Chapter 269: Tiechen

Gabriel used the Simulacrum Sanctum to grasp the entire situation in the Cydonia System.

The 3rd Fleet achieved victory in the manner of the Order Shadow, with sacrifices no greater than those of the Iron Hands.

He wore a smile, removed the interface, and stood up from his seat.

Immediately, Gabriel saw Lord Manus rise from his seat a dozen meters away.

His silver-coin-like eyes liquefied, he looked over inquisitively, and a voice like poured lead rang out.

"I did not expect that, without accepting enhancements for auxiliary calculation, you would actually keep up with the rhythm of the Iron Hands."

"Your data processing ability has reached at least the average level of the Iron Hands, which is admirable."

Gabriel knew Lord Manus had become interested in his abilities and had to dispel his thoughts of further investigation to avoid exposing the abilities bestowed by the Gene-Father.

He picked up the Brain-Strong Cat from the ground and spoke.

"It is all its credit; it is a Brain-Strong Cat, capable of strengthening my brain and amplifying my calculation ability."

Manus's eyes returned to their normal silver-coin state, "Reliance on external forces is fleeting after all."

"The weakness of flesh advocated by the Mechanicus is the truth; you should undergo mechanical augmentation."

"I am optimistic about your potential; you could accept extensive augmentation and gain the same calculation ability as the Iron Hands."

"Father, I think Gabriel can possess the same calculation ability as us without accepting mechanical augmentation."

There is only one person on the flagship who dares to speak to the Primarch like this now.

Storm General Amadeus Ducaine.

Although he accepted the Medusa culture advocated by Lord Manus, he believed the Gene-Father's philosophy was too radical.

After Manus glanced at Dukaien, "You will understand."

After the space battle ended, the 11th Chapter of the "Order Shadow" launched an attack on the northern planets of the system, and the Solagu Clan company of the "Iron Hands" launched an offensive against the southern planets.

On the flagship of the 52nd Expeditionary Fleet, Ferrus Manus said to Dukaien:

"You are known to the Imperium for 'Storm and Hammer'; now is the moment to demonstrate your ability and prove that my decision to appoint you as Commander was not an Error."

Manus decided to observe "Storm and Hammer" from the perspective of a bystander, to fully understand this tactic, and then use it as a basis for improvement.

"As you command, Father."

After receiving the order, Dukaien began to command as he had in the past.

The warships of the 52nd Expeditionary Fleet launched orbital strikes on the planetary surfaces.

Unlike before, when Vostonia was the target of plunder, this time the Fulao used the Cydonia System as a base for their offensive.

Both planets were built into Fortresses, and they poured a massive amount of resources plundered from many worlds in the Obscurus Sector into the construction of these Fortresses.

The Fulao defensive installations operated at full capacity, Aether Energy Shields blocked the bombardment, and anti-aircraft artillery roared, firing dense barrages into the sky.

To deal with the Fulao's anti-aircraft fire, Dukaien directly adopted a tactic similar to the one he used on the Rust Star, ordering several Void Ships to rely on their massive hulls to withstand the artillery fire and forcibly land in the atmosphere.

The warships crash-landed at five locations he designated, just enough for all the Fulao to observe their arrival.

Dukaien then ordered the Auxilia to build fortifications on the spot and conduct defense.

To avoid cruel urban siege warfare, Dukaien decided to use the "Storm and Hammer" tactic.

But this time, he knew he had to make changes.

From the intelligence obtained from Lord Ninglu, Dukaien knew that the Fulao were a nomadic people fond of plunder and greedy by nature; if bait were thrown out, the Xenos would take the hook.

He knew that, unlike the Ork who would rush out of their fortresses regardless of anything when they saw a fight, the Fulao would not be so foolish and reckless.

Dukaien issued an order to load all the glittering treasures in the warehouses of the five warships into vehicles.

The Storm General selected the 100,000 soldiers with the weakest combat power and the most severe injuries from the Auxilia and gave a speech to them.

"Ladies of the Auxilia, I am Dukaien."

Depending on the needs of different scenarios, Dukaien addressed the former Storm Walkers, now Iron Hands, as boys or ladies.

But he always addressed the Auxilia as ladies.

"I need you to complete an important mission; today you will, as always, become the Tiechen."

"You are to launch an attack on the Fulao's Fortress!"

Some Auxilia officers had already guessed that they were being sent to attack the Fulao's Fortress, which was equivalent to sending them to their Death.

They could not understand the strategic significance, but they trusted the Storm General.

Their sacrifice must be worth it; the Storm General could always exchange the smallest sacrifice for the greatest results, as he had already proven everything on the Rust Star.

"My requirement for you is, in the name of the Emperor, for the Gorgon of Medusa, for me, and for the glory we achieved on the Rust Star, the offensive must last for two hours."

"For the Emperor, for the Gorgon, for the Storm!"

20,000 Auxilia soldiers shouted loudly, and at the same moment, deafening shouts rang out from the other four positions.

Manus, watching Dukaien's speech, nodded slightly and said to himself.

【Dukaian has high prestige among the Auxilia; even for a suicide mission, they view it as an honor.

Such a tactic is reasonable; casualties will drop by more than 40 percent.】

The 100,000 Auxilia, under the cover of a hundred armored vehicles, launched an attack on the five Fortresses of the Fulao simultaneously.

At Fortress No. 1, the Fulao commander watched the overestimating enemy foolishly launch an attack on his Fortress.

A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he waved his arm to issue an order.

"Artillery barrage!"

Boom, boom, boom!

The Fortress artillery fired in unison, and a rain of shells smashed into the vehicles.

A Macharius Heavy Tank was torn apart by a shell.

There were only a driver and a gunner inside the tank, and there were only two basic loads of shells and bullets.

Glittering treasures replaced the other positions.

With a booming explosion, the armored vehicle was flipped into the air.

Glittering gold coins splashed about, dazzling gemstones tumbled...

The pupils of the Fulao general constricted; he saw the wealth scattered across the sky.

He pounded the Fortress wall with all his might, shouting in fury.

"Foolish humans, shameful waste!"

The Auxilia soldiers shouted "For the Storm," seeking any available cover to launch an attack on the Fortress.

Every moment, someone fell, but no one retreated.

One hour after the attack began, some Auxilia Warriors even charged to the foot of the walls.

The Aether Master waved his arm, and flames descended from the sky, enveloping the Auxilia soldiers and burning them into raging fire.

The Auxilia soldiers witnessed their comrades wailing miserably in the flames, yet they still did not retreat.

Not until two hours after the offensive began did the Commander's timer beep, bringing him back to his senses to issue an order.

The Fulao general on the wall said with disdain.

"Unbearable to a single blow, no threat at all."

He saw the wealth being trampled by the defeated army, and his eyelids could not help but twitch.

"Shameful waste!"

【The human fleet is powerful, but the soldiers are unbearable to a single blow; there is no need to hold the Fortress.

Their armored vehicles have so much wealth, there must be even more inside their warships; perhaps their military discipline is lax, and they plundered some wealthy Planet.

Their warships are powerful and have crushed our fleet; to regain void superiority, we must seize their warships.】

Thinking of this, the Fulao general issued the order to attack.

No Fulao was willing to miss the feast of plunder; only a small number were left behind reluctantly.

Most of the Fulao set out from Fortress One, charging toward the "unbearable" human warships.

The Fulao generals of the other four Fortresses received the news and all shouted loudly.

"Attack! I will never allow Ferrera to monopolize the spoils of war!"

Dukaien's Tiechen had taken effect; the Fulao garrison had left their Fortresses.

(End of chapter)