Chapter 583: Iron Torrent
After several days of Warp travel and real-space trekking, the Adeptus Mechanicus heavy transport ship finally arrived at the predetermined rendezvous point—the shadow zone of the asteroid belt on the outskirts of the Verdant III system.
Through the observation window, the distant planet displaying a mixed yellow-green hue could be seen; that was their destination for this trip, Verdant III.
In front of the transport ship, a fleet of considerable scale hovered quietly in the void, like dormant steel leviathans.
That was the detachment fleet of the Steel Hound Legion.
Several fiercely designed, heavily armored frigates guarded the core Titan transport ship—a behemoth comparable to a small space station, its massive ventral bay doors foreshadowing the terrifying war machines it carried within.
There were also several auxiliary fuel supply ships and escort vessels.
The entire fleet exuded a cold, murderous aura, inheriting the style of the Adeptus Mechanicus transport ships, yet even more focused on destruction.
"Receiving the docking guidance signal from the Steel Hound Legion's flagship, 'Steel Wolf Howl'," the transport ship's navigator reported.
"Follow the guidance, close in, and enter the designated berth," Ryo (second avatar) ordered.
Guided by the signal, the transport ship slowly approached the massive Titan transport ship, like a small fish swimming toward a giant whale.
The docking process was smooth and precise. Accompanied by a slight tremor and the hissing sound of pressure equalization, the transport ship successfully docked with the "Steel Wolf Howl".
After the docking corridor opened, Princeps Olaf personally led a team of Tech-Priests and an honor guard to welcome them.
He was still wearing that commander's uniform bearing the Steel Hound Legion's sigil, his face carrying an expression that mixed anticipation and solemnity.
"Welcome, Lord Astartes!" Olaf's voice was loud, echoing within the metal corridor. "The entire Steel Hound Legion expresses our most sincere welcome to you and the EVA tactical squad! Your participation will undoubtedly make this purge operation even more efficient!"
His gaze swept eagerly behind Ryo, as if wanting to pierce through the bulkhead to see those three EVA-Titans.
"Princeps Olaf," Ryo responded calmly, "there is no need for pleasantries. We need to understand the latest battlefield situation as quickly as possible and determine the deployment plan."
"Of course, please follow me. Command has already prepared a detailed briefing." Olaf immediately stepped aside to lead the way.
Ryo gestured for the three pilots to follow.
Shinji Ikari, Asuka, and Rei Ayanami walked behind, curiously observing the interior of this Imperial warship.
The corridor was wide enough for small vehicles to pass through. Thick pipelines and sacred mechanicum crests lined the walls. The air was filled with the scent of machine oil, ozone, and metal, occasionally accompanied by low vibrations that felt like a heartbeat from deep within the warship.
Compared to the NERV headquarters or the Death World base they were familiar with, this place appeared even more massive and forbidding, brimming with a purely militaristic aura.
They arrived at a spacious combat briefing room.
A giant star map floated in the center, displaying the real-time battle conditions on Verdant III.
It could be seen that the red areas representing the Ork forces occupied nearly forty percent of the planet's surface and were still slowly and continuously expanding outward.
The blue areas representing the Imperial defenders had been compressed near the equators of several major continents, relying on cities and sturdy fortifications to resist.
A tactical officer of the Steel Hound Legion began the briefing.
"The Orks' main landing point is located on the northern hemisphere continent of 'Kelber', where they have already established several massive strongholds, radiating outward from them as a center. Their main forces consist of large numbers of Ork Boyz and Gretchin, accompanied by an unknown number of armored units (mainly modified trukks and tracked vehicles) and at least one confirmed Ork Gargant..."
Blurry images transmitted back by reconnaissance units appeared on the virtual screen: green figures swarming over the hills wielding crude weapons; roaring, bizarre vehicles belching black smoke; and a terrifying colossus patched together from scrap metal and artillery, towering like a mobile fortress in the center of the Ork camp—the Ork Gargant.
"...The Planetary Defense Forces and the remnants of the local Astra Militarum 114th Cadian Regiment are currently mainly entrenched in the primary hive city of 'Harwen' on the southern continent, along with several key agricultural hubs and starports nearby.
Their defensive lines are under immense pressure. They urgently need a powerful assault force to break the Orks' offensive rhythm and create conditions for a subsequent counterattack."
The tactical officer pointed to several flashing arrows on the star map.
"Our Legion's mission is to act as the spearhead, deploying directly onto the Kelber continent to execute a deep strike against the main Ork gathering area. The primary objective is to destroy that Gargant and annihilate as much of the Ork effective forces as possible, disrupting their command structure.
The preliminary operational concept for the EVA tactical squad is to coordinate with our Legion's main force. Utilizing your high mobility, you will execute frontline reconnaissance and flanking harassment, and at critical moments, carry out precision strikes against the Ork Gargant or important leaders..."
The three pilots listened intently. Shinji's face grew increasingly pale as the briefing progressed, Asuka's eyes were sharp as if she were simulating battle scenarios in her mind, and Rei Ayanami remained calm, though her red eyes rapidly swept over every data point on the screen.
Ryo (second avatar) was evaluating the feasibility and risks of the entire plan.
When fighting Orks, the biggest characteristics are their chaos and unpredictability, as well as their sheer numbers.
The performance advantages of the EVA-Titans are obvious, but getting surrounded is equally dangerous.
"The preliminary operational plan is acceptable," Ryo spoke up after the briefing ended. "However, specific tactical execution must be flexibly adjusted based on real-time battlefield conditions, with me directly commanding the EVA units.
Princeps Olaf, please ensure the communication links remain unhindered and share all battlefield sensor data."
"Naturally!" Olaf immediately guaranteed. "We have already established a dedicated, high-priority data link channel for the EVA tactical squad. May the Omnissiah bless us, and let us achieve a glorious victory together!"
The preliminary combat meeting concluded.
There were still the last few standard hours of preparation time before entering the atmosphere and plunging into battle.
The three pilots returned to their temporarily assigned resting cabins to make their final adjustments.
Shinji repeatedly checked the system status of the purple Unit-02, Asuka wiped non-existent dust off the control sticks of the red Unit-01, and Rei Ayanami sat quietly beside the blue Unit-03's entry plug, undergoing a meditation-like state adjustment.
Ryo (second avatar) and his support team finally confirmed the status of the spare parts, maintenance equipment, and medical supplies.
The entire interior of the "Steel Wolf Howl" was permeated with the tense atmosphere of an impending great battle.
The roar of the engines seemed to become even lower and more powerful, as if accumulating strength for the slaughter to come.
The Imperium's iron torrent, alongside the three sharp blades from another world, was about to descend upon Verdant III to thoroughly purge that green plague with fire and steel.