Chapter 1028: The Zerg Attack Ximao Star (7)

With every punch Luosikemu landed, shell fragments and dark green fluids splattered everywhere!

That massive creature, capable of threatening an armored vehicle, had its head smashed into a pulp under the pure violence of the Blood Angels Sergeant; it twitched a few times and then stopped moving.

Luosikemu jumped off the corpse of the burrower, his Power Armor covered in viscous insect blood.

"Maintain mobility, watch for threats from above and below."

"Yes... yes! Thank you, my lord!"

Luosikemu nodded and went to find the next target that required his intervention.

In other corners of the plaza, several other members of the Blood Angels were performing similar roles.

Clearing distant electric-stingers and spitter-bugs with Bolters, purifying swarms of small insects with Flamers, and using Chainswords to deal with large threats that armored vehicles and ordinary infantry found difficult to handle.

With their support, the Cadian soldiers and the "Chimera" armored vehicles were able to coordinate more effectively.

The armored vehicles provided continuous fire output and mobile cover, while the infantry were responsible for protecting the armored vehicles from close-quarters attacks and cleaning up stragglers.

The two sides worked in tacit understanding, holding the final line of defense at the mine entrance plaza against the impact of the Insect Tide.

"Ammunition consumption has exceeded sixty percent!"

"Plasma Weapons are severely overheating! Need cooling time!"

"Casualty report... Company A has lost over one-third, Company B..."

Bad news kept reaching Company Commander Kilgrave's Command Node.

Kilgrave looked up at the swarm surging from the other end of the plaza and shouted loudly.

"Cadian soldiers! We may die here, our names may be forgotten!

But the land beneath our feet, the thousands of our kin in the shelters behind us, they will remember that a group of Cadians fought here until the very last moment!

For the unyielding will of Cadian! For the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance! For the Emperor! Cadian stands!"

"Cadian stands!"

"For Cadian!"

"For the Star Alliance!"

"For the Emperor!"

The earth-shaking roar temporarily drowned out the screeching of the swarm.

Jianbao Main Base.

As the command hub and defensive core of Ximao Star, the fortifications, troop strength, and most importantly, the main force of the Blood Angels 8th Company that Jianbao possessed were far beyond comparison to other outposts.

Outside the base, a defensive belt consisting of multi-layered anti-infantry trenches, minefields, groups of Automatic Turrets, and reinforced fortresses blocked the incoming Insect Tide.

Anti-Air Cannons blew the approaching Airdrop Spores out of the sky.

Soldiers of the Cadian 214th Regiment and the Wentuiliya 93rd Infantry Regiment fired from their well-established fortifications.

Located in the core area of Jianbao, Company Commander of the Blood Angels 8th Company, Kashiusiluo, stood at an observation post.

A holographic tactical sand table operated beside him, updating in real-time the status of each defensive line, ammunition stocks, and... the red distress signals from "Oasis," "Red Rock City," and other outposts.

"Company Commander, the third defensive sector on the west side has been cleared; one burrowing Alien was killed, no personnel losses."

The voice of a Blood Angels Space Marine came through the internal comms.

"Received. Proceed to the fourth sector for patrol according to the pre-set plan."

After responding, Kashiusiluo looked at the tactical sand table beside him.

Data streams from various outposts showed that the pressure from the Aliens was continuously increasing, especially at "Red Rock City," where the swarm seemed to have taken an interest in that massive underground structure, committing far more troops than in other areas.

"Brother Gusite."

Kashiusiluo spoke, calling the Company Adjutant who was standing by.

"Company Commander."

Gusite stepped forward.

"The pressure here is still within a controllable range. But the mortal defenders of 'Red Rock City' are reaching their limit. Kilgrave's distress messages are becoming more urgent with each one."

Gusite looked at the sand table, the data streams processing rapidly in his powerful brain.

"Yes, Company Commander. The impact intensity of the swarm at the main tunnel entrance has increased by forty-seven percent in the last thirty standard minutes. The Cadian casualty rate is high. If we do not increase support, they likely cannot hold for much longer."

Kashiusiluo was silent for a moment.

He had already sent a ten-man squad to support Red Rock City, but it was clear that there might be even more Zerg Aliens at Red Rock City than on his side.

Furthermore, apart from Jianbao, the defensive fortifications at other outposts on Ximao Star were still in the initial construction phase.

But sitting by and watching important outposts, the civilians there, and the loyal Astra Militarum be devoured did not align with the creed of the Primarch Sanguinius.

"We cannot sit by and watch 'Red Rock City' fall. If the population and mine structure there are completely occupied by the Zerg and converted into a hatchery, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Brother Gusite, you will personally lead a squad and take a Thunderhawk Gunship to reinforce 'Red Rock City'."

Kashiusiluo paused and added.

"Your task is to assist the Cadian defenders in stabilizing the core defensive line, focusing on eliminating the large creatures and Command Nodes that pose the greatest threat to the mortal troops.

If... it becomes impossible, prioritize ensuring the safe evacuation of the Blood Angels battle-brothers, and carry as much critical data and as many civilians as possible."

"Understood, Company Commander. For Sanguinius, for the Emperor."

Adjutant Gusite did not hesitate, clenched his right fist, struck his breastplate heavily, and then turned to leave.

Kashiusiluo's gaze turned once again to another outpost on the sand table.

The situation there was equally grim, and the attack intensity of the swarm was also steadily rising.

"'Chakode' squad."

"Company Commander, please instruct."

The squad Sergeant responded.

"Outpost information has been uploaded; the Alien offensive pressure there is continuously increasing, and the Wentuiliya line needs stronger assault power. Your squad will depart immediately, taking a 'Thunderhawk' gunship to provide support."

Task objective: Ensure the safety of the core area and the shelter, and assist with evacuation if necessary.

"Understood, Company Commander."

Jianbao outer defensive line.

At a position on the outskirts of Jianbao, a veteran of the Cadian 214th Regiment, Sergeant Geleike, was guarding a reinforced machine gun bunker with his squad members.

The screeching of the insect swarm and the sounds of explosions outside were incessant, but they seemed sparser than they had been during the most intense moments earlier.

"Hey, Boss, look! It's the Angel's gunship! They're heading in a different direction!"

A young private pointed at the Thunderhawk gunship streaking across the sky and shouted.

Sergeant Geleike spat out the residue of an energy bar from his mouth, squinted at the sky, and then looked down to check the energy reading of his Laser Gun.

"Nonsense, do you think the Angel is here to sightsee? Surely some stronghold's situation is dire, and Lord Kashiusiluo sent them to provide support."