The Salamanders couldn't leave.
The Swarm Overmind was determined to keep them, especially to complete the mission and unlock the Roach's evolved form, the [Ravager]. So, letting them leave was impossible.
The Roach swarm significantly slowed the Salamanders' retreat. Meanwhile, some Mutalisks in the sky began attacking these Salamanders warriors from the air.
Don't underestimate the Mutalisk's size from the game. In the Warhammer 40K universe, their size rivals that of atmospheric aircraft. Using them against Space Marines is sheer overkill.
Even the most formidable Space Marine wouldn't claim they could withstand an attack from a Thunderhawk gunship.
The situation was dire. The Space Marines started taking casualties. One Salamander's arm was corroded by acid. Without hesitation, he drew the dagger at his waist and severed the corroding limb.
Other warriors' power armor also suffered varying degrees of corrosion.
"We're surrounded."
"Stay calm, Brother."
In this situation, only the Sergeant remained absolutely composed.
"We are not fighting alone."
In the sky, the Thunderhawk gunship, which should have been on standby, broke through the clouds. Its large-caliber cannons fired, shredding several Mutalisks into pieces.
"Apologies, I'm late."
"You're right on time."
The Thunderhawk hovered a few meters off the ground. The Salamanders warriors jumped into the cabin one by one. The Sergeant, after blowing the head off the nearest Roach, jumped in last.
This prevented the Thunderhawk from being corroded by Roach acid, allowing it to successfully ascend out of the Roaches' range.
The Roaches' acid spit range was still insufficient, lacking anti-air capability.
While Hydralisks scored many hits with their spines, the spines struggled to inflict fatal damage on the large Thunderhawk. The Thunderhawk successfully escaped the ground forces' attacks.
But as mentioned, the Swarm Overmind had no intention of letting the Salamanders warriors go. So, a massive swarm of Scourge poured from the clouds. The Thunderhawk's pilot noticed the bugs following them.
He accelerated. Simultaneously, the Thunderhawk's cannons began firing rearward, mowing down many Scourge.
But the Scourge were nearly endless. They were too cheap to feel any loss.
It was like a missile-versus-fighter chase. After about a dozen seconds, a Scourge broke through the Thunderhawk's fire net and crashed into the gunship.
BOOM————!
A violent plasma explosion erupted in the sky. Even with an Astartes' formidable vitality, death was certain—unless the Emperor Himself intervened.
[Mission Complete.]
[Unlocked Ravager genetic sequence.]
†Scourge, awesome! I finally understand why some people love suicide rush tactics.†
Baneling and Scourge rushes, the favorite of Zagara commanders. If only we had the tech for Banelings to split into smaller Banelings upon explosion, it'd be even more satisfying. That's what you call a rolling minefield.
†That Imperial ship can't be allowed to escape either.†
"As you command, Overmind."
Zasz intensified the attack on the Imperial ship. The Imperial ship also continued loading for orbital bombardment.
Now it was a race to see who was faster.
Another volley of orbital bombardment was fired. This time, it landed dangerously close to the second Hatchery. The Swarm Overmind had no choice but to intervene.
†No Legion of the Damned, please. No Legion of the Damned.†
While praying, the Overmind channeled its psychic power. The macro-cannon shells fired from the barrels fell towards the planet's surface. But the next moment, they halted in mid-atmosphere.
Despite the rocket thrusters at the rear of the macro-cannon shells spewing flames frantically, they couldn't advance an inch.
Then, the macro-cannon shells turned, shifting their aim from the planet to the Imperial warship.
†Hehe.†
The macro-cannon shells shot out, slamming heavily into the Imperial ship. After a brief silence, they exploded violently inside the vessel.
This time, the Imperial ship truly couldn't escape. Its engines began failing, and the entire ship, pulled by the planet's gravity, started plummeting towards the surface.
Captain Jack never expected this outcome.
"How did they do that?"
"It's a psyker. But intercepting macro-cannon shells is not something an ordinary psyker can do!"
"Captain, we've lost power. We're going down."
The best option now was naturally to abandon ship using escape craft. But Captain Jack looked at the rapidly approaching planetary surface and shook his head. "You escape. I cannot leave."
The pride of an Imperial officer wouldn't allow Captain Jack to flee.
He had to stay.
But where could the others escape to?
As soon as escape pods left the ship, Scourge swarmed them outside. Mutalisks watched eagerly, ready to dismantle any vessel that emerged.
The Imperial warship now entered the atmosphere. Zerg at the crash site scattered, either burrowing underground or fleeing madly into the distance.
†This scene reminds me of the battlecruiser crash at the end of Heart of the Swarm.†
BOOM——————————————!
Even from a great distance, the Overmind could feel the shockwave from the warship's impact. The crash triggered a major earthquake on the planet, likely causing noticeable shifts in the tectonic plates.
Even in this world filled with darkness, suffering, and war, this ending could be considered fortunate.
After all, some people can't even die when they want to.
"Overmind, the task you assigned has been completed."
†Well done, Zasz. You performed admirably.†
Zasz's command indeed had no major issues. Casualties were within the Overmind's acceptable range.
†Clean out the last enemies inside the ship.†
"Yes, Overmind."
After the ship fully landed, countless Zerglings that had gone into hiding re-emerged from the ground. They charged towards the Imperial ship that had crashed on the plain. The ship still contained a vast number of crew members, but they clearly couldn't withstand the Zerg Swarm's assault.
Defeat was only a matter of time.
However, before being completely overrun by the Swarm, the ship transmitted this planet's coordinates to an Ultramarine world.
No words were needed. The loyal Ultramarines would understand the meaning of these coordinates.
An Ultramarines fleet would soon arrive to execute an Exterminatus.
"Emperor, may Your light shine upon us."
Captain Jack, holding a small bolt pistol in one hand and an officer's chainsword in the other, looked through the command bridge's viewport at the countless Zerglings outside. He prayed with utmost piety, "May our souls find rest upon the Golden Throne."
The viewport was corroded through by Roach acid. Countless Zerglings poured into the command bridge. The bridge's automated turrets activated, firing wildly at the breach.
But they couldn't hold back the Zergling onslaught. Captain Jack began his final battle.
He was fearless, he fought fiercely, his loyalty unwavering.
"FOR THE EMPEROR!!!"
Thirty seconds later, he was completely buried under Zerglings.
Similar battles unfolded throughout the ship's interior. Zerglings burrowed into the ship from every conceivable opening they could find, performing the final cleansing of the enemies within.
Creep had already covered the ship. The Machine Spirit fell completely silent, never to stir again.