A single Leviathan descending into the atmosphere made Nurgle's forces comprehend the Zerg Swarm's horror.
Zerglings slaughtered cultists with contemptuous ease. These humans, clad in primitive armor, wielding disparate weaponry, were inferior to the Astra Militarum in every respect. And they weren't particularly intelligent. A few Zerglings could easily surround and kill them.
Zerglings and Hydralisks engaged cultists and Plaguebearers in urban warfare.
After over ten minutes, the mine-crippled Ultralisks regenerated mobility. The Leviathan's drop pods began deliberately targeting the passages ahead of the Ultralisks.
Zerglings emerging from pods immediately triggered mines. Passage after passage erupted with detonations. Eventually, Zerglings advanced without encountering further mines.
†Zasz. Continue the advance. Crush all enemies. Don't concern yourself with exo-atmospheric operations. This Leviathan will deploy Swarm forces to support you.†
"As you command, Overmind."
Zasz continued directing the Swarm toward the Upper Hive. Ultralisks trampled their fallen comrade's corpse, reducing it to multiple chunks, clearing the path.
The passages to the Upper Hive lay open. Ultralisks thundered forward once more.
Heart-Eater, upon learning the ground situation, erupted with a roar worthy of Khorne.
"WHY?! They're merely insects! You couldn't stop them?! What use are you worthless wretches?!"
The Death Guard, chastised, felt aggrieved. No one spoke.
"Why don't YOU fight them, then."
"A Great Unclean One might stand a chance. What are WE supposed to do against stampeding behemoths?!"
Dozens of twenty-meter behemoths charging—without Titans, near-impossible to halt.
Even with Titans, if outnumbered two-to-one, establishing an effective fire network was difficult. The Titans would likely be toppled.
"Captain. The two bioships are approaching!"
"What?!"
Heart-Eater's gaze snapped to the battle's edge. One of the three Leviathans was gone. The remaining two rapidly closed on the engagement between the Death Guard fleet and the Imperial fleet.
The Swarm Overmind's Leviathan had previously abstained from combat. With Abathur's research complete, it could now attack without restraint.
†As before. Prioritize escorts.†
The Imperial fleet remained numerically superior. Each Leviathan selected an escort vessel. Massive tendrils extended, ensnaring the ships.
One escort's void shield generator, for unknown reasons, was inactive. The Leviathan's tendril pierced its armor directly. Though the escort's engines blazed at full power, the Leviathan inexorably dragged it closer.
†This ship… we can keep it. Board the vessel. Kill everyone aboard!!!†
Leviathan tendrils, like Nydus Worms, were hollow. Swarm units surged through the tendril into the escort's interior. They began slaughtering the over ten thousand crew within.
Anyone who's played Rogue Trader knows: escorts are substantial vessels. Crew complements are significant.
But against Zerg assault—even without heavy units like Ultralisks, relying solely on Zerglings, Hydralisks, Roaches—the crew stood no chance.
Izsha herself boarded. She generated creep tumors directly on the vessel. Infection commenced immediately.
Leviathan combat power overwhelmed escorts. Yet the Imperial fleet, upon detecting the Leviathans' approach, dispatched four Lunar-class cruisers. Their confidence was baffling.
†Four Lunars dare engage me?!†
Four Lunars could defeat a Tau fleet. They could not, however, face the Overmind's two Leviathans.
†Utterly underestimated.†
The Imperial fleet commander indeed held the Zerg Swarm in contempt. In his assessment, four Lunar-class cruisers were certainly sufficient to destroy two bioships.
"Admiral. Captain Frank is hailing."
"Patch him through."
The naval commander didn't waste time asking how Frank had been released. Frank's presence indicated gubernatorial authority.
"Frank here. Admiral. Can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear, Frank."
"My ship is clearing the docking bay. I see Naval Lunars closing on those bioships. Recall them immediately, Admiral! Or you will lose valuable assets!"
Frank's tone was urgent. He knew these bioships' capabilities. They were not ornamental toys.
"Impossible, Frank. I command this fleet."
The admiral's voice was cold, reproachful. "Your failure cost the Governor three ships. Including vessels loaned to our world by neighboring fleets. You understand the debt burden this places on our world."
"This isn't the time for personal grievances, Admiral! Those insects are FAR more dangerous than you realize!"
As he spoke, the admiral's Emperor-class battleship shuddered violently.
The Death Guard grand cruiser's firepower was immense. Without other vessels sharing the firepower, even an Emperor-class could be destroyed swiftly.
"Silence, Frank. Deal with these traitors first. Have your ship join the formation!"
"...Fine. First we drive off these traitors!"
This was not the moment for argument. Frank could only hope the two bioships wouldn't swiftly defeat the friendly Lunars.
Meanwhile, he and the Imperial fleet would concentrate fire on the Death Guard grand cruiser.
He was overly optimistic.
The four Lunar-class cruisers, upon entering range, immediately concentrated fire on the Leviathans. Lance strikes pierced carapace, causing severe internal damage.
The Swarm Overmind's psychic shield could protect only one Leviathan. The other endured.
Lances were followed by torpedo salvos. Torpedo payloads were equally devastating. But Banelings intercepted them before impact. Otherwise, that salvo would have punched bloody holes in the Leviathan.
To maximize firepower, the Lunars endured Leviathan return fire and closed distance.
A full macrocannon broadside. Dozens of wounds, varying in scale, opened across the Leviathan's hide. Significant damage.
†Heheheh.†
The Leviathan was wounded. Yet the Swarm Overmind laughed.
†Baby. Give 'em a show!†
The Leviathan's maw gaped. It spat a torrent of bile-like fluid. The fluid splashed across the nearest Lunar-class cruiser. Upon contact, it rapidly solidified, forming a cocoon-like shell encasing most of the hull.
The Lunar's macrocannon and lance batteries—coated, clogged. Turrets seized. Reloading impossible. Engine power bled away. The cruiser drifted helplessly, uncontrolled.