Chapter 308: Rediaz's New Task (Bonus for Everyone's Monthly Votes)_1

The entire arrest process took place at the largest interstellar port of the European Fleet fortress, carried out primarily by the officers and soldiers of the European Fleet.

The operation to deceive the crew of the "Bronze Age" went very smoothly; these homesick soldiers practically tripped over each other to disembark from the spaceship.

After triple-checking that everyone had left the ship, the military police proceeded to arrest them.

Jiang Yu watched the chaotic arrest scene unfold, with many officers and soldiers knocked out or stunned for resisting.

The Fleet Commander and the heads of the business department, however, were all smiles and laughter.

They were situated far from the scene of the arrest, in a place that was absolutely safe.

Yet, they had a clear view of the entire arrest scene.

For these fat-cat politicians, the gathering was mainly about negotiating a few deals within the Jupiter Cultural Sphere; watching the arrest was merely a sideshow for their amusement.

Only Jiang Yu watched seriously. He just needed to be there; the trivialities of business could naturally be handled by the business department.

Suddenly, Jiang Yu turned to Number Three beside him, "I just remembered an old movie, where a spaceship lands on a planet ruled by apes. On that planet, Homo sapiens are considered aliens by the apes.

"The apes capture the Homo sapiens and persecute them to maintain the rule of their empire.

"Eh? What was the name of that movie? 'Planet of the Apes' or something?"

Number Three asked in return, "From what time period is this movie?"

"I think it was from the latter half of the 20th century."

"Then, I've definitely not seen it."

Jiang Yu nodded, "But the plot of the movie is quite fitting for our current situation."

As he spoke, Jiang Yu glanced at the Fleet Commander and the heads of the business department who were enjoying their conversation. He said quietly,

"They still have the nerve to question the conduct of the 'Bronze Age' officers and soldiers, while nearby, their own people are committing violence, their own people are shedding blood. I, at least, feel somewhat uncomfortable in my conscience, yet they turn a deaf ear."

Number Three also spoke softly, "Indifference can sometimes be a manifestation of a complete lack of moral bottom line."

Then Number Three asked, "Have the two of us evolved into Homo sapiens?"

Jiang Yu smiled and said, "We may not have, but the newborns in the 'City of Hope' certainly are Homo sapiens!"

The "City of Hope" is a city newly built by Jiang Yu for the "Second Evolution" project, where the babies born have undergone the fourth stage of genetic modification.

Jiang Yu personally named it "City of Hope," which showed the great expectations he had for these newborns.

During the conversation, the arrest operation had come to an end.

At the scene of the arrest, many bloodstains were left behind, but eventually, all the crew members of the "Bronze Age" were subdued.

Now that the business was concluded, Jiang Yu told the politicians, "According to the agreement, these people will be transferred to Jupiter City for a joint trial by judges from the PDC, Fleet International, and the Solar System State!"

The business deals went very smoothly, and everyone promptly assured Jiang Yu: "Of course!" "Rest assured, we will carry out the agreement."

Jiang Yu smiled and nodded, then said in front of everyone to Number Three, "Send some doctors to the prisoners; let's not have any fatalities!"

After speaking, he waved goodbye to everyone and left with poise.

That final remark was also his way of making his bottom line clear to everyone; on such a minor matter, naturally nobody would deliberately contradict Jiang Yu.

...

After Rediaz was discharged from the hospital, Jiang Yu would take him around Jupiter City whenever he had time, and when he was busy, he'd arrange for someone to take Rediaz around, which helped him adapt to modern life.

About a month after Rediaz's discharge, Jiang Yu finally took him to "Blind Zone No.1," where they were joined by a physics professor named He Shanqi.

Jiang Yu had the staff prepare an extra chair so the three of them, wearing protective suits, could sit facing each other in the cramped space of "Blind Zone No.1."

Jiang Yu cut to the chase and asked both of them, "Have you both read the two sets of materials I sent over a week ago?"

It was a report prepared by the Strategic Department on the current state of human science, society, and armed forces, as well as descriptions and speculations on Trisolaran technology and politics.

Rediaz leaned back in his chair with a look of enjoyment, "I've read them, and we are still at a disadvantage."

What he enjoyed was the feeling of not being monitored by Sophon.

He Shanqi, who looked middle-aged, habitually tried to pinch his chin, only to remember he was wearing a protective suit when his hand bumped into the face shield.

He said, "Previously, I only knew that there was a gap between us and the Trisolarans, but after reading the materials, I realized just how big that gap is.

"Especially the speculation about the Trisolaran spaceships in the materials, which was chilling to me.

"We have always had a forward-looking concept: Trisolaran spaceships should be slower than nuclear-powered vessels; hence, most scholars believe that Trisolaran interstellar ship technology shouldn't be much more advanced than ours, or might even be inferior!

"The only thing they might be stronger at is the application of micro-technology, like The Waterdrop and Sophon.

"But we forgot a fact, the Trisolarans had the capability for interstellar travel more than two hundred years ago.

"All the technology we know of are achievements they made more than two hundred years ago, including Sophon and 'The Waterdrop'!

"We have no idea what kind of advancements they have made in the past two hundred years!

"Also, by observing the power system of 'The Waterdrop,' I believe the speculations in the materials are correct: Trisolaran spaceships are not powered by nuclear engines!

"I won't talk about the evidence in the materials; I'll just share my personal thoughts:

"1. We regard the application of nuclear fusion as a sign of mastering cosmic rules, even as an embodiment of humanity's triumph over the universe. But it should still be an extremely inefficient method of energy acquisition.

"2. Engines have always been the most direct manifestation of humanity's level of technological advancement and degree of grasp of scientific theories. Based on the power system of 'The Waterdrop,' our engines are not on the same level as those of the Trisolarans. This difference might be generational, just like the difference between nuclear engines and internal combustion engines.

"3. We cannot exclude the possibility that the Trisolaran technological system has become distorted or skewed in its development. But even their deviation has led them down a unique path.

"4. Even if the Trisolarans were using nuclear engines two hundred years ago, after two centuries of development, their application of nuclear engines would be far ahead of ours."

Listening to He Shanqi's report-like presentation, Rediaz straightened up and became serious.

Jiang Yu said with a smile, "Professor He's view is exactly what I am anxious about."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Since the three of us here all understand the gap between us and the Trisolarans, I'll be straightforward.

"Right now, we know of two extraterrestrial civilizations. One is the Trisolaran Civilization, and the other one destroyed... um, what was that galaxy called? The one that Teacher Logic's 'curse' destroyed.

"Let's refer to the civilization that destroyed that star as Number Two Civilization.

"Number Two Civilization's level of technology is clearly far superior to the Trisolaran Civilization, and such civilizations must exist in multiples throughout the universe.

"To leave a path for humanity, and to create a future for humanity, I'm asking you to undertake a very important mission!"

Rediaz and He Shanqi both fixed their eyes on Jiang Yu.

Then Jiang Yu continued, "Lightspeed Spaceship!"