Frank dispatched a small unit for preliminary reconnaissance of the planet.
Dropships carrying several hundred troops descended into the atmosphere. First, they saw the vast plains already covered by Zerg Creep. Then, massive Overlords in the sky, spraying Creep onto the ground.
[Name: Overlord]
[Length: 50-150 meters (variable)]
[Role: Aerial command, transport]
[Armament: None]
[Description: Although the Swarm Overmind maintains a psychic link with all its minions, it still relies on Overlords to directly command other Zerg. These domesticated floating Zerg evolved from assimilated Gargantis Probes. They are powerful signal relays. Each Overlord can only control a limited number of Zerg. A brood's development cannot exceed the total control capacity of Overlords.]
The Overlord unit had actually been produced by the Swarm Overmind long ago. But it wasn't a combat unit, so not extensively introduced.
Now, seen through human eyes, these massive Zerg units were awe-inspiring.
In the open sky, massive Overlords floated like balloons, spraying purplish-black fluid from beneath their bodies onto the ground, forming Creep.
Such Overlords were visible at intervals, extremely conspicuous.
"What are those?"
"Should we try attacking?"
While some wondered whether to attack, a dropship already fired a volley of cannon fire at an Overlord. The Overlord's carapace was pierced, but it continued floating as if unfazed, only shifting slightly.
The Overlord's defense was strong, but that was against ground units. Warhammer 40K dropship weapons could harm Overlords.
"Seems not very dangerous."
"Looks that way."
The Overlord's balloon-like body clearly didn't resemble a creature capable of quickly catching and destroying dropships. The landing troops chose to ignore them temporarily, finding a safe location to land and establish a base.
They wore uniform Imperial Guard gear, armed with standard-issue lasguns and lasrifles. Artillery was also unloaded and moved into positions.
It gave a strange feeling of being both primitive and advanced, like WWI soldiers fighting with lightsabers.
Even after establishing a complete base, no Zerg attacked them.
"Report, sir. No enemy sightings. But the planet's surface is covered with a strange substance, seemingly alive."
"Alive?"
"Like mycelium or slime mold."
"Burn it."
"Yes, sir!"
The Imperial Guard never lacked promethium for fuel. Frank, concerned about contagion, ordered burning—the best option.
Fire indeed countered Creep. With promethium flamethrowers, the Creep around the base was quickly cleared.
†Tch. Almost got a batch of infested Imperial soldiers. Their commander isn't foolish.†
The Overmind still didn't act. No hurry yet.
These few hundred troops were just scouts. The Lunar-class cruiser alone carried over a hundred thousand crew, not to mention landing forces.
This time, at least half a million troops arrived.
Don't be shocked. Half a million is small-scale in Warhammer 40K. A Hive City's population is often in the tens of billions. This is nothing.
†If your main force doesn't land, I won't reveal myself. These few hundred can do as they please. Just let Zerglings play with them.†
Outside the Imperial base, Zerglings began appearing. They didn't attack immediately but burrowed in and out of the ground around the perimeter.
"Sir, we've discovered strange creatures on this planet."
"What kind?"
"Not heretics. More like primitive beasts."
The Imperial Commissar observing through binoculars couldn't identify the enemy type but knew creatures of this size and number posed no threat to the current base.
"Should we eliminate them and collect samples?"
"Permission to fire granted."
"Understood."
The Commissar took a lasgun from a nearby soldier. Though these standard-issue Astra Militarum lasguns are jokingly called 'flashlights' by Warhammer fans, they could penetrate Zergling carapace.
A Zergling had just emerged from the ground when a beam pierced it.
Then they waited, observing the beasts' reaction.
Provoked Zerglings instinctively raged. They swarmed toward the Imperial base. The Commissar nodded.
"Indeed, swarm creatures. Open fire at will."
Various gunfire erupted within the base—bolters, lasrifles, lasguns. Zerglings fell one after another before the base. Even Zerglings that leaped into the base were sliced in two by the Commissar's chainsword.
Zergling fluid splattered the Commissar. He looked disgusted, examining the Zergling remains closely.
He hadn't seen Tyranids, but similar insectoid creatures were common within the Empire.
"Quite aggressive species. Numbers are substantial. Did these creatures transform the planet?"
The Commissar linked the Creep and Zerglings—their colors similar, possibly symbiotic.
"Sir, we'll send samples to the ship."
"Stay safe."
A wave of Zergling charges failed to inflict significant damage on the base.
That was normal; they were holding back. Even Zerglings charging a StarCraft II Terran base would struggle to achieve much.
Soon, the Zerglings were all dead. But while dropships transported Zergling samples to the ship, they spotted more Zerglings in the distance, confirming the Commissar's thoughts.
"Numbers are vast. Definitely troublesome."
Base defenses were relatively safe. But outside the base, such enemy numbers could cause casualties.
"Sir, requesting tank and armored company support to clear these creatures."
"Request approved. Leman Russ tank companies will land at your location. Armored transports will follow. Be ready to receive."
More dropships traversed the atmosphere, landing near the base. Everything proceeded as the Overmind anticipated.
Leman Russ tanks—the Imperial Guard's main battle tanks—appeared near the base one after another. Various armored personnel carriers were also delivered, including but not limited to Centaur APCs, Chimera APCs, and Gorgon Armored Assault Transports.
More grunts also arrived on the planet's surface, preparing for subsequent clearing operations.
Both Imperial officers and soldiers believed this would be a simple mission. However, the terrifying future had only just begun.
The first attack didn't come from Zerglings on the planet's surface, but from the Zergling corpses on the ship.