Chapter 752: Landing at the Starport
Valerie took one "Security Consultant" and entered a relatively intact control room.
The glass windows were shattered, but the structure was sound.
She quickly checked the console. The main power system had partially failed, but backup power was still operating.
She plugged in her data-slate and began synchronizing battlefield information.
The Eternal Seeker transmitted a more detailed Zerg distribution map.
The data showed that the Swarm surrounding the starport was primarily coming from three directions: North (the main road leading to the residential district), East (a storage area covered in creep), and West (several damaged hangars).
The number of Zerg was constantly increasing, but heavy units like Ultralisks or Brood Lords had not yet appeared.
"Commander Raynor, I suggest prioritizing the clearing of the western hangars," Valerie said over the comms channel. "According to scan data, there are several small incubation clusters there continuously producing Zerglings. Clearing them will relieve pressure on the western defensive line."
"Copy that," Raynor immediately adjusted deployments. "Squad Two, with me to the western hangars! Squad One, hold the main entrance! Swann, speed up turret repairs!"
Tychus roared excitedly, "Finally, some proper action!" He followed Raynor closely, charging toward the western hangars.
Valerie continued monitoring the battlefield data.
Her "Security Consultants" were exhibiting extremely high combat efficiency.
On the east side, two warriors coordinated with an SCV engineering team, using precise fire to pick off any Zerg units attempting to approach.
On the west side, another two warriors had already cleared a path and were systematically purging the Zerg inside the hangars room by room.
A5, who stayed by her side, stood like a statue guarding the control room door. Any stray Zergling that approached was instantly killed.
About twenty minutes later, the gunfire and explosions from the western hangars gradually subsided.
Raynor's voice came through: "West side clear. Found and destroyed four small incubation clusters."
Simultaneously, Swann reported: "East side turrets repaired! Activating now!"
On the east side of the starport, two auto-turrets rebooted, swiveled their barrels, and began pouring fire into the surging Swarm. The pressure instantly lessened considerably.
"Good job!" Raynor returned to the main defensive line. "Now, let's start establishing a corridor to the residential district. Swann, are the bunker modules ready?"
"Ready to deploy at any time!" Swann replied.
"First wave of bunkers, deploy five hundred meters outside the starport's north gate to form the first intermediate strongpoint." Raynor pulled up the map. "Squad Two, escort the engineering team forward. Squad One, provide covering fire."
Dropships brought in more troops and bunker modules. Marines and Marauders formed an advancing formation and began clearing the area outside the starport's north gate.
SCV engineering mechs carrying heavy bunker modules followed closely behind.
The Swarm's counterattack immediately intensified.
More Zerglings and Hydralisks poured out of the ruins on both sides of the main road, attempting to stop the humans from establishing a foothold.
Valerie watched the real-time battlefield situation updating on her data-slate.
The Swarm's reinforcements were fast, but Raynor's forces pushed forward resolutely.
The bunker modules were quickly deployed into position. SCVs began welding them down, and auto-turrets were installed in preset locations.
"A1, A2, join the advancing formation and provide heavy fire support," Valerie ordered.
The two "Security Consultants" immediately left the eastern defensive line and joined the push.
Their heavy bolters were extremely efficient at clearing medium-armored units like Hydralisks, buying precious time for the engineering team.
Fifteen minutes later, the first intermediate strongpoint was established: three bunkers arranged in a triangle, equipped with auto-turrets, forming a solid firing point.
"Strongpoint One established!" Swann reported.
"Excellent! Keep pushing toward the residential district and establish Strongpoint Two!" Raynor ordered.
The troops continued forward.
But the closer they got to the residential district, the fiercer the Swarm's resistance became.
Hydralisk spines rained down, and Zerglings launched suicidal charges from every corner.
Several Marines had their armor corroded by acid, and Medics immediately stepped up to provide emergency treatment.
Valerie closely monitored the casualty data.
The Raiders had good tactical discipline, but facing human-wave Zerg tactics, attrition was inevitable.
Just then, Dr. Hanson's anxious voice came over the comms channel: "Commander Raynor! This is Ariel Hanson! We can see your advance! But the Swarm is intensifying their attack on our final defensive line! We might not be able to hold out much longer!"
"Hold on, Doctor!" Raynor responded. "We are establishing a safe corridor! Give us thirty more minutes!"
"We're trying our best!" Dr. Hanson's voice was accompanied by the sound of explosions and screams in the background.
Valerie pulled up real-time scan imagery of the residential district.
The flashes of energy shields were growing weaker, and the defensive perimeter was constantly shrinking.
Civilians were gathered in a few relatively sturdy buildings, but the Swarm had already breached the perimeter.
She quickly assessed the situation, then said to Raynor over the comms channel, "Commander Raynor, according to scan data, there is an underground utility corridor on the southeast side of the residential district that connects directly to an old maintenance tunnel at the starport."
"The corridor's diameter is sufficient for personnel to pass through, and the Swarm has not yet fully infiltrated it. I suggest dispatching an elite squad to infiltrate the residential district through this corridor, assist in fortifying their defenses, and guide the civilians in preparing for evacuation."
Raynor immediately pulled up the map. "Confirming corridor location... It's there. Matt, verify."
A few seconds later, Matt replied, "Corridor scan confirmed. Structure is mostly intact, exit is beneath Warehouse B-7 in the residential district. Zerg signals are faint."
"Good." Raynor made a quick decision. "Tychus, take a squad, use the underground corridor to get to the residential district, find Dr. Hanson, and help them defend. We'll continue pushing from the front to establish the second strongpoint."
"Finally, something exciting." Tychus slammed his visor down. "Squad, with me!"
He picked five experienced Marines, quickly broke off from the main force, and sprinted toward the underground corridor entrance on the southeast side.
Valerie watched Tychus's squad disappear into the ruins, then continued monitoring the advance on the main front.
Establishing the second strongpoint was much more difficult than the first.
The Swarm seemed to realize the humans' intentions and threw more forces into the interception.
The number of Hydralisks increased significantly, and even heavily armored units like Roaches began to appear—highly resistant to light weapons.
"Marauders, focus fire on the Roaches!" Raynor commanded. "Marines, clear the Zerglings! Medics, stay on the healing!"
Explosive grenades blossomed among the Roach packs, tearing apart their thick carapaces and spraying green blood.
But there were many Roaches, and the advance was slowed down.
Valerie checked the time. Forty minutes had passed.
The energy signatures in the residential district were growing weaker and weaker.
"A3, A4, proceed to the main front to assist against heavy armor units," she ordered.
The two "Security Consultants" were immediately pulled from the western defensive line to join the main front.
Their heavy bolters had better armor-penetration against the Roaches' carapaces. Coordinated with the Marauders' grenades, they quickly cleared the wave of intercepting Roaches.
"Second strongpoint, begin deployment!" Swann yelled.
The SCV engineering mechs began deploying bunker modules in the new location.
But just at that moment, the ground suddenly began to shake violently.