Lysander was furious.
This time frame was not days, not months; it was, quite precisely, exactly nine hours.
This was effectively trampling the nerves of the Imperial Fists into the ground.
The naturally stubborn Imperial Fists could hardly help but believe that the other party was mocking them.
Then, all the Imperial Fists present held their breath for a long moment before looking up almost simultaneously in the general direction of Guilliman.
Afterward, beneath their helmets, their lips curled and opened in silent, angry muttering.
They didn't know about the Sith, so naturally, they directed their curses at Guilliman.
Being able to remain silent was already the greatest sign of respect they could offer a Primarch.
However, the dire battle situation didn't even allow them that much time to curse Guilliman.
When a spore pod pierced through the dense anti-aircraft fire net and crashed behind the high walls of the Terra Imperial Palace, though it contained only a small number of the Tyranid Swarm, it was instantly blasted into pulp by the dense garrison behind the walls.
Yet, reality did not allow Lysander to remain here and continue cursing Guilliman.
He turned directly and walked toward his post, preparing to command the increasingly sparse garrison and brace for the Tyranids' next wave of attacks.
As for that group of reinforcements in the report...
Lysander couldn't even be bothered to pick up the report.
After all, what was there for Lysander to expect from reinforcements that should have arrived months ago?
Just like the Siege of Terra back then, the Imperial Fists did not refuse reinforcements, but they only trusted themselves!
Lysander's figure left the summit. Facing the officials, Imperial Fists, and Astra Militarum looking at him from behind, Lysander did not stop his pace, but suddenly raised his Dorn's Fist, and with his back to the crowd, roared out:
"For Dorn and Terra!"
The Imperial Fists behind him instantly stood at attention, their right hands balled into fists and slammed against their chests:
"We are unyielding!"
Dense artillery fire shot toward the sky, effectively weaving several layers of barrage clouds above the palace.
The vast majority of Tyranid spore pods turned into debris across the sky during their descent. Powerful anti-orbital fire roared fiercely whenever the Tyranid 'ancient ship' attempted to approach and use its mass to disrupt surface gravity.
Although Terra was not a battle planet, in the eyes of the ancient ship at this moment, the planet before it was like a hedgehog of firepower; every time it tried to approach, it would be forced back by the dense anti-orbital fire.
So much so that even after cruising around Terra for so long, the ancient ship still had not found any way to capture Terra.
It could only intensify the siege of Mars, Pluto, and other worlds in the Sol System while patiently continuing to drop spore pods onto Earth.
Even if only a small amount successfully landed each time, through persistent accumulation, the Tyranids had still managed to gather a considerable Tyranid Swarm in certain sparsely populated areas far from the Hive City.
At this moment, these Tyranid Swarms were attacking surrounding human cities in coordination with the spore pods.
"The South African plate has fallen, and South America has also sent out a distress call."
When Lysander arrived at the command hall, before he could even speak, his adjutant approached and spoke anxiously.
At the same time, he handed several reports to Lysander.
Lysander merely glanced at them, then walked straight to his command seat without turning his head.
However, when he reached his seat, he saw a large number of Skitarii surrounding a Magos Mechanicus, who was waiting for him silently.
Upon seeing Lysander, the Magos Mechanicus bowed respectfully.
This time, Lysander had no way to ignore them; as the Empire's most important ally, they were also the most important pillar of the Sol System's defense.
Facing the arrival of the Adeptus Mechanicus from Mars, Lysander had to muster all his energy.
Lysander responded to the Magos Mechanicus with a respectful attitude, and just as he looked up, the Magos Mechanicus spoke:
"Lord Lysander, when exactly will Lord Leontus and Lord Lorgar Aurelian return to Terra?"
The cold, electronic mechanical voice carried no emotion, but looking at the Magos Mechanicus's only remaining biological eye staring blankly at him, Lysander still felt the other party's extreme dissatisfaction with the current situation.
Sure enough, before Lysander could even speak, the Magos Mechanicus continued:
"I am not here to cast blame, but I hope you understand that beneath Mars, a vast amount of precious technological heritage is preserved."
"Mars is a world as important as Terra; we need, and need immediately, special protection from the Imperial Army."
The Magos Mechanicus made a direct request; the requirement was simple: Lysander must do everything possible to protect Mars.
Lysander's expression turned ugly at this, and after a long pause, he said helplessly:
"I will immediately assemble a relief force to head to Mars."
"How many reinforcements?"
The Magos Mechanicus asked back almost immediately. After asking, he even glanced at the scene around him, where even the command hall had reduced its personnel, and before the red-faced Lysander could speak, he coldly pointed out the absurdity of that statement.
"According to my calculations, Terra currently does not have the capacity to divert reinforcements; in fact, Terra itself is in need of reinforcements."
"Lord Lysander, no matter how unyielding you may be, you cannot change physical reality."
After refuting Lysander, the Magos Mechanicus withdrew his gaze from the command hall. After contemplating for a while in Lysander's silence, he finally stated the purpose of his visit.
"If the battle situation truly is not optimistic, in order to preserve the Empire's precious technological heritage, we will..."
"We will take Mars and Warp away."
The Magos Mechanicus was uncharacteristically serious, and upon hearing this, Lysander's expression instantly froze.
After all, the main firepower of the Tyranid Swarm tentacles currently raiding the Sol System was being shared by Mars on behalf of Terra.
If the Adeptus Mechanicus really prepared to take Mars and run, the Tyranid Swarms currently besieging Mars would launch an all-out attack on Terra.
Lysander looked at the serious Magos Mechanicus. This time, after only a very brief moment of hesitation, he suddenly brought out the only argument he had to try and keep the other party.
"Reinforcements!"
"The reinforcements promised by Guilliman's people will arrive in nine hours!"
Lysander no longer had the attitude he had just moments ago when cursing Guilliman; now, like a drowning man clutching at a straw, he said these same words to the Magos Mechanicus.
But the Magos Mechanicus simply turned to leave, and while walking toward the door, responded casually and even with a hint of boredom:
"Yes, reinforcements."
"The reinforcements that should have arrived months ago."
The Magos Mechanicus left while speaking. Lysander stood frozen in place, opening his mouth but unable to respond.
He could only watch helplessly as the Adeptus Mechanicus, who had come to give notice before leaving, departed; after struggling for a long time, he gave up on trying to make them stay.
Behind him was a massive holographic projection of the Sol System, and surrounding the projection were the Terra garrison, who had stopped their work and were watching with dead-eyed despair.
The atmosphere in the command hall was heavy. After a moment of silence, Lysander, facing the gazes cast upon him, took a deep breath and then slammed his fist against his chest.
The ceramite thudded dully, accompanied by Lysander's roar of "Unyielding."
The Magos Mechanicus suddenly stopped in his tracks, and the surrounding garrison instantly widened their eyes.
In the holographic star map of the Sol System, beneath the word "Unyielding," were countless warships of the Sith Legion...
...bursting out of the Warp!
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