The Imperial ship resisted tenaciously, but it couldn't last much longer.
Their ship was sustaining damage every moment, while the Zerg Scourge were endless. It wouldn't be long before the Imperial ship completely lost power, and then they wouldn't be able to escape even if they wanted to.
A decision had to be made now.
Fight or flee.
Given the Imperial character, the likelihood of staying and fighting was greater.
"You're suggesting we abandon the Salamanders Astartes? No, that's impossible!"
Despite the constant explosions outside the hull, Captain Jack currently had no thoughts of retreat.
The relentless triple assault of Scourge, Mutalisks, and Devourers kept the Imperial ship on the defensive. The enemy 'Hive Ship' hadn't appeared, rendering the Imperial ship's signature decapitation tactics ineffective for the moment.
Wait, Hive Ship?
Captain Jack thought of something. He looked down at the planet below.
"Prepare for orbital bombardment!!!"
The ship began adjusting its orientation, facing the planet where the Swarm Overmind resided.
The thing the Overmind feared most was happening: orbital bombardment was coming.
Though it wasn't Exterminatus—let's clarify what Exterminatus is. It's the collective term for the Imperial weapons used on planets beyond salvation, typically involving Cyclonic Torpedoes as the primary nuclear bombardment.
You could think of it as the Colossus in Stellaris or other planet-killing weapons in other franchises.
Orbital bombardment isn't Exterminatus, but it's close.
Seeing the Imperial ship aim at the planet, the Overmind immediately understood their intention.
†Dammit, orbital bombardment already? Aren't they afraid of hitting their own Salamanders?†
Zasz also saw the enemy's intent.
"Don't even think about it."
The Scourge shifted their attack focus, all swarming towards any structure on the ship's outer hull that looked like a weapon. Even the massive macro-cannon barrels were targeted, several Scourge blasts causing them to buckle.
However, the Imperial madness exceeded Zasz's expectations.
They actually loaded a macro-cannon shell into a blocked barrel. Then, under Zasz's astonished gaze, the macro-cannon shell forced its way through the debris blocking the barrel, blasting it clear.
"How dare they?!"
†It's the Imperium. They dare to do anything.†
The macro-cannon shells hurtled towards the planet at extreme speed, accelerating further under gravity's pull. This was bad.
Several macro-cannon shells struck the planet's surface far from the Overmind. The explosions were massive. Although they weren't nuclear warheads, the blast force still shook the very ground.
The violent explosions across hundreds of kilometers made the earth tremble violently.
Countless unfortunate Zerglings were caught in the blasts, turned to ash in an instant.
The destruction from the first wave of orbital bombardment was immense.
The Salamanders seemed to sense this too. They looked up at the sky, clearly seeing more Mutalisks and Scourge heading to the battle in outer space.
"We need to speed up."
The Salamanders Sergeant had just spoken these words when Zasz ordered the Swarm to attack.
The first to charge was a Zergling from underground. It emerged and attacked a Salamander. Although Salamanders' reaction speeds are slightly slower than other Astartes, the warrior still raised his weapon before the Zergling could get close.
BANG!
This shot marked the start of the battle between the Salamanders and the Zerg Swarm. From the surrounding Creep, countless Zerglings emerged, swarming towards the Salamanders warriors.
"Tyranids?"
The Salamanders Astartes' first thought upon seeing the Zerglings was the Tyranids.
"They seem different. Might not be..."
Before he could finish, more Zerg Swarm surged forward, and a couple of Hydralisks emerged from the ground. Seeing the Hydralisks, the Salamanders warriors grew serious.
They quickly raised their weapons, prioritizing the Hydralisks.
One warrior raised the flamer mounted on his arm, spewing searing flames that turned the swarming Zerglings to cinders.
Salamanders squads often have several members equipped with such flamers. These weapons pose a great threat to Zerglings. Engaging them directly with Zerglings is unwise.
Astartes ammunition is nearly inexhaustible. Even if it runs out, they still have chainswords, fists, and heads. They would literally headbutt the enemy until the very end.
"Whatever they are, they're not human, and they're hostile."
The Sergeant walked ahead, firing his boltgun one-handed, each shot precisely hitting a Baneling's head.
Looking at the endless tide of bugs.
"We should leave."
Even if a relic might exist on this planet, they had to retreat. There were too many bugs. The ship in low orbit had even begun orbital bombardment. This place was extremely dangerous.
Retreat first, return with a fleet to purge the area, then search for the relic. That was the best course of action.
The Salamanders began their retreat. They started running, moving at 50 kilometers per hour towards their Thunderhawk gunship. The Zerg along the way couldn't stop them.
†Can't let them leave.†
The Overmind understood clearly: if they escaped, the next thing to arrive would be an Imperial Navy fleet, conservatively estimated to have over a dozen Imperial ships.
As if sensing the Overmind's will, among the Zerg blocking the Salamanders warriors, a large, heavily armored Zerg unit called the 'Roach' appeared.
[Name: Roach]
[Body Length: 4-5 meters]
[Role: Medium-range attack]
[Armament: Acidic Saliva, Claws]
[Description: The Roach's DNA essence was modified from the Zantar slugs deep within the Gaxian mountains. These seemingly unremarkable acidic gastropods possess extreme vitality, able to directly absorb nutrients from the surrounding soil to rapidly heal after injury.
The Roach inherited the Zantar slug's powerful regenerative abilities. After sustaining significant damage, they can quickly recover stamina by burrowing.]
The Roaches blocked the Salamanders' path. The Salamanders raised their boltguns, firing at a Roach's body.
But the Roach lived up to its namesake, the ancient Terran pest. The boltgun round exploded on the Roach's carapace, creating a large, bloody hole. Yet, that hole began healing at a visible rate.
Anyone would be shocked by such a healing speed.
Several more shots hit. The Roach still wasn't dead, only moving slower after its leg was shot off.
Only when a shot blasted the Roach's well-protected head beneath its carapace did the Roach finally stop moving.
One Roach was dead, but more Roaches emerged from underground. This was an ambush. The Roaches had been buried here all along, just waiting to strike.
For the first time, the Salamanders warriors began firing continuously. Boltgun shells flew out one after another. The large-caliber shells, propelled by thrusters at their rear, slammed into the Roaches and detonated.
But a Roach often needed to sustain over ten non-lethal hits before ceasing movement, greatly hindering the Salamanders' retreat.
When a Roach opened its mouth, spewing a stream of green acid, the acid landed on a Salamander's helmet, immediately producing a sizzling corrosion sound.
The reinforced ceramite and plasteel power armor couldn't withstand the Roach's acid, being corroded and breached.
The warrior quickly removed his helmet. He was thankful for his quick decision, as shortly after removing it, the helmet was completely corroded through.
"Be careful! The acid these creatures spit is dangerous!"
†Of course it's dangerous. That acid can melt bunkers. Is your head harder than a bunker?†
The Swarm Overmind was satisfied with the Roaches' combat performance.
†Good Roaches. They can serve as the mainline force against Astartes from now on. The only drawback is the Roach's slow movement speed.†