Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 547 Why is Shloth on Earth when he's not on the spaceship?

866 years.

The all-out war between the Ottomans and the Xenomorphs has entered its fifth year, with the Shadow of Order launching a full-scale counterattack against the Xenomorphs through the Caligum Gate.

The First Chapter left the borders of the Empire and ventured deep into the star system that had been enslaved by the Xenomorphs for thousands of years—the Broken Steel Fortress space region.

Troop transport ship, Alicia's Light.

The sound from the loudspeakers echoed across all the decks.

“I am Toby, from the Bandak family.”

“You may not know me, but you are certainly familiar with my family. Together we defeated countless pirates, both human and alien.”

"After careful analysis of the tactical situation, the Arbitration Lord issued an order that the best way to eliminate the alien threat is to launch a full-scale attack on Broken Steel Fortress."

Toby spoke with fervor, his voice carrying his fighting spirit to all Alicias through the microphone.

"This is the first major battle for the Alicia Airborne Forces. Be prepared."

"Charge your gravitational parachutes, check your laser guns, and make sure you're ready to win glory."

As cheers of "For Alicia!" rang out, Toby switched communication channels amidst a brief static.

His voice rang out in each briefing room: "Clear orders will be delivered to you immediately."

"Inspect your Valkyrie transport aircraft, Taurus assault vehicles, and Berek battle tanks."

"You should know that even the ancient 'Sun Auxiliary Army,' which originated during the 'Unification War,' has never received supplies like yours."

Based on the supply agreement signed between His Majesty and Mars, the "Alicia Paratroopers" received supplies far exceeding what they were entitled to.

The Valkyrie transport aircraft, born from Mars, and the Taurus rapid assault vehicle, inspired by the Skoda Centaur all-terrain vehicle, were developed and supplied to the Alicia paratroopers.

After encouraging his men, Toby hung up the communication and reviewed the reports he had received.

The Ramirez-class Starfortress Abyss Guardian has already defeated the alien drone swarm.

The Arbitration Lord led his Honor Guard in a boarding maneuver against the strange, grotesque disc-shaped ship.

As a senior commander, Toby had access to intelligence about Sloth and knew that the ship was unique to this type of alien.

After reviewing the overall situation of the galactic war, Toby focused his attention on his mission objectives.

The orbital bombardment was coming to an end, which meant that the time had come for the Alicia Paratroopers to launch their offensive.

Based on their own mobility and positioning, they are usually the first armed forces to be deployed.

If Schloss hadn't been so evil and powerful, that spaceship would have been their mission too.

"Prepare for battle!"

As the signal lights turned green, one Valkyrie gunship after another took off from the hangars of the five troop transport ships.

Toby sat in his Taurus command vehicle, issuing orders to the first through fifth regiments of "Alicia" over the command channel.

"Our target area for airdrops contains the most regular gravitational well in this galaxy."

"Therefore, all soldiers must be below 100 meters to deploy their gravity parachutes."

"I don't want any soldiers to be floating in the air, becoming live targets for the aliens. Make sure your landing is accurate to the centimeter, and you will have the honor of being among the first to set foot on this planet."

Ten thousand five hundred veterans methodically organized their equipment.

The technical priest operates the main contemplation machine to set the altitude for the Voss-type gravity parachute.

Voss, renowned for its gravity backpack technology, originally only supplied the Astartes Legion with equipment that was never enough. However, based on an agreement, the Alicia Paratroopers were able to obtain parachutes specifically developed for them, and five regiments have already been equipped with them.

The hatch opened, and the captains loudly urged their subordinates on.

Alicia's paratroopers filed out, the howling wind lashing at them with a mixture of steel debris.

Sporadic anti-aircraft gunfire erupted, and a dozen paratroopers were charred black in the beams of light.

The veterans remained calm. Unlike the new recruits who were added after the "Alician Paratroopers" were named, they had been fighting on the front lines against the pirates even before the Arbitration Lord set foot on Alicia's land.

They calmly watched the numbers on the altimeter decrease rapidly.

The first lucky Alicia paratrooper had a notification rune light up in his helmet, and the pre-set activation program started automatically.

A blinding blue beam of light hissed and shot out from behind him as he shouted into the communicator, "Death from the sky!"

In the calm airflow, he calmly raised the Necromonda-type assault laser gun in his hand.

The lack of a sight does not affect the veteran's honed marksmanship.

Alicia paratroopers often fight with little to no supplies after being airdropped, and each one is a highly skilled marksman.

This is especially true for veterans, whose parachute also provides an opportunity to showcase their shooting skills.

The laser hissed as it struck the enslaved alien slaves, tearing apart their pale flesh that had never seen the sun.

Alicia's paratroopers, like hailstones, completed four precise volleys of fire from the air, clearing the landing zone.

The Voss II gravity parachute was released, and the Taurus command vehicle landed smoothly.

Toby's command vehicle carried fewer supplies, but instead was equipped with a high-powered communicator, a high-powered onboard harpoon, and a holographic tactical system. He quickly reviewed the tactical images and nodded in satisfaction.

His five regiments achieved a deployment rate of 93.6%, with only one Taurus assault vehicle and two Berek battle tanks lost.

Toby turned on his communicator. "Target confirmed: Area D-1, alien lab."

"Appearance characteristics: silver-white, round..."

"attack!"

Alicia's paratroopers immediately formed an assault line around the armored vehicles and launched an attack.

As they ran, they fired dense beams of light at the alien.

A barrage of beams of light rained down on the alien formation, and rows of enemies fell.

Taurus sped along the bumpy steel surface, and Toby, examining the clear images provided by the vehicle's astronomical instrument, suddenly had a bright idea in his eyes.

He raised his hand to mark a high point, while simultaneously switching communication channels.

"First Regiment, First Company, take the marked high ground."

After reviewing the tactical map, the communications officer clarified the commander's orders on the company's communications channel.

"Two o'clock position, 540 meters."

"After 490 meters, activate jump mode."

"Height restriction: 136 meters."

The technical sergeants of the Order of Shadows modified the gravity parachutes of the assault company members for combat, giving them some of the performance of jump packs.

The company's four Berek battle tanks spun rapidly.

The tracks rubbed violently against the steel surface, sending sparks flying.

Beams of light shot out from the bunker, striking the armored outer shell.

The driver jerked the steering wheel, causing the tank to bounce violently.

Sweating profusely, the gunners swiftly aimed their combat cannons at the bunker.

A water-cooled jacket surrounds the cannon for cushioning, and a gyro stabilizer allows the cannon barrel to accurately position itself against the target.

Shells whistled towards the bunker, accompanied by deafening explosions, blasting the bunker at the foot of the mountain into the air.

The assault team changed direction and, while running, skillfully adjusted the Voss I assault gravity parachute manually.

"Row 25, height 25 meters, first platform."

……

"First row, 136 meters, at the top of the mountain."

Following the company commander's orders, the assault team adjusted the control panel, whispering their blessings upon the machine's spirit.

Blue flames lit up, and the assault team members leaped up one after another like frogs.

The 25th platoon jumped to the defensive platform, and the demolition squad rushed towards the bunker.

A demolition soldier had his throat pierced, and black flames shot out from the fist-sized gash.

The demolition soldier slammed the explosive charge onto the bunker, using the flying metal debris to avenge his comrades.

The assault troops leaped up in layers, quickly completed their assault, and captured the entire high ground.

Upon reaching the top of the mountain, the first row immediately establishes defenses.

They positioned themselves on higher ground and launched a barrage of firepower onto the battlefield.

The sniper raised his scope and fired the first beam of light into the silver-white laboratory.

The beam of light struck an alien on the laboratory balcony with pinpoint accuracy; the body slid down and crashed heavily to the ground.

Just as the sniper was about to fire his second shot, he saw pale, fungal-like flesh flash through his scope.

"What the hell!"

As he pulled the trigger, he looked over.

It was a bizarre construct, an egg-shaped body covered with purple blood vessels and metal mesh.

The beam struck the target precisely, but the structure did not fall.

A piercing screech rang out, and streaks of green light shone down on the mountaintop.

ah ah ah...

The excruciating torment of the necrotic beam dissolving their bodies caused the veterans to scream in agony.

Upon receiving the report, Toby stared wide-eyed at the construct in the image.

"Damn it! Sloth isn't on the spaceship, how did he end up on the surface?"

(End of this chapter)