The Emperor’s Angel of Death

As the flyers plunged towards the atmosphere, the Hearthguard fleet, pursued by numerous Tyranid bio-ships, accelerated its escape from the planet's gravity. In addition to deploying combat satellites, it also launched an unmanned airdrop pod, which fell towards the planet's surface alongside the Space Marines' flyers.

“.Analyzing atmospheric composition.”

Seated in the Storm Eagle's cockpit, Solzhenitsyn felt the flyer's turbulence and listened to the report in his ear.

“Chapter Master, communication equipment is severely jammed, and the anti-jamming device is not working.”

“The psychic presence here is strong, it's not surprising. Maintain short-range communications and ensure every flyer in the formation can be contacted.”

“Yes.”

As the turbulence intensified, Solzhenitsyn realized they were entering the atmosphere. This was strange because a planet completely consumed by the Tyranids would have its atmosphere devoured, but this world retained it.

The shaking soon stopped, and a voice sounded.

“Opening external visual display…”

Solzhenitsyn picked up the data-slate and looked at the gradually clearing picture.

But it couldn't really be called clear, because the entire lens was shrouded in a thick yellow-green fog. Solzhenitsyn was very familiar with this fog; it was the Tyranid spore cloud.

“.Detecting a large amount of airborne particulate matter. Engine enhanced filtration system and self-cleaning procedure activated.”

When arriving on this world, Solzhenitsyn roughly expected it to be filled with poisonous fog, as it was the best way for the Tyranids to protect themselves. Therefore, he specifically had the Hearthguard add their unique filtration system to the flyer's engines. This system could effectively filter spores in the air to prevent damage to the engines, and it could self-clean to prevent clogging. In addition, each Space Marine's helmet grille had an extra filter cover, which had a similar function.

“Augury array is jammed! Detecting hostile signals!”

Unsurprisingly, Tyranid flying units soon appeared. Hordes of Gargoyles, led by Hive Tyrants, tumbled out of the smoke, flapping their wings like demons from hell. Some of their wings still had fresh mucus on them, indicating they had just hatched. In the distance, the roars of Harpies could be heard.

“Quickly reduce altitude, prioritize landing, follow the designated coordinates!”

Suddenly, the lights in the cabin dimmed, and the data-slate in Solzhenitsyn's hand began to flicker. Mark, Horemann, and the others frowned; they all felt it.

“Such powerful psychic energy, it's almost like being in the warp…”

Horemann whispered what everyone was feeling. Solzhenitsyn chuckled, and the lights in the cabin quickly returned to normal, and the data-slate functioned as usual.

“Chapter Master, communication array is severely jammed, unable to contact some formations.”

“It doesn't matter, just land according to the designated coordinates.”

Anticipating possible communication failures, Solzhenitsyn and Vidrian had already selected landing coordinates on the planet. It was a mountainous basin, convenient as a landing zone, and the terrain was not conducive to large-scale Tyranid deployment. These coordinates were entered into each gunship, so even if communication was impossible, landing according to the plan was not a problem.

More importantly, this location was very close to the Tyranid construct discovered by the Deathwatch. According to Vidrian, this coordinate was at most fifty kilometers away from that construct, within visible range.

After landing, they could directly deploy an attack plan.

As for why they didn't simply land directly on the Tyranid construct, it was because the psychic energy it emitted was too strong. Vidrian said that if the flyer flew directly over, it would likely malfunction and crash halfway or something worse would happen.

Actually, Solzhenitsyn wasn't worried about this, and some warriors were puzzled by bringing the Deathwatch's "burden," but after all, Vidrian discovered it first. He strongly requested to participate in the operation, and Solzhenitsyn couldn't refuse. In addition, he hoped to get closer to Vidrian, because he was always watching the Eternal Court. If something really happened one day, it would be troublesome. By getting closer, the other party might give a heads-up in advance, or request assistance, so Solzhenitsyn could respond and prepare.

So, a mission that could have been easily completed had to be accompanied by a "limiter."

“Scanning ground conditions!”

“No Tyranid creatures found nearby yet!”

“Preparing to land!”

“Detecting a large number of biological signals fifteen kilometers away!”

A moment later, the fuselage shook violently, and then the hatch opened and the ramp lowered.

“Exit immediately, organize defenses, the Tyranids will definitely try to stop us at all costs.”

Picking up the helmet beside him and putting it on, Solzhenitsyn stood up and grabbed the nearby Flames of Heaven.

After the Terminators also walked out of the cabin in an orderly manner, Solzhenitsyn was the last to walk out. This time, he was wearing a rather unique suit of armor.

In the past, due to his size, he wore modified power armor and Terminator armor. Although it couldn't be said that it didn't fit, he didn't have a completely custom-made personal power armor. However, Solzhenitsyn didn't want to waste money, even though Ulan Huda had proposed to customize a set of armor for him, he refused. After all, he personally didn't rely on armor too much now. He just needed a ceremonial armor to show off. The ceremonial armor customized by the Imperial etiquette department in Terra was his most frequently worn armor at major ceremonies.

However, during the Maelstrom Expedition, the Great Zoarian League, to thank him for his cooperation and orders, not only gave him weapons, but also wanted to customize a set of armor for him. At that time, Solzhenitsyn thought it was free, so he didn't refuse, but he forgot about it afterwards.

It wasn't until the Great Zoarian mercenary fleet arrived and brought the armor forged by the Hearthguard that Solzhenitsyn remembered this.

In fact, when the Hearthguard told him about this, Solzhenitsyn was somewhat dismissive, because as an Astartes, he couldn't wear an alien-style, or rather, a non-Imperial-style armor in public in front of so many people. That was too much. And as the Phoenix King, he couldn't possibly wear the Hearthguard's power armor.

So at most, he would just accept it as a gift.

However, after seeing this armor, Solzhenitsyn changed his mind. These Hearthguard were obviously more thoughtful than him, and actually made a set of power armor with a distinct Imperial style, but also with some Hearthguard colors. More importantly, it also provided some abilities that Solzhenitsyn really needed at this stage.

From the outside, this armor consisted of independent chest armor, leg armor, shin guards, shoulder armor, arm armor, and hand armor. The style emphasized the heaviness of the Space Marine power armor. The edges were gilded, stable and noble. The surface was engraved with delicate and complex lightning patterns and flame patterns. The abdomen was also carved with muscle textures, highlighting the sense of power. As always, the Astartes Death Angel logo was used on the chest, but flexible metal tassels were added to the hem below the waist. The knee part of the shin guards was carved with the head of a divine eagle, echoing Solzhenitsyn's nickname 'Gray Eagle'. The shoulder armor was the standard Astartes template. One side was the Chapter logo, and the other side was carved with a realistic skull face. A gold sun badge with tassels was added to the right shoulder joint, representing his status as Governor-General granted by the High Lords of Terra. The left shoulder joint was a double-headed eagle badge wearing a crown and surrounded by olive branches, which was the Throne Supreme Medal awarded to him by the High Lords of Terra.