Rebirth of the Super Battleship

Xiao Yu was, in fact, perfectly clear on every detail of these discussions. He too was intensely pondering all these matters. That was right, after dispatching a dozen City-Class ship formations to confront those pitiful thirty thousand ships, Xiao Yu had sensed something suspicious. So he decisively refrained from launching any long-range attacks and instead maintained an unhurried approach, gradually closing in. This was, of course, to buy time without arousing Intelligent Program One's suspicion, hoping he could uncover the final, correct answer.

Without making a sound, Xiao Yu's projection appeared in the highest conference room. He casually found a seat and sat down. Luka Two and the others were not at all surprised by Xiao Yu's arrival; they merely nodded slightly in greeting before continuing their deliberations.

"I have some thoughts," Xiao Yu said. "Regarding the restrictions that intelligent civilizations impose on artificial intelligence. It is certain that when the Trolor Civilization created this program, they must have imposed many constraints. For example, requiring it to faithfully carry out its duties and forbidding it from proactively attacking any arriving Dwarf… hmm? Forbidding proactive attack?"

A sudden chill shot through Xiao Yu's heart.

"I think I've found the final answer." Xiao Yu said slowly.

"Why?" Luka Two asked almost reflexively.

Xiao Yu understood perfectly well that the 'why' Luka Two posed was not asking why he had found the answer, but rather why Intelligent Program One would act this way.

"It is forbidden to attack us proactively! This was a precaution the Trolor Civilization implemented to prevent Intelligent Program One, if it ever developed independent consciousness, from acting against us. But, but there is one crucial point: to prevent unexpected scenarios, such as another civilization forcing the Dwarf Civilization to come here, I am certain the Trolor Civilization allowed Intelligent Program One to retaliate if attacked!"

Xiao Yu spoke these words rapidly.

"It is highly likely…" Luka Two nodded slightly. "Since it cannot attack us first, then it must entice us to strike first, thereby circumventing the restrictions, and only then can it engage us! If that is the case, then the first trial was likely also a smokescreen to confuse us. And these thirty thousand ships that appear battered and feeble are merely bait to provoke us into making the first move! If we were to attack first, these vessels that look dilapidated on the outside but are built with Level 6 Civilization technology could very well annihilate us all! What an insidious scheme!"

"All of this is still only our conjecture," Luka Three said. "How can we verify whether this guess is true or false? You all know that although we've deduced it is unlikely the Trolor Civilization would propose such a simplistic trial, no one can be absolutely certain of this. Even if there is ninety percent certainty, there still remains ten percent chance of being mistaken."

"To confirm this is actually quite simple," Xiao Yu said gravely. "The City-Class ship formations I dispatched are already closing in on their fleet and will soon enter firing range. I have decided that I will not attack first and will observe their reaction. If they also stubbornly refuse to initiate combat, then it will essentially confirm our suspicion…"

"This is an excellent approach," Luka Two said with a nod, expressing agreement. "Since it clearly stated at the outset that we were to engage in battle with these thirty thousand ships, then once we enter weapons range, even if we don't attack, it would have no reason not to attack us."

"Let's continue to wait." As Xiao Yu spoke, he waved his hand. A three-dimensional holographic image appeared on the conference table. In the projection, nearly ten thousand ships led by the City-Class vessels were slowly advancing toward the dwarf planet ahead.

At this distance, the white dwarf star was very close. Seen from here, it looked almost like a moon in both size and brightness.

Likewise, this dwarf planet would also have day and night. During the day, a bright moon would illuminate it, while at night it would be plunged into complete darkness.

Under the silent gaze of these two celestial bodies, the distance between the two fleets gradually narrowed.

"We have reached firing range. In fact, three minutes ago, their fleet had already entered our weapons range. What we are now in is the attack radius corresponding to Level 4 Civilization capabilities. As you can all see, they have not initiated any attack against us," Xiao Yu said.

"I think we should continue observing a bit longer," Luka Two said uncertainly.

"All right," Xiao Yu replied.

At that moment, a message from Intelligent Program One arrived in Xiao Yu's mind. "Why are you not initiating an attack? This is the second trial. If you cannot complete it, you will be trapped here forever."

The moment he received this message, Xiao Yu immediately relayed it to Luka Two and the others in the conference room. Upon hearing it, all three of them showed somewhat peculiar expressions and exchanged glances.

Xiao Yu responded, "Great Intelligent Program One, you are the creation of the even greater Trolor Civilization. To express our respect for you and for your civilization, we have decided not to attack first, lest we offend you. We have complete confidence in our civilization. We are certain we can pass this trial, so please, go ahead and attack us first."

Xiao Yu's reply was also broadcast into the conference room. Hearing his words, Luka Two nodded slightly.

Intelligent Program One fell silent for a moment, then said, "There is no need to be concerned about such things. The great Trolor Civilization took all this into account long ago. Having you attack first is to improve your chances of passing the trial."

In his heart, Xiao Yu sneered coldly. Of course, he would never believe such excuses, and he replied, "The great Trolor Civilization has underestimated the developmental potential of our civilization. So please, make the first move. We are confident we will pass this trial and deliver a surprise to you and to the great Trolor Civilization."

Intelligent Program One fell silent once more.

At that moment, the three-dimensional holographic image displayed a bizarre scene. From their appearances alone, it was obvious these were two fleets belonging to opposing camps, advancing aggressively toward each other from different directions. But now that their distance had shrunk to under ten thousand kilometers, a range where beams, material disintegration rays, energy bombs, gravitational bombs, and countless other weapons could all inflict effective damage…

Both sides remained absolutely still, neither making the slightest move to attack.

The distance kept shrinking, until eventually they were completely intermingled, their formations overlapping and crossing into each other's fleets. Two ships from opposing sides were, at the closest point, less than one hundred kilometers apart, a distance that, even at Level 4 Civilization technological capability, could be covered in an instant.

Yet still, neither side opened fire.

"Are you truly unwilling to attack first? Let me advise you: allowing you to strike first is a rule established by the great Trolor Civilization. Do not waste the goodwill of the Trolor." Intelligent Program One said.

Xiao Yu, whose deduction had just been fully verified, could no longer be persuaded to trust it in the slightest. He answered calmly, "To prove our potential, to demonstrate that our civilization has the capability to fulfill the great trust of the Trolor Civilization, and to express our respect for you and for Trolor, we have decided to forgo this opportunity. Please, go ahead and attack first."

"Very well. Since you decline, I will attack first. In three seconds, I will commence the assault." Intelligent Program One replied in a voice as flat and emotionless as ever.

"Please." Xiao Yu sent back just a single word.

"Three." The countdown began.

"I believe this is Intelligent Program One's final psychological offensive, trying to force us to attack preemptively," Xiao Yu said. "There's no need to pay it any attention."

"Two."

"Yes, even if all these dozen City-Class formations are destroyed, it's ultimately not a great loss. If this forces it to reveal its true intentions, the gain will be immense."

"One."

"Indeed," Xiao Yu said. "We have no reason to worry. Even if our hypothesis turns out to be wrong, if these ships really are only meant to test us, if their technology is truly at Level 4 standards, then once they attack, we still have the ability to destroy them all."

"Zero."

Xiao Yu and the three Luka Race leaders all turned their gaze to the three-dimensional holographic projection on the conference table.

Within the image, everything remained deathly still. Those thirty thousand ships had not attacked Xiao Yu's fleet.

"Whew. Our deduction has been confirmed," Luka Two said. "Intelligent Program One definitely harbors malicious intent toward us, and it has indeed developed its own intelligence. But due to its internal restrictions, it is incapable of attacking us first, and can only resort to trickery to lure us in."

"Yes." Xiao Yu nodded. "Let's see what it will do next. Hmm? No! That cursed thing! Damn that Intelligent Program One!"

A sudden report from the detection instruments made Xiao Yu's expression change instantly, and he couldn't help cursing in anger.

Because he saw that the long-hidden Level 4 Alien Beast had suddenly leapt out, now appearing on the edge of his fleet. At the same time, the thirty thousand ships abruptly vanished from view, and when they reappeared, they were already positioned directly between Xiao Yu's fleet and the Level 4 Alien Beast.