The Most Powerful Brain in the Interstellar Space

"This President Zuo is truly a shrewd strategist. Sensing that things were going wrong, he immediately took action and detained the heads of dozens of companies."

"Yes, I saw that several families sent their young children, probably because they couldn't find the time to come."

"Why go to such lengths? If you really don't want them involved, all you need to do is give the order. They're all smart people; they'll know what to do."

"You don't understand. He's doing this for show. The result doesn't matter, as long as enough people see his attitude, that's enough."

"Perhaps it's also to distance themselves from the situation. After all, this chaos started with political infighting, and it could even be said to be a product of their internal strife. Those in the military were mostly dragged in, and several generals were also caught up in it, which greatly angered those in the leadership."

"They brought it on themselves, so who can they blame? However, the military has always been powerful, and the safety of the empire is often protected by its strength. The political circles also have to give them face. I heard that this batch released this time is also part of the transfer."

"A mere hundred planets might be a lucrative prize for the aristocratic clans, but it's not enough for the military. Could these planets contain some special mineral veins?"

“What you said makes perfect sense! Otherwise, how could so many forces have gathered here today? They must all be eyeing this piece of meat.”

"Oh? I heard you came from an auction planet. Could you elaborate?"

"I only heard that, I can't guarantee it's true—"

"I know you too well. You're the type who won't act until you see the benefit. You probably said this on purpose just to get me to ask. What are you up to? Tell me quickly!"

"Hehe, then I'll just say it straight, you weren't planning on..."

In some of the more enclosed private rooms, various private conversations were taking place regarding the auction.

One of the medium-sized private rooms contained only about twenty people, all dressed in neat military uniforms with resolute expressions.

"Is it really safe to talk here?" the young man on the lower right couldn't help but ask, looking around.

"There are too many people entering, a real mixed bag. This place, which usually seems unsafe, has become safe." The female soldier sitting opposite him, who looked quite clever, placed her teacup on the table steadily, without making a ripple on the surface of the tea.

"Besides, who would be so bold as to eavesdrop on our conversation? If they actually hear something, they'll have to bear the consequences themselves."

"It's starting." The person sitting in the center didn't participate in their conversation, but only interrupted them just as they were about to clash again.

The man and woman conversing appeared carefree, as if playing around on the street, but in reality, they were both keeping their distance, their eyes constantly fixed on the person in charge in the middle. Therefore, the moment the other person's expression changed, they immediately complied, carrying out the order without question. Almost simultaneously, the twenty-odd people in the private room, or rather, the members simultaneously connected to these twenty-odd people and scattered throughout various private rooms, all methodically monitored the situation in real time. As various strings of numbers representing locations, numbers of people, and attack/defense point coefficients were listed one by one, the number of people responding in the private rooms gradually decreased, and the voices gradually subsided, finally merging into one—READY.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the private room changed. The young soldier in the center took out a metal box wrapped in layers of wrapping amidst everyone's vigilance.

Everyone, including the young sergeant, was staring intently at the metal box, their gazes filled with vigilance and caution. Countless inexplicable thoughts intertwined to form a net that enveloped the arm-length box—even though it had not yet been opened.

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"Wow, they actually delivered some real news. I was thinking those Skynet people were as useless as ever. I didn't expect them to actually get the truth." At the same time, inside a luxurious private room at the Sihai Trading Company's auction, a conversation was also taking place. However, the topic they were discussing was much more "explicit" than that of the people in the other private rooms.

The young man who spoke was of ordinary appearance, with a face that seemed utterly honest. However, at this moment, his expression was rather playful as he lay back on the recliner as if boneless, tossing something up and down with his right hand.

If Jiang Hui were here right now, she would probably be surprised to find that the thing the other person was throwing in his hand was exactly the same as the several keys that she had retrieved from the recycling center on Star 732. Even the uniquely shaped interfaces at the front and back were the same.

The young man tossed the object in his hand casually, as if playing with some trinket, a sight that alarmed onlookers. Finally, his companion couldn't help but warn him, "You... don't actually break this thing."

"What's there to be afraid of? It's just a defective product from an experiment, used to deceive people. The people on the other side probably have the same idea, but they insist on making us put on this show. It's really boring."

"This is a mission, so please don't act recklessly. The commander-in-chief will decide how to proceed."

"Alright, you've been nagging all the way here. So, am I the leader or are you? If you keep going on like this, I'll just let you do it. I'll report the credit to you later, and I promise I won't take all the credit for you."

"Hey, hey, hey, sir, can I call you Lord Zhu? I was wrong! Don't say such things. How can you joke about something this important? This thing was personally handed to you by the commander. It is the starting point of this incident, and only you know how to do it. We are only here to cooperate with you. How can we steal the credit?"

Having received a satisfactory answer, the young man curled the corners of his lips, but ultimately, considering his companions' feelings, he reluctantly grasped the several keys and said, "Don't worry, we're not the only ones being forced to perform on stage in this play. There are plenty of people with us, all knowing the truth but pretending not to. We'll just do a half-hearted job, and in the end—" the game has to be decided by those above themselves. What are they, the pawns, worrying about?
Well, on a other hand, what kind of pieces do they think they'll get?

The young man was lost in thought when a sudden noise drew his attention, and both men in the box looked out the window. The lights in the venue had been adjusted to a lower level, and the noise had been reduced, making the entire venue very quiet.

The sound just now came from the central auction stage. The host and the deputy host were carefully adjusting the sound amplification equipment. A huge stereoscopic image was projected upwards through the lower port, hovering just above the layers of circular seats, level with the boxes above and below.

The auction has begun.

(End of this chapter)