From Titan Corporation to the Empire of Man

Chapter 629 A sudden change occurs
In low-Earth orbit, the battle is unfolding with breathtaking intensity.

The flagship of the Flame Lizards' Third Company, the Emperor-class battleship "Indomitable Flame", stood in the center of the battlefield like a steel god.

The surface of its massive eight-kilometer-long hull glowed coldly under the starlight, and the muzzles of its macro-cannon arrays were still emitting residual heat from overloading.

Around it, more than a dozen ships belonging to the first battle row formed a tight defensive formation. Their energy shields overlapped each other to form a matrix, forming an almost impenetrable barrier.

However, their opponent is a fleet of alien insect creatures that is dozens of times larger than themselves.

The bloated hive mothership floated in the void like a rotten fruit, constantly spewing out swarms of mantises and spore mines.

The blood vessels on the hull of the Leviathan bio-ship were wriggling, brewing the next wave of acid salvos. Further away, countless Zerg escort ships were trying to break through the firepower network with a suicidal charge.

But the Flame Lizard fleet did not retreat at all.

"Matrix protocol activated."

Inside the bridge, the Flame Lizard's gunner spoke calmly.

At the same time, the side armor plate of the Indomitable Holy Flame slowly opened, and ten metal pillars were ejected.

These creations, which are as big as frigates, automatically adjust their positions in the void to form a perfect geometric matrix.

The next second, the space between the prisms began to distort, and extremely high-energy beams were connected and focused between them.

Om-! ! !
A blinding white light suddenly burst out, sweeping across the battlefield like a sword of divine punishment.

Wherever the beam passed, the outer shell of the hive mothership was torn like thin paper, and the biological tissue inside vaporized instantly.

The three Leviathans tried to evade but were hit by the aftermath. Their huge bodies broke in two, and the acid and internal organs froze into ice crystals in the vacuum.

Inside the Luna transport boat, the civilians stared blankly at the scene outside the porthole.

"So what weapon is that?"

An engineer asked stutteringly, and the briefcase he had been holding in his hand since escaping fell to the ground.

"Like the wrath of a god"

The other old man's voice was filled with awe.

At the same time, inside the bridge of the Indomitable Flame.

The holographic projector flashed a steady blue light, accurately projecting the three-dimensional image of Dr. Ariel Hansen above the central control tactical console.

The haggard-looking female scholar was still wearing the white medical gown, and there were still burn marks on the edge of the hole on her left sleeve caused by acid corrosion.

She pushed the slightly deformed square-frame glasses on her nose. The eyes behind the lenses had lost their previous panic, replaced by a kind of perseverance after going through hardships.

"According to the latest statistics," Hansen's voice became hoarse from being busy for a long time, "more than 64,000 civilians have been safely transferred to your fleet."

Her holographic image shook slightly as she spoke, showing the instability of the signal. "But according to the real-time data registered in the shelter, there are at least 20,000 people scattered in bunkers all over the surface of the planet."

Gao Zan, wearing Terminator armor, stood in front of the tactical table like a steel statue, with the fire dragon emblem on his finely forged shoulder armor vividly displayed.

The screen behind the visor constantly refreshed the battlefield data stream, projecting the movements of the insect swarm on the planet's surface in real time in front of the company commander's eyes.

Even though it was just a holographic projection, Dr. Hansen could still feel the tangible sense of oppression. The giant "in front of him" was just standing still, as if he was a magical weapon hanging in its sheath, which could burst out with devastating power at any time.

"Your courage is commendable, Doctor."

Gao Zan's voice was processed by the helmet speaker, and it was as low as the roar from the depths of the earth, but it was strangely calm. "But the next battle zone cleanup operation will be the responsibility of our professional search and rescue team."

As he spoke, he raised his armored hand, and the tactical hologram enlarged, indicating that the threat from the Zerg was approaching the location of Hansen and others. "You have fulfilled your duties and should evacuate immediately."

Dr. Hansen took a deep breath, and the movement made the collar of her white robe tremble slightly.

She turned her head to look at a scene beside her that was not within the projection range, and when she turned back, her eyes became more determined: "Captain Gao, I understand your professional considerations, but as the chief medical officer of the colony and the public representative of the colony, I cannot walk ahead of my people."

She pointed to the identification tag on her chest, the plating on it had already peeled off. "My team and I have made a plan to ensure that the key nodes of our city will not be breached by the Zerg in a short period of time, and that every last survivor can be evacuated safely."

The bridge suddenly fell into a brief silence.

Gao Zan's gaze from behind his visor fell on the female scholar's torn uniform. In addition to blood stains, there were also indentations left by long-term wearing of medical badges.

Since arriving in this universe, the indifference of the Terran Empire bureaucrats towards civilians has been deeply hated by all Flame Lizards, including Gao Zan.

But this thin scholar in front of us has proved with his actions that no matter which universe, the brilliance in the human soul will never be extinguished.
Although Ariel Hansen's persistence seemed to be meaningless, after all, the armed forces of the Agria colony were like a mantis trying to stop a chariot to the Zerg, but it was still worthy of the admiration of this Astartes.

"understood."

Gao Zan finally nodded, and this action caused the joints of the armor to make a slight sound of metal friction. "Flame Lizard respects your decision."

As he spoke, he turned to the communication array, and an order was immediately transmitted to the entire fleet, "Dispatch more support teams to the various evacuation points to ensure that all compatriots are rescued from the Zerg."

Dr. Hansen's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and the corners of his mouth raised a tired but sincere arc: "Thank you so much, Captain Gao, our Agria Colony is so good!!"

Before he could finish his words, Hansen's holographic image suddenly distorted violently, and his voice was cut off by harsh electromagnetic noise.

The background image in the projection finally froze on a sudden flash of explosion, and then completely dissipated in the air of the bridge.

"Signal interrupted!"

A communicator immediately reported, "A high-intensity psychic storm has been detected in the area where Ariel Hansen is located. It could be the attack of the Blade Queen mentioned by the Intelligence Department, or it could be a new type of psychic unit of the Zerg!"

The moment the projection disappeared, Gao Zan had already strode towards the observation window.

Through the heavy portholes, the surface of Agraia was clearly visible.
A huge psychic storm was raging over the city where Dr. Hansen was located. Purple-black lightning was tearing through the clouds like a giant python, and it seemed that every time it struck, it could blast a corrosive hole with a diameter of 100 meters on the ground.

Even without the enhanced vision of the power armor, one can see that the entire city is shrouded in a distorted cloud of psychic energy, as if some living creature is wriggling in the atmosphere.

"All company guard members, prepare to teleport immediately." Gao Zan's voice was low and cold, "The teleportation location is Dr. Hansen's last known coordinates."

"Captain, the area is disturbed by psychic energy. Even our troops trapped there cannot get instant communication. Is that right?"

A technical sergeant was about to give a warning, but was interrupted by Gao Zan who raised his hand.

"Execute the order." The next second, the transmission beacon was activated, and the dark blue energy wrapped around Gao Zan's Terminator armor like a living thing.

The sophisticated program began to run, and accompanied by dazzling flashes and the buzzing sound of space tearing, Gao Zan's figure disappeared in the bridge with a "swish".

At this moment on the surface of the earth, a once prosperous city has become a purgatory.

The thunderstorm caused by the psychic storm roared overhead, and purple-black lightning continued to strike, further tearing apart the already dilapidated building.

The air was filled with a burning smell, and every breath was stinging.

However, even more terrifying than the weather was the fighting situation on the ground.

Several Flame Lizard tactical teams, as well as Hell Paratroopers, auxiliary troops and other units at all levels, which were deployed here as early as when the fleet arrived, are now caught in an unprecedented tough battle.

"Reorganize the formation! Reinforce the gap on the west side!"

A non-commissioned officer roared on the communication channel, but the bolter in his hand did not stop firing.

The Zerg ambush was sudden and deadly.

The originally solid defense line was torn open by the lurkers that drilled out from the ground, followed by a tide of springtails pouring in.

Even more terrifying is the fungal mat. These living organic matter are eroding the entire city at a speed visible to the naked eye. Even the buildings are "infected". Their surfaces are covered with pulsating vascular tissue, disgusting fleshy tentacles extend from the windows, and even the concrete pavement has become soft and sticky, as if you are stepping on the stomach wall of some giant creature.

"They knew we were coming!" A Hell Paratrooper retreated and fired, his hardlight rifle running out of energy, "This is a damn trap!"

It seems that just as this Hell Trooper said, after the Zerg and the Human Empire fought on Mar Sara, especially after devouring some auxiliary troops and Hell Troopers, they realized that as long as human settlements were attacked, the Human Empire officials would definitely send troops to help.

Therefore, countless alien insects emerged from the ground and successfully completed the initial ambush on the Flame Lizards.

The air is also full of dangers.

The swarm of mantises dived under the cover of the psychic storm, and acid bombs rained down on the ground troops.

A Vulture gunship attempted to provide support, but was intercepted by a swarm of Zerg that suddenly swooped down from the clouds.

Swish—shua—!
In front of the main entrance of the city's central hospital, a loud bang of space tearing was heard, and Gao Zan and thirty company guards who were also wearing Terminator armor "instantly" appeared.

Gao Zan and the company guards were able to achieve short-distance "teleportation" without the need for a ship-borne transmission platform, thanks to the major breakthrough made by the team led by Catherine Halsey in deciphering the technology of the Forerunner civilization.

At this stage, almost all Terminator armor equipped for Astartes has instantaneous transmission devices derived from Forerunner technology.

Furthermore, after extensive testing by the Research Department using D-class personnel, the vicious problem of "half of the body being stuck in the wall" during teleportation was completely eliminated.

Furthermore, the limit of this "short-distance" teleportation device is approximately 400,000 kilometers, so it is not "short" in the literal sense, but is enough for an Astartes wearing Terminator armor to "teleport" directly from the earth to the surface of the moon.

Gao praised their landing point, which happened to be next to a still-functioning fortification.

More than two dozen Hell Paratroopers were building a temporary defense line based on abandoned armored vehicles, keeping a close eye on movements outside the hospital. The lieutenant in charge almost opened fire reflexively when he saw the sudden appearance of the steel giant.

“By the Emperor!” The lieutenant recognized the Fire Dragon emblem and said quickly, “Sir, we have been ambushed by the Zerg! They seem to want to keep us here, and our communication with the outside world has been completely cut off.”

ambush?

"How's Dr. Hansen doing."

Gao Zan first questioned the lieutenant to ascertain the status of the scholar who was wholeheartedly concerned about the colony.

The lieutenant quickly replied, "Sir, the doctor is still in the central hospital. My subordinates have confirmed that she and her medical team are still alive. But sir, our communication with the fleet has been completely cut off. It's like the Zerg have released a large-scale psychic energy that has circled the entire city."

Hearing this, Gao Zan's thoughts started working rapidly.

The details of the battle of Mar Sara flashed through his mind, such as the Zerg devouring some auxiliary troops, Hell Paratroopers and biological weapons. At the same time, the Queen of Blades also deliberately held back on the extremely powerful Flame Lizards, which showed that the Zerg had an unusual obsession with the human genes of the main universe, especially the genes of the Astartes.
"This is not simple revenge or foraging." Gao Zan's voice suddenly turned cold. "They are collecting our genes."

This conclusion was like a bolt of lightning that split the fog.

The real purpose of the Zerg attack on Agria, in addition to revenge, massacre and devouring humans, is more importantly to set up an ambush, disperse the Flame Lizards' forces, and then take the opportunity to capture as many Astartes alive as possible.

Once enough genetic samples are obtained, the swarm's evolution speed will increase exponentially.

"Ten company guards will stay here to consolidate the defense line." Gao Zan ordered decisively, "The rest of you, follow me to purify the entire city."

As soon as he finished speaking, the ground suddenly shook violently.

Changes occur suddenly.

At the end of the street in the distance, a huge black shadow slowly emerged. The figure covered with a dark purple shell rose from the fungal blanket, and arcs of psychic energy jumped around it.

Its appearance seemed like some kind of signal. In an instant, countless alien insects emerged from the shadows of the entire city.

Zerglings, Hydralisks, Lurkers, etc.
They drilled out from the ground, crawled out from the ruins of buildings, and even "grew" directly from the fungal blanket, pouring towards the central hospital like a tide.

"Hold your ground!"

The paratrooper lieutenant opened fire first, using the commander-type hard-light rifle in his hand to blast a springtail in the front row into pieces.

The company guards quickly deployed their formation, and all the Terminators cooperated with the Hell Paratroopers stationed in the central hospital to form an iron line of defense, like an insurmountable high wall.

Amid the roar of explosive bombs, blazing ballistics and light beams from all types of weapons swept across the battlefield, shattering and vaporizing the incoming alien insects.

But the number of insects is too large, and new enemies are born from the fungal blanket every second.

"."

Gao Zan, the "top combat force" in the company, locked onto the huge figure in the Zerg swarm at a glance.

The opponent was neither the thunder beast they had encountered and fought before, nor was it an alien insect like the Lurker. It must be the culprit that released psychic energy and isolated the city.

then--

Boom, boom!

So Gao Zan took off the exclusive power hammer hanging on his back and took the initiative to charge towards the wave of alien insects.
(End of this chapter)