Chapter 980: The Assault of the White Scars

Outside the perimeter of the August Star defense line, in the void.

Around the "Fengchi," the scattered White Scars ships were gathering.

The armor of these ships still bore faint scorch marks left by battle.

On the bridge, Jaghatai stood before the observation window, watching the fleet gathering outside.

"Khan, the various sub-fleets are converging according to the pre-set plan. It is estimated that within two standard hours, the main fleet will complete its basic assembly."

Jaghatai nodded slightly, looking at the August Star, which was prominently marked on the star map.

Jaghatai whispered the name, a curve full of battle intent rising at the corner of his mouth.

"August... the heart of the Sixth Star Sector. It seems the Alien commander is trying to turn this place into a tough nut to crack."

Jaghatai turned around and spoke.

"The Alien commander is trying to twist the strength of the four planets—August, Gaomi, Gangnanpan, and Fenghaohui—together to support one another. The idea is good, but unfortunately..."

Jaghatai's finger swept across the star map, pointing at the positions of the four planets and the supply lanes between them.

"Unfortunately, he lacks time, and even more so, he lacks the speed of our White Scars! Our lightning offensive has disrupted all his rhythms. He is like a hurried tailor now, trying to stitch several rags into a battle robe with rough needle and thread, but the stitches are bound to be loose, and the fabric is bound to be fragile!"

A White Scars Communications Officer said.

"According to intelligence returned by the reconnaissance detachments and outpost ships, the enemy's defensive deployment does indeed appear hasty and chaotic. There is a delay in coordination between the planets, and fleet mobilization has not been fully put in place. Especially on Gaomi Star and Gangnanpan Star, there seems to be a desire to preserve their own strength."

Jaghatai said with a smile.

"This is exactly our opportunity! They want to unite as one, so we shall specifically tear them apart! Use our speed to rip open the connections they have hastily established, force them to fight individually, and then destroy them one by one!"

Jaghatai began to issue combat orders.

"Pass the order to the Chieftains of each Buluo: once the fleet has finished gathering, do not take a long rest, and immediately deploy according to the following plan!"

"The main attack cluster, led by me personally, will strike straight at August Star! We must nail ourselves into the core of their defense line like an awl, attracting Metake's main attention and forcing him to concentrate his resources on August Star!"

"Third Company, your task is to keep your eyes on Gaomi Star! Their fleet tends to be fast and agile, which is just right for you. Do not give them a chance to support August; use continuous harassment and high-speed assaults to pin them firmly to their own orbit! If they dare to come out, use your mobility advantage to annihilate them in the void!"

"Fourth Company, you are responsible for Gangnanpan Star! Their ships are bulky and may possess strong firepower and shields. Do not clash with them head-on; use your speed advantage to conduct constant probing attacks, cut off their connection with August Star, and wait for opportunities to destroy their external facilities and isolated ships!"

"As for Fenghaohui Star... its defense is the weakest, so there is no need to commit main forces for now. Dispatching a few high-speed reconnaissance squadrons will suffice."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the resolute faces of every White Scars Company Commander.

"Gentlemen, remember our tactical core: speed, division, and shock!"

"We do not need to conduct slow and thorough siege warfare like our Blood Angels brothers; we must use endless speed and unpredictable strikes to make the enemy collapse in exhaustion and fear!"

"August Star is the primary target, but resolving the resistance on other planets is equally paving the way for final victory!"

"Yes! Khan!"

Jaghatai waved his hand.

"Go! Let the Aliens of the August Star system tremble under the iron hooves of our White Scars! For the Emperor!"

"For the Khan! For the Emperor!"

August Star, Planetary Defense General Headquarters.

General Metake did not expect that fleet to start attacking before the fleets had even converged, and that those fleets that had not gathered were flying toward the other three planets.

The August Star's own defense fleet was still forming a battle line in planetary orbit, while the support forces from Gaomi Star, Gangnanpan Star, and Fenghaohui Star were still halfway there.

The first wave of the White Scars' strike slammed into the connection points of the "Blood Bath" defense line.

Gaomi Star.

Grand Duke Alfons Yinhui of Gaomi Star, in his "Silver Shuttle" control center, was cursing at Metake's "tyrannical" mobilization order, secretly instructing his subordinates to delay the fleet's departure as much as possible.

The next second, an alarm sounded throughout the control center.

"Detected a large number of high-speed contact signals! It's the White fleet! They are coming toward us!"

Alfons came to the observation window, and dozens of light cruisers and destroyers painted with white lightning stripes appeared in the void.

The White Scars ships scattered, quickly pouncing from multiple directions toward Gaomi Star's orbital facilities and the ships that were in port or had just left port!

"Quick! Activate the planetary shield! All defense turrets, fire! The fleet! Where is our fleet? Quickly engage the enemy!"

Alfons yelled.

However, it was all too late.

The Gaomi Star fleet, which had set sail in a hurry, could not form an effective formation in time.

The White Scars' destroyers used their ultra-high mobility to easily split the Gaomi Star fleet.

Torpedoes precisely targeted those non-combat ships of Gaomi Star.

The light of explosions constantly lit up in the void, mostly from the ships of the Gaomi Star side.

The White Scars Third Company detached an elite squad, ignoring the sporadic resistance in orbit, and headed straight for the orbital platform where the planetary shield generator was located.

Gaomi Star's close-in defense system tried to intercept, but those White Scars destroyers shuttled quickly, dropping drop pods loaded with Angels of Death.

In just a few hours, Gaomi Star's planetary shield collapsed under the pincer attack from inside and out, the orbital defense platform was occupied, and the remaining fleet suffered heavy losses under the harassment and assault of the White Scars Third Company, eventually either surrendering or fleeing.

Grand Duke Alfons only had time to let out a scream toward August Star before being finished off by the White Scars Space Marines who had broken into the control center.

Gaomi Star was thus declared fallen.