The Impaler, a variant of the Lurker, shares a similar attack method with its cousin: it burrows into the ground and attacks via biological spikes. The key difference is that they possess only a single spike—a massive, singular spine capable of skewering a tank. Even a Baneblade Super-Heavy Tank would struggle to withstand such an impalement from its vulnerable underbelly.
So why hadn't they been used earlier?
First, like the Lurker, the Impaler's range is relatively short. Second, asking an Impaler to burrow into a plasteel fortress foundation is simply bullying the poor creature. But now, things were different. The surrounding terrain was loose soil; the Impalers could not only strike but also relocate through the earth at will. However, when moving underground, their displacement created visible ripples on the surface, so they preferred to remain stationary whenever possible.
†It's a trap. Yes, it's a perfect trap. If you want to leave, you have to take out the Spore Crawlers. But to take out the Spore Crawlers, you have to face the pincer attack of the Ravagers and Impalers from above and below.†
Those who could tank the Ravagers' long-range corrosive bile couldn't withstand the Impalers' ground spikes. Those who could dodge the spikes were shredded by the bile bombardment. The degree of unit synergy displayed by the Zerg Swarm at this moment was something the Tyranid Hive Mind could not match.
"Traps are everywhere! Stay within the main formation!"
"Tech-marines, pacify the Dreadnoughts! Do not let them leave the perimeter of our protection!"
"Auspex arrays to full power! Scan for every possible life sign in the vicinity!!!"
The Captains of the 5th and 6th Companies issued calm, decisive orders and quickly initiated a counterattack. But the Overmind was in no rush. Every Space Marine killed was one fewer to face later, while his Swarm was infinite.
These disciplined Astartes were a tough nut to crack, and with several legendary veterans among them, the rate of attrition wasn't as high as he'd liked. Even his attempt to use Scourge "dishonorably" for kamikaze ground strikes was thwarted by the top-mounted heavy bolters of the Land Raiders.
Though the Spore Crawlers were being destroyed one by one, there were always Marines caught by the hidden Ravagers and Impalers. They were either crippled or vaporized so thoroughly that not even a complete corpse remained.
After sacrificing over eighty Space Marines, three Dreadnoughts, and five Land Raiders, the 5th and 6th Companies finally cleared every Spore Crawler they could find. The strength of the two companies had been cut in half.
But this wasn't the end. They still had to make it back to the base, and the path was crawling with enemies. One could essentially pronounce a death sentence for these two companies.
"Chapter Master, we have neutralized the majority of the anti-air structures. The Thunderhawks can now lift off."
"Excellent. We will move to intercept and extract you."
Inside the base, the Thunderhawks revved their engines once more. But just as they began to lift, they were again targeted by Spore Crawler fire. The Astartes of the 5th and 6th Companies were stunned.
"More enemies?"
"We spent too much time clearing them. They've already reconstructed new anti-air structures..."
"Why? I don't understand. Tyranids don't defend planets; they devour them as quickly as possible and move on."
"Perhaps they aren't Tyranids. They want to prevent us from leaving to stop us from initiating Exterminatus."
"They... understand Exterminatus?"
They couldn't kill them all. It was impossible. Even as the two Captains discussed their options, countless Zerg units continued to harass them. This couldn't go on.
"Chapter Master, our strength is insufficient to clear the anti-air fire again. Furthermore, the enemy can replenish their numbers at any moment."
"I understand. We will force a breakthrough."
A forced breakthrough would incur massive losses, but it was better than a total wipeout. By using other Thunderhawks and ground fire to intercept the incoming bile shells, they could escort a small number of units back to the fleet.
"We will return the Gene-Seed of our fallen brothers to the base. Except for the 1st Company, all other brothers will serve as the rearguard. Once the Chapter Master has reached the ship, we will hold the base until the Exterminatus falls. Does anyone have an objection?"
The 5th Company Captain's gaze swept over his men, as if peering into their very souls. The silence was broken by a Marine slamming his fist against his chest. "For the Emperor!"
"FOR THE EMPEROR!!!" The rest of the Astartes echoed the cry. Not one feared death; they only wished for it to be meaningful.
†They're retreating?†
The Overmind watched the two companies pull back toward the base. He had expected the Astartes to continue searching for and destroying the Spore Crawlers. Meanwhile, the Thunderhawks in the base were powering up—it didn't look like they were preparing for a last stand. Another wave of Hammerfall Bunkers fell from the sky, their missile pods rotating. The Overmind instinctively felt something was off.
†Wait... they've bolstered the ground fire... wait, they're trying to make a run for it!!!†
Given the acceleration of a Thunderhawk, it could exit the atmosphere in a very short time. As long as they blocked a few waves of Mutalisks, Scourges, and Spore Crawler fire, they could reach space.
†Abathur! That unit! Quickly, produce that specific unit!†
The Overmind's will reached Abathur, who immediately pulled a genetic sequence from the Swarm's archives that should have been obsolete. Many units weren't absent because the Swarm lacked them, but because they were cost-ineffective or disrupted the combat rhythm. Imagine a slow-moving legacy unit lagging behind a Zergling rush; it would easily throw off the tempo. This was why most people only saw the "Big Three" Zerg units and rarely the specialized ones.
Soon, as the remnants of the 5th and 6th Companies retreated into the base, the Thunderhawks on the plaza prepared for takeoff. Simultaneously, the Hammerfall Bunkers aimed their missile pods at the sky, ready to provide cover fire. They intended to forcibly open a corridor to near-orbit through the Mutalisk swarm.
After a Tech-Priest sang the binary praise to the Machine Spirit of the lead Thunderhawk one last time, the Chapter Master gave the order. "Begin departure."
This landing had been humiliating. It was supposed to be a recovery mission for Gene-Seed to rebuild the companies, but now, knowing the terror of the Swarm, they had no choice. A forced breakthrough followed by the destruction of the planet was the best option for the Hands of Judgment. The Overmind didn't want to see that outcome.
As the Thunderhawks ascended, the Mutalisks swarmed them like mad. Their Glaive Wurms weren't efficient enough, so they began kamikaze-crashing directly into the gunships. But the escorting Thunderhawks, fearless in the face of death, performed their duties perfectly. Even if they had to collide, they would clear a path for the Chapter Master's personal craft.
After several gunships were lost, the Chapter Master's Thunderhawk finally broke through the Mutalisk encirclement. Accelerating in a straight line, it left the Mutalisks far behind.
"Did we succeed?" The Marines on the ground looked up, watching the Chapter Master's departure.
"We succeeded!" The Chapter Master inside the craft couldn't suppress his excitement. He would not fail the trust of his brothers.
†Succeeded? Hehehe.†
Amidst the Overmind's sinister chuckling, a large flying Zerg unit had been waiting in the distant sky for a long time.
†Now, Viper! Use Abduct!!!†
From the head of this massive flying unit, a flexible, coiled proboscis shot out. It crossed a vast distance and snared the accelerating Thunderhawk. Though the craft didn't immediately budge due to inertia and speed, its velocity visibly plummeted seconds later.
†Good job, Viper!!!†