Chapter 58: Bonebreaker Saraka

"Compatriots, the mission begins—get ready to set off!" Dukel waved his hand and led the guards to the expeditionary battlefleet.

After Commissar Krieg joined the expeditionary corps, he delivered critical news to the Primarch.

Almost every world in the Euro galaxy had been occupied. Countless greenskin Orks were entrenched there, united in a way almost unheard of for the fractious species.

The cause of this anomaly was a warlord named Bonebreaker Saraka, who held sway on the nearby world of Organa.

Bonebreaker Saraka—the name triggered a deep memory for Dukel.

Bonebreaker was a legend among Orks in the 40K era. Originally just an Ork Boy from the Goff Clan, he was gravely injured during a raid on Yuk, taking a direct explosive round to the head. The damage was severe, and he was turned over to the infamous Painboy, Mad Dok Groot.

The deranged Painboy replaced Bonebreaker's damaged cerebellum with a biomechanical device crafted from adamantium and infused it with "mushroom goo." What emerged was a grotesque medical marvel.

Whether due to the mushrooms' psychoactive effects or Saraka's own delusions, he began claiming he had seen the Ork gods, Gork and Mork. While this might have been mere Orkish boasting, it didn't matter—the greenskins believed him.

From that point, Bonebreaker rose quickly through Ork society, becoming a fearsome warlord.

Saraka possessed a rare quality among Orks—foresight. Unlike most, he contemplated the reasons for war. Over time, he became convinced he was favored by the Ork gods. Declaring himself the "Ork Prophet," he introduced revolutionary ideas to Ork society: unity and purpose.

A great preacher of Waaagh!, Saraka incited Orks from multiple worlds into a frenzy of conquest. Hundreds of billions followed him, their faith unshaken. Under his leadership, they embarked on an unprecedented crusade, seeking glory and bloodshed in the name of Waaagh!

Upon learning that Saraka was entrenched on Organa, the expeditionary corps cast aside their usual contempt for Orks. United greenskins posed a grave threat. The Primarch and the think tank convened an emergency meeting.

After deliberation, the decision was clear: the Primarch would lead a force to Organa to delay Bonebreaker's advance. The objective was to stall for three months, allowing the main fleet to eliminate 80% of the Orks in the Euro galaxy.

After the battle with the Nurgle Legion, the Librarians understood Dukel's tactical prowess. For him, delaying a war for three months was hardly a challenge.

However, when Dukel learned his role was to delay the Orks rather than fight on the main battlefield, his initial reaction was resistance.

"This mission is better suited for Aiferal," he thought. "I belong on the main battlefield, where my skills shine."

Yet, the possibility of capturing Saraka to further his "Ork network infiltration plan" swayed him. Begrudgingly, he accepted the mission.

"Sir," the quartermaster approached Dukel with a detailed report. "For this mission, the total number of Imperial infantry is 110,500. This includes 100,000 Krieg troops, 10,000 Valhallan Guardsmen, and 150 Ultramarines. Supporting units include your personal guard and logistics personnel."

Heavy firepower included 150 Dreadnoughts, 50 Knight Titans, and 15 Warhound Titans, among other assets. The deployment underscored the mission's importance.

The Krieg Legion's discipline made them ideal for this mission, while the Valhallan troops, under Commissar Kane, added tactical flexibility. Though the Librarians didn't fully understand Kane's significance, they observed the Primarch's respect for him. Kane's presence ensured Dukel remained focused on delaying tactics rather than direct confrontation.

The mission was clear: slow the Ork warlord's advance without direct engagement. Guerrilla warfare, Warp disruption, and hit-and-run tactics would suffice. Direct combat was to be avoided unless necessary.

At the Imperial stronghold, preparations continued with ruthless efficiency. Servo-skulls and Mechanicus adepts worked tirelessly to arm every soldier. Ammunition, thermal bombs, and munitions were stockpiled in staggering quantities.

Meanwhile, on Organa, the Orks were equally industrious. Warships arrived through crude teleportation technology, and Mekboyz frantically constructed war machines. Every completed "Big Shoota" or "Stompa" was met with wild cheers and violent celebration.

The arms race intensified as both sides prepared for the inevitable clash.

As the expeditionary fleet prepared to depart, Dukel reviewed the strategy in solitude. Confidence radiated from him. "Delay them for three months? No need," he muttered. "When I'm finished, these greenskins won't need delaying—their ashes will speak for them."

The fleet's engines roared to life, and flames erupted from the battleships' exhaust ports. Expertly piloted, the ships avoided detection by the Orks' unreliable radars.

Back at the stronghold, Mechanicus forges churned on. Supplies continued to pour in, ensuring the Imperial forces were equipped for any eventuality.

Both sides understood the stakes. Organa was more than a battlefield—it was the fulcrum upon which the war would turn. Bonebreaker Saraka's Waaagh! threatened to drown the Euro galaxy in blood, but the Imperium's forces stood as humanity's bulwark.

As the first Imperial dropships pierced Organa's atmosphere, the stage was set for a confrontation that would determine the fate of the galaxy.

The war was about to begin.

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