Title: The Battle of Lubive – A Saga of Imperial Might and Blood Packed Resilience
The path was treacherous, sown with the deadly defensive systems of the arch-enemy. The Mechanicus, with their formidable war machines, cleared the path, obliterating these lethal defenses. Two of their Titans fell in the process, but by the end of the first day, the outer walls of the Hive City, Lubive, were within sight.
The initial success, however, was soon marred by the reports of the 6th Army being held at bay by the relentless Blood Packed forces. The 4th Army too was under duress, being pushed back and suffering heavy casualties. Their pleas for support from the reserves fell on deaf ears. Caride, the orchestrator of this assault, was seen as cold and heartless. But he had a plan. He needed the reserves for his main assault. He had faith in both his beleaguered commanders to accomplish their individual objectives.
Within 24 solar hours, his confidence paid off. Colonel Veta managed to penetrate the Blood Packed ranks, driving them back 3km into Zan. With the speed of a falcon swooping down on its prey, Colonel Pacan moved in to support the 6th Army, bringing the 5th Army into a pincer movement on the Blood Pack’s vulnerable left flank. Their efforts were bolstered by the Navy Air Wings, attacking both the Blood Packed in Zan and key positions within the Hive City.
The battle raged for nine more solar days. It was a brutal dance of death, a bloody ballet of warfare before the Imperial forces could claim a tentative victory against the ancillary hives. The cost was high, with casualties mounting.
General Dohen, heartened by the news that the Blood Packed were not invincible, launched his heavy armor and Titans into a long, tight angle of attack across the hydroelectric valleys of the East Le River. A fierce tank battle ensued. Dohen’s gambit was successful, the Blood Packed war machines fell back, soon becoming easy targets for the advancing Imperial Armor.
The Blood Packed armor split into two elements. The first was annihilated by advancing Warhound Scout Titans and tank destroyers outside the main Eastern Gate. The other elements soon faced encircling light support battalions, breaking their cohesiveness as an effective fighting force.
As Doan’s main force advanced to assault the outer defenses of Lubive, the 3rd Army broke past the defense systems. They crossed the outer road networks near the main Hive itself as reports came in that Dashan’s forces had begun their assault. It was brutal, the hive’s outer perimeter studded with gun placements and hard points. The Imperial drive started to falter under the relentless barrage.
The 3rd Army, under General KH Hy, penetrated the southwestern perimeter of Lubive on the campaign’s 17th solar day. The ensuing urban warfare was ferocious. The arch-enemy countered the Imperial assault with a well-orchestrated resistance, meeting them at every turn. After 80 solar hours of continuous fighting, KH Hy finally called a halt, allowing the frontline forces to retire and be replaced.
This battle was a testament to the resilience of the Imperial forces and the clever tactics of the Blood Packed. Every victory, every inch of ground taken was paid for in blood and sweat. As the Imperials slowly advanced into the wounded heart of the Hive City, they encountered fewer enemies. But the battle was far from over, and the Hive City of Lubive was still not fully theirs.
Leave a Reply