Drayne suddenly became invigorated.
The reason was simple: he had never expected to hold the Siluria hive city, and had even prepared himself mentally to perish alongside the Titan.
But who would have thought that the young man outside was so capable, actually managing to scare off the Chaos Raptor Warband? This greatly reduced the pressure on him, and he suddenly felt capable again, like he could still manage things!
Mere genestealers were nothing to him!
However, reality seemed to have a slight 'discrepancy' from what he had imagined!
The sudden retreat of the Chaos Raptor Warband made 'Zun', the Patriarch of the genestealer Cult, realize that they could no longer delay.
This was completely different from the outcome 'Zun' desired!
In its 'perfect plan', the Chaos Raptor Warband and humans would mutually exhaust each other, and then they would seize the opportunity to take the Siluria hive city in one fell swoop, steal the 'Annihilation Torpedoes' from the factory warehouse, and destroy the most threatening 'Machine God'.
But the result was that the Chaos Raptor Warband, like trash, actually retreated!
This led to the artillery fire of Siluria being fully concentrated on them. 'Zun' clearly understood that things would change sooner or later, and it immediately used the Hive's psychic communication network to alter the battle plan!
Thus, an extremely terrifying scene unfolded!
Countless creatures with completely mutated limbs, almost identical to 'Tyranids', suddenly swarmed out of various abandoned pipes within the Siluria hive city like a tide, instantly replacing the original forces!
Most of the cult members who were originally attacking the hive city were fourth-generation infectees, the so-called 'Hybrid Believers'.
These infectees had appearances very similar to humans, and precisely because of this, they could successfully infiltrate the Imperial Guard or PDF within the hive city, and when needed, steal large amounts of heavy equipment and suddenly rebel!
But from another perspective, because they were so similar to humans, it was difficult for them to break through the hive city's defenses.
The impatient 'Zun' finally decided to get serious!
Those newly appeared creatures, possessing dual 'hybrid' characteristics of humans and Tyranids, were special products known as 'Hybrid Mutants'!
Because they were influenced by the 'Hive Mind', they looked more like 'Tyranids'. The sharp chitinous limb ends had sharp claws capable of shredding steel, and their movement speed and efficiency were greatly enhanced!
In addition to the vast numbers of 'Hybrid Mutants', there were also muscular Aberrants, carrying heavy mining equipment or industrial equipment as weapons, serving as the first wave of charge and meat shields!
These Aberrants had no intelligence whatsoever and were the rare 'heavy firepower' of the genestealer Cult.
Even a Space Marine, when surrounded by dozens or hundreds of Aberrants, would find it difficult to stand against these muscular, dim-witted monsters!
Of course, what shocked Drayne even more was that among the mutated monsters pouring into the hive city, several types were even more troublesome!
One was the 'Abominant', a massive, deformed and mutated body wielding a pure metal warhammer. Each strike could cause destructive power comparable to a power hammer, tearing open the Ecclesiarchy's defenses in mere seconds!
After the 'Abominant' tore open the defenses, it was the 'Broodlord's' turn to act!
The Broodlord is the ultimate evolutionary product of the genestealers, possessing extremely powerful close-quarters combat abilities!
It has lightning-fast speed and terrifying strength, its entire body covered in hard chitinous armor, capable of withstanding bolter fire from Space Marines, and its sharp claws can easily cut through the hardest tank armor!
The Broodlord led an elite force, true Tyranid Warriors.
With the help of a large number of 'Hybrid Mutants', 'Aberrants', and 'Abominants', the genestealer Cult's legions, with an almost overwhelming momentum, destroyed the Iron Hands' defenses!
Thus, Drayne, who had just boasted, was once again beaten into submission and dared not show his face.
The power of the genestealer Cult was even more terrifying than he had imagined; even 'Tyranid Warriors' and 'Broodlords' had appeared.
At this moment, Drayne regretted why he hadn't listened to Emrys' advice.
And he cursed the 'worms' of Agamemnus, who, despite the genestealer Cult developing to such a scale right under their noses, showed no awareness whatsoever. They should simply commit suicide and atone to the Emperor and the Omnissiah!
Emrys? Help!
Just as the situation in Siluria was critical, Inquisitor Marshall led his squad, still traveling through the desert.
Their destination was the 'Dirkden Sector' on the other side of Vigilus, where a 'Knight House' was stationed, which should have been the safest place!
However, as Marshall and his companions cautiously traversed the wasteland, hidden by the sandstorm...
Suddenly, in the rising yellow sand in the distance, Marshall's pupils contracted slightly, as if he saw a unsettling flash of green!
This was not a good sign!
It should be known that on Vigilus, besides the genestealers and Chaos forces, there was a third faction.
This third faction, however, seemed to be 'causing trouble' everywhere, not keen on any particular place, nor having a clear objective, or rather, their only objective was to seek the thrill of 'Waaaaagh'!
The reason Marshall preferred to slow down and hide their tracks was precisely because he didn't want to run into 'Orks'.
Otherwise, with their small numbers, they would be easily wiped out!
However, fate had other plans; what he least wanted to encounter, he encountered right here.
In the rising dust, excited howls suddenly erupted, clearly indicating that the Orks had discovered their tracks!
But, perhaps the Emperor intervened!
Just as Inquisitor Marshall and his party had mentally prepared for sacrifice...
Suddenly, the sandstorm covering this area was cleared and torn apart by some force, followed by a massive shadow cast down.
The Orks, still howling, paused in their stupor and saw a beam of blazing light, directly piercing through the clouds, carrying a strong aura of destruction, as if the Imperial Sword of Judgment had descended!
Boom!!!
The scorching hot yellow sand was instantly blasted into a huge crater.
Dozens of Orks were directly melted, and to the astonished gaze of Marshall and others, an extremely magnificent transport ship descended.
From the open hatch, warriors stepped out one by one, like Angels, clad in blue armor, intricately carved with exquisite patterns, and arrayed neatly and orderly in two lines before them.
Those blue warriors in exquisite armor all bowed their heads, as if in salute.
Immediately after, a figure entered Marshall's sight.
He did not wear a helmet like the other warriors, revealing his grizzled hair, neatly and meticulously arranged, with a rather stern face. He wore an augur on his left eye, massive power gauntlets on his hands, and on his power pack behind him was a halo symbolizing the Sun!
"Greetings, Inquisitor."
The massive figure, seemingly carrying endless prestige, lowered his gaze and looked at Marshall.
"I am Marius Calgar, Chapter Master of the Ultramarines, sent by the Regent, Primarch Roboute Guilliman, to reinforce Vigilus!"
He's here, he's finally here!
At this moment, Marshall almost cried; the Imperial reinforcements had finally arrived!
And, it was none other than that almost legendary Chapter master, the spiritual leader in the hearts of countless Space Marines!
He was the perfect Ultramarine, Marius Calgar!