The Kunde Race's main ship was filled with a large number of civilians. The floor was covered with makeshift bedding, and people were sitting or lying down, with one person's legs next to another's back. The scene was very crowded, just like a refugee camp.
brush--
The hatch opened, and a group of service robots pushed in a trolley loaded with buckets of pureed food.
"Dinner's ready!"
The Imperial soldier on guard shouted, and the crowd immediately stirred.
Since their imprisonment, these Kunde Race civilians had lived in constant fear, terrified of their future. However, they had not suffered materially; the empire provided food on time and did not mistreat the prisoners, which calmed the Kunde Race civilians considerably, and no one did anything unwise.
The domestic robot moved among the crowd, distributing food to everyone. The prisoners all sat up, ate the hot, nutritious porridge in large mouthfuls, whispered among themselves, and chatted in twos and threes. The atmosphere was relatively peaceful.
In the crowd, two Kunde Race, one big and one small, huddled together. The smaller one was clearly Kunde Race toddler, taking small bites of nutritious porridge. The adult female Kunde Race next to her poured half of the porridge from her bowl into the child's bowl.
"Mom, aren't you going to eat?" Seeing this, the child looked up.
You eat first, and I'll eat after you're full.
An adult Kunde Race gazed at him tenderly; the two were a mother and son.
"No, let's eat together." The child shook his head and muttered, "I wish Daddy was here too. Mommy, where did he go?"
Upon hearing this, his mother fell silent. Seeing her son staring at her, she forced a smile and said, "Your father might be on another spaceship and can't come to see us. He'll come find us once we've settled down."
"That's great, I miss him so much!" the child exclaimed happily. "When will we be able to settle down?"
"... I guess it'll be soon."
Her smile grew increasingly forced; though she had no confidence at all, she had to feign certainty.
She forced herself to cheer up and comforted the child for a few moments. Seeing the child continue eating with his head down, she quietly turned her face away and wiped away the tears that almost welled up in her eyes.
She knew in her heart that her husband was likely dead... because she was the wife of a military officer.
After the war began, she and her child were sent away as soldiers' families, but due to the Empire's actions, they were sent back and became prisoners. Although the Empire blocked outside information, since the Kunde Race had been defeated, she could easily imagine the losses on the battlefield.
Unable to communicate with the outside world, she didn't know whether her husband was alive or dead, and still held onto a last glimmer of hope. However, in front of her children, she had to force herself to suppress her confusion, anxiety, and unease, and couldn't show it. She was under immense pressure.
After the children have fallen asleep in the dead of night, she is the kind of person who quietly sobs with tears streaming down her face.
She didn't know how this civilization called the Crimson Dynasty would deal with them, so she could only deceive her child.
"Beep beep beep--"
Just then, rows of virtual screens suddenly popped up around the shipyard, immediately attracting everyone's attention.
All the screens flashed simultaneously, and then a familiar figure appeared.
"He's the leader!"
The crowd immediately stirred, with many people standing up and staring intently at the screen.
The same scene played out on all the Kunde Race prison ships. After the Empire took over, news was blocked, and most people knew nothing about the current situation. This was the first time they had received outside news since being imprisoned, and the first time they had seen their leader on television.
The mother quickly put down her food and pulled her child to stand next to the virtual screen to watch.
On the screen, the Kunde Race leader sat impeccably facing the camera and slowly began to speak:
"Fellow countrymen, I have some sobering news to announce—we have utterly lost this war. Approximately seventy percent of our military force has been annihilated. The fleet numbers of those killed or missing are as follows..."
He began to read aloud a long list of fallen soldiers, and the hearts of all the soldiers' families immediately jumped, afraid of missing a single number.
As the fleet numbers were read out one by one, people would occasionally collapse to the ground, their hearts filled with despair, and heart-wrenching cries echoed from the crowd.
The child was confused when suddenly he felt his mother sway beside him, almost pulling him down. He quickly turned around and grabbed his mother's hand.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
"I... I'm fine."
The mother's body trembled slightly. If she were a human, she would be pale at this moment. She struggled to support her child's shoulders to keep herself steady and tried to keep her voice calm, but she could not hide the trembling in her voice.
Just now, she heard the name of the fleet her husband was serving in from the Kunde Race leader. Her last glimmer of hope shattered, her vision went black, and she almost fainted on the spot.
Remembering that her child was still beside her, she forced herself to suppress her emotions. At this moment, she couldn't even cry; she was completely numb and felt utterly hopeless.
The sounds of weeping rose and fell, instantly filling the room with an atmosphere of sorrow.
After finally finishing reading the list of the dead, the Kunde Race leader said in a deep voice, "I bear the main responsibility for the defeat in this war. My and the high command's failed decisions have led to today's disastrous outcome."
In fact, this war could have been avoided; it was not the enemy who started it, but us.
The Crimson Dynasty came from afar to explore the unknown. They are actually a peace-loving civilization, but arrogance and hostility blinded my heart. I was manipulated by a third party, harboring hostility towards the Crimson Dynasty and inherently placing them in the position of an enemy. I wanted to strike first, so I arranged an attack, which provoked the empire's wrath.
We had the opportunity to coexist peacefully, without war or bloodshed, only the fusion of cultures. Unfortunately, because of my mistake, we missed this future.
My arrogance severed the bridge to peaceful contact between us. Everything that is happening now is my responsibility. My flawed decisions have plunged the entire civilization into the abyss.
As he spoke, he pulled up a document, which was the confidential internal information on the arrangement of the first Psionic Energy bomb trap, as well as the casualty statistics of the Imperial exploration team, to prove that he was not talking nonsense.
Then, the Kunde Race leader stood up and bowed deeply to the camera.
"I have personally destroyed your past lives, and countless families have been torn apart because of this war. I am sorry."
Upon hearing this, everyone understood that this was an edict of self-reproach, explaining to the people the reasons for the war.
Many people were outraged by this scene.
sorry?
You've ruined your entire community like this, what good is an apology?!
If you hadn't started the war, those soldiers wouldn't have died, and we would still be living normal lives. How could we have become prisoners?
Because of you, our civilization is facing a life-or-death crisis, and all of this could have been avoided!
Is an apology all it takes?!
After apologizing, the Kunde Race leader returned to his seat, expressionless, and continued:
"I know you are all concerned about how the Crimson Dynasty will deal with us. My fellow countrymen, please rest assured, the Crimson Dynasty is a more advanced civilization than us. They will not massacre civilians, nor will they subject us to intellectual castration. They have decided to release us, relocate us to another star system, restore our freedom, and help us build a new home..."
Upon hearing this, everyone's tense nerves relaxed; this was the issue they cared about most.
They were already incredibly lucky to have survived, and the other side was even willing to release them, giving these prisoners of war their freedom back.
It seems the Crimson Dynasty is indeed a peace-loving civilization... This thought crossed the minds of some.
Having started the war, they were in the wrong from the beginning; the Empire treated prisoners well, showing the utmost benevolence and righteousness. Comparing the two, the people's hatred for the Empire lessened slightly.
Of course, reason and objectivity do not exist on such issues. Even as the party that started the war, most Kunde Race still harbor some degree of hatred towards the Empire, with the families of the fallen soldiers being the most resentful.
However, because of this explanation, their anger was directed more at the Kunde Race leaders.
At this point, the Kunde Race leader produced another document containing a brief biography of Han Xiao, which was provided by the Empire.
"Our new home is the territory of a great figure in the Crimson Dynasty named Black Star. He will provide us with protection. He is a respectable man, and it was his statement that made the Empire determined to restore our freedom."
Everyone looked at Han Xiao's image on the document and secretly remembered the person who spoke up for them.
Meanwhile, in the office on Lighthouse Star, Han Xiao's projection was watching the Kunde Race leader's speech with Tarrokov. Seeing this, he glanced at Tarrokov with amusement.
"You guys really went all out in helping me. Not only did you give me the Kunde Race population resources, but you also helped me build my image for free."
"You are welcome."
Tarrokov took a sip of the herbal health drink and smiled faintly.
The speech continued, and the Kunde Race leader introduced the situation of their new homeland, offering a misleading glimpse into the future while remaining silent on matters such as cultural transformation and the closure of the interstellar network. Then, he abruptly changed the subject:
"The current situation is a result of flawed decision-making, and those at the top bear enormous responsibility. All those involved will be executed. I will learn from this experience, reflect on the lessons learned, and continue to lead our community and build our new homeland with more rational methods."
boom--
These words immediately caused an uproar among the crowd, and they erupted in chaos!
"Having made such a grave mistake, what right does he have to continue leading us?"
"Executing all the high-ranking officials while refusing to punish themselves in the slightest—how hypocritical!"
"Is he determined to cling to the leadership position until the very end?"
Almost everyone was furious.
You've ruined the community, how can you continue to be its leader?!
Did we agree?!
All the other high-ranking officials were executed, but all you gave us in return was a flimsy "I'm sorry"?!
What's the point?!
Even if he doesn't die, he should at least step down!
You shamelessly continue to serve as leader; isn't that just your lust for power at work?
The tribe was defeated, yet you're unscathed, still sitting in this position—why?!
He appears to be blaming himself, but in reality he's shifting all the blame onto other higher-ups—it's utterly despicable!
At this moment, the Kunde Race leader stood up, revealing a formulaic smile. "I will visit every ship to comfort you, to encourage you, and to give you the courage to start anew. Failure is not terrible; I... can make the Kunde Race great again."
These words should have been Inspiration, but at this moment, almost everyone was staring angrily at the Kunde Race leader on the screen.
The Kunde Race leader stood up and walked out, followed by a suspended mechanical camera.
At that moment, the cabin door opened, and a Kunde Race walked in. The civilians present all turned to look and began to whisper among themselves.
"Who is this person, and how can he move around freely?"
"I know him. He's one of the leaders' secretaries and has appeared on television before."
The secretary clapped her hands to quiet everyone down before speaking:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the leader's first stop will be here to offer his condolences. I hope you will all act with deep gratitude later to enhance the leader's image."
Everyone present was furious.
Even at this point, you're still putting on a show?!
We, the families who have just learned of the deaths of our loved ones in the war, are expected to cooperate with you and perform acts of gratitude?!
Many people clenched their fists, trembling with anger.
They didn't know how to describe their feelings; their anger and contempt for the leader had almost reached their peak.
Soon, footsteps could be heard outside the cabin, and the cabin door opened again.
The Kunde Race leader strode in, accompanied by his secretary and a group of attendants, a smile of concern on his face.
Seeing his smile, many people were so angry they were practically boiling over.
Still laughing?
What the hell are you laughing at?!
But upon seeing the retinue surrounding the Kunde Race leader, everyone present dared not speak out against their anger, and could only glare at him with furious and hostile eyes.
The Kunde Race leader glanced at everyone, maintained his smile, and said:
"Everyone, how have you been lately? I know you must be feeling lost. Don't worry, you can tell me anything that's on your mind... I..."
Whoosh!
Just as he was speaking, a dark object suddenly flew out from the crowd and landed with a thud on the spotless clothes of the Kunde Race leader.
Everyone looked down and saw that it was a rice bowl, and all the nutritious paste inside had spilled out and stuck to the clothes of the Kunde Race leader.
"Get out!" an angry voice rang out from the crowd.
Once someone started it, the others were immediately caught up in the rhythm, grabbing the bowls of rice around them and throwing them forcefully at the Kunde Race leader.
slap slap slap--
Clumps of nutrient paste were smeared all over the Kunde Race leader, turning his clothes sticky and obscuring their original color. He looked as if he had been pulled out of a paste, utterly disheveled.
"Stop! Stop!"
The Kunde Race leader's entourage rushed forward to block the overwhelming pile of rice bowls and protect the Kunde Race leader.
At this moment, the civilians who couldn't throw their food at the Kunde Race leader also tried to throw it at him, holding their rice bowls and pushing forward, causing the human wall to move forward and making the Kunde Race leader and his entourage retreat.
"Don't push! Everyone move aside!"
One of his followers shouted loudly, shoving the crowd in front of him. He couldn't help but increase the force, and suddenly, a female was pushed away and fell to the ground.
The next moment, a delicate roar rang out from the crowd.
"You hit my mother, I'll fight you to the death!"
The attendant suddenly felt a sharp pain in his leg. Looking down, he saw a child clinging tightly to his thigh and biting down on it, the child's teeth piercing through his carapace.
"Get away!" He winced in pain and couldn't help but slap the child across the face, sending him flying.
Those around witnessed this scene, and their emotions exploded.
"You dare hit a child?!"
"Beat them up!"
The anger that everyone had been holding back finally erupted!
Reason crumbled instantly, and everyone roared and pounced, attacking with their fists, teeth, and shells.
The crowd was enraged, and the situation escalated into a bloody incident, with the scene completely out of control.
Bang!
The Kunde Race leader was tackled to the ground by a group of people, who then beat him mercilessly, causing him to double over in pain.
Just then, he felt a sudden pain in his neck as someone bit down hard, sharp teeth piercing his carapace and sinking into his throat, causing blood to gush out.
The Kunde Race leader's body jolted violently. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that the one biting his throat was a female Kunde Race, the mother of the child who had just been beaten.
The other party held on tightly, refusing to let go, their eyes deeply etched into his mind.
What eyes these are, filled with anger, hatred, and despair...
Click!
"Ah!!!" She forcefully tore off the Kunde Race leader's throat, held it in her mouth, and raised her head to let out a sharp, angry roar from her throat.
Blood gushed from the gash in his throat, and the Kunde Race leader's body gradually weakened, his consciousness growing heavier.
Looking at his tribesmen who were wantonly ravaging his body, he felt an unprecedented calm.
"Finally... the performance is over."
Thump!
His brain was suddenly struck by a heavy object, and his consciousness vanished into utter nothingness.
The Imperial soldiers on guard immediately intervened and brought the rioting crowd under control, but deliberately slowed down, allowing the chaos to continue for a while.
Finally, the bloodshed was stopped by the Imperial soldiers. Pools of blood remained on the ground, and more than a dozen people lay dead. Everyone immediately saw the body of the Kunde Race leader, mangled beyond recognition.
The riot was recorded in its entirety by the hovering camera, and the Kunde Race on other ships all witnessed this scene.
"They actually killed him! Well done!"
"A racist like him shouldn't be allowed to live!"
"This is the only way to punish him!"
Many people simply felt a sense of gratification.
In the ship's external corridor, which was not captured on camera, an Imperial intelligence agent wearing black gloves leaned against the wall, casually tossing a small emotional intensification device.
Hearing the commotion inside stop, he paused, caught the emotion-intensifying device, pressed the shut-off button, casually stuffed it into his pocket, and strode away.
"This scene is over." Tarrokov turned off the virtual screen.
"You really know how to make the most of things."
Han Xiao curled his lip. "Instead of having the Empire execute them, the Kunde Race are forced to kill their leader themselves. This event will forever remain in the Kunde Race history, becoming an unforgettable negative example. In the short term, those Kunde Race have been incited may feel great satisfaction, but this event will remain in their minds, constantly having an impact. The spirit and morale of the entire tribe will collapse because of this event, making it easier for you to carry out cultural reforms."
"Compared to annihilation, this is mild enough."
Tarrokov remained expressionless and silent for a long time before suddenly turning around and looking directly into Han Xiao's eyes.
"Black Star, find the mastermind behind this."
Han Xiao crossed his legs, placed his hands on his knees, and slowly nodded:
"Okay, leave it to me."