Cataclysm: Undead Dragons and Zero Empire

A thick layer of yellowish-green smog, formed by the combined effects of waste incineration and industrial emissions, perpetually floats above Planet Wilder 4.

This agricultural planet, belonging to the Boros Global Foundation's Edge Sector, is one of countless food supply hubs. The entire planet is roughly divided into agricultural production zones, so the entire surface area serves as a growing area.

Genetically edited high-yield crops grow, are harvested, and processed endlessly, turning into shiploads of raw materials that are continuously transported along interstellar routes to the Foundation's industrial planets. This is the most inconspicuous yet most indispensable link in the Foundation's vast trade system.

Defined as an agricultural planet, Planet Wilder 4 is not allowed to have the ability to produce final products. They can only be responsible for providing agricultural raw materials, sitting at the very top of the production line and working themselves to death, doing their best to pay taxes.

All the inhabitants are crammed into a giant hive city, with a nominal population of tens of billions, but the actual number is unknown.

This nest city, which pierces the clouds like a giant pillar, is internally divided into three distinct worlds by strict barriers and an access control system.

The uppermost nest is home to the governor's mansion, noble estates, and foundation offices. It is perpetually filled with clear water, and the windows offer unobstructed views of the starry sky.

Located in the center, the Middle Nest is the backbone of the planet's management system, a settlement for various military officers, merchants, and free citizens. It has a qualified air filtration system, a regular supply of clean water and qualified food, and a guaranteed public order.

At the very bottom of the entire hive city are the lower hive and the bottom hive, which occupy the vast majority of the volume and are home to the largest population. They are the true flesh and blood of this agricultural planet, and also a hell forever buried in smog and darkness.

At this moment, inside the governor's mansion in the Nest City, Governor Cyrus was listening to the sheriff in front of him report on the rebellion from the Lower Nest and the Bottom Nest in a trembling voice that was hard to hide.

Governor Cyrus was undoubtedly from the Foundation's main race. His yellowish-green skin was smooth and delicate, and his clothes were in the style that was fashionable in the noble circles of the Foundation's core star sector, even though they had recently become somewhat outdated.

His family has been entrenched on this planet for countless generations, yet they have always remained the most marginal figures in the foundation's system, like barnacles clinging to a giant ship, always at risk of being crushed by the board of directors.

It wasn't until his generation connected with Envoy Karen that Cyrus truly grasped the reins of power on the planet and had the opportunity to unearth more value from the already rotten core beneath the Foundation's glamorous exterior.

"Your Excellency, the situation... the situation is out of control," the sheriff said, bowing his head even lower. A holographic projection unfolded beside him, displaying a dense array of alarm signs, like bloodstains spreading across a festering wound.

"The largest gangs joined forces and launched the first attack on the food storage warehouse in Xiachao. The security team stationed there was disarmed before they could even put up a fight."

Cyrus slowly turned around, his gaze falling on the holographic projection. "Go on, I want to hear all the details, not your meaningless wailing."

"Yes, Your Excellency," the sheriff continued, forcing a smile. "After the warehouse was looted, the rebellion spread like wildfire throughout Lower Nest and Lower Nest. The civilians... all abandoned their work, picked up the weapons distributed by the gangs, and stormed our security post in Lower Nest."

"Now... now our forces in the lower hive have been completely wiped out. They have taken control of all the elevators and pipes leading to the middle hive and have built new fortifications. They are organizing a force to storm the first gate leading to the middle hive."

At this very moment, in the lower and lower nests, the perpetual darkness was torn apart by towering flames and flashing lasers, and the air was perpetually filled with the pungent stench of chemical waste and industrial emissions.

This area was difficult for the Governor's Office to manage and was almost abandoned. Toxic wastewater discharged from food processing plants and waste generated from the growth of genetically modified crops were all dumped directly into the waterways and streets of Lower Nest and Bottom Nest without any treatment.

The murky, toxic water flowed freely across the uneven metal surface, with rotting garbage, mutated insects, and even bloated corpses floating on the surface. The concentration of heavy metals and toxic substances in the water had long exceeded the safety threshold set by the Foundation, resulting in an extremely high rate of birth defects in newborns. Without exception, those who survived to adulthood were survivors with savagery and tenacity etched into their very bones.

The emergency lights, which never stopped shining, cast a dim yellow glow in the toxic fog, illuminating the densely packed shacks on both sides, which were built with scrap metal sheets and factory waste.

Residents living here face ever-present deadly dangers from birth: toxic fumes, sewage that can cause genetic collapse, gangs lurking in the streets and alleys, and smuggled aliens hiding in abandoned pipes.

Various displaced people who lost their homes in interstellar wars and aliens who were not accepted thrived here, forming a community independent of the Foundation's system.

They collude with and check each other with the local gangs in the underworld, controlling the underground order. In illegal workshops, they replace the limbs of the laborers with prosthetic bodies of unknown origin. Underground gene clinics sell untested mutagenic drugs, and most buyers are only interested in enduring more intense labor for a longer period of time.

The law is meaningless here. What keeps this dark area running is the ironclad rule set by the gangs. They control the only clean water source, food distribution, and waste recycling business in the lower sanctuary. They collect protection money from every shantytown and organize people to clean up when mutated creatures rush out of the waterways.

Chaos and order are strangely intertwined here, like wild grass growing in poisonous water, savage yet possessing astonishing vitality.

However, now, these ordinary people who have struggled in darkness their whole lives have once again taken up arms, just like countless rebellions have happened in the past.

Countless waves surged through the narrow passage toward the Middle Nest Gate. Cold weapons, gunpowder weapons, and interstellar technology coexisted, firing wildly at the Middle Nest Gate's defenses. Explosions rose and fell in the darkness, illuminating the anger and despair that had been building up in their eyes for a lifetime.

"The number of people involved in the rebellion is increasing... it's impossible to count them all," the sheriff's voice trailed off. "The first line of defense in Zhongchao has been destroyed in three places by them, and the garrison stationed there is about to collapse. We request that you send garrison troops down to suppress the rebellion."

Cyrus watched the surging tide crashing against the gates on the screen and slowly said, "I understand. The garrison must hold the line to the death. They are not allowed to retreat a single step or launch an attack without my order."

"But Your Excellency, they..."

"Get out," Cyrus's voice turned cold, carrying an undeniable authority. The sheriff immediately shut his mouth, bowed, and hurriedly left the meeting hall, as if fleeing a beast about to awaken.

Cyrus was the only one left in the empty conference hall. He looked at the hive city shrouded in smog and firelight. This rebellion had been under his control from beginning to end.

He secretly sold the weapons to those gangs through underground channels, and he even deliberately left the defensive loopholes. He also ordered that no one should resist.

Cyrus needed this "out-of-control" rebellion to coordinate with the officers who had quietly appeared by his side.

Facing Colin, an officer under Envoy Cullen, Governor Cyrus, who had just been exuding authority, immediately put on a respectful smile. "Lord Colin, why did you come in person? If you have any instructions, you could have just sent someone to let me know."

Even though Colin was just an insignificant subordinate of Karen, in Cyrus's eyes, he represented Karen, the powerful envoy in the Foundation. He was well aware that his future and even the fate of his entire family were inextricably linked to Karen.

Colin nodded slightly in return, his gaze sweeping over the still-on holographic projection. "I've come to check on Wilder IV's situation."

"Rest assured, Your Excellency Colin, everything is proceeding according to plan," Cyrus quickly led Colin to the seat of honor. "I have already sent an urgent communication to the Supervisory Council as Your Excellency requested, claiming that another rebellion has broken out here, which has seriously threatened the safety of agricultural production across the entire planet."

"The Supervisory Board only replied with one communication, authorizing me to handle the insurgency at Wilder IV and approving my application for military expansion."

The Foundation's colonization regulations impose extremely strict restrictions on different types of colonized planets. Agricultural planets like Wilder IV should not have strong military forces, but now, under the guise of this rebellion, Cyrus has legitimately obtained permission to expand his military.

"Very good," Colin finally showed a hint of approval. "You need to keep demanding resources from outside and expanding your military."

"Cyrus, you need to understand that what you are doing now is all for His Excellency the Special Envoy."

Cyrus's breath hitched, and a fanatical expression appeared on his face. He bowed deeply: "I, Cyrus, and my entire family, will forever be loyal to Envoy Karen!"

He was all too aware of the opportunities behind this high-stakes gamble. Once Envoy Karen took power, he would reap unimaginable rewards and would no longer be the marginal governor who was at the mercy of the nobles of the core star system.

The same scene is playing out on countless planets. Behind the seemingly chaotic smoke of war lies a vast net meticulously woven by Karen, which is silently tightening.