While deploying the troops, Zhang Ge once again ordered the Space Marines to conduct several more rounds of reconnaissance outside the enemy's detection range. Considering the superhuman skills and advanced equipment of the Space Marines, the chances of mere mortals detecting them were actually negligible, and even being Imperial Fists didn't mean they weren't adept at concealing themselves.

Sure enough, this time the intelligence obtained was much closer and more accurate. Because the Iron Warriors were so sparsely distributed along the defensive line, some photos were even taken after crossing the line.

In addition to some simple deployment information, more importantly, the officers saw the Defiled Manufactorum established by the Iron Warriors in the pictures brought back by the Reconnaissance Detachment.

Behind the twisted and intertwined spiky walls were towers engraved with numerous Chaos Runes and Profane Acts. At the same time, the slightly lower forges and various enclosed buildings showed that the Iron Warriors had been stationed here for quite some time.

Although most of the buildings didn't seem to have any obvious purpose, the towers and forges were still very conspicuous.

The former should be ritual tools used to forcibly restrain Daemons... Yes, not all Daemons are willing to be controlled, especially those who are forcibly stuffed into Daemon Engines and subjected to torture.

Therefore, unless the summoner is an extremely powerful and favored Daemon or Daemon Prince, most "ordinary people" have to rely on coercive measures to command large-scale Daemons.

The latter should be Defiled Manufactorum that the Iron Warriors had obtained through some means, such as Rapid Construction Modules, Drop-Pod Manufactorum, or simply Warp Energy summons. In addition to their regular functions, these factories were also places of profane worship, spewing out not only countless twisted machines but also vast amounts of Warp Energy.

Zhang Ge pondered for a moment.

To have ordinary troops approach and fight in such a place... It's not that it couldn't be done, but the sacrifice would be too great. Even for the battle-hardened Astra Militarum, being in that level of Warp Energy would make it difficult to escape unscathed.

Without affecting his own death wish, he still wanted to preserve the lives of his men as much as possible.

After thinking for a while, he asked the coordinating officer in charge of the aircraft:

"Can the air wings carry out a lobbing strike on the enemy base from outside their anti-aircraft range?"

Lobbing is a tactic used by aircraft. Normally, aircraft projectiles are fired horizontally or downwards, but if necessary, they can actually adjust their body position to an upward angle and then have the projectiles lobbed out at a certain angle to increase their range.

Of course, choosing range means sacrificing accuracy, but considering that the target is an entire base, a higher margin of error doesn't really matter.

"Um... yes, it can be done, but you see, the anti-aircraft facilities visible from the photos alone are these."

He squeezed next to Zhang Ge, smelling faintly of engine oil, pointed to several blurred areas on the photos, and then continued:

"Based on my deduction, given their anti-aircraft density and the number and types of our aircraft, this kind of strike won't have a very noticeable effect. Most of the projectiles are too slow for dedicated anti-aircraft weapons and will be intercepted. The few that get through won't be able to penetrate the hull's defenses."

Although aircraft rockets, missiles, and the like are now fast enough, that speed is not even worth mentioning compared to laser arrays used to specifically intercept small projectiles. If the number isn't enough, they can easily be intercepted.

Didn't have... wait.

Something occurred to Zhang Ge. Soon, he established communication with the highest-ranking officer of the Skitarii allied forces responsible for support.

The other party answered almost as soon as the request was sent. Inevitably, although the distance was relatively short, there was still a lot of interference, but it was still within the scope of being able to barely hear each other's words.

The officer's inquiry was very concise:

"Reason?"

"Is the missile support promised by the Mechanicus still in effect and within the time limit?"

"Yes, but the ground needs to re-designate the impact points."

Perhaps high-ranking officers need to use more acute thinking to consider various military strategies, so their wording is closer to that of normal people than ordinary Mechanicus personnel.

After listening, Zhang Ge added:

"Is it difficult? What kind of instruments do you need?"

"I will come."

The communication ended.

Soon, Zhang Ge heard that distinctive mechanical operating sound. The officer walked over from a certain direction with a Skitarii Vanguard carrying a box-shaped instrument.

Neither of them showed any external features, because they had both wrapped themselves in thick, extra radiation-proof red robes to prevent radiation damage to allied forces.

Zhang Ge asked with some confusion:

"Can't we do it ourselves?"

"The process of calling and confirming coordinates is complex and requires specialized personnel. You are responsible for taking him to a close enough distance."

"Okay, no problem."

After organizing a lean ten-man team, Zhang Ge took the lead, leading everyone and the Skitarii Vanguard through the sandy sea, slowly approaching the weak defensive zone that the Space Marines had scouted out.

But before they could see the Defiled Manufactorum, and only vaguely saw the enemy positions among the endless sand dunes on the distant horizon, the Skitarii Vanguard signaled everyone to stop.

He crouched down, set up, secured, and finally unfolded the box-shaped instrument in his hands.

After some routine prayers, he finally activated the device.

In an instant, countless invisible light rays that had been pre-adjusted and bent according to the planet's curvature were lobbed towards those Defiled Manufactorum in curves. In the slight hum and heat dissipation, a large amount of data flowed, conducting cross-distance communication.

Soon, Zhang Ge noticed that the enemy seemed to have noticed the scanning was happening, but because they were unprepared, they couldn't find the source for a while. It wasn't until a dozen Terra minutes later that someone discovered this small, hidden team.

However, it was too late.

The two sides hadn't even started fighting yet, and the Skitarii Vanguard had already signaled that the marking was complete and they could evacuate. By the time the enemy shells fell several minutes later, everyone had long since left the original location.

In a certain Mechanicus Fortress in the Hongbei Sector, a large number of missiles rose from the launch silos. These missiles would rise all the way into space to directly bypass all ground detection. After correcting their orbits, they reduced their detectable characteristics to the lowest point, until they finally reached the sky above their destination. Then, they used terminal propulsion to fall straight down from space.

Their speed was so fast, and their outer shell was so hard, that by the time the relatively weak ground anti-aircraft systems detected them, they only had time to intercept a very small portion of them.

On the ground.

Counting the time, about dozens of Terra minutes later, the Warp Energy concentration in the distance detected by various instruments dropped off a cliff. Although the mechanized infantry regiment stationed hundreds of kilometers away couldn't feel the explosion, judging from these data indicators, the strike was effective.

Obviously, with most of their energy focused on Deadwood Sector, the enemy's overall anti-aircraft posture inevitably shifted towards Deadwood Sector. Although they were also concerned about the base in the rear, they most likely didn't expect anyone to suddenly rush to their deep rear, stumble upon the base, and then have the ability to guide a wave of missile strikes against large-scale Chaos forces.

At the same time, judging from the data, the Mechanicus was not that stingy when it came to materials.

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