Chapter 1342: The Kriegers Do Not Have Authorization for Artillery Positions

The Death Korps of Krieg have several times more transport ships than the Cadians.

One million five hundred thousand Krieg soldiers, in grey uniforms, wearing respirator masks, their faces indistinguishable.

Their silence makes the very air heavy.

Colonel 147 walks at the very front, their respirator mask emitting a faint hissing sound.

Behind them, the Krieg Commissar adjusts their high-peaked cap, their pace steady.

147 walks up to Lucas, stands at attention, and salutes.

The Krieg Commissar walks forward and speaks.

"The 13th, 72nd, and 112th Regiments of the Death Korps of Krieg have arrived as ordered."

Lucas nods.

"Lord Mortarion has spoken; your position is at the first line of defense, the very front."

147 nods.

"This is the glory of Krieg."

The Krieg Commissar walks forward, two eyes fixed on Lucas.

"Governor, we require authorization for the artillery positions. Krieg artillery can cover the open ground in front of the first line of defense."

Lucas glances at Akadi.

Akadi shakes his head.

"No, the artillery positions are under the unified command of the Cadians; if Krieg controls the artillery positions, it will increase our own casualty rate."

The Krieg Commissar's respirator mask emits a louder hiss.

"Krieg does not fear casualties."

Akadi looks at him.

"This is a matter of efficiency; your tactical style is not suited for operating artillery in the current situation."

Colonel 147 is silent for a second, then speaks.

"Cadian, are you questioning the combat capability of Krieg?"

Akadi shakes his head.

"The Cadians are responsible for fire support, and Krieg is responsible for frontal defense. Only by each performing their own duties can we exert maximum combat power."

The Krieg Commissar raises a hand, stopping 147.

"Krieg accepts; the artillery positions will be commanded by the Cadians, and Krieg will hold the first line of defense."

147 has no choice but to shrug.

"Fine."

Lucas watches this scene, a complex emotion surging in his heart.

The soldiers of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance are more professional and calmer than he imagined.

"The Krieg position is here, in the center of the first line of defense."

Lucas points to an area on the map.

147 nods.

"Krieg is in position, entering the defensive line."

One million five hundred thousand Krieg soldiers walk silently toward the first line of defense.

A grey tide spreads across the land.

Mortarion stands on the high ground behind the first line of defense, overlooking the entire battlefield.

The warriors of the Dusk Raiders are instructing Lucas's soldiers on modifying the defenses.

The trenches have been dug three meters deeper and fitted with bulletproof shields.

Bunkers have been redeployed to form a crossfire network.

The range of the minefield has been expanded tenfold, with millions of anti-personnel and anti-armor mines buried.

"Father, the modification of the first line of defense is sixty percent complete," the Adjutant reports.

Mortarion nods. "And the second line of defense?"

"Forty percent, and the third line of defense is twenty percent."

Mortarion looks at the busy construction site.

"Speed it up; the Zerg crisis is closing in."

The Adjutant conveys the order.

Nuochaqigan walks over, the Guardian Spear leaning on his shoulder.

"Lord Mortarion, these humans are not bad."

Mortarion looks at him.

"Lucas's soldiers?"

Nuochaqigan nods.

"Equipment is old, training is insufficient, but they do not shrink back. Their Governor does not shrink back either."

Mortarion says.

"Because they are defending their own home."

Nuochaqigan looks at the human soldiers in the distance who are digging trenches.

"The humans of Chengjia Star were enslaved by the Canaanites for three thousand years, but they have not forgotten that they are Human."

Mortarion says.

"That is why they are worth helping."

Nuochaqigan nodded.

"When wartime arrives, I will be at the first line of defense."

Mortarion looked at him.

"You are an Adeptus Custodes; wherever you are, morale is high."

Nuochaqigan said.

"That is where I should go."

Behind the second line of defense, the artillery positions of the Cadian Shock Troops were being deployed with urgency.

One hundred and twenty heavy artillery pieces were lined up neatly, their muzzles pointed toward the open ground in front of the first line of defense.

Ammunition crates were piled like mountains, and soldiers were hauling Rune Bullets and calibrating firing angles.

Akadi stood in the center of the position, watching the firing data on the holographic screen.

"The Zerg are very fast, and our firing window is very short. After every round of fire, we must immediately adjust the firing angle."

The artillery Commander nodded.

"Regiment Commander, our current ammunition reserves are enough for three rounds of sustained fire, and follow-up supplies are being transported down from orbit."

Akadi said.

"Tell them to hurry."

In the center of the first line of defense, the soldiers of the Death Korps of Krieg were entering the trenches. One point five million men were deployed along the defensive line.

Their Silence was suffocating, broken only by the hissing of respirator masks and the metallic sound of gear colliding.

147 stood at the edge of the trench, looking at the open ground ahead.

There was no fear in his eyes, only calm.

"Regiment Commander, the modification of the first line of defense is complete."

The Adjutant reported.

147 nodded.

"Notify all companies to check their weapons and ammunition."

The Adjutant relayed the order.

The Krieg Commissar walked over, his high-peaked cap swaying slightly in the wind.

"Regiment Commander, the Cadians will not give us artillery authorization; this must be the will of the Primarch."

147 looked at him.

"Artillery is not needed; the Krieg are enough with just Bayonets and Entrenching Tools."

The Commissar said.

"Although the casualties will be heavy, it can only be so."

147 said.

"The Krieg do not fear casualties; to die for the Emperor is the glory of the Krieg."

"Our Task is to hold; reinforcements will arrive later, and before they arrive, we must hold the position."

"That is only natural."

Mortarion's temporary command post was set up on a hill behind the second line of defense.

The Holographic Star Map displayed the three defensive lines of the Chengjia Star battlefield and the deployment positions of millions of soldiers.

Lucas walked into the command post, stood at attention, and saluted.

"Lord Mortarion, the progress of the defensive line modifications has exceeded expectations. According to the current speed, all defensive lines will be finished with modifications by the time the Zerg arrive."

Mortarion nodded.

"Your soldiers are working very hard."

Lucas said.

"They are defending their own home."

Mortarion looked at him.

"After the war, what are your plans?"

Lucas was silent for a second.

"The Humans of Chengjia Star have been enslaved by the Canaanites for three thousand years. I only wish for the residents under human rule to gain freedom and the status of Humans, but I do not know if the Canaan Star Alliance will agree."

Mortarion said.

"They will not; Aliens will not honor their promises to Humans."

Lucas's fists clenched.

Mortarion continued.

"But the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance will. After the war, Chengjia Star can join the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance; the Emperor's subjects should not be enslaved by Aliens."

A glimmer of light flashed in Lucas's eyes.

"My Lord, is this your promise?"

Mortarion looked at him.

"This is the Emperor's promise."

Lucas knelt on one knee.

"The Humans of Chengjia Star are willing to fight for the Emperor."

Mortarion helped him up.

"Now, hold Chengjia Star. Once the Zerg are finished, we will talk about the rest."

Lucas stood up, stood at attention, and saluted.

"Yes, my lord!"