Chapter 985: Battle on Planet L-449 (1)

Edge of the L-449 Star, Dusk Raiders Sixth Company fleet.

Dusk Raiders Sixth Company Commander Galadun stood before the observation window of the Light Cruiser's Bridge, staring at the cluster of abrupt light points on the star map.

"Commander, the opposing fleet has begun adjusting their formation; multiple Cruisers are moving forward, and Frigate groups are deploying. Energy signals indicate their weapon systems are charging."

Galadun did not respond.

His company had only three ships: one Light Cruiser and two Frigates.

Facing the enemy's massive fleet, they were as tiny as a few small boats before a storm.

"They want to make a move."

Adjutant Hector walked to Galadun's side and spoke.

"For the so-called 'wrath' of those Alien scum."

Galadun spoke in a steady voice.

"They have defiled the Emperor's domain. This starry sky has already belonged to Xiuluosheng and the Emperor under the Father's will. Any unauthorized intrusion is a sacrilege."

Galadun turned around, facing all the crew on the Bridge, and spoke.

"Communications Officer, send the enemy situation update and our decision to engage to the Luna Wolves Capital Ship fleet one last time. At the same time, in my name, notify the entire company and all Star Alliance mortal troops on this planet!"

Galadun's voice was transmitted through the ship's broadcast to the ship channels and the few Astra Militarum garrison units on the L-449 Star.

"We are the Dusk Raiders, the Emperor's Firm Shield, the watchers of the Human domain. Now an Alien Army invades, attempting to trample the pure land already bathed in the Emperor's radiance. Behind us lies the territory of the Imperium; there is no retreat! Even if the enemy is many and we are few, even if blood stains the star sea, we shall stand firm here, and with the enemy's corpses, cast a monument of Loyalty! Until the last breath, the last shell! For the Emperor! For Xiuluosheng!"

The Dusk Raiders Space Marines silently checked the Bolters, Plasma Weapons, and Chainswords in their hands.

The Tech-priest began the final prayers and overload preparations for the ship's engines and weapon systems.

The accompanying Valhallan Ice Warriors gripped their Laser Rifles tightly, standing ready on the L-449 Star.

"All ships! Engage enemy formation! All weapons, fire at will!"

Galadun finished his speech and issued the battle order.

At the same time Galadun's order was issued, the vanguard of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance fleet, several Cruisers and swarms of Frigates, launched their attack first!

Energy beams and dense Torpedoes tore through the void, flying toward the Dusk Raiders' fleet!

The Void Shield of the Dreadnought-class Light Cruiser fluctuated violently, and the light of dissipating energy exploded around the hull.

Dozens of Torpedoes pierced through the overloaded Void Shield position and slammed into the armor belt on the port side of the Dreadnought-class Light Cruiser, blasting a hole open.

"Port armor belt penetrated! Third and fourth compartments depressurized! Casualty reports are being tallied!"

"Ignore the damage! Main Macro-cannon Array, aim at the enemy lead ship! Torpedo tubes, load all with Armor-piercing Rounds, salvo fire!"

Galadun's voice did not waver in the slightest as he gave the calm order.

The hull of the Dreadnought-class Light Cruiser adjusted its angle slightly, and the broadside Macro-cannon Array fired, shooting at a charging Fengqi Destroyer.

The other two Dusk Raiders Frigates also opened fire simultaneously, constantly harassing and attacking the incoming enemy ships.

The battle in space entered a white-hot stage.

Energy beams crisscrossed.

Under absolute disadvantage, the Dusk Raiders fleet relied on hull structure, firepower, and fighting spirit to withstand wave after wave of Fengqi firepower.

However, the disparity in numbers was there, as time passed.

One Frigate, under the concentrated fire of dozens of enemy ships, had its Void Shield overloaded, its hull snapped in two, and it turned into a massive Fireball, the crew inside vaporized instantly.

The other Dusk Raiders Frigate was also heavily damaged, its engines dead, firing at approaching enemy ships with its remaining weapons.

"Commander! Detected large numbers of drop pods and landing craft signals! The enemy is deploying ground troops to the surface of the L-449-IV planet!"

Galadun cast his gaze toward the planet covered in ice and snow.

A large batch of drop pods and Transport Ships were detaching from the massive Feng Qi Xing Alliance transport fleet, falling toward the planetary surface.

"Tell the Astra Militarum commander on the planet's surface. We will buy them as much time as possible in orbit, but the ground battle is up to them."

Galadun said in a deep voice.

The few Astra Militarum and limited defensive fortifications on the planet's surface could only stand firm against an enemy outnumbering them by hundreds of times.

It was also their duty.

The Dreadnought-class Light Cruiser where Galadun was located was hit by several more beams, the Bridge shaking violently, lights flickering incessantly.

Galadun looked at his Adjutant.

"Hector, prepare for boarding action! We cannot just sit here and take a beating. Only by constantly occupying enemy ships can we cause destruction within their formation!"

"You want to initiate boarding?"

Hector immediately understood the Commander's intent.

This was another tactic of the Dusk Raiders, to use the enemy's own methods against them, bringing cruel close-quarters slaughter to the enemy.

Galadun said in a cold tone.

"Pick the most valuable targets. Let these Aliens understand that the domain of the Dusk Raiders is not somewhere they can tread at will. For the Emperor, we will sow death into their ships."

"Understood! Commander!"

L-449-IV planet surface, frozen wasteland, Valhalla 3rd Base.

Alarm sounds rang throughout the base.

The commander of the Astra Militarum 14th Valhallan Regiment, Major Kele, wrapped his heavy cold-weather gear tighter, looking at the dense drop signals on the radar screen, his eyes exceptionally firm.

Major Kele had just received the communication from Commander Galadun of the Orbital Fleet.

This meant that orbital support was about to be cut off, and they had to rely on their own strength to fight to the last man.

"All units, enter preset defensive positions! Heavy weapons teams in position! Artillery, follow predetermined coordinates, saturation bombardment! Let these Heretics know that Valhallans die standing, never kneeling to live!"

Kele roared the order into the Communication Device.

Around the base, Valhallan soldiers quickly entered fortifications built of frozen earth and ice; Heavy Bolters, Mortars, and several Self-propelled Artillery pieces pointed their muzzles toward the sky and the distant horizon.

The first wave of drop pods landed on the ice field outside the base with shrill whistles, the hatches exploded, and Fengqi "Guardian" Super Soldiers wearing heavy Power Armor and holding high-explosive Armor-Piercing Guns poured out.

Their movements were swift, their coordination tacit, and their firepower fierce, instantly suppressing the firepower of the Valhallan Ice Warriors at the outer perimeter positions.