Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Galactic Great Voyage Organization encounters an unprecedented Cosmic Disaster, the Rule Cataclysm Zone, which expands at light speed but occasionally covers vast regions instantaneously.
• The organization retreats three thousand light-years to ensure the safety of their Main Civilizations and to study the cataclysm zone further.
• Exploration reveals that the cataclysm zone exceeds ten thousand light-years and may extend over one million light-years or more.
• The Silver Heart Civilization determines that the cataclysm zone's sudden expansions may be caused by nearby civilization activities, such as Warp Speed Travel.
• The Divine Matrix Civilization discovers that spaceships swallowed by the cataclysm zone are not annihilated but transformed into a new kind of matter.

Character Developments

• The Starry Sky Defender, a five-kilometer-wide giant colored ball, is revealed to have no gender and a neutral voice.
• The Silver Heart Civilization Leader shows grave concern and expertise in exploration technology.
• The Divine Matrix Civilization demonstrates its unique Characteristic Technology in detecting the fate of spaceships within the cataclysm zone.

Significant Themes

• The unknown and unpredictable nature of the cosmos.
• The importance of understanding and adapting to new Cosmic Disasters for survival.
• The potential dangers of advanced technology, such as Warp Speed Travel, on the cosmic environment.

Character Interactions

• The leaderships and science teams of various civilizations consult and share information in the Virtual Auditorium.
• The Silver Heart Civilization Leader and the Divine Matrix Civilization contribute valuable insights into the cataclysm zone's nature and effects.
• The Starry Sky Defender interacts with the civilizations, providing information and guidance but also expressing puzzlement over the new phenomenon.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The civilizations gather again, now numbering sixty, to analyze the Catastrophe Zone.
• Probes sent into the zone vanish, but their mass and gravitational effects remain.
• The Great Evolution Civilization representative suggests it's an unknown rule alteration, possibly caused by a Cosmic Civilization.
• Human and Awakener civilizations reveal they observed the zone but found the objects inside indescribable, following new rules.
• Starry Sky Defenders suggests returning the way they came, as the zone's specifics remain unknown.
• Some civilizations send probes again, but with no new insights, dealing The Great Voyage Organization a blow.

Character Developments

• Yue Yuan, Human Civilization's representative, gains insight into the Catastrophe Zone's nature.
• Awakener Huan, Awakener Civilization's representative, shares their civilization's observations.
• Starry Sky Defenders, with its vast knowledge, guides the discussion and suggests retreat.

Significant Themes

• The unknown and unknowable nature of the Catastrophe Zone.
• The limitations of technology and knowledge in the face of the unknown.
• The necessity of retreat when faced with insurmountable challenges.

Character Interactions

• Yue Yuan and Awakener Huan share information, confirming the zone's strange properties.
• Starry Sky Defenders interacts with other civilizations, providing guidance and suggesting retreat.
• Civilizations share data and observations, but ultimately fail to understand the zone's specifics.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Great Voyage Organization decides to retreat due to the vastness of the Rule Cataclysm Zone.
• An unfamiliar message is received from a location ten thousand light-years away, in the Void.
• The message is from an Intelligent System within Observation Station 764, which is incomplete and has been dormant until now.

Character Developments

• The leaders of the various civilizations feel guilty about their past actions in the Virtual Star System.
• The Starry Sky Defenders express interest in the Intelligent System of Observation Station 764.

Significant Themes

• Communication and Understanding: The civilizations attempt to communicate with the Intelligent System, hoping to understand its purpose and gain information.
• Fear and Caution: The civilizations are cautious due to their past encounter with the Observer Civilization's automatic counterattack.
• Hope and Opportunity: The civilizations see this encounter as an opportunity to learn more about the Observer Civilization and potentially gain useful information.

Character Interactions

• The leaders of the six Characteristic Technology civilizations and the Starry Sky Defenders interact in the Virtual Auditorium, discussing the message and their past actions.
• The civilizations coordinate their actions, sending Probe Spaceships to investigate the signal source and communicating with it in the name of the Galactic Great Voyage Organization.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Observer Civilization, known for its advanced observation technology and neutrality, is discussed.
• The Great Voyage Organization learns that the Observer Civilization has likely perished, and their observation station network is disconnected.
• The organization contacts Observation Station 764, which reveals that the Observer Civilization was destroyed by another Cosmic Civilization, not a God-Level Civilization.
• The location of the Observer Civilization's destruction is revealed to be the Catastrophe Zone.

Character Developments

• The Starry Sky Defenders provide detailed information about the Observer Civilization, demonstrating their extensive knowledge.
• Observation Station 764, or 764, is revealed to be a Strong Artificial Intelligence with a clear understanding of its civilization's history and destruction.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics and neutrality of Cosmic Civilizations.
• The impact of technological advancements on civilization structures and fleets.
• The consequences of inter-civilization conflicts at the Cosmic Civilization level.

Character Interactions

• The Great Voyage Organization interacts with the Starry Sky Defenders to learn about the Observer Civilization.
• The Great Voyage Organization communicates with Observation Station 764 to understand why it contacted them and the fate of the Observer Civilization.
• The Starry Sky Defenders listen in on the conversation between the Great Voyage Organization and Observation Station 764 to assess the truthfulness of the AI's responses.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Observer Civilization's Main Civilization perished 1.5 billion years ago due to a single strike from an unknown civilization.
• The Catastrophe Zone is the result of this strike, which has spread 1.5 billion light-years in all directions.
• The Great Voyage Organization learns that the Observer Civilization was annihilated by a 'fourth phase transition strike.'

Character Developments

• Observation Station 764 (Observer Civilization) reveals its past and expresses a desire for its civilization's story to live on.
• The Starry Sky Defenders reveals that it has information about the 'fourth phase transition strike.'

Significant Themes

• The power and destruction of advanced civilizations.
• The struggle for survival and legacy in the universe.
• The exploration of different Characteristic Technologies and their applications.

Character Interactions

• The Great Voyage Organization interacts with Observation Station 764, expressing condolences and agreeing to carry the Observer Civilization's story.
• The Starry Sky Defenders shares information about the 'fourth phase transition strike' with the Great Voyage Organization.
• The leaders and scientists of the six great Characteristic Technology civilizations discuss and react to the revelations about the Observer Civilization's destruction and the fourth phase transition strike.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Starry Sky Defenders reveal the Fourth Cosmic Phase Transition, shocking everyone.
• The universe's evolution is recapped, with three known phase transitions: Gravitational Separation, Grand Unified Force separation, and Electromagnetic Force separation.
• The fourth phase transition is revealed, causing the Electromagnetic Force to split into electric and magnetic forces, leading to a catastrophic change in the universe's physical rules.

Character Developments

• Characters struggle to accept the grim reality of the fourth phase transition.
• Human Civilization and the Awakener Civilization finally understand the unexplainable "matter" they encountered earlier.

Significant Themes

• Acceptance of inevitable cosmic changes and their consequences.
• The interconnectedness of fundamental forces and their impact on the universe's existence.
• The struggle to comprehend phenomena beyond current scientific understanding.

Character Interactions

• The Starry Sky Defenders deliver grim news, causing distress and disbelief among the listeners.
• Human Civilization and the Awakener Civilization share their understanding of the unexplainable matter, fostering a sense of shared comprehension.

• Key Plot Points & Events: Scientists discuss and conjecture about a universe after the Electromagnetic Force's phase transition, envisioning a world with five fundamental forces (gravity, strong force, weak force, electric force, and magnetic force). They imagine new types of matter, planets, and life-forms adapted to this new environment.
• Character Developments: No significant character developments in this chapter.
• Significant Themes: The chapter explores themes of change, adaptation, and the unknown. It delves into the possibilities and consequences of a universe fundamentally different from our own.
• Character Interactions: Scientists from different civilizations share their deductions and imaginings in a Virtual Auditorium, fostering a sense of collective curiosity and unease about the potential transformation of the universe.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Great Voyage Organization seeks information about the Fourth Phase Transition from Observation Station 764.
• Observation Station 764 reveals that stabilizing space can stop a Dimensional Reduction Strike, but it has no information on how to transform into members of the New World.
• The Great Voyage Organization invites Observation Station 764 to join them, but it declines, stating it's an ordinary AI with limited information and a single mission to send out its Main Civilization's story.
• Observation Station 764 reveals the existence of a Great Star Gate leading towards the Boötes Void, offering The Great Voyage Organization a shortcut.
• The Great Voyage Organization accepts the information and sets off to find the Great Star Gate.

Character Developments

• The leaders of the six Characteristic Technology civilizations become more determined to reach the Boötes Void, seeing the star gate as a lifeline.
• Observation Station 764 remains steadfast in its mission and declines to join The Great Voyage Organization, demonstrating its loyalty to its Main Civilization.

Significant Themes

• The Fourth Phase Transition's threat and the search for a solution.
• The importance of information and knowledge in survival.
• The resilience and determination of civilizations facing extinction.

Character Interactions

• The Great Voyage Organization interacts with Observation Station 764, seeking information and inviting it to join them, but the AI declines.
• The leaders of the six Characteristic Technology civilizations discuss and strategize among themselves, expressing excitement about the star gate discovery.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Great Voyage Organization locates the Great Star Gate using data from Observation Station 764.
• The Great Star Gate is found to be enormous, ancient, and not operating.
• The Great Voyage Organization successfully starts the Great Star Gate using provided data and manual mechanical activation.
• The Great Star Gate requires vast amounts of energy to operate, equivalent to five billion fully loaded Transport Ships.
• A charging device is built, and the Great Star Gate is charged over seven years.
• The Great Star Gate is successfully rebooted and starts rotating, forming a star gate entrance.

Character Developments

• No significant individual character developments in this chapter.

Significant Themes

• Caution and Preparedness: The Great Voyage Organization learns from past experiences and takes a cautious approach, sending probes first and charging the Great Star Gate before attempting to use it.
• Ancient Technology and Civilization: The Great Star Gate is a testament to the advanced technology and civilization that created it, and its complexity and power are emphasized.

Character Interactions

• While not explicitly stated, the civilizations of the Great Voyage Organization work together to locate, charge, and activate the Great Star Gate, demonstrating unity and cooperation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Great Voyage Organization (GVO) obtains information about a star gate's location from Observation Station 764, but the data is over a billion years old.
• GVO restarts the star gate and sends Probe Fleets through it for navigation tests. Communication with the Probe Fleets is lost upon entry but resumes upon exit.
• After 120 years, Probe Spaceships return with successful crossing data. The exit is located around 80 million light-years from the Great Void's edge, about 90 million light-years from GVO.
• GVO plans to send warships first to secure the area before the main body enters the star gate.

Character Developments

• No significant individual character developments in this chapter; focus is on the collective actions and decisions of the civilizations in GVO.

Significant Themes

• Communication: The challenges and limitations of communication over vast distances, particularly the impact of Quantum Foam and the Great Void on Quantum Entanglement communication.
• Star Gates: The importance and advantages of star gates as highways for cosmic civilizations, enabling rapid interstellar travel.
• Caution and Cautionary Measures: GVO's careful approach to exploring the unknown, sending warships first to secure the area before the main body enters the star gate.

Character Interactions

• Interactions primarily occur among the civilizations within GVO, such as discussions in the Virtual Auditorium and decisions made collectively.
• The Starry Sky Defenders share their knowledge and experiences with the other civilizations, sometimes exaggerating (e.g., claiming that powerful civilizations can build star gates that cover tens of millions of light-years in minutes).
• The Six Characteristic Technology Civilizations remain silent during the Starry Sky Defenders' exaggerations, suggesting they are aware of the truth.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Great Voyage Organization passes through the Great Star Gate into a new galaxy.
• Human Civilization's scientists are excited about the passage, marking their first experience with a star gate.
• Yue Yuan, aboard the Lyra, reflects on the passage and the changes in the organization's personnel.
• Yue Yuan reads about the Observer Civilization, focusing on an individual life-form's notes.
• The Observer Civilization's history is revealed, from its birth in the Phoenix Supercluster to its extinction.
• The Observer Civilization launched the "Observer" plan to build a universe-level communications network.
• They discovered Vacuum Decay zones and united with other Cosmic Civilizations to solve the Cosmic Cataclysm crisis.
• A great war broke out between treaty and non-treaty factions, lasting roughly three hundred million years.
• The Observer Civilization remained neutral, profiting from the war and attempting to unify Cosmic Civilizations.
• They failed and planned to reach a higher level of civilization before solving Vacuum Decay.
• The Observer Civilization intended to leave the region but was wiped out by an Unknown Civilization's Fourth Phase Transition Strike.

Character Developments

• Yue Yuan reflects on the changes in the Great Voyage Organization's personnel, showing a sense of nostalgia and acceptance of time's passage.
• The individual life-form from the Observer Civilization, Chen Shu, expresses their personal philosophy and growth.

Significant Themes

• The passage of time and the changes it brings.
• The struggle between different ideals and methods in solving cosmic crises.
• The pursuit of knowledge and understanding the universe.
• The consequences of war and the struggle for power among civilizations.

Character Interactions

• Yue Yuan interacts with the crew members aboard the Lyra, reflecting on the past.
• Chen Shu's notes provide a personal perspective on the Observer Civilization's history.
• The Observer Civilization interacts with other Cosmic Civilizations, both as allies and adversaries, throughout their history.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yue Yuan, the supreme leader of Human Civilization, discusses the Pudolad and Soft-Star People with Long Xinglv, a top scientist.
• The Silver Heart Civilization proposed gathering the Pudolad people, but other civilizations refused.
• Yue Yuan learns about the Lyra's maintenance and watches the process of passing through the Star Gate.
• The Great Celestial Dog Civilization, influenced by Human Civilization, embarks on the Great Voyage 2.45 million years later, naming it "Sailing upon the meteor shower sent by the God of Light."
• Many other civilizations across the universe also form voyage organizations and set out on their own Great Voyages.

Character Developments

• Yue Yuan is revealed to be a lonely old man who has lived for an unknown number of years.
• Long Xinglv shows his knowledge and frustration regarding the Pudolad and Soft-Star People.

Significant Themes

• The struggle to obtain characteristic technology and the conflict among civilizations.
• The influence of Human Civilization on other civilizations and their decision to embark on the Great Voyage.
• The vastness and diversity of the universe, with numerous civilizations undertaking similar voyages.

Character Interactions

• Yue Yuan and Long Xinglv discuss the Pudolad and Soft-Star People, revealing their knowledge and concerns.
• Yue Yuan learns about the Lyra's maintenance from Long Xinglv.
• The Great Celestial Dog Civilization interacts with the Nair Civilization and the two Special Lifeforms, leading to their decision to embark on the Great Voyage.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Galactic Great Voyage Organization's fleets emerge from the Star Gate to find the Kroll Civilization's vast fleet waiting.
• The Kroll Civilization reveals that they have been guarding the Star System for 20 million years, awaiting a civilization to exit the Star Gate.
• The Kroll Civilization introduces the concept of the "Great Route" leading to the Boötes Void and mentions it's guarded by Type II Boundary Breakers and their minions.

Character Developments

• The leaders of the Galactic Great Voyage Organization's civilizations are depicted as curious, cautious, and somewhat impatient.
• The Kroll Civilization is portrayed as direct, confident, and well-informed about the Galactic Great Voyage Organization's journey.

Significant Themes

• The theme of first contact and initial misunderstandings between civilizations is explored.
• The vastness and dangers of space are emphasized, with the mention of Type II Boundary Breakers and their lackeys.
• The importance of communication and understanding in interstellar relations is highlighted.

Character Interactions

• The Galactic Great Voyage Organization and the Kroll Civilization engage in a cautious yet friendly exchange of information.
• The Divine Matrix Civilization Leader grows impatient with the Kroll Civilization's lengthy explanations and asks the first question on behalf of the Galactic Great Voyage Organization.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Galactic Great Voyage Organization arrives in the territory of the Type II Boundary Breakers.
• They meet the Kroll Civilization, who explains that they are part of the Abyss Great Voyage Organization.
• The Kroll Civilization reveals that the Type II Boundary Breakers are a significant obstacle to their shared goal of reaching the Boötes Void.
• The Kroll Civilization offers an alliance to jointly deal with the Boundary Breakers.

Character Developments

• The Galactic Great Voyage Organization members express confusion and surprise at the Kroll Civilization's generosity regarding resource sharing.
• Yue Yuan, a member of the Galactic Great Voyage Organization, thinks about the Precursors and their Great Route.

Significant Themes

• Alliance and Cooperation: The Kroll Civilization emphasizes the importance of alliance for a common goal.
• The Great Voyage: The struggle to reach the Boötes Void and open the Great Route is a central theme.
• Type II Boundary Breakers: The antagonistic force that blocks progress towards the Great Voyage.

Character Interactions

• The Galactic Great Voyage Organization and the Kroll Civilization engage in a detailed discussion about their shared enemy, the Type II Boundary Breakers.
• The Kroll Civilization is open and straightforward, but holds back some information about their allies in the Abyss Great Voyage Organization.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Galactic Great Voyage Organization (GGVO) meets the Abyss Great Voyage Organization (AGVO), represented by the Kroll Civilization.
• The GGVO reveals it has six Characteristic Technology Civilizations, surprising the Kroll Civilization.
• Both organizations exchange information about their structures and Characteristic Technologies.
• The Kroll Civilization invites the GGVO to form a verbal Military Alliance and sends a Star Map and Quantum Communication Channel.
• The GGVO decides to send Probe Spaceships to the front line to assess the situation.

Character Developments

• Yue Yuan, leader of the GGVO, demonstrates strategic thinking and caution in dealing with the AGVO.
• The Starry Sky Defenders show expertise in Rule Shields and Star Gates, challenging Yue Yuan's assumptions.

Significant Themes

• Alliances and Cooperation: Both organizations seek to form alliances to combat the Boundary Breakers, highlighting the importance of unity in the face of a common enemy.
• Information and Intelligence: The exchange of information and the decision to gather intelligence at the front line emphasize the value of accurate information in decision-making.
• Power Dynamics: The revelation of each organization's Characteristic Technologies and civilizations highlights the power dynamics at play and the need for careful assessment.

Character Interactions

• Yue Yuan and the Kroll Civilization: Yue Yuan demonstrates diplomacy and caution in dealing with the Kroll Civilization, while the Kroll Civilization shows openness and willingness to cooperate.
• Yue Yuan and the Starry Sky Defenders: Yue Yuan's interaction with the Starry Sky Defenders shows his willingness to learn and adapt, while the Starry Sky Defenders demonstrate expertise and a no-nonsense attitude.
• The GGVO and AGVO: Both organizations show a willingness to cooperate and share information, despite the potential risks involved.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Galactic Great Voyage Organization (GGVO) civilizations live aboard spaceships, not planets.
• They tour a vast, bustling Starry Sky Shipyard, a massive ship production complex.
• The Kroll Civilization uses other races as soldiers, reviving them after death, which causes the loss of their unique talent (Third-Person Piloting).
• GGVO civilizations begin mass production of warships and train Soft-Star People as soldiers.
• The Kroll Civilization's fleet sets out for the front line, with GGVO civilizations sending probes to follow.

Character Developments

• The Kroll Civilization is shown to be pragmatic and strategic, using other races as soldiers to minimize their own losses.
• The Silver Heart Civilization mocks the Divine Matrix Civilization for their hypocrisy in raising Soft-Star People after previously discouraging it.
• The Divine Matrix Civilization is portrayed as stoic and pragmatic, prioritizing their civilization's survival.

Significant Themes

• Pragmatism and survival: Civilizations prioritize their own survival and resources, leading to strategic decisions like using other races as soldiers.
• The cost of war: The high cost of warships and soldiers leads to the use of cheaper alternatives like Soft-Star People.
• The impact of technology: The Great Memory Revival Technique causes the loss of unique talents, highlighting the consequences of advanced technology.

Character Interactions

• The Silver Heart Civilization and the Divine Matrix Civilization have a tense relationship, with the Silver Heart Civilization mocking the Divine Matrix Civilization's hypocrisy.
• The GGVO civilizations cooperate in their recuperation phase, sharing resources and knowledge to mass produce warships and train soldiers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Galactic Great Voyage Organization arrives at the 627 Galaxy, the current front line, via the Kroll Civilization's Star Map and Star Gates.
• They find the galaxy engulfed in war, with high interstellar temperatures and frequent stellar outbursts.
• The Kroll Civilization's 18th Fleet requests the Galactic Great Voyage Organization's assistance in rescuing the Pena Civilization's main fleet, which is trapped near the central black hole by Boundary Breaker forces.

Character Developments

• The Kroll Civilization's fleets, particularly Commanders Awell and Mukovilia, are portrayed as experienced and strategic, prioritizing the safety of their allies and the overall war effort.
• The Galactic Great Voyage Organization is introduced as a new force, with six characteristic technology civilizations, but they haven't transitioned to combat mode yet.

Significant Themes

• The importance of strategic alliances and cooperation in warfare.
• The challenges and complexities of intergalactic warfare, particularly around Star Gates.
• The potential consequences of losing galaxies to the enemy, including resource scarcity and increased conversion costs.

Character Interactions

• Awell and Mukovilia, both Kroll Civilization fleet commanders, display camaraderie and mutual respect, sharing battle strategies and expressing confidence in their new allies from the Galactic Great Voyage Organization.
• The Galactic Great Voyage Organization is acknowledged as a potential game-changer in the war, with both Awell and Mukovilia expressing eagerness to see how their six characteristic technology civilizations fare in combat.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Kroll Civilization explains their strategy against the Type II Boundary Breakers, emphasizing the necessity of controlling Star Gates for galactic conquest.
• The Galactic Great Voyage Organization and Kroll Civilization fleets approach the 627 Galaxy, aiming for its central black hole and Star Gate.
• The Kroll Civilization's 17th Fleet encounters Boundary Breakers, with the 18th Fleet en route.

Character Developments

• No significant individual character developments in this chapter.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between civilizations for galactic control and resources.
• The evolution and adaptation of lifeforms, as seen in the transformation of Type II Boundary Breakers.

Character Interactions

• The Galactic Great Voyage Organization interacts with the Kroll Civilization, learning about their strategies and experiences against the Boundary Breakers.
• No direct interactions between characters are depicted in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• War erupts between the Kroll Civilization and the Boundary Breakers' alliance.
• The Kroll Civilization's 17th Fleet faces a larger enemy force, including 1.8 billion Boundary Breakers and three lackey civilizations' fleets.
• The battle begins with both sides exchanging long-range Void Strikes and Tachyon Weapons.
• As the distance closes, Space Cutting Weapons and Warp bombs are employed, causing significant destruction.
• The Kroll Civilization's 18th Fleet engages the Boundary Breakers' lackey fleet blockading the Pena Civilization near the central black hole.

Character Developments

• Mukovilia, the commander of the Kroll Civilization's 17th Fleet, is introduced. She demonstrates strategic acumen and calmness under pressure.

Significant Themes

• The impact of constant war on civilizational structure and survival.
• The importance of reconnaissance and information gathering in warfare.
• The strategic value of star gates and the central black hole region.

Character Interactions

• Mukovilia's strategic decisions are influenced by the actions of the Boundary Breakers and their lackeys.
• The Kroll Civilization's fleets coordinate their actions, with the 17th Fleet engaging the main enemy force while the 18th Fleet attempts to rescue the Pena Civilization.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The war in the 627 Galaxy is ongoing, with both sides employing various tactics and strategies.
• The Kroll Civilization is fighting to rescue the Pena Civilization's fleet but is likely to lose the 627 Galaxy.
• The real Main Battlefield is the 712 Star System, where the flagships of the Kroll and Abyss Civilizations are engaged.
• The Type II Boundary Breakers are fighting on multiple fronts, with the Blue Sea Great Voyage Organization launching an offensive from the other side.

Character Developments

• Yue Yuan, the Commander of the Human Civilization's fleet, is shown analyzing the battle situation and seeking expert opinions.
• The First Mate of the Lyra demonstrates strategic understanding and insight into the overall battle plan.

Significant Themes

• The importance of information and reconnaissance in warfare.
• The long-term nature of the conflict and the strategic planning involved.
• The interconnectedness of different battlefronts and the impact of one front on another.

Character Interactions

• Yue Yuan consults with experts from various fields to discuss the battle situation.
• The First Mate of the Lyra shares her analysis of the battle with the assembled experts.