The Emperor’s Angel of Death

Chapter 2885: First, Sever an Arm

Although caught off guard, the Tyranids still held the advantage in terms of numbers. Scans indicated that this tendril fleet consisted of at least 20,000 bio-ships of various sizes, with approximately five hundred being large bio-ships. There was even a bio-ship larger than a battleship, identified as the flagship of this Tyranid tendril fleet. Fortunately, comparisons with the Mechanicum's data on Hive Motherships confirmed that it was not one of those.

The human strike fleet, at most, numbered only 221 ships, most of which were small warships. However, this 100:1 numerical disparity did not shake Malakim, as the Lamenters, having already fought against the Tyranid fleet, had gained sufficient knowledge of these creatures, especially the bio-ships.

The Tyranid's small bio-ships were not very powerful in combat, serving more as escorts for the larger bio-ships. Their long-range attack methods were also very limited. The only thing to be wary of was boarding assaults.

Therefore, Malakim chose to launch a surprise attack while the Tyranid bio-ships were still within the planetary gravity well, as this was when they were at their most sluggish. Seizing this opportunity could inflict heavy damage.

The human warships were spread out over a wider front than the tightly packed Tyranid fleet, with battle groups deploying to the flanks to inflict as much damage as possible, essentially sacrificing the depth of the line for width.

In contrast, the Tyranid bio-ships clustered around the planet formed a loose spherical mass, with smaller escort ships surrounding the main ships in ugly fist-like formations. Concentrated attacks could easily penetrate the human lines.

However, the planet's immense gravity meant that the Tyranid's small bio-ships needed more time to reach combat speed.

They were like cold-blooded animals in hibernation, needing time to awaken.

As always, the human ships initiated combat with torpedoes and missiles. Projectiles spewing azure engine flames streaked through the dark void, like shells leaving a gun barrel, erupting in dazzling fireworks within the Tyranid bio-fleet after a brief silence.

"The enemy fleet is beginning to scatter."

As the commander of the cruiser squadron on the edge of the battle group, Chinedu knew his mission: preventing the Tyranids from escaping, but more importantly, "herding" them together.

"Thunderbolt, advance to suppress enemy air units. Bronze Shield and Defender, alternate fire, prioritizing the largest ships in this Tyranid bio-mass."

After designating the targets, he broadcast the holographic map to the other captains.

As the main anti-air force of the cruiser squadron, the heavily anti-air-modified Dreadnought-class light cruisers became a barrier for the bombardment line. The two Dauntless-class light cruisers moved into firing positions, and the Serpent King also locked onto its target.

With a flash as the lance pierced the void, a Tyranid Harridan in motion burst like a punctured balloon. Its round belly ruptured, spilling a mass of twitching entrails into the void, instantly freezing.

"Maintain current firepower output, and constantly monitor enemy distance."

In just half an hour, the entire dark space seemed to be ignited. Imperial ships began to bombard the Tyranid bio-ships trapped in orbit with great efficiency. Huge shells exploded on the thick biomass armor, tearing apart flesh, shattering tentacles and fangs. Lances emitted pulsing light, attempting to pierce the steel-like chitinous plates and embed themselves deep into the corrupted alien hulls.

After an hour of fighting, more than 2,000 Tyranid bio-ships were reduced to debris orbiting the planet. The Tyranid ships also began their counterattack, launching a large number of Tyranid boarding cysts towards the human fleet, while charged bio-plasma streaked towards their targets with a distinctive green trail.

Although accuracy was difficult to guarantee, sheer numbers ensured coverage.

At the same time, a group of bio-assault ships broke away from the fleet, baring their fangs and claws as they rushed towards the three human battle groups. If they managed to bite, even battleships would suffer a large gash.

Their coordinated actions, even under the overwhelming fire of the human ships, meant that every gap created in the Hive Fleet's line was instantly filled with more monsters.

As the main force of the Tyranid fleet's counterattack, Harridans and Devourers, guarded by numerous Drones, formed a loose assault formation. Their tentacle-like heads constantly writhed at the front, their size dwarfed by their massive chests and abdomens. Flat, leech-like tentacle tails twitched frantically, and smaller creatures moved frequently across their bodies, seeking firing points for the huge bio-cannons on their backs. More living weapons slid open firing ports along the sides of the warships.

Upon entering attack range, the glittering muzzles ejected a rain of living ammunition into the cosmos and spewed countless glowing plasma clusters.

"Nineteenth Escort Squadron, one ship lost!"

"Second Strike Cruiser Division reporting their condition, Starfire's bow damaged, withdrawing from the battle line!"

"First Light Carrier Division reporting, Interceptor squadrons lost 11%! Enemy pressure is still increasing!"

Commanding over two hundred warships simultaneously was a huge strain for any human, including Astartes. Malakim stood in the cathedral-like bridge of the Mother of Tears, his right hand resting on the hilt of the Bloodied Broadsword at his waist, his eyes locked on the tactical display.

Based on the current firepower and the enemy's numbers, annihilating this Tyranid force should only be a matter of time. The ships of the Star Knights and White Templars were incredibly powerful, especially the Star Knights' warships, which possessed a large number of ships that should not theoretically exist in an Astartes Chapter, their strength approaching that of an Imperial Sector Fleet.

But this did not make Malakim happy; in fact, his gloomy aura was even more pronounced than usual.

"Brother Solaz, just how much... how many things are we unaware of?"

He left the tactical display and walked to the huge observation window, staring at the powerful Oberon-class battleship Abyss Hunter as it bombarded a Tyranid Devourer with its devastating broadside lances. A third of the Tyranid bio-ship's head disappeared, rolling and twitching in the void, but Malakim did not watch this; he only stared at the Star Knights' insignia on the Abyss Hunter.

"If..."

Malakim's gaze gradually darkened, and he murmured to himself:

"...if I cannot return in time, will something happen?"

Suddenly, he raised his head slightly, staring at his reflection in the huge mirror, and took a step back.

"No, he trusts me so much, I cannot... I cannot do this."

Then, he pressed his hand against the glass, lowering his head slightly. When he raised it again, his reflection in the mirror had become a figure in black armor.

"Sanguinius would not betray his brothers, and neither will I!"

Malakim turned abruptly and said in a deep voice:

"Order the Eternal Loyalty to coordinate with the vortex torpedoes fired from my ship, prioritizing the destruction of the enemy flagship! We must act quickly; the lives of many battle-brothers depend on our speed!"

Soon, an attack from the Eternal Loyalty's bow cannon, coordinated with a vortex torpedo fired from the Mother of Tears, tore a huge scar in the heart of the Tyranid Hive Fleet. Many Tyranid bio-ships, including the Hive Ship acting as command, were entangled by the immense attraction from the Warp in their violent struggles, and were ultimately swallowed by the brilliant, filthy purple rift.