Chapter 50 Countdown to War

"Quiet..."

As Wood Steven spoke, the hall suddenly became quiet.

Everyone looked at Steven who was sitting at the main seat.

Wood Steven's eyes also swept over everyone at the round table.

"If you have something to say, just say it, one by one, don't be anxious, and don't argue. Here, everyone has the right to speak. Whoever has good suggestions and whose words make sense, then listen to him."

Everyone looked at each other in surprise at what the speaker said.

After a long silence, a young man spoke first.

"I don't need to tell you the importance of trade coins. Without trade coins, we can't complete the population task. With just that little bit of barren ternary lithium mine, we can't get enough trade coins. Everyone, we don't have much time. There are still more than three years left. Time is running out."

Yes, they don't have much time.

The reward for completing the task is a drop in the bucket, and there is only one way to earn a lot of trade coins, that is mining.

But the four minerals needed for the trade mall are too rare in the universe.

Even if they can be found, most of them are poor ores, and the refining process is very troublesome.

At this time, Morin said: "There are only two ways to obtain a large number of trade coins. One is to mine and sell four kinds of minerals to the trade mall. The second way is to block the trade mall and collect a certain percentage of taxes from the earthlings who enter and leave the trade mall. But doing so is easy to offend people, and at this stage, the taxes collected may be far from meeting our demand for trade coins."

"March to the S-01888 star system? You must know that the S-01888 star system is obviously controlled by a certain group of forces."

"Just march, what's there to worry about? The other party has already opened fire on Leo. In the eyes of both sides, the other party has become an enemy."

In the conference hall, everyone discussed one by one.

"Although the other side's warship is large, it will be more difficult to build. Although our warship is small, it is easier to build. Moreover, the combat power of a warship has nothing to do with its size. I have learned about the game Warhammer 40K. The technology of the human empire is not advanced and very primitive. If we have the advantage in numbers, we will definitely win."

"That's right, it's better to fight early than late. If the other side unlocks more advanced technology first, the strength of both sides will increase rapidly. At least at this time, the advantage is on our side."

"Maybe... we can talk to the other side?"

"What to talk about? Let's talk about taking the other side's mines and let the other side give up the mines or give us half?"

"This matter cannot be discussed. The other side opened fire without saying a word. It can be seen that the power is so strong that there is no possibility of peace talks."

"Conflicts between humans on Earth are inevitable. It's a matter of sooner or later. Everyone should be mentally prepared."

"Let the Speaker of the Parliament make the decision..."

As soon as these words came out, the discussion in the parliament hall stopped abruptly.

Everyone looked at Wood Stevens in the main seat.

This time, Wood Steven was no longer silent.

He looked around at the people at the round table, his face only solemn.

"Since everyone has no objection, then fight. Prepare for two years, stop all non-military construction, and focus on developing armaments."

Everyone's expression was different after hearing this.

With the words of the Speaker of the Council, the "UNSC" embarked on an unknown road again.

It will be a road full of war and challenges...

...

In the red subspace, a black warship is sailing.

In the upper area of ​​the Alfred bridge, in the study...

"The slaves have been counted, a total of 30,000 people, the quality is good, all between 20 and 40 years old."

With the lifespan of slaves, they can still work for at least 50 years, the quality is indeed good.

"Have you asked where they are from?"

Sitting in the chair behind the desk, Li Meng looked at Ralph in the holographic screen in front of him.

Ralph replied, "They are from all over the star fields of the Empire. Their answers are similar. They all boarded the black ship of the Astronomican Office one day and then lost consciousness."

Black ship?

There are two types of black ships in the Empire.

One belongs to the Inquisition, and the other belongs to the Astronomican Office.

The former is the combat ship of the Demon Inquisition and the Alien Inquisition.

The latter is the ship that runs across the Empire and collects psychics from various worlds.

The reason why Li Meng asked about their origins was just to figure out some things.

Now it seems that the answer he wants to know is still a mystery.

"Thank you for your hard work..."

With a wave of his hand, Li Meng interrupted the communication with Ralph.

Looking down at the logbook on the desk, Li Meng picked it up and put it down again.

"Sandra, how long has it been?"

The return journey was a bit bumpy.

The Alfred passed through several windless areas.

The so-called windless zone does not mean "no wind", and there is no wind in the subspace.

Refers to an area with no storm activity and unusually calm.

Ships sailing in the subspace are not powered by their own engines.

Instead, they drift along the ocean currents like the sea.

Subspace storms are equivalent to ocean currents in the sea and are the source of power for ships.

Once entering the windless zone, the ship will be trapped and can only wait for a new storm to blow.

Sandra has been standing by the desk. Compared with Irene and Irene, she is undoubtedly more patient.

Sandra replied: "Today is the seventeenth day..."

Seventeen days?

Time flies so fast...

Turning his head to look at Sandra at the desk, Li Meng said: "Go and rest, you don't have to wait in the study."

Standing is very tiring. If he doesn't feel sorry for the people around him, who will feel sorry for him?

Sandra lowered her head slightly and said: "Someone has to wait by the king's side. I'm not tired..."

Smiling, Li Meng waved to Sandra.

Sandra's face was calm, and she turned around and walked forward a few steps.

Grabbing Sandra's hand, Li Meng gently pulled her into his arms.

Sandra took advantage of the situation and sat horizontally on Li Meng's thighs.

Holding Sandra's waist lightly, Li Meng smiled and said, "Are you really not tired?"

Facing the "king's" half-smile, Sandra shook her head.

Li Meng didn't force it, he buried his head in Sandra's arms and took a deep breath.

It smells so good...

...

S-01888 star system.

Although stars emit light all the time, darkness is always the theme of the universe.

In the universe outside the gravity well of Star No. 1...

The space suddenly twisted and quickly turned into a huge red vortex.

The next moment, a huge battleship slowly sailed out of the vortex.

Alfred.

On the upper bridge, in the study...

"King, we have returned to the S-01888 star system and are expected to arrive at the Ark in an hour..."

In the study, the protective armor outside the window is slowly opening.

In the starry sky in front of the bow, the khaki No. 1 star and the star ring can be seen.