The Slaugth Weren't on the Ship-How Did They End Up on the Surface?
866 AD.
The Total War between the Ottomans and the Rangdan has entered its fifth year, with the "Shadow of Order" launching a full-scale counterattack against the Xenos through the Carium Gate.
The First Chapter left the borders of the Imperium and ventured deep into the star system that had been enslaved by the Xenos for thousands of years— the Steel-Break Fortress space region.
Troop Transport, Alicia's Light.
The sound from the loudspeakers echoed across all the decks.
"I am Toby, from the Bandak Family."
"You may not know me, but you're certainly familiar with my family. Together, we defeated countless pirates, both human and Xenos."
"After careful analysis of the tactical situation, the Arbites Lord issued an order: the best way to eliminate the Xenos threat is to launch a full-scale attack on Steel-Break Fortress."
Toby spoke with fervor, his voice carrying his fighting spirit to all Alicia through the microphone.
"This is Alicia Airborne's first major battle. Be prepared."
"Charge your gravity parachutes, check your Lasgun, and make sure you're ready to win glory."
As the cheers of "For Alicia!" rang out, Toby switched communication channels amidst a brief static.
His voice echoed through the briefing rooms, "Clear orders will be relayed to you immediately."
"Inspect your Valkyrie Transport, Taurus Assault Vehicle, and Bellerophon Battle Tank."
"You should know that even the Gino Thousand Regiment, a long-established 'Solar Auxilia' born during the 'Unification Wars,' has never received supplies like yours."
Based on the supply agreement signed the Monarch and Mars, the "Alicia Airborne" received supplies far exceeding what they were entitled to.
The Valkyrie Transport, born from Mars, and the Squats rapid assault vehicle, Revelation by the Taurus Centaur All-Terrain Vehicle, were developed and supplied to the "Alicia Airborne".
After encouraging his men, Toby hung up the call and reviewed the reports he had received.
The Ramillies-class Star Fortress Abyss Guardian has already defeated the Xenos drone swarm.
The Arbites Lord led his Honor Guard in a boarding maneuver against the Xenos, grotesque disc-shaped ship.
As a senior commander, Toby had access to intelligence regarding Slaugth and knew that the ship was unique to this type of Xenos.
After reviewing the overall situation of the galactic war, Toby focused his attention on his mission objectives.
The orbital bombardment was coming to an end, which meant that the time had come for the "Alicia Airborne" to launch their offensive.
Based on their own mobility and positioning, they are usually the first armed forces to be deployed.
If Slaugth hadn't been so evil and powerful, that spaceship would have been their mission too.
"Ready for battle!"
As the signal lights turned green, one Valkyrie Gunship after another took off from the hangars of the five Troop Transport.
Toby sat in his Taurus command vehicle, issuing orders to the first through fifth regiments of "Alicia" over the command channel.
"Our target area for the airdrop contains the most regular gravitational well in this galaxy."
"Therefore, all soldiers must be below 100 meters to deploy their gravity parachutes."
"I don't want any soldiers floating in the air, becoming live targets for the Xenos. Make sure your landing is accurate to the centimeter, and you will gain the honor of being among the first to set foot on this planet."
Ten thousand five hundred veterans methodically organized their equipment.
The Tech-Priest operates the main Cogitator to set the altitude for the Voss-pattern Grav-chute.
Voss, renowned for its gravity backpack technology, originally only supplied the Legiones Astartes with equipment that was never enough, but based on an agreement, the Alicia Airborne were able to obtain parachutes specifically developed for them, and five regiments have already been equipped with them.
The hatch opened, and the captains loudly urged their subordinates on.
Alicia Airborne filed out, the howling wind whipping against them with steel debris.
Sporadic anti-aircraft gunfire erupted, and a dozen paratroopers were charred black in the beams of light.
The veterans remained calm. Unlike the new recruits who were added after the "Alicia Airborne" were named, they had been fighting on the front lines against the pirates even before the Arbites Lord set foot on Alicia's land.
They calmly watched the numbers on the altimeter decrease rapidly.
The first lucky Alicia Airborne had a notification rune light up in their helmet, and the pre-set activation program started automatically.
A blinding blue beam of light hissed and shot out from behind him as he shouted into the Communicator, "Death from the sky!"
In the calm airflow, he calmly raised the Necromunda-pattern Assault Lasgun in his hand.
The lack of a sight does not affect the veteran's honed marksmanship.
Alicia Airborne often fight with little to no supplies after being airdropped, and each one is a highly skilled marksman.
This is especially true for veterans; their parachutes also provided an opportunity for them to hone their shooting skills.
The laser hissed as it struck the enslaved Xenos slave, tearing apart its pale flesh that had never seen the sun.
Alicia Airborne, like hailstones, completed four precise volleys of fire from the air, clearing the landing zone.
The Voss II-pattern Grav-chute was successfully deployed, Taurus command vehicle landed smoothly.
Toby's command vehicle carried fewer supplies, instead equipped with high-powered Communicator, a high-powered onboard Auspex, and a holographic tactical system.
He quickly reviewed the tactical images and nodded in satisfaction.
His five regiments achieved a deployment rate of 93.6%, with only one Taurus Assault Vehicle and two Bellerophon Battle Tank lost.
Toby activated his Communicator, "Target confirmed, D-1 area, Xenos lab."
"Appearance characteristics: silver-white, round..."
"Attack!"
Alicia Airborne immediately formed an assault line around the armored vehicles and launched an attack.
As they ran, they fired dense beams of light at the Xenos.
A barrage of beams of light rained down on the Xenos formation, and rows of enemies fell.
Taurus sped along the bumpy steel surface, Toby, examining the clear images provided by the vehicle's Auspex, suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
He raised his hand to mark a high point, and at the same time switched communication channels.
"1st Regiment, First Company, capture the marked high ground."
After reviewing the tactical map, the communications officer clarified the commander's orders on the company's communications channel.
"Two o'clock position, 540 meters."
"After 490 meters, activate jump mode."
Height restriction: 136 meters.
The Tech Sergeant of the Shadow of Order modified the gravity parachutes of the assault company members for combat, giving them some of the performance characteristics of Jump Pack.
The company's four Bellerophon Battle Tank spun rapidly.
The tracks rubbed violently against the steel surface, sending sparks Mars.
Beams of light shot out from the bunker, striking the armored outer shell.
The driver jerked the steering wheel, causing the tank to bounce violently.
Sweating profusely, the gunners swiftly aimed their Battle Cannon at the bunker.
Water Cooling Jacket surrounds the cannon for cushioning, Gyro-stabilizer allows the cannon barrel to accurately position itself against the target.
Shells whistled towards the bunker, accompanied by deafening explosions, blasting the bunker at the foot of the mountain into the air.
The assault team changed direction and, while running, skillfully adjusted the Voss I-pattern Assault Grav-chute manually.
"Row 25, height 25 meters, first platform."
"First row, 136 meters, at the mountaintop."
Following their company commander's orders, the assault team adjusted the control panel, whispering their blessings upon the Machine Spirit.
Blue flames lit up, and the assault team members leaped up one after another like frogs.
The 25th platoon jumped to the defensive platform, and the demolition squad rushed towards the bunker.
A demolition soldier had his throat pierced, and Black Flame shot out from the fist-sized gash.
The demolition soldier slammed the explosive charge onto the bunker, using the flying metal debris to avenge his comrades.
The assault troops leaped up in layers, quickly completed their assault, and captured the entire high ground.
Upon reaching the top of the mountain, the first row should immediately establish defenses.
They positioned themselves on higher ground and unleashed firepower upon the battlefield.
The sniper raised his scope and fired the first beam of light into the silver-white laboratory.
The beam of light struck a Xenos precisely on the laboratory balcony; the corpse slid down and crashed heavily to the ground.
Just as the sniper was about to fire his second shot, a pale, fungal-like mass of flesh flashed through his Eyepiece.
"What the hell is that?!"
As he pulled the trigger, he glanced over.
It was a bizarre construct, an egg-shaped mass covered with Purple blood vessels and metal mesh.
The beam struck its target precisely, but the structure did not fall.
A piercing screech rang out, and streaks of green light shone down on the mountaintop.
Ahhhhh...
The excruciating torment of the necrotic beam dissolving their bodies caused the veterans to scream in agony.
Upon receiving the report, Toby stared wide-eyed at the construct in the image.
"Damn it! Slaugth isn't on the spaceship, how did he end up on the surface?"