Xiao Yu once again issued the order to attack, destroying yet another Droplet probe.
One thing was clear, the Guardian Civilization could not possibly be a bunch of fools. To keep sending Droplet probes in an attempt to persuade a civilization already dead set on resisting them, such stupidity was not something they would do. That meant there had to be some special significance here, something Xiao Yu had not yet realized.
After destroying this Droplet probe and changing the fleet’s trajectory once more, Xiao Yu fell into deep thought. He even voiced his conjectures, asking Luka Two and several of the brilliant psychosocial scientists to help him analyze the situation.
“The Guardian Civilization can’t be that foolish.” Xiao Yu said. “From our repeated destruction of dozens of Droplet probes, they already know we will never submit. So why do they keep doing this pointless thing? Do they find it amusing to play games with us? No, the Guardian Civilization is not that idle. I can only think of one possibility, that their intentions lie elsewhere. Through this method, they are trying to achieve some other purpose. Now, I want all of you to help me deduce their true purpose and draft a reasonable response plan.”
The scientists exchanged bewildered looks, unable to say a word. After a long silence, Luka Two finally spoke, “Master, the intelligence is far too scarce. At present, we cannot deduce what they truly intend. But I do have another hypothesis. We know it would be very easy for the Guardian Civilization to destroy us. Even if their fleet has been tied down by other forces, I can’t imagine they would be unable to dispatch even a fleet of a mere thousand ships. Judging from the City-Class ship we saw in the Molian Civilization’s capital star system, a force of one thousand such ships would be enough to crush our two million warships. At that point, they could simply seize our Nation-Class main vessels and use them to control the rest of our fleet. It wouldn’t be difficult at all. So why haven’t they done that?”
“I see only one possibility.” Luka Two said slowly. “They do not intend to destroy us. Or rather, they do not intend to force our submission by violence.”
“I believe their true goal isn’t even to make us submit.” another psychosocial scientist added. “This is too strange. It makes no sense. Even if they didn’t want to use force to make us yield, surely they could at least send a fleet to stand before us, to demonstrate the overwhelming power of a Level 6 Civilization? That would be far more effective than sending Droplet probes again and again.”
“What you’ve all said makes sense.” Xiao Yu acknowledged. “Their objective very likely isn’t to annihilate us, nor to make us surrender. But then, what is their objective? I can’t figure it out. Why would a powerful Level 6 Civilization, one that has tangled with the Sweepers for so long, need to use intrigue against a mere Level 5 Civilization? Unless… unless…”
Xiao Yu did not finish the thought. Because the possibility was too terrifying, so terrifying he dared not even consider it.
The possibility was simple, the Guardian Civilization might already know his secret, that he was the very same weak civilization that had fled the Tianyuan IV system nearly ten thousand years ago.“Let’s hope that’s not the case.” Xiao Yu murmured.
“There is still room to maneuver.” another psychosocial scientist said. “Judging from the Guardian Civilization’s actions, we are not in immediate danger. And as long as we have enough time, we will surely find a way to survive. In fact, I have a suggestion. Why don’t we take the initiative to probe the Guardian Civilization?”
“For example?” Xiao Yu asked.
“For example… agree to their demand.” the scientist said slowly. “Since our speculation is that the Guardians don’t truly intend for us to submit, why not, the next time a Droplet probe appears and makes that demand again, simply agree and see how they respond?”
“Good.” Xiao Yu agreed at once.
When the road ahead was shrouded entirely in fog, taking the initiative to probe their opponent might indeed be a way forward.
The next Droplet arrived right on time. Three days after Xiao Yu had decided to carry out his test, this Droplet appeared.
It had the same brazen attitude as before, barging openly into Xiao Yu’s detection network without the slightest attempt at concealment. Xiao Yu remained calm, silently watching it.
“Divine Ark Civilization! Wake up! Do not keep walking further down this erroneous path! The patience of our Guardian Civilization has its limits. For your sake, we have already shown enough restraint. Do not test our endurance any further!”
Just as Xiao Yu had anticipated, a transmission reached his mind. Taking a moment to steady himself, Xiao Yu replied, “Honored envoy of the Guardian Civilization, I am the acting Supreme Leader of our Divine Ark Civilization. I deeply apologize for the previous offense. That was the doing of certain radical leaders within our civilization. I have staged a coup and eliminated those shortsighted fools. I have taken full control of our leadership. Now, I have decided to heed your guidance and submit to the great Guardian Civilization, joining the Guardian Alliance as one of its members. Please, in recognition of my sincerity, forgive our past offenses.”
“I have sent out this message.” Xiao Yu said to Luka Two and the other psychosocial scientists waiting in the virtual conference room. “Now, let’s see how the Guardian Civilization responds.”
Xiao Yu immediately noticed that after his transmission, the Droplet probe fell into a brief silence. It seemed his answer had caught them off guard, forcing them to pause and consider their countermeasure.
Thirty seconds later, a reply arrived.
“Very good, very good. I am pleased you have finally come to your senses, and glad that our galaxy will not lose another Level 5 Civilization of great potential. I recognize your sincerity and warmly welcome your submission. However, there are some conditions you must agree to. Now, please open the data interface of your central computer, allowing our Guardian Civilization to connect directly to it. Believe me, this is merely a required procedure for all new member civilizations, not something directed only at you. Once connected, I will control your internal construction systems to refit your ships, granting you travel at eighty times the speed of light, so you may quickly reach the safe zone established by our Guardian Civilization. Only within the safe zone will you find true safety.”
The tone of the message was calm and full of apparent sincerity, yet Xiao Yu felt a deep chill from it. Luka Two and the other psychosocial scientists also looked grim.
“Test failed. Abandon this plan.” Xiao Yu said crisply.
Without hesitation, he gave the order to attack. Another torrent of negative matter flared, and the Droplet probe was annihilated once again.
This attempt had indeed failed. The opponent’s reply was flawless, revealing no exploitable information, and instead turning the probe back on Xiao Yu to test his sincerity. Open the central computer’s data interface? To let a Level 6 Civilization establish a direct channel into it? Even death would be preferable.
You claim you wish to submit? Then, to show your sincerity, opening your data interface isn’t too much to ask, is it? Refuse, and they would have grounds to doubt your honesty.
Xiao Yu’s probe had been firmly rebuffed. With no other options left, he reverted to the old method, simply destroying the Droplet probe outright.
“Step by step, we’ll just take things as they come.” Xiao Yu said helplessly.
The situation had indeed reached this point. Other than passively awaiting whatever fate awaited him, Xiao Yu had no other options.
By now, his flight had lasted more than four months. He had fled nearly five light years. But it was useless, the Droplet probes kept appearing, endlessly repeating what sounded to Xiao Yu like nonsense. His response was always the same, after letting them speak, he immediately destroyed them. In truth, if not for his hope of gleaning some intelligence from their words, he would not even have bothered listening.
“My patience is at an end. So obstinate, so foolish, our Guardian Civilization has no need to spare you. Behold! Our fleet has arrived. You will face complete annihilation…”
The latest Droplet probe delivered this message, and before Xiao Yu’s ships could fire, it self-destructed. Xiao Yu felt his heart go cold, for he had detected that only one light year away, a fleet was rushing toward him at 107 times the speed of light.
Without a doubt, this was a Level 6 Civilization fleet.