211: New home running-in

Penielgman City, one week later. When the first wave of Brood immigrants arrived in Penielgman City, the entire city fell into a brief period of chaos.

Over thirty thousand Brood Scholars and their families, escorted by the military, slowly disembarked from the transport ships, drawing hushed whispers from the onlookers.

"Oh my, they really do look... strange," a young girl whispered, hiding behind her mother.

Her mother gently patted her shoulder: "Don't say that, they are our neighbors now."

Not far away, a group of Earth Federation workers were helping to unload the Brood's luggage.

"Be careful!" the leading foreman shouted, "The equipment in these boxes is very valuable!"

Brood Engineer Tylin nodded gratefully: "Thank you, these are our research materials."

The foreman grinned: "You're welcome, we're all one family now."

But not everyone was so friendly.

In the residential area on the west side of the city, several Earth Federation youths blocked an alleyway, pointing and gesturing at a passing Brood family.

"Look at those monsters," one of the youths sneered, "they killed so many of our people, and now they're just strutting in here to live?"

His companion echoed: "I heard the Speaker even arranged the best residential areas for them, why?"

The Brood family walked quickly, heads down, the young child clutching his mother's hand.

Over three hundred Brood sat in a makeshift classroom, with basic Chinese language lessons displayed on the holographic projection in front of them.

"Today we are going to learn everyday phrases," the Earth Federation teacher said with a smile, "Please repeat after me: 'Nǐ hǎo' (Hello)."

The Brood students clumsily mimicked the pronunciation: "Ní... hǎo..."

A wave of good-natured laughter filled the classroom.

Due to the influence of Interstellar Peace Corporation and the Eastern Federation, Chinese had already become the common language of Blue Star even before Emma and others left.

All the data stored in the Interstellar Peace Corporation's spaceship they took at the time was recorded in Chinese. In the early days of the colony, for survival and development, this group of Earth Federation elders, originally from the West, had no choice but to designate Chinese as the only official language.

To this day, Chinese has become the common language of the Earth Federation.

Sol stood in the back row, watching this scene. His communicator suddenly vibrated; it was a message from Emma:

"How's the progress?"

Sol replied: "Language training is proceeding as planned, but some Earth Federation residents still have resistance."

Emma's reply was quick: "As expected. Continue to push forward, take coercive measures if necessary."

Sol put away his communicator and walked to the podium.

"Everyone," he said in stiff Chinese, "learning the Earth Federation's language is our first step to integrating here."

"We cannot always rely on translators."

He surveyed the classroom, his voice rising: "This is not just for communication, but more importantly, for understanding each other's culture."

A young Brood Engineer raised his hand: "Lord Sol, why must we learn Chinese? Can't they learn our language?"

Sol's eyelids drooped slightly: "Because this is the Earth Federation."

He paused, then added: "What's more, our writing system was already incomplete during our wandering. To revive our civilization, language is an essential tool."

The students nodded thoughtfully and continued to repeat after the teacher.

In the East City Industrial Zone, at the Joint Factory, Brood Engineers and Earth Federation technicians were cooperatively debugging a large piece of equipment.

"This parameter is incorrect," the Brood Engineer pointed at the screen, "the energy output should be increased by another 15%."

The Earth Federation technician frowned: "But the safety protocol does not allow exceeding this threshold."

The two argued, suspecting that there was a problem with the translation device, and finally had to find an expert who had mastered both languages.

"He says," the translator pointed at the Brood Engineer, "their technical standards are higher and can withstand greater energy fluctuations."

The technician was skeptical: "Are you sure? Our operating manual clearly states..."

The Brood Engineer suddenly interrupted in stiff Chinese: "Trust... us... technology... better..."

The technician was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Alright, old man, your language talent is better than mine! Then let's try it your way."

Of course, the world is not always friendly. In a secluded street in the North City residential area, by the time a squad of Earth Federation peacekeepers arrived, the scene was already out of control.

Five or six Earth Federation youths were ganging up on a lone Brood worker, cursing him with foul language.

"Get back to space, monster!"

"You killed my brothers, and now you want to settle down here?"

The peacekeepers immediately intervened and subdued the assailants.

"According to the 'Racial Harmony Act,'" the leading peacekeeper said coldly, "you will be detained for fifteen days and fined."

One of the youths protested: "Why? They are the invaders!"

"They are citizens with legal residency, " the peacekeeper retorted sharply, "and your actions constitute a crime."

The beaten Brood worker struggled to his feet, blue blood seeping from his wounds. He said in broken Chinese: "No... problem... I... understand..."

The peacekeeper looked at him in surprise: "Are you sure you don't want to press charges?"

The Brood worker nodded: "Hatred... needs... time... to resolve..."

After the Scholar faction, led by Sol, broke away from the Brood Civilization, Krook fell into an unprecedented predicament.

Due to a significant shortage of technical personnel, half of the ships under Krook's command were almost scrapped due to lack of maintenance, his soldiers could not maintain the large weapons on the ships, and the Brood Fleet also lost its orbital fire suppression capability against the Earth Federation.

Genoq Star orbit, Krook stood in the center of the bridge, his grey-green skin darkened with anger. His fist slammed heavily onto the control panel, metal dents appearing under his knuckles.

"Are all warships in position?" his voice was hoarse, like sand grating.

"In position, Commander," the adjutant's voice trembled, "but many ships have lost their combat capability. Less than 30% are still able to be piloted..."

"Then use the remaining 30%!" Krook roared, "Stuff everyone who can breathe into the cockpit, even if you have to use corpses to press the accelerator pedal, get these ships moving!"

The adjutant swallowed: "But Commander, we don't even have enough gunners to operate the main cannons, most of the weapon systems are already..."

"Who said we're firing cannons?" Krook sneered, pointing at the holographic star map, "See that glowing city? We're going to smash it with our hulls!"

A deathly silence fell over the bridge.

The young Brood warrior, Garr, dragged his injured right leg, struggling to climb into the main pilot's seat. A pungent smell of burning permeated the cabin, three display screens had permanently gone dark, and the remaining two flickered with dangerous red warnings.

"Power system... failed."

"Navigation system... offline."

Garr gave a bitter smile, looking at his companion beside him, a medic with a blood-soaked bandage wrapped around his abdomen.

"Where are we going?" the medic asked weakly.

Garr did not answer, merely pushed the throttle all the way forward. The engine let out a deathly roar, and the ship's hull began to shake violently.

Through the cracked observation window, he saw over thirty equally battered Brood warships gathering. Some were missing armor plates, exposing internal pipelines; some had black smoke spewing from their engine nozzles; others were even dragging half-broken hulls with steel cables.

This fleet, once the terror of the Earth Federation, now resembled a pack of scarred beasts, preparing for their final bite.