198: Epic Meeting

Today, the administrative port in the core area of the Babel Space Station welcomed a shuttle with a special livery, bearing the purple double-ring emblem of the Kari Civilization (now the Human Federation's New Sun System Special Administrative Region).

The hatch slid open slowly, and the ramp extended to the ground.

A stooped kari elder, supported by two young attendants, walked shakily down the ship.

He was Kevin, the former supreme leader of the Kari Civilization, the old man who, forty-five years ago, had bowed to humanity on behalf of his entire race and signed the "Subordination and Peace Agreement."

Time had left deep marks on him. Although the natural lifespan of the Kari People was longer than that of old-era humans who had not taken the blood orchid, Kevin was too old—so old that his skin had lost its luster and become like withered bark, and his once bright, large eyes had grown cloudy.

He had refused the advanced life-extension treatments offered by the Human Federation, insisting on finishing his life as a natural person.

"Is this the human homeworld?"

Kevin stopped in his tracks. Instead of looking at the honor guards lined up to welcome him, he turned to gaze at the massive transparent dome.

Beyond it, the azure Earth floated quietly, the shifting clouds in the atmosphere reflecting a soul-stirring radiance under the sunlight.

"Yes, Your Excellency," the young kari man beside him, Evans, said softly, his tone carrying an unmistakable sense of awe. "That is Earth, the heart of the Human Federation."

Evans was of the new generation of Kari People. Born in the era of peace after human rule was established, he had received a human-style education from a young age and spoke fluent Chinese and English. He was the chosen successor and the reason for Kevin's trip.

This was a handover of power, as well as a transition from the old era to the new.

As a subordinate civilization, the change of supreme power in the kari Administrative Region had to undergo review and approval by the suzerain civilization. This was a necessary legal procedure and, more importantly, a political oath of allegiance.

"It's truly beautiful..." Kevin sighed, his voice raspy. "Much more dazzling than our purple home."

He had spent most of his life in humiliation and compromise for the survival of the Kari Civilization. He had watched human warships blot out the sky of the Kali Star, watched human factories rise from the purple plains, and watched his people go from fear to obedience, and now to living and working in peace.

He had come this time not only to see Evans into power but also to witness with his own eyes the true state of the powerful civilization that had conquered them before he died.

Lei Wen had granted the Kari People a considerable degree of autonomy.

According to the new "New Sun System Administrative Regulations," the leader of the Kari People would automatically hold the position of Governor of Kali Star of the Human Federation after passing the appointment process.

Although there was a higher-ranking Governor of the New Sun System above this title, it still meant that the Kari People held actual power over civil administration, the economy, and part of the security forces on their home planet.

The current Governor of the New Sun System was Li Huaying, the iron-fisted daughter of the former First Interstellar Fleet commander, Li Zhenhua.

More importantly, to deal with increasingly complex interstellar transport risks and potential external threats, Lei Wen had specially authorized the Governor of Kali Star to command a force called the Kari Star System Defense Fleet. Although the scale and equipment of this fleet were strictly limited, the kari leader could command this human fleet to defend their home in the absence of higher-level instructions (such as from the Interstellar Affairs General Bureau or the Governor of the New Sun System).

This was a form of trust, as well as a gift.

"Let's go, child." Kevin patted the back of Evans's hand. "Don't keep that lord waiting."

...Just as Kevin's group arrived at the administrative port, a silver-white streamlined warship quietly slid into the mixed scientific research and military berthing area on the other side of the Babel Space Station.

The [Wanderer] had returned.

This ship, carrying Dr. Ilya's dreams of exploration, had returned home after more than a decade away from the Solar System, loaded with scientific data and a special "passenger."

The airlock door opened, and Ilya stepped out in her iconic white coat. Despite more than a decade of interstellar wandering, as a first-generation beneficiary of the blood orchid, her appearance had hardly changed at all; she still looked like a girl with silver hair and red eyes, as delicate as a doll.

Walking out behind her was a tall man with a weathered face.

Gareth.

This former [Dragon Hero] of the Mana Star was now dressed in the casual clothes of the Human Federation, but his straight back and sharp gaze still betrayed his nature as a warrior.

Carrying a simple pack, he stood on the metal floor, appearing somewhat at a loss.

Everything around him exceeded the limits of his understanding.

Giant mechanical arms danced in the air, anti-gravity transport vehicles glided silently by, holographic advertisements flickered in the air, and humans of all skin tones, along with the occasional robot, composed this futuristic picture.

"Stunned already?"

Ilya stopped and looked back at this "country bumpkin," her tone carrying a hint of disdain, though a trace of imperceptible complex emotion flashed deep in her eyes.

"This is Babel, humanity's gateway to the stars. Compared to your planet that only has stone castles, this place is indeed far too advanced."

"Teacher..." Gareth opened his mouth. "Is this your hometown?"

"I suppose so." Ilya shrugged. "Though I spend most of my time in the lab."

She lifted her wrist and checked the time on her personal terminal.

"Alright, my mission is complete. I've brought you to your destination."

Ilya turned to face Gareth, her expression becoming indifferent.

"You'll have to walk the rest of the way yourself."

"Director Raven has already arranged for someone to pick you up; he will assess and settle you."

"As for me..." Ilya pointed to the Wanderer behind her. "I need to resupply, and I have a mountain of data to upload to the Research Center."

Gareth was stunned.

During their long time together, although Ilya had always ordered him around and treated him as an experimental subject, he had grown accustomed to this way of interacting.

Now, suddenly having to part ways in this completely unfamiliar world of steel, he felt a strong sense of panic and reluctance.

"Teacher, will I see you again?" Gareth took a step forward and asked urgently.

Ilya's eyes flickered.

She looked at this big dummy. Over the past decade, he had fought for his beliefs on the Mana Star and, after failing, chose exile for the future of his people.

Although foolish, that persistence had indeed left a trace in her cold logic.

But she was a scientist, an explorer; her journey was the sea of stars, while Gareth... was destined to be trapped in the political vortex called "civilizational integration."

"Who knows?"

Ilya turned around and waved her hand behind her, her long silver hair tracing a decisive arc in the air.

"The universe is vast. Maybe we'll run into each other again someday."

"Get going, don't block my robots from unloading."

With that, she walked deep into the ship without looking back, and the hatch closed ruthlessly in front of Gareth.

Gareth stood there, staring at the closed metal door for a long time without moving. It wasn't until two agents from the Interstellar Affairs General Bureau in black suits walked up to him.

"Mr. Gareth?" the agent asked politely. "Director Raven is waiting for you. Please come with us."

Gareth took a deep breath, burying his sense of loss deep in his heart.

"Alright, lead the way."

...Babel Space Station, Special Reception Room of the Interstellar Affairs General Bureau.

This was a luxurious room located on the middle level of the space station, with a 360-degree panoramic view. Through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, one could simultaneously see the azure of Earth, the pale white of the Moon, and the eternal burning of the Sun.

Lei Wen was sitting on a sofa, holding a cup of tea.

Opposite him, Kevin and Evans sat somewhat stiffly.

"Leader Kevin, it's been a long time." Lei Wen set down his teacup and said with a smile.

Although they had seen each other in video communications many years ago, this was the first time Lei Wen had met the old leader of the Kari Civilization in person.

"Director Raven, your presence is even more impressive than before." Kevin struggled to stand up to salute, but Lei Wen reached out and gestured for him to stop.

"Stay seated; we don't need those formalities between us," Lei Wen said gently. "I've reviewed the information on Evans. His performance at the New Sun System Administrative Academy was excellent, and he has five years of administrative experience at the grassroots level. I believe he will be a qualified successor."

"Thank you for your recognition." Evans lowered his head excitedly. "I will surely follow the Federal Charter, maintain the stability and prosperity of the New Sun System, and for the Kari People..."

"Not just for the Kari People," Lei Wen interrupted, then added, "but also for the Human Federation."

"You must remember, Evans, that the Kari People are now a part of the Human Federation. Although our races are different, our fates are bound together."

"Yes, I understand." A bit of cold sweat broke out on Evans's forehead. Although Lei Wen's tone was flat, the pressure from a superior made him feel a bit suffocated.

"Regarding Governor Li Huaying," Lei Wen continued, "she is a very capable administrator, but her style can be quite tough at times. As the Governor of Kali Star, you will need to cooperate with her work, but on issues involving the core interests of the Kari People, if you feel something is inappropriate, you can report directly to the Bureau."

This sentence contained a huge amount of information.

Lei Wen was hinting to Evans that although he was a subordinate, he was being given a channel to "reach the heavens directly." This was both a check on Li Huaying's power and a form of reassurance and protection for the Kari People.

"Thank you for your mercy!" Kevin was slightly excited. With this statement, the Kari People would at least not be bullied at will in the days to come.

Just then, the secretary outside knocked and entered.

"Director, Mr. Gareth has arrived."

Lei Wen's eyes lit up.

"Let him in."

Then he turned to the puzzled Kevin and Evans and said, "Gentlemen, today I would like to introduce a new friend to you."

"He also comes from a distant planet, and like you, he once fought for the fate of his civilization."

The door opened.

Gareth stepped inside.

When he saw the scene in the room, he was visibly stunned.

Besides the young human Lei Wen, whom he had seen countless times in pictures and whom Ilya called the "big financier" and the "mastermind," he also saw two creatures of strange appearance.

Four arms, grayish-green skin, large eyes.

"This is..." Gareth instinctively tensed his muscles.

"Don't be nervous, Gareth." Lei Wen stood up, walked to Gareth's side, and patted his shoulder as if introducing an old friend.

"These two are representatives of the Kari Civilization." Lei Wen pointed to Kevin and Evans. "They come from the New Sun System, 5.4 light-years away, and are the earliest member civilization of the Human Federation."

Then he turned back to the two kari.

"This is Gareth, from the F-81 Star System, 81 light-years away. We call their homeworld the Mana Star."

"He was the most powerful warrior on that planet, an emperor who once unified half the world."

"Now, he is a new guest of our Human Federation."

This meeting was carefully designed by Lei Wen.

He had gathered representatives of three different civilizations and three different fates together.

Lei Wen, the conqueror, the helmsman of Human Civilization.

Kevin, the submissive, the leader of a subordinate civilization that had fully integrated into the federal system.

Gareth, the resistor, an exiled hero who had just experienced failure and lost his home.

"Hello, Mr. Gareth." Although Kevin was old, his eyes, which had seen all the vicissitudes of life, recognized at a glance the lingering smell of gunpowder and the desolation of a fallen nation on Gareth.

He was all too familiar with that look; it was the same one he had seen in the mirror more than forty years ago.

Kevin stood up shakily and extended his withered right hand (one of the upper ones).

"Welcome to the Solar System."

Gareth looked at the strange hand, then at Lei Wen's calm face.

He suddenly understood that this was not a simple exile.

It was to let him see with his own eyes another possibility for a civilization after being conquered.

Although the Kari People had lost their independence, they were still alive and could sit here and talk with the leader of humanity.

Was it humiliating? Yes.

But it was even more a way of survival.

Gareth reached out his large, calloused hand and grasped Kevin's four-fingered palm.

"Hello."

His voice was low.

"I am Gareth, a... failed knight."

A satisfied smile appeared at the corner of Lei Wen's mouth.

The integration of civilizations was never a dinner party; it was accompanied by blood and fire, by humiliation and compromise.

But in the end, just like these two hands clasped together.

In this cold universe, huddling together for warmth is always better than perishing alone.

"Alright, now that you've met, please sit down."

Lei Wen pointed to the empty seats.

"We have many things to discuss."

"About the future of the Mana Star, about the development of the Kali Star, and..."

Lei Wen's gaze turned toward the vast starry sky outside the window.

"About where we should go next in this universe."