The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge.

Chapter 2757 Dantuin's Meat Grinder (Part 4)

2757. Dantoin Meat Grinder (Part 4)
The tracks of the Scorpion tanks crushed the scorched earth, turning the Imperial soldiers who were still lying on the ground screaming and groaning into bloody mud.

This is an incredibly painful process because their polymer alloy armor is not directly crushed; instead, it slowly deforms under immense pressure, amplifying the pain many times over.

Without the protection of the deflector shields, the Scorpion tank group moved through the flat terrain as if it were empty. They moved quickly and soon penetrated deep into the Imperial army's defenses. The 90mm rapid-fire electrothermal cannons maintained a high rate of fire of almost one shot per second, tearing all targets to shreds.

The flashes of fire from the explosions echoed across the position, and thick smoke carrying metal fragments swept across the surrounding area.

Amidst these tanks, dozens of heavily armored four-wheeled off-road vehicles advanced rapidly, quickly cutting into the Imperial army's positions under the cover of the Scorpion tanks. Then, these off-road vehicles began to transform and stand upright, transforming into mechs over four meters tall!
All you could see were these mechs walking across the battlefield, with a flamethrower on their heads constantly spewing out blue plasma flames, turning everything in their path into a sea of ​​fire.

This is none other than the Hellbat armored vehicle. Developed by Terran Heavy Industries, this vehicle's development was actually completed quite some time ago. The initial model was the Hellfire armored vehicle, a light off-road vehicle equipped with flamethrowers. However, because its function overlapped with the cheaper and more efficient Warthog off-road vehicle, and because military reviewers believed that this type of flamethrower weapon was not suitable for current battlefield needs, it did not receive any orders from the military.

However, as mobile deflector shield generators matured and were deployed in large numbers on the battlefield, the nature of ground warfare gradually shifted towards positional warfare and even trench warfare, which made the Dawn Kingdom's military realize the value of this weapon.

Tyron Heavy Industries also absorbed the experience accumulated during the previous development of the Viking fighter, adding heavy armor to the Hellfire Chariot and adding the ability to transform into the Hellbat Walking Mech.

In the Evil Bat mech form, the heavy armor originally located on the chassis is moved to the hands, providing excellent protection and ensuring that they can perform the task of pinpointing and eliminating enemy firepower points in complex battlefield environments.

As the Scorpion Tank broke through the defenses, the Evil Bat Mech had penetrated deep into enemy territory. The raging flames from its flamethrowers exposed the Imperial soldiers hiding in trenches, underground fortifications, and fixed firing positions, burning them all to a crisp.

The three Scorpion Annihilator combat machines were like invincible war gods, relentlessly firing their devastating twin-mounted turbo-laser cannons, obliterating turret after turret along the Imperial defense line. In the firelight, the Scorpion Annihilator's mechanical feet pounded heavily over the ruins, one of them even having an Imperial soldier's corpse pierced through its foot, dragging it along the ground with each movement.

The remaining B-1 combat robots and B-2 super combat robots had also completed their mission. They continued their frenzied assault, using their bodies to create opportunities for subsequent troops to attack.

Imperial soldiers could not ignore them either. Once these combat robots with upgraded combat AI charged in front of them or even into the trenches, they would often cause massacres!

Behind the combat robots, the Dawn Kingdom's army finally launched an attack!
Soldiers equipped with CMC-300 power armor took the lead, and hundreds of power armors quickly stormed into the position, followed by thousands of ordinary soldiers wearing Liberator combat uniforms. They advanced in skirmish lines and completely destroyed the Imperial position that had been shattered.

Gunfire and artillery fire rang out incessantly, and fighting was raging almost everywhere on the hill. Every second, soldiers fell, only to be replaced by new ones; it was a never-ending slaughter.

The Galactic Empire did not expect that the deflection shield on this high ground would be destroyed so quickly. The troops stationed here were mainly infantry and artillery, with only a small number of AT-ST bipedal walking machines and 2-M hover tanks. After being attacked from all sides by the Kingdom of Dawn, their defenses collapsed instantly.

The 20,000-strong garrison scattered across the battlefield, attempting sporadic resistance from the dilapidated fortifications, but this was doomed to failure; the slaughter continued unabated.

……

Lieutenant General Maximilian Veers of the Galactic Empire Army is the supreme commander of the Beta Battle Group on the planet Dantuin, and he is in charge of the defense of the southern region of Khoonda, an important city on Dantuin.

Konda was the administrative capital of the planet Dantuin during its heyday thousands of years ago. It was destroyed in war and later rebuilt by its inhabitants.

After the Galactic Empire reoccupied the area and decided to mine the Kyber Crystal, Konda began to be developed into the planet's industrial center. Numerous factories, production lines, and energy facilities sprang up here, providing industrial production support for the Galactic Empire's garrison.

General Wells' Beta Battle Group had a total strength of 37 men, including 20 full corps and 80 independent combat battalions, as well as 5 air squadrons equipped with 300 fighters and bombers of various types.

He deployed his troops along three fronts. Since his mission was to ensure the safety of the Kongda Industrial Zone, he never considered launching an offensive. Instead, he constructed a three-dimensional defense system centered on long-range artillery and deflector shields.

However, today he received news that the Dawn Kingdom's assault force had broken through the southern highlands defense line in just half a day and was directly threatening Kongda!

Major General Maximilian Wells quickly ordered his three armored assault battalions, which were in reserve, to launch a counterattack.

20台AT-AT步行机、100辆2-M坦克，以及40辆1-H重型悬浮坦克开始集结，再加上150台AT-ST步行机，300台AT-XT步行机作为突击力量，还有40台AT-AP全地形自行火炮作为火力支援。

The incredibly powerful armored forces advanced in three columns, followed by four infantry corps totaling more than 38000 men who also launched their attack.

Three AT-AT walkers equipped with mobile deflector shields act as a barrier for the three-pronged attack, following the infantry legions. As soon as the armored formations ahead break through Dawn King's defense line, the AT-AT walkers can immediately deploy shields to stabilize the gains.

He was determined to reclaim the lost territory as soon as possible and not allow the enemy to set foot in the core area of ​​the Kongda Industrial Zone.

Prior to this, Lieutenant General Wells had received information that Dunn-Wessex was mobilizing a large army to prepare for a massive reinforcement of Dantoin, which gave him great confidence.

In the past, concentrating such a large armored force would have been incredibly costly for him. Because with logistical supplies so tight, once the armored forces, such a resource-intensive unit, were mobilized, the supplies in the warehouses would visibly dwindle.

But things are different now. Dunn Wessex's reinforcements will arrive soon, and he wants to take this opportunity to make a good impression on the King in the North.

At the very least... we can't be outdone by Zel Johans, who guards the northern defense line and protects the planet's current capital, Garang!
Maximilian Wells's face darkened. He abruptly waved his hand and shouted, "Immediately launch a long-range fire strike on the southern highlands!"

“But General, we still have troops on the southern highlands…” the adjutant said hesitantly.

“They lost their positions and crumbled in just half a day. Such a force is nothing but a pile of garbage. Since they're garbage, they should be eliminated along with the enemy.” Wells interrupted coldly, his gaze like iron. “Order the artillery to fire a barrage of fire. No hesitation is allowed.” “Yes, sir!”

……

At General Wells's command, several artillery positions behind the southern highlands simultaneously spewed flames, and hundreds of long-range artillery pieces of various types opened fire. High-explosive shells, turbo laser beams, and plasma shells rained down on the southern highlands like a storm.

The attacking Dawn Kingdom army's formation was disrupted, but the well-trained soldiers quickly found cover or entered the trenches and underground fortifications previously built by the Imperial army to avoid this round of attacks.

Taking advantage of this barrage of artillery fire, the Galactic Empire's armored forces launched an assault, first engaging in fierce firefights with 50 Scorpion tanks that were maneuvering behind the high ground.

Meanwhile, the army of the Kingdom of Dawn quickly moved its positions to the center of the high ground, where it built a commanding position and opened fire in return.

The army soldiers, equipped with large numbers of CMC-300 power armor, were not afraid at all; their C-14 high-caliber Gauss rifles could even penetrate the armor.

At that moment, countless fireballs suddenly fell from the sky, like meteorites crashing to the ground.

However, none of these fireballs exploded; instead, they landed solidly. Only after the dust settled did people realize that they were airdrop pods encased in high-temperature alloy shells.

No, it's not an airdrop pod! This thing is much larger and its armor is much thicker!

The instant it landed, countless cushioning foams sprayed out from inside, followed by the rapid unfolding of the alloy plates on the surface of the hull, which transformed into a fan-shaped stabilizing support. Several dark gun barrels emerged from the firing ports and fired wildly at the attacking Imperial army.

These things are actually bunkers!!
The bunker has a cone-shaped structure underneath, which can quickly stabilize after hitting the ground, but other than that, it doesn't even have a retro-rockets!
Such a brutal landing method is something no organic life form can withstand. But what if the bunker were filled with cushioning foam? What if the bunker wasn't filled with organic life forms at all, but with B-1 combat robots?

Some of the robots inside the bunkers were damaged upon landing, but that didn't matter much. The surviving robots immediately opened fire from the bunkers, and some even pulled out anti-tank rocket launchers!

The sturdy bunkers and heavy armor remained unmoved even under the Galactic Empire's intense artillery fire!

Dawn Kingdom soldiers who were fighting the Imperial army nearby quickly opened their bunkers and crawled inside to withstand the continuous long-range artillery fire.

Hundreds of bunkers were airdropped directly, an unexpected act that stabilized the crumbling defenses and allowed the Dawn Kingdom's army to withstand the Galactic Empire's armored forces' fierce attack.

And that wasn't all; an even larger fireball descended from the sky, which was practically a burning cloud of fire!

As the retrorockets were activated, the enormous fireball revealed itself—a circular structure, approximately 200 meters in diameter, made entirely of dark gray alloy, and appearing incredibly solid.

The Galactic Empire's anti-aircraft fire from afar also began firing at the building from a distance, but with little effect.

With a deafening roar, the soldiers on the high ground felt the ground tremble as the building landed. The ground shook violently, dust billowed, and the massive structure firmly anchored itself in the center of the high ground. The hatches swung open with a crash, and out emerged one SCV after another!

At the same time, the alloy armor on the top of the building slowly unfolded, and a deflector shield generator rose up, instantly enveloping the entire high ground in a pale blue energy field!

This building is the fifth-generation command center produced by Tyron Heavy Industries.

The command center shone brightly during the initial colonization phase of Dawn Planet when the Fourth Civilization arose. This type of building, capable of manufacturing and repairing SCVs (Space Construction Vehicles), allowed for the rapid establishment of a small colony simply by flying over.

They played a crucial role during the expansion period.

Later, Tyron Heavy Industries made several modifications and upgrades to this command center. The fifth-generation command center now appearing on the battlefield can be equipped with different modules depending on the different combat missions.

It includes shield modules, heavy artillery modules, communication modules, and more, which can meet different combat needs.

The command center equipped with shield modules landed on the southern highlands!
The moment the shield descended, the Galactic Empire's long-range artillery fire was completely blocked, and the armored forces engaged in direct combat with the Scorpion Tanks also found their firepower interrupted, making it impossible to harm the airdropped bunkers.

The Scorpion tank force did not linger in battle, quickly using its speed advantage to leave the battlefield.

Moreover, the SCVs that came out of the command center immediately dismantled the alloy plates around the command center and took out the various equipment and parts stored inside, and began to assemble various modular houses with amazing efficiency.

Including a field hospital, maintenance platform, small reactor, and ammunition supply station, a complete military base was erected in just a few hours.

Meanwhile, the Galactic Empire's army was still stuck on the plains surrounding the highlands. Their artillery fire was completely blocked by the shields, and they were exposed to fierce long-range artillery fire from the Dawn Kingdom, leaving them unable to advance or retreat. They had no choice but to retreat back to the shielded area to regroup.

General Maximilian Wells was furious. Although he reacted swiftly and attacked decisively, the Kingdom of Dawn managed to hold its ground.

The southern highlands have already changed hands, and the speed at which the Dawn Kingdom has built its defenses has completely eliminated any possibility of reclaiming the lost territory!

As more and more troops from the Kingdom of Dawn entered the southern highlands, he could only accept this fact.