"What a pity about that super-large orbital cannon."
As the False Emperor gradually entered the atmosphere of Calth, Kenmyo saw that the surroundings were filled with burning meteors streaking across the sky.
These were fragments of the orbital cannon that spanned the planet's surface, now completely shot down by the Word Bearers, as no one knew how long those few lines of Chaos code would keep the entire system paralyzed.
The anti-air defenses on Calth's surface had already deployed cyclone torpedoes. In that terrifying high temperature approaching ten thousand degrees, all high-precision anti-air weapons would be destroyed.
However, the giant structure above was merely infected by the Chaos Trojan virus, preventing it from functioning as intended.
In fact, if it were functioning again, the cannon fire spanning the entire horizon would have caused heavy losses even to the Word Bearers' warships.
Striking while it was weak, the Word Bearers' warships unleashed full volleys of lances and macro-cannons, directly destroying the gigantic orbital structure spanning the planet's surface.
Countless super-large mechanical fragments generated intense friction with the air and were scorched by the atmosphere, resembling burning fireballs.
The void shields activated on the False Emperor ensured that even fragments several kilometers long impacting it caused little disturbance.
Crimson flames and dust filled the skies of Calth. In that dense haze, only the scorching, descending orbital fragments were clearly visible.
There was an aesthetic beauty in falling alongside the stars.
Since the orbital structure spanned the entire planet, its size was unimaginably large, meaning the fragments falling directly from space were almost several kilometers long.
Atmospheric friction alone was insufficient to burn them all up; they would likely crash straight into the ground individually.
The destructive power caused by gravity was no less than an orbital bombardment, which would certainly give the warships on the ground, protected by void shields, a run for their money.
Since the False Emperor had also penetrated deep into the planet, Kenmyo saw the Ultramarines' warships shimmering with blue light amidst the sea of fire created by the cyclone torpedo explosion.
Protected by their void shields, these behemoths suffered little damage from the intense heat.
They were all safe and sound, nestled amidst the raging flames.
This was all thanks to Kenmyo, who had warned Roboute Guilliman beforehand, allowing all vessels to activate their void shields before the cyclone torpedoes detonated.
Otherwise, at least 70% of the warships currently visible would have been lost, as not all of them possessed the terrifyingly thick armor of the Macragges Honour.
Missing the opportunity to activate the void shields when countering the first shockwave would generally result in the complete scrapping of the warship.
Because that kind of pulse energy would instantly burn out the precision instruments capable of generating void shields, leading to the destruction of the entire warship and the death of all the astartes Ultramarines aboard.
Khor-Pharon, that big bald head, was truly malicious; he mixed a single cyclone torpedo into a large batch of conventional missiles, deliberately deploying it outside the Ultramarines' radar detection range before detonation.
The deployment point of the cyclone torpedo was not chosen randomly; it was calculated by the Adeptus Mechanicus of Mars's cogitator computer to ensure the entire Ultramarines fleet was covered.
The Ultramarines on Calth were fortunate; they had a good Samaritan who specifically notified them using a psychic phone.
On other planets, the Ultramarines were not so lucky. Only a very few warships managed to activate their void shields in time; most faced the cyclone torpedo explosion using only their ship armor.
It was quite common for warships packed with Ultramarines to melt into molten iron under the terrifying high temperatures. The Power Armor worn by the Smurfs and their descendants would become their final nightmare before death.
Not to mention the Titans.
The Ultramarines' dedicated Titan transport ships naturally received the "enthusiastic hospitality" of the Word Bearers. The fewer ships remaining, the greater the Word Bearers' chance of victory.
In the face of absolute temperature, all technology is meaningless.
Although technology across the Warhammer world can utilize stars as energy sources, they have not developed warships capable of freely soaring across a star's surface relying solely on the heat resistance and insulation of their surface materials, without using void shields.
Upon seeing the Word Bearers' warships, every Ultramarine was enraged, viewing them as sworn enemies. These beasts truly lacked martial ethics.
If activating the void shield didn't prevent them from using weapons against those ships, they probably wouldn't have even waited for Papa Smurf's command before opening fire.
The previously silent fleet instantly erupted, and the eyes of many Ultramarines were red with the pain of their fallen comrades.
"Report, radar detects that all Word Bearers' warships have entered the planet's interior."
Due to the thick dust and severe electromagnetic interference covering the entire planetary surface, the radar on the Ultramarines' warships could not detect radar signals outside Calth's atmosphere.
During the cyclone torpedo attack, all radar instruments failed. This was by design, intended to prevent those with ulterior motives from exposing the atrocities of the Imperium at the cost of their lives.
With massive signal loss and the casualty report not yet fully compiled, feelings of unease and various forms of anger were intertwined.
It was hard to imagine the psychological state of those inside the Ultramarines' bridge control room at that moment. Aside from the ship alarms, everyone else was deathly silent.
Because the Ultramarines knew that their Father was in a state of extreme fury, just like them.
Although the warship losses on other planets were currently unknown,
one thing was certain: the Ultramarines had suffered what might be the most severe losses since the founding of their Legion.
Roboute Guilliman's heart twinged sharply; he clenched his hands so tightly that threads of blood could be seen dripping down.
The most dramatic and ironic fact was that the attackers targeting the Ultramarines were none other than their own good brothers, the Word Bearers.
"Report, enemy ship is displaying the boarding signal!"
The Ultramarines observer saw the enemy warship flashing one of the unique signals commonly used by Imperial warships.
Because he understood the message the Word Bearers intended to convey, the Ultramarine was extremely agitated.
That signal indicates that if personnel need face-to-face communication between two warships, a landing craft can be dispatched for shipboard entry.
"Damn it, just how much do they look down on us?"
The relationship between the Ultramarines and the Word Bearers had deteriorated beyond repair. How could they possibly cordially dispatch a landing craft for boarding negotiations?
Furthermore, the Ultramarines' warships were on the surface of Calth, while the Word Bearers held advantages in timing, terrain, and more. They could easily obliterate the Ultramarines simply by bombing them from the air.
This changed the meaning of the original signal.
The Word Bearers were arrogantly notifying the Ultramarines to prepare for melee combat.
It was a blatant declaration.
Meaning: "We disdain sneak attacks; we will fight a fair duel openly."
"Yes, we look down on you. What are you going to do about it?"
Before entering Calth, Khor-Pharon had confirmed that the Ultramarines' fleet had sustained major damage, with nearly 30% of their warships destroyed by the Word Bearers.
Even with their vast numbers, the Ultramarines astartes could not withstand such terrifying losses. After three or four more attacks from the Word Bearers, the Ultramarines might be struck from the Imperial Legions' roster.
Having achieved such massive results by ambushing the Ultramarines, how could this big bald head not be grinning like a maniac?
"The humiliation we suffered back then, you must repay every single bit of it!"
"And we will exact double the retribution."
Khor-Pharon flashed a bloodthirsty smile, picked up the nearby microphone, and issued an order.
"Lads, the time for vengeance is now."
"First to Tenth Companies, all personnel."
"Prepare for boarding action!"
At Khor-Pharon's command, all the Word Bearers warriors roared.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
The roar of thousands of men simultaneously was naturally deafening.
The Word Bearers had long been unable to restrain the killing intent in their hearts and were eager to vent their fury upon the Ultramarines.
The Word Bearers, the Emperor's most loyal Legion, and their transformation into a Legion dedicated to Chaos—wasn't it all for this day?
They had waited countless days and nights for this day of vengeance against the Ultramarines.
Generally, every Legion has a boarding squad. What is boarding? Boarding refers to directly teleporting onto an enemy warship for ground combat.
Boarding usually involves high-velocity small landing craft, which can carry several astartes. The front of these craft is fitted with high-yield explosives that can use high temperatures to corrode the warship's outer hull and blast a hole through it.
But there is also a less strenuous method: direct teleportation.
During the time periods of Kenmyo's previous two Simulations, this technology performed quite excellently, but in the early stages of the Horus Heresy, this technology was far from widespread.
However, both the Ultramarines and the Word Bearers are Legions that possess this technology.
Driven by extreme hatred, every Word Bearer was a boarding squad member, as all their astartes desperately awaited this day and painstakingly practiced the techniques needed to tear the Ultramarines to shreds.
These tough men were fully armed with thick Power Armor, carrying a large array of heavy weapons, including exaggeratedly large Power Klaws and oversized bolt guns. All weapons were equipped on their bodies.
The hum of the Power Swords was chilling, seemingly impatient to taste the enemy's blood.
"Oh, right."
Khor-Pharon would also enter the fray shortly, delivering a severe beating to the Ultramarines.
He smacked his head, suddenly remembering he hadn't notified a certain person.
If that gentleman were dissatisfied, both Khor-Pharon and Lorgar Aurelian would incur the blame of Warmaster Horus.
"What if we are threatened by the Ultramarines?"
Kenmyo was still wondering why the Word Bearers weren't utilizing their aerial advantage.
Wouldn't it be better to occupy the high ground and conduct precise point-to-point strikes? Why descend to this altitude, a distance where their warships could practically collide with the enemy's?
When Kenmyo saw the communication call coming from Khor-Pharon, that big bald head, he immediately answered. Using this method of communication within the same fleet was the simplest approach.
"Venerable Belisarius, we are about to engage in a boarding action and melee combat.
Khor-Pharon concisely explained the current situation to Kenmyo and introduced the upcoming arrangements.
The Word Bearers were genuinely preparing to fight the Ultramarines in earnest.
Boarding actions are mutual. If the Word Bearers can jump onto the Ultramarines' ships, the Ultramarines can naturally jump onto the Word Bearers' ships.
When the fighting truly begins, the scene will be extremely chaotic.
This is why the Power Armor worn by different Legions generally has different colors, also for better distinction.
In the final slaughter, identification relies purely on the color of the Power Armor; faces are irrelevant.
"We might temporarily be unable to guarantee your safety."
"Therefore, I plan to have my old friend, Erebus, protect you."
When Kenmyo heard that familiar name, he immediately felt uneasy, as this name was quite infamous in later ages.
Erebus, High Dark Apostle and Chief Chaplain of the corrupted Word Bearers Legion.
Of course, there was the most important title: the first astartes to betray the Emperor, the Most Profane.
In the Warhammer 40K era, the Word Bearers' second-in-command. These two individuals had almost completely marginalized Primarch Lorgar Aurelian's position within the Word Bearers.
He was a bigger schemer than Khor-Pharon, consistently topping the list of Chaos Dark Apostles whom Inquisitors most wanted to kill.
His power was terrifying; he was the first human to receive the favor of Chaos.
It is said that the corruption of the Word Bearers was entirely masterminded by that bald guy.
Having such a dangerous individual protect Kenmyo, what chance would he have left to make subtle moves?
Erebus absolutely could not be kept by his side; he had to be refused.
Because that guy was usually too low-key, Kenmyo had thought Erebus was with Lorgar, the Primarch of the Word Bearers. He hadn't expected the two bald guys to be working together.
If Kenmyo remembered correctly, Lorgar and the World Eaters Legion should currently be rampaging through the Ultramarines' backyard, the 500 Worlds.
The reason the Ultramarines' numbers are so astonishing is that they have nearly hundreds of worlds from which to recruit.
This resulted in an exaggerated number of these Smurfs, giving them a numerical advantage several times greater than other Legions.
Even if Roboute Guilliman successfully repelled these enemies, the alliance of those two Legions over there would be the final straw that broke his spirit.
"I don't need it."
Kenmyo directly rejected the big bald head.
He absolutely could not allow Erebus to be by his side. If asked, he would simply say no—he truly couldn't stand the sight of such a ferocious bald man acting subserviently in front of him.
"I absolutely do not require your protection."
"My strength is sufficient to kill any Ultramarine."
"Even a Chapter Champion is irrelevant."
This body was the most powerful one Kenmyo had ever controlled across all his Simulations.
"But..."
Khor-Pharon's tone was hesitant.
"There are no buts."
Kenmyo immediately cut him off.
"I will not repeat myself."