The subterranean creatures were instantly torn apart by a barrage of explosive bolts, spraying flesh and blood mist everywhere.
Meanwhile, the high-temperature, high-energy plasma burned through the orcs and the luminescent beings, reducing them to charred remains. For these creatures, which posed an enormous threat to local humans, the sight of eighteen young Astartes was nothing short of a nightmare. The combined firepower of .75 and 1.0-caliber explosive rounds and plasma cannons was more than enough to crush all the orc infantry.
While orcs infected by Immaterial energy retained the weapons they used in life, their firepower was weaker than that of living orc soldiers. Although the luminescent beings posed an existential threat to the orcs due to the transformative nature of Immaterial energy, the Astartes and Atlas forces were on a completely different level.
The first to charge into the enemy lines, the Space Wolves and Raven Guard paid little heed to ammo reserves, squeezing their triggers at will to obliterate anything in their path. Even as they advanced at a brisk pace with continuous firing, their accuracy held steady at 99%, wasting hardly a shot.
The six Raven Guard who used jetpacks to leap into the heart of the orc forces swiftly dispatched the dazed orcs with their short-barreled explosive-bolt guns. Then, with a fluid, almost predatory motion, they slashed at orc officers with power claws and chainswords, each attack executed with lethal precision.
Meanwhile, the Sons of Man maintained a higher vantage point, strategically picking off key targets with precision shots to conserve ammunition and support their brothers. They worked under the mutual understanding of "no competition, no rush."
At that moment, Logan's clip emptied with a sharp "clack," prompting him to swiftly reload his last magazine. Sliding the bolt into place, the Wolf Captain then reached for the power axe hanging at his waist.
When he connected the power axe's grip to the socket on his right hand, a plasma field flickered to life around the blade, casting an eerie blue glow and emitting a persistent hum. Since Atlas had salvaged Elite armor and "light swords," the research division had reverse-engineered the technology, assisted by the Elite engineers, to develop the "single-soldier plasma field." This led to the increasing number of Astartes equipped with plasma-enhanced weapons like power swords, power axes, and power spears.
However, Atlas didn't provide custom weapons and gear free of charge. Logan's power axe, for example, was bought by Leman, his primarch, using his accumulated merits and personal savings through an order from the Akra Foundry. While Leman and the other grown primarchs could no longer receive allowances from their "grandfather" Samuel Young, the annual dividends from the company easily covered their expenses and funded enhancements for the Space Wolves.
With his left hand gripping his explosive-bolt rifle and his right wielding the power axe, Logan tore through the luminescent creatures with reckless abandon. Much like the hack-and-slash games produced by Atlas Entertainment in the late 20th century, the horde of luminescent zombie-like creatures was no match for Logan's assault.
When he finally fired his last bolt, Logan laughed heartily and said, "Ha ha ha! Now that I've warmed up, it's time to really have some fun!" Securing his rifle to his thigh armor, he wielded the power axe with both hands, carving a literal path of blood and gore through the luminescent beings.
The creatures that could withstand orc light weapons were powerless before Logan's relentless offensive, as his plasma-powered axe, crafted from Dwarven steel, cut through them with ease. The battlefield was littered with glowing blood and flesh that emitted a pale yellow light. Even Logan's Titan Mark I power armor was splattered with luminescent bloodstains.
Despite his battle lust, Logan wasn't reckless. He understood the dangers of the luminescent beings' infective properties, thanks to intelligence reports from the Information Division. So long as his Titan armor remained intact, its seal would protect him from Immaterial contamination.
Moreover, Logan had yet to undergo the full set of surgical enhancements. Upon completion of all twenty procedures, viruses, bacteria, and parasites entering an Astartes body would be neutralized by an enhanced immune system. Completed Astartes could even spit acid strong enough to corrode enemies.
The Grey Knights, equipped with "nano-glands," could bathe in Immaterial energy without fear of infection or transformation. Yet, not only Logan but the entire Space Wolves and Raven Guard squads, with their ammo depleted, dove into the luminescent beings and remaining orcs with unrestrained zeal.
In the early days of the company's public Astartes program, an internal saying had emerged: "A gun is just an Astartes' way to warm up before the real fight." Other sayings—"If an Astartes wields a chainsword without a helmet, he's deadlier than a main battle tank" and "Avoid confronting an Astartes when he's out of ammo, especially if you're an alien"—highlighted their unmatched prowess.
The Space Wolves' genetic seed also distinguished them from the Raven Guard and Sons of Man. After Atlas and Samuel Young dismantled the vampire and werewolf clans, the biological division had gathered extensive experimental materials, ultimately discovering that certain "superior traits" from vampires and werewolves harmonized with the genetic seeds of Sanguinius and Leman.
After trials involving D-rank personnel proved low-risk with minimal side effects, project head Alexia modified Sanguinius' and Leman's gene seeds. Those implanted with these gene seeds gained reaction speed and strength beyond typical Astartes. Additionally, the Blood Angels and Space Wolves developed vampiric and lycanthropic abilities.
As the name implies, the Blood Angels could "consume" enemy blood, temporarily absorbing their combat skills and recovering from injuries. They were immune to contaminants in the blood due to their unique immune systems, ensuring complete safety. "Lycanthropy" enabled the Space Wolves to transform into powerful wolf-like forms when gravely injured, enhancing their reaction speed and strength by four to six times, allowing them to break free from encirclements and retreat to safety for treatment. However, "lycanthropy" inflicted considerable physical strain, requiring three to four weeks of recovery.
Presently:
"Ha ha ha! Die! Die!"
"Filthy scum! Get over here!"
"Stop running! You're a zombie; why are you fleeing?"
The metallic roars echoed throughout the underground cavern. Logan and the six Space Wolves, drenched in glowing blood, became mobile light sources. In their hands, power axes, claws, and chainswords cut through the luminescent beings with brutal ease.
Some luminescent beings attempted to fire guns and grenades in panic, yet their efforts proved futile. The Space Wolves needed no lycanthropic transformations for this battle. Reserved for life-threatening situations, it was their last-resort survival tool. To Logan and his companions, this massacre was nothing more than an opportunity to rack up merits.
Meanwhile, the Raven Guard executed their tasks with methodical precision, targeting high-value orc officers. The Sons of Man provided ranged support, carefully neutralizing any threats to ensure their brothers' safety.
As the skirmish wore on, Taviz requested reinforcements, sending their location to nearby squads for support, prioritizing efficiency. A battle lasting 1–2 hours posed risks, and with five squads nearby heading toward their cavern, calling for backup earned them a reputation for "generosity."
The Sons of Man and Raven Guard didn't mind sharing the spoils, though the Space Wolves—who could say for sure? Perhaps they did, perhaps they didn't. Not entirely sure of the Wolves' intentions, Taviz announced over the comms:
"Brothers, five more squads are on the way. Let's capture the highest-value orc units quickly…"
Taviz's words were interrupted by a large luminescent creature attempting to ambush the Space Wolves. Reacting instantly, he locked on and fired.
With a deafening boom, the explosive bolt created a "miniature sun," blasting a hole through the creature's torso. Yet two bolts weren't enough to kill it; it roared, its cry reverberating through the cavern.
The two machine-gunners in the Sons of Man squad immediately directed their weapons toward the massive creature, shredding it with heavy bolts and plasma.
Once the threat was neutralized, Taviz continued, "Capturing a high-value orc unit could help us locate the humanoid queen or the rift worm. As natives, they know this underground terrain far better than we do. This would be an accomplishment worthy of our primarch's praise."
"No problem!" Logan responded, laughing loudly. "Moen, leave the big shots to you. We Wolves are happy just killing these brainless zombies!"
Logan's desires were simple; so long as he could fight, he was content.
"Done," Raven Guard Captain Moen replied curtly over the comms.
Taviz, watching from a higher vantage point, saw Moen and his team breach the orc line and capture the largest, most heavily armored orc officer. The officer tried to resist, but Moen knocked him unconscious with a well-placed elbow, ending the fight.
The Raven Guard held their ground, awaiting reinforcements. "Let's go!" Taviz ordered, leading the Sons of Man across the battlefield to join Moen's group.
At that moment, five joint squads—ninety young Astartes in total—arrived. What originally seemed a 1–2 hour battle against over ten thousand luminescent beings and remaining orcs was now reduced to mere minutes.
With reinforcements joining the fray, the young Astartes tore through the horde with coordinated efficiency, each strike precisely measured, each shot perfectly placed. The once overwhelming numbers of luminescent beings and orcs dwindled rapidly under the combined assault of the ninety elite warriors.
In the chaos of battle, the battlefield was illuminated by the flashes of energy weapons, the explosions of plasma rounds, and the constant hum of power weapons carving through the enemy ranks. The ground was littered with the remnants of the luminescent creatures, their flesh and blood glowing faintly, casting an eerie light across the scene.
As the last of the enemies fell, the remaining warriors regrouped, the mission now completed in record time. Their armor, spattered with glowing blood and bits of flesh, bore the marks of their furious assault, but their resolve was unshaken. The luminescent beings and orcs that had once threatened the locals were now reduced to nothing but remnants, marking a decisive victory for the young Astartes.
For the squad leaders like Taviz, Logan, and Moen, this battle marked a notable milestone. The likelihood of their deeds being recorded in company history was high, and the potential for promotion was now within reach. The victory not only bolstered their reputation but also highlighted the unstoppable force that the Astartes represented.
As the squad leaders prepared to debrief and regroup, they couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in their accomplishment. With such an overwhelming victory achieved, they were eager to face the next challenge and carve their legacy further into the annals of Atlas's elite forces.
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