Bolomite's Orbital Defense Center had been monitoring the movements of the Hive Fleet's Shadow in the Warp.
The duty officer slapped his desk, watching the water-stain-like blank patch on the screen grow larger and larger. It surged out from the direction of the Maelstrom, flooding half the screen like a tide.
Without hesitation, the duty officer reported, "Hive Fleet Kraken has entered the system and is advancing toward Bolomite!"
The officers in the command center all looked up at the live feed that appeared on the screen.
The Shadow in the Warp was already just outside Bolomite.
Fortunately, when Bolomite had been flung out, it had landed in an empty stretch of space. Apart from the Maelstrom, there was nobody out there. Otherwise, bodies would probably already have been strewn everywhere.
The command center transmitted the data to the Fortress, which passed it on to every Chapter.
Every combat unit immediately updated its readiness status!
The Night Goddess and the Lamenters' Battle Barge prepared to lead the advance interception fleet out.
On the bridge of the Night Goddess, Lin En turned back for one last look at Bolomite.
Bolomite spread out below him, the entire planet ablaze with lights.
The whole planet had entered a state of war.
The Fortress's gates were shut.
The Flesh Tearers' Battle Barge and fleet remained in orbit around Bolomite.
The orbital defenses were every bit as formidable as the ground defenses below. Both were ready.
Everyone was probably still awake, waiting for their triumphant return.
In the distance, Echo Star looked like a tiny blue-green point of light, its land covered in fields and irrigation channels.
This was everything they had built. They couldn't let the bugs ruin it.
Go, go, go! Meet them head-on! Kill every last bug!!!
**"All ships, battle stations! Move