Half an hour later:
On the landing zone scorched and plowed by orbital artillery and missile barrages, the Carcharodons' main force had fully assembled, numbering over 300,000 troops.
The composition of this force was a testament to its diversity and efficiency.
One-third of the contingent consisted of living, autonomous auxiliary troops and ODST units, alongside numerous elite soldiers tasked with providing fire support and tactical coordination.
The remaining two-thirds were made up of reliable bio-weapons and modular mechanized units, primarily used as expendable cannon fodder to "fill the lines" and draw fire. These units also served as invaluable tools for gathering battlefield data for the Imperium's departments.
Hovering above the battlefield were three Kingfisher-class cruisers and two Phoenix-class support ships.
These ships provided not only fire support for ground operations but also facilitated rapid resupply and, critically, handled the "isolation personnel" protocols.
The Phoenix-class vessels, in particular, maximized their flexibility as transport craft.
Countless Hex robots descended to the surface via magnetic-gravity wells, swarming the battlefield like an efficient tidal wave. These advanced machines immediately began assisting the Carcharodon forces in constructing makeshift defensive fortifications.
In mere moments, the landing zone had been transformed into a rudimentary "tactical barrier."
As for the "isolation personnel" measures…
Based on extensive analysis and observations, the heretical forces appeared to be tied to a Chaos God worshiped by their cultists as the "Plague Father"—Nurgle.
This hypothesis had drawn the intense attention of the Imperium's Intelligence Division, Investigative Department, and the Ordo Hereticus.
Using the firsthand experiences of Jens, Chris, and their teams, these departments quickly compiled key information related to Nurgle and distributed actionable guidelines to Captain Tyberos.
However, the dissemination of this information was subject to strict limitations.
Even with Tyberos's extraordinary physical endurance and ironclad willpower, he was not a Primarch and thus could not completely resist Nurgle's insidious corruption and curses.
In fact, even high-ranking officials and agents of the Intelligence and Inquisition branches were forbidden from knowing Chaos Gods' true names or titles.
As such, any reference to Nurgle's full name or title was meticulously censored. Only practical directives were provided, such as:
"This type of heretical and Chaos-affiliated organism exhibits extreme infectiousness." "Any injury inflicted by such entities has a high likelihood of causing corruption."
Armed with this intelligence, Tyberos swiftly implemented rigorous quarantine and emergency measures.
He ordered the fleet to allocate five specialized isolation vessels to house all personnel involved in the campaign—including Astartes, auxiliary troops, and logistics teams—for thorough screening and decontamination.
Regardless of rank or identity, everyone had to undergo a full isolation process to rule out any signs of corruption.
The quarantine protocol included an extraordinary and mandatory step: the Ordo Hereticus's "Sacred Baptism."
This baptism was not a symbolic religious rite but a functional purification process.
All individuals deployed to Quicontor were required to immerse themselves in specially prepared pools infused with trace amounts of "Extract of Dittany," a substance derived from the Emperor's psychic essence and considered the ultimate tool against Chaos corruption.
During the immersion, Inquisition members would meticulously inspect the soldiers using sensory instruments and sanctified runes engraved with sacred Chinese characters.
These measures were necessary due to the nature of Nurgle's powers.
Nurgle's strength lay not only in direct physical destruction but in his pervasive corruption.
Even a minor scratch or brief exposure to the corrupted atmosphere could serve as an entry point for infection.
Once cursed by Nurgle, the corruption was nearly irreversible.
The infected individual's body would swell and rot at an alarming rate, eventually transforming into a grotesque, bloated monstrosity emitting a sickening stench.
These quarantine measures were not only vital for individual protection but also crucial to preventing the spread of potential contamination to the fleet.
Only after passing the purification protocols could soldiers return to active duty.
As for the bio-weapons and mechanized units lost in the process…
For the Carcharodons, these expendable assets could be discarded without hesitation if deemed irreparably compromised.
The Carcharodons, known for their "predatory" approach, maintained their operations through a literal interpretation of the term.
Frequently venturing into the heart of chaotic star systems, they hunted Covenant remnants, interstellar pirates, and other hostile forces entrenched in the galaxy's lawless zones.
By defeating these factions and seizing their resources, the Carcharodons sustained their wealth and operational efficiency.
They regularly delivered war spoils to the Legion and the Imperium in exchange for advanced weapons, upgraded ships, and cutting-edge technology, further enhancing their combat capabilities and logistical endurance.
Unlike other companies, the Carcharodons lacked a homeworld or dedicated star system to serve as a recruitment and resource hub, as their Primarch had never assigned them one.
Instead, their "loot and plunder" strategy made them the wealthiest company within the Raven Guard, despite lacking traditional sources of income.
Thus, even the complete loss of over 100,000 bio-weapons and mechanized units would be a tolerable cost for the Carcharodons.
However, this was a last-resort contingency plan.
Though the Carcharodons were wealthy, they were also famously resource-conscious. They maintained a delicate balance between extravagance and frugality, optimizing resource utilization to preserve combat strength while minimizing waste.
Meanwhile, aboard Thunderhawk gunships and Stormraven transports, reinforcements from the 4th Assault Company, the 5th Support Company, and the 6th Support Company were rapidly deployed into the expanded tenfold-wide tunnel leading into the underground city.
These reinforcements, equipped with heavy weapons, ample ammunition, and specialized gear, made their way to the forward positions held by Tyberos and his company guards.
The reinforcements wasted no time, providing immediate fire support for their embattled brothers while consolidating the frontlines and expanding the operational depth to suppress the heretics' counterattacks.
However, the company's champions, its backbone leaders, remained on the surface. Tasked with maintaining order and managing logistics, they fortified the landing zone, constructing temporary defensive emplacements and a forward command post.
These precautions ensured the safety of the surface zone, preventing any unexpected incursions or emergencies that could jeopardize the overall campaign.
Jens and Chris, following Tyberos's orders, had also returned to the landing zone, awaiting further instructions.
The scene at the makeshift landing pad remained as busy as ever.
Under the escort of Carcharodon aircraft, transport ships continuously landed, their engines roaring and mechanical arms whirring as they delivered supplies in a symphony of organized wartime operations.
As the hatches opened, Jens, Chris, and their team disembarked quickly, heading toward the auxiliary forces' combat encampment to prepare for their next mission.
Among them was Charlie's squad.
"Holy Emperor!!"
Suddenly, an excited voice rang out over their squad's comm channel.
"Did you see that giant over there? That's the legendary Company Champion!"
To ensure everyone could get a good look, the excited soldier highlighted the champion's location on their tactical HUDs.
?
Charlie instinctively turned to follow the marker, his eyes landing on a towering figure nearby.
The sight was awe-inspiring.
Standing not far to the left was an Astartes clad in heavy Titan VIII power armor, its surface adorned with ornate yet practical talismans and insignias, symbolizing countless victories and glories.
A massive chainsaw power sword hung diagonally across his back, its blade gleaming faintly with a deadly edge, ready to tear through enemy flesh at a moment's notice.
Most strikingly, his helmet bore an olive branch ornament at the top, a rare symbol of honor that set him apart as particularly distinguished among the Carcharodons.
The comm channel buzzed with enthusiastic chatter as the squad marveled at the champion's presence.
"A company champion! I can't believe we get to see one in person!"
"Stop gawking," a more composed voice interjected, though it carried a tone of resignation. "We'll never become Astartes in this lifetime, so just deal with it."
"But fighting alongside them is already an incredible honor," another soldier replied, their voice filled with respect and gratitude, easily defusing the earlier lament.
Despite the ongoing war, the conversation remained surprisingly lighthearted, tinged with an underlying confidence.
It wasn't blind optimism; their belief in the unshakable support of an entire Legion and fleet backing them gave them unwavering resolve.
No matter how cunning or powerful the enemy before them, they believed nothing could stand against the embodiment of the Imperium's iron will.
"Attention, all units."
As Charlie and his comrades admired the champion, Jens's voice came through the comms, issuing a direct order:
"Approximately 60 kilometers north of the landing zone, the fleet's low-orbit scans have detected an abnormal radiation source.
Initial imagery suggests it may be another large entrance to the underground city.
To prevent further heretics from escaping to the surface, we will move out with the 4th Armored Division of the auxiliary forces to secure and fortify the area."
"Yes, Colonel," came the unified response.
The team exchanged a few casual remarks on the comms before focusing on the mission at hand.
Jens's announcement made it clear—they would likely face the grotesque and abhorrent heretics directly on the surface.
Within moments, the 4th Armored Division, led by a convoy of Mammoth mobile fortresses and accompanied by numerous Titan main battle tanks and Hunter tanks, began their march northward.
The steel behemoths surged forward like an unstoppable tide, and Charlie's squad was fortunate enough to ride aboard one of the Mammoth fortresses.
Inside the colossal vehicle, which felt more like a small ship than a tank, the marines found a sense of unparalleled security.
Its thick armor and state-of-the-art facilities provided unmatched protection for the unmodified human marines, who lacked the genetic enhancements of the Astartes.
Giant holographic screens displayed real-time battlefield updates, while automated defense systems and weapons platforms ensured they were well-protected from ambushes.
Meanwhile, Chris and his team of agents had boarded a Stormraven gunship en route to another critical battlefield.
Seated quietly in the gunship's cabin, they performed final checks on their weapons and equipment.
Clad in his nano-combat suit, Chris's already imposing frame appeared even more massive, nearly comparable to a young Astartes who had yet to complete their transformation.
Other agents looked more ordinary by comparison, though they were no less professional.
After a short flight, the gunship's hull shuddered as it touched down.
"Boom, boom!" The sound of the landing gear meeting the ground marked their arrival.
The cabin lights switched from red to green, signaling the start of the mission.
"Move out."
Chris rose swiftly, issuing the command with calm authority.
The agents followed without hesitation, exiting through the side hatches.
A gentle rush of air greeted them as the scene of the underground city unfolded before their eyes.
Above them, the expanded tunnel entrance loomed, now ten times its original size, with countless gunships and carrier-based attack craft continuing to bombard the heretical tide below with missiles and explosives.
On the ground, over a thousand Carcharodons and tens of thousands of clone troopers and Terminators had firmly secured the forward lines.
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! Only $5 per novel or $15 for all!!] [www.p@treon.com/Mutter]
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]