The unusual terrain of this battlefield, combined with interference from highly radioactive wastewater, had prevented the Space Wolves' auspex from detecting this hidden enemy force.
If they charged in rashly, the Space Wolves would likely suffer devastating casualties against enemies supported by Dreadnought firepower.
On this narrow, unavoidable path, if anyone fell, they would plunge into that radioactive, lethally toxic wastewater. No one knew whether they could survive.
These silent Sons of Horus began their assault in a trident formation. They gave no resounding war cries, no angry rebukes or curses, standing against the wolves' attack like corpses.
The Sons of Horus' vanguard and flanks could support and protect one another, leaving the Space Wolves no choice but to break them through sheer force.
"Be careful. These bastards are overflowing with Warp energy!"
"They smell like they were just dragged out of a cesspit."
Leman Russ roared a warning to his wolf pack. Were these Sons of Horus... still alive? They were practically Warp daemons that had grown into the shape of Astartes.
Their armor radiated powerful Chaos energy, and every one of them made the Wolf King's scalp prickle.
"Horus, you'll have your Legion buried with you."
The Sons of Horus, seemingly utterly transformed by Warp energy, attacked first. Reaper autocannon fire fell like torrential rain upon the wolf pack.
White-hot shrapnel and shockwaves blurred the supposedly indestructible physical properties of adamantium armor the instant they struck, instantly knocking down two Space Wolves and reducing them to scattered wreckage.
Three Contemptor Dreadnoughts unleashed their savage firepower. Twin-linked heavy bolters on their arms spat Warp-born hellfire, while metallic shell casings cascaded down like waterfalls without ever showing signs of running dry.
Bolts and plasma exploded around Leman Russ. Within the Vengeful Spirit's peculiar environment, even adamantium armor that had once