I summoned the Fourth Scourge in Warhammer

Chapter 164 Hammer and Anvil

Inside the joint command post in Gelblin City, the atmosphere was tense yet efficient. A holographic tactical sand table hummed in the center, clearly displaying the city's terrain and the troop deployments of both sides as points of light. Officers hurried about, the tapping of their data tablets and the whispers from their communication devices creating a symphony of war. The air was thick with the smell of recycled caffeine and machine ozone.

Just then, the Chief of Staff, carrying a data board, strode over to Commander-in-Chief Wendell Gage, who was discussing the situation on the Central Front with other officers. His expression was extremely serious.

"Commander-in-Chief, something's happened!" He lowered his voice, but the urgency in his tone was unmistakable. "The Astral Army troops from Lacalsan have just withdrawn from the right flank of the front!"

“Those veteran sharpshooters?” Wendell’s expression changed drastically. He turned around abruptly, his sharp eyes fixed on the chief of staff. “What happened? Do these aliens still have a general reserve force on hand? How can they be so calm!”

As an experienced general, Wendell's first reaction was that the enemy had launched a decisive counterattack, so large that it even forced back the veteran Lakarshen, who was known for his marksmanship.

“No, General,” the chief of staff said, his expression turning somewhat awkward, “the problem isn’t with the enemy… it’s with our own forces. To be precise, it’s with the Third Death Legion of Peditian.”

Upon hearing the word "those who went to their deaths," Wendell felt a sense of foreboding. He didn't interrupt, but simply gestured for the chief of staff to continue.

As the chief of staff handed the data panel to Wendell, he quickly reported: "This is an overview of the right flank. The Deathbringers, in response to the aliens they encountered—which they labeled 'Indian Birdmen' in their battle reports—chose a large-scale gas attack and successfully forced them back. The problem is that the entire right-wing battlefield is now permeated with their dark green gas, so much so that it has even begun to drift into our main battlefield in the central city."

He paused, then added, "However, you don't need to worry for now. Since that's not the center of the gas's release, the concentration is still low. Besides, the Brimlock Dragoons are fully mechanized armored units, so they are less affected."

As for the Titan Legion and the Apostolic Guard, the Chief of Staff didn't mention them, nor did Wendell ask. Who would worry that a divine machine or a Martian covered in cybernetic implants would be affected by mere poison gas?
Wendell took the data panel, his eyes quickly scanning the tactical map and reports. He was shocked to discover that the red arrow representing the Death Legion had far surpassed the advance speed of all other friendly forces, forming an extremely abrupt sharp angle that had deeply wedged into the enemy's defenses. If they continued to advance at this speed, a simple turn to the left would likely cut off the rear of all the Tau Empire forces in their path, completing a stunning encirclement.

However, Wendell's brow furrowed deeply.

"This advance is too aggressive... We must immediately send men to cover their retreat. Can the Krieg Death Legion go?"

Wendell Gage's first thought was the Krieg Death Legion. This unit was also known throughout the Empire for its fearlessness and expertise in trench warfare, and like the dead, they never showed their true faces. They had an extremely high tolerance for harsh environments and were the best candidates to fill gaps in the front lines.

"I've already asked, and their advice is 'no.'" The chief of staff shook his head, a hint of helplessness on his face. "The poison gas used by the suicide squad is extremely corrosive. Even armored vehicles won't last long in this environment before being corroded through, leaving only flesh and blood. Krieg's commander replied that this behavior is simply 'scattering the Emperor's precious currency like scrap metal,' but he also said that if you give the order, they will carry it out; this is just a suggestion."

Wendell's face showed an incredulous expression: "How did the suicide bombers manage to continue advancing unaffected under such circumstances?"

“Uh…” The chief of staff pondered for a moment, “Perhaps… it’s the same reason why they particularly like to inject themselves with various combat drugs.”

“Then we don’t know,” Wendell concluded succinctly, rubbing his temples as a headache struck. These people going to their deaths were like a black box, impossible to fathom with common sense. Wendell Gage refocused his gaze on the glaring red tip on the holographic sand table, his brow furrowed, his fingers unconsciously tapping the cold metal surface of the control panel. A few seconds later, his furrowed brow suddenly relaxed, a resolute glint in his eyes.

"But... this is fine."

In war, a stalemate is the most terrifying enemy. An unpredictable variable, a crazy breakthrough, though fraught with risk, also brings endless possibilities to break the deadlock. This opening, forcibly torn open by those who went to their deaths with their lives and poison gas, was the key to victory or defeat in the entire battle.

Wendell made up his mind. He turned sharply to his chief of staff beside him, his voice steady and powerful: "Go and request a top-priority communications connection with the Ultramarines Chapter Commander, Maneus Calgar. I want to speak with him personally."

The chief of staff stiffened and immediately straightened up. Direct communication with an Astartes commander, especially a legendary figure like Calga, meant that the battle was about to enter a new and decisive phase. He dared not delay and immediately turned and walked towards the communications array, loudly issuing orders.

The atmosphere in the command center instantly became even more tense. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to the main communication screen.

After a series of complex verification and encryption procedures, the communication connection was quickly established.

On the screen, Maneus Calgary's weathered and resolute face was clearly visible. He wore his signature blue power armor, against a backdrop of a shattering, fiery battlefield. The faint rumble of artillery fire and the roar of explosive guns transmitted through the communication channel, carrying a chilling aura of carnage even after being filtered through multiple layers. The image on the screen trembled slightly from the violent vibrations, and Calgary's face shook accordingly, but his eyes remained as unwavering as Macragge's.

“Commander-in-Chief Gage,” his voice was deep and powerful, “the battlefield is busy, please speak quickly.”

Wendell wasted no time and immediately transmitted the real-time 3D tactical map of the right flank battlefield, while succinctly saying, "Callgar, the opportunity to change the current stalemate has arrived."

The data stream flashed across the tactical monitor in front of Calgar. He only glanced at the 3D map, especially the deep red arrow that almost completely encircled the Tau Empire's defenses, and a hint of emotion appeared on his sculpted, cold face.

"They've actually advanced to this point... They are indeed valiant warriors."

This brief assessment, coming from the mouth of the Ultramarines Chapter Leader, is undoubtedly the highest praise.

Wendell, seizing the opportunity, quickly outlined his plan: "Since the battle has escalated to this point, I suggest immediately deploying more Astartes tactical units, using Thunderhawk gunships and drop pods, to directly penetrate the rear of these aliens. I will order the Death Legion to spare no effort and push forward again. Ultimately, we will join forces with the airdropped Astartes warriors and, like a dagger, plunge them deep into the aliens' rear!"

The plan was clearly outlined: a bold, ruthless, and decisive "hammer and anvil" tactic. The ones going to their deaths were the solid anvil, while the Astartes descending from the sky were the emperor's deadly warhammer!
Calga was silent for a moment on the other end of the line, seemingly weighing the pros and cons. But just two seconds later, he replied, his voice like the clash of steel, resounding and firm: "No need for further explanation, Commander-in-Chief Gage. I had the same thought."

(End of this chapter)