Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 662 For the Lion King
The island-formed fortress trembled and cracked under the impact of ocean behemoths and endless alien waves, yet miraculously remained standing.

The Ash Knights and Deathwatch's extraordinary combat power forms the core of the defensive line, the Gabbro's orbital strikes are the key deterrent to maintaining the battle, and the remaining mortal soldiers and noble guards fill the gaps in the defensive line with desperate courage.

But Chen Xi was more clear-headed than anyone else—all of this was only temporary.

Space Marines do not have unlimited ammunition and stamina, while the size of the enemy has not diminished at all.

The life signals emanating from the depths of the ocean remain powerful and terrifying, as if the entire planet's oceans have been completely transformed into a biomass breeding ground for the Tyranid swarm.

He stood solemnly before the command platform, gazing at the global battle situation screen.

The green lights representing the resistance of the Imperial loyalists were sparse and dim, extinguishing one by one.

Most of them were state churches, isolated defensive fortresses, or private islands like this one that were fortunate enough to possess heavy firepower.

The disappearance of each point of light meant the death of hundreds or thousands of loyal followers of the emperor.

The crimson domain, symbolizing the Tyranid swarm, has already covered more than 90 percent of the ocean and major coastal areas, and continues to spread inland at a slow but unstoppable pace.

"Judge," Allegana reported, a barely perceptible strain creeping into her mechanical voice, "a massive array of Tyrannical bio-turrets has been detected in the near-island area, posing a direct threat to the Gabbro and the Ash Knight fleet in orbit."

Our ship was forced to raise its orbital altitude, which will significantly reduce the frequency of orbital strikes.

The Ash Knights report that their ammunition reserves have been depleted by more than 60 percent.

A breach has appeared in the southern defense line of the island, and Regiment Commander Shi Dongzhan has personally led his troops to provide support.

The next large-scale attack is expected to arrive within twenty standard hours.

Chen Xi stared silently at the star map.

Holding out and waiting for reinforcements was the right decision, but the reinforcements they were waiting for never arrived.

The Rostov star system headquarters may have received the message, but it will take time to assemble a fleet and army capable of carrying out the extermination order—and time is what they lack most.

We can't wait any longer.

We must send out stronger, wider, and more devastating distress signals.

“Aurejana,” Chen Xi’s voice was resolute, “in my name—Judge Chen Xi—I hereby activate the highest authority.”

Command the Chief Star Speaker to send the following message, at all costs, to the Starfield Headquarters and all Imperial forces that may receive it, with the highest priority.

He would burn his life to ensure the message pierced the storms of the warp!

He paused briefly, then uttered the words clearly, each one carrying immense weight:
"Urgent request for assistance."

Highest threat level.

Coordinates: GX-7 'Blue Dawn' galaxy.

Confirmed to have encountered a Tyranid swarm-sized invasion.

The Genestealers cult has taken control of the planet's ruling class and most of its armed forces.

Multiple Tyranid nest clusters and ship-class bio-entities have been confirmed.

The planet's defense system has completely collapsed, and the remaining loyalists are still resisting, on the verge of annihilation.

We request immediate support from all imperial forces!
Repeat: Tyranid Swarm Threat - Genestealer Rebellion!
Immediate and thorough military intervention is required!

In the name of the Emperor!

The information was given the highest level of urgency and priority by the court.

Just then, a deafening roar came from the northern coastline of the island, and the sea surged up like mountains!

A Tyrannosaurus Rex far exceeding the size of the previous Leviathan-class creature broke through the giant wave, its form like a nightmare incarnate: its colossal body covered with a thick chitinous carapace resembled a moving mountain range, and countless whip-like tentacles and huge bone blades tore through the air, emitting a piercing shriek.

On its head, covered with compound eyes, a gigantic maw large enough to devour a Thunderhawk gunboat opened, revealing layers upon layers of pale, sharp teeth dripping with strong acid.

Wherever it passed, the makeshift coastal defenses were crushed like toys, and the ordinary soldiers left behind instantly turned into a bloody mist.

"North coast! Leviathan-class creature has broken through!" Sergeant Major Titus's calm yet urgent voice came through the communication channel, accompanied by the roar of exploding bombs and the deafening sound of shattering creature carapaces. "'Iron Redemption' Squad, intercept it! We can't let it destroy the command center barrier!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the Deathwatch kill squad pounced on the new threat like precise killing machines.

Titus took the lead, his power armor servo system roaring as his chainsaw sword "Imperial Punishment" slashed at a giant tentacle that swept across the battlefield. The serrated teeth tore through the tough biological tissue, splashing out large amounts of foul-smelling bodily fluids.

"Concentrate firepower, attack the joints and eye sockets!" Titus's voice came through the helmet amplifier, drowning out the battlefield noise.

The team members immediately carried out the order.

The Blood Angels used heavy flamethrowers to scorch the Leviathan's flanks, burning the smaller appendages that tried to peek out from the gaps in its shell; a warrior of the Iron Hand lineage fired precise shots with a plasma cannon, the scorching plasma balls blasting melting craters into the behemoth's thick shoulder armor, emitting a pungent smell of ozone and burning.

However, Leviathan's defenses are extremely strong, and conventional attacks are unlikely to be fatal.

It let out a deafening roar, and its massive bone blade slashed down, nearly striking a Black Templar warrior who was a little slow to dodge.

The massive body continued to crush forward, only a few hundred meters away from the fragile outer barrier of the command center.

"We must stop it!" The brother from White Scar drove his attack motorcycle at an astonishing speed, circling the behemoth and using the vehicle's multi-barreled thermobaric weapon to draw its attention, creating a perilous situation.

Titus quickly assessed the situation. "Orpha! Darius! Aim for its left forelimb strongpoint with assault mines and molten metal bombs! The rest of you, draw fire!"

The order was executed swiftly. A barrage of bombs, lasers, and plasma rained down on Leviathan's head and bone blades. While it failed to inflict decisive damage, it successfully enraged the behemoth, causing its attacks to become somewhat chaotic.

Just as it raised its forelimbs, attempting to crush the annoying "iron fly" (attacking the motorcycle)—

"For the Emperor!" Orpha from the Fist of the Empire and Darius from the Space Wolves seized this fleeting opportunity.

Using jetpacks, they leaped into the air and precisely launched and secured the steaming assault mines and activated molten metal bombs to the massive joint connecting Leviathan's left forelimb to its body.

boom! boom!
Two muffled but powerful explosions rang out from inside.

Even with Tyren Bio's super regenerative abilities, it is impossible to instantly repair such a devastating blow to such a critical part.

Leviathan let out a painful and furious scream, its massive body suddenly tilting to one side. Its left forelimb was almost blown off, with only some biological tissue sticking it together, and it immediately lost its balance.

"Now!" Titus roared, seizing the opportunity, unleashing the full power of his armor as he charged along the behemoth's drooping, damaged forelimbs, which were trembling with pain.

The chainsaw sword roared incessantly as he raced upwards across the struggling behemoth's body, his target the terrifying, constantly thrashing head.

The bombs came from below, clearing away the small appendages that were trying to block his path.

Titus ignored the acid that grazed his armor and the lashing tentacles, his eyes fixed only on his target.

He finally leaped onto Leviathan's neck, plunged the roaring chainsaw sword deep into its relatively vulnerable cervical vertebrae, and slashed downwards with all his might!

The high-frequency saw teeth rubbed violently against the hard chitin and bone, emitting a tooth-grinding shriek, and sparks and fragments of biological tissue flew everywhere.

Titus gripped the sword hilt tightly, refusing to let go no matter how wildly the beast swung it.

Finally, with a tearing sound, the chainsaw sword severed the most important nerve cords and supporting structures.

Leviathan's frenzied movements abruptly ceased, and the eerie green light in its compound eyes dimmed instantly.

The terrifying behemoth let out a feeble wail, then collapsed like a landslide, stirring up a storm of seawater and silt, and could no longer move.

Titus leaped off the motionless corpse and landed in knee-deep water, his chainsaw sword covered in sticky alien blood.

He looked around to confirm the threat was over. "Target cleared. Squad report casualties."

"Minor injury, sergeant. Can continue fighting."

The killing squad quickly regrouped, warily watching the still churning sea, preparing for the next wave of attacks.

Beneath their feet, Leviathan's massive corpse became a brief but bloody monument on the coastline.

The following time passed slowly in agony.

Subspace communication is fraught with uncertainty and delays, and each silence deepens the despair.

The fighting on the island continues and is becoming increasingly brutal.

The remaining defenders struggled on, clinging to their will and their last belief in the emperor and the reinforcements.

Finally, about six standard hours after the signal was sent, the gabbro received a faint but rapidly increasing astronomical signal.

Olegana quickly translated and reported it:

"Response received! Signal identified... received and translated by the Imperial Navy patrol fleet cruiser 'Steadfast Will'."

An Astartes fleet has received our distress call!

They have left subspace and are heading towards their home galaxy!

The identification code confirms it belongs to... the sons of the Dark Angels Chapter—'Blade of Repentance'!

Inside the command center, everyone who heard the news was shocked.

The Dark Angels and their subordinate groups are known for their powerful firepower and ruthless style in their purge operations.

“Blade of Repentance…” Chen Xi murmured repeatedly, a hint of unfathomable solemnity flashing in his eyes.

While the chapters of the Dark Angels lineage are powerful and reliable, they are also known to be focused on their ancient traditions and secret missions.

But at this moment, any reinforcements would be a gift from the Emperor.

The translated message continued: "Received a message from Captain Cassirer, commander of the 'Blade of Repentance' fleet: 'Hold on, Inquisitor. We are coming. For the Lion King and the Emperor!'"

The message was brief, cold, and filled with an unwavering determination.

The news spread rapidly through battlefield communications, greatly boosting the morale of the crumbling defenders.

The soldiers mustered their last strength and repelled another wave of aliens surging onto the beach.

Chen Xi stared at the readings on the observation screen, which represented the intensity of subspace signals, as they continued to rise, but he did not relax for a moment.

Reinforcements are on their way, but the final, darkest battle may have only just begun.

The arrival of the Blade of Repentance means greater firepower, and it may also mean... their interest in some "ancient secrets" that may exist on this planet, unrelated to the Zerg swarm.

But right now, purging the Tyranid swarm on this planet is the top priority.

(End of this chapter)