Standard Terran Calendar, 41
Extreme Star Territory, Demeter Star Territory, Pandora Galaxy, Pavilion Star, Imperial Allied Forces Command Center
"Abaddon finally couldn't sit still anymore."
In the command center located on the front line, Soshyan looked at the intelligence in his hand with a relieved smile on his face.
"...About ten days ago, the reconnaissance team discovered a strange energy signal near the coast of the southern continent."
As Roglis maneuvered, the frame split apart to show a rough schematic of the southern ocean, but the lack of clarity obscured all detail.
"I ordered a gunboat to fly over to see if there was a hidden enemy gathering point there, which they witnessed."
Through the camera, in the gaps in the jungle, Soshyan can almost make out the high wall, as well as a surrounding ring of sturdy towers, bunkers and other defense facilities. There seem to be a large number of mines and earthworks in the surrounding area, as if someone is here Dig something.
Talos, who discovered all this, focused on his report.
"......Afterwards, we investigated the planet's historical logs and found that there once was an explorer's fortress here, and it was the second largest fortress on the planet at that time. However, it was destroyed by a major earthquake three hundred years ago. Overwhelmed by jungle, it’s unknown when the Black Legion will repair it.”
Talos said nothing next, and after a few seconds it quickly became clear why.
The glare and flames of the explosion burned across the frame, which changed violently as the pilot took evasive action, and then two beams of light, unmistakably laser cannons, converged on the gunship.
The screen rotated for a few seconds, before everything went dark, and the gunship rose into the sky again.
"There is actually a defense system?"
"The auspicious data accompanying the feed confirmed a large number of life signals. The fortress has a garrison, and a large number of garrison."
Soshyan thought for a while, then opened the battlefield map.
"This is less than fifty kilometers away from Fortress No. 7. If Abaddon is determined to launch an attack, it will only take about ten minutes for his vanguard to reach the first blockade. Apart from one Cadian regiment responsible for the southern defense, Only the local militias are indeed very easy to break through.”
Talos sat back in his chair and shook his head.
"If I were Abaddon, I would never be so direct."
"reason?"
"Because this assembly point is so conspicuous, even though it was once concealed and capable of housing many troops, I don't think Abaddon would fail to consider the possibility of being discovered here."
Soshyan thought for a moment and admitted that this was indeed the case.
"Then this is a feint, a deception tactic that makes us mistakenly believe that the main attack direction here is. When we mobilize the main defense, he will break through from other directions."
"The point is we still don't know where he's going to attack and when he's going to attack."
"We don't have to follow Abaddon's lead."
Soshyan made up his mind, and then he connected to the long-range communicator connected to the orbital flagship.
"Brother Lothar, put all ships with ground attack capabilities on standby and wait for instructions."
Talos immediately thought of what Soshyan was going to do.
"You want to take the initiative to attack there?"
"Your tactical thinking is exemplary, Talos."
Soshyan focused his attention on the cross-channel display.
"We only need to use a small number of troops to completely destroy that stronghold, not just on the ground, but also underground. Then Abaddon will lose a choice no matter which direction he attacks."
"Okay, that's a good idea. I will lead the 11th Company to attack."
"You are mistaken, Talos."
Soshyan said, placing a big hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.
"I'm leading this attack."
Talos frowned slightly, without a smile or an expression of victory.
"You are the commander and must stay in the command post to respond to any emergencies."
"If something unexpected happens, then it will play into my hands."
Soshyan smiled and told his true purpose.
"If he knew that I was on the front line, maybe Abaddon would make up his mind and launch an attack. Then our prepared troops would be able to give him a head-on attack and contain his main force on the front line, preventing them from returning to Attica."
"It's risky."
Soshyan shook his head and sighed:
"The situation has been at a stalemate for too long. I'm afraid it won't work without taking risks. I've already communicated this matter with Azrael, and he agrees with my idea."
"What about the Gray Knights?"
Hearing the Gray Knight, Soshiyang's expression darkened.
"Can't reach you."
"You don't even know where they are?"
"I don't know. Their actions have never been reported to me, and I can't use my power to put pressure on them because there is a judge standing behind them."
After Talos listened, he was silent for a while thoughtfully, and then said:
"If they can sneak attack on Attica while Abaddon is dragged on the front line, and then seal the warp rift, maybe a turning point in this war will come... By the way, have you heard about Red Sand recently? Is it about the mountain camp?”
Soshyan was stunned for a moment, then shook his head.
"I leave these matters to mortal officials."
"I've heard some rumors. There's been a lot of panic over there recently. They say the empire wants to cleanse the world and kill everyone."
For a moment, Suoshiyang's eyes turned cold and he whispered:
"Where did the rumor come from?"
"I don't know, but I'm afraid it's very popular among mortals, and... I've also heard that there have been several bizarre disappearances and murders in the mortal world recently, although they only involved a few hundred people, considering that The crime rate there is not a big deal, but the details of those cases... gave me a sense of familiarity, for example, they all happened in the middle of the night, and the deceased all suffered some kind of torture."
After listening to Talos's words, Soshyan's brows were already knitted together.
"Is someone causing trouble?"
"I can't tell. I just heard about it and didn't witness the scene with my own eyes. If you give me some time to investigate -"
"Taros, our troops are already very stretched. You are a very important combat force and commander. You cannot leave the front line."
"That's why I asked you about the Gray Knights. Regardless of whether the matter of purging mortals is true or not, it has spread now. Although mortals can't cause any big trouble, they are our rear after all."
"Do you suspect that they will do something secretly? Probably... not?"
"Who knows, there are too many unreasonable people and things in the empire, and there is not much logic in this galaxy."
As he spoke, Talos suddenly lowered his voice, approached Soshyan, and said:
"According to me, those mortals are indeed a big trouble, why not just follow the Gray Knight's method-"
Talos's eyes flashed with a cold light, and then he raised his arm and quietly wiped his neck. This made Soshyan's heart skip a beat, as he had been troubled by the battle.
