Cannon fodder in the Interstellar

After handing over the alien spacecraft to the Country, Ruo Manni and her team returned to Antarctica. Dean Atchison and Tamaki Kazia had successfully deciphered the spacecraft’s intelligent systems and extracted all data related to the alien civilization.

“These alien civilizations have formed an interstellar alliance, similar to our Gumera star system. However, the interstellar alliance wields significant authority. The planetary civilizations within its jurisdiction must obey the alliance’s orders. According to the alliance’s laws, releasing a zombie virus on a planet with intelligent life is strictly illegal.

“This mercenary group called YNUK accidentally discovered Earth twenty years ago. They saw that Earth was located at the edge of the interstellar alliance’s territory, surrounded by barren stars, and figured they could exploit it for profit without being noticed. That’s why they targeted Earth.

“However, there was a mole within the YNUK mercenary group, and the information leaked. Other mercenary groups used this as leverage, making it likely that the alliance’s inspectorate team would send people to investigate. Consequently, the primary mission of these two aliens this time was to completely eliminate Earth’s intelligent life. According to the alliance’s regulations, if a planet only hosts primitive life, the punishment for the mercenary group is usually just a financial penalty. But if the planet has already developed a Level 1 civilization, they face far harsher punishment. For a Level 2 civilization, the members of the group could be sentenced to life imprisonment.”

Ruo Manni organized this information and sent it to Lin Kexin, who had been stationed on the alien spacecraft, refusing to leave until she achieved substantial research results.

Unexpectedly, three days later, it was Lin Ruihai who contacted Ruo Manni directly.

In the eyes of informed personnel from Country X, Lin Ruihai and Lin Kexin, along with their entire family, had been hypnotized through special methods to believe that Lin Manni was genuinely a member of their family.

To maintain communication with Lin Manni’s team, Country X decided not to undo this hypnotic state.

This time, Ruo Manni’s team directly handed over the alien spacecraft to Lin Kexin, making them relieved and grateful for their lenient approach.

With the translation program developed by Dean Atchison and Tamaki Kazia, the scientists at the XX Base had largely deciphered the data from the spacecraft. This allowed them to thoroughly analyze Earth’s current crisis and potential opportunities.

Lin Ruihai reached out now because the leaders at XX Base wanted to know Ruo Manni’s opinions on the matter.

The fact that Ruo Manni and her team could silently venture into outer space, successfully capture a Level 3 civilization’s spacecraft intact, and hand it over to humanity had convinced those in the know that these mysterious young people were probably not from Earth.

At this point, Lin Kexin subtly revealed that these individuals had encountered issues with their own spacecraft, prompting them to choose Earth as a temporary stop while waiting for their ship to pick them up.

Those in the know were immensely relieved, as these humans from a more advanced alien civilization not only harbored no ill intent toward Earth’s inhabitants but actively helped them on multiple occasions, having chosen Earth as their temporary refuge.

Otherwise, this time, humanity would likely have faced unavoidable destruction. Earth’s civilization hadn’t even reached the level of a Level 2 civilization—how could it possibly withstand the firepower of a Level 3 civilization?

“The coordinates of Earth are already known to that alien alliance. If you don’t want to become the private colony of a higher civilization, you must quickly develop your own spacecraft and upgrade Earth’s civilization to Level 2. Then, select a team of individuals with abilities above Level 5. A year from now, we will personally lead you to the interstellar alliance to seek justice and, in the process, establish Earth’s status as a Level 2 civilization within the alliance,” Ruo Manni said.

Ruo Manni’s words were directed at humanity, though Lin Ruihai and Lin Kexin had already understood her plan. Knowing the coordinates of the alien civilizations, they were determined to investigate personally.

For Earth’s inhabitants, having advanced alien beings guide them was a priceless opportunity, one they couldn’t dream of refusing.

After noticing that Lin Ruihai had forwarded her message to the leaders of the XX Base, Ruo Manni observed significant action within about half a month. Superpowered individuals across the world began mobilizing, embarking on a frenzy of zombie hunting.

To resolve the crisis of zombie sieges and obtain more crystal nuclei, Country X exchanged spots in the first batch of cosmic warrior recruits for crystal nuclei. Those superpowered individuals who met the conditions for becoming cosmic warriors naturally threw themselves into the hunt with fervor.

This not only allowed them to obtain more crystal nuclei but also rapidly enhanced their own abilities.

Ruo Manni saw this as an excellent selection method, as combat revealed a person’s character and capabilities.

She took the time to monitor these superpowered individuals, identifying the most suitable candidates and sending their information to Lin Ruihai.

Meanwhile, news of the alien spacecraft had shocked the entire world, attracting many scientists to the XX Base.

Yet, no matter how prominent the incoming scientists were, none could replace Lin Kexin’s unique status.

She had invented crystal nucleus energy, developed a new alloy ideal for building spacecraft, and even replicated the alien spacecraft’s intelligent system.

The most critical problems were solved by Lin Kexin alone, and no one, no matter how talented, could overshadow her. Moreover, Country X firmly supported her leadership.

Faced with a crisis threatening humanity’s survival, collective action was swift. Under Lin Kexin’s guidance, humanity succeeded in constructing its own interstellar spacecraft capable of traversing the galaxy within just six months.

Lin Kexin invited Ruo Manni to inspect the spacecraft. Given the importance of the matter, Ruo Manni naturally appeared before humanity once again, though this time, she came on her own.

By now, most of Earth’s top leaders were aware of Ruo Manni’s concealed identity and regarded her as humanity’s savior, treating her with the utmost respect.

Under Lin Kexin’s guidance, Ruo Manni inspected the newly constructed spacecraft.

The fact that Lin Kexin was able to produce a small interstellar spacecraft so quickly was partly thanks to Ruo Manni’s contributions. The two of them, along with a team of domestic and international experts, engaged in in-depth discussions. To onlookers, this interaction sparked curiosity and speculation.

“Could Professor Lin also be an alien? She and that person really look like sisters.”

“No, Professor Lin has parents and relatives, and her life history is complete. Most importantly, we’ve verified her DNA—her identity is genuine.”

“However, before the apocalyptic catastrophe, Professor Lin was just an ordinary university graduate with a liberal arts major. It was only after recognizing her ‘sister’ during the apocalypse that she began developing expertise in mechanical engineering.”

Anyone with a sharp mind could sense something unusual. Three years ago, Professor Lin was just an ordinary liberal arts student. Yet, in just over two years, she had become a world-leading expert in mechanical engineering and energy systems. It was hard to believe there wasn’t something extraordinary about her transformation.

“Maybe they chose Professor Lin as a spokesperson simply because the two of them look alike,” someone speculated.

“That’s a possibility.”

“If that’s the case, it’s a stroke of luck for us.”

One observer concluded, “Let’s hope that before they leave, Professor Lin can learn even more.”

Without Professor Lin, this spacecraft could never have been built so quickly.

While Professor Lin might have relied on external knowledge, she personally adapted and transformed it into something suitable for Earth’s use, rapidly advancing humanity’s technological capabilities. Her contributions were no less significant than those of an original inventor.