Inside the transport ship, the alarm blared without pause.
The entire bridge flickered beneath glaring red light. Screen after screen continuously updated the shield depletion rate, hull integrity, and distribution of enemy firepower.
Every time the main cannon was hit, the whole transport ship shook violently, as though it could be torn to pieces at any moment.
At the center of the bridge, more than a dozen massive creatures gathered around the main control platform.
They looked remarkably like gigantic snails walking upright.
Gray-white spiral shells covered their backs. Their soft yet thick bodies supported their torsos, and several long feelers extended from their heads, each tipped with a nimble eye that was currently fixed on the battlefield display.
Every one of them wore an anxious expression.
On the screen, the transport ship's final layer of shielding had become as thin as a cicada's wing.
The two Level Six powerhouses assigned to escort it attacked again and again, yet they were still firmly suppressed by the enemy's three Level Six creatures.
The three light assault ships circled the transport ship like hunting hyenas, constantly carving away at its shield energy.
At this rate—at most another ten-odd minutes, and the transport ship would completely lose its ability to resist.
At last, a young giant snail could no longer endure it. He turned toward the center of the bridge. "Captain!" His voice trembled slightly. "Reinforcements—when will the reinforcements arrive?"
Everyone's gaze turned toward him involuntarily.
Before the Central Control Console, an obviously older giant snail stood there in silence.
His shell was covered in cracks left by time, and several of his eyestalks were thicker than those of the others. They were constantly sweeping across the tactical displays.
Hearing the other snail's question, he slowly shook his head. "The distress signal—was sent