For the first time, the Crimson Tide faced a shortage of Adamantium Armor.
After most of their stock had been sent into the Webway, most warriors were still wearing the Mark X Power Armour they had used as Neophytes. Although they handled it superbly, their lack of combat experience limited their fighting strength.
Several older models of Adamantium Armor were dragged out of storage. Elite Veterans were so scarce that we had deployed our reserve troops.
That meant... the First Grand Company!
Two-thirds of the Terminator Force were dispersed among the various companies, forming squads consisting of an Adamantium Warrior as leader, a Terminator as deputy, and three to eight warriors in Power Armour.
The Terminators' combat experience could support the Neophytes. These were also the Chapter's last remaining Veterans.
These warriors who had failed to undergo Primaris conversion would soon be surpassed by the Neophytes after being assigned to their squads-provided the Neophytes lived that long.
"Chapter Master William, are we still following the original battle plan?"
The original strategy had been to fight on land, especially in tunnels. Khorne's warriors enjoyed close combat in narrow passages, where Adamantium Warriors held an even greater advantage over Berserkers.
Boarding actions were the second choice. Even if Adamantium Warriors could withstand the destruction wrought by the Blood God's lunatics, the mortals and ships would suffer severe damage.
Long-range bombardment ranked surprisingly low in priority. The Forces of Khorne were highly resistant to artillery fire.
William decided to fire while withdrawing, waiting for the enemy to enter the area where our firepower held the advantage.
This was not merely their defensive sector. An Imperial Navy fleet had already been stationed here.
William had merely deployed his fleet along a defensive line farther out on the system's edge. They were now withdrawing under