After Catalin unveiled his brutal plan — crashing the battered cruiser Gloria Dona straight into the Ork-infested forge zone — a heavy silence fell across the strategium. Then came calculation. Then came agreement.
But it was Alexander who made it viable.
He turned to the hololith and began outlining the real strategy.
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⚔️ Alexander's Voice:
> "We cannot just send the Dona in alone — she won't survive reentry unless we take the pressure off."
> "Here's how we do it:"
He pointed toward the orbital map — marked with known Ork flak batteries and looted defense platforms.
> "The Emperor's Grasp, Iron Gale, and Torch Unending will engage in a full forward burn — drawing within mid-atmospheric range. They will draw fire from Ork macro-flak and void guns by deliberately exposing their shielded hulls."
> "The Emperor's Grasp will rotate fresh void shields forward — tanking hits. She can take it. The Orks will never ignore a battle barge that size."
> "At that moment — while the Orks fire everything at us — the Gloria Dona will break formation, descend behind our energy signature, and burn hot for Forge Theta-5."
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🧿 Catalin added, his voice steady:
> "Like smoke before the fire. We'll be buried in their sensors, invisible until the last moment. By the time they realize it's not debris or wreckage—it's already too late."
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🛠 Strategic Overview: Operation Iron Coffin
Phase I: Distraction & Shielding
Emperor's Grasp, Iron Gale, and Torch Unending will simulate an orbital bombardment approach
These capital ships will deliberately expose themselves to Ork fire, rotating fresh void shield banks forward to absorb initial salvos
Destroyer wings will scramble flak-hunter formations to temporarily blind Ork augurs
Mechanicus signal dampers will be deployed to mask the cruiser
Phase II: The Descent
Cruiser Gloria Dona, carrying Catalin and a breacher detachment, will launch from the rear of the formation
Re-entry burn will be concealed by heat flare and debris projection from a faked hull rupture
The Dona's remaining forward shielding will be focused downward, protecting the crash vector from ground fire
Phase III: The Impact
Target: Southern landing plateau of Forge Theta-5, outside the central Titanum vault
Gloria Dona will crash through Ork barricades at high speed
Upon impact, Catalin and breachers will storm out from internal drop hatches, secure the LZ, and signal for Thunderhawk reinforcements
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🔥 Alexander's Final Order:
> "This is not just about landing. This is about breaking the back of their ground defense."
> "Once Catalin's force holds the forge ring, we deploy the rest of our marines through the breach zone. We retake the forge. We reactivate the Titans."
He looked Catalin in the eyes one last time.
> "You wanted to be the first one out the door?"
Catalin simply nodded.
> "You'll make the door."
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⚙️ Updated Mission Tag: IR-Op-Hammerfall
Assets: Gloria Dona (sacrificial cruiser), 3 Gloriana-class capital ships, 100 Iron Wrath marines, Mechanicus signal disruptors, breaching servitors
Risks: Total loss of Dona, heavy ground resistance, zero orbital fire support due to Mechanicus protocols
Reward: Surprise breach of southern Ork lines, reactivation of God-Machines, chance to reclaim Graia's core