Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 300, Battle of Kharkiv, Part Six

The vanguard of the second landing force consisted of Black Templar Space Marines.

These fanatical Imperial cultists, clad in jet-black power armor with the Chapter Cross emblem of glory etched on their shoulder armor, were now whispering battle prayers inside the drop pod.

Despite having already carried out numerous missions in this expedition, the Black Templar Expeditionary Force still assembled over five hundred warriors, who, together with four hundred Space Marines from the Sky Lion Chapter, formed the first wave of assault forces.

As sons of Dorne, they descended in specially designed drop pods, crashing down like lightning, precisely striking the positions established by the first landing force.

The outer wall of the airdrop capsule rubbed violently against the atmosphere, igniting a raging fire that drew dazzling trails across the night sky.

As the hatch exploded open, the Astartes monks, clad in power armor, leaped directly into the battlefield, their boots clattering heavily on the scorched earth.

Although the landing zone had been initially established, Astartes, as the second batch of reinforcements, could have chosen the relatively safer Thunderhawk transport aircraft for deployment.

However, considering that the Necromancers' air power and anti-aircraft firepower had not been completely eliminated, and given the urgent need for reinforcements at the front, Sigismund, as one of the commanders, made a decisive decision and ordered the Black Templars and the Sky Lions Chapter to use the most impactful airdrop method to directly penetrate into the core of the battlefield and provide the fastest support to the front-line troops.

Other conventional forces, following standard operational procedures, gradually descended from the tracks to a relatively safe landing zone aboard various transport vehicles before being deployed to the battle in an orderly manner.

After all, not all units possess the extreme physical enhancements and powered armor protection of the Astartes, enabling them to be deployed directly into the most intense battles without adequate preparation.

Although the accompanying Starforce included elite landing squads, these mortal warriors were ultimately no match for the Space Marines.

Neither their equipment performance nor their training intensity was sufficient to support them in carrying out orbital drop operations alongside the Space Marines.

Inside the operations command center of the warship carrying the second landing force, the oppressive atmosphere was almost palpable.

The battlefield situation map projected by the holographic projector slowly rotated in front of everyone, clearly showing the burning war zone on the planet's surface.

The crimson power armor of Blood Knights Chapter Master Sentor Yor gleamed with a blood-red sheen in the dim light, and his clenched fist emitted the hum of a servo motor.

"This is a desecration of our honor!" The warband commander, Yor, slammed his fist down on the tactical console, leaving a crack in the data panel with his adamantite-coated fist.

His voice was filled with suppressed anger: "Since being allowed to return to the embrace of the Empire, every warrior of the Blood Knights has been waiting for this moment. We will wash away our shame with the blood of our enemies!"

From the shadows, Gabriel Seth, the leader of the Flesh-Tearers, slowly stepped forward.

His voice echoed like that of a tomb: "Brother Sigismund, you should know better than anyone that for the descendants of Saint Gilles, some debts can only be repaid in blood."

Loken looked up from in front of the tactical hologram, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

As the expeditionary commander appointed by Chen Xi, he understood all too well the obsessions of the Holy Blood Angels' offspring.

“Brothers Joel, brothers Gabriel, no one questions your loyalty.” His voice was calm and firm: “But what you are asking for now is not a fight, but suicide.”

Sigismund slowly rose, gazing at the two chapter commanders before him with an unwavering resolve. “Look at this. The Necromancers’ regeneration protocol makes their warriors virtually inexhaustible.” He pointed to the constantly flashing red area on the hologram: “In Donetsk, we lost a great many warriors before we learned this lesson—reckless courage is meaningless in the face of these aliens.”

The commander of the Yor Warband's breathing became heavy, indicating that his emotions were fluctuating rapidly.

"Then what do you think we should do?" His voice held a dangerous calm: "Continue to hide in the rear, bearing the stigma of traitors? Let our brothers continue to be scrutinized with suspicion by other chapters?"

The command room fell into dead silence, with only the faint sound of the servo system operating.

Under the flashing lights, the blood droplet emblem on the Chapter Master Seth's armor seemed to actually be oozing blood.

“I want you to live,” Sigismund said suddenly, his voice unusually tinged with emotion, “not as sacrifices for atonement, but as the Emperor’s sword.”

When the decisive battle arrives, the expeditionary force needs every experienced soldier. Your atonement lies not in death, but in victory.

Loken added opportunely, "We have drafted a new operational plan. The Necromancers' energy nodes on the northern continental shelf are key targets, and we will need you to lead the assault teams."

Commander Joel suddenly raised his hand to interrupt him: "Enough!"

He took a deep breath and said in a low, dangerous voice, "We will obey orders for now."

He turned and walked toward the hatch, his scarlet cloak billowing behind him: "But remember, Commander Sigismund, the offspring of Saint Gilles will not wait forever."

Seeing Joel leave, Gabriel Seth glanced at the two commanders before following Joel out of the command room.

After the heavy hatch closed, Loken turned to Sigismund: "We've bought some time, but not much longer."

Sigismund stared at the tactical hologram, his gaze falling on the blue dots marking the positions of the Blood Knight and the Flesh Ripper.

“Send two Black Templar squads to keep a close watch on them, especially their armory and drop pod areas,” he whispered the order. “I know this obsession often drives people to make crazy decisions.”
-
Although they had agreed to Sigismund and Loken's request for patience, the Blood Knights and the Fleshbreakers were clearly not a group with much patience.

In their respective cabins, they were giving pre-battle pep talks to the members of their combat groups.

Commander Yor was addressing the assembled elite Blood Knights, his voice echoing in the confined space: "Prepare your weapons, brothers. When the battle begins, we will show everyone what a true offspring of the Holy Blood Angels is!"

Meanwhile, at the Flesh Rippers' assembly, Chapter Master Seth was giving his warriors a pre-battle pep talk: "We will not betray the blood of Saint Gilles! Brothers, sometimes, the deepest wounds need the most intense flames to heal them."

Unbeknownst to the two chapter commanders, in the shadows of the ship, a figure clad in black power armor was silently recording everything and then sending it to Sigismund via an encrypted channel.

Sigismund stared at the constantly updating information on the dashboard and let out a barely audible sigh: "Sometimes, saving a soul is harder than destroying an army."

(End of this chapter)