Sacrifice was the cornerstone of the Imperium's great achievements.
The Steel Legion of Armageddon had understood their mission the moment they set foot on the battlefield.
To face the enemy's advance and buy the Imperium a chance at victory with their sacrifices.
Perhaps the strength of a single individual could not completely decide the course of a war.
But they could tip the scales of war toward the Imperium, then wait for the one who could make the battlefield tilt completely in the Imperium's favor to appear.
On the battlefield, the weights forged through sacrifice continued piling onto the Imperium's scales.
The first to charge forward and draw enemy fire were the Penal Legions.
These death squads, made up of criminals from across the Imperium, earned reduced sentences by completing missions.
But they lacked Krieg's discipline and faith. Their religious fervor did not even compare to that of the Savlar Chem-Dogs.
"Lieutenant Mikhail! The fleet will arrive any moment!"
Land Raider Battle Barges descended swiftly from the skies, under the cover of assault boats broadcasting hymns.
The Land Raiders had some of their cannons removed and replaced with storm bolters and flamers. Their hatches bore the inscription, "To charge is to pray," and they had been designed specifically to carry assault squads into battle.
The assault boats were painted in black-and-white stripes. Upon landing, they broadcast hymns, while martyr chains hung within their holds. Soldiers touched the chains to receive "The Emperor's blessing" before entering battle.
The anomaly in the sky alerted the ground forces.
The warriors of the Black Templars revered honor and close combat. Before the Battle Barges had even landed, Lieutenant Bernt activated his jump pack and launched them into the air. Then, at the speed of a death strike, they plunged down and slammed into the