Ten million Astra Militarum soldiers were a formidable force, but they also imposed an enormous burden. Euronia III had woefully inadequate industry, and its agriculture was no better.
A world like this was doing well if it could supply its own Planetary Defense Force, let alone an Astra Militarum force of such immense size. The Adeptus Mechanicus needed time to increase the planet's production capacity.
So, after the failed attempt to kill Ghazghkull, Kester had devoted his energy to developing Euronia III's industry. At the very least, the planet needed to be ready to supply the troops by the time they all arrived.
The fighting ahead would be brutal, and equipment losses would be heavy. Even if Euronia III could not repair most of the Astra Militarum's equipment on its own, it at least needed to produce most infantry equipment and enough ammunition to replace what they expended.
As for food, high-quality combat rations, vegetables, canned meat, and alcohol were no longer among Kester's considerations, though they certainly could improve the troops' morale and fighting strength.
But if the priority was simply keeping the soldiers fed, corpse starch was not out of the question.
While Kester toiled away at his desk, he often missed crucial intelligence. For instance, it had been a long time since any of his men in Pex's territory to the south had sent word.
Meanwhile, beneath the southern continent, in tunnels that grew ever deeper and more complex, Iron Claw was also growing irritated.
The Humies' reinforcements were putting up a good fight, and the Boyz were having a blast, but their fire from the sky was cheating. Whenever the Boyz were about to win, searing flames descended from above and burned everything away.
Space belonged to the Humies. Their warships were so enormous that, on