In reality, due to the extreme passage of time, a portion of the positioning data on the coordinate meter had been corrupted. Loken attempted to repair some of it, but he was still unable to achieve precise positioning, only able to delineate a rough area.
Only once the target was found could the final parameters be completed to activate the two teleportation arrays.
As the battleship hung silently in the high orbit of the planet, the roaring Thunderhawk had already broken through the atmosphere and arrived within the area delineated by Loken.
"Scans show no targets in the vicinity."
In the upper cabin of the Thunderhawk, Armin was delivering a briefing. Due to previous operations, the other two squads had suffered casualties; therefore, Sothian had brought the fully intact Second Squad this time—Armin's squad.
"We will land in three minutes. According to map intelligence, the terrain in this area consists mainly of plains and forests. There is a medium-sized settlement at the nine o'clock position called Sethis. There are currently no signs of rebel activity nearby."
"Is this the only settlement in the vicinity?"
"Yes, sir."
Sothian turned to Saul beside him and said
"Brother Caed said that thing is buried deep underground. I thought perhaps these natives might have some clues or legends."
Saul remained silent for a moment before nodding slightly.
"The range provided by the coordinate meter is twenty kilometers in diameter. This is a massive area. If we rely solely on the twelve of us, it might take a very long time to find it."
"Then, what would be the trouble in seeking assistance from local forces?"
"Most mortals possess short-sighted and reckless minds. Most of the time, they focus only on what is right in front of them. As soon as we appear, they will swarm us like madmen, begging us to help them suppress the rebellion."
"True enough. In that case, how about we choose to keep this mission confidential?"
"That is also an option."
Having made his decision, Sothian decided to maintain the secrecy of the operation. He truly did not know what Brother Caed was referring to; if it turned out to be another taboo object, it would be difficult to cover up the situation with a large crowd present.
In a clearing within the forest, the massive airflow expelled by the Thunderhawk snapped and bent the surrounding towering trees.
When it landed, the entire woodland looked as if it had just endured a storm, with fallen trees and uprooted shrubs scattered everywhere.
Amidst the hissing of steam, the hatch opened, and a squad of heavily armed Space Marines marched out.
It was currently midnight; the forest, which should have been filled with the chirping of insects and birds, was instead as silent as a graveyard.
After deploying all the Space Marines, Rogalis piloted the Thunderhawk back into the sky. It would not return to the *Firestorm*, but would instead circle at high altitude to provide support to the squad on the ground at any time.
Subsequently, the squad moved through the forest in a tight formation, following the direction indicated on the map.
In this region, the forest did not seem to be an uninhabited place. Along the way, Sothian saw many paths, which might have been trodden by hunters or woodcutters.
He also saw some wooden signs, though he could not quite make out the Low Gothic written on them.
As the paths twisted and turned, starlight leaked through the canopy into the rainforest. The ground was uneven and undulating, making the squad's progress feel like surfing.
The squad traveled along the forest paths for an hour and a half. Aside from the assistance of their power armor, their enhanced musculature allowed every Space Marine to walk much faster than an ordinary human.
The warriors advanced tirelessly, with Armin, who was clearing the way at the front, constantly using his sword to saw through trees into fragments.
They were approaching the settlement.
As a town surrounded by forest on three sides, the residents would generally clear an open space around the perimeter of the city and establish defensive walls and watchtowers to shoot down anything that dared to emerge from the woods.
After all, the unfriendly things in the forest were sometimes more than just beasts.
Judging by the thinning of the trees, Sothian determined they were not far from the kill zone.
Soon, through the cover of the trees, Sothian saw their target.
The city of Sethis was a settlement surrounded by forest on three sides and water on the fourth. The entire urban area was enclosed by thick walls nearly ten meters high, with grim watchtowers looming behind a kill zone several hundred meters wide.
The builders of the city had chosen this location for its defensive advantages and the use of the river as a means of transport. On the other side of the river lay vast, fertile plains already occupied by various crops.
Outside the city walls, there had originally been many shantytowns, which served as living quarters for serfs.
The watchtowers on the walls served not only for defense but also to monitor the every move of the serfs. Several city gates ensured that crops could be transported along roads protected by guards.
Most of the time, guards hired by the local merchant guild patrolled outside the city using "retired" Sentinel walkers, using the heavy flamers and chainswords equipped on the mechs to punish anyone causing trouble—such as by burning down their house.
A small number of motorcycles and cavalry were also on standby to deploy at any moment, pouring fury upon anything that threatened the city with bullets and blades.
Additionally, the guild had installed twin and quad heavy logging gun turrets on the walls.
To be honest, such defenses would be difficult for rebels armed only with light weapons to overcome, but looking at the situation, the shantytowns outside the walls were pitch black.
To Armin, this was somewhat suspicious.
As he approached the kill zone, he slowed his pace, while the other warriors behind him began to catch up. Saul appeared to be lagging behind everyone else.
However, his gaze remained as sharp as an eagle's.
"Armin, halt."
Sothian commanded through the comms, but Armin had already stepped out of the forest.
Armin looked up at the walls. If the soldiers above could see him, they would certainly recognize their power armor.
Then, he heard a response coming from the walls.
*Rat-tat-tat—!*
The projectiles from the heavy logging guns flew toward the forest, smashing countless massive craters into the ground, with dust and stones constantly spraying into the air.
The massive bullets hammered Armin from head to toe, making his power armor clatter loudly. Fortunately, he was carrying a shield; he immediately raised it for cover and retreated quickly back into the forest.
The other warriors watched this in shock.
These people actually dared to attack Space Marines!?
As for Armin, who dropped to one knee after retreating, he was trembling with rage.
Even Sothian took a deep breath to suppress his own anger before activating the comms.
"Do not move yet."
The projectiles from the heavy logging guns were punching through trees, shredding bark and trunks; they were still firing.
Armin was furious, and the other warriors let out low growls. Had it not been for Sothian's orders, they would have charged forward long ago to teach those damned mortals a lesson.
At that moment, in addition to the noise, Sothian's ears caught the sound of massive auxiliary power units spinning up.
The Sentinel walkers were coming.
(End of Chapter)