Chapter Seventy-Two: Dialogue

The current issue is that Kaba Dur, as the Director of Intelligence for the Orme Empire—the highest intelligence official in the empire—had not caught even a whisper about the clandestine clone experiments and food chain strategy trials being conducted at the Mountain Base. For an intelligence officer, especially one of Kaba Dur’s rank, this was an unforgivable disgrace. But for now, he needed to give Yuri Gotne, who sat before him, an explanation and, if possible, delay any disciplinary action. So he said,

“My apologies, Leader. This is due to my incompetence. But please, grant me another chance, and I promise to uncover the truth as quickly as possible.”

Yuri Gotne hesitated to punish Kaba Dur outright. After all, Kaba Dur was a trusted confidant. After considering for a moment, he said,

“I hope you will not disappoint me again. Do you understand?”

Kaba Dur immediately responded,

“Yes, Leader!”

Yuri Gotne said,

“Enough! Go and handle the matter. Before the Mountain Base explodes, I want to speak with that alien outside the Food Chain Strategy Laboratory. Make arrangements at once. Also, deal with the aftermath properly. Understood?”

Kaba Dur replied,

“Yes! Understood!”

With that, Kaba Dur exited Yuri Gotne’s frontline command room and began to address the various issues at hand. Of course, his main aim was to understand what had happened, so he could give Yuri Gotne an account and minimize his own punishment.

Meanwhile, the other Terran units were busy managing the aftermath. However, monsters released from abandoned clone labs proved much more difficult to contain, so the chaotic fighting continued unabated.

Inside the Food Chain Strategy Laboratory, Zhang Desen and the others had been waiting for quite some time. Checking the time, Zhang Desen realized that only about two hours remained. He summoned Li Longfang and said,

“Longfang, time is running out. We don’t know exactly what’s happening, but we must begin our evacuation. Otherwise, we risk perishing with them.”

Li Longfang replied,

“I understand, Desen. What should we do now?”

Zhang Desen said,

“We must retreat gradually. It would be ideal if an explosion occurred here to cover our withdrawal.”

Li Longfang responded,

“That’s simple enough. We can plant explosives here and detonate them after entering the tunnel.”

Zhang Desen agreed,

“Exactly. Although we’re unclear about the situation with the Terrans outside, we need to hurry. If the enemy deploys their doomsday weapon, we’ll all suffer.”

Li Longfang said,

“Yes, we need to depart as soon as possible. I’ll make preparations without delay.”

Zhang Desen said,

“Good, let’s proceed!”

Just then, more Terran troops gathered outside, drawing closer to the Food Chain Strategy Laboratory. A thunderous voice echoed through a giant microphone, speaking in human language:

“Sir, I am Yuri Gotne, Leader of the Orme Empire. I wish to speak with you. Are you interested?”

Earlier, in his command room, Yuri Gotne had reflected and concluded that his intelligence department was failing; some matters required direct contact to resolve. Thus, he decided to meet the alien he’d been pondering.

Coincidentally, Zhang Desen had similar thoughts. From previous clues, he deduced the new forces outside were likely Terran reinforcements, though their lack of communication had led to infighting. Now, perhaps, that was resolved.

He didn’t know who Yuri Gotne was, but hearing him claim to be Leader of the Orme Empire, he guessed he was the supreme leader of the Terrans. Though Zhang Desen and his group didn't know Yuri Gotne, someone did: Dadu Kur, held captive nearby, was startled upon hearing the name. Despite Yuri Gotne’s speech being translated into human language, names remained phonetically rendered, so Dadu Kur recognized it.

By chance, Zhang Desen caught this reaction and quietly congratulated himself for sparing Dadu Kur’s life. He prepared the translation device and had Dadu Kur brought over.

After starting the device, Zhang Desen asked,

“Comrade Chief of Staff, there are some questions I’d like to ask. I hope you’ll answer…”

Dadu Kur replied,

“You want to know who Yuri Gotne is, don’t you?”

Zhang Desen answered,

“Precisely.”

Dadu Kur said,

“He is now the supreme leader of our nation. I didn’t expect him to come in person this time.”

Zhang Desen remarked,

“Oh, it seems he regards this place as very important.”

Dadu Kur explained,

“Our Mountain Base is the most populous area in our country, with the most abundant supply of basic resources. Besides that, I suspect it’s because of you…”

Zhang Desen already knew the reason, but played along,

“Me?”

Dadu Kur nodded,

“Yes.”

Zhang Desen asked,

“Is it simply because I come from another place?”

Dadu Kur replied,

“To tell you the truth, we not only intend to reclaim the surface world, but also hoped to use your ship’s coordinates to conquer your world.”

Zhang Desen said,

“That’s wishful thinking—you’re already close to defeat…”

Dadu Kur responded,

“I just want to tell you, my role here may be ending soon. I can tell you about our Gekur Base—you should already know about it…”

At this, Dadu Kur glanced toward Zhang Desen’s voice, though still blindfolded, instinctively seeking its source. Zhang Desen said nothing, and Dadu Kur continued,

“I never expected Yuri Gotne to come in person. It seems certain matters can no longer be concealed, so I’ll tell you everything about the past…”

He proceeded to reveal all the secrets to Zhang Desen.

Thus, Zhang Desen finally confirmed several facts. The Gekur Base was indeed the Terrans’ clandestine project at the Mountain Base. Now, with Yuri Gotne’s arrival, Dadu Kur realized their secret plans would soon be exposed.

Moreover, their previous political advantage had been shattered by the recent unexpected events. Still, out of personal motives, Dadu Kur didn’t want to let Yuri Gotne reap all the benefits, so he divulged their secrets to Zhang Desen, who thus gained much new information.

Zhang Desen also verified several intelligence reports, including the existence of a massive artificial geosynchronous satellite belonging to the Orme Empire, and that the ancient super-humans had left a secret base somewhere, containing many items for modern humanity.

…

Outside the Food Chain Strategy Laboratory, Yuri Gotne waited for a response, intending to speak again. Kaba Dur, growing impatient, said,

“Damn it, these filthy humans are so ungrateful. I’ll take the troops and blast them to pieces—let’s see how long they can keep acting superior.”

Yuri Gotne glanced at Kaba Dur and said,

“My old friend, you’re usually so composed. Why are you suddenly so agitated?”

Kaba Dur replied,

“Forgive me, Leader. I just feel that as intelligent beings, we shouldn’t let these primitive creatures lead us by the nose.”

Yuri Gotne said,

“So prejudice has undermined your calm. I see.”

Kaba Dur responded,

“My Leader, but—”

Yuri Gotne interrupted,

“My friend, let me tell you: never underestimate your opponent…”

“Yes…”

Kaba Dur remained unconvinced, but Yuri Gotne noticed and continued,

“Remember—any creature that survives to this day must have the ability to survive. We indeed have reason to be proud of our civilization’s achievements, but if pride leads us to underestimate others, even if we destroy them, our arrogance will bring about our own destruction. Besides, we are not without weaknesses!”

“I understand!”

Though he said so, Kaba Dur was still not convinced.

Yuri Gotne went on,

“Also, don’t forget—we still know nothing about the alien’s civilization. Last time, Tang Shijie failed to provide any intelligence. This time, we must persuade this alien to join us; that’s the best way to obtain information.”

Yuri Gotne then ignored Kaba Dur, picked up the translation microphone, and spoke again to the Food Chain Strategy Laboratory,

“Sir, if it’s a matter of sound, I can send you—”

Before he finished, Zhang Desen began to reply, speaking through the translation microphone,

“Apologies, Leader. Your machine is difficult to operate; it took me a while to figure it out. May I ask what advice you wish to share?”

Yuri Gotne said,

“I consider you a promising individual and wish to show you the right path.”

Indeed, those who are not of my kind have different hearts, each working for their own. If words fail, join forces to delay doomsday.

Zhang Desen understood Yuri Gotne was inviting him to surrender. Still, he feigned ignorance and asked,

“Leader, may I ask what you mean by the right path?”

Yuri Gotne replied,

“Well, do humans fully understand the classification of cosmic civilizations?”

Zhang Desen said,

“Civilizations’ classification? Leader, you must be proud of your country’s advancement…”

Yuri Gotne said,

“Yes, sir. We are about to become a Type II cosmic civilization…”

Zhang Desen, slightly skeptical, asked,

“Oh? Then you’re about to build a Dyson Sphere?”

Yuri Gotne replied,

“Dyson Sphere? Is that your term for an artificial celestial body?”

Zhang Desen asked,

“What do you call it?”

Yuri Gotne explained,

“We call it a Stellar Energy Space Station. It’s an artificial celestial body that envelops a star and harvests its energy. Its main purpose is to serve as a naturally powered nuclear fusion reactor, providing us with a constant supply of energy.”

Zhang Desen exclaimed,

“So it is a Dyson Sphere…”

He broke out in a sweat, for he knew precisely what a Dyson Sphere signified. Yet, he doubted that these Terrans had truly constructed such a thing.