Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 725 The Underworld Galaxy
Inside the deepest strategic chamber of Fort Angels, the air was so heavy it seemed as if you could wring water out of it.

A massive holographic star map floated in the center of the circular conference table. The three-dimensional projection of the Bar galaxy and its surrounding star regions slowly rotated. The ugly green light spots that represented the tentacles of the Tyranid swarm "Leviathan" had been constantly writhing and expanding, and had already eroded a large area of ​​the outer region of the galaxy. Its vanguard, like a deadly stinger, pointed directly at a galaxy called "Hades".

The attendees sat around the star map.

Lion King Leon Aljonsen occupies the main position, his figure majestic, like a mountain.

Leona sat quietly beside him, her deep green power armor gleaming against the Lion King's ancient armor. She silently observed the star map, her eyes sharp.

Judge Chen Xi sat to Leona's left. His presence represented the close connection between the Rostov Subsector and the Blood Angels, as well as his personal expertise in the fight against the Xenomorphs.

The main character was Dante, the leader of the Holy Blood Angels Chapter. His iconic golden mask concealed all his expressions, but the heaviness in his voice was clearly discernible.

Mephisto, the chief think tank member, stood behind him, a faint glint of psionic energy flashing behind his crimson visors.

Pastor Karas, several senior company commanders, and several supreme commanders from the Bal planetary defense forces and the Imperial Navy were also present.

“Based on the latest reconnaissance data and the Star Court’s warning,” Dante’s voice broke the silence of the conference room. He pointed to the “Hades” system on the star map, which had been touched by the green vanguard, “the vanguard of the Hive Fleet has reached the edge of the Kuiper Belt on the outskirts of the Hades system. Their numbers are enormous, but they have not yet fully deployed. We plan to establish the first and most important line of defense here.”

The star map zooms in, focusing on the Hades system. This is a relatively resource-poor system with only a few small mining outposts and a Mechanicus observatory serving as a navigational beacon. However, its strategic location is crucial, being a vital passageway to the Barne Ring region.

“We have amassed a large force in the Hades system,” Dante continued, as blue symbols of the Imperial forces began to appear on the holographic star map. “The Astral Army’s Dicardian, Amighidodton, and Valancia armies, totaling thirty million soldiers, have constructed multi-layered defensive positions in the orbits of the main planet ‘Hades III’ and in the nearby asteroid belt.”

He then pointed to several points of light marked with the Imperial Grail and the rose symbol: "The battle nuns of the Holy Rose Order have responded to our call for help. Ten thousand devout warriors have been deployed at key nodes on the surface of 'Netherworld III'. The defense line built by their faith will be a solid bulwark against the biomass flood."

In addition, the star map was densely marked with symbols for Imperial Navy ships, planetary defense turrets, and a large number of mortal auxiliary forces and mechanical guardian forces.

This is a massive defensive force, large enough to deter any conventional intruder.

“Our objective,” Dante concluded, “is to utilize the advantageous terrain and the large force concentrated in the Hades system to deplete the Zerg vanguard’s manpower to the maximum extent, slowing their advance and buying more time for the final defense of Balburn.”

The plan sounded meticulous and resolute, reflecting the Blood Angels' determination to defend their homeland to the death.

Many of the Blood Angels commanders in the meeting room nodded slightly, clearly indicating their approval of the plan.

However, after carefully examining the star map and data, Lion King Leon slowly spoke, his voice deep and undeniably realistic: "A solid anvil, Dante. The power you have gathered is impressive, enough to make any enemy of the human empire pay a heavy price."

He paused, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Dante. "However, we are not facing a conventional enemy. The Tyranid swarm, they are fearless and indiscriminate in their pursuit of loss. Their numbers are likely ten, a hundred, or even more times what we currently estimate."

He pointed to the ever-expanding green spot of light: "The defenses of the Hades Galaxy might tear off a large chunk of their flesh, or temporarily halt their advance. But I predict it will eventually be overwhelmed."

The swarm will advance over their own corpses and the corpses of our warriors. This defensive line is more about weakening than blocking.

Lion King's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the excessive optimism in some people's hearts. The atmosphere in the conference room became even more tense. Immediately afterwards, Leona's clear and calm voice rang out, her words as precise and direct as her sword: "I agree with Lion King's judgment. The Hive's will has a clear target: the biomass of the Baal system."

The resistance from the Hades Galaxy will be like a boulder thrown into a torrent, temporarily altering the flow but unable to stop the river.

We should view the Battle of Hades as a large-scale war of attrition and attrition, whose core objective is not 'to hold out,' but rather 'to maximize casualties' and 'buy time,' creating conditions for Balben and... any potential subsequent counterattacks.

Her analysis lacked the tragic grandeur of Dante's plan, which emphasized the shared fate of the homeland, but was colder, more objective, and pointed directly to the essence of the strategy.

This is not cowardice, but rather a clear understanding of the enemy's true nature.

Several Blood Angels company commanders fell into deep thought, while Mephisto's chief think tank nodded slightly, seemingly having considered the same question.

Dante remained silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the Lion King and Leona from behind the golden mask.

It's not that he can't see reality; it's just that as a guardian, he has to do everything he can to try every possible possibility.

He nodded slowly: "I understand your concerns. In fact, this is the most likely outcome after my and the think tank's deductions. But we cannot stop fighting in the Hades system because of this."

Every moment of resistance there, every Zerg unit destroyed, will relieve some of the pressure on Baal.

We need that time to complete the final reinforcement of the final defensive perimeter on the surface of Baal, and... to await any possible changes.

His last words were accompanied by a meaningful glance at Chen Xi and the Lion King.

Rostov's aid had already introduced uncertainty, but the arrival of the Lion King and the First Legion was an even bigger one.

Leon the Lion nodded, accepting Dante's explanation.

"Then let the Hades system become the first meat grinder for the Zerg. The First Legion's fleet will serve as a mobile force, patrolling the outer reaches of the Hades system, looking for opportunities to launch targeted strikes against key Zerg nodes, such as their main bio-ships or possible command units. We will not hold our forces in one place, but will act like hunters, seeking opportunities for a fatal blow in the Zerg swarm."

The strategic direction was thus determined.

The Hades system will become a bloody grinder to consume the Zerg swarm's vanguard, while Balben will be the final battleground.

The Dark Angels and the Blood Angels, these two powerful Astartes forces, will fulfill their duty to protect humanity in different ways during this unprecedented battle for survival.

The meeting shifted to more specific tactical deployments, fleet coordination, communications assurance, and how to maintain the chain of command amidst the psychic interference of the Zerg swarm.

(End of this chapter)