There were still far too few Planetary Defense Force troops on the front line. Most of the defenders were militia, so their firepower was woefully inadequate.
The Orks crossed the most dangerous few hundred meters in front of the defensive line with barely any losses.
Once the fighting reached close quarters, the rifles in the militiamen's hands were little better than pokers. Most of them were simply cleaved in two by the Choppa Boyz.
The Squig riders caused even greater destruction. Like cavalry from ancient times, they charged back and forth through the militia, cutting men down with every swing while the Squig war beasts beneath them tore into the terrified, fleeing militiamen with their enormous jaws.
The militia on the defensive line collapsed at the first clash. They lasted no longer against the Orks than the refugees had. Ordinary humans simply could not match the Orks through physical strength alone.
"What? Pioneer City can't hold?! It's barely been any time at all, and this is only the first wave of Orks! How is that possible? How could this happen!" Chuck stared in disbelief at the report. His plan had barely begun, and something had already gone wrong.
"Counting the militia, armed refugees, and Planetary Defense Force troops, there are a million armed people in that city!! A million people, not a million pigs!"
"A bunch of cowards! This is betrayal! Betrayal of the Imperium, betrayal of the Emperor!!" Chuck's face flushed crimson with rage. He ranted in front of the entire headquarters staff for ten minutes before finally stopping.
"General... what should we do next...? Pioneer City's first and second defensive lines have both fallen. The third may fall soon as well. Large numbers of Orks have already pushed deep into the city, and the Garrison Force has lost