MTLNOVEL Chapter 163: Conquering Mordian
Samir chose a rally point consisting of several plazas at the heart of Mordian's capital. Elite warriors gathered there.
He believed that the Tetrarchs would concentrate their forces in that location.
In order to prove himself more fit for the role of Chapter Master than Bukayo, Samir decided to personally lead the strike to assassinate the Tetrarchs.
The iron will and fortified defenses of the Mordians, mentioned in the chapter briefing, were not worth considering in his eyes.
Samir believed he and his warriors could crush the Mordians.
Even if it came at some cost, it would be worth it.
Before stepping into the drop pod, he shut down the command channel of the chapter and issued orders on the First Company channel:
"Commence operation! Target decapitation: the Tetrarchs of Mordian!"
Black drop pods streaked across the sky with blinding light, plummeting rapidly toward Vanandra.
The Mordian capital's defense system activated at full force, missiles and rockets launched into the sky, anti-aircraft cannons roared, intercepting the blazing meteors falling from above.
Boom!
The drop pods fell too fast; Mordian anti-aircraft fire struggled to land a hit.
The capital's air defense commander quickly adjusted tactics, ordering concentrated fire and broad coverage strikes on multiple targets.
The first drop pod was hit simultaneously by several missiles. A squad of Shadows of Order was torn apart.
In orbit, the Dark Lord watched as three drop pods were destroyed mid-descent.
Flames of fury surged in his pitch-black eyes. The Mordian capital's anti-air firepower was too dense; paradropping into Vanandra was foolish, attacking their fortifications even more so.
Even his gyrinx tensed up, sensing his wrath.
Bukayo picked up the communicator from the command platform and spoke coldly into the command channel:
"Samir, I haven't issued any orders. And you dare to act on your own?"
Silence was his only reply. Bukayo slammed the communicator back down.
He quickly calmed himself and began calculating a response.
The First Company Captain's premature action had disrupted the battle plan. A new strategy was required.
Bukayo decided to take advantage of Samir's impulsive strike to launch a new offensive.
Tactical data surged through his mind: enemy firepower deployment, First Company's capabilities, the offensive posture around the surrounding pyramids…
His gyrinx accelerated his analysis. After synthesizing the information, the Dark Lord gave his command:
"Companies Two and Four, attack Vanandra immediately. Draw the enemy's attention."
The Dark Lord led his honor guard toward the drop pods. Despite Samir's reckless behavior, he was still a powerful warrior.
The First Company would inevitably cause heavy damage. Bukayo would exploit the opportunity, while the other companies distracted the defenders.
On the ground, Samir found himself deep in the sea of defensive forces.
The Mordians had constructed multi-layered fortifications. Snipers in towers shot from above with deadly precision. Bastion guards rained bullets. Bunker troops ambushed from the shadows…
They segmented the battlefield into isolated zones to prevent squads from regrouping.
Red lasers fired from Mordian forts, horizontal barrages of crimson light left the Shadows of Order with nowhere to dodge.
By the time Samir found another squad from a drop pod, he had already been hit four times: shin plate, thigh plate, chest armor, and helmet.
He was relieved none of the shots hit his visor. He raised his bolt pistol and fired.
One Mordian soldier was struck, dying from the impact.
Samir charged into a bunker. Bullets bounced off his layered armor. His chainaxe roared, each swing a flawless death strike.
The Captain found that while Mordian firepower couldn't match the might of an Astartes, they didn't crumble under his brutal attacks. They fought stubbornly from their defensive positions.
Their heavy casualties were not in vain. One by one, Samir's command squad fell.
He was shocked to discover that three Astartes had died from just two squads.
'Father had sharp eyes, choosing Mordian as the Third Chapter's recruitment world.'
'Bukayo's reluctance to engage in urban warfare suddenly made sense.'
Though stunned, Samir had no way out. He had defied the Chapter Master's orders, this was his only chance to prove himself.
He spoke on the First Company's channel:
"Report target location."
Two tactical runes lit up on his helmet HUD, one from his adjutant, the other from the assault squad leader.
The two targets were 2.5 km and 3.6 km away.
Samir charged toward the marked locations, gathering eight squads, seventy-one Astartes, for a decapitation strike.
Blocking the way were Mordian soldiers in blue uniforms. They used their bodies as shields against the black-armored warriors.
But with that much Astartes charging, nothing could stop them.
Samir led the charge, the spearhead of the assault. The others formed the razor edge of the spear.
They smashed through enemy lines like a battering ram. Blood and flesh splattered on their helmets. Samir fought to restrain his bloodlust.
He and two command squad members stormed a pyramid-shaped tower, leaving others to guard the rear.
His squad protected his flanks, preventing any ambushes.
At the top, Samir saw a figure in ornate blue armor.
He knew it was one of the Tetrarchs. He gave him a temporary name: Sea Tetrach, despite Mordian having no oceans.
But that didn't matter. He would soon be a corpse.
His chainaxe roared and shredded guards in his path.
Then he heard the Sea Tetrach growl in hatred:
"…We… will die… together…"
Samir's heart sank. He saw the Sea Tetrach raise his left hand and press a detonator.
The entire pyramid trembled like an avalanche, crumbling with thunderous force. Rubble and debris fell. Samir struggled to stay balanced.
He shouted "Run!" and scrambled up the collapsing tower. He leapt and grabbed a more stable edge.
As he rolled to the ground, he saw several black-armored warriors crushed in the rubble.
Samir's eyes turned crimson. His suppressed bloodlust erupted. He spotted a squad in red and charged.
Mordian royal warriors in crimson armor raised las rifles and fired.
A beam pierced his visor and bored into his right eye.
Samir's body slammed into the ground, lifeless.
Bukayo felt mixed emotions: relief at no longer needing to deal with a rebellious subordinate, and sorrow for a fallen brother-in-arms.
His gaze sharpened. His strong-brained cat's large black eyes glowed, releasing invisible ripples.
Time on the battlefield paused briefly, like pulled threads frozen in place.
The "Midnight Poet" raised his boltgun and fired.
As time jumped to the next second, the explosion tore apart the red-robed emperor's head and neck.
Bukayo rushed toward a wounded command squad member struggling from the rubble, still dazed by painkillers, and shouted:
"Olexander, a knight of the Monarch."
"By Father's command, you will act as the First Company Captain."
Moments later, Bukayo brought the First Company back under control.
Samir's reckless ambition had disrupted the Mordian defense lines.
Astartes casualties were traded for thousands of Mordian deaths.
Bukayo launched two consecutive decapitation strikes, ending the era of the Tetrarchs.
Soon after, transport ships from the Symphony of the Sea arrived. For the first time in thousands of years, the Mordians no longer starved.
The Dark Lord reestablished order. As he sorted and recruited children of suitable age…
At the same time, Nareth's fleet arrived in the Fenris system.
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu