After shedding the shackles of administrative burdens, Alex was finally able to refocus his full attention on the Expeditionary Force's campaigns.
The mountain of political affairs and courtly trifles that had accumulated during this period had almost exhausted his patience; now he could finally return to this war.
Presently, the Expeditionary Force's defensive line, meticulously constructed by Commanders Sigismund and Loken, was virtually impregnable.
These two experienced Commanders fully utilized their respective strengths, and with their concerted efforts, the entire defensive line had formed a deep, tiered deployment, with strategic nodes mutually supporting each other and logistics supply lines flowing unimpeded.
At the same time, Ventanus's organized counterattack force was also ready and had already launched two probing attacks.
Although no breakthrough results were achieved, they did not fall behind in their engagements with the Necrons; both sides had wins and losses, and the overall battle situation maintained a fragile balance.
This situation was undoubtedly very favorable to the Imperial Expeditionary Force.
This situation was undoubtedly very favorable to the Imperium, and even most people became optimistic about the war situation.
However, Alex received a disturbing piece of intelligence from the three Supreme Psykers.
Through psychic observation and divination, they discovered that the Warp rift above the Necrons' Crown World had begun to wane.
All indications suggested that the Khorne Daemon Legions, which had been rampaging for some time, seemed to be retreating.
Although these bloodthirsty Daemon Legions had not yet completely withdrawn from the Necrons' Crown World, if there was no external intervention, it was only a matter of time before the Necrons completely resolved the Warp rift and purged the remaining Khorne forces.
This intelligence greatly worried Alex.
He knew better than anyone what terrifying war potential this ancient race, which had slept for sixty million years, would unleash once the Necrons were free from internal troubles.
Those Necron fleets tied up by the Warp rift, those Legions still sleeping in underground crypts, those super-weapons yet to be activated—when all these forces were unleashed, the Imperial Expeditionary Force would face unprecedented pressure.
To this end, Alex immediately convened a high-level strategic meeting for the Expeditionary Force.
Attendees included frontline Commanders such as Sigismund, Loken, and Ventanus, as well as representatives from the Imperial Navy, the Adeptus Mechanicus's Archmagos, and other high-ranking officials of the Expeditionary Force.
A holographic star map slowly rotated in the center of the conference table, marking the real-time changes in enemy and friendly dispositions.
During the meeting, an Imperial Navy intelligence officer submitted new intelligence—reconnaissance fleets had discovered signs of Necron activity in the Kharkov star system, adjacent to the Donetsk star system.
A Necron splinter fleet had already established a forward operating base in that star system and begun deploying surface facilities and orbital defense arrays.
All indications suggested that they were attempting to turn Kharkov into a springboard for an attack on Donetsk.
The Donetsk star system—this former Necron core world, after being captured by the Imperial Expeditionary Force, had become an object of frantic excavation and modification by the Adeptus Mechanicus.
The entire planet was covered with ancient Necron structures; every pyramid and Blackstone Obelisk contained inestimable technological value.
The Archmagoss of the Adeptus Mechanicus had almost fallen into a state of frenzied research; they not only invested massive resources in archaeological excavation but also spared no expense in reinforcing the planet's defense system.
Griya Forge World even dispatched a small star fortress, deploying it in Donetsk's orbit as the core pivot for space defense.
At the same time, Sigismund led two Imperial Fists Chapter forces in extensive construction within the star system.
Orbital defense platforms, planetary-scale Void Shield generators, ground fortress complexes—the entire Donetsk star system was being transformed into an impregnable steel fortress.
Under such a defense system, Alex had ample confidence in holding Donetsk.
But confidence did not equate to underestimating the enemy; he would never sit idly by and watch the Necrons prepare for war in the Kharkov star system.
"Regarding the enemy in Kharkov, we must immediately organize an offensive; we absolutely cannot allow them to establish a stable bridgehead there!" Alex declared decisively, his gaze sweeping like a sharp sword across every Commander present, finally resting on Ventanus: "Captain Ventanus, have your assault troops completed their combat preparations? Can they be immediately committed to this crucial battle?"
"Ready at any time, Commander!" Ventanus rose abruptly, straightening his body, his voice as booming as a war drum: "My warriors have long since sharpened their blades, awaiting only your command!"
Alex nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
He then turned to the other military leaders in the strategic room, his voice steady and powerful: "Generals of the Astra Militarum? Imperial Navy Fleet Command? And representatives of the Adeptus Mechanicus? Are your respective forces ready for coordinated operations?"
The atmosphere in the entire conference room immediately grew heavy; it was clear that everyone realized Alex was preparing for a major offensive.
—
As the operational orders from the Expeditionary Force High Command were issued, the entire Imperial war machine in the Rostov Sub-Sector began to operate at full speed.
The Space Marine Chapters, serving as the spearhead of the attack, had already moved first, advancing into the Kharkov star system aboard fast strike cruisers.
These battle-hardened super-soldiers would undertake the most dangerous tasks—establishing landing zones for the subsequent main army and tearing open breaches in the Necrons' defensive lines.
At the same time, more reinforcement troops were arriving from various war zones.
Heavy armor divisions, Titan Legions, artillery clusters, and other elite forces were all moving towards the assembly points, forming a steel torrent capable of shaking a planet.
Ventanus, as one of the three frontline Commanders personally designated by Alex, was currently leading his meticulously crafted assault force as the first wave of attack, having already reached the outskirts of the Kharkov star system.
Sigismund and Loken, meanwhile, were drawing elites from the Donetsk and Zaporozhye defense zones, respectively, to form the second attack echelon.
They would immediately enter combat after Ventanus opened a breakthrough, consolidating gains and opening passages for subsequent forces.
Following these two elite forces was the third attack wave, composed of the main force of the Astra Militarum, personally commanded by an experienced Lord General.
Finally, entering the battlefield would be the fanatically devout Holy War Army, a force composed of Battle Sisterss and zealots, which, under the leadership of Inquisitor Wien, would bring the Emperor's wrath upon the enemy.
To ensure the logistical supply for this large-scale offensive, Alex personally oversaw Kherson, a crucial logistical hub.
He constantly monitored the frontline situation, ready to adjust strategic deployments at any time.
This layered offensive plan, while seemingly simple and direct, contained the essence of Imperial military art—wearing down the enemy through continuous pressure and overwhelming the opponent with an endless stream of fresh forces.
As long as the vanguard forces could successfully open the situation, the subsequent Imperial grand army would, like surging waves, completely overwhelm the Necrons' defensive lines, wave after wave!
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