Chapter 27: Survival and Destruction

In the vast depths of the boundless universe, humanity's vanguard fleet was gliding forward at a measured pace.

Chief Science Officer Alibert stood before a sprawling star map, briefing the captains of the three starships on the latest progress of their journey.

“Captains, our voyage is nearing its end,” he announced. “At present, we are only five hundred thousand light-years away from Planet Two. The ships have completed deceleration and reduction of load. We expect to arrive at the planet, which we call our new home, in a few years.”

In front of Alibert, three virtual light screens were displayed, bearing the names:

[Captain of Ship One – Wei Wenxu]

[Captain of Ship Two – Richard Dale]

[Captain of Ship Three – Liu Xueyi]

“Excellent, Alibert,” replied Richard, the captain of Ship Two, his features relaxing into a smile. “Once the fleet is within one light-year of Planet Two, we will pause for maintenance.”

“The main fleet from Earth has already set out. Their energy reserves allow for full-speed travel, which means that shortly after our arrival on the new planet, we can begin rebuilding Earth’s civilization.”

“Although the target planet currently poses no apparent threat, we must anticipate unknown dangers. I recommend we send a scout ship ahead.”

Captain Liu Xueyi of Ship Three was attempting to establish a connection with the main fleet. After reporting on their progress, she returned to her tasks.

Wei Wenxu reviewed all available information, nodding in approval. He then began organizing the scouting mission: “Assemble a team of about fifty to conduct a thorough reconnaissance of Planet Two. Gather all data possible to guide our future construction.”

“Most importantly, we must confirm whether any lethal threats exist on Planet Two.”

“Understood, Commander Wei,” Alibert responded, then offered a modest suggestion: “I believe the probability of a fatal threat on the target planet is minimal, but we must remain vigilant.”

“Commander Wei, should we deploy a probe directly to observe the interior of the planet?”

Wei Wenxu pondered briefly, then waved his hand in affirmation. “It’s time. But exercise caution—we may be discovered by indigenous civilizations. Deploy the probes.”

After relaying Wei Wenxu’s order, Alibert hesitated before raising a difficult question: “If we discover low-level native intelligent life on the new planet, how should we respond?”

Wei Wenxu remained silent. Richard’s eyes narrowed, a coldness flashing across his face as he seized the opportunity to answer.

“If such a situation arises, we must exterminate them all!”

“In the law of survival in the universe, the weak are eliminated; the strong prevail.”

Alibert’s expression betrayed a hint of compassion. “Isn’t that too cruel? After all, they are the natives, and we are merely outsiders.”

---

“Alibert, have you forgotten? Earth’s civilization was once the native life of Earth, the original inhabitants of the galaxy.”

“Now, because of the galactic war, we are forced to abandon our mother planet. Do you know why? Because alien civilizations have set their sights on Earth! If we don’t relocate to a new planet, and Earth is invaded by other alien civilizations, our people will be displaced. Who will pity us then?”

“In this harsh battlefield of the universe, we cannot afford compassion for any potential threat.”

“If the new planet does have indigenous life, we must not show mercy. Otherwise, when they grow strong, conflict with the people of Earth will be inevitable.”

Alibert fell silent, recognizing the truth in Richard’s words despite their cruelty.

Seeing Alibert’s silence, Liu Xueyi set aside her work and spoke with some gravity: “Morality is defined by circumstance, but if you possess the power to shape circumstance, ethics become nothing more than clay in your hands—malleable at will.”

“If our home were invaded by a higher alien civilization, we would not simply wait for death, though resistance would be futile. Superior civilizations can dictate our fate as they please.”

“Now, we are the invaders; thus, you must define this matter through an invader’s lens. If we empathize with them, who will empathize with Earth’s civilization?”

Alibert knew these issues all too well, yet he still felt a lingering melancholy.

“I just hope the target planet does not harbor any advanced intelligent life. Otherwise, many among us would find such an outcome unbearable.”

Richard cast a dissatisfied glance at Alibert. “Such sentimental weakness! If we ever fall to the level of livestock, it will be because too many like you showed mercy!”

Wei Wenxu, though silent throughout, clearly sided with Richard and Liu Xueyi through his demeanor.

The starships sailed quietly onward, unaware they were about to enter the domain monitored by Shen Xing.

---

On distant Earth, humanity had utterly abandoned their once-beautiful home.

The sky was shrouded in gray haze, the land ravaged and scarred, and the oceans fouled beyond recognition.

Natural disasters raged: volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis swept the once-prosperous planet.

In the outer reaches of Earth’s orbit, dozens of massive vessels clustered together—clearly not belonging to the human fleet.

The Sevians, an alien race with gray-green skin and emerald eyes, possessed technology far surpassing that of Earth. Their population was vast, and their consumption of resources and energy immense.

For survival and advancement, they were compelled to expand outward, conquering other planets and requiring vast numbers of intelligent life forms as labor.

The Sevian fleet’s captain, Yeslu, stood in the flagship’s command center, his expression grim as he gazed at the lifeless Earth.

“Cowardly humans! They actually fled!”

Though humanity had left Earth in chaos, the Sevian civilization already possessed environmental modification technology.

---

Long ago, Yeslu had detected cosmic signals emanating from this living planet, but battles in the galactic main theater had prevented him from acting.

Now, at last, he had arrived with sufficient forces—not only to conquer the planet in exchange for civilization rewards, but also to obtain intelligent life as labor for the fleet.

Yet the humans had escaped.

“Find them immediately! Where have those lowly cowards gone?” Yeslu roared. His fleet’s laborers had dwindled, most succumbing to exhaustion.

With the labor force sharply reduced, Yeslu’s fleet could no longer sustain the energy demands of the galactic battlefield.

If he failed to replenish his workforce, the fleet would cease to function.

Defeat and return to the Sevian homeworld would bring severe punishment.

“We are about to conquer the entire galaxy. The administrator has issued an absolute order—no fugitives allowed.”

“Any species that escapes the galaxy must be eradicated, not a single one left alive, lest they become a future threat!”

Yeslu’s adviser hurried to reassure him: “Captain Yeslu, please calm yourself. With humanity’s technology, they cannot have gone far.”

“After intercepting cosmic signals, we established connections with certain humans. They were eager to become our subordinate civilization. I’ll contact our infiltrators among them immediately.”

The Sevians’ victory over the galactic coalition was not only due to technological and demographic superiority; they were adept at winning hearts and recruiting traitors.

With the galaxy on the verge of Sevian domination, surrender factions on Earth had proactively contacted the Sevians, willingly becoming turncoats.

Yeslu nodded, a cruel smile spreading across his face. He stood by the starship’s viewing window and spoke slowly:

“Find a way to reach the infiltrators and determine humanity’s location. We must pursue them at once and annihilate them completely.”

“In the galaxy, only Sevians may remain. No inferior civilization can be allowed to survive.”

“The universe… is rife with uncertainty. No risks can be left behind!”

On this cosmic stage, survival and destruction are interwoven, war and peace coexist.

Humanity’s vanguard fleet, journeying toward a new home, faces unknown challenges and moral dilemmas.

The Sevians, relentless in their conquest, continue their expansion and invasion.

This is a contest for survival, power, and the future.

Every race in the universe battles for the fate of their civilization.