124: The calm at the center of the storm

The morning in the Donglian Capital was shrouded in a pale blue mist, and holographic billboards on both sides of the street were broadcasting the latest coverage progress of the "Kuafu" power grid.

A simply dressed old man walked through the street with his hands behind his back, while the young man beside him excitedly pointed at an aerial taxi slowly descending from the sky.

"Grandpa, look! That's the low-altitude transport that just opened last month!" The young man tugged at the old man's sleeve, "I heard it was made by several domestic companies using energy storage technology provided by the Interstellar Peace Corporation and their own technology!"

The old man squinted, watching the streamlined, oversized quadcopter smoothly dock at the platform, its glass windows reflecting the fifth-generation smart apartment building under construction in the distance.

"Things change so fast..." he murmured, "A month ago, this was still an old suburb."

Such scenes were common in various Eastern Federation cities. In stark contrast to the chaos engulfing other parts of Blue Star, the Eastern Federation presented a peculiar picture of coexisting calm and prosperity.

In the teahouses by the street, people sipped fragrant tea while watching holographic news broadcasting the trade disputes between the European Union and the New United Federation, their expressions as if watching a drama unrelated to themselves.

"I heard the Lone Star State shot down another Federation reconnaissance plane yesterday?" a middle-aged tea drinker asked casually.

"Indeed," his companion at the same table responded indifferently, "but honestly, this Militech really has something; it can even detect the Federation's most advanced stealth fighters." He took a sip of tea, then suddenly lowered his voice, "But, I think this Militech has big ambitions..."

Such conversations played out all over the Eastern Federation. For ordinary people, the political earthquakes happening on Blue Star had become irrelevant.

When groundbreaking technological applications landed at their doorstep every day, who would care about regime changes thousands of kilometers away?

International events? Just cyber pickles, useful only for eating with rice and nothing else.

In the Zijin Pavilion conference room, the Premier was reviewing a latest report from Guixu City.

"Premier, I ran into the North Steel Ambassador on my way here," Lin Mo reminded softly, "This time he brought a personal letter from their president."

The Premier did not even lift his head: "Still about the Central Roma Continent mine?"

"Yes. They hope the Eastern Federation can support their 'Mining Management Committee' at the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable."

The Premier chuckled, handing the report to the Minister of Science and Technology beside him: "Two months ago, we might have seriously considered such a request." He pointed to the aircraft outside the window, "Now? Tell them that the Eastern Federation remains neutral in all disputes on Blue Star unrelated to the Eastern Federation."

The Minister of Science and Technology took the report and couldn't help but interject: "Exactly. Honestly, I've seen Director Emerald's 'private car' that looks like an alien spaceship; who would be interested in their petty cash?"

The high-ranking officials in the conference room exchanged a knowing glance. Two months ago, they would have been excited by such news, but now they were accustomed to it.

Ever since that top-secret analysis report circulated among the higher-ups, everyone understood one fact: the technological leap the Eastern Federation was experiencing was merely the tip of the Interstellar Peace Corporation's technological iceberg.

The turning point of all this began with the report Lin Mo submitted two months ago after a meeting with the Strategic Investment Department.

Two months ago, in Guixu, inside the Strategic Investment Department conference room, Lin Mo sat upright. Director Emerald's slender fingers gently tapped the table, and a complex flight path map was projected holographically behind her.

"Mr. Lin, the Premier's three questions..." Director Emerald's voice was as clear and cold as her name, "First, did the Corporation know about the Golden Serpent Street attack in advance?"

Her fingertip tapped, and the projection switched to a 3D reconstruction model of the explosion site. "This was a joint operation planned by the European Union and North Steel, with Militech also lending a hand." Director Emerald's tone was calm, "They wanted to shake New Union's dominant position in the interstellar mineral trade through this attack."

"As for Militech. I think the goal is already very clear."

Lin Mo frowned slightly: "Is there conclusive evidence?"

"Of course." Director Emerald pulled up a set of data, "The explosive device used was a 'Little Ivan' series nuclear warhead from North Steel's 1980s inventory, and the transportation route passed through seven transit stations of the Qilu Division Group in Europa." A cold smile played on her lips, "They thought they could deceive everyone, but they forgot one very important thing."

"The digital world belongs to the Corporation."

"Second question," Lin Mo continued to ask, "North Steel Bio-Medical's abnormal movements?"

Director Emerald's finger traced an arc in the air, and the projection switched to a fund flow chart of the Bio-Medical Group. "Usmanov transferred assets worth two billion eagle dollars to Europa two weeks before the incident."

"These funds ultimately flowed into a certain 'medical research' project of Qilu Corporation.",

She paused for a moment, then continued: "In reality, they went into the pockets of some second-tier Europa families."

Lin Mo's pupils contracted slightly: "So this was a premeditated..."

"In our words, it's a commercial war." Director Emerald took over, "Europa and North Steel want to carve up New Union's mineral trade share, and Militech wants to imitate Titan, that's all."

The conference room fell into a brief silence. Lin Mo took a deep breath: "Last question, the Corporation's view on the independence of New Union's two states?"

Director Emerald suddenly laughed, a smile that made Lin Mo a little nervous: "The Corporation is only responsible for bringing about change." She stood up, and the projection behind her transformed into a galaxy, "As for how various countries survive in the midst of change..."

"That's their own business."

, she shrugged, "The Corporation doesn't care at all."

Lin Mo breathed a sigh of relief after getting the answer. In his eyes, the Corporation not being involved in this incident was a huge good thing. Dealing with trustworthy organizations was what intelligence officers like him liked the most.

After completing his work tasks and relaxing, Lin Mo planned to go to his favorite noodle shop in Guixu for dinner.

In "Old Liu" Noodle Shop in the Third District of Guixu City, Lin Mo was enjoying a bowl of signature seafood noodles alone. The shop was small but crowded with off-duty Corporation employees and local residents.

The table was clean yet greasy, and the holographic projection on the table was a news channel, broadcasting the New United Federation President's latest speech.

"The Federation will never recognize any separatist acts!" The President on screen was ashen-faced, "Those traitors will pay the price!"

Lin Mo shook his head, about to turn off the projection, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind him.

"Director Lin? What a coincidence."

Lin Mo looked up and saw Zhou Ping and Director Zhang standing at the noodle shop entrance, both wearing Interstellar Peace Corporation standard shirts with P12 and P11 rank badges pinned to their left chests.

He smiled and waved: "Old Zhou, Old Zhang! Getting off work so early today? Oh, you haven't even changed out of your uniforms, do you have to work overtime again?"

Zhou Ping pulled out a chair and sat down, casually opening a soda: "Not really, just too lazy to change. I'll go home after eating. Recently, the higher-ups have demanded to accelerate the second phase of Space Garden, and our team was also pulled in, working overtime for two consecutive weeks."

He rubbed his reddened eyes, "Finally got it done today, pity my overtime pay."

Lin Mo unceremoniously opened a bottle of juice and charged it to his tab: "Don't show off, kid. Your current salary is equivalent to my month's work. No way, this meal's on you, otherwise I won't feel comfortable."

"Hey, it's rare for Brother Lin to come, so it must be my treat." Director Zhang shouted to the kitchen: "Boss! The usual, three bowls of extra spicy seafood noodles, with extra cilantro!"

He turned to Lin Mo, lowering his voice: "I heard you just came back from the Strategic Investment Department? Which Director received you? Brother Lin, you're something else, being able to meet the big shots from the Strategic Investment Department."

"I've been with the Corporation for almost six years, and the highest-ranking person I've seen is a P31-level lifetime employee. I've only seen those three Directors in videos."

Lin Mo shook his head, his expression also a bit helpless: "Just work. If it weren't for the top brass's intentions, I probably would only be able to see you two."

"At most, it would be your leaders. Haven't you seen that all the employees running around the world are only P6 level? You two are already considered big shots among the folks back home."

"Hahahaha!"

The trio's laughter erupted almost simultaneously, though it wasn't too noticeable amidst the noisy noodle shop.

The noodles arrived. The three ate and chatted. Lin Mo's gaze swept over the news, which flashed a staggering set of numbers: the Space Garden project had consumed 32,000 tons of rare earth elements.

This number made him frown slightly. The domestic data team had previously given a secret report, stating that the resources acquired by the Corporation for the Space Garden project far exceeded the engineering needs.

However, among the countries on Blue Star that had a concept of large-scale engineering, only the Eastern Federation remained, so no one had ever paid much attention.

"Your Space Garden..." Lin Mo asked casually, "Does it really need so many resources?"

Zhou Ping suddenly looked around cautiously, lowering his tone. "Official data, you always have to leave some margin." He spoke vaguely, picking up a chopstick full of noodles and stuffing them into his mouth.

The holographic news switched to the situation in the Jinsha Kingdom. When mentioning the Interstellar Peace Corporation's five newly constructed large oil wells in the area, Director Zhang suddenly sneered: "Those bumpkins, they really think we're buying oil for..."

Zhou Ping stomped on his foot. Director Zhang immediately shut up, lowering his head and vigorously slurping his noodles.

Lin Mo's pupils contracted slightly; this reaction confirmed his long-held suspicions.

With the Corporation's technological level, it was impossible that they hadn't considered the efficiency problem of traditional rockets. In his opinion, the Corporation was fully capable of first building a space elevator and then using it to transport materials for expansion.

He pretended not to notice their abnormality and casually asked: "When will the second phase of the project be completed? I heard an ecological dome is going to be built?"

"Next month..." Director Zhang just started to speak when Zhou Ping interrupted: "Commercial secret, Director Lin, don't ask." He wiped his mouth, "But honestly, are you guys paying too much attention to the Corporation lately?"

Just then, the news screen switched to the construction progress of the Space Garden, where a magnificent structure already had a complete framework.

"Old Zhou," Lin Mo suddenly lowered his voice, "With your five years of experience at the Corporation... are all the resources they collected really used for the Space Garden?"

Zhou Ping's chopsticks paused in mid-air. Amidst the noisy chatter of the noodle shop, the air between the three seemed to solidify.

"The Corporation has confidentiality rules. But, my team leader said that some things are fine to talk about, the Corporation doesn't care. But some things, not a single word can be leaked," Zhou Ping finally spoke, his voice almost inaudible.

Zhou Ping's face was normal, and he wiped his mouth, about to get up: "Alright, I've finished eating, I should go home and take a bath."

Lin Mo grabbed his wrist: "Wait, do you guys know something?"

The two exchanged glances. Director Zhang gritted his teeth: "Director Lin, for old times' sake, I'll give you a rough number." He leaned into Lin Mo's ear, "Twenty times."

After the two left, Lin Mo sat stunned. He never expected that the resources the Corporation had mined and purchased from Blue Star over the past five years were enough to build twenty Space Gardens.