Inside the General Command, the air was so thick it felt solidified.
The only light in the room came from a large central holographic tactical display, which continuously replayed a shaky and chaotic video. As the last frame of the video froze on the terrifying tyranid creature filling the entire screen with incomprehensible speed, the light from the tactical display clearly illuminated the grave expressions on the faces of the three Space Marines and EGO.
The projection extinguished, and the room fell into a brief darkness and silence, leaving only the low hum of servers and life support systems.
Lugger Huron, the Tyrant of the Maelstrom, was the first to break the dead silence. He leaned back in his chair, his massive power armored arms crossed over his chest, and his voice carried a hint of caution: "Let me confirm, this video isn't fake, is it?"
"Of course not," EGO calmly replied. "These are the last images our warriors recorded with their lives just now."
"I'm actually more concerned about why a Chaos enemy would appear on Planditium," Agman, Captain of the Ultramarines Second Company, said sternly, his upright posture like a statue. "And, they're fighting the Tyranid Swarm to the death."
Before EGO could answer, Huron let out a disdainful snort: "Hmph, Chaos, like cockroaches. By the time you find one, the dark corners are already overflowing. Don't forget, this was a farming world before; those green guys love places like this."
"You're right," Agman nodded, forcefully pulling the conversation back on track. "Let's return to how to deal with this..."
At this point, Agman paused, his gaze turning to EGO, awaiting an accurate appellation.
"We've named it the Norn Emissary," EGO explained in due course. "Because it has no independent thought; it is a pure flesh vessel carrying the hive mind, created solely to accomplish a specific objective."
"Very good, a fitting name," Huron nodded, leaning slightly forward. "So, do you Helldivers know its weaknesses?"
"Hmm..." EGO pondered for a moment. "An anti-proto-matter bomb could deal with it."
"By the Emperor," Huron couldn't help but exclaim, "Of course an anti-proto-matter bomb can deal with it! I also know a Cyclone missile can! The problem is that would send us all sky-high too!"
EGO calmly stated: "It seems you don't have much confidence in dealing with it?"
Agman's voice was low as he admitted, "I can't even clearly see its movements."
"I can barely see them," Huron's face showed a serious expression, "but I estimate I'd be hard-pressed to last ten seconds against it."
Only Cato Sicarius remained silent, his tightly clenched gauntlets emitting a faint metallic friction sound.
"Alright, but there's no need to worry too much," EGO instinctively tried to boost the suppressed morale. "The power that the Tyranid Swarm can exert is not limitless. The swarm they send to Planditium will inevitably reach a peak, and that peak is the upper limit of their biomass consumption. Regardless, the arrival of this Norn Emissary has greatly advanced the timing of that peak."
"Is that also why you had us Astartes stand by, with the mortal legions bearing the full responsibility for early defense?" Huron keenly caught the deeper meaning in the words.
"Yes," EGO frankly admitted. "The power that any force can exert has a peak; it cannot grow indefinitely. In such a situation, exerting maximum power from the start is not a good thing, because after that, it will only be a downhill path."
"This is more like a philosophical idea than tactics or strategy," Huron showed some interest in this argument. "So you Helldivers believe that as long as this Norn Emissary is eliminated, these annoying tyranids will retreat?"
"Considering the primarch's flesh is close at hand—forgive my wording—I think one might not be enough, perhaps a few more are needed?" EGO said.
"Isn't the difficulty a bit too great?" Agman stated directly.
"Ahem," EGO coughed. "Actually, we Helldivers also have forces that can reinforce the battle."
"What is that?" Agman immediately asked. "Do you have a Shadowsword super-heavy tank?"
EGO replied: "No, it's Ogryn. We can gather at least three thousand Ogryn. While they are slightly lacking in agility, their pure strength and physical endurance surpass even Space Marines, making them crucial in influencing the battle."
"Ogryn? Let's forget about that then," Huron shook his head without hesitation, his face full of distrust. "With all due respect, given the intelligence of Ogryn, they would only hinder us against an enemy of this level."
EGO showed a strange smile: "Our Helldiver Ogryn are not like ordinary Ogryn. You'll see when you witness them later."
"Alright," Huron said noncommittally. "Let's assume that for now. Do you have any specific tactics for dealing with this Norn Emissary?"
"Yes," EGO said. "No matter how powerful a single Norn Emissary is, it cannot rely solely on itself to cleanse the entire Planditium; that would be an extremely inefficient choice. Therefore, its role must be to undertake breakthroughs and decapitation strikes: using its unparalleled destructive power to tear a gap in our defenses, allowing the Tyranid Swarm behind to flood in like a torrent; or, using its speed to raid command centers at various levels, decapitating our brains and paralyzing the entire human defense line."
"A very reasonable deduction," Huron nodded slightly. "If it were me, I would also choose that."
"Yes, that's what we're waiting for," EGO's tone rose. "When that Norn Emissary appears at a certain command center... we will immediately detonate the tactical nuclear bomb pre-planted beneath the command center!"
Huron's pupils contracted slightly, and he pressed: "Which command center?"
EGO replied: "Every command center."
This answer caused the three Space Marines present to instinctively cast their gaze towards the solid alloy floor beneath their feet almost simultaneously.
"Hmm, this command center doesn't have a tactical nuclear bomb," EGO's first half of the sentence allowed their tense nerves to relax slightly.
However, EGO's latter half of the sentence instantly raised their recently lowered hearts to an unprecedented height: "...A strategic nuclear bomb is buried here."
Huron was silent for a full three seconds. He slowly rose from his chair, his massive physique exuding a strong sense of oppression. He glanced at Agman and Sicarius, who also looked unwell, then spoke to EGO in an extremely serious tone: "I think we need to change the location of our discussion..."
"I agree," Agman immediately seconded.
"Me too," Sicarius also said.