The first forward base began to take root on Pandora's surface. More than eight hundred Ultramarines and over two hundred White Scars had already arrived planetside.
Captain Gantula led his warriors in Tengu Mechs as they began a detailed exploration of the planet's complex surface environment.
Some unknown and powerful magnetic field existed on this planet. Not only did it hold those enormous mountains aloft in the sky, it also severely interfered with the observation of scanning arrays.
Warships in orbit found it difficult to scan the finer details of the surface, so ground exploration by personnel and machinery was essential.
As former Star Hunters, the White Scars were positioned more like the scouts of the Great Crusade. The Fifth Legion possessed advantages far beyond other Legions when it came to exploring unknown regions behind enemy lines, mapping local terrain, and identifying the divisions of xenos forces.
Three-quarters of the White Scar warriors piloted their Tengu vehicles outward from the forward base, expanding their exploration in every direction.
Pandora's terrain was completely unlike the conventional concept of a planetary surface. Because of those massive floating mountains, Pandora's geography was in fact highly three-dimensional.
A tangled network of flight paths ran between the floating mountains, some so narrow that even Tengu units had to rotate their bodies to enter.
The sons of Chogoris had utterly fallen in love with this place. While mapping the terrain, they raced their vehicles through the perilous floating mountains.
Howling sonic booms struggled to keep up with the Tengu's extreme speed. The massive vehicles cruised at ultra-low altitude, their wings tearing through the air and whipping the hanging giant vines into constant motion.
"This is practically a treasure land bestowed upon us by the Emperor. This terrain is simply perfect for racing."
The White Scar warriors'