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Two, three lines were lost to this force. The Omnissiah knew what it was Fulgrim knew, that he only had enough space to back into before their backs were against the wall. He had lost a fourth of his army trying to claim this ground which was in deep compensation for less than a tenth of what the Omnissiah had lost.
What he needed though was a chance.
A chance that he realized quickly.
When the third line had fallen the Daemonnets were already on the move. It was a payment made by the Daemons of Nurgle and the cultists who foolishly followed them, allowing this moment where there was little room for the forces of the Imperium to fight against.
In a sense it was clever, but it was also risky. The Omnissiah understood this fact to be the truth of the matter as he studied the incoming assault for what it might contain from behind. Such thoughts did not need to go far though, for as he looked upon the Astartes he realized the truth of the matter.
The Emperor’s Children were no longer simple Astartes. Their strides were inhuman yet their forms were but an accent of what it meant to be a Space Marine. Instead of the standard fair that the Mechnicus practices where the armored warriors would shield the soft underlings it was the other way around. It was a bet, but a viable one when you considered just how much damage those Astartes could do if they got closer.
They were more valuable than the Daemonnets of their Chariots that rode the scene, but the Daemons were faster. A choice needed to be made, kill the Astartes or kill the Daemons. The Daemons will start the slaughter the moment contact is made while the Astartes only need to get close enough for their bolters and sonic weapons to wreck the enemy.
He could answer them in force though. Bring out the Knights and Astartes that he was holding in reserve for a fight like this. It would be an all out brawl, but it might be the moment needed to have success.
Lastly, they could risk putting their backs against the wall.
>Focus fire (Choose Astartes of Daemons)
>Bring out the rear guard
>Continue the retreat, back against the wall.
