Chapter 273: The Tide of Desperation

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With the Swarm's will focused on allowing the Iron Men to rampage through the Inferno Galaxy, it diverted the bulk of its forces toward Baal.

Above Baal, the sky was darkened by an endless tide of the Swarm. Swathed in thick, chitinous armor, the warrior-beetles surged forward, braving the explosive rounds of the Astartes only to strike down their enemies at close range. Even the once-weak blade-beetles had evolved; while more fragile and easy to slay with a single blast, their attacks had become sharper, deadlier, allowing them to take down even isolated Terminators with sheer numbers.

A battle that could have dragged on suddenly reached a fever pitch, as though the decisive hour was at hand.

Even Dante, recovering from his injuries within the fortress, noticed the ferocity of the Swarm's assault. Fores, Karaan, and other chapter captains fighting along the inner walls were painfully aware as well. Yet, there was no time for discussion, as a monstrous bio-titan advanced toward the inner wall.

This bio-titan differed from any they had encountered before. Covered in symbiotic weapons, tentacles, and crawling parasites, it loomed larger, more powerful, emitting a biological electric field in place of its once-poisonous gas. The EMP-like pulse rendered most vehicles useless in its proximity, while ground troops, whether in Terminator armor or standard suits, found their communications severed, their power systems failing.

Countless Astartes lives had been sacrificed for this knowledge.

"The attacks are ineffective!" bellowed the Crying Sons' first lieutenant from the inner wall as Fores arrived to reinforce Defense Point Seventeen. The entire tactical squad had emptied their missile racks upon the titan, only to watch helplessly as the missiles veered off course, exploding instead within the Swarm, killing tens of thousands of blade-beetles—an ultimately futile sacrifice, as the endless swarm soon filled the gap.

"I see it," Fores acknowledged grimly. "No more missiles. We'll coordinate with Lieutenant Karaan and take down that mutated beast."

"Yes, sir." The first lieutenant saluted before turning to rally his men for the impending fight.

Fores had not come alone to Defense Point Seventeen; a lone tech-sergeant accompanied him, studying Tyranid weapons with meticulous care.

Earlier, Fores had suggested calling in an orbital strike to eliminate the bio-titan, but two brain-bugs hovered around it, shielding it with psychic power that nullified the bombardment.

Fortunately, the Tyranid arsenal offered more than just orbital targeting.

"Sergeant," Fores ordered, preparing for the coordinated attack with Karaan, "ready all Tyranid weapons you can operate proficiently. This time, no mistakes with the gravity grenades."

"Yes, sir." The tech-sergeant nodded, then began marking off items from his weapon list. Every viable option would be summoned from the flagship. He paused, however, when reaching the dimensional missiles.

A mere ten days earlier, these dimensional missiles had torn open rifts on the battlefield, banishing tens of thousands of Swarm creatures into interdimensional space.

Fores noticed this hesitation. "Why skip the dimensional missiles? They're effective, and collateral damage is hardly a concern given the teleportation shields embedded in our power armor."

The tech-sergeant replied quickly, aware of his chapter leader's scrutiny. "Lieutenant Karaan requisitioned all of our dimensional missiles, sir. You permitted other companies to draw on our stores without prior approval."

"Very well," Fores said, accepting the situation without further question.

Soon, Karaan and the First Company of the Blood Angels arrived at the defense point. All eyes turned to them as they appeared.

Karaan and his men had stripped off their Terminator armor, donning only simple breeches to preserve their modesty. They carried only power swords and bolt pistols, and each bore a single, meter-long dimensional missile upon their backs.

"The Crying Sons need not participate," Karaan announced as he advanced. "Chapter Master Dante has other orders for you. Leave the task of slaying this titan to me and proceed to the war council chamber, Fores."

Fores nodded but couldn't help asking, "What is this plan, Karaan? Why shed your armor and carry those missiles on your backs?"

"You know the reason, Fores. Missiles won't strike true against that beast, and our armor will only hinder us when near its bio-electric field," Karaan replied, his tone calm.

Fores understood. The bio-titan's electric field would divert missiles and disable power armor, leaving Terminator suits as dead weight. Regular Astartes armor might allow limited movement without its power, but a Terminator suit would be an impossible burden.

Thus, Karaan had abandoned it, planning to carry the dimensional missiles himself, to approach the titan and detonate them, dragging it into interdimensional space.

It was a one-way, suicidal tactic. Karaan and his men would become living missiles themselves.

"Did Chapter Master Dante command this, or is this your decision alone?" Fores demanded, his eyes fixed on Karaan. "Dante would never order something so merciless."

"It's my decision," Karaan admitted without hesitation.

As Fores opened his mouth to dissuade him, Karaan continued, "An entire company fell in previous attempts to probe that beast's defenses… If we are to die, let it be in glory."

Karaan's calm words were echoed by solemn nods from the warriors of the First Company. They seemed at peace, as though this self-sacrifice were someone else's burden to bear.

Fores felt a suffocating despair spreading through the fortress. It seemed that everyone accepted their death as a certainty; the only difference lay in the manner of that end.

Moments later, black-raged Astartes were brought forth to join them. When all was in place, Karaan clapped a hand on Fores' shoulder and said, "We shall meet again at our gene-father's side."

Fores nodded silently, then turned to his first lieutenant. "At all costs, open a path for Lieutenant Karaan."