FY Star System, Third Planet
Numerous starship wreckages could be seen in the planet's near-orbit, along with the bodies of Dwarf soldiers among the debris.
Not far from these wreckages hovered an interstellar fleet, consisting of two to three hundred starships.
At the center was the largest vessel—a T3-class starship. The surrounding T2 and T1 interstellar warships appeared minuscule in comparison, lacking even a thousandth of its imposing presence.
On the hulls of all these starships was painted a crimson lizard emblem.
These were all starships of the Fire Salamander Tribe.
On the bridge of the Fire Lizard T3 flagship
A starfaring creature with red-scaled skin, standing on two legs, with a tail and a lizard-like head sat in the captain's chair.
Most of the crew on the bridge shared this appearance.
This was the Fire Salamander Tribe.
The Fire Lizard commander observed several screens displaying scenes from the ground battles on the planet below.
Several T1 interstellar warships had entered the planet's atmosphere, deploying numerous combat mechs and ground combat troops.
Leveraging the air superiority of the T1 starships, they continuously attacked the resisting Dwarves on the ground.
"These weak little dwarves dare to resist our mighty Lizard warriors!" the Fire Lizard commander sneered at the images of Dwarf warriors fighting back with various weapons.
"Commander, look at the agonized expressions on these dwarves as they die.
Let the entire FY Star System witness the fate of defying our Fire Salamander Tribe!" the Fire Lizard adjutant exclaimed excitedly.
The Fire Lizard commander snorted coldly. "If it weren't for not wanting to damage the mineral veins and the Dwarves' industrial facilities on this planet—
and considering they are natural craftsmen and miners—
I would have ordered my fleet to conduct orbital bombardment long ago, reducing these dwarves to ashes!"
"Once we control this planet, the Dwarves here will become our slaves, spending their entire lives mining the planet's wealth for us!" the Fire Lizard adjutant added.
The Fire Lizard commander narrowed his eyes. "Once we extract the mineral veins from this planet and use these resources to strengthen our Fire Salamander Tribe,
the chieftain said that by then, we can seize several surrounding star systems and truly become one of the overlords of this Reef Starfield!"
The Fire Lizards were already fantasizing about a glorious future.
They looked down upon the struggling Dwarves on the planet as if they were mere ants.
Within the planet, at the Dwarf command center
"Report! The Third refuge has fallen. Thirty thousand of our people have been captured by the Fire Lizards!"
"Report! The Ground Ninth combat squad has been annihilated."
"Report! The combat mecha squad's coordinates were exposed. They were bombarded from high altitude by a Fire Lizard T2 starship and completely wiped out!"
One piece of bad news after another spread throughout the underground command post.
A middle-aged-looking Dwarf sat in his chair, his shoulder bandaged with gauze from a wound.
"Clan leader... are we still going to resist?" the Dwarf beside him asked despondently.
"If we don't resist, are we to become Slaves under those damned lizards?" the Dwarf clan leader said indignantly.
"But... how can we resist? Our interstellar fleet has already been annihilated, leaving only these laughable ground combat troops. Being wiped out by those Starships above us is just a matter of time," the Dwarf beside him said weakly.
"We've already sent for help from other Dwarf tribes in the Reef Starfield. As long as we hold out until reinforcements arrive, we still have a glimmer of hope!" one Dwarf said.
"Reinforcements? Hahaha, the combat capability of the other Dwarf tribes isn't much better than ours. Did you see that T3 interstellar warship in the fire lizard fleet? Which Dwarf tribe has a T3 interstellar warship?" a Dwarf who had lost the will to fight said disdainfully.
Hearing this, although many Dwarves felt resentful in their hearts, this was the reality, and it was their current situation.
The Dwarf clan leader picked up the Laser Rifle beside him and said through gritted teeth, "You're right, this is indeed our current situation. If you want to surrender, I won't stop you. But as the clan leader, I cannot yield to these invaders. I cannot lead my people to accept their enslavement. I would rather die fighting than live on my knees!"
"That's right! We Dwarves are also brave Warriors!"
"We are willing to live and die with our clan leader!"
"Let's kill those damned stinking lizards!"
Some young Dwarves shouted one after another.
But there were also some Dwarves who remained silent.
"Spread my words to every refuge base. If anyone wants to surrender, I won't stop them. But I, Bagin, as the clan leader of the Dwarf race! I will fight the fire lizards to the death with my honor, even if this is a battle destined to be unwinnable!" Clan Leader Bagin said resolutely.
After delivering the final combat mobilization, Clan Leader Bagin came to a small room in the refuge. Here were his wife and five children—two boys and three girls. The eldest had just come of age this year, and the youngest was only ten years old. They were all crowded onto the only bed in the room, sleeping with somewhat fearful expressions.
"Bagin..." his wife looked at her husband, her expression complicated.
"Our refuge's Ground Forces have basically lost their combat capability. What comes next may be the final battle. I will lead the last combat troops into battle. I estimate we can only hold out for one to three days before we fall. I've hidden a Shuttle in this location. If... if I die by then, take our children and find a way to leave here. Escape as far as you can!" Clan Leader Bagin handed a bronze key to his wife.
His wife clutched the bronze key, looked at her husband, and said in a pleading tone, "Come with us!"
"I'm sorry, I am the clan leader of our tribe. I must fight until the very end." Clan Leader Bagin stroked his wife's cheek and looked at the five children sleeping. "It's a pity that in the end, I still haven't found that child, Annie. Though I don't know where she went, perhaps it's better than staying here."
"I just hope she can live well out there."
The wife held her husband, wanting to cry but afraid of disturbing the children. She could only clench her teeth tightly, sobbing quietly, not letting herself cry out loud.
"Take good care of our children. If there's a chance... go look for Annie..." Chief Bagin finished speaking and resolutely walked out of the room.
Leaving behind only five sleeping children and a wife with tear-streaked cheeks.
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