269: Echoes from Beyond the Stars

Barnard I synchronous orbit, Interstellar Peace Corporation exploration fleet.

The massive black hull, emblazoned with the Interstellar Peace Corporation's emblem, floated silently in the quiet cosmos, absorbing the star's light without a sound.

Inside the bridge, members of the Eastern Federation delegation stood before a holographic projection, gazing at the azure planet below.

"This is..." A middle-aged man wearing glasses pushed his frames, his voice tinged with awe, "The first alien civilization discovered by humanity?"

"And they're human?!"

Beside him, a female officer in a dark blue uniform nodded: "Yes, Professor Chen."

"According to the intelligence shared by the Corporation, the level of civilization on this planet is somewhat complex. From a technological perspective, their overall level is equivalent to our mid-20th century."

Her finger gently glided across the holographic projection, and a topographical map of the planet's surface quickly zoomed in, revealing the outlines of several major continents.

"Currently, three main nations exist on this planet."

Three different colored regions appeared on the projection:

"The Empire, an absolute monarchy, possesses strong military power and a moderate level of technology."

"The Republic, a federal state, is economically developed but plagued by sharp internal conflicts and significant issues with a unified narrative."

"Crossbell, formerly an autonomous state, is now an emerging independent nation, with a unique geographical location, a prosperous economy, but weak military strength."

Professor Chen's brows furrowed slightly: "Interesting, what about their history?"

The female officer's finger slid again, and a brief timeline appeared on the projection:

"According to the Corporation's intelligence, the civilization on this planet has experienced several large-scale wars."

"It is currently in a relatively peaceful period, but the overt and covert struggles between nations have never ceased."

Her voice carried a subtle nuance: "Especially Crossbell, caught between the Empire and the Republic, it has long been in a semi-autonomous state."

"Until recently..."

The projection switched, showing cheering crowds in the streets of Crossbell, and the building with the Interstellar Peace Corporation's sign.

"With the support of the Corporation, they have just completed their independence referendum."

Professor Chen's gaze deepened: "Why would the Corporation support the independence of a small nation?"

The female officer shook her head: "The Corporation's specific intentions are unclear."

"Oh, right," her voice lowered slightly, "this planet has individuals with abilities that exceed normal rules."

The projection changed again, showing several blurry figures:

"According to limited observations, there are a few individuals on this planet who possess abilities beyond common sense."

"That is, 'Pathstriders.'"

Professor Chen's pupils contracted slightly: "Pathstriders?"

"Yes." The female officer's voice held a hint of caution, "While their exact strength cannot yet be confirmed, their numbers are already more than ten times greater than in our own country."

A brief silence fell over the room, everyone too stunned by this fact to speak.

Pathstriders, ever since the 'Ranger' Luigi and Aventurine, such existences that defy conventional science had long been accepted by everyone. Among them, the military was the quickest to accept.

After decades of research, the Eastern Federation Academy of Sciences had made many achievements. The most important of these was the confirmation of the necessary conditions to become a Pathstrider.

Although Luigi and the Corporation had released a lot of intelligence back then, it was accurate but not detailed enough. If it were merely a matter of strong will, the military had plenty of strong-willed soldiers.

The true meaning behind the ethereal standard of 'the path recognizes you' was gained at a disaster site, where dozens of firefighters risked their lives as a bargaining chip.

Among these brave individuals, one embarked on the path of Preservation. It was only after this that the Eastern Federation's high command and military learned of the 'well-intentioned lie' that Jade had told at the press conference back then.

The claim that a Pathstrider could only contend with a well-equipped company of heavy infantry was false.

That firefighter, on the second day of becoming a Pathstrider, could single-handedly suppress a heavy combined arms battalion in an exercise.

The crystalline shields he casually created could not be breached without guided missiles. The stones he casually 'created' falling from a hundred meters would scrap even the latest tanks.

He was a humanoid tactical nuclear weapon.

So many years had passed, and even with the Eastern Federation's national power, they had only discovered and cultivated three Pathstriders. Yet this alien civilization actually had over twenty.

Although their strength could not yet be determined, their numbers were already frightening enough.

Finally, Professor Chen took a deep breath: "Immediately transmit this intelligence back to Zijin Pavilion."

"Yes!"

Solar System, Blue Star, Zijin Pavilion.

In the emergency meeting room, the atmosphere was so heavy it could almost drip.

The holographic projection displayed the intelligence just transmitted from Barnard I, and the expressions of all attendees were exceptionally grave.

"The first alien civilization, and they're human like us..." An old man with white hair murmured, his voice carrying an undisguised shock, "I never would have thought."

"I always thought aliens mostly looked like the Trisolarans, strange and grotesque."

Beside him, a middle-aged man in military uniform frowned deeply: "What is the technological level of this civilization?"

The intelligence officer immediately replied: "According to the Corporation's assessment, it's equivalent to our mid-20th century."

"But in certain special areas..." His voice held a hint of hesitation, "they are much stronger than us."

"For example, the number of Pathstriders."

In a corner of the meeting room, a middle-aged woman in a dark suit slowly spoke: "I believe this is an opportunity."

"We should seize this chance to learn how to establish contact with extraterrestrial civilizations."

Her gaze swept over those present: "One day, we will also be able to build warp drives ourselves and freely explore the endless star sea."

"Now is the best time for us to lay a solid foundation."

As soon as she finished speaking, another attendee immediately retorted: "It's still too risky!"

His voice was filled with deep worry: "No one can guarantee that these unknown civilizations, upon learning of the existence of something more advanced than themselves, won't develop uncontrollable greed."

His finger heavily tapped the table: "The best example is right before our eyes!"

"I used to wonder why the Corporation kept so many 'consumers' in space and North Rome Continent, but now I completely understand them."

"People can't teach people, but events teach people once and for all. Look at those people, they are the best educational model."

"Do you think all people, all civilizations, are as reasonable and virtuous as us, and as the Corporation?"

The projection switched, showing scenes of Skyreach City. In that massive space city, a group of relatively free people were 'imprisoned.'

"Look at these Westerners!" His voice was full of sarcasm, "Even though the Corporation has demonstrated absolute military power and maximum benevolence, they still plot various conspiracies every year!"

Several images flashed quickly across the projection.

A group of armed individuals attempted to hijack a Corporation transport ship, only to be instantly killed by the automatic defense system; several spies stole Corporation technical data, but were intercepted by security robots during their escape; a former dignitary named Rothschild secretly bribed a Corporation employee, attempting to acquire advanced technical data, but was set up by that employee, a sting operation.

Regardless of the dignitary's fate, his actions already illustrated the problem.

"The greed and foolishness of these people have caused us too much trouble! And now, you actually want to actively contact another civilization? Contact a civilization whose 'communication' capabilities cannot even be confirmed?"

"The safest method is to do as the Corporation does: lock all these civilizations that haven't yet entered space down on the ground!"

"Eliminate future troubles forever!"

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly became tense, with two opposing viewpoints clashing fiercely.

Finally, the old man sitting at the head of the table slowly raised his hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet.

"Alright, let's pause for a moment."

His voice, though not loud, carried an unquestionable authority.

"The intelligence department should maintain contact with the delegation and have them pay more attention to intelligence regarding Barnard I there."

"The Academy of Sciences and the military should research the intelligence on the Pathstriders there and see if any new discoveries can be made."

"The diplomatic department should prepare a detailed contact plan, considering several possibilities, but not execute it for now."

His gaze swept over everyone present: "Before making a final decision, we need more information."

"Meeting adjourned."