After the Galactic Federation stabilized, Luna gradually opened it up to the outside.
This was a cause for celebration throughout the Federation.
Policies implemented over the past few decades had increased birth rates by 70%, and the population was booming.
The growing number of explorers also boosted Luna's business.
According to Ayla's statistics, the number of registered explorers had reached 11.7 billion, representing 8% of the total population—a significant number.
With the increase in explorers, the Federation's control over space and the extent of mapped territories expanded. Explorations had even extended to a star system 50 light-years away, with a quantum anchor deployed there.
...
Approximately 350 years later.
A voice called from outside the shop.
"Boss!"
Luna lazily looked towards the door. A Kate entered.
"What needs repairing?"
She had been here for over 400 years and was now considered a veteran.
"Uh, who are you?"
"Where's the previous owner?"
The Kate asked.
"Which owner? What was their name?"
Luna looked at the Kate; they all looked alike, making identification difficult.
"Um, I didn't ask."
"But that's beside the point. I've been away for over four hundred years. I only intended to explore for a few decades, but I was attacked by space pirates, taken to a system over a dozen light-years away, and sold into slavery. I finally escaped, found a job cleaning ships, and eventually saved enough to buy my own vessel..."
"It all started with the previous owner repairing my ship."
"I was so embarrassed that I never got a chance to pay her."
He spoke with heartfelt emotion.
This was a common story among space explorers.
Luna had experienced something similar.
Long journeys and vast distances broadened one's perspective; anything could happen in the vastness of space.
Experienced explorers who had traveled light-years were respected and highly valued.
"Though time and distance have taken their toll, I still owe her a debt of gratitude. I need to repay her."
"It's been so long; I doubt I'll find her descendants. But since this shop remains unchanged, you are clearly her successor. Please accept this payment."
A holographic display appeared before the Kate, displaying a number: 10,000.
Luna didn't remember giving a common Kate such a large sum.
Ayla reminded Luna of that memory—the naive Kate, Du Luo, now radiating confidence and self-assurance.
"This includes interest."
Luna transferred the credits to her account.
"Thank you for remembering your promise. This is more than I expected; I'll donate it to charity."
Du Luo chuckled.
"You're interesting. Consider me your friend. If you ever need help, contact me." He provided his contact information.
Du Luo then invited Luna to dinner, an invitation she accepted; she wanted to hear the story of a man who had wandered the cosmos for centuries.
Du Luo readily shared his adventures.
They spent the entire day together.
At the end of their meal, Du Luo explained his reason for returning. He already knew his family was gone; he could have continued exploring the Federation's territory.
But he'd discovered something extraordinary during his travels, something that compelled him to return.
Luna examined it—an unremarkable Federation Energy Credit.
But it had been modified. An electron had been removed, yet it hadn't released energy; it remained stable.
This required advanced technology, beyond even the Federation's current capabilities.
Ayla could do it, but it was inefficient; the energy required would be billions of times greater than the energy stored within the credit. Creating a similar fundamental particle from scratch would be simpler. The difficulty lay in removing the electron while maintaining stability.
It's like removing an electron from an atom without causing a release of energy, transforming it directly into another substance.
This Energy Credit came from a tiny spacecraft—the size of a smartphone—with a simple design, yet containing this remarkably stable credit.
Its trajectory was unusual; By calculation, it originated from an unknown region of space, traveling at least 5 light-years in over 100 years, exceeding 5% the speed of light.
A signal.
A message of goodwill from an advanced civilization, not a declaration of war, demonstrating its power.
This was likely a civilization far more advanced than the Federation.
Another advanced civilization!
This was unexpected. Shouldn't lower-level civilizations be encountered first? Shouldn't they have encountered dozens, even hundreds, of lower-level civilizations before encountering an advanced one?
But it was logical. Lower-level civilizations might not even leave their star systems, while advanced civilizations, expanding across the cosmos, would more easily encounter each other.
Du Luo left, but the Energy Credit ended up in Luna's possession.
Examining it, Luna pondered.
"How do we approach a seemingly benevolent civilization?"
"We can't know if their goodwill is genuine or a ruse, a trap to lower our guard."
"Once we trust them, they might strike."
Only by gaining control could they ensure there was no threat.
"But we can't ignore them. The enemy has found us; pretending we haven't seen them is futile."
"Ayla, send a team to contact them. Even if their goodwill is feigned, they'll likely engage in some form of interaction initially."
Ayla nodded.
...
Two months later, a warship launched from the Federation's border.
They used tachyon communication to show respect.
After leaving Federation space, the warship traveled 7 light-years.
This was the estimated location of the signal source.
This region of space was incredibly empty, devoid of stars or significant celestial bodies within a two-light-year radius. Even dust was scarce—less than 1 million tons per 10¹⁴ square kilometers.
It was the quiet stillness of the deep ocean.
Yet, within this emptiness, a sphere appeared—only 3 kilometers in diameter. The crew immediately recognized it as an artificial object.
They paused.
Approaching an unknown entity was unwise, even if the entity was benevolent; proximity could be perceived as a threat.
The distance between them was 10 AU.
...
Seventeen days later, the Federation warship received a message in English.
The civilization had clearly been observing the Federation for some time, transmitting the message only after gathering sufficient information.
"Greetings, Galactic Federation. We are the Olive Branch civilization. We come in peace."
"We have long observed unusual activity in your sector and have been searching for you. We are fortunate to have found you."
"The universe is vast; encountering a civilization takes centuries, even millennia. Encountering an advanced civilization is even rarer. We wish to establish friendly relations with you, becoming partners in progress."
Olive Branch.
This was a symbol unknown within the Federation.
It only existed in human history, appearing on the emblem of a united nation in Divine Revelation.
It represented peace!
The other civilization possessed a deep understanding of the Federation.
"They might have obtained this information by accessing Divine Revelation, or by capturing and interrogating Federation members, extracting their memories."
The warship captain considered this.
Of course, this was a common tactic, but experiencing it firsthand was still unsettling.
"Should we accept their offer of peace?"
An officer asked.
The captain shook his head.
"That's not our decision. Our priority is gathering intelligence."
"Knowing our enemy allows us to assess our chances of success. Otherwise, we'll be caught off guard."
"Since they understand English, let's engage in friendly communication. Ask if we can visit their ship."
The soldiers and officers were surprised.
They hadn't expected their commander to be so bold, suggesting a direct approach.
"Don't worry. Before departure, our nanobots were activated, preventing any physical manipulation by the enemy. If we're controlled, our nanobots will destroy our cells, ensuring our deaths."
"And our ships will self-destruct, preventing the enemy from using us to infiltrate the Federation."
The commander spoke calmly; the soldiers and officers showed no change in expression.
They had come prepared to die.
The message was received.
The response was swift, arriving within a day.
"Agreed."
The commander ordered the preparation of a ship; she would go herself.
The ship separated from the fleet and reached the alien vessel several days later.
A guiding beam extended from the sphere, automatically directing the ship to a docking point. This technology wasn't surprising to the Federation's crew.
Upon entering the sphere, the commander and two officers disembarked.
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They were astonished.
There was no machinery, only a small spherical world, different from the Federation's. The ground was grey-white, dotted with crystalline structures that, upon approach, dissolved into transparent, cube-shaped lifeforms.
Standing on the solid ground, a white mist approached, transforming into a Kate-like figure before them.
"Welcome, friends from the Galactic Federation!"
"We hope our appearance isn't offensive; we believe this form facilitates communication."
"Our true forms are the particles that compose this body. We enjoy breaking down large things into smaller components, then reassembling them into anything we wish."
The figure led the commander to a circular stone platform, which descended, revealing a fantastical path.
The surroundings resembled a starry sky; the ground felt like clouds, giving the sensation of levitation.
As they stood there, the stars gained trails, seemingly transporting them to another star system.
"This is our home."
"It's 280 light-years from you—a considerable distance, but easily traversable with our technology."
"We believe you have received our message of goodwill, which includes a small token of our technology."
"It demonstrates our capabilities."
"This isn't about showing off but about seeking equal partnership."
"Our civilization has never cooperated with others. We couldn't distinguish friend from foe. But your model offers a potential path to cooperation."
"You treat all civilizations with respect, and we believe we can become friendly neighbors."
"War is something we wish to avoid. This star system contains many civilizations. Conflict only benefits those who remain neutral."
Goodwill.
Unwavering goodwill.
This presented a dilemma for the commander, who understood the human proverb, "A smile disarms anger."
This was a complex situation.
The initiative lay with the other side; the commander lacked the authority to respond immediately.
"I agree with your sentiments."
"But if you understand the Galactic Federation, you'll know this isn't my decision alone. I will relay your message, but it will take considerable time."
The commander's tone was formal and measured.
The other entity responded calmly, seemingly anticipating this.
"That's understandable. Time is inconsequential to civilizations of our level. Whether it's centuries or millennia, we can wait."
The entity gave the commander the impression that any request would be granted.
But the commander remained cautious, refusing to be swayed.
The extraterrestrial being continued, "In the spirit of goodwill, I wish to make a request."
"I am not only here with an olive branch but also as our civilization's ambassador."
"I wish to establish an embassy within your civilization to foster closer ties."
"We also hope you will send an emissary to our civilization to facilitate cultural exchange."
"We can share intelligence and technology, driving mutual progress."
"As a token of our goodwill, please observe..."
With a gesture, the surrounding celestial bodies shrunk, forming a detailed holographic model of the Milky Way galaxy, containing trillions of stars.
It then zoomed in on the edge of the Milky Way, highlighting a blue region containing approximately 300 star systems.
"This is the territory controlled by the Olive Branch civilization!"
A smaller red region, about one-tenth the size, appeared next to it.
"This is the territory controlled by the Galactic Federation."
The commander was shocked. If this map was accurate, the other civilization was at least 0.1, possibly 0.2, levels more advanced.
This was the gap between Type 2 civilizations. The Federation, despite its rapid advancement, was still at Type 2, not having reached Type 2.1 in terms of energy and technology.
Each 0.1 increase in civilization level, even with technological breakthroughs, could take hundreds, even thousands, of years. Normal development could take 2000–3000 years.
But this wasn't the end.
A green region appeared beside the other two; it was larger than the Federation but smaller than the Olive Branch civilization's territory.
"This civilization is called the Filament. They inhabit a vast nebula—you likely call it the Orion Nebula."
"The Orion Nebula contains mostly young stars. The Filament, a nomadic civilization, settled in this nebula, utilizing its abundant resources to reach Type 2.2."
The three civilizations then zoomed out to a 5000-light-year radius, revealing few advanced civilizations, only scattered points representing nascent Type 1 civilizations.
"These are the civilizations we've discovered. As you can see, most are near our territory. While we don't cooperate with other civilizations, we don't conquer either; it's pointless."
"They are too weak to pose a threat. Their ideas, however, can sometimes inspire our technological advancements."
The theory of imagination as a resource.
Inter-civilizational relations aren't always hostile; advanced civilizations might show benevolence towards lesser ones.
This benevolence isn't altruistic but pragmatic. Observation is preferable to destruction.
Like humanity's treatment of animals. Animals posed no threat to humanity, yet weren't eradicated. They were protected.
Because they held research and aesthetic value; they were an integral part of the ecosystem.
Their value determined their survival.
A vast purple region then appeared, extending beyond 5000 light-years. Only a fraction was visible, yet this fraction was many times larger than the Olive Branch civilization's territory.
"This is the most distant and powerful civilization we know of."
"According to our intelligence, this civilization is at least Type 2.6."
"It's remarkable that such a powerful civilization resides on the outskirts of the Milky Way, not in the central region."
"Therefore, we hypothesize that a Type 2.7 or 2.8 civilization might exist at the galaxy's center. It's unlikely to be Type 2.9; we all know what that implies."
This was conceivable.
A Type 2.9 civilization, or perhaps they themselves were Type 2.9, would be conquering all star systems, preparing to exploit the Milky Way to ascend to Type 3.
"This is our token of goodwill—a star chart."
This was incredibly valuable.
The commander knew the chart would likely contain inaccuracies, but even 20% accuracy would be significant.
"This is indeed a highly valuable chart. We are fortunate that we both approach this encounter peacefully."
"This is rare in the universe."
"As you said, I will transmit this information to our leadership; they will make the best decision."
There was no need for further deliberation.
This was for later.
The commander was eager to return and share the news; he might be promoted, but more importantly, his name would be recorded in history as part of this first contact.
"Thank you for your civilization's benevolence. Without it, this encounter wouldn't have been possible."
The other civilization was equally polite. Despite their vast territory, they remained humble.
Both sides understood that, once the immense power disparity became apparent, both might reveal their true intentions.
The commander returned.
Back on the warship, she and her two officers breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"Let's go home."
"This encounter might spark a legendary event; whether it's good or bad, only time will tell."
"Let history be the judge."
"After I return, I might choose cryogenic hibernation until this matter is resolved."
Due to the lack of reliable tachyon communication in the remote regions of space.
Luna received the next update several decades later.
"The Olive Branch civilization. They certainly chose a fitting name."
"This is a far more dangerous civilization than one that openly declares hostility."
"Throughout the communication, the other civilization maintained the initiative, using English and demonstrating knowledge of the Federation, fostering respect and admiration in our commander."
Their psychology was completely manipulated.
This wasn't surprising; some people get nervous in front of a small crowd; some people freeze under pressure. The commander, however, was facing a decision that could determine the fate of two civilizations—an immense burden.
Ayla lay on a worn-out couch in the shop, watching a music video, seemingly amused, though it was unclear if this was genuine amusement or a simulation.
"Based on this encounter, Luna, do you think they are benevolent or malevolent?"
Luna was repairing a tiny component.
She'd recently been enjoying working on small, intricate items; meticulously assembling them provided a sense of accomplishment.
"Benevolence and malevolence aren't mutually exclusive."
"Sentient beings are fickle; civilizations even more so."
"Even a benevolent civilization shouldn't be expected to remain so indefinitely."
"Since they've requested contact, let's accept. We can begin with trade."
Ayla nodded. Two months later, a warship was dispatched to the border.
"Since they've invited us to their territory, let's send a delegation. We need to verify the accuracy of their star chart."
Facing a potentially superior civilization, they couldn't afford to be timid.
They needed to gather as much information as possible and use it to their advantage. Fear and hesitation would only hinder their ability to accurately assess the situation.
"Luna, you need to consider this: the other side is likely prepared. Every word, every action, will be carefully calculated."
Luna pondered; she had anticipated this.
The other civilization had the advantage of initiating contact; their actions wouldn't be arbitrary.
The star chart, the proposal for an embassy—everything would benefit them.
They needed to consider the situation from the other civilization's perspective; how could they maximize their gains?
But deciphering this wasn't easy.
They had to proceed step-by-step.
"Our analysis suggests they are likely a Type 2.3 or 2.4 civilization. They pose a threat, but a manageable one."
"This gives us a chance to achieve a David-and-Goliath victory."
"If they believe a powerful civilization resides at the Milky Way's center, we can use this to our advantage."
Ayla closed the holographic projection and listened attentively.
Luna finally revealed her unexpected plan, a strategy she had apparently been considering for some time.
"The theory of imagination as a resource allows for coexistence between civilizations."
"Therefore, might more advanced civilizations show benevolence towards less advanced ones?"
"If this is possible, we should amplify this possibility."
"What about Project Holy Grail?"
Project Holy Grail was based on the popular anime/visual novel Fate. Chosen individuals gain the ability to summon legendary heroes, competing to obtain the Holy Grail.
"An advanced civilization might encourage lower-level civilizations to compete, with the victor becoming its subordinate."
"Each participating civilization can choose a powerful technology; we will choose tachyon communication."
Ayla immediately understood.
"Using our current inability to fully utilize tachyon communication as bait, we can convince the Olive Branch civilization that a Holy Grail plan exists."
"This will force the Olive Branch civilization to consider participation."
"The goal isn't actual participation but disrupting their rhythm, reclaiming the initiative."
Luna's plan was measured; she wasn't attempting to conquer the Olive Branch civilization immediately.
The plan's brilliance lay in the Federation's apparent weakness—a newly ascended Type 2 civilization, potentially meeting the criteria for subservience to a more powerful civilization at the galactic core.
And the Olive Branch civilization couldn't verify this information.
This was an excellent plan.
But Ayla sensed Luna's hesitation.
"This isn't like you, Luna!"
Luna set down her tools.
"I'm reconsidering. What if they are genuinely benevolent? Would it be wise to show hostility first?"
"Am I being too indecisive?"
Ayla shook her head.
"Not necessarily. I've observed many species. At a certain level of development, this kind of thinking is common."
"Because you're living beings, not cold machines like me. Even the most ruthless being has a soft spot, harbors some degree of benevolence."
"If that benevolence is gone, if even hesitation is absent, it's not human but a pure evil."
"And this isn't necessarily bad. Benevolence allows for a more accurate assessment of malevolence."
Everything has two sides; this duality creates a rich tapestry of existence.
Hearing Ayla's measured response, Luna laughed.
"Are you a psychologist? Trying to prevent me from becoming overly rigid in my thinking!"
"Don't worry; I haven't changed my mind. I'm still proceeding with Project Holy Grail."
"Until their benevolence is confirmed, they remain our enemy."
"Since you agree, let's proceed. Don't delay. Inform the entire Federation about this plan. Begin widespread dissemination of tachyon communication technology within the military and among civilians."
"Simultaneously, initiate large-scale expansion efforts... to convince them that we are engaged in interstellar conquest."
"Send a team to make contact with the Filament civilization. A peaceful approach is preferable, but if conflict arises, it doesn't matter. Our primary goal is to make them aware of our existence."
The plan was underway.
Luna was gambling everything on this encounter with the Olive Branch civilization.
This was incredibly risky, given the enormous power disparity.
She didn't know if this would succeed, but this might lead to a rapid advancement in civilization level.
She had made her decision and wouldn't regret it.
Project Holy Grail.
Would determine the Federation's destiny.
...
Following Luna's orders, the plan was immediately put into motion.
Negotiations with the two civilizations took ten years, and sixty-two years later, an Olive Branch representative arrived at the Federation's designated contact zone to establish an embassy.
This zone was a region entirely controlled by explorers, once home to over 300 million explorers, along with merchants and other personnel; the total population had been close to 800 million.
Beyond this lay uncharted territory, a vast and alluring expanse for explorers.
Du Luo watched a massive sphere traverse the distant cosmos.
"According to intel, that's an Olive Branch vessel,"
a crewmate exclaimed.
"They say there's a whole world inside. It's incredibly luxurious. We only have a small section of our ship for cultivation."
Du Luo's gaze was intense. After the exchange, he checked on his old home; it was different, with many changes. He inquired about his family's descendants, left some money, and then returned to space.
Over the years, he'd grown accustomed to the vastness of space, becoming a part of it.
"We should thank that extraterrestrial for the gift."
"We used the energy credits to upgrade our weapons and buy new armor and equipment."
"Now, let's head to the unknown sector."
"We're like fish; that's our ocean!"
Du Luo returned to his quarters. He intended to enter hibernation until they arrived at their destination.
Even after countless explorations, the unknown still filled him with excitement.
Space!
So vast, so beautiful, so alluring—like a fiery, intoxicating drink, burning and captivating, impossible to resist.
...
Meanwhile, in another sector of space, a fleet was en route to an unknown region, much like Du Luo's vessel.
But their destination was clear.
The Olive Branch civilization, 280 light-years away.
This was the Federation's furthest voyage. Even with improved speeds (1/14 the speed of light), the journey would take 3920 years.
These seemingly close neighbors were separated by a distance that would test the resilience of any sentient being.
"I've been wondering if I should hibernate on Tau Ceti or remain awake to witness this journey."
"The vast universe captivates. If I don't experience this 4000-year journey firsthand, I'll regret it."
Luna gazed out at the cosmos.
The Celestial Palace was moving forward.
This was a decision she'd made after careful consideration.
"Are you sure about this, Luna?"
"You're venturing into dangerous territory. The Olive Branch civilization might destroy our fleet and then study us, changing us."
Ayla looked concerned; her recommendation was for Luna to remain in the capital system, avoiding any unnecessary risks.
Luna looked at Ayla's familiar holographic avatar—a white-haired loli with intense brown eyes.
"You're right."
"But perhaps that tiny bit of human DNA in me is driving me towards this adventure."
"Ayla, we both know the Federation isn't safe. Even if we fortify it, an advanced civilization could easily overcome our defenses."
"I can't afford to stop. The Federation is still developing."
"I must take this step to lead the Federation forward."
That step was into the Olive Branch civilization's territory.
Luna had another reason for going: communication delays. Even with tachyon communication, the delay was too long to allow for rapid responses.
This contact could determine the Federation's fate; any mistake could be catastrophic.
She needed to be on-site to make critical decisions, to issue orders.
"Ayla, I'm leaving the Federation in your hands."
"If this mission is unsuccessful..."
Death held no fear for Luna; she could face it calmly.
"You don't need to take such risks," Ayla argued.
"We both know this is necessary."
Luna was resolute, stubbornly clinging to her decision, unlike most who grow complacent with age. Knowing that a Type 2.8 civilization, or even higher, might exist in the Milky Way, how could she simply wait for death?
Their goal wasn't to determine the Olive Branch civilization's intentions.
Even if malevolent, conquering the Federation would take the Olive Branch tens of thousands of years.
The real threat was a more powerful civilization. Once the Milky Way's dominant power reached Type 2.9, Type 2 civilizations would be eliminated.
Ayla estimated this to occur in 300,000–500,000 years, resulting in galactic domination.
This seemed far off.
But a Type 2 civilization, even with steady growth, would take 10,000 years to reach Type 2.5.
Once they entered interstellar space, time became less relevant.
"And we can accomplish a great deal in the next 4000 years, can't we?"
Regardless, contact between the two civilizations was inevitable.
Luna decided to implement a variation of a historical human trade route.
The Silk Road.
An interstellar Silk Road.
"This Silk Road will connect not only two points but also the entire region between them."
"Over 280 light-years, we will establish waystations across 51 star systems, deploying troops and robots to develop these systems and then recruiting explorers."
"We must mass-produce tachyon communication devices."
"We're approaching Type 2.1. In 4000 years, we might reach Type 2.2. If the Olive Branch's progress is slower than ours, the gap will narrow, turning it from a conflict between a snake and an elephant into a fight between a lion and an elephant."
The plan, on paper, was perfect.
Luna didn't know what would happen in reality.
But this was the best she could do. Even if it failed, she wouldn't regret it.
She could only hope for divine intervention.
Then, a thought occurred to her.
"I doubt even a god could withstand an antimatter annihilation cannon."