Chapter 21: Sky Front
"Start the Sky Front Plan."
The Sky Front, as the Grammer Empire's ultimate means, is only allowed to be activated at the most critical moment and requires confirmation from at least eight of the ten senators.
8 system hours ago, a large number of black holes appeared around the Dead Sea, greatly shortening the distance for the Zerg to attack Grammer's homeland. The gravity between the black holes seemed to be pulling some unknown horror forward.
The insects came from the other side of the sky, endless and without end.
The nightmare of the past was repeated. The border of Grammer's star field was once again covered with fragments of iron cavalry and the remains of stinging insects. The scope of the Dead Sea continued to expand, turning into an eternal shadow hovering over everyone's head.
After the Sky Front Project was launched, the mountain bases, as clustered mountain protection outposts, began to gradually separate and transform into individual outposts one after another to form a solid front line outside the planet Grammer.
Grammer's cavalry will rely on the cover of the outpost to fight the Zerg, and barely maintain positional warfare with the assistance of the star field protection network system.
With the Molten Knight's performance, there was no need to adopt such a cautious combat form, but facing the endless swarm of insects, the only way to delay as much time as possible was to hold the position.
"Warning, energy overload."
"Warning, the body damage exceeds 30%."
"The compatibility has reached its upper limit."
The cold mechanical sound reminded Firefly to escape as soon as possible, but facing the endless stinging insects, there was no chance to evacuate to the rear for repairs.
17 systems had passed since the Zerg launched its attack, and huge cracks visible to the naked eye appeared on the periphery of the star field protection net. The logistics maintenance team was simply unable to carry out repairs under the repeated high-intensity impacts, and the net's self-repair could not keep up with the speed of the crack expansion.
The amount of stinging insect debris suspended in front of the battle line was incalculable, while the endless stream of insect swarms from the rear continued to attack fearlessly.
A cluster of fire erupted from the center of the battlefield. The strong fire briefly cleared space for retreat, while the iron cavalry in the center were all set on fire.
The silver-white armor was melted by the flames, and the painful voices of the cyborgs in the cockpit could be faintly heard. The life that was devoured ignited the last flames.
Liuying looked away reluctantly. The number of Molten Knights who sacrificed within 37 system hours was also immeasurable. The silver-white iron cavalry fell into the Dead Sea, burning, without even a ripple.
The sacrifice of her companions gave Liuying time to evacuate safely. After returning to the outpost, she took off her iron cavalry and leaned against the wall with her pretty face pale to avoid falling down immediately.
The scene in front of me began to become blurry, and the roar coming from afar indicated that the war situation was still deteriorating.
"cannot..."
Liuying held the transformation device tightly against her chest and took a deep breath. Her beautiful eyes were as firm as ever. "I can't die yet."
I promised An Ming that we would go home together.
You must survive!
...
...
"Are you interested in making a deal with me?"
"An Ming."
17 system hours ago.
When An Ming was leaving the mountains in Molten Knight's costume, he was stopped by Titania who walked out of the shadows.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Titania," Titania smiled slightly. Her pure white dress was out of tune with the atmosphere of the mountain base.
"you..."
"I'm not a firefly."
Titania said calmly: "It's just that part of Firefly originated from me."
No wonder An Ming felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity when he saw Titania for the first time. Not only her appearance, but even her temperament was extremely similar to Liuying.
But Titania is not Firefly after all.
"The Queen will also make a deal with me?"
"An Ming, you can't fool me," Titania smiled and walked in front of An Ming, staring at him with eyes similar to Liu Ying's: "That power... can save me."
"..."
An Ming stared at Titania in silence. He was not unaware of the power that he had inadvertently displayed in his youth during these eighteen years.
"I know you don't care about the end of the empire, but if Grammer is destroyed, you and Liuying will not be able to escape from this star field that has been completely occupied by the Zerg."
"You mean to say you can solve the crisis of the empire?"
"No..." Titania looked at An Ming with complicated eyes, "I never said I could do it. You are the only one who can change the outcome of the empire."
"I can remove the mental restraints on the cyborg in the hive, and I promise you that I will send her away from Grammer safely after everything is over."
"You are worried that you won't be able to ensure Liuying's future after you die."
Titania smiled and looked at An Ming, "Don't show that expression, your face now says you want to die for Liuying."
An Ming didn't expect Titania's guess to be so accurate. She was right. It was extremely difficult to protect Firefly in the current situation. Even he could not face countless swarms of insects alone.
When it comes to the survival of the star field, a person is so insignificant that even his own life cannot exchange for the future of Liuying.
An Ming really doesn't care about Grammer, but the empire is the last line of defense in this star field. Once it falls completely, there will be no future.
Why protect Grammer? Actually, there is no reason. Perhaps only the scenery that left beautiful memories with fireflies is worth protecting.
"Tell me about your deal."
...
...
after a while.
"Looks like I owe you another favor."
Titania's eyes became more lively, and the last layer of shackles was removed. Now she is completely free. "Don't worry, I will fulfill my promise."
"To me, you are a special human being, An Ming."
She wanted to reach out and touch An Ming's cheek, but the boy silently took a step back and dodged.
An Ming simply took out a small box and handed it to Titania, "If I don't come back, you have to give this to her for me."
Titania took the box and looked at An Ming with mixed feelings, "Is it worth it?"
"Some things are not worth talking about."
An Ming turned slowly and looked at the increasingly surging swarm of insects in the distance. His eyes within the armor were calm and determined.
The Molten Knight's back gradually went away. Titania stood there staring at the figure, with unspeakable emotions rippling in her heart. What would have been the ending if An Ming had met her first that year?
But some things are destined to have no ifs.
Titania sometimes envied Liuying's happiness, but mostly she blessed her.
Perhaps in a parallel world, a girl named Titania did not undergo cruel transformation, and was able to fall in love like a normal person and have a happy ending.
Titania looked at the firefly, as if she saw herself in another world.
That seems to be a good idea.
"My people."
"I will remove the restrictions on your souls. In this final moment, you will become true Molten Knights!"
Titania's voice echoed deep in the minds of all the transformed people. At the same time, the upper limit of the degree of compatibility was completely eliminated at this moment. The burning fire of life will forge a true Molten Knight.