Chapter Summaries

Greenskin forces relentlessly attacked the Defense Force’s fortified position, but machine-gun fire destroyed their explosive Squig Hoppers before they could reach it. With the Killa Kans still trapped at the rear of the horde, Iron Bull sent Iron Hand and the other bosses into the fight, leaving Iron Hand leading another charge toward the human lines.

• The Defense Force’s artillery and gunfire cut down charging Greenskin Boyz as their numbers continued to fill the battlefield.
• Gretchin sent explosive Squig Hoppers toward the human position, but machine gunners shot them down and their bombs killed Greenskins nearby.
• Iron Hand asked Iron Bull to let him attack, and Iron Bull asked whether the Killa Kans had arrived.
• A Gretchin told Iron Bull that the Killa Kans were stuck at the rear because the faster Boyz had pushed past them.
• Iron Bull ordered Iron Hand and the other bosses to lead their Boyz into battle, and Iron Hand charged while firing his Boltgun behind his shield.

The Orks’ charge faltered when anti-aircraft fire killed Iron Hand and the other leading bosses, throwing the packed Greenskins into chaos and exposing them to artillery. Iron Bull ordered a retreat and planned to regroup before attacking the Defense Force again.

• Iron Hand led his Ork Boys toward the human trenches while dodging rifle fire and using a shield to withstand the barrage.
• The tank unit commander ordered an Apocalypse Tank’s anti-aircraft gun to target the advancing Ork bosses, and the gun destroyed Iron Hand and killed the other leading bosses.
• The Ork Boys lost morale and collided as some tried to flee while others kept charging, and the artillery company commander ordered howitzer fire onto the disorganized mass.
• Blood Axe offered to lead another charge, but Iron Bull ordered him to withdraw and regroup.
• Blood Axe relayed Iron Bull’s retreat order, and Iron Bull turned away from the Defense Force’s position.

After the Defense Force repelled Iron Bull's Greenskin assault with no deaths, Iron Bull returned to Totka City and began gathering more bosses, weapons, and materials for the next attack. He left his forces preparing for a larger battle against the humies.

• Anrida ordered the frontline troops and reserves to rotate after the Greenskins retreated, and medics reported no deaths and only a few hundred wounded.
• Iron Bull led his Greenskin boys back to Totka City and decided his Killa Kans and Dirty Tanks were insufficient to break the Defense Force's lines.
• Iron Bull ordered Blood Axe to summon more Greenskin bosses and their boys to join the war.
• Iron Bull threatened the Mekboys with exclusion from the next battle unless they made more weapons, prompting them to gather materials with their Gretchin helpers.
• Iron Bull told several Greenskin bosses to gather materials and assist the Mekboys, but one boss objected to serving as a Mekboy's underling.

Iron Bull organized the Greenskins for another attack by sending one boss to collect materials and Quiet to scout the human defenses. After the battle, Anrida and his officers reviewed the fighting and discussed ways to counter the Greenskins, leaving the Defense Force preparing to improve its tactics and firepower.

• Iron Bull scolded a Greenskin boss and ordered him to collect materials for weapons and equipment.
• Iron Bull sent Quiet and his boys to scout the human positions and find weaknesses in their defenses.
• Anrida summoned his officers after the Defense Force completed its rotation and asked what they had learned from the battle.
• A company commander proposed using artillery to kill Greenskin bosses, and another warned that the Defense Force needed spotters to identify them.
• The officers discussed deploying anti-aircraft guns with infantry, while Anrida questioned why the company tanks were not supporting the front line.

As the Greenskins crowded into Totka City, Iron Bull gathered more than thirty million Orks and prepared to attack the humie base. The chapter ended with Ork bosses cheering as the coming assault was announced.

• Orks in Totka City watched a Hopper and a Gretchin fight to the death, then brawled over their wagers.
• Iron Bull kept arriving Ork bosses from attacking the humie base while he waited for more Orks and weapons to gather.
• After five more days, Iron Bull commanded over thirty million Ork boys and had Killa Kans, Dirty Tanks, and other heavy weapons ready.
• Iron Bull summoned the qualified Ork bosses and announced that they were ready to attack the humies.
• The Ork bosses and nearby Greenskins roared their approval, and their cheers reached the Art Student's base.

Iron Bull organized the Orks into a force led by Killa Kans and Dirty Tanks and marched on Art Student's base. The base's defenders prepared for the assault as artillery exchanges began.

• Iron Bull won the Greenskin bosses' obedience and ordered Killa Kans and Dirty Tanks to lead the attack on the human defenses.
• Iron Bull's Ork horde set out for Art Student's base, and Anrida warned the defenders that the army was approaching.
• Defense Force soldiers prepared in the trenches and discussed their hopes of becoming Space Marines.
• Human artillery opened fire on the advancing Orks, while the company commander warned soldiers to take cover from incoming shells.
• Ork war machines and artillery attacked the human positions, and the Apocalypse Tanks' anti-aircraft guns intercepted shells in midair.

Ork forces launched a major assault on the human defenses, prompting Anrida to send the tank brigade into battle and Gray to lead the Space Marines out of the command room. The Apocalypse Tanks devastated the Ork armor, but a Killa Kan destroyed one tank before its crew escaped and detonated it, and Gray led his Space Marines away from the tank column.

• Human and Ork artillery exchanged fire as Ork Dirty Tanks, Killa Kans, and infantry advanced on the human positions.
• Anrida ordered the tank brigade to attack the Ork armor, and more than a thousand Apocalypse Tanks rolled out to meet it.
• Gray told Anrida and Mendeleev that the Space Marines would join the fight, then led his men after the tanks.
• The Apocalypse Tanks fired on the Ork vehicles, while their shields redirected incoming Ork shells into the Warp.
• A Killa Kan closed on an Apocalypse Tank and tore into its armor, so its commander ordered the crew to evacuate and detonate the tank.
• The crew teleported to safety, and the exploding Apocalypse Tank destroyed the attacking Killa Kan as Gray led his Space Marines away from the tanks.

Gray led the Space Marines through the Ork lines toward their tanks and Killa Kans while Iron Bull directed the Ork counterattack. As the armored forces exchanged fire, Ork boss Quiet decided to ambush the fanciest-looking Space Marine leader.

• An Ork boss and other Ork bosses charged Gray's Space Marines, and Gray killed the first boss with his Plasma Pistol before cutting through the Ork horde with his Power Sword.
• Gray ordered Space Marines who had become absorbed in melee to keep advancing toward the Ork tanks and Killa Kans, and they broke through the Orks' defensive line in under a minute.
• Iron Bull ordered the Killa Kans and Dirty Tanks to fire on the Space Marines, while Assault Terminator officers used their Void Shields and Apocalypse Tanks returned fire, destroying many Ork vehicles.
• Hidden near the Defense Force position, Quiet and his dozen Orks discussed how to help as the Ork armor came under heavy fire.
• An Ork boy suggested ambushing the Space Marines' leader, and Quiet agreed to target the fanciest-looking beakie.

Anrida ordered the detected Ork squad eliminated while Gray’s Space Marines destroyed the Orks’ tanks and attacked their Killa Kans. Iron Bull led the Ork bosses into battle, and the Space Marines left him for Gray to face.

• Anrida ordered the observers to wipe out the Ork squad after Gaia’s data showed it had no further use.
• Gray ordered the Space Marines to split up, destroy the Ork armored units, and withdraw without getting drawn into a prolonged fight.
• The Space Marines destroyed the Ork tanks with melta grenades, leaving the Killa Kans exposed to the Apocalypse Tanks’ fire.
• Iron Bull charged with his boss guards after watching his Dirty Tanks and Killa Kans fall, and the other Ork bosses joined him.
• Gray warned the Space Marines to face the Ork bosses before finishing the Killa Kans, and they left Iron Bull for Gray to fight.

Gray defeated Iron Bull and displayed the Ork boss's severed head, causing the Ork army to flee. He then led the Space Marines and Apocalypse Tanks in pursuit of the fleeing Orks.

• Gray fought Iron Bull, dodged the Ork boss's attacks, and severed one of his feet with his Power Sword.
• Gray shot Iron Bull in the head with his Plasma Pistol, killed him, and raised his severed head over the battlefield.
• Gray's soldiers and the Defense Force celebrated Iron Bull's death, while Anrida ordered the tank battalion to attack if the Orks retreated.
• The Orks saw Iron Bull's head, lost their will to fight, and scattered in retreat.
• Gray ordered the Space Marines and tank forces to pursue, leading them as they attacked the fleeing Orks.

Gray returned to the base after leading the Space Marines and Apocalypse Tanks in a pursuit that killed millions of Orks, and Anrida and Mendeleev welcomed him. The Art Student praised Gray, Anrida, and Mendeleev for their roles in the victory and toasted with them.

• Gray led the Apocalypse Tanks and Space Marines in pursuit of the fleeing Orks, killing more than ten million before returning to the base.
• Mo Tuo celebrated the victory with Gray, who warned that the remaining Orks still had powerful war machines.
• Anrida and Mendeleev welcomed Gray as the tank battalion returned, and Defense Force personnel cheered him.
• Gray, Anrida, and Mendeleev entered the flagship and met the Art Student, who praised their performance in the battle.
• The Art Student raised a toast to victory, and the three officers toasted with him.

Copperhead Boss learned that humie tin cans had killed Iron Bull in the underground world and sent a messenger to Crooked Mouth Boss with the news. He then led his boyz into battle, and the Upper Hive's defenses collapsed.

• Copperhead Boss learned that Iron Bull had been killed by a humie tin can boss in the underground world.
• Copperhead ordered an Ork boss to take boyz and report the discovery of humie tin cans to Crooked Mouth Boss.
• After realizing Crooked Mouth Boss might take command of the coming fight, Copperhead decided to conquer the Upper Hive before joining the battle underground.
• Copperhead grabbed his power axe and charged toward the front lines with his guards.
• The Orks' fighting spirit surged as Copperhead joined the battle, and they smashed through the human defensive line.

Crooked Mouth rallied the Greenskin bosses to attack Hive World Two after learning it had humie tin cans, then had Big Head teleport them there. The teleport malfunctioned, leaving their mechs badly damaged and Big Head dead.

• A Greenskin boss told Crooked Mouth that Hive World Two had humie tin cans and that one had killed Iron Bull, exciting Crooked Mouth into preparing for battle.
• Crooked Mouth upgraded the messenger’s power armor and ordered Big Head to summon Bloodhand, Sneaky, Shock Gun, and the other Greenskin bosses.
• Crooked Mouth threatened to exclude any boss who refused to join, and the gathered bosses headed for Hive World Two while Bad Tooth stayed behind to guard the warship.
• Crooked Mouth and the other bosses entered their mechs, and Big Head attempted to teleport them to Hive World Two.
• Big Head’s head exploded during the teleport, leaving Crooked Mouth’s Gargant and the other mechs badly damaged when they arrived on Hive World Two.

A teleportation accident killed Big Head and badly damaged Crooked Mouth’s meks, delaying the Orks’ arrival at Hive World Two. After regrouping at the Underhive entrance, Crooked Mouth ordered the Orks to attack the human base.

• Crooked Mouth learned that Big Head had died during teleportation and that more than a dozen Greenskin bosses were dead, while the surviving meks were heavily damaged.
• Gaia reported that over ten million Orks had landed on Hive World Two, and the Art Student sent Anrida, Gray, and Mendeleev to prepare for war with ample supplies.
• Three days later, Crooked Mouth arrived with his half-repaired mek and learned from Copperhead that the humans were in the underground world.
• Crooked Mouth reached the crowded Underhive entrance, where the Greenskin bosses gathered to greet him.
• Crooked Mouth ordered the Orks to attack the human base, and they charged into the underground world.

Art Student awakened 1.5 million engineering robots and brought them out to help defend the base from the massive Ork offensive. He rallied the soldiers and ordered them to continue preparing for battle, leaving them confident that the robots would weaken the Orks first.

• Art Student ordered Gaia to awaken all 1.5 million engineering robots and arm them to wear down the Orks.
• Art Student left the base with the robot army, and the soldiers knelt in reverence before him.
• Art Student raised the soldiers to their feet and urged them to resist the Imperium and fight for humanity.
• Gray led the soldiers in a vow to overthrow the False Emperor, and Art Student ordered them to finish preparing for battle.
• Anrida reported that the officers were ready, and Art Student explained that the robots would join the fight; Anrida said their presence increased his confidence.

The Art Student gave Anrida and the other commanders control of a vast force of robots, then discussed Tina’s role as the future leader of an Untouchable Adeptus Custodes force. When the Greenskin Mek’s Orks attacked the base, Anrida’s robots met them with devastating fire.

• The Art Student transferred command of the robots to Anrida, Gray, and the other commander, and told them to continue directing the battle.
• The Art Student explained that Tina’s Untouchable abilities made her suitable to lead a future force of Judgement Custodes.
• The Greenskin Mek led a massive horde of Greenskin Boyz into the Underhive as Anrida and the others finished their preparations.
• Anrida ordered the robots to open fire when the Orks approached the base.
• The robots’ shells devastated the Orks, while the Orks’ artillery caused only limited damage through the robots’ Void Shields.

Crooked Mouth led his mechs into the Ork charge, where a giant engineering robot fought an Ork-piloted Gorkanaut. After both war machines damaged each other, the robot chose mutual destruction and unleashed a blast that obliterated everything nearby.

• Crooked Mouth charged forward with his mechs despite the Greenskin boys crowding their path, and the war machines crushed Orks as they advanced.
• An Ork Gorkanaut attacked a giant engineering robot, and the two war machines charged at each other while their weapons killed Orks and robots around them.
• Their Void Shields canceled out at close range, but the Gorkanaut's deflection field blocked the engineering robot's attacks while the robot's energy barrier stopped the Gorkanaut's barrage.
• The engineering robot and the Gorkanaut fought in close combat, damaging each other until the robot's processor calculated that mutual destruction was the best option.
• The engineering robot seized the Gorkanaut, overloaded its power furnace, and fired a vast energy column through it before its remaining shells detonated, vaporizing everything within ten thousand meters.

The Greenskins and engineering robots fought fiercely as Crooked Mouth piloted his Gargant through the battlefield, destroying robots with ease. Gray ordered the remaining robots to concentrate on Crooked Mouth, and the battle continued with the Greenskin boss still rampaging.

• A fifteen-meter engineering robot overloaded a Deff Dread’s Void Shield and destroyed it and its Ork pilot with lasers and bombs.
• Engineering robots and Greenskin war machines destroyed one another, with some robots self-destructing before their reactors were taken out.
• Crooked Mouth destroyed engineering robots with his Gargant, including one fighting a Gorkanaut, and continued charging through the battlefield.
• Gray considered a boarding assault against Crooked Mouth but followed Art Student’s instructions to use up the engineering robots first.
• Gray ordered the engineering robots to prioritize the Greenskins’ largest war machine and use self-destruction attacks against Crooked Mouth’s vehicle when possible.
• Engineering robots converged on Crooked Mouth, but he kept destroying them as the Greenskins grew more savage.

Chapter Master Bartos and the Imperial fleet reached the Teda Galaxy, where psychic and communication scans could not reveal what had happened on Hive World Two. As the Navy fought Bad Tooth’s Ork fleet, Bartos led an assault force toward the apparently Ork-free planet to investigate.

• Bartos learned from Kosoz that Teda I and Hive World Three had been breached, three Ork spacecraft remained in the system, and Hive World Two was impossible to observe psychically.
• Bartos found that Archie could not contact Hive World Two and informed General Mailong, who had no explanation for the anomaly.
• Bartos left one company of Space Marines to help Mailong fight the Ork fleet and led the remaining forces toward Hive World Two.
• Bad Tooth led his three space hulks to attack the Imperial fleet, and the two sides began fighting in space.
• Bartos saw no Orks on Hive World Two and chose to lead the First and Second Companies down to investigate while Kosoz stayed behind to support them.

Gray and Mo Tuo used a teleportation beacon to board Crooked Mouth’s Gargant and destroy its power reactor, forcing it to crash. Gray’s squad fought its way toward Crooked Mouth, and Gray faced the Ork boss in the stairwell as Mo Tuo and the Space Marines joined the fight.

• Bartos sent two hundred Space Marines into drop pods, while Crooked Mouth’s Gargant continued smashing engineering robots across the battlefield.
• Mo Tuo teleported a beacon into the Gargant’s power chamber, then Gray and his squad teleported there and destroyed the reactor with plasma fire.
• The Gargant lost power, its legs collapsed, and its upper body crashed to the ground.
• Gray led his squad up through the Gargant, where they encountered Copperhead on the stairs; Gray killed him with a Plasma Pistol shot.
• Crooked Mouth rushed toward the stairs with his Power Hammer and fought Gray, while Mo Tuo led the other Space Marines into the cockpit.