With the help of the gradually expanding logistics transportation network and astrological communication stations, the situation and battle reports from various theaters converged at the fastest speed to the expeditionary force headquarters in the Sagan system.
Similarly, materials and equipment shipped from Reza and the other two small forging worlds were continuously transported to various war zones through here, so the shipping lanes of the Sagan system became the busiest shipping lanes in the Maelstrom during this period.
"...After a month of offensive, Huron did not send large-scale reinforcements to Badab, but only sent a fleet to cruise around the sector and a small number of supporting troops."
In the war situation room of the large orbital station that was transformed into the expeditionary force's headquarters on Sagan Prime, several tall figures were gathered around the data and star maps that were constantly passing through.
Lysander, Chief of Staff of the Astartes General Staff, said, pointing to the Badab sector.
"Looking at the enemy's situation, it looks like they will defend to the end with their existing forces. And judging from the battle report of the first theater, the Red Pirates have indeed deployed heavy troops there. As an enclave, Huron dares to make such a bet. , which also means that he concluded that we cannot win the Badab sector."
Soshyan held his chest with one hand and supported his chin with the other, his brain running rapidly.
The previous strategy was to force the Red Pirates to invest a large number of troops in the Badab sector to engage in a war of attrition, but now Huron has taken the initiative to invest heavy troops here. It seems that their strategy has been achieved.
But the question is, how much of the force Huron invested accounted for the troops he had?
Does he have the energy left to initiate other actions?
This is the key. If Huron invests far less troops than they expect, then a large number of their troops will be pinned down by the enemy in the Badab sector.
So he spoke:
"How many troops have the Red Pirates deployed in Badab?"
As the intelligence director, Marcus coughed lightly, took out the data pad, and then imported it into the star map. A series of numbers immediately rose on the Badab sector.
"Based on existing intelligence, we deduce that the enemy should have 20-30 million mortal troops and about 20,000 Space Marines here."
Helbricht on the side frowned.
"I don't think there should be that many. If the enemy's Space Marines really reach this number, I'm afraid it won't be possible to fight on two fronts with the existing forces in the first theater."
Marcus pulled his face in embarrassment and said:
"Right now...the intelligence system is still being penetrated. Maybe...there are some errors."
"Let's call this group of enemies the Badab Group."
Soshyan pointed at the star map, looked at Marcus and said seriously:
"Judge Marcus, in the future you must prioritize understanding the situation of this enemy. Whether it is troop strength or defensive deployment, this is crucial to the expedition."
"Understood, Commander Soshyan."
In fact, Soshyan did not place much hope on the intelligence of the Tribunal. His real intelligence hope was Occam. He also met with him a few days ago. Occam said that although he has successfully replaced Judah, But that didn't mean that he would be able to master the entire Red Pirates intelligence system right away. He even had to figure out the troop configuration of the expeditionary force according to Judah's original plan, especially the number of Astartes.
Obviously, Huron was not sure about the strength of the empire.
However, he did tell Soshyan one thing clearly, that is, Badab's commander is quite troublesome. His name is Hongso, from Iron Warriors.
Soshyan has never told anyone else about this. On the one hand, he is afraid of affecting Occam's infiltration, and on the other hand...
The eternal feud between the Iron Warriors and the Imperial Fists is likely to lead to radical behavior by frontline commanders.
But now is the time to say it, and everyone must make a judgment.
"As far as I know, the Huron commander sent to the Badab sector..."
Soshyan looked at Lysander.
"It's an Iron Warrior named Honso."
"he?"
Lysander and Helbricht both expressed surprise.
Marcus was also startled by the voice, and then said:
"Is this the Honso who attacked the Ultramarines' homeland?"
Soshyan nodded.
"Yes."
"I didn't expect this *** to go to Huron's hands."
Lysander, who had a deep grudge against the Iron Warriors, took a look at the star map and said to Soshyan:
"I want to lead the company to Badab myself."
Soshyan immediately reached out his hand.
"Come here, Captain Sande, please be patient. Now that Hong Suo is there, he will definitely not be able to escape, but the headquarters still needs you now."
"If it were the Iron Warriors..."
Helbricht was much calmer. He put his hands on the guardrail, stared at the star map and pondered for a moment before saying:
"...The Badab sector is not easy to fight. Huron deployed heavy troops, built strong fortresses and fortifications, and the Iron Warriors' defense strategy, which is difficult."
"Brother Helbricht is right, and more importantly, if Huron can counter several of our theaters with Badab's strength alone, then he may be able to free up his hands for other operations, even Attacking us is what I have been worried about. If the rhythm of the attack is in Huron's hands, then with the numerical advantage and mobility advantage of the Space Marines, he can attack us at a certain point anytime, anywhere, and then we will be He led the army by the nose, creating an embarrassing situation where it was fortified everywhere but undefendable, so we must absorb Huron's troops."
Listening to Soshyan's words, Helbrecht still stared at the star map, and finally uttered two words.
"More troops."
Soshyan nodded.
"Indeed, now we can only send more troops to the first and second theaters. We must continue to put pressure on Badab, and we must put extreme pressure."
"Just adding more troops won't do it."
Mazhar stretched out his hand and drew a line around Badab.
"Now the enemy fleet can still move freely here. If the enemy navy cannot be effectively restrained, then the casualties in the forcible attack will be astronomical. Even if the extermination order is to be executed, the enemy's orbital defense must be solved first. The only way is to let Ba Only when Dabu becomes a place of death can Huron be forced to raise his family's wealth."
Lysander also stretched out his hand and pointed to a place.
"There is only one way to turn Badab into a place of death."
Everyone looked at the key galaxy——
Angstrom
After thinking for a moment, Soshyan touched his chin with his cold metal gloves and whispered:
"We can imagine that Huron has no reason not to think that he will definitely try his best to prevent us from occupying Angstrom. If we want to act, we must act quickly, very quickly...or."
Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
"Or we could change the lodestone from Badab to Angstrom."
Upon hearing this, Helbricht straightened up immediately.
"Yes, that's exactly it. Badab is the battlefield chosen by Huron. We don't need to follow him. The Angstrom system is actually more beneficial to us. The premise is that we must occupy the Forge World before Huron. "
