Warhammer 40: Starting as a Rogue Trader

Chapter 211 Sufficient Food and a Vast Number of Chaos Warships
Cardia.

Kraf Bastion, outer perimeter positions.

The Imperial Guards marched across this land ravaged by war. When the emperor was still alive, the Imperial Guards would accompany him. Although different Imperial Guards treated civilians slightly differently, they were still considered to be the most just beings.

Meanwhile, Dius, accompanied by Creed, was moving between the various positions.

The appearance of the Imperial Guards boosted the morale of all the soldiers several notches.

People paid homage to the Imperial Guard and the lord who led them.

At this time, they were still eating some canned mushrooms, and a company could even get some vegetables and fruits.

They were put together in a pot to simmer, so that everyone could have a bowl of hot soup.

Although the quantity was small, the enjoyment it brought to the taste buds eased the soldiers' tense emotions.

Food has always been a good way to boost morale and stabilize the army in war. After all, people need to satisfy their appetites, and Astartes needed it too, not to mention these mortals.

Since the crisis hit Kadia, supplies have become increasingly scarce. What transport ships can carry depends entirely on which ships are lucky enough not to be destroyed, and the surrounding agricultural world has also largely fallen.

Kadia's own reserves consisted mainly of emergency food, which was being consumed at an extremely rapid pace.

In some places, conflicts even broke out between local Kadia legions and other planetary forces that came to their aid over food supplies.

Creed wouldn't allow this to happen; the ringleader was executed, and the participants were incorporated into the suicide squad.

He did not want unrest to occur within Kadia before the enemy even arrived.

While the Cardians could tolerate it, who would mind eating normal human food?

The supplies Gao Yi delivered included a lot of canned mushrooms and a small amount of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Even in Cardia, there are still gangsters who hoard supplies on a regular basis.

Even Krieg had to negotiate with them to obtain the location of their hidden supply depots; even in Kadia, the dark side of humanity still exists.

Human nature and desires are the best breakthrough point for humanity in the face of chaos.

There are very few people who can truly uphold their beliefs and remain true to their original aspirations.

These gangs are also backed by cults.

With Gao Yi's material support, Creed was finally able to vent his pent-up frustrations and, without worrying about the supplies, directly executed all the gang members.

The supplies Gao Yi brought did indeed serve their purpose, letting the soldiers of Kadia know that the Empire's supply lines to Kadia had not been severed. If they could transport food, they could also transport more war supplies and soldiers to fight against Chaos together with them.

"Lord Diuss, how exactly did you cross that warp storm? And who exactly was that traveling merchant?"

"This is a secret of the Empire, Creed. All you need to know is that more supplies and soldiers will be coming to Cardia. Your only task is to defend Cardia with your lives."

At this time, two heavy cruisers, one Retribution-class battleship, and two frigate squadrons from the Agrippina sector also entered Cardia, thanks to their sheer size and the resistance they had against the subspace storm.

Despite suffering severe damage, SCV immediately joined the repair work.

This greatly enhanced the defensive capabilities of Cardia's fleet.

"This is our duty. As long as Kadia stands, we will uphold our loyalty and faith with our lives to protect this land."

Creed was full of confidence; he hadn't smiled in a long time.

Seeing the smile on their leader's face, the surrounding soldiers were even more confident for the battle to come.

"Lord! This time, we will surely drive out the chaos just like before! With you here, we will not lose! Kadia will stand strong!"

Creed looked at the Kadia soldier who was shouting at him with his shovel.

The other person looked to be only twelve or thirteen years old. Even in the simple and honest people of Cardia, where every child receives strict military training from a young age, it would not normally be possible to put such a young Cardian into such an intense battlefield.

At most, they served as support troops transporting ammunition on the battlefield, experiencing war firsthand. But this was indeed the situation in Cardia at the time; anyone who could still move, regardless of age or gender, had taken to the battlefield. In Cardia, the concept of civilians simply did not exist.

"Yes, we will defend Cardia's honor once again, just as we have before."

Although the combat uniforms could not meet the needs of all the soldiers in Kadia at this time, the elite and key units had already been equipped with them.

Another portion was provided to the navy in orbit.

Meanwhile, some of the military camps established by the priests in Cadia also began to operate.

However, it is not the resource planet of Kadia.

Without the Empire's massive logistical support, the combat uniforms produced by the barracks had significantly poorer protective capabilities.

However, it is not comparable to a bulletproof vest or a shell armor.

Now, if any traitors dare to set foot on the surface of this planet again, he will make them feel the wrath of the Cardia and avenge the Cardiacs who have already sacrificed themselves.

Two other guards besides Dius were assisting the Cadias in setting up defenses, but Dius's mind was not on Cadia.

He looked up at the sky over Kadia, hoping that the guard who was returning to Terra to report to Commander Trajan would arrive soon; Kadia needed more strength.

At that moment, a voice came through Creed's communicator, with the communications officer inside the bastion requesting that he return to the bastion immediately.

Creed frowned again as he looked at the holographic projection in front of him.

According to intelligence reports, the Chaos Fleet has abandoned its siege of the industrial planet Kreros, which contains numerous industrial facilities and promethium refineries. Even for Chaos, this is an equally important strategic objective.

Chaos also needs these resources.

Chaos even abandoned its attack on the fortress planet Horn and recalled all of its Chaos rebels.

Both planets are home to a large number of Astartes and Imperial troops, and even mysterious silver-armored Astartes who refuse to reveal their chapter names. If these Chaos forces are ignored, aren't they worried about being attacked from both sides?

"Abnormal. Extremely abnormal."

Creed couldn't understand the actions of the Chaos Fleet. They could have conquered and sacrificed these planets to create more war machines and obtain more power from the Chaos God, but they just gave up.

Moreover, the Chaos Fleet is much larger than previously discovered.

The Chaos Fleet, which was supposed to intercept Imperial support forces in other star sectors, also abandoned its attack on the Imperial world and instead converged directly on the Cardia Sector.

Everything indicates that Chaos wants to conquer Cardia as quickly as possible.

Excluding Abaddon's Blackrock Fortress and his original Soul of Vengeance.

Abaddon's regular fleet directly consisted of 7 battleships, 13 heavy cruisers, and 23 light cruiser squadrons in three squadrons, not to mention the number of frigates.

This doesn't even include the other Chaos fleets that participated in the war; the number of these Chaos warships is no less than the number directly under Abaddon's command.

The chaotic fleet seemed to fill the void before the Empire's eyes.

If Gao Yi had seen it with his own eyes, he would have been glad that he hadn't been arrogant and thrown the dynasty's fleet into such a battlefield. If he hadn't deployed the Spear of Adun, the difference in size between the two sides would have been too great.

"Sound the alarm and get every soldier ready! Move the warships in the dock away from the enemy as much as possible. They will definitely try to destroy the planetary shield system of Cardia. Move the soldiers who have changed into combat suits to important strategic positions."

Shield generators! Laser rifle battery factories! Cathedrals! Artillery positions—tell those commanders of Astartes that when Chaos launches its orbital drop, Cardia needs them to be fully committed to the battle!

Raise the planetary shields! All ground firepower, prepare to fire and support the friendly fleet in orbit!

Countless orders were issued from the bastion.

Meanwhile, Abaddon is constantly mobilizing troops, massive numbers of Chaos Mortal rebels, and numerous Chaos Warbands.

Abaddon ultimately obeyed the orders of the Four Gods and accelerated his progress.

(End of this chapter)