Chapter 1343: Chengjia Star Will Not Be Lost

Nuochaqigan walked in the trench of the first line of defense.

His golden Power Armor was exceptionally striking in the gray trench, and his Guardian Spear shimmered in the sunlight.

The Krieger soldiers watched him, their breathing beneath their respirators becoming rapid.

A Krieger soldier stood at attention and saluted.

Nuochaqigan nodded.

"Continue working."

He walked to the edge of the trench and looked at the open ground ahead.

In the distance, the Space Marines of the Dusk Raiders were laying a minefield.

Mines were buried into the ground one after another, with detonators connected to complex circuits.

Six hours before the Zerg arrived, the defense modifications for Chengjia Star were all completed.

Lucas stood before the holographic star map in the Command Center, watching the light points representing the Zerg vanguard approaching rapidly.

"Governor, the Zerg vanguard is six hours away from Chengjia Star," the Adjutant reported.

Lucas nodded.

"Notify all units to check their equipment one last time."

The Adjutant relayed the order.

A communication from Mortarion came through.

"Governor Lucas, do not sortie without authorization after the Zerg arrive. Hold the line and wait for the Zerg to exhaust themselves. Once they are fatigued, the Dusk Raiders will counterattack."

Lucas said.

"Understood, my lord."

Mortarion continued.

"The Cadian artillery will open fire once the Zerg enter range; the Zerg will rush the first line of defense, and the Kriegers will hold them back."

Lucas said.

"Can they hold them back?"

"Nuochaqigan will be at the first line of defense. He is an Adeptus Custodes of the Emperor; he will certainly be able to hold them."

Lucas said. "Understood."

The communication ended.

Capital Star of the Canaan Star Alliance, Supreme Council Chamber.

Speaker Viridius sat before the conference table, with a newly issued mobilization order in front of him.

Morax stood beside him, his two eyes fixed on the document.

"Speaker, are we really only sending this many people?"

Morax asked.

Viridius did not look up.

"It is enough. The main force of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is already on Chengjia Star; our people are just going to make a show of it."

"What will General Bulake think?"

Viridius looked up.

"What Bulake thinks is not important. What is important is letting the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance and the Humans of Chengjia Star see that we have not done nothing."

He signed his name on the document.

"Notify Bulake to take the Thirty-First Infantry Division to Chengjia Star. Tell them to follow the command of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance once they arrive and not to cause trouble."

Morax took the document.

"Speaker, if the Humans of Chengjia Star truly defect to the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, what shall we do?"

Viridius stood up and walked to the window.

"Chengjia Star was never ours to begin with. We conquered it three thousand years ago, but we never truly ruled it. Those Humans only care about themselves; now that the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance has arrived, they will disregard us even more."

He turned around and looked at Morax.

"But Chengjia Star is a line of defense. If they cannot hold it, the Zerg will enter our core sectors. So, once it is held, we will discuss other matters."

Morax nodded. "Understood."

Viridius said.

"Tell Bulake not to start conflicts with the people of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance when he arrives at Chengjia Star. Their Primarch, Mortarion, is not a man who is easy to talk to."

Morax turned and left.

Eastern border of the Canaan Star Alliance, the remnants of Dakai Shimo were retreating toward the rear sectors.

Fifteen Capital Ships, thirty Auxiliary Ships, and fewer than twenty million soldiers.

The state of the fleet was appalling; the hulls were covered in scars, the decks were piled with wounded, and the ammunition magazines were nearly empty.

Dakai Shimo stood on the Bridge, looking at the starry sky outside the window.

Behind him was the fallen Elius Sector, and ahead was the edge of the Octavia Sector.

"General, news has arrived from the rear. They want us to retreat directly to the rear base in the Octavia Sector for refitting."

The Adjutant reported.

Dakai Shimo nodded.

"Notify all ships to proceed at full speed. Once we reach the base, prioritize replenishing ammunition and fuel. Send the wounded to the medical station and register the fallen."

The Adjutant relayed the order.

Dakai Shimo turned around and looked at the weary officers.

"We held for forty days and lost two hundred million brothers. We are retreating now to replenish our ammunition. Once we have refitted, we will fight our way back."

The officers stood at attention and saluted.

The fleet accelerated and sailed toward the rear.

In the orbit of Chengjia Star, five Canaan Transport Ships slowly entered their berths.

General Bulake stood on the Bridge of the first transport ship, his two eyes watching the gray-blue planet outside the window.

"General, the ground Command Center of Chengjia Star has sent a message, inquiring about our intentions," the Communications Officer reported.

Bulake said.

"Tell them we are here to provide support. The Thirty-First Infantry Division."

The Communications Officer conveyed the message.

A moment later, the other side replied.

"Governor Lucas expresses his welcome; please land at the temporary Spaceport according to the guidance."

The transport ship landed slowly.

The hatch opened, and Bulake was the first to walk out.

His military boots stepped onto the soil of Chengjia Star, making a dull sound.

Behind him, the Canaan soldiers marched out in formation, their light gray uniforms appearing somewhat thin under the gray-blue sky.

Lucas stood on the welcoming platform of the temporary Spaceport, his two eyes fixed on Bulake.

"General Bulake, welcome to Chengjia Star."

Bulake walked forward and extended his hand.

"Governor Lucas, the Speaker sent us to provide support, the Thirty-First Infantry Division, awaiting your command."

Lucas shook his hand.

"I appreciate the Speaker's support. Please have your troops enter the designated positions, behind the second line of defense, responsible for the reserve force and logistics."

Bulake nodded.

"Understood."

He turned around to face the Canaan soldiers who were forming up.

"Enter positions!"

The Canaan soldiers boarded the transport vehicles in an orderly fashion and drove toward the rear of the second line of defense.

Behind the Octavia Sector, Weisi's Command Center.

General Weisi stood before the Holographic Star Map, looking at the area marked as Chengjia Star.

His two eyes were filled with gravity.

The fleet of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance had already arrived at Chengjia Star, and the Cadian Shock Troops, the Death Korps of Krieg, and the Dusk Raiders Legion were all in position.

But he only provided supplies and support.

"General, Lord Mortarion of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance has sent a communication request."

The Adjutant reported.

Weisi nodded. "Put it through."

The holographic projection lit up, and the figure of Mortarion appeared in the center of the Command Center.

His pale Power Armor gleamed with a cold light under the lamps, his expression was stern, and his gray hair was neatly combed back.

"Lord Mortarion. Thank you and your Legion for coming to support," Weisi bowed slightly.

Mortarion looked at him.

"Is your fleet ready?"

Weisi said.

"All fleets in the Octavia Sector have gathered at the edge of the sector. Ammunition, fuel, and supplies have been distributed to every ship. If the Zerg break through Chengjia Star, we will stop them here."

Mortarion nodded.

"Chengjia Star will not be lost."

Weisi was silent for a second.

"Lord Mortarion, the Humans of Chengjia Star are your compatriots. You will certainly do your best to hold it. But the number of Zerg far exceeds expectations; if Chengjia Star falls, the Octavia Sector will become the next battlefield."

Mortarion looked at him.

"I said, Chengjia Star will not be lost."

Weisi lowered his head.

"Yes, my Lord."

Mortarion said.

"Your fleet must not act rashly; stay at the edge of the sector, wait for our orders, and do not cause trouble."

Weisi's face turned slightly pale.

"Understood, my Lord."

Mortarion's holographic projection dissipated.

Weisi turned to face the Adjutant.

"Notify all planets to reinforce the defenses of the planets behind Chengjia Star. Trenches, bunkers, artillery emplacements—build as many as you can."

The Adjutant asked.

"Yes!"