashed upon the enemy.
The battle entered its most intense phase, with every inch of land becoming a focal point of contention for both sides.
The Astartes Monks launched a precise strike, attempting to destroy the Necron warp gate near the landing zone.
The Necron Lord personally led an elite squad of Destroyers, attempting to thwart their actions.
Both sides engaged in brutal close-quarters combat in the narrow underground passages, power swords and phase weapons clashing, emitting dazzling sparks.
Ultimately, the Space Marines, at the cost of several fallen Battle Brothers, successfully destroyed a nearby energy node, severing the power supply to the Necron warp gate near the landing zone.
With the destruction of the energy node, the light of the Necron warp gate gradually dimmed, and Necron reinforcements were forced to halt.
The Imperial Knights seized this opportunity, launching a final charge that completely routed the remaining Necron forces near the landing zone.
The Astra Militarum's infantry units followed closely, consolidating the occupied areas and securing the stronghold.
After the battle, the Star Realm Army Lord General reported the situation to Alex at the command center.
His voice carried a hint of weariness, but more so, determination: "Lord Alex, the First Strike Group has successfully established a secure stronghold on Zaporozhye IX and has tied down a large number of enemy forces! Although our losses are significant, the mission has been accomplished."
As the Star Realm Army Lord General reported to Alex, the Space Necrons had already begun to reinforce the planet.
Alex nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes: "You have done very well! Next, we will concentrate our forces and launch a full-scale assault on Donetsk III! For the Emperor, we must achieve ultimate victory!"
Meanwhile, on Donetsk III, the Space Necrons were busy responding to the emergency on Zaporozhye IX, with large numbers of troops beginning to move through warp gates to Zaporozhye IX, causing gaps to appear in Donetsk III's defenses.
The Second, Third, and Fourth Strike Groups were ready for the assault, their objective being to completely destroy the Space Necrons on this planet.
Commanders meticulously reviewed the operational plans during pre-battle meetings, ensuring every detail was foolproof.
The Astartes Monks' assault fleet had entered orbit, preparing to launch an orbital drop strike on the Space Necrons' core facilities.
Thunderhawk Gunships and Stormraven Gunships were ready in the battleship's hangar, with Space Marines sitting silently inside the compartments, their power armor gleaming with a cold sheen in the dim light.
The Commander of the first landing force confirmed the mission objectives one last time, then the landing craft's hatch slowly closed, and the roar of the engines gradually increased, signaling the imminent orbital drop.
The Imperial Knights were also gathering, preparing to play a decisive role in the ground battle.
This time, they would perform an orbital drop alongside the Astartes Monks.
Perhaps surprisingly to many, Imperial Knights are also capable of orbital drops.
They would ride in specially designed orbital drop pods, descending directly from low orbit to the ground, just like the Astartes.
Drop pods as massive as castles could directly carry several Imperial Knights inside, deploying them all at once onto the battlefield.
Although the Imperium rarely uses such things, when there is a need for a large-scale deployment of Imperial Knights and they are required to enter the battlefield immediately, the Imperium will still drop these super-large drop pods, directly smashing Imperial Knights onto the battlefield.
The shells of these drop pods were forged from thick ceramite and adamantium, strong enough to withstand the high temperatures generated by atmospheric friction, while internal shock-absorbing systems ensured the Knights' safe landing.
Once landed, the drop pod's shell would quickly open, and the Imperial Knights would, like giants awakening from slumber, immediately plunge into battle.
As the orbital drop approached, the entire fleet entered a state of high alert.
The Astartes Monks' assault teams were already prepared, their power armor gleaming with a cold light in the dim hangar.
The leaders of the assault teams confirmed their mission objectives one last time, then the hatches slowly closed, and the roar of the engines gradually increased, signaling the imminent orbital drop.
The Imperial Knights' drop pods were also ready, their massive hulls neatly arranged in the battleship's hangar, like steel fortresses about to plummet onto the battlefield.
The horn of battle had sounded, and the warriors of the Imperium would once again embark on a crusade; for the glory of the Emperor, they would spare no effort to destroy any enemy of the Imperium daring to appear before them.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded over 40 chapters of this story on Patreon.
If you're enjoying it and want to read ahead, feel free to check them out here:
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thanks a lot for your support, it really helps me keep going.