The war began.
It was an utterly unequal war.
The Dawn Army had fire support from the fleet, greater firepower than the Astra Militarum, and support from the Astartes.
Not to mention that the Dawn Army was commanded by Horus, the Warmaster of the Great Crusade ten thousand years ago and a master of battlefield command.
Under his deft command, the Astartes launched rapid strikes, crippling the Astra Militarum's chain of command and cutting communications between their units.
The Dawn Army then used drones to scout, steadily clearing the Astra Militarum's outlying strongpoints and surrounding them.
Then came the merciless bombardment, blasting the entrenched Astra Militarum and their strongpoints to pieces.
The only weapons the Astra Militarum possessed were their loyalty to the Emperor and their conviction to defend the Imperium of Man.
After the deafening barrage, Sako climbed out of the rubble.
He was covered in dust, machine oil, and blood. His ears rang, and the world seemed to spin before his eyes.
Someone pulled him up and dragged him over to a wall.
Sergeant Major Kodrian.
He crouched and slapped Sako's face a few times. Only then could Sako hear the sergeant major shouting.
"Get up! The enemy's here!"
The sergeant major shoved a Lasgun into Sako's arms, then poked his head out to glance at the approaching enemy before hastily ducking back.
A Chimera transport bearing a Thunderhawk emblem rolled over the shattered merchant guild building, followed by Dawn Army soldiers in full protective gear.
Their sergeant waved his hand, and the surrounding Dawn Army soldiers quickly spread out, advancing steadily.
Only then could Sako make out the words.
"Soldiers of the Astra Militarum, your headquarters has fallen. We control all the major hubs in this Hive City."
"There is no need for further pointless resistance. Your