Chapter 193: Drune Pre-Battle
High above the planet's orbit, the bone-white hulls of the Death Guard floated silently in the void, their metallic exteriors glowing faintly with reflected light from the world below.
Inside a drop pod specially designed for Astartes, Hades took a deep breath as he waited for the signal from the Luna Wolves' flagship.
After deliberation between the two Primarchs, they had decided to launch a two-pronged assault from towns flanking the main city at a distance. The town on the far side—where enemy psyker devices were concentrated—would be the target of Hades' small Death Guard detachment, while the main assault on the opposite front would be led by the two Primarchs with a mixed force.
Hades could still recall what Mortarion had said to him after watching Horus depart:
"It's intentional."
The Primarch had spoken abruptly.
"Horus is more interested in what I'm doing, so let's keep his attention on me."
Horus had requested that the Luna Wolves reinforce Hades' strike force, but Mortarion had offhandedly dismissed it, saying a frontal assault would suffice. If Hades' unit failed, they could simply retreat.
From a purely strategic standpoint, the town behind the city wasn't of much tactical value. The wide grasslands between it and the city appeared flat but were in truth riddled with swamps. Even if the area were taken, it wouldn't allow heavy armor units to advance effectively.
However, given that the psyker devices might be amplifying the enemy's strength, leaving them unchecked didn't seem wise either.
In truth, Hades' mission was to eliminate these scattered psyker amplifiers on the plains. As for penetrating the city and linking up with the main force? Those involved in the strategic discussions understood this was likely a tacitly acknowledged pretext between the two Primarchs.
But Hades knew that Mortarion genuinely believed they could breach the city. The Primarch had merely acted indifferent to avoid arousing Horus' curiosity.
In some ways, Mortarion had skillfully weaponized his reputation as a "freak" in the eyes of others—it allowed him to avoid trouble and prevented others from digging too deeply into his motives.
Naturally, Horus didn't think too much of it—or if he did, he played along. Horus kindly told Mortarion to have faith in his sons and even praised Hades, saying he believed they could take the city.
Mortarion paused a moment longer.
"But I'll need to bring the Undertakers with me. Our enemies are psykers."
Hades blinked in surprise.
"I thought you didn't like psykers?"
Mortarion slowly blinked as well.
"I don't. I don't trust them either."
"But aside from you, none of the Death Guard's Untouchables can appear in front of Horus."
"Since most Legions have Librarians. Horus won't suspect anything."
"And while I don't trust psykers, I do trust that my sons must never abandon any power that can be used."
That was what he said, but when Mortarion came to collect Ugo and the rest of the Zero Company, he still wore an expression like he was pinching his nose in disgust.
Hey! At least try to hide your discomfort a little!
Hades could see that Ugo visibly deflated from that look.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
The fleet led by the Luna Wolves had already begun orbital bombardment of the designated landing zone. Lances and macro-cannons ignited the void, and at the edge of vision, those sky-piercing beams trembled as they roared into the planet's upper atmosphere, slamming against a vast psychic barrier. Countless dazzling blossoms bloomed where the energy impacted the shield.
The bombardment continued—this silent assault would go on until the Luna Wolves tore through the protective "sugar shell" surrounding Drune.
It was like tapping an egg—hairline cracks had begun to form in the shell.
[Alpha-03 mission commencing.]
Horus' voice rang out across the comms channel. Hades could feel the ship he was aboard shudder violently as the Death Guard fleet commenced its own bombardment of the target.
While the Death Guard's guns roared to life, the already-penetrated defenses on the opposite front allowed the Luna Wolves to begin deploying their air power. Thunderhawks screamed down from the highest reaches of the atmosphere, diving toward the surface. Covered by their own prior bombardment, they executed final targeting adjustments, striking suspected enemy heavy weapons emplacements with pinpoint precision.
And then came the drop pods—falling in waves, a tide of judgment and death.
[Beep—]
Warning lights flashed, dragging Hades' attention back. He took a deep breath, pulling his gaze away from the feed on his helmet display and back into the reality of the drop pod.
The Death Guard had also broken through the enemy's defenses. Now, it was their turn to descend.
The pod doors opened, the lower section falling away, and everyone within felt a sudden lurch—the unmistakable sensation of freefall.
[My lord… I'm a little nervous.]
A voice came over the channel. Hades sighed and knocked his gauntlet against the massive construct secured beside him. The knight's blackstone hull gave off a dull, heavy sound.
[Relax. Just follow my orders, Nyx.]
Time was tight. Hades had only managed to cobble together three usable Knights by hand—and due to the required training for their operators, only one Wraith Knight was actually mission-ready for this drop.
There wasn't much he could do about that. After all, these Untouchables—dumped into the Death Guard by Malcador himself—were being asked to learn how to pilot a Knight in a matter of weeks. That was a tall order for anyone.
The good news was that the "machine spirit" of the Wraith Knight—its AI core, more accurately—was an exceptionally strong-willed entity named Raibo. Thanks to that, they'd barely managed to train a suitable pilot. The freckled, red-haired man beside Hades was the best candidate they had.
[What're you afraid of?! We're Knights now! Charge in! Open fire! I'll assist your targeting! Even if you're shaking like a damn sieve, I'll make sure we crush those xenos!]
Raibo's furious voice exploded in the comms. Hades felt like his eardrums had taken a direct hit.
[Mm.]
Nyx gave a barely audible reply.
[Everyone follows my orders. Unless I say charge, no one charges.]
Hades' voice cut through the chatter, firm and commanding. The two loudmouths instantly fell silent.
[Understood.] ×2
Hades sighed internally.
'Why do I feel like this whole thing is going to be a mess...?'
Fortunately, these weren't the only forces he had under his command. Still, when the time came to unleash the Black Domain, he would need to be well away from his main force to ensure their safety.
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