201: Stargate

Pluto orbit, Interstellar Peace Corporation Star Gate Control Center.

On the eve of the Star Gate activation ceremony, the control center was brightly lit. Dozens of Engineers were busy, checking the Star Gate's parameters for the last time.

"Energy core stable, gravity field calibration complete," an Engineer reported. "All systems have passed the final test."

The head of the control center, a middle-aged man wearing a monocle, nodded slightly: "Very good. Inform all cargo ships to queue for passage as originally planned."

His gaze swept across the monitoring screen, where dozens of cargo ships were orderly arranged in the waiting area in front of the Star Gate. One of them, its hull painted with the Third Federation's logo, appeared particularly low-key.

"Has the passage permit for that ship been confirmed?" he asked casually.

"Confirmed, Supervisor," his deputy pulled up the data. "'Amaterasu,' a cargo ship registered to the Third Federation, transporting 'crop seeds,' destination the orbit of the third planet in the Trisolaris System."

"According to the information, they are going to conduct experiments on crop growth environments."

The Supervisor's lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile: "Very good, release them according to procedure."

He turned and walked to his office, and after closing the door, immediately connected to an encrypted communication.

"Director Emerald, everything is ready."

In the holographic projection, Emerald leaned lazily on the sofa, playing with a crystal chess piece in her hand: "Has the self-destruct program for the experiment activated?"

"It has been activated," the Supervisor said in a low voice. "The explosive yield will be controlled within the predetermined range and will not affect the Star Gate on the opposite side of the orbit."

Emerald nodded with satisfaction: "Very good. Give the order, everything as usual, no unnecessary actions."

"Understood."

The communication cut off, and the Supervisor took a deep breath, his gaze passing through the porthole, looking towards the silver-white Star Gate in the distance.

After tomorrow, the pattern of the Solar System will be completely changed.

Blue Star, Oceania, Third Federation secret base.

Kurosaki stood in front of the holographic projection, staring intently at the real-time footage of Pluto's orbit transmitted by the 'Amaterasu.' The Star Gate floated silently in the dark universe, like a gateway to a new world.

"All nuclear warheads have been loaded," Sato's voice came through the communicator. "The detonation program is set to automatically activate the moment it passes through the Star Gate."

"Very good," Kurosaki's eyes gleamed with a mad light. "Have the 'Amaterasu' pilot prepare; once inside the Star Gate, immediately activate the escape pod."

"Understood."

As for whether the escape pod would make it in time, they tacitly avoided the topic.

Yamamoto stood by, his fingers trembling uncontrollably: "Lord Kurosaki, do we really have to go this far? What if it fails..."

"There is no 'if'!" Kurosaki suddenly turned, grabbing Yamamoto by the collar. "Do you think we have a retreat? The Eastern Federation has pushed us to a dead end, and Interstellar Peace Corporation treats us like livestock in a pen!"

His voice was almost a roar: "This is our only chance! Either blow up the Star Gate, make the Corporation lose face, and gain us some bargaining chips! Or forever be their slaves!"

Yamamoto's face was pale, but he finally nodded.

Kurosaki released him, saying coldly: "Go prepare the celebration banquet. After tomorrow, the entire Solar System will know that we are the true heroes!"

"We are the dragon-slaying warriors!"

Pluto orbit, Star Gate activation ceremony site.

Interstellar Peace Corporation's live broadcast ship hovered several kilometers from the Star Gate, holographic cameras transmitting real-time footage to all corners of the Solar System.

"This is Interstellar Peace Broadcasting. Today, I will be broadcasting live to audiences across the Solar System the official activation ceremony of Interstellar Peace Corporation's Pluto Star Gate."

"Now, countdown, 10 minutes!" The host's enthusiastic voice echoed in the broadcast. "This is a crucial step for human civilization towards the interstellar era! Under the leadership of the Amber King..."

In the viewing area in front of the Star Gate, dozens of luxury shuttles were neatly arranged, slowly docking with a ship several kilometers long.

Soon, representatives from the Eastern Federation from the Mars Dome City, technical experts from the Lunar Energy Base, and business elites from Tiangong City gathered in an elegant reception room. These representatives of human civilization were watching the massive silver-white ring structure through the room's large floor-to-ceiling windows.

"I heard this Star Gate uses a brand new energy technology?" an Eastern Federation representative quietly asked his colleague.

"That's right," the colleague nodded. "It's said to be the latest achievement of the Corporation's technology R&D department, with unit output power far exceeding nuclear fusion."

"However, the specifics are unknown. Academicians who returned from visiting and studying said it involves physics theories they had never encountered. With their clearance, they couldn't even see the title."

"Sigh," the representative sighed deeply. "I knew it; the 'low-price' technology the Corporation shares with us is always their outdated stuff. We still have to work harder."

"5 seconds! 4 seconds!" The host's countdown sounded. "3! 2! 1!"

Buzz—

The blue energy ripples in the center of the Star Gate suddenly lit up, spreading out in layers like ripples on water from a dropped stone. The viewing area erupted in applause and cheers.

"Star Gate activation successful!" the host excitedly announced. "The first batch of cargo ships is about to begin their crossing!"

The ships in the waiting area successively lit up their thrusters. The first ship, 'Worker's,' painted with the Eastern Federation's logo, slowly moved towards the Star Gate, its hull glowing with a ghostly blue hue in the energy field's reflection.

"Let us all witness this historic moment!"

Meanwhile, Oceania City-States, New Sydney, in a secret underground meeting room in a wealthy district.

In the dimly lit room, a dozen men in vintage suits sat around a holographic projection. The projection was showing the live broadcast of the Star Gate's activation, its blue energy ripples undulating in the darkness, reflecting their volatile faces.

"Look at these greedy Eastern Federation people," a white-haired old man with a typical Europa face sneered, tapping his cane with a bony finger. "They're building extensively in space, treating our compatriots as cheap labor, not even leaving us a scrap of fat."

"Since that's the case, we'll take it ourselves."

He swiped his finger, and the screen switched to a Blue Star map. Areas once contaminated by nuclear radiation now mostly showed as safe green.

"Europa, Northern Territories, New Union Plains..." Hojo Musashi rubbed his hands excitedly, his eyes gleaming with greed. "Radiation cleanup is complete, but the Eastern Federation's army hasn't deployed there. This is our last chance!"

"Exactly," a Fog City old noble wearing a monocle lowered his voice. "As long as we can seize these areas first, we can declare the restoration of our old national territories..."

"Are you crazy?!" A young East Ocean man suddenly stood up. "The Eastern Federation's South Heaven Gate Fleet is in orbit! And Interstellar Peace Corporation is even—"

"Shut up, Yamada Jiro!" The old East Ocean noble, Matsumoto Kenichi, sharply interrupted. "A coward like you doesn't deserve to sit here!"

He looked around at everyone, his voice hoarse: "Do you know why we've been pushed to this point? It's because there are too many people like you!"

"Look at the Eastern Federation people," he pointed at the Eastern Federation cargo ship passing through the Star Gate in the projection. "They dare to dream and dare to act. In just twenty years, they flew off Blue Star, and now even Mars has become their backyard!"

"And what about us?" His voice was filled with resentment. "Confined in this broken cage in Oceania, we can't even get a decent ship without the Corporation's approval!"

The meeting room was dead silent.

"Mr. Matsumoto is right," Westminster George said sinisterly. "The Corporation's attention is all on the Star Gate right now. By the time they react, we'll already be firmly established."

"Don't forget, the 'Interstellar Trade Convention' published by the Corporation itself, Articles 23 to 25 of Chapter Two, states that the Corporation always maintains neutrality regarding 'historically inherited territorial disputes' and 'territorial disputes of trade partners caused by force majeure.'"

"Neutrality?" Yamada Jiro sneered. "Do you really believe that rhetoric? When has the Corporation ever—"

"Enough!" The old noble Ulrich slammed his hand on the table. "Let's vote! Those in favor of action, raise your hands!"

Thirteen hands, representing the major nations of the old era, shot up in unison.

"Very good," George revealed a triumphant smile. "Immediately contact our old forces in Europa and prepare for action."