Rebirth of the Super Battleship
Chapter 240: Probing

This line of speculation aligned closely with Xiao Yu’s own thoughts. It wasn’t just him, everyone’s suspicions had converged on that strange star.

“I believe that’s the reason as well,” another scientist stood up and said.

“I agree.”

“I support this view.”

These scientists were all exceptionally intelligent beings. In an instant, they had already grasped the intricate implications hidden within the situation.

Among the nearly ten thousand scientists, not a single one opposed the previous scientist’s conclusion.

“Very good. That’s what I think too. It’s very likely that the Molian Civilization didn’t pursue us because of some influence from that strange star. So… we need to consider an important question. What should we do next? Or perhaps put more directly, do we flee, or do we stay here?”

“Why should we flee?” A scientist from Species Ninety-One stood up, voicing opposition. “The Molian Civilization doesn’t dare come here. That gives us the perfect opportunity to develop in peace. If we flee, we might walk right into an ambush. I don’t believe the Molian Civilization would willingly give up such a juicy target.”

“That’s right. We should stay. Once our tech tree is more complete, and our fleet is strong enough, then we can leave. By then, why should we fear the Molian Civilization?”

Many scientists stood to voice similar objections.

When it came to science or concrete issues, Xiao Yu was always tolerant, and even encouraging, of opposing viewpoints. He believed that only through the clash of differing perspectives could truth gradually emerge. Of course, this tolerance had limits. In matters of politics, like loyalty, Xiao Yu allowed no dissent whatsoever. Not even in thought.

Thanks to this policy, every time a debate like this was held, discussion was lively and spirited.

But in the midst of all this opposition, Xiao Yu felt a flicker of disappointment. It meant none of them had considered the deeper, more critical reason behind his concern.

Under Xiao Yu’s slightly disheartened gaze, Luka Two stood up.

“No, I think… I understand what the Master is getting at,” Luka Two said. “The Master’s point is this: the unknown entity interfered with the Molian fleet and stopped them from pursuing us, granting us temporary safety. But… can we really conclude from that alone that it is benevolent?”

“Perhaps… it merely took an interest in something valuable aboard our fleet. Perhaps it blocked the Molian pursuit only to claim that prize for itself. And now that we’ve arrived in this binary star system, maybe it believes we’re already in its grasp and sees no need to act hastily. It may just be watching us, for now, gathering more intelligence before making its move.”

“Why… can’t it be malevolent? Haven’t we already seen enough of the universe to know how dark it truly is? Haven’t the depths of space scrubbed away whatever innocence or naivety remains in your hearts? Have we not witnessed enough cruelty?”

Luka Two’s words fell like a bomb, the explosion so jarring that the conference hall was momentarily thrown into silence.

Many of the scientists wore expressions of deep contemplation.

“As expected of Luka Two, he has never once failed to meet my expectations. He’s always been the most outstanding of the Psychosocial Sciences Division,” Xiao Yu thought with satisfaction. He then said aloud, “Luka Two is absolutely right. That’s exactly what I meant. That’s why I gathered all of you for this meeting. As he stated, we cannot simply assume that this entity is benevolent just because it stopped the Molian Civilization from chasing us.”

“Lord Two’s words make sense. We truly cannot draw such a conclusion. But then… a new problem arises. If what Lord Two said is correct, if this unknown being is hostile, and has only spared us for now due to specific motives, then even if we understand that… what can we do? Would it even allow us to escape in that case? Do we have any chance of escape at all?”

After a brief silence, another scientist stood up to voice their opinion.

“In the previous round of discussion, we already reached a conclusion: it’s because of this unknown entity that the Molian Civilization did not pursue us. As for the issue at hand, I don’t think it’s really a question. Because no matter what, we have no reason to leave this place. The reason is simple: if that unknown entity is benevolent, then there’s no need to risk falling into a Molian ambush by leaving. But if the entity is malevolent, then we wouldn’t be able to escape anyway. So, regardless of which possibility it is, we cannot leave.”

Another scientist spoke up.

“No, I disagree.” A Luka scientist stood up and said, “You’re from one of the newer civilizations, and haven’t been under the Master’s command for long. There are some things you don’t know. In fact, a long time ago, we encountered a similar situation. That time, it was an extremely powerful Alien Beast Civilization, at least Level 6. The situation back then was that it had become trapped on a white dwarf due to certain unknown reasons and was unable to escape. So, might we consider a new explanation? That this unknown entity is similarly trapped near that star by some unknown force, and that’s why it hasn’t acted against us?”

“Maybe it could break free at any moment, which is why the Molian Civilization, sensing the danger, dared not come near. And if it hasn’t yet escaped from the star, that means… we may still have a chance to flee?”

This scientist’s remarks gave Xiao Yu pause for thought.

He had to admit, it was a very plausible hypothesis.

“So then, do we leave, or stay?” Xiao Yu posed the question once more. “I need to know your opinions.”

“I’ll share my thoughts,” said a scientist from Species Thirty-Six. “I think… all of this is just speculation. In truth, we have no way of proving any of it. Not a single theory here can be definitively confirmed or denied. Continuing this debate is pointless.”

“For all we know, the so-called unknown entity we’ve been discussing… might not even exist. Maybe the Molian Civilization didn’t pursue us simply because of internal chaos, nothing more than a civil war.”

After a long silence, Luka Four pressed the button to request to speak. Once Xiao Yu granted permission, it said, “I’d like to point out that your statement is equally meaningless. What we are discussing now is whether we should leave or stay. Your speech offers no constructive suggestion.”

“No, I haven’t finished,” the other scientist shook their head and continued, “Since our current intelligence doesn’t allow for deeper speculation, why don’t we actively gather more intel? I know that for certain reasons, we cannot directly observe the star at close range. However, I have a very simple method that gives us at least a seventy percent chance of probing whether this supposed unknown entity exists.”

Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up. This scientist’s statement opened a new path forward.

“Very good… very good,” Xiao Yu murmured. “Go on.”

“Thank you for your praise, Master.” The scientist gave a respectful gesture in their species’ custom, then continued, “All we have to do is pretend that we are preparing to leave, just pretend, nothing more. If there truly is an unknown entity that stopped the Molian Civilization from pursuing us, then it will definitely notice our movements. If it realizes we’re preparing to leave, and it is malevolent, then it will inevitably act to stop us. In my estimation, if it has full mobility, it will reveal itself and take direct action. But if it’s like that Level 6 Alien Beast trapped on the white dwarf, limited in its mobility, then it may attempt to deceive us in order to make us stay. Either way, this one move could not only confirm its existence, but also hint at whether it is benevolent or malevolent.”

“If it is malevolent and fully mobile, then the worst that can happen is we die a little sooner, nothing lost. If it is malevolent but lacks full mobility, then we’ll sense it through its reaction and have the chance to flee. And if… our pretense of departure elicits no reaction at all, my recommendation is that we stay. After all, compared to some vague, speculative threat, the danger posed by the Molian Civilization is far more immediate and concrete. Staying here at least means we won’t be pursued by them in the short term. And considering the decades we’ve spent in curvature travel, it’s now been over a hundred years since we escaped the Azure Market. If they haven’t come for us in all that time, there’s a good chance they won’t come in the next hundred years either.”

The scientist’s speech once again stunned the entire assembly. Every conference room fell silent. Even Xiao Yu was deep in thought, rapidly analyzing each possibility in the scientist’s logic.

After a moment of reflection, Xiao Yu had to admit, the scientist’s suggestion made perfect sense, and was extremely feasible.

“So then… does anyone have any objections?” Xiao Yu asked, then waited for ten seconds.

Ten seconds passed, complete silence.

“Very well… I’ve made my decision. We will proceed with this plan!”