Chapter 406: Why Are You in Such A Hurry?!
Chapter 406 – Why Are You in Such A Hurry?!
Barnard’s Star was a red dwarf with a very small ma.s.s.
It was located roughly 6.2 light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Ophiuchus.
Although this star system was relatively close to the solar system, for some reason, the humanity of the 21st century didn’t pay much attention to it. At this time, humanity didn’t even know how many planets were present within this star system.
After traveling for more than five hours, Chen Yu arrived at Barnard’s Star’s system. Immediately afterward, he activated the Type-R s.p.a.cecraft’s isotope a.n.a.lyzer and circular polarization life scanner simultaneously.
“Sure enough, there are aliens here. Moreover, they’re actually so close to Earth…”
While hovering above the only planet in this star system, Chen Yu looked down at the innumerable satellites...o...b..ting the planet and said, “This really is a barren star system. It only has a red dwarf and a gaseous planet. Most of the alien civilization is thriving on these countless satellites. Their living conditions must be very unstable. I’m very curious to see what their social structure looks like.”
Bzz… Bzz…
At this time, the s.p.a.cecraft’s signal receiving module suddenly received a quantum signal communication.
“It seems they’ve found me.”
Turning around and facing the camera, Chen Yu smiled and said, “It seems the tables have turned. It’s now our turn to act smug.”
After saying so, Chen Yu fixed his hairstyle and accepted the communication request.
Whoosh!
A virtual screen immediately unfolded inside the s.p.a.cecraft.
Hundreds of alien creatures could be seen floating on the other end of the screen.
The aliens’ bodies were hidden within metal sh.e.l.ls, and only two fleshy, triangular visual organs could be seen emerging from the center of the sh.e.l.ls.
“Greetings, powerful humans. I am the emperor of the Core of Consciousness Empire.”
“Have you found out about the matter regarding your fleet?” Chen Yu asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes.” Turning his sh.e.l.l pitch-black, the alien emperor said, “All interstellar civilizations must be capable of telepathy, or quantum communication as you call it. So, the Empire has seen everything that has happened in System NP05.”
“That’s convenient. I can skip with the explanations, then.”
“It’s just that we didn’t expect that you could travel at 5,000 times the speed of light. This kind of technology is already on par with the mighty Crown of Will.”
“It’s just so-so.” Accepting the praise shamelessly, Chen Yu said, “Are you silicon-based life? Why do you look like robots?”
“Like humans, we are also carbon-based creatures. According to your understanding, these metal sh.e.l.ls of ours are considered clothing,” the emperor said. His body then rose by half a meter. “However, these ‘clothes’ are connected to our will, so you can also think of it as our skin. The Empire will pa.s.s a bill soon, and all of our citizens will initiate self-destruct. Once you research the technology we have left behind, everything will be clear to you.”
“Wait.” Shocked, Chen Yu asked, “You say you’re going to self-destruct? Suicide?”
“Yes.”
“Your entire civilization is going to commit suicide?”
“Yes.”
“Are you mental?”
“The gap between our civilizations is insurmountable. The only honor left for the loser is to die with reason.”
Chen Yu couldn’t help but be greatly shocked to hear these same words again. “I cannot understand your thinking. Wouldn’t your actions only make your enemies happy?”
“Personal emotions are unimportant. Resources and costs are the most important. Any additional conflict will only result in a waste of resources. Hence, measuring each other’s strength and reducing losses is the right way to operate for civilizations,” the emperor said, its eyes releasing a blue flash. The next moment, a human face appeared in front of the emperor.
“According to our data, facial expressions are an important part of communication for humans. So, to facilitate smooth communication, I will reactivate this human avatar.”
Nodding, Chen Yu said, “Yes, that feels better. However, I still can’t understand your way of thinking.”
“Because…” Revealing a bitter smile, the emperor said, “You are living in the wealthy solar system…”
Hearing this, Chen Yu couldn’t help but be stunned.
After a slight pause, the emperor continued, “You have seen for yourself the state of this star system. There is only a red dwarf and our G.o.d’s Crown–a gaseous planet. The resources they produce are monotonous, and the cost of harvesting is astronomical. Most of the resources we gain are harvested through these numerous satellites instead.
“However, the combined ma.s.s of these small satellites aren’t even a match for the ma.s.s of the solar system’s Mars. Therefore, since the birth of our civilization, we have been bound by barrenness.
“Every piece of iron, copper, and rare earth elements is a treasure that is more important than life. In many cases, one gram of resources often comes at the cost of ten lives. After living in this manner for thousands of years, the importance of resources has been deeply rooted in every living individual’s will in our civilization.
“The fleet that you have easily destroyed is everything the Empire has acc.u.mulated for thousands of years. Unless we achieve another scientific breakthrough, we will never be able to build such a large fleet again.”
After saying so, the emperor paused for a moment and shook his head. He then continued, “Our way of saving costs might be foolish in your opinion, but without this foolish method, our entire civilization would not be where it is today. Had we let ourselves be consumed by all kinds of conflicts and wars, we would’ve perished as early as the atomic era.”
“In other words…” Hesitantly, Chen Yu asked, “Your wars are basically a comparison of theoretical strength?”
“Yes. The loser leaves their resources behind so that the victor’s resources and life can be spent on more meaningful development.”
“I think I understand now.”
“The Empire has lost. There exists no future for the Empire. I hope humanity can cherish the resources we leave behind. These resources might seem insignificant in humanity’s eyes, and they might not even be comparable to the light energy released by your ma.s.sive sun, but these resources are our everything.”
Chen Yu: “…”
“Lastly, on behalf of the Empire’s citizens, I wish to applaud the solar system.” Revealing a fanatical expression, the emperor said, “What a magical place the solar system is! Not only does it have a stable main sequence star, but it also has the asteroid belt, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, Saturn, Jupiter… It has every resource and condition required for the development of civilization. So long as there is no internal conflict and squandering, humanity will definitely become the lucky ones of this shining galaxy! I applaud you! You are the incarnation of the Crown of Will!”
Standing inside the Type-R s.p.a.cecraft, Chen Yu couldn’t help but have complicated feelings as he looked at the “fanatical” alien emperor.
[I feel guilty.]
[Ditto.]
[Different living environments have created two entirely different civilizations. However, no matter how you look at it, this Empire’s civilization is a great one.]
[There is only a fine line between genius and insanity. I thought these aliens were insane before, but now, I think they are geniuses.]
[Do you think we can eat them if we break open their sh.e.l.ls?]
[Eat, eat, eat! All you can think of is eating! Do you think metal sh.e.l.ls are so easy to break? Boiling them in water should do the trick.]
[Hey, UP, did you forget your purpose for visiting these aliens? Didn’t you come here for “help?”]
“Humans, the bill has been pa.s.sed. The empire will begin self-destruction immediately,” the emperor said. Moving his face closer to the camera, he continued, “Please remember the Core of Consciousness Empire. Remember that we, too, have once existed in this magnificent universe. Goodbye.”
“I… c.r.a.p, w-wait!” Snapping out of his daze, Chen Yu waved his hand in panic.
Clunk.
However, he was too late.
The next moment, every one of the aliens on the other side of the screen fell to the ground, their metal sh.e.l.ls making clunking sounds as they hit the ground.
“T-They’re all dead?” Chen Yu couldn’t help but be in disbelief.
The metal sh.e.l.ls: “…”
“Why the heck are you guys in such a hurry?! Are you trying to save some electricity bills?!”
The metal sh.e.l.ls: “…”