Chapter 11: End of Main Story

After the negotiation team returned to Earth, there was no celebration, no commendation, no rest—only the immediate preparations for submitting the emergency protocol.

No one voiced any complaints, for everyone knew that the final moment had arrived.

The instant they decided to take this step, there was no turning back.

Whether they won or lost, they could only keep moving forward.

When the announcement of the emergency protocol’s activation appeared on every terminal across the Interstellar Federation, no one was surprised.

Earth had done much to prepare for this; now was the time to see the results.

The governors of the ten major star systems, upon seeing the announcement, began making their way to the decision center one after another.

As the initiator of the emergency protocol, Earth too was about to set out, heading for the dwelling place of the “God.” Success or failure would be decided in this single endeavor.

·

Earth—Qiming Spaceport.

“Why do I have to go to the decision center? Huaiyin isn’t going—can’t I skip it too?” Feng Jingyu protested, dragged by Cen Lan to the entrance of the ship.

“Just think of it as traveling with me,” Cen Lan replied with a smile. In truth, the decision to bring Feng Jingyu along this time came from higher up.

During previous negotiations, the team had noticed that many governors paid close attention to Feng Jingyu. Bringing her might tip the scales in the minds of those governors who had yet to make up their minds.

“Who travels to a decision center…” For the first time, Feng Jingyu rolled her eyes at Cen Lan.

Elsewhere, Yu Huaiyin was bidding farewell to S-77.

“Yu Huaiyin, I have to return to the Third Star System this time. Don’t you… want to visit my home?” S-77’s tone held a trace of regret.

Yu Huaiyin smiled. “The timing isn’t right. When all this is over, you can take me.”

S-77 was just about to reply when Feng Jingyu’s string of “ptooey, ptooey, ptooey” cut him off.

Yu Huaiyin glared. “Feng Jingyu, what are you up to now?”

“Just childish talk, just childish talk,” Feng Jingyu insisted, spitting a few more times for good measure. “Don’t go around tempting fate, you hear me? What you just said is no different from, ‘When the war is over, I’ll go home and get married’!”

Yu Huaiyin once again felt the world’s incongruity. He pressed his hand to his forehead, unwilling to say another word.

S-77, on the other hand, spoke up: “The chances of an accident on the Interstellar Federation’s major routes are very low. If anyone were to attack, it would be seen as an act of provocation against the Federation, and they would face its wrath directly.”

Whatever warmth Yu Huaiyin had left vanished. He gave S-77 a push into the ship.

“Go on, before Jingyu says something even more outrageous.” Seeing S-77 still wanted to speak, Yu Huaiyin gave him a small smile. “77, I’ll be waiting for you on Earth. Go and come back quickly.”

S-77 nodded and closed the hatch. In no time, the ship powered up and soon disappeared from sight.

Yu Huaiyin turned to look at Feng Jingyu again; she shrank behind Cen Lan, guilty and silent.

“Go, and don’t make me say it again,” Yu Huaiyin said coldly.

Feng Jingyu grabbed Cen Lan and dashed into the ship.

Only after Earth’s ship was gone from sight did Yu Huaiyin withdraw his gaze and leave in silence.

·

Decision Center.

The moment she stepped off the ship, Feng Jingyu showed her aversion to this place. She said nothing, but the expression on her face said it all.

The other members of Earth’s delegation had originally looked around with a sense of awe, but when they saw the utter disdain on Feng Jingyu’s face, the heaviness in their hearts lessened at once.

They thought of the series of humane policies their own government had enacted, and then looked at this place—deliberately crafted to represent the seat of ultimate power—and suddenly saw it without any filter.

A place meant to serve the people should not inspire fear in them.

The voting for the emergency protocol was to take place in the tallest building. This voting site, established specifically for emergency protocols, was being used for the first time since the founding of the Interstellar Federation.

It was a circular venue. At the center sat the administrators; radiating out from the center, the space was divided into two semicircles.

One semicircle was evenly split into ten sections, representing the ten major star systems. The other semicircle was for the remaining systems, undivided.

There was also a live broadcast setup for citizens who could not be present at the decision center. When major events occurred, citizens of the Interstellar Federation had the right to know.

As the Earth delegation entered, several scrutinizing gazes immediately landed on Feng Jingyu. She met each one with a blank expression, then looked away, ignoring them all.

·

After the Earth delegation sat down, they noticed that on the Painted Realm Star System’s side, Qing Lan was smiling at them from behind the governor, and Jian Shi also cast them a gentle glance.

The delegation members nodded slightly toward the Painted Realm Star System, their taut nerves easing a little, finally able to take in their surroundings.

S-77 sat beside the governor in the Third Star System’s section. The seats behind them were empty; there was no third person. Both wore identical blank expressions, once again confirming for the interstellar public that the Third System was full of “emotionless people.”

There was no sign of Yuhui in the Central Star System’s section, much less the Wordweaver, Star Anchor. Though both had worked behind the scenes to bring about the emergency protocol, neither was suited to appear at such an occasion. Yuelü, sitting in the governor’s seat, noticed the delegation’s gaze and returned a faint smile.

Revi Gatz had come alone, sitting in the governor’s seat, waving cheerfully at the delegation—by far the most relaxed person in the room.

The Zhao Xing Star System had sent quite a few people. Hanjun nodded to the delegation, and Lan Yang behind him gave them an encouraging gesture.

The remaining systems had little connection to Earth, except for the Ninth, the Noble Star System. Wo Shida Chunlu, seated behind the Shida Chunlu family head, kept staring at the delegation, but turned away the moment they noticed.

At this moment, a circular platform at the center slowly rose. The three administrators sat at a table divided into three sectors, facing the assembled representatives.

Those watching the live broadcast felt their hearts leap into their throats.

The appearance of the administrators meant the voting was officially beginning.

·

“In accordance with Chapter 85, Article 86 of the Interstellar Federation’s Constitutional Guidelines: If a star system raises an objection to the Supreme Intelligence’s decision and presents a complete chain of evidence, an emergency protocol may be initiated. If that system receives more than half of the ten major star systems’ votes and approval from two administrators, the appeal passes.” Arbiter A-892 stood and spoke. “At present, Earth has submitted a complete chain of evidence, fulfilling the requirements for activating the emergency protocol. Now, representatives of each star system, please vote in order.”

The first to vote was the Central Star System. Yuelü made no movement, but the Central System’s sector lit up.

Arbiter A-892 read out the result. “Central Star System, in favor. Next representative, please vote.”

The Liese Star System’s sector lit up as well—in favor.

Third Star System, in favor.

Then came two consecutive abstentions.

Feng Jingyu frowned and whispered to Cen Lan, “Isn’t the fifth system in the ranking one of our business partners? Why didn’t they vote in favor?”

Cen Lan replied in a low voice, “Politics is politics, business is business. Besides, they never gave a definite answer—only said they’d consider it carefully. I never counted on that vote.”

“What about our business cooperation?”

“That continues, of course. It’s not open opposition; as long as there’s business, we’ll do it.”

“But in that case… our vote count is a bit precarious.”

Cen Lan turned and gave Feng Jingyu a smile, but she could see at a glance how forced it was. She grasped Cen Lan’s hand; two cold, sweaty hands clasped together, each seeking to give the other strength.

The voting continued.

The Painted Realm Star System’s sector lit up next—Earth now had four votes, just two short.

The delegation members unconsciously held their breath. Two more abstentions followed. Everyone’s faces turned deathly pale, as if they could see the door of hope slowly closing.

“Noble Star System, in favor.” Arbiter A-892’s words pulled everyone back to reality.

Had they heard that right? The Noble Star System had actually voted in favor?! The Noble Star System, never considered a potential ally, had cast the most crucial vote?!

The final vote came from the Zhao Xing Star System. With a narrow margin of six votes, Earth passed the first stage.

·

“The ten major star systems—majority in favor. Now the administrators will review and confirm whether the appeal passes.” Arbiter A-892 looked around the room. “According to seniority, Arbiter Chen Yun, please review.”

Arbiter Chen Yun spoke calmly. “Review passed.”

“Next, Arbiter Heng Chuan, please review.”

Arbiter Heng Chuan happened to be facing the Central Star System’s direction. He glanced at Yuelü, recalling the cold and disdainful look the current Central Star System governor had given him upon leaving the decision center.

He sighed softly. “Review… passed…”

After saying this, Arbiter Heng Chuan felt a sense of release.

Admitting one’s mistakes was not as difficult as he had imagined.

“Lastly, myself—Arbiter A-892.” Arbiter A-892 paused. “Review passed!”

As Arbiter A-892’s words fell, the entire hall lit up. The deep blue data stream, belonging solely to the Supreme Intelligence, appeared above the hall, forming a sphere, and a mechanical voice echoed throughout the chamber.

“Command confirmed.

Action: Recalculate the Galactic Federation—Earth Autonomous Star Civilization Recognition Rate.

Basis: In accordance with Chapter 85, Article 86 of the Interstellar Federation’s Constitutional Guidelines.

All conditions met. Recalculation commencing.”

On the data screen, the number first displayed was 10.00000000%, then began to jump wildly.

The digits after the decimal point changed so quickly they were impossible to follow; only the ones digit—the zero—could be seen steadily increasing.

At this moment, the entire Interstellar Federation’s attention was fixed on this ever-rising number.

Everyone sat motionless, not daring to make a sound, simply watching.

At last, the number stopped at 80.00000008%.

Feng Jingyu was the first to leap up and cheer loudly, Cen Lan close behind, and the entire Earth delegation erupted in shouts of victory.

Likewise, every Earthling watching the broadcast back home let loose their emotions in that instant.

Earth time, October 1st, 5209, 8:00 a.m.; ST 2029-150:100:000—this would be a day forever recorded in the annals of history.

All their sacrifices, all their efforts, converged in this moment, crystallizing into an eternal memory.

—End of Main Text.