The Al-Star Belt is a gigantic meteorite belt filled with densely packed meteorites and planet fragments. Spacecraft can’t fly in this area. At the same time, it’s difficult for any spacecraft to undergo a hyperspace jump in this area as there are a large number of planet-sized meteorites and dead planets, each with its gravitational pull.
Some scientists even believe that there is a black hole hidden in a certain area of the Al-Star belt.
Therefore, this area at the edge of the Milky Way is its most durable protection, greatly protecting the Milky Way from the harassment of other galaxies. Occasionally, the Empire sends a fleet to patrol this area.
Their main purpose is to observe the changes in the Al-Star Belt, or whether any dangerous Star Beast or Pathogen have appeared there.
However, this time the patrols discovered a fleet coming from the Al-star Belt, which is not something an ordinary fleet can do.
In the meeting room, everyone’s faces became solemn. They all knew that ordinary fleets can’t cross the Al-Star Belt, only the official forces belonging to other galaxy-ruling Empires have this ability, and the reason for their sudden appearance in their territory is worth debating.
“On the other side of the Al-Star Belt, there are two galaxies, one is the Hammer Galaxy, and the other is the Hunter Galaxy. These two galaxies have never had conflicted with our Milky Way in the recorded history.”
An old man said with a solemn expression to Oppen IX, he is the Patriarch of the Long family, Long You.
Qingshan Chang, the Patriarch of the Qingshan Family, also said.
“Your Majesty, now we need to determine the identity of this fleet and their intentions.”
“I think we should send one of our fleets to contact them.”
“Yes.”
The patriarchs of the other families also nodded. Everyone’s face was very solemn at that moment. Although they said to check the intentions of the incoming fleet, they knew internally that there is a high chance the incoming fleet is hostile.
They might be the expedition forces looking for a safe place to conduct hyperspace jumps, then mark it and pass it back to the force behind them.
More importantly, even if they destroy that fleet, it’s too late. Since they crossed the Al-Star Belt and appeared in their territory, they are likely to have found the coordinates and passed them back.
Their only hope now is that the incoming force isn’t hostile. An intergalactic war at this moment isn’t in their best interests.
Oppen IX looked at the solemn patriarch of the Qingshan family and the other noble families’ heads and shook his head slightly. The courage of the five noble families has become smaller and smaller.
A powerful fleet appearing in their territory without informing them means that it’s 95% hostile. The fact that the heads of the five families didn’t accept this and were even hoping that the incoming fleet isn’t hostile greatly disappointed him.
“Well, Elder Qingshan will send a team to negotiate with the incoming fleet.”
Oppen shook his head and said to Qingshan Chang. Afterward, he turned his head and said to Long You.
“Elder Long, just in case, we still need to prepare for war.”
“In the next few days, let the Nineteenth Legion prepare accordingly. If the other party does come with hostility, the Nineteenth Army will immediately set off to the Al-Star Belt and station there to prevent the enemy’s invasion.”
“Yes! Your Majesty.”
Long You nodded. In fact, among the five noble families, the Long Family is the most arrogant and restless one. This caused the Doan family to hold the greatest caution and preparation against them.
Looking at the back of the patriarchs of the 5 noble families leaving, Oppen IX was deep in thought.
………….
With the mobilization of various war fleets by the Empire’s leaders, many people felt something was wrong. More were still cluelessly discussing the issue of the Great Serpent and the Imperial-class battleships.
Tianlun, a medium-sized planet, is a planet located near the border of the Empire. Relatively speaking, it’s not so prosperous. Of course, this is only compared to the main planets of the SkyRiver Empire.
For most other civilizations, Tianlun planet’s technology and prosperity are incomparable.
It’s one of the most populated planets of the Empire, being host to over 8 billion Empire’s citizens.
In addition, there are hundreds of millions of intelligent lives from other civilizations, Beirut is one of them.
He comes from a nearby civilization called the Beth civilization.
It’s just that, compared to the ‘backward’ and ‘barren’ Beth home planet, he prefers the prosperous Tianlun planet and also aspires to become the Empire’s citizen. Unfortunately, reality gave him a hard slap on the face.
First of all, it’s not that simple to obtain the citizenship of the SkyRiver Empire. He needs to apply for a qualification certificate. This qualification certificate requires him to spend a lot of energy to pursue it, and he might not even get it after struggling for all his life.
In addition, the Empire’s citizens are particularly xenophobic. For the intelligent life of other civilizations like Beirut who want to join the Empire, they are particularly repulsive and disdainful.
Beirut felt very tired while facing such arrogant guys every day.
“Damn, a bunch of self-righteous guys.”
After Beirut walked out of his company, he walked on the road while cursing bitterly.
“At the beginning, the SkyRiver Empire was just an ordinary advanced civilization. At the end, when an outbreak of civil strife occurred in the galaxy. They attracted talents from other civilizations, then relied on them to develop and grow.”
“They used to beg others to join, but now that they have grown stronger, they started looking down on other intelligent creatures.”
Beirut roared internally. He felt really sick, facing these arrogant guys that think he is an inferior creature. However, after venting, he sighed helplessly.
Most people like him had either given up on themselves and fallen into depravity, or have accepted this situation.
“Beirut, how was your day?”
A friendly voice suddenly sounded behind the hunched Beirut. The moment he heard this voice, a smile appeared on his face, Beirut turned around and greeted the man that looks similar to him.
It’s his good friend, Doron.
Like him, he is also from Beth civilization, and both of them have the same goal, that is, to become a citizen of the Empire.
“I’m okay, Doron, how about you.”
Doron nodded, then said with a bitter smile.
“Beirut, I think you should know.”
The sunny smile on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by deep helplessness.
“Those guys are too xenophobic, but I still want to become a citizen of the Empire.”
There was a firm look on his face.
Beirut beside him nodded upon hearing these words.
“It doesn’t matter if we struggle for our entire life, anyway, as long as we obtain the identity of the Empire’s citizen, then our offspring will inherit our identity. They will never have to struggle like us. At this point, this is my only expectation.”
The citizens of the SkyRiver Empire. Across the entirety of the Milky Way galaxy, they have a transcendent status and great privilege.
“Yes.”
Doron nodded in agreement, then smiled cheerfully again. He is an optimistic type of guy.
“Well, Beirut, let’s not talk about this, let’s talk about something else.”