T'au Empire's Resistance

"Based on the data from the detectors, the Hive Fleet will reach the star system under our protection in just nine to sixteen months." Ketan said nothing more about the K-1 system. It was not heartlessness or indifference; they had long known what their mission was.

"Nine to sixteen months... The fortress we spent over a decade building will surely buy more time for the rear. We have to delay them for at least two years to allow the evacuation."

"Heh-heh..." Ketan chuckled softly. He had always liked Volani's passionate attitude, something his naturally steady temperament lacked.

"Let these beautiful surroundings remain a little longer. This is the last stretch of leisure we'll ever have."

"This is our new home. If those damned bugs want to feast in our home, they'll have to step over our corpses first." Volani tightly gripped Ketan's hand. The eyes of these two people from different species shone with the same sense of duty.

The Hash swarm arrived in the VK-01 system ten months later, their numbers vast enough to blot out the starlight.

The captain aboard the warship watched as more and more bugs closed in. The sight before him reminded him only of the colossal sandstorms he had seen while pioneering barren worlds.

"There's nothing to command. Just open fire. Empty every last round we have, then charge in and overload the engines."

The captain's voice echoed throughout the ship, and the crew joked half-heartedly.

"Burning to death is a lot better than being dissolved in stomach acid!"

"I never should've signed up to come here. I should've gone to the Red Sun Zone to fight Orks!"

"Oh, cut it out! The Far Eastern Garrison Legion's mission was made clear from the start! Your acting is terrible."

"Terrible, terrible..."

The laughter and curses