"For the Emperor!"
The same war cry echoed from both sides, the Astartes attacking the Ecclesiarchal Palace and the mortals defending it. A tragic sight, one that should never happen in the Imperium, yet it was happening now. And just as it had happened before, it would happen again in the future.
With a slash, the Astarte cut through the mortals with their power swords and chainswords without much effort, bodies being cleaved into half, bloods and body parts fly through the air. Bolter rounds punch through the defensive infrastructure the defenders are shielding themself with.
While there are mortals that successful in stopping, even killing the Astarte, they were too few to make a difference. Even with their faith and skill, they were still mere mortals facing genetic-engineer warriors that specifically bred for war, and had been fighting since their creation.
Months of fighting have been going on since the first attack happen. The outer wall and multiple bastions within the urban complex. While the numbers of Astarte are larger than original timeline, the dense and fortified city still slowed their advance.
As every corner that have been clear before, new mortals will still suddenly appear from it and attack the next group of attacker that passed by, a new decision is made to at the very least, reduced the chance of this to happen again.
Angels of Wrath and Fire Hawks will operate in squads, each commanding a small group of Skitarii Vanguards and Hunters to clear buildings and roads in various important areas. They also task with expanding the safe zone, an area where the Astarte and the Skitarii can safely move around and resupply themselves.
With this task force begin their own battle, the attack continue smoothly with several bastions fall after the supplies can reach the attackers.
"My liege, it's our time to march out now." An Astarte in black power armor said towards Atharion.
"Summon the Warsmith," Atharion order without taking his eyes off the small fortress that have hold back the combined force of Imperial Fists and the Iron Hands. "Tell them to prepare accordingly, I want this fortress to fall today, we already behind the schedule."
"Yes my liege." The Astartes nodded and headed toward a large tent where the Warsmith was resting. Soon, two Astartes in heavy Cataphractii Terminator armor emerged from the tent, followed by the messenger.
With the sound of heavy footsteps, twenty more Cataphractii Terminators stepped out from nearby tents.
Each one carried a Cyclone Missile Launcher on their shoulders. Some wielded Reaper Autocannons, ancient weapons from the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy, now mostly seen in the hands of Traitor Legions and a few loyalists. Others held massive Heavy Thunder Hammers, larger versions of the standard Thunder Hammer, capable of crushing anything in their path.
A direct copy of the Ultramarines' Fulmentarus and Iron Warriors' Tyrant Siege Terminators, a special unit, Siegebreaker that form specifically for siege warfare.
As the group moving towards the front, an Imperial Fists Captain and Iron Hands Sergeant have arrive in front of Atharion to give report on the attack.
As the Imperial Fists, other than being the fortification master, they also the siege master, the Captain provide more details for the situation, and the Iron Hands Sergeant only give small amount information to Atharion about the fortress weaponry situation.
After first month of battle, the group system have actually being replaced. With the Chapters that have larger numbers of Astarte lead the other Chapters that field smaller numbers Astarte and elements from certain Chapters to battle.
Atharion, other than leading the Dark Knights, also leads the 8th company of the Imperial Fists, a small detachment of Iron Hands 6th Clan-company, Clan Sorrgol, and the Space Wolves' Firetooth Great Company. He also oversaw the White Templars, who were fighting behind enemy lines currently, cutting off reinforcements trying to reach the fortress.
Atharion nodded after hearing their reports. "Understood. You and your men have done well," He said, gesturing toward their respective tents. "Rest well, we will be moving towards the Palace soon."
Both of them nodded and lead their men towards their tents. As they move away, Harald approach Atharion, with his Wolf Guards behind him, each clad in the Indomitus Terminator armors that provide by Atharion.
"It's finally our turn to fight." Harald said with enthusiasm like all the Space Wolves have, and this is expected of. After all, since the attack on the Palace begin, the Space Wolves have been put in more of a reserve role. Send out to hunt those hiding in the ruins that the Fire Hawks and Angels of Wrath have miss, and didn't participate on any front line role. The only reason why the sons of Russ didn't went on a rampage from boredom was because of Atharion promise of battle ahead. Now, that time had finally come.
Atharion glanced at Harald and his Wolf Guards, their Indomitus Terminator armor reflecting the glow of nearby fires. "Yes, it's time," He said. "After this fortress fall, we arrive at the last defense they can give us, the inner chamber."
"Hah!" Harald laugh. "They are no match to our might, we will destroy them as they should be!" Harald laughed, his voice full of excitement. "No fortress can stand against us!"
Atharion gave a small nod. "Perhaps. But we will not be careless. The closer we get, the more desperate they will become."
Harald smirked. "Let them be desperate. It won't save them."
Atharion turn towards the assemble Astarte that are ready to launch the attack. The Dark Knights stood in discipline and silence. In contrast, the Space Wolves radiated excitement, eager for the coming battle.
Raising his power sword, Atharion signaled the attack on the fortress. The Space Wolves let out a chorus of howls as Cyclone Missiles slammed into the fortress walls, explosions shaking the battlefield.
With the sounds of the autocannons and bolters firing, the first wave form with the Siegebreaker with three squads of tactical marines and two squads of Grey Hunters. Using the shield generators that the Terminator armor have, the Siegebreaker march forwards without any losses and problem. The other move around the ruins, using it as cover to shield themselves from the shots coming from the fortress.
But, before the Siegebreaker can reach the wall, multiple lascannons on the fortress wall turn towards them. The Frateris Templar using them adjust the cannons, aiming down the sight, making sure the shots hit their targets.
Before they could pull the trigger, a sudden hum of power weapons echoed around them, but none of them carried such weapons. Before they could react, they were cut down in an instant. Dark Knights' assault squads had already infiltrated the walls with the silence jetpacks, striking with precision, eliminating the biggest threats to the siege.
Skyclaws landed moments later, joining the fight atop the walls. With brutal efficiency, they cleared the ramparts of defenders and began pushing deeper into the fortress, striking at its inner defenses, taking off the defenders attention off from the siege unit.
Before long, a series of heavy thumps echoed across the battlefield. The siege unit had reached the fortress walls. Wielding their massive Heavy Thunder Hammers, they struck with devastating force, each blow shaking the structure. Cracks spread through the reinforced walls, and with every swing, chunks of ceramite and stone shattered, weakening the defenses.
With the defenders distracted by the assault squads and Skyclaws wreaking havoc inside, the Siegebreaker worked undisturbed. Atharion watched as the wall buckled under the relentless assault. It wouldn't be long before the breach was made.
Atharion turned to Valentus, Grand Master of the 3rd Company, who would lead the charge into the fortress. Seeing Atharion's gaze, Valentus gave a simple command to his men.
"Prepare for battle."
At his words, the Astartes of the 3rd Company climbed into their Rhinos and Predators. The Space Wolves followed suit, some boarding Rhinos while Harald and a small group chose to ride Scimitar Jetbikes instead.
As engines roared to life, the fortress wall finally collapsed with a thunderous crash, sending dust and debris into the air. The breach was open.
"Advance!" Valentus ordered.
As the Siegebreaker and the tactical squads securing the breach, Harald and his men on the Jetbikes enter the fortress the fastest. With howls and the roars of the engines, they cause large amount of dead just on the first contact with the defenders, destroying them before even able to reach their positions.
Before long, Atharion already marching through the fortress with the Astarte that he's leading. With the Space Wolves forming the vanguard, the battle that they so desire is finally within their axe's reach.
As they continue to advance, more and more dead bodies of Templar and militia can be seen laying around the main round and the buildings beside it. Most of them have a similarity, their bodies are not complete, limbs severed, torsos blow apart, heads missing.
"It's the White Templars." Valentus said through the Dark Knights inner vox. "They're not on their assigned position, that's mean they have march out."
"Indeed," Atharion said as he pass by a destroy Leman Russ Punisher. "Captain Dornic must have decided it's best to push ahead and clear a path for us." Atharion continued, stepping over the wreckage of a bike. "Typical of him."
Dornic, Captain of the White Templars' 6th company. As they are Imperial Fists successor, all of them are like the typical sons of Dorn, stoic and march into battle discipline. But, Dornic is different than others, he is more aggressive and more willing to take risks. A thing that Atharion find in a hard way.
To prove his thoughts right, the unmistakable sound of bolter fire echoed ahead, mixed with the roar of explosions and the screams of the dying. Thick smoke rose in the distance, marking the intensity of the battle.
"Hahahaha! Looks like that Dornic boy have wreak havoc in those useless mortals!" Harald speak to Atharion through the vox. Atharion can even hear the sound of flesh being hack by axes.
"Now, let's not let that boy take all the fun!" Harald roared. "Come, sons of Russ, let's show them how real warriors fight!"
With that, the Space Wolves surged ahead, their howls mixing with the roars of the engine. Harald and his men surge forward with their Jetbikes, the rest of the Great Company also charged ahead in their Rhinos and Razorbacks, storm bolters and heavy bolters ripping through the enemy ranks. The vehicles crashed through makeshift barricades, their weapons cutting down any Frateris Templar or militia foolish enough to stand in their way. When they meet the White Templars that already fighting, the Space Wolves charge out of their transports, killing anything standing in front of them.
Atharion with the rest of the group followed closely behind, advancing with precision. The bolters fire in burst, destroying the Templars and militias that dare to try to stop them or show their backs.
The battle to reach the palace ended quickly, and brutally. The Dark Knights and their allies left a trail of broken bodies and burning wreckage in their wake. As they neared their destination, Atharion could see the rest of the Chapters already laying siege to the palace. But the situation was far from ideal. Inside the command tent, frustration filled the air.
"My Cohort has already suffered heavy losses, and I see no progress in this siege." Hediatrix's mechanical voice crackled, his metallic form rigid with displeasure. "I will not march my warriors into another pointless assault unless you all can present a better plan."
Atharion entered the tent, his officers following behind him. Around the central holo-table, commanders from each Chapter stood, their armor battle-worn. The holodisplay flickered, showing the Palace and its defenses.
Seeing Atharion have arrived, Sigenandus and Hediatrix start to tell Atharion and the other officers on how's the siege are going.
According to the information that Atharion read before he reincarnated, he know that the attack on the Palace did ground to a halt. Mainly because the size of Brides of the Emperor that have been enlarge under Vandire order, and the Palace is actually one of the bastion that Rogal Dorne build during the Horus Heresy to prepare for Horus inevitable arrival.
Combining this two elements, the attack of the Palace didn't went as well as they have thought and even losing one Emperor's Champion in the last attack that finally broke the defense.
Now, the situation is even worse than the original timeline. While the Brides number is the same, the Frateris Templar and large number of militia have been reassigned to the Palace, and not spread to the other worlds. Another thing is the gun emplacements upon the Palace have been repaired and rebuild, while not to full strength, it's still inflicted heavy casualties to the attackers.
Looking at all the guns emplacement, Atharion didn't think that the Siegebreaker can get to the wall unscathed, and with so many men around those emplacement, he need a large numbers of Jetpack Astarte to clear them, or he just sending the Astarte to died upon the wall. Especially with the most well equiped and trained Brides are also upon the wall.
Lazerian tapped a control on the holo-display, shifting the view beneath the palace. "We have an old map of the Palace," He said as a network of tunnels appeared. "All of this tunnels are build to serve as reinforcement and supply routes by our Primach."
As they watch, multiple tunnels disappear with the rest of them mark with red Frateris Templar symbol on parts of them. "I have already took my men to seek out the path into the Palace, but they have fortified all the tunnels and even destroy some of them."
While using Terminator squads can clear a path for them easily, bu the risk is high. The Frateris Templar and the militias were fanatics, many had already charged at them with melta bombs strapped to their bodies, ready to die just to take one of them down.
Atharion thought for a moment. While he's not sure how they broke the wall in the original timeline, he doesn't want to waste the life of his and the other Astarte on the wall. If direct assault is out of the question, then the tunnels are the answer.
Atharion turn towards Lazerian. "Do you know which tunnel can truly help us break the Palace ?" He said as he point towards the holo-display.
Lazerian think for a moment before tapped on the control. "This tunnel will be the one that you want," He said as one of the tunnel being highlighted. "It's lead to the inner side of the Palace wall, close to the main gate."
Before Atharion can said anything, Lazerian quickly continue. "But, with it's approximiti to the main gate, it's heavily fortified and even if you break through it. You still need to face the mortals that guarding the gate."
The Astarte within the tent look at each other, murmuring on what's the success rate if they leading the attack. Many of them shake their heads or sigh after moment of thinking. Hediatrix didn't said anything as according to his calculation, the success rate of this mission is lower than 30%. After all, the ones inside won't gain any reinforcement until they secure and open the gate for the outside force to enter.
"I will lead the attack myself." Atharion said, catching the attention of every person in the tent. "I will lead my Terminator squads and Veteran squads to clear the tunnel and open the main gate."
Silence filled the tent. The Astartes glanced at each other, weighing Atharion's words. Even for a Space Marine, leading an assault through a fortified tunnel was close to suicide.
Harald broke the silence with a sharp laugh. "Hah! I knew you were bold, but this? Charging into the jaws of death? I like it!" His grin faded slightly. "But are you sure about this, Atharion? Once you're in, there's no turning back."
Atharion nodded firmly. "We don't have a choice. A direct assault on the walls is impossible, and we can't afford to waste time. If we don't act, this siege could drag on for months, or worse, fail entirely."
Sigenandus sighed. "Then we must make sure you have the best chance of success." He turned to Hediatrix. "Can your forces provide support?"
Hediatrix's mechanical voice clicked as he responded. "I will allocate a Maniple to support the assault. Skitarii and combat servitors can be deployed as needed."
Atharion looked around the room. "Good. I'll take my best warriors. We'll move in fast, break through their defenses, and open the gate. Once it's open, I expect the rest of you to push in without hesitation."
Harald slammed his fist against the table. "Then it's settled! I'll have my warriors ready to storm through the gate the moment you break it open!"
Lazerian nodded. "We'll prepare demolition teams to collapse all the other tunnels that might be used for reinforcements."
Atharion took a deep breath. The plan was set. Now, all that remained was to execute it.