In a pitch-black corner of the universe, countless compound eyes of insects were flickering intermittently. On a planet that had already been shattered by half, a gigantic insect was lying, its upper body was similar to a rhinoceros beetle and its lower body like a centipede. Its terrifying eyes were even brighter than the distant stars.
This was a Star System in its prime, insignificant in the cosmos. Its only distinct feature was the headquarters of Nova Corps situated at the heart of the star system, which at this moment was being consumed by the grotesque insect nest.
The remaining resistance forces of Nova Corps huddled in their surviving fleet. A man with a red cross star on his helmet walked swiftly past the communication room towards the main control room of the spaceship.
Just ten minutes ago, the corps had received an evacuation order. Defending Sando Star any longer was meaningless, as it would only expedite the depletion of Nova Corps' resources. So, even though Centurion Richard Reid, known as "Nova," was reluctant to simply hand over the Corps' headquarters to the insectoid invaders, there was little else he could do.
Even more important was the need to safeguard the source of Nova's strength—the Nova super biological computer—from being devoured by the invaders.
As Nova was about to issue the evacuation order from the main control room, a member of the Nova Corps rushed out of the communication room. "We've received an unknown communication," he informed Nova. "They've requested to speak with our leader. Our initial assessment suggests they're an Order life form. Should we accept the call?"
Nova brushed his cloak and furrowed his eyebrows, but still nodded and said, "Accept the call."
He walked into the communication room and soon, a large projection of Star-Lord Quill's face appeared.
"Listen, pal, I am Peter Quill, and this is my friend, Rocket Raccoon. This big guy is Groot. We're the Guardians of the Galaxy. I don't know what that means, but we're the Guardians of the Galaxy."
"We took an escort ship from the Kree Empire's fallen sector. The Escort Ship has a fully charged Planet-destroying Weapon. My good buddy Rocket noticed on the scanner that your fleet is surrounded by the Insect Race. Judging by the movement of your escort ships, you're preparing to evacuate."
"We can provide you with covering fire from post 202A to 1022F. When the Planet-destroying Weapon is fully charged, we'll fire a flare to alert you. You can then coordinate your retreat."
Nova frowned and was about to say something when Rocket Raccoon jumped off Quill's shoulder, brought his furry face close to the camera, and said, "Don't waste time asking stupid questions! The bugs are about to eat the entire universe. Anyone with a brain would join forces to exterminate them first!"
"People near the Andromeda Galaxy can't be ignorant about the Nova Corps, the universal police. You are rather annoying in peaceful times, but we must save you now. Otherwise, the Andromeda galaxy behind you will fall."
Upon hearing this, Nova didn't waste any more time. He waved his hand and said, "Keep a close watch for the flare signal. Prepare to retreat from the target location!"
Close to the central black hole of the universe, all was eerily silent after the Day of Oblivion. The seemingly endless swarms had already left, having set a course towards more vibrant Star Zones.
The Kree Empire was at the forefront. Their three major Star Ports had all been overrun. The once iron-forest-like docking ports for the spacecraft were now reduced to charred ashes under cannon fire. The sun, drained of all its energy to hastily power the planet warships, had extinguished—like the dying flame of the Kree Empire's civilization.
Not far from the Distant Star Port, the wreckage of a Skrull fleet floated silently in space, alongside the remains of some of the terrifying bugs. This was the masterpiece of Magneto.
However, considering the current situation, this was entirely futile. After the initial Day of Oblivion wiped out hundreds of surrounding dimensions, the insectoid invasion swiftly spread, attacking the Kree Empire's capital star zone at a speed inconceivable to any civilization.
The formidable defences built by the Kree Empire, entirely reliant on its mechanistic civilization, were no match for the invasion. Within a mere two days, the Empire's prized Planet Warships were all obliterated and Supreme Wisdom, the supreme ruler of the Kree Empire, was forced to flee in panic.
Finally, the Skrull Empire recognized that if they didn't marshal all available civilizations to resist the Annihilation Wave, the obliteration of civilisations was just a matter of time.
The militaristic Skrull Empire, which hadn't been attacked initially, had managed to amass substantial forces in a short period. Rear military factories were relentlessly producing more Super Soldiers.
But just as the Skrull Empire's commander was about to lead his forces towards the central black hole of the universe, the palace at the Skrull Empire's home planet received an urgent communication of the highest priority.
Upon receiving the communication, Skrull Emperor Dorek VII saw the face of Queen Lilandra of the Shi'ar Empire.
"Your Majesty Dorek VII, long time no see. Given the urgency of the situation, I'm afraid I cannot afford pleasantries. About three minutes ago, the guards who were guarding the Giant Teleportation Gate of the Shi'a Empire discovered traces of insectoid invasion."
"Front-line generals speculate that the next strategic goal of the Destroying Worms is the Giant Teleportation Gate of the Shi'a Empire. And the reason, I believe you understand better than me."
At her words, Dorek VII immediately frowned. Looking straight at Lilandra, he said, "This is indeed bad news."
"Yes, the Destroying Worms may be numerous, but they lack a large-scale weapon that could strike the entire universe instantly. If they occupied the Giant Teleportation Gate, it would be tantamount to them possessing such a super bomb. We absolutely cannot let them succeed."
"Within the next ten minutes, I will grant Skrull Empire's battleships high-level access to all the teleportation gates of the Shi'ar Empire. You must immediately leap to my location, and join us in defending the Great Teleportation Gate,"
Dorek VII widened his eyes in astonishment and stared at Lilandra, "Your Majesty the Queen, do you realize what you're saying?!"
"Of course, Dorek, you can also choose to take advantage of the permission I'm granting you to push towards the Shi'ar Empire's war front and use your Planet-destroying Weapon to wipe me and all the Shi'ar Empire people on the capital star from this universe."
"But I would rather take this risk than let the Great Portal fall into the hands of the Insect Race. If any bug breaks into the final defense circle, I will use my highest authority to directly blow up the Great Portal—I will leave nothing to these damn bugs."
Dorek VII gasped. He looked at the firm light in Lilandra's eyes, gently shook his head, and sighed, "Lilandra, the last time we met, I thought you were just a foolish little girl."
"That's all in the past," Lilandra retorted, raising her tone: "War can completely change a person. You should understand this better than anyone, Dorek. Get moving—the Insect Race won't give us any more time to react."
After Lilandra's figure disappeared, Dorek took a deep breath, looked up slightly, and spoke to his deputy behind him.
"Gather all forces, prepare to jump, target... the Great Teleportation Gate of the Shi'ar Empire!"
The booming engine sounds of the Skrull Empire's steel flood echoed across the entire universe like thunder, stirring up intense excitement in every interstellar civilization. One shocking piece of news after another came in quick succession, like agitated drumbeats or life-or-death countdowns.
When the news spread that the Shi'ar Empire had opened all teleportation gates with the highest authorization level to all interstellar civilizations, everyone was shocked, finally understanding how serious matters had escalated.
Immediately afterwards, the Supreme Wisdom, the ultimate ruler of the Kree Empire, uploaded himself to the interstellar public network and opened all his computing power. All the civilizations realized how unimaginably powerful their enemy must be.
The three great empires that once controlled the cosmos had one on the brink of collapse and another barely holding on. Their decision to set aside grudges and fight together proved that their very survival was at stake.
When the biggest piece of tinder was ignited, countless sparks gathered. Soon, the sounds of war spread like waves across all star systems. Wherever the light of civilization shone, the cannons were loaded, the boilers heated, and energy amassed.
The area around the Great Teleportation Gate, once the busiest hub in the universe thanks to trade, was still the brightest spot in the dark universe. An old lighthouse in the remnants of the past, like a beacon in the sea, attracted billions of fleets rushing towards it like thunder, their swords pointing forward, emanating a chilling light.
In front of the brightly burning red supergiant, clusters of escort ships zoomed past like sharks, leaving behind only the bright tail streams from their engines.
Suddenly, the particle wind of the sun was disturbed. A huge Skrull Empire Infinite Eternal Battlestar, resembling a giant sea beast, slowly emerged from behind the sun. When the cold, hard front of the ship was revealed, even the flaming sun seemed to lose its brightness.
However, at the edge of the star system where the light of the sun couldn't reach, countless dark limbs and compound eyes flashing with evil light emerged like monsters from the abyssal sea. Their sheer numbers flooding into the battlefield made even Dorek VII, accustomed to the bloody scenes of war, couldn't help but curse.
When the enemy that had consumed most of the Kree Empire in just a few days revealed its true face, it exerted an immense pressure on all the military forces of the interstellar civilizations poised for battle.
They are bugs, but more than just bugs. They are not those partially evolved primitive life forms, but are specialized teror. Their bodies specifically morphed for the sole purpose of invasion and destruction.
Giant Blade Flying Cockroach, Light Shot Maggots, Blaster Nests, Acid Pillar Insects, Dark Matter Bomb Beetles, Wave Frequency Bee Swarm...
In just the few days it took to deal with the Kree Empire, they had evolved specific Insect Race soldiers to combat mechanical civilizations like the Kree Empire and the Skrull Empire.
What's more desperate is that behind these infinite combat units, the Hive Super Brain, composed of millions of nodes, perfectly controls all the Insect Race soldiers, making them fearlessly execute every tactical command. They always charge forward, never retreating.
"...You are the only organization in the universe that has developed super biological computers and can skillfully use the energy they provide. So you are the only ones who have the power to break through the Hive Super Brain."
On the Nova Corps headquarters battleship, which has successfully evacuated from its original star system, Quill looked into the eyes of Nova and said, "The Annihilation Wave is looking for a strong enough shell for their Hive Super Brain. Their target is Galactus."
"The large-scale attack on the Shi'ar Empire's gateway is just a cover for their attempt to find Galactus' herald. Once they lure out Galactus and let the Hive Super Brain parasitize the powerful Galactus, there will be no force in this universe that can resist them."
Quill spoke seriously, "The three great empires are all resisting the frontal attack. Now only we can stop the Annihilation Wave's crazy plan."