"Tell the Truth, Mortal."

The giants stood over eight feet tall, drenched in blood. Severed limbs of Imperial soldiers still clung to their Titan Armor, and the smoke from their Boltguns had yet to clear.

The civilians at the front instinctively backed away. Several children burst into tears.

The Flame Salamanders' squad leader immediately sensed the fear spreading.

He did something none of the civilians expected—

He locked his Boltgun to the magnetic clasp on his leg armor, then raised both armored hands and slowly took a few steps back.

The other five warriors immediately copied this standard nonthreatening posture. They deliberately softened the tread of their Magnetic Boots and moved to either side of the boarding bridge, clearing a path.

Mike switched frequencies at just the right moment, and the spaceport's public address system sounded again:

"Attention, all civilians. These giants are our allies. I repeat, the Astartes are friendly forces here to help with the evacuation. Do not believe the Terran Dominion's lies. The Astartes before you will not hurt you."

The announcement echoed through the spaceport.

A woman holding a baby was the first to stop. Trembling, she looked at the nearest Flame Salamander.

When she saw him lower his head slightly to avoid staring directly at the baby in her arms, she suddenly said:

"They really are... different from those beasts."

Her words broke the spell.

The crowd began moving again. This time, some even nodded to the Astartes.

"Civilians first! Stop those well-dressed bastards!" Mike's sharp warning suddenly rang out over the speakers.

Dozens of finely dressed men and women were trying to slip into the crowd. A middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a badge on his chest even shoved a pregnant woman out of his way. They were clearly local elites and officers' family members.

The nearest