Chapter 61: The Prophecy of Defeat

...

On the battlefield.

"Scatter! All units, disperse!" 

"We're about to initiate the teleportation. Do not engage in prolonged combat; destroy all fixed weapons and prepare for transport!" 

As the infantry engaged in fierce firefights with the approaching enemy, the officers shouted commands over the communication channel. 

The soldiers promptly began to demolish heavy weaponry, rigging the fixed emplacements with explosives. 

Once this was accomplished, they quickly scattered to any safe locations, ensuring that their teleportation would not result in two individuals merging into one due to misalignment. 

While the soldiers prepared for the teleportation, the regimental officers had already boarded the Lehman Russ tanks. 

"Teleportation will commence shortly." 

As a notification beep sounded in the communication channel, protective devices activated, enveloping everyone in a shield. 

"Three." 

"Two." 

"One." 

With the countdown concluded, the entire First Army and their equipment were teleported to the Nest, even the drones seamlessly transported. These soulless machines were actually easier to teleport. 

The disappearance of the soldiers was so sudden that the attacking forces were caught off guard, continuing their bombardment of the positions for two more minutes before gradually ceasing fire. 

The attacking soldiers swiftly occupied the position, achieving victory with astonishing ease. 

Yet, everyone was acutely aware that this was merely a fleeting triumph; they would soon face a terrifying onslaught. 

Within the spire of the Nest, the officer Scorpion, commanding from a distance, did not immediately issue orders but instead closed his eyes and concentrated on channeling psychic energy. 

Before him played out a prophecy. 

As his subordinates trembled with unease, numerous energy rifts unfolded behind them, and soldiers along with tanks gradually materialized, launching a fierce counterattack. 

The counteroffensive did not originate from outside the position but rather from the rear of the front line established by their advance troops. 

In the prophecy's conclusion, his fifteen-thousand-strong vanguard was disarrayed, easily decimated by the enemy. 

"What vile technology," Scorpion muttered, opening his eyes, his brow furrowed as he contemplated his next move. 

He was well-acquainted with teleportation technology, understanding that the Empire's method utilized subspace for instantaneous travel from one location to another, allowing for straightforward interference. 

However, he also considered the possibility that the enemy employed a new technology. Relying on interference to counter the prophecy seemed unwise; the vanguard had to retreat, especially since they had already annihilated the Second Army, leaving them in a favorable position. 

Scorpion closed his eyes once more, sending a psychic communication to his commanders: "Retreat. Cover each other as you fall back." 

After issuing the command, Scorpion rose and looked at his attendant, ordering, "Prepare the ritual and its requisite consumables; I must ensure the enemy cannot teleport." 

"But my lord, their teleportation technology may not be subspace-based…" the attendant stammered, trembling as he knelt. 

"I've witnessed the pseudo-Imperial brutes utilize their teleportation technology during their jump troop operations, and I even successfully interfered with it," Scorpion snapped, gesturing toward the door. "Now, get out and prepare." 

"Yes, my lord." The attendant immediately rushed out to prepare for the ritual.

...

Within the Nest. 

The teleported troops had regrouped, inspecting their gear to confirm that nothing had sustained damage. 

The Grey Knights received new orders. 

"Next, you will be teleported to different areas, all located behind the enemy lines. I need you to find suitable locations for the beacons post-transport." 

"I suspect there are psykers among the enemy ranks. If you encounter a psyker during battle, do not engage immediately; report it instead, and Yeon will handle the psyker." 

Qin Mo conveyed his orders through the encrypted communication channel. 

The Grey Knights listened intently. 

"Those are the specific orders; leave the rest to the teleportation devices and me." Qin Mo terminated the communication. 

Subsequently, everyone except Yeon was gradually enveloped in shields before being teleported to the predetermined locations he had arranged for them. 

Emerging from the dimensional rift, Grey found himself in an open area outside District One, where a regiment of enemy troops had gathered before retreating from the position they once occupied. 

Grey swiftly deployed the beacon on the ground and circled around to initiate an attack on the enemy from a different direction. 

His power armor unleashed a torrent of fire, the jetpack propelling him at an extraordinary speed across the terrain, launching assaults even as the enemy realized he was alone. Still, they had no choice but to seek cover and retaliate with all their might. 

Unbeknownst to them, their situation was rapidly deteriorating. 

As energy rifts opened one after another, the 87th regiment led by Duncan completed their teleportation, and the enemy lost their fleeting opportunity to intercept. 

Duncan emerged from the tank's hatch, brandishing his chainsword and roaring, "Attack!" 

The roar drew the enemy's attention. As they turned to investigate the source of the sound, they were immediately confronted by a full line of power-armored soldiers and the ominous muzzles of Lehman Russ tanks. 

In the next moment, all fire was unleashed. 

The enemy barely had time to hit the ground before being overwhelmed by attacks from behind. Beams pierced through their ranks, shells exploded among them, and within less than two minutes, the regiment suffered catastrophic casualties. 

Duncan ordered a push; the infantry advanced around the tanks, while the biological scans within the power armor marked all remaining enemies, ensuring even those feigning death were accounted for. 

Grey chose not to continue assisting Duncan and activated his biological scan, moving to other positions to deploy more teleportation beacons. 

In contrast to Grey and Duncan, other regiments found their engagements considerably less arduous. 

Teleportation under the guidance of beacons consistently placed them behind enemy lines or ahead of their retreat paths. 

Unmanned artillery also joined the fray; they no longer required the protection of friendly forces, as they could be teleported to distant safe zones and commence bombardments on the nearest foes. 

After one round of shelling, the unmanned artillery would be teleported again to the next location requiring their fire support, leaving the enemy bewildered as to when and where they would strike next. 

For the First Army, this battle no longer necessitated commands or strategies; every soldier simply needed to continue utilizing teleportation and assaults, ensuring the enemy faced inevitable demise in utter confusion. 

Meanwhile, Qin Mo extricated himself from command duties to focus on recharging the teleportation devices, preventing the awkward scenario of running out of energy and being unable to execute dimensional transport.