Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 740 The Battle of Baal - Part 7

The situation in the lower gallery of Castel Angels is on the verge of collapse.

The Blood Angels defenders suffered heavy casualties under the relentless onslaught of the Zerg swarm, their defensive line compressed into a few key passages, and the piles of corpses and damaged equipment severely hampered their mobility and firing range.

The cries of the alien creatures echoed between the ancient stone walls, growing ever closer.

Just as a major passage leading to the core energy hub was about to be breached, the heavy adamantite gate at the end of the passage slowly rose amidst the roar of the hydraulic system.

What appeared behind the door was not the crimson Holy Blood Angel, but the Terminator Force, which stood as tall as a mobile fortress and was painted in the bone-white hue of dark angels.

The Deathwing Knights marched into the battlefield with heavy, unified steps, their heavy Terminator armor almost as wide as the pillars on either side of the passage.

The assault cannons and storm bombardment guns in their hands instantly unleashed devastating firepower, the dense barrage like a steel storm, tearing the Zerg units charging at the forefront to shreds in an instant.

Compared to conventional explosive rounds, these heavy weapons also showed significant effectiveness against new, heavily armored units, with their specially designed armor-piercing projectiles easily tearing through the thickened armor shells upon which they depended for survival.

The Deathwing Knights, following closely behind, wielded their power gauntlets and thunder hammers like unstoppable battering rams, smashing any stragglers that managed to break through the barrage into a bloody pulp.

They formed an impregnable mobile defensive line, steadily advancing along the passage, using overwhelming firepower and defense to forcefully push back the surging insect horde.

"For the Lion King! For Caliban!" A deep battle cry echoed through the communication channel.

Deathwing's arrival immediately turned the tide of this crucial passage.

Their overwhelming firepower and near-invincible defense bought the exhausted Holy Blood Angels garrison a precious respite, allowing them to reorganize their lines and nurse the wounded back to health.

The battle raged on an even larger scale in a more open area on the east wing of Angel Castle, an area that had once been a large meditation hall.

The swarm deployed several Destroyers and a colossal unit unlike any seen before, comparable in size to a small tank.

The behemoth was covered in thick, glowing bone plates, and its multiple limbs were covered with huge bone blades and biological cannons. Its appearance instantly destroyed several firing positions set up by the Holy Blood Angels.

Just as the behemoth was about to completely dismantle the area's defenses, a squad of Deathwing Terminators, personally led by Deathwing Grandmaster Belial, slashed into the battlefield like a sharp sword.

Grandmaster Belial's Terminator armor is older and more ornate than that of ordinary Deathwing Knights, its decorations bearing countless glories and secrets.

The massive power sword in his hand gleamed with a cold, sharp light in the dim light.

Without the slightest hesitation, he went straight to meet the giant insect swarm.

The behemoth let out a deafening roar and swung its massive bone blade at Belial.

Belial did not choose to confront the attack head-on, but instead used a nimble sidestep that was disproportionate to his massive body to dodge the blow, while simultaneously striking precisely at the joint of the giant beast's forelimb as it swung down.

The dynamic force field hummed, and the biological joints, which were far more resilient than steel, snapped in response.

The severely damaged behemoth became even more ferocious, its other appendages and biological cannons attacking Belial with frenzied fury.

Belial weaved through a hail of bullets and flashing blades, every move he made efficient and deadly. His power sword always found gaps in the behemoth's carapace or relatively vulnerable parts, leaving deep wounds.

The Deathwing Knights who followed him effectively cleared out the other Zerg units that were trying to interfere with the battle, and together with the remaining Blood Angels, they reinforced the surrounding defenses.

The battle lasted for several minutes, and the giant beast was covered in sword wounds, with green blood gushing out like a spring.

It seemed to realize it couldn't easily defeat this powerful opponent and tried to retreat. But Beria didn't give it the chance.

He seized the moment when the behemoth was slowed down by its injury, and suddenly lunged forward. With all his strength, his power sword pierced deep into the relatively vulnerable gap in the behemoth's neck carapace, like a hot knife cutting into butter, until the hilt was completely inside.

The behemoth let out a piercing wail, its massive body convulsed violently a few times, and finally crashed to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

Belial drew his power sword, not even glancing at the fallen behemoth, his visors sweeping across the battlefield.

"Clear out the remaining enemies and reinforce the defenses." He issued the order through the communication channel, his voice calm and composed, as if he had just completed a routine training exercise.

The deployment of the Deathwing Terminator force was like driving a few strong wedges into a surging swarm of insects, temporarily halting the enemy's offensive at the most crucial point.

Their power is undeniable, but everyone understands that even the Deathwings are still finite in number relative to the endless swarm of insects.

Their presence is to buy time for the final defense, not a guarantee of victory. The Hive Will will react quickly, deploying units that pose a greater threat to these Terminators.
-
While the Deathwing forces built a solid defensive line at key points, another form of battle unfolded fiercely in the ruined city and airspace surrounding Angel Keep.

The Dark Angels Ravenwing, the most mobile force in this legion, under the command of Grandmaster Samuel, transform into deadly shadows and storms, constantly harassing the massive bodies of the swarm.

Several Storm Raven gunboats, painted in dark green, skimmed over the collapsed towers and ruins at a precarious height, their assault guns and missile pods unleashing devastation upon the dense swarm of insects below.

These fast-flying vehicles are extremely difficult for the swarm's relatively cumbersome anti-aircraft fire to lock onto, and they often break away quickly after a swift attack, leaving behind a burning trail of alien wreckage.

On the ground, Rand assault boats and tick tank convoys moved at high speed along still passable streets and underpasses.

Instead of engaging the main Zerg force head-on, they launched short but fierce attacks specifically targeting its flanks, rear assembly areas, and nest nodes that were attempting to hatch more units or construct biological turrets.

After the molten lava guns and plasma cannons fired at close range and accurately destroyed their targets, the convoy sped away amidst the roar of its engines. By the time the main force of the Zerg swarm reacted, they had already disappeared among the ruins.

Grand Master Samuel himself was seated aboard a specially modified Rand speedboat.

This vehicle is equipped with more powerful sensors and communication arrays, making it the command center for the entire rapid strike group.

Samuel's orders were issued in real time via encrypted channels, mobilizing his various squads like a hunter commanding multi-headed hounds to tear apart their massive prey from different directions.

"First Squadron, attack the coordinates of the Zerg swarm that is flanking 'Path of Honor'."

"Third Squadron, you have a three-minute window to eliminate the incubating spore mother sac in Zone Seven."

"Storm Raven formation, provide air cover for Second Squadron. They have thirty seconds to cross the open ground."

His instructions were clear and calm, and he always appeared where the battlefront needed him most.

A Blood Angels squad was surrounded and cut off by the Zerg swarm within the ruins of an isolated fortress, on the verge of being overwhelmed. A Ravenwing Commando, under the cover of three Storm Ravens, launched a precise raid, opening a gap in the encirclement and allowing the survivors to escape.

A critical energy pipeline node was about to be destroyed by the Zerg swarm. A squad of Ravenwing transports carrying Tech-Priests and Apostolic Guards arrived just in time despite the artillery fire, repelling the attack and completing emergency reinforcement.

Ravenwing's tactics successfully slowed down the Zerg swarm's overall advance towards the core area of ​​Angel Keep.

They forced the Hive Will to divert some of its forces to protect its long flanks and vulnerable supply nodes, disrupting its attempt to concentrate its forces and defeat the Hive piecemeal.

Each successful raid bought a few more precious seconds for the fierce defensive battle raging inside Fort Angel.

However, this tactic also comes with high risk and high casualties.

The swarm's learning ability is also reflected in its ability to deal with these high-speed units.

They began deploying more invisible spore minefields and hatching interceptor units capable of rapid movement and even short-range flight, in an attempt to capture these annoying "flies".

A Storm Raven gunboat, hovering at low altitude, was entangled in a sticky net that suddenly shot out from the ruins, lost its balance, and crashed to the ground.

A Rand speedboat squadron, while retreating after completing its mission, found itself surrounded by tunnel bugs and was ultimately destroyed.

Grand Instructor Samuel watched as the signals representing his own units on the tactical map became active and then disappeared, his metallic face revealing no emotion.

He knew that the Raven Wings were meant to delay rather than stop, to wear down rather than to win.

They were betting their speed and lives, gambling that the moment when the main force of the Zerg swarm would be completely tied down on the solid outer shell of Angel Keep would arrive as soon as possible, or betting that the slim chance of a turning point in the battle would appear.

Faced with the endless swarm of insects, any tactic seemed so inadequate, but they had no choice but to continue this desperate yet necessary mobile defense on this burning ruin.
-
The insect swarm is at the city gates.

This is not a metaphor.

The twisted, writhing chitinous carapace, the compound eyes gleaming with hunger, and the viscous bodily fluids reeking of decay were now slamming against the outermost layer of Angel Castle's ancient walls, weathered by millennia of wind and fire.

The murky green and blood-red hues, against the dark red backdrop of Baal, formed an apocalyptic scene outside the final fortress of the Sons of Saint Gilles.

From orbit, Castle Angel resembles an isolated reef in a blood-red desert, while the boundless swarm of insects is like a surging, dark green ocean, slowly but irresistibly eroding and battering this last isolated island.

Above the city wall, the thin void shield flickered erratically under the continuous orbital bombardment and ground fire, as if it might be extinguished at any moment.

The atmosphere in the command center deepest within Angel Castle was as heavy as if frozen.

Dante, the legendary Chapter Master who has protected Baal for ten thousand years, stands before a massive tactical sandbox.

On the sand table, the blue light representing the Imperial-controlled area is now only visible in the main building of Angel Castle and its underground core area. This last blue area is being tightly surrounded by flashing red hostile signals coming from all directions.

“All outer positions have fallen or lost contact.” Mephisto, the chief think tank member, spoke in a low voice. His psionic perception behind his crimson goggles clearly “saw” the suffocating destructive desire gathering around the fortress: “They are assembling, preparing for the final assault.”

Dante's golden mask concealed all his expressions, only his eyes, weathered by countless vicissitudes, gazed through the observation hole at the isolated fortress model on the sand table.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over all the commanders who were still standing in the command room.

"Announce to the entire army," Dante's voice came through the mask, carrying a strange calm that was a mixture of weariness and absolute determination, "we have retreated to the last line of defense."

Angel Castle is our last bulwark, and the final resting place of the blood of Saint Gilles.

He began to issue his final orders, speaking steadily and clearly, as if he were not setting up a doomed final battle, but rather conducting a routine exercise.

"All remaining troops will move into their designated positions according to the predetermined final defense plan. The First, Third, and Fifth Companies, along with the remnants of all sub-regiments, will be responsible for the defense of the main city wall and the eastern area."

"Diewing's cousins, please serve as the final reserve force in the core area and assist in the defense of the underground gene bank."

"Ravenwing Squad, continue your harassment mission, disrupt the Zerg swarm's rear assembly as much as possible, and delay their general offensive."

"All technical priests and engineers are to prioritize ensuring the operation of core energy, life support systems, and internal communication networks. Ammunition and supplies are to be strictly rationed."

"Combat nuns and mortal support troops are responsible for guarding internal secondary passages, transferring the wounded, and guarding key nodes."

His orders were quickly recorded and relayed.

There was no questioning, no debate, only absolute obedience.

Every commander understood that this was the final moment.
-
Behind the magnificent main gate of Angel Castle, Cassius, a new recruit of the Blood Angels, and his sergeant Herman, along with the remnants of their company, climbed the tall city wall.

The exterior of the city wall is now covered with scorch marks from the explosion and pits from acid corrosion, and most of the once solemn sculptures and reliefs are badly damaged.

Cassius looked down at the scene below the city walls, and the sight sent shivers down his spine.

As far as the eye could see, there was a surging tide of insects, like a rolling, viscous ocean full of malice.

Countless Terran units of various shapes and sizes gathered here, squeezing and climbing each other, emitting a chilling collective shriek, as if waiting for a signal that would transform them into a destructive wave that would shatter this last bulwark.

"Stand still, recruit," Sergeant Hermann's deep voice rang out beside him.

The veteran's power armor was covered in fresh scars, but his stance with the gun remained steady: "Remember your training, trust the brothers around you. The Emperor and Sanguis are watching us."

Cassius took a deep breath of the air, which was filled with the smell of gunpowder and the stench of aliens, and nodded vigorously.

He checked the remaining ammunition in his grenades. Fear still lingered, but something stronger was rising within him—a determination to live and die with his home.

Similar scenes are unfolding in other sections of the city wall.

The Blood Angels, whether new recruits or veterans, silently took their positions, checked their weapons, and reinforced their cover.

They knew this might be the last battle, but they chose to stand here, to fulfill their final vow to the Primarch, to the Emperor, and to the Empire of Man with their lives.

(End of this chapter)