strictlysupreme Chapter 316: The Showdown!
Chapter 316: The Showdown!
Russell's golden psionic energy had not yet recovered from the depletion of killing the Overlord Wyvern when the trap set by the Hive Will was already closed. Four dark purple afterimages suddenly tore through the smoke of battle—these were the Zerg's most insidious hunters, the "Von En Raiders." Their carapaces were covered with mimicry scales that blended perfectly with the color of the shattered ground, and their six pairs of scythe-like bone blades vibrated at a high frequency during their charge, emitting a death-dealing hum.
"Three o'clock on the left!" Arya's psionic warning arrived almost simultaneously with the attack. Four Leapers formed a diamond formation, their crimson compound eyes locking onto Russell's throat, heart, spine, and knees. With a shrill whistling sound as bone blades tore through the air, death approached simultaneously from four dimensions.
Russell instinctively deployed his golden shield, a psionic barrier that would normally withstand the full force of a Tyrannical warrior's slashes. Yet, under the bone blades' cutting power, it cracked like a spiderweb—the Leaping Raiders' attack frequency far exceeded physical limits, the twelve bone blades completing seventy-two strikes in a tenth of a second. In the instant the shield shattered, Russell could even see the neurotoxin dripping from the mouthparts of the nearest Leaping Raider.
"Pfft!"
The sound of poisoned bone spikes piercing through the gaps in the power armor was exceptionally clear. Russell staggered backward, the numbness in his right chest nearly causing him to drop the Blood Drinker. In the nick of time, Ultramarines Shield Guard Captain Gordan rammed Russell aside with his shoulder armor, but was himself pierced by four bone blades. The veteran's blood splattered onto Russell's visor, carrying the metallic stench unique to Space Marine enhanced blood.
"For Macragge!" The remaining shield guards instantly tightened their formation, forming a wall of flesh and blood with their adamantite shields. The leapers' bone blades scraped against the shields, creating blinding sparks. The severed limbs of three Ultramarines flew into the air along with shield fragments, but the gaps were immediately filled by the warriors behind them.
"Psionic Resonance!" Arya's scream pierced the battlefield's clamor. Blood began to seep from her seven orifices as the psionic link, forcibly draining her life force, briefly connected Russell's consciousness with that of the surrounding warriors. The heavy firepower of the four Dreadnoughts suddenly shifted, their molten beams melting the armor joints of the left-hand Raider; the Terminator squad seized the opportunity to hurl their chain hammers, and their electromagnetic restraint nets temporarily paralyzed the enemies on the right.
Russell's golden eyes blazed with an unprecedented intensity. He plunged Gordan's sword into the ground, held the Bloodthirsty entrenching tool horizontally before his chest, and arcs of psionic energy solidified into serrated edges on the blade: "It's time to settle the blood debt, you bastard!"
The surviving Raiders emitted high-pitched hissing, and the Hive Will wove a perfect encirclement formation through their shared neural cables. But this time, golden lightning tore through the shadows first—Russell's leaping trajectory left scorching marks in the air, and the Blood Drinker, driven by a rage to avenge its victims, cleaved the first Raider in two from its mouthparts to its abdomen.
An eerie silence fell over the battlefield as the last hunter's head was crushed. The insect swarm retreated temporarily, and a pale golden mist of blood seeped from the gaps in Russell's power armor—over-stimulating psionic energy had ruptured his capillaries extensively. He knelt on one knee before Gordan's shattered shield, supporting himself with the Blood Drinker, the roars of Cato and Dante's orders to redeploy the defenses echoing in his ears.
Arya's psionic tentacles gently enveloped his trembling shoulders, the girl's voice hoarse from exhaustion: "Their tactics have evolved; the next raid might..."
“There won’t be a next time.” Russell wiped the golden blood from the corner of his mouth, gazing at the swirling cloud of spores on the horizon. “It’s our turn to ambush.” The Blood Drinker’s shovel plunged into the remains of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the biomass it absorbed causing golden arcs of electricity to surge once more—this hunting game had only just begun.
…………
Inside the Blood Angels' command center, the atmosphere was heavy and solemn. A massive holographic tactical map floated in the center of the room, the Zerg's red markers spreading like a plague, while the human blue defenses appeared precarious. Dante, Cato Sicarius, Russell, Mephisto of the Think Tank, and high-ranking members of the Blood Angels and Ultramarines sat around the tactical table, each face etched with seriousness.
Dante spoke first, his voice deep and powerful: "Although the Hive's attack has temporarily retreated, we all know this is just the calm before the storm. Their numbers far exceed our expectations, and their tactics are constantly evolving. We must reassess our strategy."
Cato nodded, his gaze sweeping across the holographic map: "Our forces are insufficient to launch a large-scale counterattack. A hasty attack will only plunge us into a deeper predicament. I suggest holding the line and waiting for reinforcements to arrive."
Russell sat to one side, a Bloodthirsty entrenching tool resting across his lap, golden psionic energy still shimmering on its blade. His voice carried a hint of weariness, yet remained resolute: "I agree with Cato's assessment. The Hive Will's objective is clear—to destroy our defenses and eliminate our manpower. We must utilize our existing resources to buy as much time as possible and await reinforcements."
Mephisto, the think tank member, crossed his arms and gazed intently: "The Hive Will's tactics have exceeded our expectations. They not only possess numerical superiority but have also demonstrated an extremely high level of coordinated combat capability. We need more intelligence to formulate an effective countermeasure."
Dante nodded, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Alright, we're on the same page. Hold the line and wait for reinforcements. At the same time, we need to strengthen our fortifications and increase our firepower to ensure that every inch of our position can withstand the Zerg's attack."
Cato added, "I will contact the main force of the Ultramarines and request more support. At the same time, we can use Russell's power to set up psionic traps at key points to slow down the Zerg's advance."
Russell smiled slightly, a hint of confidence in his eyes: "My Blood Drinkers can absorb the energy of the Zerg and convert it into psionic attacks. I will set up psionic minefields in front of the defensive line to ensure that the Zerg cannot easily break through."
Mephisto nodded: "I will work with Arya to monitor the Zerg's movements using the psionic network. Once we find the command node of the Hive Will, we can concentrate our firepower for a precision strike."
Dante stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: "Gentlemen, this battle concerns the survival of humanity. We must unite, hold our ground, and fight to the very last moment. For the Emperor, for humanity!"
"For the Emperor!" the crowd responded in unison, their voices filled with determination and resolve.
After the meeting, Russell walked out of the command center and looked up at the sky. The Zerg spore cloud still blocked out the sunlight, but he knew that the light of humanity's hope had never been extinguished. His golden psionic energy surged within him, as if in response to his conviction.
Arya walked to his side and said softly, "Russell, your power is key to us, but you also need to rest. Don't overexert yourself."
Russell nodded, a hint of gratitude in his eyes: "Don't worry, Arya. I'll be careful. We still have many battles to fight; I can't fall."