154: Star Community

Amidst these drastic social changes, commercial conglomerates, led by Qilu Corporation and United Energy, which possessed the most resources and channels, rapidly regained their strength.

However, due to uneven distribution of interests among the various commercial conglomerates, many newly emerged commercial conglomerates sought to replace the positions of Qilu Corporation and United Energy.

Inside the Oceania City-States Council Chamber, crystal chandeliers cast dazzling light onto the oval conference table.

More than a dozen representatives from different commercial conglomerates were arguing heatedly over the allocation of seats in the Council.

The interim speaker struck the gavel for the third time, but still could not suppress the rising tide of arguments.

"Based on economic contribution, our Qilu Corporation should at least receive three permanent seats!" Qilu Corporation representative Carol slammed the table, his greed fully exposed.

"What a joke!" Donna, the young CEO of the emerging technology group New Era, sneered, a holographic projection unfolding before her. "Over the past two months, our investment in the East Coast has been twice yours! Our Biotechnica has restored the East Coast's food production to pre-disaster levels."

“Without our food technology, you wouldn't even have food to eat!”

Karl, the bald representative of United Energy, suddenly interjected, "Gentlemen, don't forget who rebuilt 80% of the City-States' power grid." He deliberately showed the logo on his wristwatch, which featured a nuclear reactor design. "We demand five seats."

Karl turned to look at Donna, his tone full of disdain: "If we didn't provide enough electricity, your vertical farms would be a joke."

While the respectable people argued in the Council Chamber, the less respectable work began in a New York underground bar.

Three armored vehicles quietly stopped at the back door of the "Rusty Screw" bar. Six bodyguards in nanotech combat suits were the first to exit, scanning a five-hundred-meter radius three times before signaling "all clear" to the middle vehicle.

"Boss, the area is clear."

The car door slid open, and Viktor, Qilu Corporation's Head of Security, stepped into the bar in his gleaming leather shoes. In the dim light, over a dozen gang leaders had been waiting for a long time.

"Gentlemen." Viktor snapped his fingers, and bodyguards immediately carried in three metal crates. "Here are thirty sets of the latest exoskeleton armor, and also..." He opened the last crate, revealing complex yet aesthetically industrial prosthetics inside. "Qilu Corporation laboratory's special edition, comprehensively enhancing human capabilities, especially the nervous system's."

A leader with a circuit-like tattoo on his face narrowed his eyes: "The price?"

"Very simple." Viktor smiled and pulled up a holographic map. "On Election Day, ensure that the polling stations in these areas experience 'technical malfunctions'." He circled seven key electoral districts, "Especially New Era's areas."

“They are still young, so unstable technology is very normal.”

"Heh heh." The leader reached out and stroked the prosthetic, his expression showing satisfaction with the payment. "You're right, that's very normal."

Due to the uneven distribution of interests among the various commercial conglomerates, after the first election results were announced, all parties felt they had suffered a great loss. Consequently, the Oceania City-States, which had finally shown signs of stability, once again entered a period of turmoil.

Oceania City-States, New York City center.

Neon lights twisted and distorted in the heavy rain, and the flashing campaign slogans on billboards were covered with graffiti. Beside a garbage heap on a street corner, several homeless people with low-quality prosthetics were sharing a can of synthetic protein.

"Did you hear? The fourth district had another power outage last night." A man with a red-glowing right eye spat. "United Energy said it was line maintenance, but someone filmed Qilu Corporation's drones sabotaging the substation."

The young man beside him was adjusting a newly stolen neural interface: "Who cares, New Era's vans come every day to distribute relief supplies anyway."

An explosion sounded in the distance, and the three, accustomed to it, instinctively ducked into the shadows. In the sky, Qilu Corporation's security drone swarm was engaging New Era's patrol aircraft, and stray bullets shattered a "Vote with Pride" signboard.

In the top-floor conference room of the Qilu Corporation building, the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.

"The ninth cyber attack failed." The technical director's arm twitched. "New Era upgraded their firewall. Judging by the pattern, they must have spent a lot of money hiring people from Interstellar Peace Corporation."

CEO Nadia's eyes gleamed coldly: "Then we'll use the old method." She pulled up a surveillance video showing New Era's food warehouse.

In the corner, a young director hesitated: "But won't such an open conflict..."

"What? Are you worried about escalating conflict?" Nadia sneered. "That's not possible." She pointed out the window. "Look at the City-States now, we have no choice, and neither do they."

At the New Era Biotechnica Park, Donna stood in front of a transparent laboratory, watching technicians calibrate the latest neural modulation equipment. "What are the results of the third phase of testing?"

"96% success rate." The chief scientist reported excitedly, "As long as a trace amount of the agent is added to the relief food, consumers will become dependent on a specific frequency of electromagnetic waves..."

Donna nodded in satisfaction: "Prepare the deployment plan, starting with Qilu Corporation's worker communities."

In United Energy's underground command center, Karl watched the chaotic battle between the two companies on the monitor, a cold sneer playing on his lips as he ordered the Engineer: "Increase the voltage on the East Coast by 20%."

"Since it's going to be chaotic, let everyone get involved."

The Engineer hesitated: "But that will burn out civilian equipment..."

"Perfect for selling new ones." Karl opened a holographic shopping mall, displaying the latest home appliances. "Remember, doing business on ruins is the most profitable."

The small vendor huddled in his grocery store, watching the flashing gunfire outside his window. His electronic prosthetic eye suddenly popped up a warning: Voltage anomaly! Please disconnect immediately!

"Not again!" He frantically unplugged the refrigerator, but it was too late. A puff of green smoke rose from the expensive refrigeration system, rendering it completely useless.

As the internal strife in the Oceania City-States intensified, the Oceania City-States completely became a cyberpunk society. Meanwhile, in another region of Blue Star, the situation was somewhat different.

Black Continent Equatorial Space Elevator Base, the first ray of morning sun pierced through the clouds, illuminating the towering base of the space elevator.

Eastern Federation Engineer Wu Huai stood on the observation deck, gazing at the silver track stretching for several kilometers in all directions. On the track, millions of tons of materials on dozens of transport vehicles glittered in the morning light.

"Engineer Wu, the last batch of seismic test data is out." A young assistant scurried over, green indicators flashing on his holographic tablet. "The base stability exceeds expectations by 33%."

“Interstellar Peace Corporation’s technology is truly impressive!”

Wu Huai nodded, but his gaze turned to the Interstellar Peace Corporation's 'nightingale' landing in the distance: "What's happening over there?"

The assistant lowered his voice: "I heard it's the first preparatory meeting for the 'Starsea Community'. High-ranking officials from the Eastern Federation Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Black Continent Alliance, and Interstellar Peace Corporation are all here."

In the central conference hall, a holographic projector cast a three-dimensional model of the space city in the center of the room. Eastern Federation Minister of Foreign Affairs Zheng Guoming surveyed the attendees: "According to the Premier's instructions, the 'Starsea Community' will be an open, equal, and international cooperation platform."

Makuru, Chairman of the Black Continent Alliance, pointed at the model: "We provide the best equatorial launch location, so we should naturally receive more residential quotas for the space city."

"Quota allocation will be strictly calculated based on contribution." Zheng Guoming pulled up a set of data. "However, considering the special circumstances of the Black Continent, the Eastern Federation is willing to provide an additional 3% of the quotas."

In the corner, Emerald gently tapped the table: "Interstellar Peace Corporation can provide orbital construction technology, and we don't need space city quotas, but we do need member states to open their airspace."

The conference room suddenly fell silent. Makuru frowned: "This involves sovereignty issues..."

"Mr. Chairman," Zheng Guoming interjected at the opportune moment, "the opening of airspace is necessary; material transport and personnel traffic will face great pressure in the future. In exchange, the Eastern Federation will assist all nations in establishing ground defense systems."

“If the Eastern Federation guarantees it, I think we can accept it.” Makuru thought it over carefully, concluding that the benefits outweighed the drawbacks, and thus agreed to the condition.

Oceania City-States, top floor of the Qilu Corporation building, three figures were plotting.

"Starsea Community?" Nadia, CEO of Qilu Corporation, scoffed. "It's nothing but a fig leaf for expansion."

Donna subconsciously fiddled with her ring: "They have already gained the support of the Black Continent, South Roman Continent, and Emerald Ocean region countries. The moral high ground is with them."

"Hmph, just a few small countries. And the Emerald Ocean region, isn't that just a word from Interstellar Peace Corporation?" Karl of United Energy narrowed his eyes: "We can't sit back and do nothing. If they control space resources..."

"Then let's form an alliance." Nadia suddenly said, "Let's establish our own space development group."

Donna sneered: "With our current state of infighting?"

Karl pressed a button on the table, and the projection switched to a map of Oceania: "Then let's stop the infighting and re-divide spheres of influence. Qilu Corporation will be responsible for communication networks, New Era for ecological cycles, and we for energy supply."

The three exchanged glances and, without prior agreement, extended their hands. On the holographic image, three circles connected in mid-air, forming the logo of a temporary alliance.

As the Oceania City-States finally quieted down, Eastern Federation National Television was broadcasting live.

"This morning, the Premier officially signed the 'Starsea Community Charter' at the Zijin Pavilion." The announcer's voice was solemn. "The first batch of member states includes the Eastern Federation, the Black Continent Alliance, the Gari Republic, and 26 other countries..."

The screen switched to the space elevator base plaza, where a giant holographic flag slowly rose. On a deep blue background, silhouettes of Earth and a space city were encircled by stars.

The Premier stood beneath the flag, his voice broadcasting globally: "The Starsea Community will uphold the principles of openness, inclusivity, and win-win cooperation, opening up new living spaces for human civilization..."