Warhammer 40: Starting as a Rogue Trader

Chapter 313: Why are they all such incompetent teammates?

At this moment, within the Hades system, the Imperial Navy and the Astral Army, drawn from within several light-years around, had already arrived in the Hades system.

But there wasn't the tension and despair I had imagined.

The warp shadow created by Tyrion isolated all astronomical language here, preventing Guilliman's commands from reaching this place directly.

Over the years, the diamond shield surrounding the galaxy has protected the entire Hades galaxy too well.

Aliens, chaos, and all sorts of powerful adversaries perished within this impenetrable shield.

Although they knew how terrifying the Tyranids were, they still believed that the Diamond Shield was enough to withstand the massive Tyranid fleet.

The Imperial Navy and the defensive fleet of the Hades system are already fully prepared outside the Diamond Shield, fantasizing about the glory they will gain after reaping the lives of the Tyranids.

Meanwhile, within the Shield of the Diamond, another layer of the fortress's ring had been equipped with countless turrets and elite Cadia soldiers.

The asteroid belt known as the Fortress Ring has been riddled with holes due to mining and the extraction of other resources, but it has also turned it into a series of natural void fortresses.

The macro cannon, the light spear, and various other weapons were mounted on it.

Any enemy attempting to cross the fortress's ring will be attacked from all directions.

The best approach for the navy would have been to rely on the fortified bastions for fighting, but they chose not to do so.

In stark contrast to the Imperial Navy, Asford, the capital of the Hades system, is located above...

Thirty million Cadia soldiers, drawn from all over the country to provide support, are building their own defensive line in the main city of Fodia, under the leadership of veteran General Melendust.

The Cadia command post was unusually busy.

"General! The navy is completely ignoring our warnings..."

"That arrogant and conceited Justus, the Aegis of Steel can no longer stop these aliens. If these monsters were so easily stopped... the Empire wouldn't have swallowed so many worlds!"

Mellen slammed his fist on the table, venting his anger. The Navy had placed too much faith in the Diamond Shield; even at a time like this, they were still fantasizing about the glory that would come from eliminating Tyrannosaurus.

As a member of the Star Guard, he couldn't command the Navy and could only watch Justice do this stupid thing.

It doesn't matter if these naval personnel are courting death, but if all these naval warships are lost, the planets in the Hades system will be completely cut off, and they will also completely lose air superiority...

Countless Terran ground forces could land on every planet in the Hades system without hindrance, while they could only watch helplessly.

But that's not all that's causing Mellen a headache...

Governor Augustus relinquished military command of the planet, which was a good thing. Without interference from the local nobles, Melen could make all the arrangements he wanted.

But what Augustus did next was something he couldn't understand.

The other side relinquished not only military power, but also political power... Tyrone's threat caused social unrest, and gang chaos even spread to Upper Nest, further exacerbating the chaos in Asford.

He was, after all, only a military commander; production and administration were not his forte. He could only hope that the threat of death would unite the people here.

The harsh environment has instilled a strong will in the residents of Asford, and many of them have become reasonably competent individuals.

This was not the only behavior that Augustus could not understand.

The governor actually hid in the underground city he had built at great expense.

But even as he was hiding, he took a large number of planetary defense troops with him. In addition to these soldiers who could have joined the war, he also took a large amount of supplies and weapons.

When Mellen asked for supplies, the other party ignored him and even closed all the dungeon entrances, clearly intending to wait until everything was over before coming out of the dungeon.

Faced with this situation, Murren was also helpless...

The existing ammunition and supplies are simply insufficient to sustain a prolonged battle, and he cannot afford to start a war with the governor at this time.
Mellen was both frustrated and angry; how did he end up with such a bunch of incompetent teammates? He clearly preferred offensive duties.

The government offices in Asford are already in a state of semi-paralysis.

The entire population of Asford is a staggering 35 billion. In theory, as a resource-rich hive world, the numerous factories here should be sufficient to sustain the supply of the Kadia soldiers. However, this is only under the most ideal circumstances.

Once Tyrone's landing begins, these factories will be paralyzed, and Mellen will be unable to spare enough resources to protect the workers and production facilities.

Mellen even began transferring large numbers of prisoners from prisons onto transport ships.

They were transported to barren planets outside the main star, their biomass used to draw the Tyranid swarm away and slow their advance. Although these people would inevitably die and become biomass for the Tyranids, it was a last resort.

All he could do at that moment was to reduce Asford's stress and allow him to persevere for a little longer.

Just as Mellen was in a state of panic, the Imperial Navy sent him an urgent message.

"What did you say? Are you sure a massive Imperial fleet has appeared directly within the Hades system?"

How is this possible? How did they bypass the Diamond Shield? And isn't all warp travel now completely disrupted? We can't even send out Astrologian!

Mellen couldn't believe it, and it was even more incomprehensible to the Imperial Navy here...

Admiral Justus's tone became less confident as he spoke to Mellen...

The shield of diamonds that we were so proud of has been breached just like that?

If these warships can accommodate them, then can't the Tyrannosaurus also do so? Although the ring has some small passages, it is definitely not large enough to accommodate warships of this size.

"Justus, has the other party revealed their identity?"

“Mellen, the other party is the newly appointed High Lord… Gao Yi Mengget.”

"Gao Yi Menggete?"

Upon hearing this name, Mellen's expression immediately became quite interesting.

These Cardiac Legion soldiers, scattered throughout the galaxy, had all been conscripted to protect Cardia, but not all units were able to return.

After the victory in Kadia, Creed sent a message in Star Language to the troops still returning to Kadia, informing them of the victory and telling them that they did not need to return to their home planet to continue their previous missions.

In the Star Language, Creed also explained Gao Yi's importance in the defense of Cadia, stating that Gao Yi was Cadia's benefactor.

Mellen already felt guilty for not being able to contribute when Cadia was in its most critical moment.

Gao Yi is both Kadia's and Mellen's benefactor!

"Quick! Guards! Kadia's benefactor is coming! Get my dress uniform with medals on it! Iron it smooth! Polish my boots until they shine!"
And tell that guy Karen to have his cook bring out the ingredients he's hiding, or I'll kill him!

After making the arrangements, Mellen also took out his prized Amasec wine, which he was reluctant to drink.

When Gao Yi set foot on the land of Cardia, he was also taken aback by the Cardian people's display of force.

At this moment, almost all the senior officers of the Cardia Blitzkrieg were dressed in their best uniforms to welcome Gao Yi's arrival.

Gao Yi could see genuine gratitude on their faces.

"Lord Gao Yi! On behalf of the thirty million people of Cardia in Asford, I thank you for everything you have done! I never expected that you would come here to support us again!"

Mellen adopted a very humble attitude, whether because of Gao Yi's original status or because of his feelings for Kadia.

Gao Yi also saw the neat and full medals on Mellen's chest, and even a Terra Star.

This demonstrates his outstanding abilities and contributions to the empire.

"General Mellen, this is all I should do! The contributions of you Cadia people are truly evident to all!"

"I have prepared a banquet for you."

"No need, we might not have that much time. Have someone prepare to receive the supplies!"

At this moment, Justus of the Navy couldn't help but come up as well.

"Lord Gaoyi... how did you get through the Diamond Shield?"

"Admiral Justus, I don't need to explain to you how to get through, but the fact is that if I can do it, so can the Tyranids. As a High Lord of the Empire, I demand that you forbid your fleet from launching an attack when the Tyranid warships pass through the Diamond Shield!"

"What? But this is the best time to attack!"

"The shield of the adamant cannot kill them, and your actions will only waste our already limited number of warships and provide biomass for those insects!"

(End of this chapter)