Dusk.
Six Valkyrie Transports roared over the Kandahar Mountains.
Their engine nozzles glimmered with a dark blue light. Three heavy Sky-Talon models carrying Leman Russ Tanks brought up the rear, escorted by three ordinary models.
The six Valkyries landed not far from the ground camp. After unloading the three Leman Russ Tanks, they immediately headed back for the second transport wave.
The remaining three opened their hatches. Wade led the 60-man advance team out in single file, and they took up defensive positions the moment their boots hit the ground.
Wade dropped to one knee and took a palm-sized metal beacon from his tactical backpack.
It was a treasure the governor had unearthed from a Hive City noble's private collection, something rarely seen under ordinary circumstances.
A Teleport Beacon.
They said it was equipment issued only to veteran Terminators among the Angels of the Emperor, the Adeptus Astartes. It could guide orbital vessels or teleportation devices at rear bases, delivering troops precisely onto the battlefield.
When Tech-Priest Kallen saw the thing, he launched into a torrent of binary.
Wade couldn't understand what he was saying, but he was sure the priest was swearing up a storm.
But as a veteran, Wade knew very well that anything that couldn't be widely issued was bound to carry serious risks.
Before they set out, Priest Kallen had specifically stressed that vehicles couldn't be teleported.
Also, if they didn't want to get stuck inside cover, they had to remember to find an open area.
That was because the device couldn't distinguish coordinates inside buildings with walls more than five meters thick. If they forced a teleport into one, the best-case scenario was getting trapped in the rock and dying without a trace. The worst was being torn apart by Warp energy, leaving not even a scrap behind.
So when Fu Haoran asked if he wanted to be among the first to teleport, Wade answered with the first rule from the standard Imperial tactical manual:
"The commander must be the last to evacuate. It's his duty."
But back to the matter at hand.
Wade dropped the beacon on the ground.
Three spikes sprang out from the metal beacon and plunged into the hard rock.
With a faint hum, a pale blue glow lit up, accompanied by a series of beeps counting down.
At the same time, aboard the bridge of the Cobra-class Destroyer.
The Tech-Acolyte turned to Fu Haoran. "My lord governor, we've locked onto the ground Teleport Beacon's signal. The Warp passage is stable and free of interference. The teleportation sequence can be initiated at any time!"
Fu Haoran asked, "What's the maximum number of troops we can teleport?"
"My lord, we can teleport up to 120 people at a time."
The Tech-Acolyte paused. "But its energy supply is sufficient for no more than three uses. Each wave must be spaced at least one minute apart, and the beacon must remain stable in the meantime."
"Teleport the maximum number. Don't dawdle." Fu Haoran chose the "safest" option.
Lucifer frowned beside him.
She wore a carefully tailored noble's gown and stood perfectly straight, even on the bridge, with the poise and decorum unique to Hive City nobles.
"My beloved, forgive my bluntness," Lucifer said. "Against these uncivilized savages of unknown origin, deploying the maximum number of troops through the teleportation array—even setting up heavy weapons like Wolf Spider Sentry Guns—seems far too ostentatious. It's beneath a noble's composure and dignity."
"By all reason, we need only send a small squad to probe them. Why make such a fuss?"
Fu Haoran wore a grave expression and spoke earnestly. "Lucifer, they aren't uncivilized savages."
"Hmm?"
"They're fellow countrymen."
Lucifer froze.
"Even on an alien world, I can't treat my fellow countrymen casually when they're in danger."
"Not giving them everything we've got would be disrespectful to them and a breach of etiquette."
"If they don't die, I won't be able to eat or sleep in peace. And what if word gets out that I neglected them?"
"So today, I have to greet them with the full arsenal of the Hive City—the grandest welcome possible."
Lucifer's eyes narrowed slightly as she considered Fu Haoran, who was spouting nonsense with a perfectly straight face.
Fellow countrymen?
She understood.
This was a performance.
A show of strength for everyone to see.
Lucifer gave a slight nod, her tone turning more solemn. "I see. I hadn't considered it carefully enough. Sending off our fellow travelers with the grandest barrage truly is the greatest respect we can show our opponents."
Fu Haoran: (Σ(⊙▽⊙"a)... That works too?)
On the open ground, a circular portal several meters across abruptly spread open around the beacon. Pale blue tides of energy churned within it.
Soldiers in Plastisteel armor poured out of the portal. In just one minute, 120 people had assembled in the clearing.
A minute later, the second wave began to arrive, followed by the third.
More than four hundred soldiers began setting up a temporary position in the camp.
Heavy Autoguns, mortars, and Las-cannons were quickly set up, while the barrels of the Leman Russ Tanks slowly tilted upward.
Wade surveyed the position.
"Where are the Wolf Spiders?"
"They're being deployed."
Several soldiers pushed four metal platforms into position. Each platform carried an unmanned gun turret supported by four mechanical legs: a Wolf Spider Sentry Gun.
The soldiers pressed the activation buttons.
A low hum sounded. The sensors on all four Wolf Spiders spun rapidly as their twin-linked Heavy Bolters and twin-linked Las-cannons rose together, covering every angle in front of them in a fan-shaped formation.
Wade nodded in satisfaction.
These things were great.
From the Planetary Defense Force all the way up to the Adeptus Astartes, Wolf Spider Sentry Guns were deployed whenever the situation called for them.
Their Machine Spirits were more alert than ordinary soldiers, never slacked off, and had long-lasting built-in batteries and ample ammunition. They didn't need to rotate shifts or rest.
With them in place, Wade could send the soldiers who would otherwise be standing guard somewhere they'd be more useful.
Still, Wade couldn't help thinking, Isn't this a bit over the top?
He looked over the densely packed position: more than four hundred elite soldiers, equipped on par with the Imperial Guard, backed by heavy weapons and unmanned turrets, all to deal with thirteen targets?
"Has the governor prepared for them as if they were Angels of the Emperor?"
Just then, a scout reported, "Colonel, the Auspex shows thirteen targets heading our way. They're expected to reach our position in three minutes."
Wade's pupils contracted.
An attack?
"Prepare for battle! Move!"
"Form up for an attack!" Wade shouted, raising his arm.
The soldiers rapidly changed formation. Three rows of Lasgun operators moved forward to form a firing line, while the mortar teams, Heavy Autogun teams, and Heavy Bolter teams quickly took up positions on both flanks.
At the same time, Wade immediately reported the situation.
On the bridge.
Fu Haoran stared at the projection screen, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the console.
420 soldiers.
4 Wolf Spider Sentry Guns.
3 Valkyrie gunships.
3 Leman Russ Tanks.
With this kind of firepower, we should be able to hold them off even if those Reincarnators have hidden tricks, right? Don't let us get caught with our pants down.
Fu Haoran wasn't actually confident.
This was his first time encountering other Reincarnators, and he had no idea how strong they were. After all, he was a newcomer himself.
A newcomer who hadn't even finished a single world.
Which of the other Reincarnators hadn't been through countless battles?
If the other side had spatial jumps or mind control, things could get ugly.
Better to be cautious. They absolutely couldn't afford to get caught with their pants down.
The next second, after hearing Wade's report, Fu Haoran immediately felt that he'd been careless.
"The opposing Reincarnators dared to come out in full force, so they must have something to rely on. What if they've brought some kind of advanced weapon, or have some strange ability..."
Fu Haoran suddenly thought of all those stories he'd read online, about hidden powerhouses and the like.
This was his first time meeting others like himself in a Reincarnation World. Even though the other side had only thirteen people, he was still afraid that one moment of carelessness would leave him caught with his pants down.
Fu Haoran tensed at once and gave an order. "Wade, don't let them get anywhere near you!"
"Open fire with everything you've got."
Fu Haoran stared at the screen and spoke one word at a time:
"Send the Valkyries in first. Clear the way with their autocannons."
"Have the Leman Russ Tanks hold the line. If anyone dares cross the firing line, blast them flat."
"I don't care how much ammunition we use. Don't let a single one of them through!"
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