"First, dispatch robots to negotiate."

"Inform them that we accept their surrender, but they must disarm completely."

Luna sat, her fingers intertwined, thumbs pressing against her temples.

Ayla nodded and looked towards Tau Ceti f.

The remaining Purple Thorn population on Tau Ceti f was approximately 22 million; over 40 million had died since the beginning of the conflict.

On an interstellar scale, this wasn't a particularly large conflict.

For example, the earlier conflict at Proxima Centauri resulted in nearly 20 billion casualties.

"They've agreed."

Ayla quickly deployed robots to seize all weapons.

Including the warships.

From the beginning of the war, those 67 warships had never been used.

This reminded Luna of certain historical dynasties—powerful at home but weak against external threats.

It was understandable; 97% of their military strength had been eliminated, leaving only a few scattered remnants.

The disarmament process took two months.

Luna ordered Ayla to transport the Purple Thorns to Tau Ceti e.

On Tau Ceti e, the Lelera, Kate, Multi-eyed, and the few remaining humans glared at the Purple Thorns with hatred.

The Purple Thorns had inflicted lasting scars on these civilizations, wounds that could never fully heal.

"Are we really going to live alongside them?"

This was the question on everyone's mind.

"Most likely. The galactic federation is a tolerant organization."

"Our culture is derived from a human civilization, where there is a saying: 'The sea embraces all rivers; tolerance is greatness.'"

"..."

The Purple Thorns, their connection to the sphere severed, crawled on the ground, their infrared sensors shut down in shame and humiliation, facing the myriad gazes upon them.

Aboard the Celestial Palace.

Ayla asked, "Are you sure about this?"

Luna nodded.

"Yes."

"A once-powerful civilization won't willingly submit. Their blood cries out for rebellion."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"And their hatred towards those who have wronged them runs deep. We must act decisively to ensure their complete integration into the federation."

Luna planned to execute all 22 million surrendered Purple Thorns.

This wasn't an easy decision.

Each civilization was a valuable asset to the federation.

But the Purple Thorns' unique characteristics forced Luna's hand. Sacrifice was necessary. The six civilizations on their map were far more important.

On the screen, the 22 million Purple Thorns were gathered in a massive open space.

A robot, levitating via anti-gravity, stood above the gathered Purple Thorns. It was approximately 5 meters tall and clad in judicial robes.

This was a trial.

Text appeared before the robot, and it began reading the indictments in several languages—the Purple Thorns' crimes, each one infuriating.

Some intelligent Purple Thorns sensed what was coming and attempted to flee, but they were surrounded by robots.

Without weapons, their weak bodies were no match for the multi-ton machines. Their escape was futile.

Once the indictments were read.

The robot raised its right hand.

"Today, I, on behalf of the Galactic Federation, and as its supreme leader, pronounce judgment on the Purple Thorn civilization."

"The judgment: The Purple Thorn civilization is guilty of heinous crimes and is unfit for the Federation."

"I hereby order the execution of all Purple Thorn beings..."

"Execution!"

Its hand fell.

A massive laser beam, over 10 kilometers in diameter, descended from space, like divine judgment.

Twenty-two million Purple Thorns were instantly incinerated, vaporized into nothingness.

Shock!

The observing beings were astonished by this outcome.

Then, cheers erupted.

This was the outcome they had secretly desired.

The robot then addressed all the civilizations. "The Galactic Federation hereby issues a universal bounty on all remaining Purple Thorn beings."

"For each slain Purple Thorn, the killer will receive one Federation Energy Credit as a reward."

Federation Energy Credits.

This was Luna's idea.

Luna had already established a system of civilization contribution points for inter-civilizational trade. But this wasn't suitable for individual transactions.

To create a unified currency and control the Federation's economy, Luna had Ayla develop the Federation Energy Credit.

Each credit was a small disc (4 centimeters in diameter, 0.5 centimeters thick) composed of Ayla's newly developed material. Removing a single electron would make it unstable, causing nuclear decay and releasing 1 trillion joules of energy (equivalent to 277,700 kilowatt-hours).

These credits, representing both energy and the Federation's authority, would become the standard currency.

Why create a fuel-based currency?

To maintain its value and prevent devaluation.

A unified interstellar currency is difficult to establish; gaining acceptance across numerous star systems is a significant challenge.

The launch of the Federation Energy Credit was timed to coincide with the Lelera's integration; this would facilitate circulation and increase acceptance, especially given the bounty.

"Distributing this currency requires an infrastructure."

Luna and Ayla had developed a comprehensive industrial plan.

This industrial network would support the construction of new warships.

This wasn't merely to conquer the Purple Thorn's remaining territories.

Luna also planned to revive the Interstellar Explorers Guild, with a clear objective: discovering more civilizations.

Type 1 civilizations would be conquered through force; negotiations would be attempted with Type 1 and above civilizations, followed by conquest if necessary. Type 2 civilizations would be avoided unless absolutely necessary, then engaged militarily.

There were no Type 3 civilizations in the Milky Way—a conclusion reached by both Luna and Ayla. If a Type 3 civilization existed, the entire galaxy would be under its control.

There was no evidence of this.

Therefore, upon reaching Type 2, Luna, controlling the galactic federation, would become a dominant force, needing to exploit the galaxy's resources before a Type 3 civilization emerged. They might even become the Milky Way's first Type 3 civilization.

Luna planned to use Tau Ceti as a base to build the true galactic federation.