Chapter 1159: The Defensive Line of the Shield of Sacrifice (1)

The person standing opposite Sitelake did not respond immediately.

That was the Commander of the 123rd Siege Regiment of the Death Korps of Krieg, recorded in the files only by the designation "123-1".

This Krieger wore a heavy grey greatcoat, donned the iconic gas mask and goggles, and his face was completely invisible.

He silently leaned over to examine the hologram, his black-gloved fingers tapping on a blind spot, then he made a simple gesture, pointing at the minefield marker.

"Minefield."

Sitelake nodded in understanding.

"More efficient, and also in line with your... style."

123-1 nodded slightly, as a confirmation.

The door to the Command Center slid open, and a Modian technical officer walked in, holding a Data Pad.

"Colonel, the orbital defense network camouflage is complete. From external scans, it will only detect the energy signatures of four old defense platforms and two Destroyers, perfectly matching the configuration of a 'secondary node'."

"And the fleet?"

"The Navy's 47th Destroyer Squadron is on standby three light-years away, ready to warp in for support at any time. But the orders they received are..."

The technical officer hesitated for a moment.

"To enter the fray only six hours after the battle begins."

Sitelake glanced at 123-1.

The Krieg Commander had no reaction, as if this information were inconsequential.

Sitelake turned to the technical officer.

"In other words, for at least six hours, we have to face the Fengqi Fleet's orbital bombardment and airborne assault alone. And our 'orbital defense' is just a pile of decoy devices that emit harmless energy signals."

"Lord Guilliman's plan requires the decoys to be realistic enough."

The technical officer said in a low voice.

"If our defenses look too strong, the Fengqi might suspect a trap."

Sitelake frowned and said.

"They will also be suspicious if they are too weak."

123-1 suddenly spoke at this moment, his voice transmitted through the filter of his gas mask.

"The Death Korps is adept at bearing weight. Six hours, we can endure."

This was the first complete sentence Sitelake had heard this Krieger speak.

He was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

"The Modian are also adept at precisely calculating load-bearing limits. Then let us see whose assessment is more accurate."

Sitelake turned to the hologram and began the final deployment confirmation.

"Total strength: five regiments of the Death Korps of Krieg, totaling 500,000 men; two regiments of the Modian Iron Guard, totaling 100,000 men; and three divisions of Star Alliance conventional defense forces, approximately 150,000 men. A total of 750,000 ground troops."

"Defense focus: the Eternal Scar Rift area, approximately 3,000 kilometers long from north to south, and 5-20 kilometers wide from east to west. The rift is 500-2,000 meters deep, with nearly vertical rock walls on both sides, forming a natural defense."

"Main defensive line: three trench lines laid out at the bottom of the rift, garrisoned by the Death Korps; artillery positions and observation points set up on the high ground on both sides of the rift, controlled by the Modian Legion; minefields, anti-vehicle obstacles, and suicide defense nodes set up at the rift's entrance and exit."

"Strategic objective: hold for at least six hours under orbital bombardment and enemy airborne assault, inflict sufficient casualties, force the Fengqi to commit more ground troops, and create a window for the Capital Ship fleet to encircle them."

Deployment confirmation complete.

Sitelake looked at 123-1.

"How prepared are your troops?"

The Krieg Commander silently pulled up a real-time monitor.

On the screen, at the bottom of the rift, tens of thousands of Krieg soldiers were digging trenches, laying barbed wire, and planting mines.

There was no conversation, no unnecessary movement, only the monotonous sound of shovels colliding with rock, and the occasional short command transmitted through a mask filter.

"Third Company, increase minefield depth by ten meters."

"Seventh Company, correct the anti-tank trench angle by three degrees."

"Heavy weapons squad, reinforce machine gun nest camouflage."

Every Krieg soldier wore the same grey greatcoat, the same gas mask, and carried the same equipment pack.

These Krieg soldiers were terrifyingly efficient.

In a mere eighteen hours, they had already excavated a complete trench system at the bottom of the rift capable of holding 300,000 men.

"Your soldiers... do they not need to rest?"

Sitelake could not help but ask.

123-1 turned his head and looked at him.

"Kriegers prepare for death from birth. Digging graves is a form of rest. Even if the Emperor has acknowledged our atonement, that cannot be a reason for us to slacken."

Sitelake felt a chill, and finally said.

"The Modian prefer to use precise firepower to kill the enemy from afar, rather than preparing their own graves."

"Each has its strengths."

123-1 replied simply, then pointed to another monitor screen.

"Your artillery."

On the high ground on both sides of the rift, the Modian Iron Guard were setting up artillery positions.

Automatic loaders, ballistic computers, weather sensors, and even small drones used for adjusting fire.

The artillerymen were building a complete fire control system; the firing range of every gun was precisely calculated, and the impact point of every Rune Bullet was planned in advance.

"Modian 8th Artillery Regiment, equipped with 72 Basilisk Self-Propelled Artillery, with a firing accuracy error of no more than 5 meters."

Sitelake introduced with a hint of pride.

"Combined with observation drones and forward observers, we can conduct five rounds of covering fire before the enemy even steps into the minefield."

"Efficiency."

123-1 evaluated.

"But artillery will expose our positions and become targets for orbital bombardment."

"That is why we have prepared camouflage and mobility protocols."

Sitelake pulled up the deployment details.

"Each artillery company has three reserve positions and can complete a relocation within fifteen minutes of firing. Furthermore..."

He paused.

"Lord Guilliman has promised that the orbital bombardment from the Fengqi Fleet will not be overly precise; their sensors will be misled by our electronic jamming systems."

"Trust is a luxury. Kriegers only trust trenches, barbed wire, and the rifles in their hands."

The conversation fell into Silence once again.

On the surface, Eternal Scar Rift, third trench line.

Private 123-7-379 of the 7th Company, 123rd Siege Regiment of Krieg, was inspecting his Laser Rifle.

Lucius Model 98 Laser Rifle, well-maintained, Energy Battery fully charged, scope calibrated.

He leaned the rifle against the trench wall and began organizing his personal gear.

Four Fragmentation Grenades, two incendiary grenades, one Entrenching Tool, three days of concentrated rations, a canteen, spare filters for his gas mask, and... a thin booklet wrapped in waterproof cloth.

123-7-379 flipped to the page marked by a bookmark, his fingers brushing over the blurred printed text.

"Death is not the end, but the completion of service. Your life belongs to the Emperor, your death belongs to Krieg. Though atonement is recognized, we must not slacken."

He closed the booklet and looked up toward the front of the trench.

The barbed wire trembled slightly in the thin atmosphere; further out were the warning signs for the minefield, and beyond that... the entrance to the rift, where anti-tank obstacles and traps had already been set.

Everything was ready, waiting only for the enemy to arrive.

"123-7-379."

A voice came from beside him.

It was Company Commander 123-7-1, also wearing a mask, but his shoulder insignia marked his rank.

"Sir."

"The Third Squad is being transferred to B7 to reinforce the left flank. You are to serve as acting squad leader."

"Yes."

There were no extra words. 123-7-379 picked up his Laser Rifle and gestured to the five soldiers behind him.

They rose silently and moved along the trench toward the left.