Chapter 233: Truth Within Range
Inside the New Hope Space Station’s defense command center, everyone was on high alert.
Off-duty personnel were urgently recalled, and a “distress call” was sent to the main fleet patrolling the outskirts of the star system.
However, it would take a full hour for the main fleet to receive the distress signal, and even longer for them to return.
By then, if anything truly happened, it would be too late.
There were 12 small warships in the port, and normally, they would have already confronted the “invading enemy.”
But at the moment, they merely floated above the dock area, with all their ship cannons and weapons angled to one side and fire control radars shut down, indicating their lack of hostility through “body language.”
The reason was very simple: it was, after all, Cangyuan.
The legendary “that company” had unfathomable strength, and no one dared to test them easily.
The actual owners of the 12 warships stationed in the port had already clearly stated that unless Cangyuan warships fired first, or the main fleet fully returned, they would not put their valuable assets in danger.
“A bunch of short-sighted fools who only care about profit!”
The Defense Commander cursed angrily.
Compared to Cangyuan, New Hope’s frustrating point lay here.
It was essentially a city-state with a relatively primitive system.
There was no highly centralized government, nor a powerful, autocratic leader like Lu Yuan.
This was an alliance composed of merchants and entrepreneurs, with a loose organizational structure. Companies like Apollo, once they reached a certain level of maturity, could even detach from the Space Station and establish their own independent entities.
It was difficult for the various forces to truly unite.
“This is unbelievable—how did they sneak in right under our noses?!”
Amidst the angry shouts, a short, stout old man walked into the command center’s combat intelligence room with a deep frown, approaching the Commander.
“Station Master—”
The Defense Commander stood at attention and saluted the nominal supreme leader of the Space Station.
“The enemy’s stealth technology exceeds our detection limits, reaching the level of a Super Democratic Empire’s main battleship! Please take a look, sir.”
He pointed to the large, comprehensive monitoring screen behind him, which was as big as a badminton court.
On the screen, the two Cangyuan warships, being only 20 kilometers away, were optically clear, so much so that even the jagged gaps of the electromagnetic main cannon’s muzzle doors could be seen.
However, in the infrared spectrum, they were completely black.
“So they are indeed that Cangyuan—”
Upon seeing this image, the Station Master’s voice immediately became much calmer.
Bullshit—you just figured that out?
The Defense Commander grumbled inwardly.
“Can we communicate with them?”
“Yes! The other side has opened their communication frequency and shown a willingness to communicate.”
“Very good, bring the communicator!”
The Station Master pondered for a few seconds, carefully organizing his words.
“Greetings, Commander of the Cangyuan Fleet! This is Station Master McMillan of New Hope Space Station. On behalf of the Space Station Council, I welcome your visit!
“However, New Hope, as an independent and autonomous Star Alliance Council-level power, maintains neutrality in your battle with Apollo and the Jialan allied forces! Therefore, you have no right to bring the flames of war near the Space Station!”
What the hell.
You’re talking about neutrality now, are you?
Lu Yuan stood up, walked over to Cao Yuan, took the communicator from his hand, and tried his best to suppress the anger in his heart.
“Mr. Station Master, Apollo and the Jialan’s Punishment Fleet obtained supplies from you before heading to the battlefield.”
“That is true.” The Station Master admitted, “But as a Space Station, providing such services is normal for New Hope; after all, it’s one of our main businesses.”
Lu Yuan: “Normal? No, not at all. Even before the fleet began its operations, the Jialan had already started their so-called ‘victory speeches’ within your Space Station.”
“Words like ‘destruction’ and ‘total annihilation’ were spoken more than once by their diplomats. You knew they were about to invade our territory and slaughter our people even before the Jialan fleet assembled, yet you still provided supplies, because at that time, you were convinced the war wouldn’t reach your own backyard.”
“This is absolutely not a neutral stance.”
“Did you never anticipate our warships fighting back? When the war truly reached your own home, you suddenly couldn’t accept it? Mr. Station Master, if you truly think that way, then I feel sorrow for New Hope’s future.”
“Excellent!”
A cheer erupted on the bridge of the Xianyang.
The Station Master was left speechless.
“No, this—you can’t say that! We—”
“Station Master! The Cangyuan warship just opened its main cannon firing port and activated its fire control radar!” The Defense Commander’s voice was filled with terror, “They found the location of the command center! They know the communication signal is coming from here!”
For the large black-tech scanners equipped on the “Qinling” class, this was child’s play.
The Station Master’s cold sweat streamed down, and his heart sank to the bottom.
Lu Yuan continued to speak.
“Mr. Station Master, the fact that you provided war assistance to Apollo and the Jialan is crystal clear. Your choice has left us with virtually no choice. In war, clearing the field and eliminating enemy supply points are very normal combat options, and I believe you understand this.”
“The reason I haven’t ordered to fire yet is, firstly, to cherish the hard-won achievements of New Hope’s construction, and to cherish its culture and civilization; secondly, because I like to make friends.”
“Perhaps only you in the Space Station are muddle-headed, and the rest of the people can still communicate normally.”
“Wait!!”
The Station Master felt his legs go weak.
“I am truly sorry! The decision to provide supplies to the Punishment Fleet was made by the Space Station Council. We didn’t have sufficient intelligence at the time, which led to a biased decision. I guarantee this will not happen again!”
New Hope was actually very fragile.
When a warship truly appeared within range with anger, everyone in the Station, whether civilians or dignitaries, immediately faced mortal danger.
Therefore, not favoring or provoking any powerful force had always been New Hope’s way of survival.
And now, Station Master McMillan, due to misjudging Cangyuan’s strength, had rashly broken this balance, bringing huge trouble to the Space Station.
“I’m glad to hear you say that.” Lu Yuan’s tone softened slightly.
“But, I still implore you not to fire here. This area is New Hope’s territory, after all. We promise to provide safety and protection to everyone, and to offer a peaceful haven. If a vessel is sunk here, the Space Station’s future reputation—”
—Are you trying to bully me because I’m new?
Lu Yuan almost laughed in anger.
“Station Master, do I need to remind you that this is the post-apocalyptic era? All international laws and consensuses have long been voided with the apocalypse. All factions, including ourselves, no longer have the concept of territorial waters. The entire Star Alliance space is essentially a constantly contested no-man’s-land.”
“I know that, of course, but what I’m talking about are—our own New Hope regulations!”
“Your regulations?”
The mention of this made Lu Yuan angry.
Now you’re pretending to be civilized and talking about laws with me?
“Your regulations aren’t even respected by yourselves. Station Master McMillan, a New Hope Merchant Guild leader once said the following to our personnel: ‘In this post-apocalyptic age, the status of law is actually very subtle. It won’t make your fist bigger, nor will it shrink your opponent’s fist.’ If you need it, I can provide the audio and video recordings right now.”
“I’m very sorry, truly! But these are just personal opinions; you can’t take them seriously—”
Lu Yuan: “Personal opinions? Unfortunately, he said these words in his capacity as a Merchant Guild leader, in a formal negotiation setting within the Management Bureau. Every single word and phrase represented the official stance.”
“This—”
The Station Master was speechless.
How else could he refute? He couldn’t refute it at all—
He just wanted to know who was so arrogant and loose-tongued!
“Station Master, I will not forget these deliberate difficulties caused by New Hope. I am only concerned with your attitude and statement now.”
“McMillan—”
Anya’s voice suddenly came through.
She had hijacked the communication again.
“Are you getting senile in your old age? You want to provide a peaceful sanctuary for all civilized forces in this post-apocalyptic universe? Good heavens, can you be any more brain-dead? Do you even listen to what you’re saying?!
“Is the next step to have everyone hold hands and sing and dance together? Do you need me to build you an altar so you can play house and pretend to be the Holy Father?
“New Hope’s peace and tranquility are the result of three centuries of everyone’s efforts! It’s not something that can be promised with a simple statement! You don’t even understand this; you are not qualified to continue leading New Hope!
“If it were about providing protection to other forces, fine, but Jialan? Of all people, Jialan?! Are you serious? Jialan is the second-largest power in the Star Alliance, the aggressor in this war. Do they need us to protect them? And you call this neutrality!?”
The Station Master’s mouth opened and closed, unable to utter a single word.
On one hand, what Anya said was indeed correct.
On the other hand, he truly dared not confront this “Apocalypse Queen.”
“Um, Station Master—”
An intelligence officer ran over.
“It seems Anya didn’t just hijack the communication; all our previous conversations are being broadcast on various television stations throughout the Space Station—”
“What did you say!?”
The Station Master’s face immediately turned pale.
He knew what kind of political storm this implied.
Soon, McMillan’s phone was completely overwhelmed with calls.
The intelligence officer also continuously sent messages.
“Station Master, the Free Trade Alliance demands an immediate explanation for our favoritism towards the Jialan—”
“The envoy from the Humanoid Exploration Federation demands that we immediately sever ties with the Jialan and maintain neutrality!”
“Station Master, the council members strongly advise you to immediately issue a statement retracting your promise to protect the Jialan fleet from attack!”
“The Council has called an emergency meeting and requests your immediate attendance!”
The Station Master lowered his head and rubbed his temples hard.
He knew that no matter what happened next, his time as Station Master was over.
What awaited him would be inquiries, and even impeachment, from the Council.
Ten minutes later, New Hope issued an announcement, declaring that it would no longer interfere in any disputes outside the Space Station’s hull.
Upon learning that they had lost their security guarantee, all Jialan warships stationed in the port immediately took off.
Two of them immediately began to flee, while the remaining three, for some unknown reason, showed astonishing courage, heading directly towards the Cangyuan fleet to engage in battle.