Chapter 1024: Insect Hive Attacks Ximao Star (3)

As the last trace of the Fengqi Fleet's signal completely vanished, the main force of the "Reaper" Insect Hive swarm cast their "gaze" toward the planet below, which radiated an alluring aura of life and energy.

The cavity beneath the Mother Ship opened, and a swarm of Airdrop Spores, far exceeding the scale of the previous probing attack, launched an assault toward the atmosphere of Ximao Star!

Hundreds of millions of Airdrop Spores slammed into the surface of Ximao Star.

The sky was experiencing a "meteor shower."

"Jianbao" main base.

"Look... look at the sky!"

At the outer perimeter of "Jianbao," a young Cadian soldier pointed at the sky and shouted.

Sergeant Ka'e, who had just vaporized a small squad of Scythe-bugs attempting to close in with his Laser Cannon, looked up upon hearing the sound.

The "curtain of rain" that now shrouded the entire horizon reminded him of some unpleasant memories.

"All units! Hold steady! Prepare for impact!"

Ge Lei's voice exploded in the communication channel just in time.

"Anti-air arrays at maximum power! Intercept close-range targets! Ground troops, prepare to engage!"

Throughout the "Jianbao" base, laser anti-air turrets and Missile Fashijing fired at full capacity; streaks of incandescent light and missiles trailing exhaust plumes soared into the sky to intercept the Airdrop Spores.

Airdrop Pods were continuously blown apart in mid-air, turning into balls of burning fire.

But there were too many! The vast majority of the Airdrop Spores pierced through the fire net and slammed into the ground!

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Rumble!"

"All units! Engage! Fire at will! Repeat, fire at will!"

The voice of the Cadian 214th Regiment commander, Ge Lei, rang out across the communication network.

Outside the base, laser beams cut through the sky, which had been stained dark red by smoke and spore dust, forming a dense, interlocking fire net.

The roar of Heavy Bolters and the continuous firing of Automatic Cannons sounded incessantly.

"For Cadian! For the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance! For the Emperor!"

Corporal Ka'e, his face bearing a scar, was currently operating a twin-linked Laser Cannon that had been temporarily reinforced on the position.

Every time the scorching laser beam swept across, it vaporized or sliced dozens of charging Swift-bugs and Scythe-bugs in two.

"Come on! Aliens! You disgusting things! Cadian Steel is waiting for you!"

Beside him, Cadian soldiers relied on cover, firing single shots with the Laser Guns in their hands.

Cadian's strict training and discipline kept them calm in the face of danger.

Cadian soldiers were continuously hit and fell from Plasma Bombs fired by Plasma-bugs in the distance, but those behind them immediately filled their positions.

On a slightly elevated platform behind the defensive line, soldiers of the Wentuiliya 93rd Infantry Regiment provided steady supporting fire. Major Friedrich observed the battlefield calmly, deploying troops via a Data Pad.

"Second Company, pressure is increasing in the third sector on the left, send a squad to reinforce."

"Fourth Company reserve, move out to B7 area to fill the gap created by the shelling of our Cadian brothers."

"All Chimera armoured vehicles, maneuver and fire, prioritize clearing clustered targets and large units!"

The engines of several Chimera armoured vehicles roared as they shuttled between the relatively safe second-line positions; the Multi-lasers or Heavy Bolter turrets on their tops spat tongues of fire, blowing swarms of insects into fragments.

One Chimera was unfortunately struck by bio-plasma clusters fired by several massive, tank-like Beetle-bugs; its armor melted, and it exploded violently, turning into a mass of burning scrap metal.

Deep in the underground shelter of the base, the huddled civilians could clearly feel the violent tremors and explosions coming from above.

Dust fell in flurries, and the lights flickered on and off.

Children curled up in their mothers' arms, shivering, while adults held their hands tightly together or stroked the double-headed eagle emblem fashioned from scrap metal on their chests.

The old administrator Aierwen stood in the center of the shelter, his voice trembling slightly due to his old age.

"Do not be afraid! Children, do not be afraid! Listen, these are our heroic soldiers fighting! They are fighting for us! Trust them! Pray to the great Emperor! Pray that He grants our warriors strength, pray that His light dispels the darkness of the aliens!"

"Oasis" agricultural station.

The defense of the "Oasis" agricultural station relied more on terrain and mobility.

The wide river valley limited the swarm's ability to launch large-scale frontal assaults, but it also brought the risk of being outflanked and infiltrated.

Company Commander Maskuge deployed his reinforced company across several key high points and passage entrances in the river valley.

Wentuiliya soldiers utilized the terrain and reinforced fortifications to construct interlocking fire points.

The battle was exceptionally intense from the very beginning.

The swarm seemed to have a particular "favor" for this relatively fertile land, and the number of insects coming down in Airdrop Spores was staggering.

"Hold steady! Aim before you fire! Conserve ammunition!"

Maskuge's voice came through the company channel; he himself was on a Chimera armoured vehicle acting as a mobile Command Node, using the vehicle-mounted Heavy Bolter to pick off insects climbing the river valley cliffs in the distance.

"Left passage! They're charging through!"

A Platoon Leader shouted into the Communication Device.

At the narrow passage leading to the interior of the river valley on the left, a large number of Scythe-bugs surged in.

Stationed there was a Wentuiliya infantry squad and a Chimera Armoured Transport.

"Rhino, block the passage! Infantry, fire from behind the vehicle!"

The Platoon Leader ordered.

That Chimera Armoured Transport immediately moved forward, its hull almost completely blocking the passage.

The Bolter on the roof spat out a scorching barrage of fire, sweeping toward the swarm.

Wentuiliya soldiers hid behind and on the sides of the vehicle, using Laser Guns to shoot down the scattered insects attempting to close in.