The Emperor’s Angel of Death

Awooo--

In the instant of the plasma flash, the Tyranid Hive Tyrant's abdomen was torn open, creating a massive gash nearly two meters deep. Scorched innards spilled out in a large mass, and the energy-depleted power axe clattered to the ground.

Farzad seized the opportunity, firing his meltagun repeatedly at the Tyrant's knees, dodging the slashing bone swords. He then grabbed the Tyrant's flexible whip with one hand, gritted his teeth, roared, and tore the whip apart. Thanks to the effects of the Grey Marrow, the Tyrant's chitin was covered in a layer of white frost.

"Die!"

The Third Company Captain punched the Tyrant, staggering it, then raised his power axe and brought it down heavily on the Tyrant's neck.

In response, the Tyrant swept its bone sword across, but due to the wrong angle, it only struck Farzad, losing its psychic power effect, it was a dull club, only sending Farzad flying a dozen meters. But the Third Company Captain quickly rushed back, this time directly punching out the kneeling and panting Tyrant's left eye, then grabbed its bloody eye socket and forcefully pulled it down.

"I'll teach you to invade my ship! I'll teach you to kill my crew!"

A rain of axes and fists pounded the Tyrant's head until it became an unrecognizable pile of minced meat, exposing its skull. Only then did Farzad stop, realizing the Tyrant was dead.

He looked behind the Tyrant, where several transparent, huge holes were smoking; the result of Sablin's meltagun fire.

With a cold snort, Farzad raised his power axe and heavily chopped off the Tyrant's head.

However, prolonged use of the Grey Marrow had also greatly depleted his physical strength, forcing him to lean against the Tyrant's mountain-like corpse, panting heavily and exhaling mouthfuls of cold air.

"Company Captain Farzad, we are here to reinforce you under the orders of the fleet commander. Sergeant Kasati has already taken men to support the engine room."

Farzad only grunted, then stood up and picked up the plasma power axe.

"Bahram is worrying needlessly. Does he think I'm so weak that I can't handle these little troubles?"

Sablin didn't say anything, but Li Lin was already muttering in the channel.

"Such ingratitude, not even a thank you, just showing off."

At this moment, Farzad had already turned and walked to a Tech-Priest who was diligently working near a cogitator even in the midst of the chaotic warfare.

"What's the situation with the ship now?"

"Reporting, sir, the survival rate of personnel on both sides of the gun decks is less than 17%, 26% of the cannons have suffered severe damage, only 7% of the facilities on the main weapon deck of the ship's spine are damaged, but the power lines are severely damaged, 81% of the area has lost power, and the ship's firepower level has been reduced to 22% of the ideal state. It can be determined that it has basically lost combat capability."

"Damn it!"

Farzad slammed the nearby railing with force, appearing very annoyed.

"Sir, a communication request from the flagship."

"Accept it."

"Third Company Captain, what's the situation?"

"Still alive, but the Triumph is finished. We have to withdraw from the battle."

"Permission granted."

Suddenly, Farzad adopted a very serious tone.

"Bahram, if we continue to fight like this, the Chapter's reserves will be wiped out."

"I know."

"Withdraw, while there's still time. Pull out the ground troops, and grant the rest the Emperor's Mercy."

Hearing Farzad's words, Bahram felt a mix of emotions. His eyes turned to the scrolling loss reports.

[Rogon-class fast light carrier Cobalt Stone, sunk]

[Luna-class cruiser Nathan's Blade, sunk]

[Tyrant-class cruiser Aegis, combat ineffective]

[Mars-class battlecruiser Triumph, combat ineffective]

[Viper-class missile destroyer Onyx Stone, sunk]

[Nova-class frigate Red Copper, sunk]

Nineteen hours into the engagement, the central fleet had lost 2 capital ships and 15 smaller vessels, with another 4 capital ships and 23 smaller vessels essentially combat ineffective, forced to withdraw from the battle order. The left and right flank fleets had also lost over twenty ships in continuous combat.

But these were not the most glaring. Next to the ship losses was a scrolling red list, the Space Marine casualty report. So far, 176 Space Marines had died in counter-boarding actions, including 64 from the Astral Knights and White Templars alone.

"Captain Talos, now..."

Pale-faced and covered in fine sweat, Bahram pursed his lips, looking at Talos, who remained calm and collected. Talos crossed his arms, withdrawing his gaze from the tactical display and looking back at him.

"What, wavering?"

"Do you know how the Eighth Legion was so easily shattered by the First Legion, like breaking glass?"

Bahram didn't know why he suddenly brought up the old Legion days and could only shake his head.

"At the time, we lost the command of the Primarch. When the First Legion's fleet suddenly appeared, no one knew whether to fight or run. As losses mounted, running became the consensus for most. Everyone began to calculate how to minimize their own losses. Even after the Primarch awoke, the situation was beyond redemption. Bahram, losses are not scary. What's scary is that you can't tell whether the losses bring victory or defeat. What's even scarier is that you immediately waver because of the losses. I support you because I believe in your abilities. Even now, my view hasn't changed in the slightest. What about you?"

Bahram raised his hands and rubbed his eyes with his palms.

"Captain Talos, I'm very scared right now. My hands have been shaking since the start of the battle. Every message I see, every loss, is like an accusation, accusing me of my incompetence and failure. I don't even know how to face the Chapter Master..."

"So, have you wavered?"

After a moment of silence, Bahram lowered his hands, his face turning into a fierce and decisive expression that he rarely showed in the past, and slammed his fist heavily on the tactical display.

"No! There are billions of lives here! The Emperor is our witness, if we abandon them, then what are our weapons fighting for? And it's far from time to admit defeat!"

Bahram seemed to have made a decision, then he connected the communicator.

"Venerable Kayan, can you confirm the location of the true Hive Ship?"

After a moment, Kayan's slightly tired voice came from the communicator.

".As I tried to find that eye in the tendrils, I felt a soul-deep fear. I even felt that this fear was coldly watching me from the distant void. It was endless hunger... Bahram, I don't advise you to take this risk, because as I was exploring it, it was also exploring me. It will definitely guess our intentions and set a trap."

"The Ultramarines won by killing the real Hive Ship, causing the Tyranid fleet to turn on each other. This is our only chance!"

"No, you can't be sure if its consciousness will be dispersed... Wait, I sense..."