[Earth]
Lü Yongchang studied the scene in the Holographic Image with a grave expression.
"These giant trees really are highly intelligent."
Interest flickered in his eyes. "I wonder if we could communicate with them?"
Lü Yongchang's words immediately piqued Mao Zhengzhi's interest.
"Communicate?"
"Hey! You might be onto something! You really might!"
Mao Zhengzhi muttered excitedly, "If our deductions are correct, communication is entirely possible!"
"We just need to decipher their language system and how they transmit signals!"
Lü Yongchang shrugged and pointed at the two enormous craters filled with shattered leaves and severed roots in the Holographic Projection. Somewhat helplessly, he said, "How do you think..."
"...we're supposed to analyze them now?"
Mao Zhengzhi's excited expression suddenly froze.
"Well..."
His lips trembled twice. In frustration, he lightly thumped the lab bench beside him and grumbled under his breath, "Those... those barbarians!"
"They even used hydrogen bombs when there was no need!"
"Great. Now those giant trees will probably guard against us like we're thieves!"
"Probably worse than that." Seeing Mao Zhengzhi's reaction, Lü Yongchang smiled faintly. "As far as the giant trees are concerned, we're invaders, plain and simple."
"Forget research. From now on, even landing will probably be difficult."
The corners of Mao Zhengzhi's mouth twitched.
This was a plant civilization unlike anything they had ever seen!
Watching their research opportunity go to waste hurt him as though a knife were cutting into his heart!
"If only we could sneak a tree aboard..."
Mao Zhengzhi murmured to himself.
"Are you kidding?" Lü Yongchang stared at Mao Zhengzhi beside him in alarm. "If it were dead, that wouldn't be a problem."
"But it's alive! You saw how fast and powerful those roots were."
"They could even dent outer armor made from star gold-carbyne composite!"
"How about... you go down