Chapter 1339: The Chaotic Canaan Star Alliance

Cadian Shock Troops garrison, northern plains of Xiuluo Holy Star.

Three regiments of Cadian soldiers are assembling.

Colonel Akadi stands on a high platform.

"Soldiers, the Emperor has commanded: we go to the Canaan Star Alliance to fight the Zerg."

The soldiers answer in unison.

"Cadian stands!"

Akadi nods.

"Board the ships."

The soldiers board the transport ships in an orderly fashion.

Death Korps of Krieg garrison, western desert of Xiuluo Holy Star.

Three regiments of Krieg soldiers are lining up. Their uniforms are grey, and they wear respirator masks, obscuring their faces.

Their silence is suffocating, with only the sound of rhythmic footsteps and clashing equipment.

The respirator mask of Colonel 147 emits a faint hissing sound as he nods to signal the Krieg Commissar to speak.

The Krieg Commissar nods, adjusts his high-peaked cap, and steps forward to speak.

"The Emperor has commanded: go to the Canaan Star Alliance. Kill the Zerg, die for the Emperor—it is no longer atonement! It is the glory of Krieg!"

The Krieg soldiers stand straight in unison, producing a synchronized thud against the ground.

The Krieg Commissar nods.

"Board the ships."

The soldiers board the transport ships in silence, and the number of transport ships is more than a dozen times greater than that of the Cadians.

Yingzhou's study.

Luojia stands before Yingzhou, holding a data pad in his hand.

"Father, all troops have finished assembling. Three regiments of Cadian Shock Troops, three regiments of Death Korps of Krieg, the entire Dusk Raiders Legion, and Adeptus Custodes Nuochaqigan are accompanying. The total force is approximately 1.65 million. They will depart as the first fleet."

Yingzhou nods.

"Departure time."

Luojia says.

"Twenty-four hours from now; Mortarion says no more time is needed."

The corners of Yingzhou's mouth lift slightly.

"Mortarion is still the same—he doesn't say much, but he gets things done efficiently. By the way, tell Mortarion that once he arrives at the Canaan Star Alliance, he is to establish contact with Horus."

Luojia nods.

"Understood."

On the flagship of the Dusk Raiders Legion, the *Silence*, Mortarion stands before the observation window of the Bridge, watching the fleet assembling outside.

His Adjutant walks over.

"Father, all troops have boarded. We can depart at any time."

Mortarion nods.

"Notify all ships: depart."

The fleet engages its engines and sails toward the direction of the Canaan Star Alliance.

Nuochaqigan stands in the hangar of the *Silence*, watching the Dusk Raiders Space Marines checking their gear.

His golden Power Armor is particularly striking in the grey hangar, with his Guardian Spear leaning beside him.

A Dusk Raiders Space Marine walks over.

"Lord Adeptus Custodes, your quarters are prepared."

Nuochaqigan nods.

"Thank you."

Nuochaqigan picks up his Spear and walks toward the cabin door.

"Take me to see Lord Mortarion."

On the Bridge of the *Silence*, Mortarion sits in the command chair, with a Holographic Star Map before him.

Nuochaqigan walks in, his Guardian Spear tapping lightly against the floor, emitting a crisp metallic sound.

"Lord Mortarion."

Nuochaqigan speaks.

Mortarion looks up.

"Nuochaqigan. Father sent you."

Nuochaqigan nods.

"Yes. To boost morale on the battlefield and to protect you."

The corners of Mortarion's mouth lift slightly.

"Protect me? Do I need protection?"

Nuochaqigan says.

"No, but my Lord sent me."

The two lock eyes for a second, then smile simultaneously.

Nuochaqigan says.

"Rest assured, I will not steal the credit."

Mortarion nods.

"That is good."

He turned around and looked at the star map.

"Notify all ships to proceed at full speed. Target: Canaan Star Alliance, Viridian Sector."

Xiuluo Holy Star, Yingzhou's study.

Yingzhou stood before the window, looking at the deep blue sky outside, while Luojia stood behind him.

"Father, Mortarion's fleet has already departed," Luojia said.

Yingzhou nodded.

"Good. Luojia, you go and prepare as well. The follow-up troops will still need you to coordinate them."

Luojia nodded.

"Yes, Father."

Canaan Star Alliance, Elius Planet.

This was once the most important military stronghold on the western border of the Canaan Star Alliance, garrisoned by over two hundred million soldiers and auxiliary personnel.

There were thirty defense platforms in orbit, thousands of bunkers and artillery batteries on the ground, and hundreds of kilometers of tunnel networks underground.

It was the defensive core of the entire Elius Sector and the "Impregnable Fortress" the Canaanites were so proud of.

At this moment, this planet was being devoured by the Zerg.

The defense platforms in orbit had all fallen.

The wreckage of the thirty platforms floated in the starry sky like broken tombstones.

Zerg bio-ships cruised in orbit, continuously launching Spore Cysts toward the planet's surface.

Every second, tens of thousands of Spore Cysts struck the ground, blasting open massive craters and releasing hundreds to thousands of Zerg creatures.

The battle on the ground had already entered its final stage.

The third line of defense had been breached, the fourth line was collapsing, and the final line of defense was still struggling to hold on.

Canaan soldiers relied on the ruined bunkers and trenches, fighting to the death with their remaining ammunition.

Termagants leaped over the trenches, Scything Talons waving, cutting soldiers in two.

Hormagaunts followed behind, Bio-guns firing, and bio-energy beams exploded among the crowds.

Ion cannon beasts sprayed Bio-Plasma, blasting gaps into the defensive lines.

"General! The East District defense line has fallen!"

The Adjutant's voice was trembling.

Dakai Shimo stood on the ruins of the Command Center, looking at the burning city in the distance.

His two eyes were bloodshot, and his light gray military uniform was covered in dust and bloodstains.

He had held his ground on this planet for a full forty days, from the first day of the Zerg invasion until now.

His soldiers had gone from two hundred million to less than twenty million, and his fleet had gone from three hundred Capital Ships to less than thirty.

"General, we must retreat!" the Adjutant shouted. "The Zerg have already broken through the fourth line of defense, and the fifth line won't last much longer! If we don't leave now, everyone will die here!"

Dakai Shimo turned to look at him.

"Retreat? Retreat to where?"

"The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance fleet has already arrived in the Eruida xingqu of the Ash Star Alliance and is helping them fight the Zerg."

Dakai Shimo's pupils contracted slightly.

"Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance? They are willing to help us?"

The Adjutant said.

"The Speaker has already sent a request for aid, and they have agreed; the first batch of the fleet is already on the way."

Dakai Shimo immediately gave the order.

"Notify all troops to retreat to the Spaceport. Save as many as you can."

The Adjutant nodded and turned to relay the order.

Behind the Elius Sector, Octavia Sector, Capital Star Octavia.

This was the last sector on the western border of the Canaan Star Alliance that had not yet fallen.

Further back was the core region of the Canaan Star Alliance, where the Star Alliance's Capital Star was, and where they had everything.

The supreme Commander of the Octavia Sector was named General Weisi.

He stood before the Holographic Star Map in the Command Center, watching the red ocean that was closing in on his sector.

"General, news from the Elius Sector: General Dakai Shimo is organizing a retreat. It is expected that his remnants will arrive in our sector within three days."

Hearing the Adjutant's report, Weisi nodded.

"Notify all planets to fully accelerate the construction of defensive fortifications. Trenches, bunkers, artillery batteries, minefields—build as many as possible. All fleets are to assemble at the edge of the sector. Do not disperse."

The Adjutant recorded quickly.

"Also, the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance fleet is on its way; we need to open a path for them."

Weisi looked at the shipping lane on the star map.

"Clear all obstacles from this shipping lane and tell them that the shipping lane in the Octavia Sector is safe."

He turned to face all the officers in the Command Center.

"Notify all planets to enter Level 1 combat readiness. Everyone who can hold a gun is to go to the front line."

The officers stood at attention and saluted.

"Yes, General!"