Chapter 1361: Zerg Titan (1)

Anchor Point Number Five exploded amidst a field of charred biomass ruins.

Purple energy flames gushed out from the ruptured chitinous shell, and a heatwave carrying the acrid stench of Zerg body fluids rushed toward them.

Magnus stood at the edge of the Anchor Point wreckage, his Power Armor covered in Zerg blood and biomass debris, while the Thousand Sons warriors around him quickly established a Psionic Barrier on the perimeter of the explosion site, blocking the Zerg that were attempting a counterattack.

"Father, Anchor Point Number Seven has been located, thirty-five kilometers from here."

A Thousand Sons officer walked to Magnus's side.

"Detection shows the Zerg defensive density there is three times higher than here."

Magnus's gaze passed through the pervasive smoke and landed on that purple rift in the distance.

The rift's light flickered the moment the Anchor Point exploded, and the purple energy at its edges showed visible fluctuations.

The energy feedback that maintained the rift's stability suddenly weakened after the Anchor Point was destroyed.

"The rift is shrinking."

Magnus said in a low voice, red psionic energy surging from within him, forming visible ripples in the surrounding air.

"The Zerg are using bio-energy to reinforce the edges of the rift, attempting to offset the energy decay caused by the destruction of the Anchor Point. If we suppress the rift's energy transmission channels simultaneously, everything they do will be in vain."

"Father, you mean..."

Magnus raised his hand.

"The Anchor Points will continue to be destroyed by Corax; we are going to the rift. The goal of the Thousand Sons is not just to destroy the Anchor Points, but to suppress the rift itself. The Thousand Sons Legion will advance toward the rift and use a Psychic Storm to cut off the energy channels the Zerg are pouring into the rift."

The officer stood at attention.

"Yes, Primarch."

Magnus pressed his Communication Device.

"Corax, the Anchor Point destruction mission is left to you and the Raven Guard. The Thousand Sons Legion is turning toward the rift; I intend to use Psionic Suppression on the rift's energy transmission channels."

Corax's voice came through the Communication Device.

"The Raven Guard will continue to destroy the Anchor Points. The Thousand Sons Legion goes to the rift; the hunters under the stars never lack for prey."

Magnus cut the communication, and red psionic light condensed into a blazing halo around him.

"Thousand Sons Legion! Target the rift, advance at full speed. Leave the Brain Bug to me; you are responsible for maintaining the array."

The warriors of the Thousand Sons Legion closed their eyes and focused, the psionic array unfolding rapidly as red light formed dense energy links.

Outside Anchor Point Number Seven.

Corax crouched behind a raised piece of biomass rock, his black Power Armor nearly blending into the Zerg-infested ground.

"Scout report."

Corax asked in a low voice.

A Raven Guard officer leaned in.

"There are at least fifty Tyranid Warriors patrolling around the Anchor Point, and three Hive Tyrants wandering the perimeter, with Tyrant Guard following them closely. There are at least six Lictors in the underground biomass layer; they are waiting for us to approach the Anchor Point."

Corax looked at the Anchor Point location marked on the map.

The Zerg defense was very tight.

The Anchor Point itself was a massive chitinous structure, deeply rooted in the planet's crust, its surface covered in pulsating energy channels.

Multiple layers of Zerg units were deployed around it, with short-range defense handled by Tyranid Warriors and Lictors, and mid-range held by Hive Tyrants.

"Infiltrate from three directions simultaneously."

Corax pointed to the three routes on the map.

"The first group will feign an attack from the front to draw the Hive Tyrants' attention. The second group will sneak into the interior of the Anchor Point from the flanks and plant Melta Bombs. The third group will follow me and break in after the second group detonates, clearing out the remaining enemies."

The Raven Guard officers nodded silently.

In front of Anchor Point Number Eight, the Ultramarines' battle line advanced steadily through the swarm.

Two hundred and fifty thousand Ultramarines Space Marines shouldered the majority of the Anchor Point destruction missions.

Octavius stood at the foot of a Warhound-class Titan, staring at the Anchor Point location on the Holographic Map.

His own battle line was deployed on the two flanks, with Titans and Knight Mechs clearing the way in the front, and Zerg corpses piling up like mountains before the line.

Every meter of progress was accompanied by the roar of Bolters and Chainswords.

"Sir, large Zerg units have appeared on the right flank."

The Communications Officer's voice carried tension.

Octavius switched screens.

Several massive bio-Titans emerged from behind the swarm.

They were over thirty meters long, their entire bodies covered in thick chitinous shells, their massive Scything Talons dragging deep furrows into the ground, and the two Bio-Cannons on their bodies continuously firing acidic bio-matter.

The Ultramarines Space Marines hit by it were quickly dissolved into a puddle of steaming, viscous sludge.

Every step they took made the ground tremble.

"Zerg Titan units."

Octavius pressed his Communication Device.

"All Titans, concentrate fire. Target the Zerg Titans."

The Twin-linked Laser Cannons of thirty Warhound-class Titans turned simultaneously, the laser beams exploding against the giant beasts' chitinous shells.

The shells shattered and Zerg blood gushed out, but their pace did not stop.

Its Scything Talons swept across, and a Warhound-class Titan that had moved close to fire was cut in half at the waist.

The Knight Mechs of the Tailin Knight House flanked from both sides, their Rapid-fire Cannons firing at close range.

A massive crater was blown into the flank of the Hierophant, and internal organs and body fluids gushed out.

Another Warhound-class Titan pressed its Vulcan Mega-bolter against the Hierophant's head and fired with full force; the chitinous shell burst, and Zerg blood splattered everywhere.

One Zerg Titan fell, but several more Zerg Titans continued to close in from behind the swarm.

A casualty report came through Octavius's Communication Device.

"Commander, casualties in the Third Company have exceeded ten percent."

Octavius issued an order.

"Contract the flanks and lure the Zerg into the Titan's fire coverage zone. Have the Knight Mech fill the gap in the defensive line."

The Ultramarines' line began to slowly contract.

The fire from the Titan and Knight Mech never ceased, but new Zerg units kept appearing.

The classic combination of Termagants and Hormagaunts pressed from the front, Tyrant Guard followed closely behind the Hive Tyrant to form a thick meat shield, Lictors sought opportunities in the shadows, and Gargoyle swarms fired downward incessantly.

The Hive Tyrant approached the Ultramarines' line under the cover of shield-like Tyrant Guard, its Bonesword cleaving open a Knight Mech.

Octavius pressed his Communication Device.

"Lord Magnus, how much longer does the Thousand Sons' Psychic Suppression need? The Ultramarines' casualties are rising."

Magnus's voice came through the Communication Device.

"The Thousand Sons have already deployed their formation outside the rift, and the Brain Bug is already within the Thousand Sons' psychic range. Hold on a little longer, and the Thousand Sons will be able to sever the energy channel the Zerg are pouring into the rift."

Elite Zerg units across the entire planetary surface were pressing forward in an all-out assault.

Tyranid Warriors of various forms slaughtered their way out from every direction, their antennae radiating intense commands to their surroundings.

Tyrant Guard formed a mobile armored barrier around the Hive Tyrant, using their thick chitinous carapaces to block artillery fire for the tyrant.

A Lictor burrowed out from the biomass-covered ground, its Scything Talon piercing a Space Marine's Power Armor.

A Zerg Titan walked out from behind the swarm, its purple chitinous carapace covered in hideous spines, its massive scythe dragging along the ground, emitting a low rumble.

Octavius shouted to the Ultramarines officers behind him.

"Courage and Honor!"

"Courage and Honor!"