Chapter 693: A New Plan
The risk lay in the unforeseen variables the operation itself might trigger, as well as whether their subsequent impersonation would be seen through.
However, the former could be mitigated by meticulous planning and an absolute superiority in strength, while the latter was precisely the domain the Eldar excelled in. He needed more information to aid his decision-making.
Ryo thought of Elandir.
Free from the Warp's interference, her psychic divination might reach an unprecedented height in accuracy and clarity. He found Elandir meditating in the temporary psychic sanctum and made his request: "Elandir, I need you to perform a divination. The target: our assault on the Predator mothership. I want to know if the operation will proceed smoothly, and if there are any major unforeseen obstacles we might face."
Elandir asked no questions; she understood Ryo was at a critical juncture in his decision-making process.
She brought out a set of ancient Eldar runestones, which seemed to possess a life of their own as they slipped between her slender fingers. She closed her eyes, and a soft, pure psychic radiance began to emanate around her, completely distinct from the violent, perilous Warp energies of the Warhammer universe.
The runestones danced and arranged themselves on the wraithbone platform before her, combining into various patterns that contained fragments of the future.
The entire process lasted about ten minutes.
When Elandir opened her eyes again, the afterglow of swirling stars seemed to linger in her red pupils.
"The threads of fate point clearly," her ethereal voice was filled with absolute certainty. "I see a giant fist of iron shattering the veil of concealment, and I see the wails of the xenos falling silent in the frozen canyon. The path is already paved, and no insurmountable obstacles have manifested. This operation will undoubtedly be successful; like a stone tossed into a still lake, it will ripple outward precisely to your liking."
An affirmative answer.
Elandir's divination became the final straw that crushed any lingering hesitation in Ryo's heart. Since the path ahead was clear, the risks controllable, and the rewards immense, clinging to his original conservative strategy now seemed somewhat out of touch.
He returned to the command center, his gaze growing sharp and resolute.
It was time to change strategies.
"Notify Techmarine Cassius, Farseer Irian, Maine, and Lady Margaret Nearl to assemble in the briefing room immediately," Ryo issued the order to his assistant, his voice steady and powerful. "We have a new course of action."
The core members quickly gathered in the briefing room.
Ryo wasted no time and directly announced his decision.
"We are adjusting our original plan." His gaze swept over everyone present, lingering slightly on the Eldar Farseer, Irian. "The operation to seize the Predator mothership will be moved up. Operation objective: Capture the Predator mothership parked in the arctic canyon intact, or with minimal damage, and purge all resistance forces within and around the vessel, especially the Predator Elder and his direct subordinates."
A flash of surprise appeared in the eyes of Maine, Margaret, and the others, but they raised no objections, swiftly shifting into focus and listening intently.
"The main assault force for this operation will consist of the Astartes squad," Ryo looked toward Techmarine Cassius, "and the Eldar warriors of Ulthwe."
His gaze turned to Irian.
Irian bowed elegantly, a predictable, faintly arrogant smile appearing on his face. "The blades of the Aeldari have long thirsted for blood. My warriors will be responsible for clearing the perimeter watch, infiltration, and suppressing critical nodes. For these barbarians who only possess a rudimentary grasp of the ways of stealth, we shall show them what the true art of shadow entails."
Techmarine Cassius let out a low hum, the servo-systems of his power armor whirring faintly. "The Emperor's Angels of Death shall be the iron hammer that shatters their defenses. We require a detailed projected schematic of the hull structure to plot our assault routes and heavy fire support positions."
"Maine's squad will be responsible for perimeter support and securing the extraction routes, as well as preparing to receive prisoners and process the battlefield," Ryo continued his deployment. "Lady Margaret, your Knight mech will remain on standby at the canyon's perimeter to serve as a strategic deterrent and prevent any unexpected interference from the RDA or other factions. Simultaneously, ensure signal jamming and the concealment of energy fluctuations in the operational zone."
"Understood," Margaret responded steadily.
Within the briefing room, humanity, Astartes, and Eldar—three vastly different forces—began tight tactical coordination for a common goal.
The Astartes provided detailed scan data of the mothership's perimeter defenses, while the Eldar warriors used this information to propose multiple strategies utilizing psychic abilities and technology for silent infiltration and targeted elimination. Maine, based on the topography, mapped out several emergency extraction routes and backup rally points.
Watching the highly efficient team before him, Ryo grew even more convinced that his decision was correct.
This force was capable of unleashing a hurricane on Pandora; using it to deal with an isolated Predator mothership was akin to using a butcher's cleaver to kill a chicken.
"H-hour is set for 04:00 Pandora standard time tomorrow," Ryo finally finalized the schedule. "At that time, the illumination in the canyon will be at its weakest, and according to our surveillance, the Predators' activity frequency will hit a trough. Sergeant Cassius, Farseer Irian, you have twenty hours for final pre-combat preparations and coordination drills."
"For the Emperor and the Immortal Crusade!" Techmarine Cassius's deep voice transmitted through his helmet speaker, carrying a metallic texture. His power armor's left servo-claw opened and closed silently, as if he could no longer wait to dismantle and analyze the xenos constructs.
"For the dawn of Ulthwe and eternal freedom." Farseer Irian's voice was as clear as a spring. He elegantly raised his right hand, a faint psychic glow lingering at his fingertips.
The Eldar warriors behind him shared the same determined glint in their eyes—the unwavering resolve of finally seeing the other shore after ten thousand years of exile.
Though their battle cries differed, the determination they carried was identical.
As the orders were issued, the entire base began operating at maximum capacity like a precision war machine, preparing for the imminent thunderous strike.
The Astartes checked their bolters and power armor energy readouts; heavy assault units began loading ammunition for auxiliary weapon platforms. The Eldar warriors polished their shuriken catapults and power swords, psychic light faintly flowing across their wraithbone armor. Maine's squad conducted a final inventory of capture equipment and medical supplies.
Ryo stood before the observation window, watching Pandora's two moons gradually rise into the night sky.
In the frozen arctic canyon, the Predator mothership remained silently in hiding, completely oblivious to the devastating strike about to be jointly launched by the apex augmented warriors of the Imperium of Man and the elite of the ancient Eldar.
Seizing the mothership was only the first step.
Just as Irian had proposed, next up, the performance of the "invisible threat" would be taken over by far more professional actors.
The situation on Pandora would be re-enacted in a more highly efficient, direct manner, strictly following Ryo's script.