The First Wall-this once-barren rocky planet had become the most fearsome fortress in the entire Milky Way Galaxy. Its surface had been hollowed out, its mountains reshaped into enormous breastworks, and its canyons converted into bottomless killing corridors. Millions of massive Gauss Cannon turrets rose like a forest of steel. Tens of thousands of drone mine platforms built from asteroids floated in synchronous orbit, forming a deadly web.
Beneath the planet's surface, in vast, honeycomb-like fortifications, hundreds of billions of Gretchin soldiers were making their final preparations. They wore fitted, dark red armor shimmering with energy and gripped Ember-I Gauss Rifles tightly in their hands. Their ranks were orderly, their movements uniform, and their eyes burned with a fire born of fervent belief and unwavering resolve.
A young Gretchin soldier named Nug was nervously checking the Katyusha Squig rocket launcher before him. The hulking Squig pawed uneasily at the ground with its hind legs, a low rumble rising from its throat. Nug patted its flank, using a calming technique he had learned from the veterans.
"Don't be scared, big guy," Nug muttered, unsure whether he was speaking to the Squig or himself. "The Big Boss is watching us."
Just then, the vaulted ceiling of the entire underground complex suddenly lit up, bathing every corner in soft golden light. All the Gretchin instinctively looked up.
A golden meteor tore through the atmosphere and descended precisely, gently, onto the tallest command platform at the fortress's center. The light faded, revealing Liu Zhipeng.
"My people."
His voice reached every Gretchin clearly through the broadcast system spanning the planet. Calm and warm, it instantly soothed the unrest in their hearts as the great battle loomed.
"I'm here."
He said nothing more. But those two words carried more power than any rousing speech before battle.