Boarding Battle

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As the warships closed in further, long-range fire erupted from both sides almost simultaneously.

The frigates launched plasma torpedoes from their bows, streaking toward the enemy.

No one wanted their ship to take a direct hit from torpedoes. Both sides began evasive maneuvers, while point-defense cannons roared to life, destroying any torpedoes that came too close.

Detonating plasma torpedoes flared brilliantly in the dark void.

Lances with far greater range lanced out toward the opposing warships.

Ship-mounted weapons like lances were impossible to dodge. In the blink of an eye, both sides' lances slammed into the enemy's void shields.

Pale blue barriers flickered. The void shields did their job, transferring the impact and damage of these energy weapons directly into the Warp.

"Captain! Void shield integrity at 70%! Recharging!"

If they took another few volleys of lances, Gao Yi's warship's shields would likely collapse.

"Max out engine power! Full speed ahead! Before their lances recharge! For the Mongert Dynasty! Prepare assault boats!"

As the battle began, Gao Yi felt his blood surge. Massive ships and heavy cannons were a man's true romance—the sheer shock and awe far surpassing ground combat. Even Space Marines or the Greater Daemons of the Five Gods, however fierce, often had the final outcome of a campaign decided by the colossal warships in the void.

Gao Yi's ship was noticeably faster than the enemy's.

Before the enemy's lances could finish their second recharge, both warships were already within visual range.

The Tyrant, true to its name, charged straight at the Golden Ram, relying on its thick armor plating to weather the lances and bull-rush forward.

"Sword Rain, Vanguard! Draw fire for the flagship!"

As both ships entered each other's macrocannon range, massive solid shells flew from the gun barrels. Seemingly clumsy, the shells moved at incredible speed—at this close range, evasive maneuvers were nearly impossible.

The void shields could no longer protect the ships as they did against energy weapons like lances.

Both sides' void shields collapsed almost simultaneously.

The remaining macrocannon shells slammed into the enemy hulls.

Carrying immense kinetic force, the macrocannon shells also triggered violent explosions upon impact with the armor.

The blasts shook the bridge violently.

"Officer Deck bulkhead breached! Seal the airtight hatches! Shield deck overloaded and on fire! Repair teams, report to shield deck immediately! One macrocannon is also damaged."

Officers continuously reported damage to Gao Yi, but thankfully, the SCVs—powerful repair machines—were already deployed for emergency repairs.

On the other side, the Tyrant had suffered far less damage, its adamantium armor plating proving its worth.

"Don't miss the opportunity! Launch assault pods! Board immediately! Warriors of the Dynasty, for the God-Emperor, for the Dynasty, seize control of that ship for me!"

As the two warships passed each other, both sides launched boarding pods almost simultaneously.

In an instant, a dense swarm of assault pods streaked toward the enemy with brilliant exhaust trails.

Point-defense cannons immediately opened fire to stop them.

Half of the first wave of assault pods was lost shortly after launch—each fireball representing dozens of crewmen reduced to cosmic dust. Only a few pods managed to breach the enemy ship.

But the first wave's sacrifice wasn't in vain; it drew fire for the following assault pods.

Damon and the Rangers beside him were launched aboard one of the assault pods.

The shockwaves from explosions rocked the assault boat violently, but thankfully, his boat dodged the point-defense fire.

The bow-mounted meltagun fired searing hot plasma, melting the ship's outer armor.

"Bam!"

The assault pod successfully landed, breaching into a corridor deck.

"Everyone, secure the corridor quickly! Find key compartments and destroy as many as possible!"

Damon then turned to Norris, who wasn't part of the Rangers.

"We'll break through their defenses for you. Finding the bridge and their leader is your mission."

Norris nodded silently, then channeled his psychic power, vanishing from the ship in an instant.

Damon raised his boarding shield and moved to the hatch. As it opened, lasers, shotguns, and autoguns all fired at them. Fortunately, the boarding shield protected the assault team from concentrated fire.

Countless metal pellets and laser bolts struck the metal shield surface, crackling and sparking continuously.

Stray rounds hitting Damon's adamantium combat suit didn't even leave a mark.

Just as the makeshift defensive position in the corridor fell silent, assuming everyone inside was dead—

The Rangers' C-14s opened fire. Precise bursts took out the enemies behind the barricade. When the enemy returned fire, the Rangers—now clad in adamantium combat suits—charged out of the assault pod, weathering the incoming fire.

Seeing these combat-suited Rangers, the boarding defense troops blocking Damon froze for a moment.

They looked just like... too much like... Why would the God-Emperor's Angels of Death attack them?

But that moment of hesitation cost them their lives.

All ten Rangers cleared the corridor of enemies without a single casualty.

"All squads, report status!"

"1st Company, zero casualties, successful boarding."

"2nd Company, two losses."

"3rd Company, three assault boats destroyed."

"4th Company..."

As all companies finished their reports, the Rangers had already lost fifty men during the assault alone—a full half-company.

It showed the brutality of ship-to-ship combat. Rangers, who could turn the tide in conventional warfare, could only helplessly accept death in this situation.

"Damn it, clear the deck fast! No survivors!"

Gao Yi watched the life signals vanish one by one, wincing at the loss. These veterans were precious assets, but the sacrifice was unavoidable.

The enemy's assault boats had also rammed into the Golden Ram.

Fierce corridor battles erupted everywhere. This time, they weren't facing mindless charging thugs or Zombies, but equally well-trained soldiers.

Even the shabbiest Rogue Trader Dynasty wouldn't skimp on investment in their Boarding Party and anti-boarding forces—every soldier was elite.

A few skilled veterans, with ample ammunition in narrow corridors, could hold off an entire company's advance.

Still, in the overall boarding battle, Gao Yi's side held a significant advantage.

Adamantium CMC suits could withstand enemy fire and break through the line.

The naval soldiers left aboard held the enemy back, while the remaining Rangers acted as fire brigades, rushing to reinforce wherever the line was breached. Soldiers in Plasteel Combat Suits were far superior to sailors in mere flak armor.

On the holographic screen, red dots representing enemies were vanishing one by one.

The Marauders and Firebats cast a massive shadow of fear over the boarding enemies.

"By the God-Emperor. What the hell are these things? Are they really Astartes?!" The Suarez Dynasty's comm channels buzzed with such rumors, sowing panic.

Meanwhile, Canto's face was foul in his Bridge.

The holographic projection before him showed the Rangers' silhouettes.