Chapter 67: To Protect (Extra Chapter)
Page 1/3 — Extra Update (8/10): Frantically Patching Technology, Apologies!
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Within the Earth Pioneer Fleet, everyone had gathered in the conference center.
Once he saw that all were seated, Wei Wensu slowly began to speak: “Since everyone is here, let’s discuss whether we should activate the Farstar Quantum Communicator.”
“We should inform the main fleet immediately!”
“That’s right! As long as the main fleet arrives at Skyvault, we have nothing to fear!”
The consensus was surprisingly unanimous.
Riding this wave of agreement, Richard said, “Commander Wei Wensu, we should activate the Farstar Quantum Communicator and inform the main fleet! Let Commander Wei Hong and Admiral Mike decide!”
Wei Wensu turned his gaze to Liu Xueyi, who gave a slight nod.
Seeing that everyone was of one mind, Wei Wensu gave the order to activate the Farstar Quantum Communicator and transmitted all known information about Skyvault to the main fleet.
Shen Xing was, of course, fully aware of the Earthlings’ actions. He made no move to stop them—for this was exactly what he wanted.
Currently, their intelligence lacked any data on Shen Xing; only a few scattered references appeared in historical texts. As a result, Earth’s main fleet would gravely underestimate Skyvault’s strength.
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The main fleet of Earth’s civilization—its vast starships nearly eclipsed an entire planet.
Such colossal vessels were not something contemporary Earth could have produced, indicating many secrets hidden behind the scenes.
Aboard the largest ship of the main fleet, a message from the Pioneer Fleet was suddenly received.
And it was seen at once by the person commanding the main fleet.
The Second Secretary-General of the United Nations of Earth—Stein Siegel.
“Secretary, we’ve received a message from the Pioneer Fleet!”
“Accept it.”
Stein replied indifferently, then began to read the Pioneer Fleet’s transmission.
The only device capable of communicating with the main fleet through hyperspace was technology acquired from the Dier Civilization, now named the Farstar Quantum Communicator.
Its energy core, dubbed the Zero-Point Energy Core by the Dier, was an unknown power source extracted from the vacuum itself—something Earth’s civilization had yet to comprehend.
In theory, it could provide nearly unlimited energy for any device. For reasons unknown, however, its capacity had become severely depleted; no one knew how many uses remained.
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Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, the communicator would never be activated.
After reading the Pioneer Fleet’s message, Stein’s eyes flickered with a strange light. He casually forwarded the information to other key personnel, informed his successor, then retired to his own quarters.
Compared to other rooms on the ship, this one could only be described as luxurious.
Summoning several trusted aides via communicator, Stein took a bottle of red wine from a sleek, futuristic fridge and began to drink alone.
Soon, his confidants arrived. Seeing them, Stein spoke: “Now that everyone’s here, I assume you’ve all read the message.”
They nodded. Stein continued:
“I never expected such mysterious forces to exist in the universe. If we could combine them with Dier technology... the so-called Savians might not be a threat at all.”
“It was pure chance that we detected distant Skyvault with the Dier interstellar probe—who would’ve thought it would bring such a surprise?”
When his confidants heard the term “Savians,” none showed any surprise; clearly, they had long known about the existence of this alien race.
“But Secretary Stein, shouldn’t we inform the Savians about this?”
“Why should I tell the Savians?”
Stein smiled, set down his wine, and looked at the aide who had spoken. Realizing his error, the aide fell silent at once.
“You all know why we became Savian informants.”
“I never intended to betray Earth’s civilization. I simply wanted to protect our home—by any means.”
“Have you ever seen ‘Interstellar’?” Stein suddenly asked, directing the question at the same aide.
The man paused, then replied, “Of course. The ship’s old movie archive only has a handful, Secretary.”
“We are explorers—pioneers—not guardians.”
“That’s how it used to be.”
“It was only when we were forced to leave home that I realized what I truly wanted was to be a guardian.”
Stein gazed toward Earth, then closed his eyes.
“This matter will be raised at the council meeting. I need you all to firmly support the journey to Skyvault. I often think that, even without the Savians, we can still return to our home.”
“The Savians don’t know the astral coordinates established by the Dier, so they can’t access the hyperspace route.”
“Even if their interstellar technology is more advanced, it will take them longer to reach Skyvault.”
“And who’s to say they’d risk venturing into an unknown supercluster?”
“The reason I’m only now replying to the Savians is precisely to keep our options open.”
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Stein’s words sent a tremor through his confidants. Though they often felt guilty for betraying Earth’s civilization, his explanation seemed to ease their pain.
The Secretary bore a burden far greater than theirs—defying the entire world for the sake of his cause.
“So, Secretary, what do we need to do before heading to Skyvault?”
“Contact our people in the Pioneer Fleet. Have them try to approach the High Priest and convey our sincerity—tell them we’re willing to pass on information about the Earthlings to Skyvault.”
All the confidants were stunned. They could not understand why Stein would make such a decision.
If it had been the Savians, they would have understood—given the disparity in technological advancement.
But Skyvault was a native civilization, possessing only Earth’s twenty-first-century technology. Why would they betray their civilization again over a few cryptic references to mystical arts?
“You can’t understand, can you?”
“But have you ever considered—the historical records might be true.”
“If that so-called High Priest possessed such power back then—what about now?”
As Stein’s voice faded, his confidants instantly grasped his meaning.
Everything was a precaution: if Earth’s civilization lost its advantage, whichever side prevailed, they would have a stake in the outcome.
“Everything we do is to return home.”
That last phrase utterly shattered their emotional defenses.
Before Earth decided on exodus, there had been two major factions:
One wished to leave Earth and continue developing civilization—the Expansionists.
The other sought to study the Dier legacy and pursue ecological integration technology—the Homeworld Faction.
Neither was wrong; their visions simply differed.
At present, the development of Earth’s civilization had stalled at the antimatter energy era. Though energy breakthroughs had been made, other technologies lagged far behind.
The discovery of the Dier ruins renewed hope. Some technologies leaped forward dramatically, and the “Titan” colossal ships found in the relic system were used to build an immigrant fleet capable of bearing all Earth’s people.
The weapon carried by the colossus warship would be Earth’s final trump card.