In the grim darkness of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, the forces of Chaos had been engaging in a relentless air battle with the Imperium for over two solar weeks. The Chaos forces were well aware that a ground assault was imminent. The skies might have been cleared for a full-scale orbital drop assault, but the Astra Militarum, the backbone of the Imperial army, was dragging its heels.
General Caride, a veteran of countless campaigns, knew the reluctance of his soldiers. Instead of pushing them into the fray, he turned to the mighty war machines of the Adeptus Mechanicus – the Titans.
These colossal Titans were creations of the Adeptus Mechanicus, a priesthood of enginseers dedicated to the Machine God, who had entered a pact with the Imperium for the use of their war machines. However, the Mechanicus was not an easy ally. Known for their autonomous nature and reluctance to be led, the Mechanicus had shown increasing dissatisfaction with the Crusade’s progress.
Caride, understanding that the Mechanicus sought triumph and glory, promised them that their valour would be rewarded with recognition and a place at the front lines where the true glory lay. With this promise, he managed to secure their support, and their Titans led the assault on three significant target zones: Sadiv Bay, Bulk Cliff Hive, and Zinc Hill.
Following long-range orbital bombardment and carpet bombing, the Titans landed and cleared large swathes of territory. Only 23 solar hours after the successful Titan operation deployment, the Astra Militarum launched a full-scale drop assault, with 2.6 million troops in the first wave alone. They targeted the zones already cleared by the Titans, and a fourth force moved on Kenberg Hive.
Kenberg Hive, the second-largest Hive City on Lubo, was a symbolic victory for the Imperial forces. With minimal collateral damage, they managed to wrest control of the city’s automatic defenses and swiftly repopulate it with their troops.
However, Zinc Hill was a different story altogether. Despite the initial Titan assault, the Chaos forces put up a fierce defense, making use of the remaining air cover to their advantage. The Astra Militarum forces faced bizarre engines of destruction and high-velocity razor chaff from unknown heavy mortars. The tide turned when the field batteries of the Guard managed to destroy these weapons, and after three solar days of constant warfare, the Western Wall was finally breached.
Yet, victory was not in sight. The Astra Militarum forces found themselves in a nightmarish network of trenches and foxholes, leading to two more solar days of vicious trench warfare. The Imperial Titan, Vain Glory Tumultus, was brought in to clear the way, but the ground forces suffered heavy casualties.
Chaotic street fighting ensued, with swarms of poorly armed Chaos cultists continuously hounding the Astra Militarum. In the face of such fluctuating threats, General Caride wisely delegated command to his field officers, trusting in their ability to make split-second decisions.
As the ground war raged on, it became clear that the difficulties faced by the Imperial forces were more complex than anticipated. But within the struggle, there lay the promise of glory and the chance to strike a blow against the arch enemy.
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