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Chapter 247: Reinforcements from the Expanse
🕑 Added 2025-08-26 14:49:56 +0000 UTCChapter 247: Reinforcements from the Expanse
In orbit, Lucan's fleet had already annihilated the 10 Chaos warships near the planet. Chaos had never expected an Imperial fleet to emerge directly from the Webway, and the gate provided by Sylandri was located right on the edge of the Cadian system. A single volley of overwhelming fire gave them no chance to even retreat.
The ground battle was also won quickly. The biggest threat had been a half-company of Iron Warriors, but under the crushing force of the allies, they were annihilated without making any waves. The remaining mortal Chaos traitors scattered and fled into the ruins of the cities they had destroyed.
After a preliminary count, the number of surviving combatants from the two infantry regiments, plus the instructors and cadets of the Schola Progenium, was less than two thousand. And the number of civilians who had fled into the fortress on the planet was just over one hundred thousand. These were the only living people left on the surface of the entire planet.
From Ferguson, they learned that most of the people had not been killed directly, but had been captured and transported away by ships. Lucan and Guilliman also guessed the purpose of these people: sacrificial materials, or tools to vent their desires...
It could not be ruled out that there were still scattered people living in the ruins of the planet, but the fleet did not have time to slowly search the entire planet and clean up the enemies on it. Although it had not been occupied by Chaos, the Chaos corruption on this planet was already quite severe. It no longer had any value.
And all they could do now was to take all the survivors and continue on their way.
To prevent the corruption from continuing to spread, Guilliman took the initiative to issue an Exterminatus order on this planet.
On the bridge, Lucan watched as two cyclone torpedoes were released from the Macragge's Honour. As the torpedoes exploded in low orbit, the entire atmosphere was ignited. The torpedoes ignited the oxygen within the planet's atmosphere. All the lakes and oceans were being evaporated. No living thing could survive the strike of this Exterminatus order.
Ferguson and Anderson watched as the world they had sworn to protect was turned into a scorched earth. They couldn't help but clench their fists. But they did not blame Guilliman for giving the order. Instead, they stored up their anger. Lucan and Guilliman had originally allowed them to rest and reorganize, but the surviving Cadians still insisted on participating in the next battle.
"A pity... there were still some survivors on there..." This was the first time Lucan had seen an Exterminatus. An entire planet had been completely wiped out in an extremely short period of time.
"Lord Lucan, no sacrifice is too great to be unacceptable. I know there were still survivors on there, but we don't have time now to search the entire planet. Once we leave, they will not be able to survive either, and will even expand the warp's influence of Chaos in the system."
Ferrus, at the side, also nodded in agreement. Guilliman and Ferrus, primarchs who were very benevolent to mortals, had once again resumed their ruthless demeanor when the war began. All decisions would be made to serve the final victory. Sacrifice was too common in this world.
After arriving at Cadia, Lucan also clearly sensed that the free-floating warp energy in the surrounding air was becoming more and more dense. Without even fighting, Lucan found that his Psy-crystals were actually increasing by one or two points. On the bridge, he could see the huge warp rift in the depths of the void with his naked eye. The suppressive force of the Blackstone Pylons was getting lower and lower. The Eye of Terror was constantly expanding.
Guilliman began to order the fleet to advance toward Cadia. And during the advance, from time to time, one Gorgon-class battlecruiser after another was warped to the side of the fleet.
Since Lucan had left the Expanse, the Mongorte Dynasty and the Rogue Trader Alliance had maintained a state of war. The members of this alliance had already reaped great benefits from Lucan's outward expansion. The alliance, using Malfi as a springboard, had already extended its trade routes to many worlds in the Halo Stars of the Imperium.
And when they received the astropathic message that Lucan had awakened a gene-primarch, they immediately smelled the scent of profit. As long as Lucan could win the battle of Cadia, his status in the Imperium would skyrocket. And with him, their entire alliance would also certainly obtain unimaginable benefits. This made them invest almost all of their assets to bet that Lucan could achieve the final victory. They began to voluntarily pay the Mongorte Dynasty a quantity of resources far exceeding what was originally required, in order to gain its favor and fund its external wars.
At this time, another five corps of Raiders had arrived at Cadia with the Gorgons. And along with them came a large number of combat suits of various models. These combat suits would also be used to arm the Ultramar Auxilia under Guilliman's command. There were also a large amount of combat supplies. The jump capability of the Gorgons allowed the fleet to have a continuous stream of logistical support.
And arriving with the supplies was Pavian.
"My Lord! I have not failed you! I have finally completed the task you gave me! However, we have done our best to increase the success rate, but the number of artificial Untouchables produced is only 20. I have also brought a regiment of clone soldiers this time. I believe you will be shocked by their performance!"
Pavian reported his work to Lucan. The number of Untouchables Lucan could now deploy had reached 40. Magnus the Red might appear later; these people would be of great use.
"Well done. These soldiers will play a huge role in the upcoming battle! Also, let me introduce you. This is the great Archmagos, Belisarius Cawl."
"Belisarius Cawl?" Pavian also showed a surprised expression. He had also heard of Cawl's deeds. Before he had gone to the Expanse, his own Mechanicus order had used resources to exchange for Cawl's knowledge.
"Cawl, this is Magos Pavian of the Cult of the Holy Machine. Some of the technological breakthroughs within the Dynasty were his and his priests' responsibility. The special Purity Seal was also first invented by him. Cawl, I hope you can teach Pavian and participate in the reverse-engineering of technology with him."
"Of course... Magos Pavian, I am very glad that you still retain a considerable portion of your flesh. Lord Lucan said that you have also been enhanced by the Divinity Machine. I really wish I could have been enhanced at your stage. Then I would not have had to abandon my fleshly body. Cherish your body, Magos Pavian. I also hope we can cooperate happily."
"It is my honor to be able to learn from you!" Pavian also adopted a very humble posture. In his eyes, Cawl was a legend. To be able to learn the knowledge in his brain was something others could only beg for.
In the same star system, when this massive Imperial fleet entered Cadia, it was also immediately known to Abaddon.
"Guilliman... didn't he just wake up? How could he have gotten to Cadia so quickly? And how did they get through the warp storm stirred up by the Word Bearers? There are even xenos... Guilliman... have you fallen to the point of cooperating with xenos?"
The arrival of the gene-primarch also caused a considerable stir among the Chaos side. A massive, undamaged fleet had appeared here. Did this mean that the Imperium could get more fleets into Cadia? The prolonged siege had already made some people begin to waver. Cadia's losses were great, but Chaos's losses were even greater.
The Imperial fleet had the Phalanx, and the ground forces had Medics. Chaos did not. Although they were more resilient after being corrupted by the warp, what kind of weapon in this day and age didn't result in being blown to pieces with a single hit? The Imperial Medicae manual's advice for injuries caused by lasguns was just to cover your comrade with a cloth to make them look less unsightly.
Abaddon also felt the urgency of time. The unique psychic fluctuations when the Eldar Webway gate had opened had also been captured by Chaos.
"Could it be the Eldar who are assisting the Imperium?!"
"Warmaster... what should we do? Should we have the fleet take the initiative to destroy them? Our fleet still has an absolute advantage in numbers!"
"No need. The Four Gods have already prepared a gift for them. Guilliman... I would like to see how you face your former brothers. Summon the troops. I will personally land on Cadia!"
