Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 308 Herson Defense

Kherson II, this deathly world ruled by eternal extreme cold, has now become the most important medical and recuperative site for the Rostov Expeditionary Force.

A thick layer of ice covers the entire surface of the planet, with temperatures remaining at around minus 100 degrees Celsius year-round. Howling winds carry ice crystals, cutting through everything exposed like invisible blades.

The Dome City is the only human settlement on this planet. A huge, transparent protective shield keeps out the extreme cold, while the interior is kept at a comfortable temperature by a massive heating system.

However, the sea hare had no time to appreciate the artificial spring atmosphere inside the dome.

Ever since the exploration team discovered those strange green signs of life deep in the ice, he felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him, plunging him into unprecedented anxiety.

Those frozen silhouettes—twisted muscles, menacing fangs, and iconic green skin—all proclaim a terrifying truth: green-skinned creatures roam this planet.

“How could this be…” Sea Hare stood in front of the huge observation window in the central control room of the dome, looking at the vast white ice field outside the dome, her fingers unconsciously tapping on the data panel.

His brows were furrowed, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Despite the comfortable temperature in the controlled room, he felt a chill creeping up his spine.

This planet, used as a medical and recuperative site, doesn't have much defensive capability to begin with.

Only one Rostov Guard infantry regiment was stationed on the entire dome, and their main task was to maintain internal order rather than deal with external threats.

The soldiers were equipped with only standard automatic guns and a few armored vehicles; they didn't even have a decent heavy artillery piece.

As for the Astronauts wounded who came for treatment—although their numbers were large, they were all just scattered soldiers, without any organization, command structure, or even weapons.

“Sir, the latest scan report.” A technical priest handed a data panel to the sea hare, his mechanical voice unusually tinged with unease: “The life signals beneath the ice are much more active than we anticipated.”

The sea hare took the data panel, and the scanned images on it made his stomach cramp.

Those green outlines weren't still, but were slowly... wriggling? As if they were gradually awakening from a deep sleep.

Even more frightening is that the scans show these creatures are distributed over an extremely wide range, almost covering the entire planet's underground ice layers.

"By the Emperor..." the sea hare murmured to herself, her fingers trembling involuntarily.

He knew all too well the characteristics of the greenskins—given enough numbers and combat stimulation, they could evolve at an astonishing rate.

Now, the entire planet is like a giant time bomb, and no one knows when those frozen green creatures will break free.

He strode towards the communications station, his fingers flying across the control panel.

"Connect me to Helson Main Star, highest priority encrypted channel." His voice was slightly hoarse with tension. "We need reinforcements, immediately!"

But deep down, the sea hare knew that distant water could not quench immediate thirst.

Even if Chen Xi immediately sends reinforcements, it will take time for the fleet to arrive.

Right now, the entire dome was like an unsuspecting infant, exposed to the potential threat of the greens. "Sir, what should we do?" the adjutant asked nervously, his young face filled with fear.

“First, strengthen security around the dome, doubling the number of sentries at all entrances and exits. Second, organize all wounded personnel who can handle a gun into a temporary self-defense force.” Sea Hare's gaze swept over every terrified face in the control room: “Remember, panic is more terrifying than the enemy. Until reinforcements arrive, we must hold this place ourselves.”

Sea Hare's orders were swiftly carried out, and a temporary self-defense force was quickly assembled.

Those Star Guardian soldiers who had basically recovered and were just waiting for discharge procedures responded to Sea Slug's orders very readily. A group of officers even took the initiative to organize the troops, and a decent-looking unit was formed in a very short time.

But the problem is they don't have enough weapons.

Although the Astronaut soldiers or officers who come to the sanatorium for treatment may have some personal weapons, these are not enough to support them in fighting the Orks.

But Hai Tu had no choice. He found the team of technical priests responsible for maintaining the dome and asked them to urgently produce a batch of weapons.

While these technical priests did not refuse his request, they also stated that the planet currently has limited resources and equipment, and they could only provide simple individual weapons such as automatic guns and laser guns, and could not provide any heavy firepower.

Hai Tu was aware of this situation, but for now, all he could do was actively prepare for battle while constantly sending communications to Chen Xi requesting reinforcements.

Meanwhile, the green spores beneath the ice are becoming increasingly active, and some have even been detected breaking through the ice surface.

However, the temperature on the Kherson II was so low that these green creatures were refrozen the moment they left the ice.

But as more and more Greenskins awaken, it's only a matter of time before they break the ice and sweep across the entire planet.

Fortunately, the reinforcements that the sea hare had been hoping for arrived soon.

"Six hundred Astartes from the Blood Knights are here to provide support." The leader of the chapter, Joel, greeted the sea slug in a deep voice, his expression seemingly filled with dissatisfaction, but also with a sense of relief and relief.

"Weren't you guys on the front lines in Kharkiv? How did you get transferred here to support us?" Sea Hare frowned slightly, but still asked the question.

"It seems Inquisitor Chen Xi managed to borrow a Titan Legion through connections. After they were deployed to the battle in Kharkov, the front lines have been temporarily stabilized," Commander Yor explained to Sea Hare, then asked, "Where are those abominable aliens? I can't wait to drink their blood!"

“Uh, Lord Astartes, you can’t drink the blood of the greenskins…” Sea Hare whispered a reminder to Joel, then explained the current situation to him and asked the Blood Knights for help in defending the entire dome.

Faced with the sea hare's request, Joel did not refuse, nor did he put on a sullen face that said, "I'm in a hurry to die, I don't have time to waste with you." Instead, he cooperated with the sea hare very seriously and set up a defense.

Although Astartes was consistently marginalized within the upper echelons of the Empire's political structure, in ordinary combat situations, their status was significantly higher than that of ordinary Astral Army officers.

But this time, Joel was very cooperative and did not have the typical Astartes attitude of looking down on mortals or feeling that he should be superior to others.

However, Sea Hare still handed over command to Joel, after all, Joel was the battle captain and had fought more battles than he had performed surgeries, so it was more reliable to entrust war command matters to him.

(End of this chapter)