At last, after a swift battle, Peter's squad quickly entered the facility's central area.
The corridors here were narrower, and the walls much thicker, clearly reinforced to withstand possible attacks.
But as they passed through the final stretch of corridor, the space opened up. The five Astartes entered the target room, facing one of the planet's main Planetary Shield Generators.
Peter stood before the colossal Planetary Shield Generator. Though he had seen one before, he was still awed by its immense scale and complex construction.
At its exposed center was a massive energy core, a glowing sphere whose energy generated and sustained the shield field. Around the generator was an array of control panels and interfaces for operators to monitor and adjust the shield's strength and range.
Peter's modified ears picked up a low hum. As far as he knew, it was the sound of energy flowing and the shield running steadily. Under heavy strain, the sound might grow more pronounced.
This underground facility was built around a polyhedral structure of sturdy metal and mysterious arched technology, its surface covered in intricate patterns. This ancient device controlled and stabilized energy fields, and had kept countless people on this world safe.
But after today, one device preserved from humanity's Old Night would become history. Peter nodded and gave the order:
"Filon, plant the Meltabomb."
Filon removed the Meltabomb from his waist and ran to the shield generator. Once he had quickly planted it, the five squad members retraced their steps.
A slight tremor ran through the corridor, and the objective of their mission was complete. They could still hear the distant BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! of Bolter fire. It seemed the other squads would arrive any moment.
The entire operation, from the first guard falling to the destruction of the shield, had