Warhammer: Starting as a Planetary Governor-Chapter 328 - 329 – Information Warfare: Bloodbath Against the Tyranids:

Chapter 328 - 329 – Information Warfare: Bloodbath Against the Tyranids:

Helos Starport.

At the outer defensive perimeter, on the watchtower.

Eden overlooked the fully constructed steel fortress.

On the outermost line, the Titan host, the Imperial Knights, and the super-heavy Venomblade tank formations were already in place.

Behind the vehicle formations stood three massive defensive walls—over ten meters tall and four to five meters thick—packed with dense heavy artillery and force field defense systems.

Within the ten-meter-wide trenches between these walls surged vats of ultra-high temperature promethium fuel.

The space between the walls was divided into more than ten defense sectors, packed with heavy vehicles like Sentinels and tanks, each assigned with matching infantry units.

At the rearmost line stood the super-heavy artillery batteries.

At the same time, both the Blood Angels and the Sons of Mankind were fully prepared.

Eight hundred Centurion-armored warriors, hundreds of Dreadnoughts, and numerous battle-brothers had already taken their assigned positions.

Another third of the veteran Astartes were standing by aboard Thunderhawk gunships, ready to respond at any time to reinforce defensive sectors or eliminate critical synapse targets.

Hissss—

"The Tyranid vanguard really went all-in this time... there's enough of them to drown Helos Starport several times over..." Eden muttered through gritted teeth, peering through his scope.

In his vision, the Tyranid swarm stretched out endlessly, a dense, chittering sea that blotted out the sun and cast the region beneath it in a vast shadow.

Even from dozens of kilometers away, he could sense the shrieking of the swarm.

"Lord Savior..." Dante said, glancing at the fortress of steel and fire. "This is one of the most fortified strongholds I've ever seen. Even if it's temporary, I believe it can hold against the swarm."

In truth, many of the fortifications were beyond his understanding—far surpassing any battlefield he'd previously seen.

Fortunately, he didn't need to command this battle personally.

Turning toward the Savior's towering figure not far away, Dante felt a surprising calm.

For the first time on the eve of war, he felt... light. Relieved.

Because the Savior stood at the forefront of the battle line.

He was no longer the sole pillar everyone leaned upon.

"How good it must be... to be guided by a higher being," Dante thought to himself.

He suddenly felt a surge of envy toward the Ultramarines and the other Chapters under the Savior's command. They had their gene-sire to guide them.

If only Sanguinius, the Great Angel, could return one day...

The Blood Angels had always believed their father was not truly dead—just unable to return, for now.

"Are you sure we don't need to go to the frontlines and command?" Dante still couldn't shake his unease at the Savior's way of warfare.

Eden turned, patting the old warrior's shoulder.

"No need. We just wait here and follow orders. The officers trained by the Loyal Sons Academy..."

He smiled. "They're more professional than I am."

He had no need to personally oversee every front like the Lord Regent or other Chapter Masters. That would only lead to exhaustion and distraction.

If he had to do everything himself, what would be the point of training commanders?

For context—

The Savior's territory invested 7% of its total revenue into education.

That was higher than any country in Eden's previous life.

And that revenue came from hundreds—thousands—of worlds.

Beneath the watchtower stood a five-meter-high steel bastion.

It was heavily shielded by layered force fields, guarded by two squads of Thunder Guardians.

This was the nerve center of Helos Starport: the Information Warfare Command Center.

Inside, dozens of holographic projections filled the space, receiving feeds from a vast array of sensors and surveillance devices deployed across and beyond the battlefield.

With the support of the Machine Goddess, even the Tyranid Shadow in the Warp couldn't fully jam their signals.

Information from dozens of kilometers away could still reach the center.

Through the projections, commanders could observe the battlefield in detail—including the shifting movement of the swarm.

At present, over sixty officers were working within the center, managing the entire war effort.

They were all top graduates from the Loyal Sons Academy of Information Warfare.

At the command dais, Chief Commander Dexen stood tall, eyes locked on the holographic displays, analyzing every data shift without rest.

This was the first deployment of the Savior's information warfare forces.

Dexen was born to a laborer's family—only through the Savior's grace had he entered the Academy.

Unlike most, he studied the discipline proposed by the Savior himself:

Informationized Warfare.

In the grim darkness of the far future, where Warp, xenos psykers, and the powers of Chaos disrupted everything, communication was a nightmare.

Most battlefield orders had to be generalized: Free-action orders, based on scattered reports and hazy assumptions.

More often than not, it came down to: Hold or charge.

Only Primarchs, Chapter Masters, or legendary commanders could intuit accurate strategies in such chaos—and even then, mistakes were inevitable.

And so...

Years ago, the Savior proposed a new path: leveraging physics, the Warp domain, and electromagnetic signals to achieve "longer vision, faster reaction, and accurate strikes."

Three strike systems were developed:

Precision special forces.

Mechanized formations.

Long-range heavy artillery.

It was a revolutionary military doctrine.

Yet until now, with the Machine Goddess fully awakened, these graduates had only practiced in simulations.

Finally, they could prove themselves on a real battlefield.

"Commander, Tyranids have entered missile range!" came the report.

Dexen pulled up the visuals: black tides of claws and fangs.

He calmly gave the order:

"Mark priority targets. Commence heavy missile strike!"

This was their moment—to carve the name of information warfare into legend!

Upon receiving the command, designated officers relayed the coordinates to the rear strike units.

Hum—

On the firing platforms...

Missile launchers began to rise into position.

Apocalypse-class Missile Launchers, each capable of holding twenty rockets, fully automated with targeting and reloading systems.

Amid incense and hymns of the Machine God, the operators entered the targeting data.

Then—

Pull the trigger.

Boom!

With thunderous smoke...

Dozens of five-meter-long missiles launched, trailing blazing tails as they shrieked toward the Tyranid swarm.

On the watchtower—

"The battle has begun..." Eden murmured, eyes fixed on the streaking missiles.

This would be the Savior's first full-scale informationized war.

To Eden, it was still primitive, but...

Every step forward, no matter how small, was a revolution.

Especially in this grim, superstitious age of mankind.

He was confident:

This battle would deliver a devastating blow to the swarm.

...

Dozens of kilometers away—

Beneath the swarm's roiling tide stood a monstrous Tyranid:

Hive Tyrant—over ten meters tall.

Its segmented limbs gouged deep scars into the earth as it advanced, releasing Ripper swarms from its chest cavities like a mobile birthing vat.

This Hive Tyrant was a specialized variant—a top-tier synapse organism capable of autonomous decision-making.

Despite being bound by the Hive Mind's gestalt, it retained full tactical awareness and could learn from its mistakes.

Its cunning gaze locked across the distance.

Eyes fixated on that towering fortress rising from the ground.

Soon.

Its swarm would drown it.

All biomass would be claimed!

Hissss—

Suddenly—

The Hive Tyrant froze. A chill of danger creeping down its spine.

It sensed it.

Dozens of human weapons were inbound, screaming toward it.

"Why... why do the humans of this planet possess such long-range strike capability?"

This synapse commander was... a little confused.

But its reaction was swift—it screeched sharply, issuing a defensive order to the swarm.

In an instant, numerous Tyranid bodyguards swarmed over, encasing it in thick layers of chitinous carapace.

At the same time—

The entire Tyranid swarm reacted with synchronized defensive maneuvers.

BOOM-BOOM-BOOM—

Dozens of super-heavy rocket missiles slammed into their pre-designated targets.

Plasma warheads split mid-flight into six bouncing orbs of searing plasma, blanketing vast areas in white-hot death.

Huge numbers of lesser Tyranid organisms were instantly incinerated—reduced to nothing but charred husks.

Radiation warheads scattered toxic, irradiated shrapnel, sweeping through all carbon-based lifeforms in the blast zone. The lingering radiation then contaminated the land, causing further destruction.

Worst of all were the Vortex Missiles—each one filled with raw, unstable Warp energy.

Detonating mid-air, they tore open localized Warp rifts nearly half a kilometer wide.

The resulting gravity wells began pulling flying Tyranid organisms directly into the Warp.

The bodyguards around the Hive Tyrant let out pained, ghastly screeches—the impact zone had been directly struck by multiple warheads.

Their specialized carapaces cracked and melted under heat and radiation.

Wounded and howling, some were dragged into the Warp rift.

And yet—

The Hive Tyrant endured.

Protected by layers of chitin, bodyguard shielding, and its own psychic energy field, it emerged nearly unscathed.

HISSSSSSS!!!

Roaring to the skies, the Hive Tyrant unleashed a psychic wave, reverberating across the swarm.

Its force of will rallied the shaken Tyranid host under the bombardment.

The swarm immediately shifted formations, spreading wider—then launched a full-speed charge toward the fortress.

Like a tidal wave of chitin, the Tyranids crashed forward.

Under cover of the swarm, the Hive Tyrant shifted position—moving more stealthily.

No way those human commanders could find it at this range!

And yet—

Just minutes into its advance, it halted abruptly.

More attacks were incoming—and this time, multiple strikes were zeroed in on its exact location!

The Hive Tyrant howled in disbelief:

"How are the humans locating me so quickly?!"

A second later—

Meltablast warheads struck, drenching its position in white-hot thermal streams.

...

Watchtower

"Tsk... orbital bombardments are just so satisfying..."

Eden watched the barrage unfolding in the distance, in high spirits.

Thanks to the Machine Goddess Webby—these rocket barrages could accurately hit targets even under the interference of the Tyranid Shadow.

Fsshh—

He cracked open a chilled can of Ice Cola and took a satisfying sip.

Then—

He handed Dante a can too.

"Try it. One of our territory's special drinks. Let's enjoy this moment while we can—things'll get busy soon enough..."

Dante hesitated, then took the drink.

The chilling, minty blast stunned him—he took a deep breath, eyes sparkling.

This was the Savior's own custom brew: an ultra-iced peppermint version served at minus ten degrees—perfect for sharpening the senses.

BOOM-BOOM-BOOM—

The next wave of explosions rocked the air.

Eden's gaze shifted back to the battlefield.

To be fair—these Tyranids were tough. Even carpet bombardments couldn't wipe them all out.

Many had survived under the protection of synapse creatures and psykers, charging at full speed past the kill zones.

Though the missile barrage had significantly culled their numbers, the Tyranids still outnumbered the defenders several times over.

The threat remained enormous.

One could now see the shadow on the land—flying Tyranid bioforms blotted out the sky, while countless hordes swarmed below.

Soon—

The Tyranid swarm hit the outer minefields, triggering wave after wave of thunderous detonations.

HSSSSS!!!

"Cursed primitive apes!"

The Hive Tyrant's fury boiled over.

It hadn't even seen the enemy yet—and already, half its swarm was gone!

This synapse commander had once conquered countless feeble human worlds under the will of the Great Devourer—always victorious.

Never before had it suffered such crippling losses!

Still—

The swarm it had left would be enough to overwhelm this fortress.

Or so it thought.

It had underestimated what lay ahead:

A steel wall of Titans, Imperial Knights, and super-heavy tanks.

...

Unlike the screaming swarm, the colossal war machines stood silent and still—like gods of war.

Crimson and gold banners of honor flowed from their shoulders and knees.

Each exuded sheer, soul-crushing might—standing against the oncoming tide.

The Titan host, Imperial Knights, and tank formations awaited orders from Command.

And then—

As the Tyranids entered optimal kill range...

The orders came.

The machines roared to life, unleashing their wrath upon both sky and ground.

Through a web of flames, plasma, and heavy cannons, they created impenetrable kill-zones.

Efficient. Precise. Cold-blooded.

Tyranids were shredded by the thousands—shattered against an unbreakable iron wall.

Their charge faltered. Momentum stalled.

But soon, they retaliated.

Living bombs, acid projectiles, and spore mines rained down like hellfire—poison clouds billowed as they detonated.

Yet most of it—

Was stopped by Void Shields protecting the Titans.

Then came the counterbarrage.

Even more devastating.

Some Tyranid groups began to scatter and flee.

...

Watchtower

Eden silently watched the slaughter—steel versus chitin.

Then he frowned.

"...As expected, the first defensive line won't hold."

The Tyranid tactics had shifted. No longer trying to breach the war machines—

They aimed straight for the fortress walls.

Dante's face darkened.

"Savior... the swarm is still too vast. I'm worried it'll crush morale..."

The shrieks of the swarm grew louder—the psychic pressure and sonic barrage were overwhelming.

Such dread could cripple the will of any mortal unit.

Indeed, in past battles—

Imperial Guard support units had collapsed under similar pressure, forcing the Blood Angels to bear greater burdens.

And then—

A melody pierced the air.

A powerful, uplifting sacred hymn.

The Savior's Divine Anthem.

Broadcast through sound projectors across the wall, it overwhelmed the swarm's screeches.

Eden showed little surprise—just a classic track.

"Dante, good tune, right?"

His voice was calm.

"I'll get you your own set of sacred hymns and broadcasting gear later. Works like a charm."

He had made a decision—

Once the war with Leviathan was over, the Blood Angels would become strategic partners.

The Savior would extend full support: resources, technology, reconstruction.

It was time for fellow warriors to live a better life too.

BOOM—

High-temp flames roared from the trenches.

Tyranids that dove in shrieked in agony as they burned in the promethium inferno.

Still, the swarm didn't halt.

More surged forward, sacrificing themselves to pave the way with their corpses.

On the walls

Lasers and bolter fire sealed the skies and frontline.

Thousands of Tyranids were torn apart.

Centurion squads and heavy weapon teams unleashed autocannons and heavy bolters on smaller bugs.

While armor-piercing missiles, lascannons, and meltaguns reduced bigger targets to slurry.

Snipers marked key bioforms with tracers—feeding data to the Command Center.

On the battlements—

Two Dreadnoughts, one red, one dark green, fought side-by-side, covering each other with unrelenting firepower.

In the swarm's rear

The Hive Tyrant hid in the shadows, watching through scout organisms—its eyes gleaming with cunning.

Its fanged maw twitched—it sensed... a massive biomass concentration behind the wall!

It no longer cared for the defensive line.

It would go past it—and consume the real prize.

It had even found a way to unleash a devastating attack behind enemy lines!

Gradually—

Wave after wave of Tyranids broke past the first line's fire grid, charging into the rear.

This meant the battle was now escalating—

Both sides would soon clash in brutal close-quarters combat.

But that—

Was exactly where Information Warfare would shine...

(End of Chapter)

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