Warhammer: Starting with Industrial Revolution

The main guns of the Leman Rustank roared deafeningly, and high-explosive shells, trailing flames, pierced the desert night sky and struck the enemy positions that were besieging the advance team with precision.

Even when approaching the limit of the Leman Russ's range, with the assistance of the front-line servo skull for positioning, the landing point of each shell was extremely precise.

The enemy attempting to charge were instantly torn to shreds by the artillery fire, their once dense formation descended into chaos, and their momentum was shattered almost the instant the two sides made contact by the overwhelming firepower.

At the same time, the infantry following behind the tanks quickly deployed in skirmish lines and continued firing toward the enemy.

Even though the distance was too far to aim accurately, Luo Ning still ordered to maintain firepower.

In such long-range standoffs, suppressive fire is far more important than direct casualties.

As expected, under the dual suppression of tank main guns and infantry barrage, the scavengers of the siege vanguard instantly scattered, cursing as they retreated back into the ruins of the ancient colony behind them.

When Luo Ning's convoy reached the advance team's temporary defensive line, he truly realized the hellish ordeal this hundred-man elite force had endured over the past three days.

Of the 100-person advance team, only 17 survived.

Everyone had wounds of all sizes, their lips were chapped and peeling, and they were so thin from dehydration and hunger that they were unrecognizable. Even the hands holding the guns were trembling slightly.

The accompanying soldiers handed them water and compressed rations, which they practically wolfed down, tears streaming down their faces as they ate the crumbs.

Around the defensive line, the bodies of the advance team soldiers lay scattered about.

Luo Ning spotted Kuzma immediately.

The young soldier who had sparred with him in the barracks, his eyes filled with a longing for glory, lay quietly beneath the wreckage of the crashed transport plane, his face showing no sign of pain, as if he were simply asleep.

But the blackened and congealed bloodstains on his chest indicated that he had been dead for at least two days.

A pang of guilt flashed through Luo Ning's mind. These young people had embarked on this perilous mission because of his mobilization and his orders, and their deaths were entirely his fault.

But this feeling vanished in an instant, transforming entirely into murderous intent in his eyes.

Now is not the time for grief; there are more important things to do.

He immediately ordered the mechanized troops to build a ring-shaped defensive line on the spot, with tank guns aimed at the entrance to the ruins, and to fire directly at any unidentifiable moving object.

At this time, the main force was still on its way in the rear. According to the report on the communicator, the first batch of main infantry would arrive in five hours, and it would take at least twenty-five hours for the entire army to complete its assembly.

The enemy's exact strength has not yet been fully ascertained, and a rash attack would only increase casualties. All he could do was wait patiently.

While waiting, Ronin and Victor meticulously planned their strategy for conquering this ancient colonial site.

Viktor's mechanical eye flashed red continuously, and the holographic projection showed the approximate structure of the ruins as scanned by the servo skull. His analysis was completely consistent with Ronin's prediction.

The colony's outer main defense system was not activated; the enemy had only accidentally activated one of the independent air defense arrays, which was the core reason why the advance transport plane was shot down.

They immediately decided that all the battles on the perimeter would be handed over to Ronin's planetary guards.

But the real threat lies inside the ruins.

Victor detected that even after tens of thousands of years, there was still a strong energy reaction deep within the ruins.

In other words, the automated defense systems of humanity during the Dark Ages may still be operational in the ruins.

That place is the real forbidden zone of death.

Luo Ning nodded solemnly.

He knew better than anyone that the technology of the Golden Age far surpassed that of the current empire.

Without thorough preparation, no matter how many people you bring in, they'll just be cannon fodder thrown into the meat grinder.

After a long wait, the main force of 30,000 defense troops finally arrived and completed the complete encirclement of the ruins.

Luo Ning quickly issued combat orders:

The main force was dispersed and deployed to construct a three-layered ring-shaped defensive position, completely sealing off all exits from the ruins;

All experienced scouts and snipers formed sniper squads, occupying the outer high ground to accurately snipe any enemy that showed its face.

A total of one hundred assault teams are ready at any time, awaiting the signal, to simultaneously advance into the ruins from multiple directions.

The only restriction is that heavy firepower such as tank main guns and rocket launchers are prohibited from being used to bombard the ruins themselves.

Although the outer structure of this site is dilapidated from thousands of years of wind and sand, the core area remains well preserved.

The STC fragments and golden age technology hidden inside are a treasure that could change the fate of this planet, and must not be destroyed under heavy fire.

After several small-scale firefights, Luo Ning had thoroughly figured out the enemy's strengths and weaknesses:

With a fighting force of less than 500 men, and only light weapons salvaged from the ruins from the Golden Age, they were unable to activate any of the heavy equipment in the ruins, except for the anti-aircraft array.

As for their identities, Luo Ning didn't care at all.

No matter who the other party is, they are all doomed.

Under the suppression of the sniper positions, the enemy dared not show their faces again. With another detection by the Servo Skull, squads from all directions rushed out of their bunkers and quickly approached the colonial ruins in the center of the encirclement.

The enemies in the ruins tried to rush out and fight back, but were pinned behind their cover by snipers and couldn't even lift their heads.

When the various squads finally managed to get close to the edge of the ruins, the enemy completely lost their advantage in the surrounding terrain.

Accompanied by deafening shouts of "For the Emperor! For the Human Empire!", the defense soldiers, filled with rage, charged into the ruins one after another.

The battle lasted a full hour. The defending forces, with their overwhelming numbers and firepower, finally suppressed the remaining scavengers who were putting up a stubborn resistance in a dilapidated warehouse deep within the ruins.

Throughout the entire process, the Mechanicus's guards did not even move out; they simply stayed by Viktor's side, keeping a watchful eye on the energy fluctuations deep within the ruins.

The voice of the frontline commander came through the communicator: "Lord Ronin, the enemy leader is shouting for you. Please give instructions."

Upon hearing this request, Luo Ning, who was entering the ruins under the protection of his guards, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Tell him I'll be there soon. I want to see what he has to say before he dies."

When Luo Ning reached the warehouse door, the enemy leader's hysterical shouts continued to come from inside, insisting on speaking to him face to face.

Luo Ning stood behind the guard's protective circle and shouted into the warehouse, "I'm here. What do you want?"

Luo Ning shouted, "I'm here. What do you want?"

The man inside the warehouse responded immediately, his voice rough and fierce: "I am the great chieftain of the Wasteland Scavenger Tribe, Guldras! I demand a sacred duel of flesh and blood with your chieftain! If you win, my entire tribe will surrender unconditionally; if you lose, let us leave this desert safely!"

Upon hearing this absurd request, Luo Ning couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He paused, then shouted into the warehouse, "Okay, I promise you. Come out."