"Ugh..."

Luna rubbed her head, a dull ache throbbing behind her eyes.

"Hangovers are truly the bane of a drinker's existence."

She felt groggy and disoriented.

She hadn't been much of a drinker on Earth, but she still had Ayla produce alcohol. It was a coping mechanism.

In the vastness of space, the constant loneliness and pressure were overwhelming. She was, after all, just a human, an ordinary one at that.

"Right, superconductivity..."

She suddenly remembered the project, but then recalled that controllable high-temperature superconductivity had already been completed.

She remembered drinking, returning to her room, entering the hibernation pod, and falling asleep.

"I probably haven't hibernated yet."

Luna checked the clock in her bedroom. Since they were in space, it no longer displayed hours and minutes, but years.

...

It was currently A.D. 3758.

She had been in hibernation.

And she had slept for 734 years.

Time flew.

She wondered how much Ayla had developed.

Luna dressed and left her room. Ayla, anticipating her awakening, had a service robot deliver a meal.

After a leisurely breakfast, she went to the bridge.

"Welcome back, Luna, after 734 years."

Luna nodded to Ayla and sat down in her usual spot.

The bridge looked exactly the same as it had years ago.

She activated her control panel and noticed a few additions.

Such as...

A "Missile Launch" option.

The interface was straightforward. She clicked on it and saw the item she had planned years ago: the miniaturized Absolute Zero weapon.

"It seems the Hope's refit is complete."

Ayla replied, "Indeed, Luna."

"Since the Hope's structure was already established, I didn't make any major alterations to its exterior."

"However, internally, it has undergone a complete upgrade, increasing its speed to the projected 1222.22 km/s."

"It is also equipped with miniaturized Absolute Zero missiles. I improved upon the initial design of 36 missiles, increasing the payload to 48."

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This was significant progress.

But Luna was most interested in something else, a project she had initiated during her two years of wakefulness.

"What about the first fleet?"

Attacking a civilization with just the Hope was impossible.

A fleet was required.

Luna and Ayla had devised a plan to construct the first fleet within a few years.

"Of course, Ayla has already completed the first fleet."

"Please observe!"

Ayla gestured, and a display of various ships appeared on the bridge's main screen.

Even Luna, who had envisioned the fleet, was taken aback by the sight.

It was far larger than she had imagined.

Seeing Luna's surprise, Ayla continued her presentation with a hint of pride.

"The first fleet, with the Hope as its flagship, consists of 12 Battleships (1200-meter class), 5 Cruisers (1400-meter class), 6 Frigates (800-meter class), 4 Landing Ships (2400-meter class), and 16 Destroyers (500-meter class), for a total of 44 vessels."

Typically, a dozen or so ships would constitute a fleet.

Ayla's first fleet, however, boasted 44 vessels—a testament to the principle of strength in numbers.

Ayla continued,

"The Battleships possess the highest firepower, equipped with powerful main cannons."

"The Cruisers are the most agile, capable of reaching speeds of 1455 km/s."

"The Frigates have the strongest defenses, utilizing a high-strength alloy hull with minimal internal space. They are primarily equipped with defensive missiles and the latest electromagnetic shields, capable of deflecting lasers."

"Each Landing Ship carries 300 first-generation Ares mechs and 40 third-generation Falcon drones for both offensive and reconnaissance operations."

"The Destroyers are also equipped with low-power electromagnetic shields and possess both offensive and defensive capabilities. They can serve as support for the Battleships when additional firepower is required."

Each ship type had its role. The first fleet would be Luna's primary force for conquering the cosmos.

"Report on the current status of the enemy."

With the first fleet at her command, Luna felt a surge of power.

They now possessed the capability to wage war against an entire civilization, an entire planet.

Ayla, ever efficient, quickly compiled a report.

"Over the past 734 years, all ten Absolute Zero weapons have been launched. I also dispatched a squadron of Falcon drones to scout the enemy and gather intelligence."

"As suspected, this is an extremely slow-developing civilization. Their overall cognitive flexibility is only slightly lower than humans', resulting in a very slow rate of technological innovation."

"Following the Absolute Zero missile strikes, their civilization's progress has stagnated."

"In these 734 years, they've only achieved three technological advancements, equivalent to approximately 47 years' worth of progress at their previous rate. Of course, this doesn't rule out the possibility that they are concealing their true capabilities."

"Therefore, I equipped the second-generation Falcons with nuclear weapons. Upon completing their reconnaissance missions, they will launch suicide attacks on key enemy structures."

"Currently, we have not detected any signs of advanced weaponry or technology."

"The Absolute Zero missile launches ceased 343 years ago. Their planet has recovered its original geothermal environment."

"Following our attacks, they have consolidated their presence in space. Their current fleet size is estimated at 1574 vessels. While this seems like a large number, only 61 of those ships are 1000-meter class or larger."

A more detailed analysis.

Luna wanted Ayla's assessment of the situation.

"Do we now have the capability to launch an attack against this civilization?"

Ayla wasn't optimistic.

"If we launch an attack now, our chance of victory is only 60.84%. Ayla does not recommend attacking at this time."

That was a surprisingly low probability of success.

They had achieved clear technological superiority.

But upon further reflection, it made sense. While the enemy civilization was technologically inferior, it significantly outnumbered them.

Furthermore, this was a war against an entire civilization. Without an overwhelming advantage, it could easily become a protracted conflict.

This was particularly disadvantageous for their nomadic civilization.

Human history was replete with lessons on the complexities of warfare. Military strength was only one aspect; willpower was just as crucial.

Without breaking the enemy's will, their resistance would be endless.

Furthermore, Luna wasn't initiating a genocide but rather a form of colonization, as humanity had done in the past.

"What are we lacking then?"

Luna asked. She could afford to wait. With the hibernation pods, she could simply sleep through any delay.

Ayla's response was succinct.

"Main cannons!"