Chapter 1 The Imprisoned

Inside the Kundu Clan's main warship, the hold was crammed with civilians. Simple bedding covered the floor, each person sitting or lying down, legs touching legs, backs pressed against backs. The scene was as crowded as a refugee camp.

*Whoosh*

The hatch opened, and a group of service-type housekeeping robots wheeled in carts loaded with barrels of mushy food.

"Food's here!"

A shout from the stationed Imperial soldiers caused a stir among the crowd.

Since their imprisonment, these Kundu civilians had spent their days in constant fear, dreading their future. However, they hadn't been subjected to torture in terms of material possessions. The Empire provided food on time and didn't mistreat the prisoners, which calmed the Kundu civilians down a bit, and no one made any unwise moves.

The housekeeping robots moved through the crowd, distributing food to everyone. The prisoners all sat up, holding the warm, nutritious mush and swallowing it in large gulps, chatting in twos and threes. The atmosphere was relatively calm.

In the crowd, a large and a small Kundu were huddled together. The smaller one was clearly a Kundu infant, eating the nutritional mush in small bites. The adult female Kundu next to him poured half of her mush into the child's bowl.

"Mommy, aren't you eating?" The child looked up.

"You eat first. I'll eat after you're full."

The adult Kundu looked at him gently. The two were a mother and son.

"No, let's eat together." The child shook his head and muttered, "It would be nice if Daddy was here too, Mommy. Where did he go?"

His mother was silent. Seeing the child staring at her, she forced a smile and said, "Your daddy probably took another spaceship. He couldn't come to see us. He'll find us when we settle down."

"Great! I miss him so much." The child perked up. "When will we settle down?"

"...Soon, probably."

Her smile was becoming more and more forced, putting on a confident front even though she had no confidence in her heart.

Forcing herself to cheer up, she comforted the child with a few words. Seeing the child continue to eat, she quietly turned her face away, wiping away the tears that almost spilled out.

She knew in her heart that her husband was most likely dead... because she was the wife of a military officer.

After the war broke out, she and her child were sent away as dependents of soldiers. Because of the Empire's actions, they were sent back and became prisoners. Although the Empire had blocked outside news, now that the Kundu Clan had been defeated, it wasn't hard for her to imagine the losses on the battlefield.

Unable to communicate with the outside world, she didn't know if her husband was dead or alive, and she still held a faint hope. However, in front of her child, she had to forcefully suppress her confusion, anxiety, and unease, and not show it. She was under great pressure.

After the child fell asleep late at night, she would be the type of person who would wash her face with tears and sob quietly.

She didn't know what this civilization called the Crimson Empire would do with them. She could only lie to her child.

*Beep beep beep—*

At that moment, a row of virtual screens suddenly popped up around the shipyard, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

All the screens flickered synchronously, and then a familiar figure appeared.

"It's the leader!"

The crowd immediately stirred, and many people stood up, staring at the screen.

The same scene was playing out on all the Kundu prison ships. After taking over, the Empire blocked news. Most people didn't know the detailed situation at all. This was the first time they had received external news since being imprisoned, and the first time they had seen the leader on TV.

The mother also quickly put down her food and pulled her child to stand next to the virtual screen to watch.

On the screen, the Kundu leader sat meticulously, facing the camera, and slowly opened his mouth:

"Fellow compatriots, I have a heavy message to announce—we have completely lost this war. About seventy percent of our military force has been annihilated. The fleet numbers of those killed and missing are as follows..."

He began to read out a long list of casualties, and the hearts of all the soldiers' families immediately rose, fearing they would miss any of the numbers.

As one fleet number after another was read out, people occasionally sat down on the ground, their hearts as gray as death. Cries of despair rang out constantly in the crowd.

The child listened in confusion. Suddenly, he felt his mother's body sway beside him, almost knocking him over. He quickly turned around and grabbed his mother's hand.

"Mommy, what's wrong?"

"I...I'm fine."

The mother's body trembled slightly. If she were a human, she would be pale at this time. She struggled to support her child's shoulders to steady herself, forcefully trying to keep her tone calm, but she couldn't hide the trembling in her voice.

Just now, she had heard the name of the fleet her husband served in from the Kundu leader's mouth. The last shred of hope shattered, and her eyes went dark. She almost fainted on the spot.

Thinking that her child was still next to her, she forcefully suppressed her emotions. At this moment, she couldn't even cry. Her whole person was wooden, and her heart was as gray as death.

The sound of crying rose and fell, and a sad atmosphere filled the room.

Finally, after reading out the list of casualties, the Kundu leader said in a deep voice, "I must take the main responsibility for the defeat of the war. My failure and the failures of the higher-ups have led to today's bad results.

"In fact, this war could have been avoided. It was not the enemy who took the initiative to start the war, but me.

"The Crimson Empire came from afar to explore the unknown. They are actually a peace-loving civilization, but arrogance and hostility blinded my heart. I was used by a third party to be hostile to the Crimson Empire. I innately placed them in the position of the enemy, wanting to strike first, so I arranged an attack, which provoked the Empire's anger.

"We originally had the opportunity to coexist peacefully. There would have been no war, no bloodshed, only cultural integration. Unfortunately, because of my mistake, we missed this future.

"My arrogance cut off the bridge for peaceful contact between the two sides. Everything now is my responsibility. My decision-making errors sent the entire civilization into the abyss."

As he spoke, he pulled up a document, which was the internal secret information about arranging the first psionic bomb trap, as well as the statistics on the casualties of the Empire's exploration team, to prove that he was not talking nonsense.

Then, the Kundu leader stood up and gave a deep bow to the camera.

"I personally buried everyone's past life. Countless families have been torn apart by this war. I'm sorry."

Hearing this, everyone understood that this was a confession of guilt, and also an explanation to the people about the cause of the war.

Looking at this scene, many people were furious.

"Sorry?"

You've harmed the entire race like this. Is saying sorry useful?!

If you hadn't started the war, those soldiers wouldn't have died, and we would still be living normal lives. How could we have become prisoners!

It's all because of you that our civilization is facing a crisis of survival, and all of this could have been avoided!

Is an apology all it takes?!

After the Kundu leader apologized, he returned to his seat, expressionless, and continued, "I know that you are all concerned about how the Crimson Empire will deal with us. Please rest assured, fellow compatriots. The Crimson Empire is a more advanced civilization than us. They will not slaughter civilians, nor will they perform intelligence castration. They have decided to release us, place us in another star system, restore our freedom, and help us build a new home..."

Hearing this, everyone's tense nerves relaxed. This was the issue they were most concerned about.

It was already a blessing to be able to save their lives. The other party was even willing to let them go, returning freedom to them, these prisoners of war.

It seems that the Crimson Empire is indeed a peace-loving civilization... Some people had this thought in their minds.

Their side started the war and was in the wrong. The Empire treated the prisoners kindly and did everything with benevolence. In contrast, everyone's hatred for the Empire was slightly reduced.

Of course, in this kind of issue, reason and objectivity did not exist. Even as the side that started the war, most Kundu people still had more or less hatred for the Empire, with the families of the fallen soldiers being the most resentful.

However, because of this explanation, their anger was directed more at the Kundu leader.

At this time, the Kundu leader pulled up another document, which contained a brief life history of Han Xiao. This was information provided by the Empire.

"Our new home is the territory of a great figure of the Crimson Empire. His name is Black Star, and he will provide us with protection. This is a respectable figure. It was his statement that made the Empire determined to give us back our freedom."

Everyone looked at Han Xiao's image on the document, secretly remembering this person who spoke up for them.

On the other side, in the office on Beacon Star, Han Xiao's projection was watching the Kundu leader's speech with Tarrokov. Seeing this, he glanced at Tarrokov with amusement.

"You guys really helped thoroughly, not only handing over the Kundu population resources to me, but also helping me build an image for free."

"You're welcome."

Tarrokov took a sip of a plant-based health drink and smiled faintly.

The speech continued. The Kundu leader introduced the situation of the new home, gave a misleading outlook on the future, and did not mention cultural reforms, closing the interstellar network, and other matters. Then, he changed the subject:

"Decision-making errors led to the current results. The higher-ups must bear great responsibility. All the higher-ups involved will be executed, and I will take this as a warning, reflect on the lessons of this time, and continue to lead the race with more rational methods to build our new home."

*Boom—*

As soon as he said this, the crowd was in an uproar, and it exploded!

"With such a big mistake, why does he continue to lead us?"

"Executing all the higher-ups, but not punishing himself at all, it's too hypocritical!"

"Does he want to hold on to the position of leader and never let go!"

Almost everyone was outraged.

You've brought the race to this point, why do you continue to be the leader?!

Did we agree?!

All the other higher-ups are being executed, but your explanation to us is just a light "sorry"?!

What's the point?!

Even if you don't die, at least you should resign!

Continuing to be the leader with a straight face is still your desire for power!

The race has been defeated, but you're fine, still sitting in this position, why?!

Seemingly blaming himself, but in reality, he's shifting all the blame to other higher-ups, which is simply despicable!

At this time, the Kundu leader stood up and showed a formulaic smile, "I will go to every spaceship to comfort you and encourage you. I hope to bring you the courage to start over. Failure is not terrible. I... can make the Kundu Clan great again."

This sentence should have been inspiring, but at this moment, almost everyone was staring angrily at the Kundu leader on the screen.

The Kundu leader stood up and walked out, with the hovering mechanical camera following him.

At this time, the door of the hold opened, and a Kundu person walked in. The civilians present turned their heads to look, and whispered to each other.

"Who is this person? How can he move freely?"

"I know him. He's one of the leader's secretaries. He's appeared on TV before."

The secretary clapped his hands to silence everyone and spoke:

"Everyone, the leader will come here for comfort first. I hope everyone will be tearfully grateful later to enhance the leader's image."

Everyone present was furious.

You're still putting on a show at this time?!

We, the families who have just learned that our loved ones died in the war, have to cooperate with you and make a grateful expression?!

Many people clenched their fists, trembling with anger.

They didn't know how to describe their feelings anymore. The anger and contempt in their hearts for the leader had almost reached its peak.

Soon, footsteps came from outside the hold, and the hatch opened again.

The Kundu leader walked in, accompanied by his secretary and a group of attendants, with a comforting smile on his face.

Seeing his smile, many people were so angry that their shrimp roe was about to boil.

Still smiling?

Smiling, my ass!

But seeing the attendants next to the Kundu leader, everyone present became dared not to speak out, and could only glare at him with angry and hateful eyes.

Scanning the crowd, the Kundu leader maintained his smile and said:

"Everyone, how have you been doing lately? I know you must be in a daze. Don't worry, you can tell me anything you have on your mind. I..."

*Whoosh!*

Just as he was speaking, a dark object suddenly flew out from the crowd and hit the Kundu leader's spotless clothes with a *splat*.

Everyone looked down and saw that it was a rice bowl, and the nutritional mush inside had been spilled out, sticking to the Kundu leader's clothes.

"Get out!" An angry voice rang out from the crowd.

Someone had started it, and others were immediately caught up in the rhythm, immediately picking up the rice bowls around them and throwing them vigorously at the Kundu leader.

*Splat splat splat splat—*

One glob of mush after another hit the Kundu leader, and his clothes became sticky and unrecognizable, and the whole person looked like he had been pulled out of mush, looking very embarrassed.

"Stop it, stop it!"

The Kundu leader's attendants rushed forward to block the overwhelming rice bowls and protect the Kundu leader.

At this time, the civilians behind who couldn't throw things also wanted to throw things at the Kundu leader, and they pushed forward with all their might, causing the human wall to move forward, staring at the Kundu leader and his party and retreating.

"Don't push! Everyone get out of the way!"

An attendant shouted loudly, pushing the crowd in front of him, and couldn't help but increase his strength. Suddenly, a female was pushed out by him and fell to the ground.

The next moment, a delicate roar rang out from the crowd.

"You hit my mommy! I'm going to fight you!"

The attendant suddenly felt a pain in his leg. He looked down and saw a child hugging his thigh tightly, biting his leg, his teeth piercing his carapace.

"Get out of here!" He shivered in pain and couldn't help but slap the child in the face, knocking him aside.

Everyone around saw this scene, and their emotions exploded.

"You dare to hit a child?!"

"Beat them up!"

All the anger that everyone had been holding back exploded!

Reason instantly collapsed, and everyone roared and pounced on them, attacking with fists, teeth, and carapaces.

The crowd was excited, and the situation turned into a bloody incident. The scene was completely out of control.

*Bang!*

The Kundu leader was knocked to the ground by a group of people, and the people around him beat him wildly, causing him to arch his back in pain.

At this moment, his neck suddenly felt a pain, and someone bit him tightly. Sharp teeth pierced his carapace and bit into his throat, and blood gushed out.

The Kundu leader's body shook violently, and he looked to the side with the corner of his eye. The one who bit his throat was a female Kundu person, who was the mother of the child who had just been beaten.

The other party bit down tightly and would not let go. The eyes were deeply imprinted in his mind.

What eyes full of anger, hatred, and despair...

*Crack!*

"Ah!!!" She tore off the Kundu leader's throat with force, held it in her mouth, and raised her head and let out a sharp roar from her throat.

Streams of blood poured out from the gap in her throat, and the Kundu leader's body gradually became weak, and his consciousness became heavier and heavier.

Looking at the people around him wantonly ravaging his body, his mood was calmer than ever.

"Finally... the show is over."

*Thump!*

His brain was suddenly attacked by a heavy object, and his consciousness entered a state of complete nothingness.

...

The stationed Imperial soldiers immediately intervened and controlled the rioting crowd, but deliberately slowed down their speed to let the chaos continue for a while.

Finally, the bloody incident was ended by the Imperial soldiers, and pools of blood were left on the ground. More than a dozen people fell to the ground, and everyone saw the Kundu leader's corpse, which was tattered and unrecognizable.

The floating camera that followed the riot recorded everything that happened here, and the Kundu people on the other ships saw this scene.

"They actually beat him to death. Good job!"

"That kind of racial sinner shouldn't continue to live!"

"This is the only way to sanction him!"

Many people only felt happy.

In the corridor outside the hold, where the camera couldn't film, an Imperial intelligence agent wearing black gloves leaned against the wall, casually tossing a small emotion-intensifying device.

Hearing the movement inside stop, he stopped his hand, caught the emotion-intensifying device, pressed the off button, casually put it in his pocket, turned around, and strode away.

...

"This play is over." Tarrokov turned off the virtual screen.

"You guys really use everything to the fullest."

Han Xiao curled his lips, "Instead of being executed by the Empire, you let the Kundu people kill their own leader. This matter will forever remain in the history of the Kundu people and become an unforgettable negative example. In the short term, those Kundu people who have been incited may feel happy, but this matter remains in their minds, constantly causing an impact, and the entire race's energy will collapse because of this matter, making it easier for you to carry out cultural reforms."

"Compared to exterminating the race, this is gentle enough."

Tarrokov was expressionless, and after a long silence, he suddenly turned around and looked directly into Han Xiao's eyes.

"Black Star, find the mastermind behind the scenes."

Han Xiao crossed his legs, put his hands together on his knees, and nodded slowly:

"Okay, leave it to me."