Rebirth of the Super Battleship-Chapter 544: The Difference

In the void, the two existences traveling at over one hundred times the speed of light were, without a doubt, the Arboreal Race alien beast and the Specter companion. They were not exactly one chasing and one fleeing. The Arboreal Race alien beast was hurrying to the Pegasus Civilization’s capital star system to eliminate Xiao Yu, while the Specter companion hoped to stop the Arboreal Race alien beast. At the very least, it wanted to arrive here together with the Arboreal Race alien beast and join forces with its Main Civilization to confront this powerful enemy. Even if it died, it would die together. To die gloriously in battle was still better than having the Main Civilization destroyed and then, due to the entanglement of fate, dying inexplicably in all sorts of strange incidents.

With this mindset, the Specter companion went all out and barely managed to stay close behind the Arboreal Race alien beast, but it did not expect that this scene would be observed by that long-range research ship, which concluded that it was pursuing the colossus ahead.

After observing these two unidentified existences, the research ship immediately sent a warning to the capital star system and reported all kinds of related data and image material.

This long-range research ship had time only to issue some warnings and transmit some very blurry images. In the next moment, it was destroyed.

It was not destroyed by the Arboreal Race alien beast. In fact, the Arboreal Race alien beast did not even bother to pay attention to such backward and insignificant ships. At this time, however, the Specter companion’s heart stirred.

A thought began to surface in the Specter companion’s mind.

“Although the Pegasus Civilization is inferior to my Main Civilization, the difference is not great. If I can draw the Pegasus Civilization into the camp that resists the Arboreal Race alien beast, then the chances of escape for me and my Main Civilization will be a little better. Very well, I will play the villain once.”

So the Specter companion thought. It acted without hesitation. Its incorporeal body passed directly through the long-range research ship. After the Specter companion left, the ship went completely still. All living beings inside were killed, and all the ship’s energy was annihilated by the Specter companion’s unknown method.

It was completely turned into a zombie ship.

The Specter companion and the Arboreal Race alien beast continued forward. Along the way they encountered some creations of the Pegasus Civilization, such as research ships and unmanned satellites. Some constructs of the Pegasus Civilization even attempted to contact them. The Arboreal Race alien beast chose to ignore these humble crawlers, while the Specter companion chose to pounce immediately and destroy them.

Time passed bit by bit. Every second, the two of them shortened the distance to the Pegasus Civilization’s capital star system by more than thirty million kilometers.

At this moment, reports from those long-range research ships and unmanned bases and probe satellites lay on the new leader’s desk in the Pegasus Civilization. Seeing these reports, the new leader’s expression shifted between light and dark. He set the report down, stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the countless citizens busily rebuilding outside, silently.

“At their current speed, they will arrive here in eight months. The one in front, according to a search of classified records, should be the Arboreal Race alien beast, one of the three great Level 6 alien beasts in the Milky Way Galaxy. As for the one closely following it, there is no relevant information. For now it is impossible to determine what it is.” 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

“Then what should we do now.” The new leader’s brow furrowed tightly. “What should we do. Our Pegasus Civilization has encountered such a great calamity and has only just stabilized with difficulty. Is this hard-won stability about to be lost again.”

“Judging from their course, their target is undoubtedly the capital star system. Any instrument or ship that tries to make contact with them is destroyed. Then what do they intend to do here. We are only a Level 5 Civilization. I do not believe a Level 6 alien beast would take an interest in our Pegasus Civilization. What exactly is it coming to do.”

The new leader’s legs gave out and he slid to the floor. A Level 6 alien beast was a being far beyond his ability to handle. It was a powerful existence that could not be opposed even by the combined strength of the entire civilization. Not to mention that behind the Level 6 alien beast there was another unknown existence keeping pace at the same speed. One must know that travel speed roughly reflects a being’s level of strength. From this it could be inferred that the unknown existence closely following had strength not far from the Arboreal Race alien beast.

The new leader pressed the bell. The assistant walked in respectfully. The leader gave a weary order. “Summon the following personnel and order them to the highest conference room immediately for a meeting.”

The assistant found the leader’s downcast expression strange and could not help a faint anxiety in his heart. Even so, he faithfully carried out the leader’s orders. Half an hour later, about thirty people arrived in the highest conference room, with the leader entering last.

“Our civilization is in peril.” the leader said bluntly. “From this moment on, in order to prevent information from leaking, everyone present will have their personal freedom restricted. Until permission is granted, you are not allowed to leave this building.”

The attendees looked at one another. From the leader’s tone they sensed something out of the ordinary. The atmosphere in the conference room involuntarily grew heavy.

“This is a report sent back by one of our long-range research ships. Before convening this meeting, I already ordered other research ships or space instruments to verify the information in the report. The conclusion is that the information is real. So I would like to ask, what are your views.”

The new leader produced several documents and handed them to the attendees. As these documents were passed among each attendee, the leader asked again. “What should we do.”

“Perhaps…” one attendee said hesitantly, “perhaps we should take the initiative to contact the Arboreal Race alien beast and see if we can obtain some relevant information.”

“It will be useless.” the leader answered, sinking into his seat. “Already three long-range research ships, sixteen long-range probes, and three unmanned probe bases have attempted to contact the Arboreal Race alien beast or the unknown existence close behind it. We also sent messages of goodwill. Do you know the result. The result is that we lost contact with all of them. They were undoubtedly destroyed.”

“A Level 6 alien beast is not something our current military strength can confront.” the military leader said bitterly.

“No, you are wrong.” the leader said, his face even more sorrowful. “We face not only a Level 6 alien beast. Behind it there is an unknown existence suspected to be no weaker. We face two, not one.”

“What should we do.” The leader looked around the room and posed the question again.

“Perhaps… we should flee.” another attendee said.

“We have just issued the judgment against the former leader, and now we choose to flee again. This, this…” the leader murmured, his expression growing slightly dazed.

The Arboreal Race alien beast had already shown enough malice. The new leader did not believe the Arboreal Race alien beast was any messenger of peace. In a situation where resistance was impossible, the preservation of the civilization’s continued existence had to take priority, and so fleeing was a very reasonable course. At the same time, in order to preserve the seeds of civilization, this group of evacuees should also include all the outstanding figures, such as scientists.

When one must choose and abandon, it is reasonable to choose those of higher value and abandon those of lower value.

“But, but, if I do this, how am I any different from the former leader.” The new leader murmured to himself. “I just declared that the former leader committed crimes against civilization, and now am I to commit the same crime.”

There were very many citizens on the capital planet, and with the Pegasus Civilization’s present shipping capacity, it was not enough to carry so many people away. At most, at most, one third could be carried.

Then which one third should be chosen.

He had led the defeated Pegasus Civilization to stabilize again and had achieved a series of results. He was undoubtedly an outstanding person. If he survived, he would certainly play a far greater role than an ordinary citizen. Therefore, should he be among that one third. At the same time, for a civilization, a scientist’s value definitely exceeded that of an ordinary person. Therefore, should scientists be among that one third. If so, what about those who had amassed great wealth in the competitive commercial society. What about government officials who had stood out among countless competitors. In order to let these outstanding people better work at ease for the civilization, should the families and friends of these outstanding people also be among that one third.

Rationally speaking, as the leader of a civilization, he had to consider the civilization as a whole, and he had to act according to that principle, namely that outstanding people should survive more than ordinary people because outstanding people can contribute more to the civilization.

But he still could not truly make this decision. A question kept circling in his mind, and in the minds of all the attendees present.

This question brought complete silence to the conference room.

“If we really do that, what difference is there between us and the former leader.”