Planet Skyfire, Eastern Alliance Parliament.
The Speaker sat in his seat, his face solemn. The holographic projection had just switched off.
"This is what Star Division's commander-in-chief, Lan Jue, has told us. It's our firsthand information.
It's also been sent to the Research Department, asking them to study the aliens' characteristics.
What's important now is how we decide on strategy and tactics.
From what Lan Jue and the others had gathered, the aliens were stronger than they'd imagined.
If an enemy like this were to appear in our world, it would be a disaster.
Of course, I know that if we follow Mr. Lan's advice, it will affect our interests in many ways, and even the growth of the Alliance.
However, in order to save lives, I believe his advice is the best course of action. "
The council members listened to the Speaker's words.
They'd all seen the aliens' strength in the holographic projection.
Even Paragons couldn't stand up to so many of them.
What's more, the Accountant's precise calculations left them all in awe.
Some of the larger aliens on these planets were no less powerful than a mothership of humanity's fleet.
But the alien planets themselves were the most frightening of all.
Their ability to teleport long distances and consume planets were the most frightening of all.
In a situation like this, it was important to make a decision.
Lan Jue had proposed that the East move to larger planets, abandoning the smaller ones and resource planets. Then they would concentrate their efforts on protecting the larger planets until the aliens arrived. Then they would fight to the death.
Until the military was completely defeated, the people would be safe.
Yes.
But what would happen if they gave up a planet and tried to go back?
This was what worried the politicians the most.
And this was the Eastern Alliance being united. If it had been the Northern Alliance or the Western Alliance, there would have been more opposition.
"Mr. Speaker!"
An elderly council member rose to his feet and addressed the Speaker. "According to our analysis, these aliens are terrifying.
They pose a mortal threat to us.
I agree that Lan Jue's suggestion is correct.
However, at the same time, we also have to consider a more comprehensive problem.
First of all, if we give up a lot of planets, what if the Northern Alliance and Western Alliance take the opportunity to occupy them?
If the aliens don't show up then we won't just suffer losses, we'll be suppressed forever. The Northern Alliance and Western Alliance may even swallow us up.
Secondly, it would not be easy to abandon those planets and carry out a great migration.
At the same time, some of the planets we've given up will be alive. The aliens will devour the plants and animals, and they'll grow stronger.
The stronger they become, the more terrifying they will be. "
At this point, the Councilman paused for a moment, and a fierce look appeared in his eyes. "In this case, for the future of the Eastern Alliance, we must make a choice.
The best way to deal with this is to station all our fleets within the Eastern Alliance. The moment the aliens appear, we'll kill them.
Under the condition of paying a certain price, he would go all out against the opponent.
Although this would likely result in the destruction of certain planets, it was the best way to preserve the Eastern Alliance's current state of affairs.
After all, there is only a one in three chance the aliens will attack us. "
His words were harsh and ruthless. Sacrificing planets for the sake of humanity against the aliens caused many of the Councilmen to pale.
"I don't agree."
The Eastern Alliance's Chief Minister Zhou Xue shot to his feet, glaring at the elderly Councilman. "Every life is precious.
Protecting the people is our primary responsibility. How can we put them in danger?
I agree with the Chancellor's suggestion. It's better to sacrifice some to protect the people first.
At a time like this, if the Western Alliance and Northern Alliance try to invade our territory, they will be the greatest sinners of humanity. "
For a moment, the hall was filled with the sounds of squabbling.
Minister Zhou Xue's brows furrowed. The Eastern Alliance was faring well. They were united against the aliens.
But the news from the Northern Alliance and Western Alliance worried him even more.
When the Eastern Alliance received the report from An Lun, they sent it to the North and West as quickly as possible. Aside from a few sensitive details, the Eastern Alliance didn't have time to waste.
But from what he had heard so far, a large portion of the Northern Alliance and Western Alliance believed the reports were fabricated by the Eastern Alliance.
Their hostility towards the Eastern Alliance was obvious.
The Western Alliance was the most vocal. Because of the failed marriage alliance between Zhou Qianlin and the Austin family, relations between the two had deteriorated. The Austin family was a prominent figure in Western Alliance politics, so their hostility towards the Eastern Alliance was palpable.
The Western Alliance had already sent word to the Eastern Alliance that they no longer needed the Eastern Alliance to share information on the aliens.
The Eastern Alliance did their best to conceal this information.
Once it got out, it would only bring more trouble.
But there was nothing they could do to convince the Western Alliance, because no one would believe them.
The Western Alliance's own investigations were in full swing, but they weren't focused on the Shattered Starfields. Instead, they were focused on outer space, where the aliens had first appeared.
The Eastern Alliance was speechless.
But their positions were different, and the Western Alliance didn't believe them.
The aliens hadn't even arrived, and humanity was already in chaos. That was the worst case scenario!
There was no time to worry about the Western Alliance. Their priority was to protect the Eastern Alliance as best they could.
The Hawks' words were cruel, but at least they were facing the aliens head-on. The Eastern Alliance was united against the threat.
Now it was time to find a way to deal with it.
"Silence!" The Speaker rapped the gavel in front of him, and for a moment the chamber was quiet.
Everyone's eyes were drawn to him.
The Speaker's deep voice continued. "There's one more thing I'd like to announce.
Skyfire Avenue's Lan Jue was leading the team, and they were joined by several Paragons. During the course of their investigation, they found a large number of vital crystals.
Quite a lot.
Aside from the exuvium process, there's still some left over.
Skyfire Avenue has suggested we use these crystals to trade with the Northern Alliance and Western Alliance for weapons and equipment. This must be decided as soon as possible.
Admiral Li Si, you are the First Commander of the Eastern Alliance. Tell us what you think. "
Admiral Li Si sat in the row closest to the Speaker's seat. Every one of the Eastern military's top brass sat in that row, with a twinkle in their eye.
Admiral Li Si's Li family was a traditional military family of the Eastern Alliance, and had produced countless admirals.
The Eastern Alliance's youngest admiral and general, the An Lun God of War, Lan Qing, was once Admiral Li Si's disciple. He'd studied military command under him.
The fact that Lan Qing had been promoted to the rank of general was largely due to Li Si's hard work.
Admiral Li Si was seventy-three years old, tall and burly. He looked no more than a middle-aged man, but his aura was deep and powerful.
When he rose to his feet, the chamber grew even quieter.
Everyone's attention was focused on the marshal.
Admiral Li Si had joined the army at sixteen, and had served for nearly sixty years. He held a pivotal position in the Eastern Alliance, and had participated in dozens of battles, both large and small.
He was known as an iron-blooded admiral.
All of the generals he had trained had inherited his valiant style of doing things.
They guarded the borders of the Eastern Alliance.
"I agree.
The exuvium process can extend a person's lifespan, but at least in the face of these aliens, more power is more important.
At the same time, more power is a prerequisite for securing more vital crystals.
From what Star Division has told us, the best way to deal with these aliens is through the use of mechas and Adepts. They devour vital energy, but they're also afraid of anything that's related to it.
From an Adept's point of view, there's no question that the Eastern Alliance is the strongest.
Skyfire Avenue now had more than five Paragons, more than half of the human world.
If we can get our hands on these crystals, we'll get our hands on a second.
Our top priority right now is to arm the military with more weapons.
If we have more fleets, we'll be able to protect more planets. "
At this point, Marshal Li Si turned around and faced the councilors behind him. "I've been listening to the debate just now.
Everyone has their reasons. On behalf of the military, I want to make my position clear.
As soldiers, it is our duty to obey orders, and we will support the Senate's decision.
However, a soldier's mission is to protect our country. We don't want to sacrifice others for the sake of the safety of some.
Even if we have to bleed to the last drop, we will ensure the safety of every citizen. "
With that said, Admiral Li Si turned back to the Speaker, nodded slightly, and sat back down.
His words not only expressed his support for the Speaker's decision, but also his own and the military's stance.
The Eastern Alliance's greatest strength was its unity.
Admiral Li Si's position was unshakable.
Now that Lan Qing was a Paragon, there was no longer any doubt about it.
The Speaker's voice was low. "We'll adjourn for ten minutes. When we reconvene, we'll vote on the proposal.
I hope everyone will come to a unanimous decision. "
My computer was having problems, so I couldn't log into the writer's section. Sorry, it's a bit late.