Chapter 459 The Meeting is in Progress
The Kunlun Space Base, 500 meters underground, houses a strategic conference room with the highest level of security.
The alliance chairman, heads of state, military marshals, and chief scientists from various research institutions all wore extremely serious expressions.
Zhou Jue stood in the holographic projection area in the center of the conference room: "...The above is the entire battle process of this 'Great Wall Operation'."
"Using the formation as a shield and the extraordinary individuals as a spear, we successfully paralyzed three enemy reconnaissance ships, captured all the crew members, and suffered zero casualties on our side."
At the conference table, a general from the Grizzly Bear Kingdom lowered his voice, unable to hide his excitement.
"Zero casualties! We fought an interstellar war and suffered zero casualties!"
“This is a miracle!” echoed a European speaker, his face glowing.
The chairman didn't speak; he simply raised his hand, signaling Zhou Jue to continue.
"Interrogation has begun."
Zhou Jue pulled up a 3D image of the alien captain.
"According to the preliminary interrogation results, they come from an interstellar civilization called the 'Silverwing Federation,' whose home planet is Karava."
"Their basic national policy toward the universe is 'contact' and 'assimilation'," Zhou Jue continued. "After discovering a less advanced civilization, we assess it, invite it to join the federation, and provide it with technology and shelter."
“Sounds rather ‘civilized,’” said a man wearing gold-rimmed glasses. He was the alliance’s chief economic advisor, and his tone carried a hint of scrutiny.
"What if you refuse?" someone asked the crucial question.
Zhou Jue turned his gaze to him: "Restrict, or... eliminate."
The temperature in the conference room seemed to have dropped a few degrees.
“However, these are all things said by aliens; the reality is much harsher than that.” Zhou Jue continued, “According to the information we have, interstellar spacecraft are releasing resources to locate new planets. Once found, they exploit the planets under the guise of ‘helping’ or other pretexts.”
"To date, dozens of planets have been located and subsequently disappeared over the past century."
"Furthermore, once we join the interstellar community, we will not be on equal footing with the central star or other planets. We will be subject to the unified control of the central star."
These words stung everyone present, and then sparked a flurry of discussion.
"Extinction?"
"Is there reliable data?"
“If we have unified control, then our sovereignty will not be in our hands.”
"That's normal. Our planet Earth has been struggling all along, let alone the harsh interstellar environment."
"Then it's best to stay away from interstellar travel for now and focus on low-key development."
"General Zhou, how do our current strength compare to that of the interstellar community?"
"We just won a battle, so we should be able to contend with interstellar spacefaring entities, right?"
"We cultivate immortality and advance technology simultaneously, so our strength should be among the top in the interstellar space, right?"
"Everyone," Zhou Jue's voice interrupted the discussion.
"The law of the jungle prevails, and those who fall behind will be bullied; this is an age-old truth."
After Zhou Jue finished speaking, the conference room fell into a brief silence.
“I agree with General Zhou’s point of view.” A hawkish general stood up, his chest covered with medals.
"If you fall behind, you will be vulnerable to attack, but this time we won!"
"A victory with zero casualties! This proves that our path is correct and that our strength is capable of repelling the enemy!"
He surveyed his surroundings, his voice booming: "I propose we reinforce G-581! We must completely fortify that planet!"
"We cannot back down. In this interstellar jungle, one step back means certain death!"
His words ignited a flame in the hearts of many soldiers present.
"That's right! We have gods, immortals, and a 'heavenly net'—what do we have to fear!"
"They have technology, but we have not only science, but also metaphysics! We might not necessarily lose!"
Discussions erupted again, this time filled with a tough stance.
The alliance chairman did not express his opinion; he simply looked at Zhou Jue, waiting for her to continue.
Zhou Jue did not refute; she simply touched the Kunlun Mirror lightly.
The image on the home screen has changed.
The three dark red beams of light that had once caused the "Heavenly Net" formation to tremble violently reappeared, alongside alien text translated by the system.
[Type III Geological Exploration and Resource Extraction Beam]
Below the title is a detailed description of the functions: "...Main functions: to carry out large-scale mineral mining, clear surface obstacles, and prepare for subsequent engineering construction."
Zhou Jue read out the translated explanation word by word.
Its classification is... industrial equipment.
The previously heated atmosphere in the conference room instantly fell silent. The hawkish general's face was still flushed, his mouth slightly open, but he couldn't utter a single word.
Industrial equipment?
Lasers used in mining?
They mobilized the most elite combat forces on the entire planet to fight against industrial equipment lasers?
"This...is this their weapons data?" The chief economic advisor adjusted his glasses, his voice a little hoarse.
“No,” Zhou Jue replied calmly.
"These are the most powerful tools on the three exploration ships we captured."
She clicked on the Kunlun Mirror again.
On the screen, a brand new ship model appeared. It was much larger than the beetle-like exploration vessel, with aggressive lines and a hull covered with a dense array of cannons.
Peregrine-class frigate
Silverwing Federation Standard Naval Patrol Unit
[Weapon Systems: Neutron Light Lance Array, Warp Annihilation Torpedo...]
[Shield strength: 17.4 times that of the exploration ship 'Turtle' shield.]
Zhou Jue did not continue reading.
But the lines of data on the screen were more impactful than any words.
"How many of these frigates are there in the Silverwing Federation's fleet?" The chairman's voice was deep.
“According to incomplete statistics from the database,” Zhou Jue replied, “there are 1,200 known vessels currently in service.”
"..."
If the "mining laser" only seemed absurd to everyone, then these 1,200 real "warships" brought crisis and lingering fear.
"Do we... still have a chance of winning?" A leader from a small European country muttered to himself, his face ashen.
"A forced attack is suicide; even if we win, the casualties will be heavy." The general, who had just been clamoring for reinforcements, slumped back down.
"So... joining them is our only option?" The chief economic advisor's voice rang out again, this time with a heavy sense of helplessness.
"Using sovereignty to ensure the continuation of civilization."
"This sounds like the most rational choice."
"I object!" A marshal from China slammed his fist on the table. "I'd rather die a glorious death than live a life of dishonor! How can our Chinese civilization bow down to a foreign race!"
“This is not groveling, sir!” the economic advisor immediately retorted. “This is strategy! It’s about preserving the flame for our future generations! Do we want to watch our planet be completely burned to glass by those ‘neutron lances’?”
"That's still better than being a slave!"
"That's irresponsible recklessness!"
"That's weak surrender!"
The meeting room instantly turned into a bustling marketplace, with arguments erupting everywhere.
One side advocated joining the federation, compromising in exchange for living space.
The other side advocates a decisive battle to defend the dignity of civilization.
The two viewpoints clashed fiercely, and neither could convince the other.
Because both paths seem to lead to destruction.
One is a swift and devastating destruction.
The other path is a slow, humiliating destruction.
That's enough.
The alliance chairman finally spoke, rubbing his temples.
"Can't we have a third or fourth option?"
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