Chapter 129: First Contact Amid the Stars

At this moment, more than three hundred warships had gathered at the current and outlet of Alpha Centauri.

Aboard one of the enormous warships, stretching over two kilometers long,

sat a group of alien beings. Though humanoid, their skin was ashen gray and their heights barely topped a meter.

“Admiral Tuoba, we’ve discovered a large number of artificial devices around us. We’ve already retrieved one and done a preliminary analysis.”

“What’s the verdict?”

The man addressed as Admiral Tuoba asked.

“It’s a surveillance device fitted with various sensors, capable of transmitting video feed in real time. As for its technological level… it’s rather odd.”

“What do you mean?”

A crease appeared in Tuoba’s brow.

“The device incorporates a fair bit of tier-2 civilization technology but also uses a lot of tier-1 tech. And…”

“And a small portion even touches on tier-3 civilization technology. Our team wasn’t able to identify it right away.”

Tuoba froze for a moment when he heard that.

Situations like this weren’t unheard of, but they certainly didn’t happen often.

After all, their own civilization had three subordinate tier-1 civilizations, and to help these vassals develop resources, they’d provide them ships or more advanced mining equipment from time to time.

Because of this, it wasn’t rare to find tier-2 tech mingled into devices from a tier-1 civilization.

But a mix showing tier-1, tier-2, and even a dash of tier-3 technology together, just like his subordinate’s report, that was nearly unheard of.

Regardless, one thing was clear: this star system they’d entered already had an owner.

And that owner…

Even if not a tier-3 civilization themselves, definitely had a tier-3 overlord backing them.

There was really no other way to explain this.

This situation…

was starting to get complicated.

“Have we detected fleets from any other civilizations nearby?”

“Nothing on the outskirts, but it’s hard to say about the inner part of this system…”

“Order the fleet forward, but if you encounter ships from another civilization, hold your fire until you get my explicit command.”

“Understood!”

After thinking for a moment, Tuoba decided they’d push deeper into the system before making any final calls.

A few perimeter sensor devices weren’t enough to draw conclusions.

If a tier-3 civilization did exist out here, they’d just apologize and fall back.

Worst case, they could even offer themselves up as a vassal civilization—nothing shameful about clinging to a giant in these barren star regions.

In the emptiness of space, a tier-3 civilization’s protection was nothing to scoff at. It wasn’t disgraceful at all!

——

Aboard the Houyi.

At this point, Mu Qingxue had come aboard and all personnel on leave had been recalled to orbit and assigned to their respective warships.

The entire Sixth Fleet was now ready to depart.

“Commander, the opposing fleet is on the move, heading straight for us. There are 332 enemy warships, current speed is 178 kilometers per second.”

George walked up to Lin Yu and delivered his report.

Off to the side, Mu Qingxue looked over too.

“Lin Yu, what are you planning to do?”

“The analysis team just finished a visual assessment of their ships. Result: 99.8% probability they’re a tier-2 civilization.”

Lin Yu answered.

That result made him breathe a quiet sigh of relief.

A tier-2 civilization’s fleet and just 332 ships at that.

The Sixth Fleet could handle that without much trouble—no need for doomsday scenarios.

After all…

While by cosmic standards the Sixth Fleet was still considered tier-2 overall, the Houyi and nineteen Zhulong-class warships would count as tier-3 warships anywhere.

Taking on a tier-2 fleet shouldn’t pose a major challenge.

“Send them a warning message!”

“Hmm? You’re planning to bluff them?”

Mu Qingxue picked up on Lin Yu’s thinking immediately but was still a bit worried.

“Exactly. Sure, we could defeat them, but then what? What if they send a second or third fleet—or one day bring ten thousand ships for payback?”

“That’s why it’s best if they believe we—or at least someone backing us—is from a tier-3 civilization. That’s our strongest play right now.”

Sure, we could win a fight. That’s not the issue.

But Lin Yu knew that wasn’t the smartest move.

With Alpha Centauri so close to Proxima, it would take just four days to reach us along the current.

Who knew if this was just a vanguard fleet? What if there were more waiting by Alpha Centauri?

Blasting 300 ships wouldn’t be a problem for Lin Yu.

But if Klein’s intelligence was right most tier-2 civilizations had fleets numbering in the tens of thousands.

Lin Yu thought things over.

Right now, scaring them off and keeping them from invading was the best course.

At least, as long as they held off in the short term, things would work out.

At the Human Federation’s current pace, in three to five more years, they’d have nothing to fear from these guys.

“Alright, I support your plan!”

Mu Qingxue nodded.

“Good. George, send the warning. Declare our territorial boundaries and request they identify themselves and state their purpose!”

“Understood!”

A minute later…

[Unidentified fleet: You are in the territory of the Human Federation. Immediately state your identity and intent or you’ll be considered a hostile incursion and fired upon.]

Not long after, the message was sent.

Along with it, a basic linguistic framework in Chinese was transmitted.

With that, so long as their tech wasn’t too outdated, the other side could quickly map our language for seamless translation.

Only a few minutes later, Lin Yu received a reply.

[This is the Second Pioneer Fleet of the Xitoris Kingdom, under the Desolate Starfield Alliance. We come in peace and hope to meet with you to establish trade and technological exchange.]

“Desolate Starfield Alliance?”

“Klein did mention the reason they came to the Solar System was because it’s located in the Desolate Starfield of the Orion Arm, to avoid pursuit from other tier-2 civilizations.”

“But… Klein never said there was an alliance in the Desolate Starfield. I thought even tier-1 civilizations were rare out here?”

Lin Yu was a bit surprised by their reply.

“I’m not sure. Maybe outsiders only know about the outer ring of this region, and this Desolate Starfield Alliance operates on the inside.”

Mu Qingxue shook her head, offering her own guess.

“Qingxue, what do you think about their offer of trade and tech exchange?”

“I think it’s worth accepting. It could help us learn more about this region, and external trade would speed up our development. But…”

“I get it. Everything must be done without revealing our true strength, right?”

“Exactly!”

Mu Qingxue nodded lightly.

“Alright then. George, send back a reply. Tell them we agree to a meeting and ask them to send a delegation to our ship. The location will be where they’re currently stationed, and we’ll arrive there in 48 days!”

“Understood!”

With those orders, George set to work at once.