Chapter 454 Reverse Invitation

The alien captain took a deep breath, and his gaze toward Zhou Jue was no longer filled with fear, but with a hint of doubt: "Respected...sir."

He carefully chose his words: "What exactly do you want to know?"

Zhou Jue raised an eyebrow.

"All of them." She only said two words.

The captain trembled slightly, knowing he had no choice: "Our home planet... is the core planet of the Silverwing Federation, Karava."

He was somewhat puzzled; this person knew so much confidential information, yet he was only being asked very basic questions.

"Karava Star... is located on the edge of the Milky Way, about 200,000 light-years away from here."

Zhou Jue didn't press for details about the distance, but instead posed a second question: "How do you usually deal with other planets with life?"

The captain looked puzzled.

“Deal with?” He frowned in thought, as if trying to understand the meaning of the word: “We don’t ‘deal with’ planets with life.”

He raised his head, his eyes filled with the arrogance characteristic of a highly civilized society: "We will help them."

He looked at Zhou Jue, his tone tinged with pride: "We've discovered a planet with signs of life, and we'll conduct an assessment."

"If they are an uncivilized primitive civilization, we will classify them as a Class D protected object and observe and record them."

The captain continued, "If they are a civilization that has developed intelligent life, we will take the initiative to make contact."

"After confirming that they pose no potential threat, we will invite them to join the Silverwing Federation."

"The Federation will provide them with advanced technology, management experience, and cultural exchange to help them better integrate into the interstellar family."

He looked at Zhou Jue, a strange light flashing in his eyes. "Just like you guys."

"You possess such immense individual strength; the potential of your civilization is limitless."

"If you are willing to join the Silverwing Federation, I believe you will be warmly welcomed."

He even managed a slightly obsequious smile: "I can be your guarantor."

"Submit an application to the Federation, and your planet will receive the highest level of protection."

"Your civilization will also rapidly advance and become a shining pearl in the galaxy."

Zhou Jue's face remained expressionless as she listened quietly: "So, your trip to G-581 this time was also to 'help' it?"

Upon hearing this, the captain's face stiffened, and he subconsciously glanced at the ruins outside.

Zhou Jue's gaze also fell on the yellowish-brown planet outside the porthole, which was shrouded in the "Heavenly Net" formation.

“G-581.” The captain avoided her gaze. “That planet… its resource assessment indicates it is barren.”

"But it is located on a key interplanetary route."

"Our original plan was to develop it into a resource transit hub."

"Of course, this is under the premise that no intelligent life exists."

"How do you find these planets with life?" Zhou Jue asked.

The captain breathed a sigh of relief; the problem was relatively simple: "Our Federation has a special detection system that can deploy a large number of miniature detectors into space."

"These probes will drift between galaxies, and once they detect signs of life or some special energy fluctuations, they will immediately send a message back to their home planet."

"Then, the home planet will send an advance team to conduct surveys."

"That's how our reconnaissance team was dispatched."

Zhou Jue's eyes flickered. These must be systems, just like the system she was bound to. However, the current systems should all be systems that eliminate self-awareness.

"Do you have a model number for your detector?" she asked.

“Of course,” the captain replied immediately. “It’s either the 'Hummingbird' or 'Firefly' series now.”

"Hummingbirds detect signs of life, while fireflies detect unusual energy fluctuations."

Zhou Jue's gaze fell once again on the Kunlun Mirror, where the detection information about planet G-581 was being rapidly updated.

The system has fully taken over the internal database of the G-581 star system reconnaissance ship.

[A large number of interstellar files related to the Silverwing Federation have been detected.]

[Analysis in progress...]

“Your assessment of us is that we are a primitive civilization and pose no threat,” Zhou Jue said, looking at the captain, and suddenly changed the subject.

The captain didn't dare to be negligent and immediately nodded: "Yes, this conclusion was drawn based on information from your 'Voyager 1'."

"Your music, images, including that star map... all indicate that your civilization is at a very low level."

“We even think that the star map may be a primitive artistic creation or some kind of religious totem.”

"But I didn't expect..." he gave a wry smile, "we all misjudged them."

Zhou Jue ignored his self-deprecating humor and tapped her fingers lightly on the control panel.

"Is your attitude towards interstellar travel simply to win over and assimilate them?"

"That's generally true." The captain nodded. "Of course, there are some exceptions."

He seemed to be recalling some unpleasant memory, and his body stiffened.

"Some civilizations are unwilling to join the Federation, yet possess formidable military power."

"What will the Federation do?" Zhou Jue pressed.

The captain paused for a moment before slowly speaking: "The Federation will take measures to restrict their development, or... completely eliminate the potential threat."

“However, this is rare.” He quickly added, “Most civilizations are happy to join the Federation; after all, no one can resist the allure of interstellar travel.”

Zhou Jue looked at the captain again: "Since you are able to send probes into the entire universe, then... is it possible that other civilizations are also sending probes into the universe?"

The captain's eyes narrowed. Instead of answering directly, he asked, "You mean...the Dark Forest?"

Zhou Jue did not answer, but just looked at him quietly.

The captain shuddered, and another layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead: "Theoretically... yes."

"The universe is vast, and no one knows what kind of civilization is hidden in some corner."

"Just like, we didn't know that in this distant universe, there was a civilization as powerful as yours. Theoretically, with your strength, you could be considered an advanced civilization."

"That's why the Federation immediately makes contact and conducts assessments after discovering a civilization."

"To prevent unnecessary conflict, and also to prevent... other civilizations from getting there first."

"First come, first served?"

“That’s right.” The captain nodded. “Resources in the universe are finite.”

"An independent civilization that has not joined any alliance, if it happens to possess rare resources, or is located in a strategic location..."

"Then they could very well become targets of other civilizations."

He looked at Zhou Jue, his tone carrying a hint of warning: "Although the Federation is powerful, it is not the only force in the universe."

“Some civilizations don’t ‘help’ other planets in a ‘friendly’ way like the Federation does.”

"They will only plunder directly, or even... exterminate."

Zhou Jue didn't interrupt the captain after he had said so much.

She simply used the Kunlun Mirror to silently compare the information from the captain's words with the content intercepted by the system from the federal database.

"One last question." Zhou Jue raised his head, his eyes deep: "What level does the 'Silverwing Federation' you mentioned belong to in interstellar space?"

The captain seemed somewhat humiliated, but still answered honestly: "The Silverwing Federation... is one of the largest interstellar alliances on the edge of the galaxy."

"Although they are not the most top-tier existence, they still have absolute influence in the surrounding star regions."

"Our technology and our military strength are enough to deter most civilizations."

He looked at Zhou Jue, his tone pleading: "Therefore, sir, I suggest you do it again."

"Joining the Silverwing Federation is the best choice for you and for your planet."

"At least, the Federation will protect you."