Chapter 156: The Federation’s Dilemma: Power, Numbers, and the Next Move

If you break down the levels of civilization even further—

Most Level 2 civilizations in the Desolate Star Region actually sit somewhere between 2.0 and 2.2.

As for the Klein, though classified as an oddball among Level 2 civilizations, when you look at their actual combat strength, they’re closer to a 2.4.

Now, humanity? That one’s a lot harder to pin down.

If you’re talking pure energy tech, the Federation’s latest—the eighth-generation controlled nuclear fusion reactors—are about at a 2.8 civilization level.

When it comes to warship weaponry—if you don’t count the Houyi or the Zhulong-class—the rest clock in around Level 2.5 to 2.6.

But look at civilian tech, and there are still plenty of areas that haven’t even reached Level 2. Most are hanging at around 1.7 or 1.8.

Classic case of rapid military tech advancement, with everything else lagging behind.

In fact, someone studied this before and came to a conclusion—

The reason humanity’s tech looks the way it does is because—

Most alien civilizations unify their homeworlds early on, but humans? Earth was split into way too many countries, so right up until the Federation formed, humanity spent ages fighting itself. First on Earth, then spiraling into civil wars across the whole Solar System.

Those Solar System civil wars dragged on for centuries.

Naturally, that meant military tech was always given absolute priority.

And so—

That’s how things ended up like this.

Military and civilian technology grew more and more disconnected.

Just look at Tianyuan IV—just a border system of the Xitoris Kingdom—yet its orbital space is filled with all sorts of massive space stations.

Now look at humanity.

In the whole Solar System, only Earth’s orbital ring station stands out. Everything else is just a spaceport or two.

Put Tianyuan IV side-by-side with humanity, and the gap in civilian advancement is painfully obvious.

Both in terms of tech and sheer scale.

——

It’s been thirty hours since the Ziyang Empire suddenly invaded Tianyuan IV.

Thirty long hours.

Now, the mouth of the cosmic current is littered with the wreckage of warships.

But—

All of it belongs to the Ziyang Empire. Not a single Federation ship among them.

So did the Federation really get away with no losses?

Not exactly. According to after-action reports, seventy-two Federation warships were damaged, but most just suffered some armor scrapes. Bring them back, patch them up, and they’ll be back in the fight in no time.

As for casualties? There were 2,156, the vast majority with only light injuries.

Twelve soldiers died in action.

So even with nearly zero losses, the Federation dealt a crushing blow.

But Lin Yu could still see the biggest shortcoming the Federation faced—

Numbers.

That’s right. It’s all about numbers.

Take Tianyuan IV for example: The Ziyang Empire fielded two corps, over eight thousand warships. And Lin Yu?

Not even one-tenth that number.

Sure, with the cosmic current and the Federation’s superior military tech, Lin Yu could wipe out the enemy even with a huge population disadvantage.

But flip the roles—what if the Federation’s attacking and the enemy’s defending?

That’s a real problem worth considering.

Right now, the Federation’s got enough to defend itself, but for offense—

It’s sorely lacking.

Two ways to fix it.

One: develop jump technology, or use the hyperspace tech from the alien civilization cube.

Two: Expand the fleet.

But obviously, neither one is really feasible in the short term.

Lin Yu wasn’t about to call it quits after just helping Tuoba drive off the Ziyang Empire.

He’d come all this way—not taking advantage of the situation would be a waste.

Mu Xingchen told him as much: If you get a chance, why not use Tuoba’s banner to stir up something more?

Like—

Mounting a counterattack on the Ziyang Empire’s border under the guise of self-defense and taking a bite out of their territory.

“If anyone’s got ideas, let’s hear them.”

Outside, teams were still cleaning up the battlefield, but inside Houyi’s operations room, plans for their next move were already underway.

“Commander, according to intel from Tuoba, the other side of the current leads straight to Skywarehouse IV, the Ziyang Empire’s border star system.”

“It might look like just another border system with no natural life-bearing planets, but all four worlds in its habitable zone were terraformed centuries ago. Now they’re full-fledged, livable planets.”

“On top of that, it’s a prime defensive spot. Four major currents run through here—one straight into Ziyang territory, the other three to the Xitoris Kingdom, including Tianyuan IV, where we are now.”

“Even better, two of those crossings are among the territories Tuoba’s supposed to cede to the Federation later.”

“So without Skywarehouse V, we’ll have to garrison troops in all three connected systems in the future. But if we seize Skywarehouse V—”

“We only need to garrison one system!”

George was the first to stand up and speak.

The others quickly nodded in agreement.

For the Federation, Skywarehouse V was an absolutely crucial strategic location—they had to secure it at all costs.

Even if it meant paying a steep price.

“Any fresh intel on the enemy?”

“Yes. According to the latest report from Tuoba, because both enemy corps were sent out in full strength, Skywarehouse V is currently left with only about 300 regular Imperial patrol ships. The real problem is—before the Ziyang Empire plundered Tianyuan IV, they also organized a raiding fleet in the rear: about 3,000 warships, mostly cobbled together by various Imperial nobles.”

So, 300 Imperial regulars, plus a ramshackle fleet of 3,000 ships from the noble houses?

They might be a mixed bag, but that’s still a big headache.

Because if you attack Skywarehouse V, the other side holds all the defensive cards at the mouth of the current.

The Sixth Fleet can only trickle in, four or five ships per wave. Once they emerge, they’ll be staring down the crossfire of 3,300 enemy vessels.

No dodging that—just have to take the barrage head-on.

Even with Federation ships being tough, the Sixth Fleet only has a few hundred.

Even if, by some miracle, they seize the system by force, the fleet would be crippled.

So storming Skywarehouse V? Out of the question.

Which brings us to the real question.

If you want to reach Skywarehouse V, you have to go through the current. No matter how good you are, is there even a trick to play under these conditions?

The answer—

There just might be a way.

“Get me Tuoba.”

“Yes, Commander!”

Moments later, a comms link was established. Tuoba’s holographic form flickered into the operations center.

Frankly, he looked downright nervous.

And who wouldn’t be—

Surrounded on all sides by officers in Federation uniforms.

They were all officers from a Level 3 civilization, while he was just a border clan patriarch from a Level 2 world. Being boxed in by the lot of them—

Who wouldn’t be anxious?

“Tuoba, we’ve dealt with the two Ziyang Empire corps for you.”

“Next, I plan to keep using your clan’s banner for a counterattack. What do you think?”

Lin Yu sat at the head of the table, right hand tapping a rhythm on the surface.

Then he glanced at Tuoba, his gaze leaving no room for argument.

“Of course, no problem! However you need me to cooperate, just say the word!”

“Good. There is something I’ll need you to help with. Here’s what happens next…”

Lin Yu nodded in satisfaction, then—

He began giving instructions, his tone brooking no refusal.