Kallus' mind raced as the full scope of the situation unfolded. "So they're trying to absorb Earth and its people into their empire," he muttered. "But they don't have the technology to return to their original universe?"
"Correct," replied the Red Empress. "They are trapped here, and their only option is to build their new empire from within this one."
While Kallus and the Red Empress were discussing their next steps and preparing for warp travel, the Star Empire Fleet operating in the solar system had already detected their arrival. The Star Empire had deployed advanced search and warning systems throughout the system, ensuring immediate alerts for any anomalies.
Within moments of the Void Fleet's sudden appearance, the Star Empire's monitoring stations flagged the colossal new presence. Shockwaves rippled through the Falcon, the Star Empire's flagship, and its associated command chain. The Falcon, a ship 6 kilometers long, 500 meters tall, and 800 meters wide, was considered the pinnacle of the Star Empire's engineering—a symbol of their power and ambition.
The fleet's Supreme Commander, Bai Zongqi, and other high-ranking officials swiftly convened in the Falcon's war room. Among them was Chen Haoyu, a venerable scholar, and Yǔ Tóng, a fiery fleet commander known for her striking red hair and equally fierce temperament. As they settled, the Falcon's AI appeared in holographic form, her voice crisp and direct.
"Attention: The unknown fleet has moved into orbit around Earth's moon," she announced.
The room fell silent as everyone processed the implications. Yǔ Tóng was the first to break it. "How is this possible? Even with Level 2 warp technology, it should have taken them 5–6 hours to cover this distance!"
The other officers murmured in agreement, their faces etched with worry. Chen Haoyu adjusted his glasses, his expression grim. "Unless," he began cautiously, "this fleet possesses Level 3 or Level 4 warp technology. If that's the case..."
His words hung in the air, heavy with implications. Advanced warp technology of that caliber would mean the unknown fleet was far more sophisticated than the Star Empire.
As tension filled the room, Bai Zongqi's sharp voice cut through. "Silence!" he commanded, his tone unwavering. "Worrying about things we don't yet understand is a waste of time."
His calm but commanding demeanor steadied the room. "We don't know if they are enemies or allies. If they are hostile, we are not the kind to shy away from a fight."
The officers exchanged resolute nods, reassured by their leader's confidence.
"First, let us observe and analyze," Bai Zongqi continued. With a snap of his fingers, a holographic projection appeared in the center of the room, displaying a live feed of the Void Fleet now orbiting the moon.
Gasps filled the room as the officers took in the sheer scale of the unknown fleet. Fifteen ships hovered in formation, their presence dominating the lunar orbit.
At the center was their flagship—a gargantuan ship over 26 kilometers long. Its immense size and armaments were unlike anything the Star Empire had ever encountered. Rows upon rows of colossal weapons lined its hull, each capable of catastrophic destruction. The remaining 14 ships, identified as battleships, were approximately 3 kilometers long, 500 meters tall, and 700 meters wide, similarly equipped with formidable weaponry, though slightly less impressive than the flagship.
Bai Zongqi's expression shifted as he stared at the flagship. He recognized its design—though slightly altered, it bore an uncanny resemblance to the Executor-class Star Dreadnought from Earth's movies and anime. The battleships, too, resembled the Imperial Star Destroyers, albeit with modifications.
"How…?" he murmured, lost in thought.
The Falcon's AI interrupted. "Sire, energy readings from the unknown fleet's flagship and its secondary ships are immense—far beyond anything we've ever recorded."
Bai Zongqi snapped out of his thoughts, his expression darkening as he listened to Falcon, the flagship's AI, report unusual energy readings emanating from the unknown fleet. The sheer scale of the readings was unsettling, suggesting a technological sophistication far beyond their own.
"Falcon," Bai said firmly, "relay this information to the R&D Department and the Evron Analysis Division. I want every available resource dedicated to analyzing those ships. Even if the results are incomplete or inaccurate, we need to establish some understanding of their capabilities. Anything could prove valuable at this stage."
The room fell silent as the gravity of his words sank in. He turned to his senior officers, his tone steady yet authoritative. "This is an unprecedented situation. If my suspicions are correct, this fleet's mere presence will disrupt not only our current plans but possibly our long-term objectives as well. That said, our intentions here are not hostile, and their arrival—while concerning—doesn't automatically make them adversaries."
Bai Zongqi snapped out of his thoughts, his expression firm. "Prepare to send a message to them. If my suspicions are correct, they may not be so different from us. Let us establish contact and determine their purpose here."
The officers saluted, swiftly carrying out his orders.
While the higher authorities of the Star Empire deliberated on the presence of the Void Fleet, various powers on Earth also began to take notice of the newly arrived ships in lunar orbit. Countries such as
States of Avalon, Indra empire, Jiang Dynasties, Eryndor Isles, The Bear Empire, Tetsu-no-Mura, and other significant global players couldn't ignore the development. The moon had been the focal point of numerous space research initiatives, and the sudden appearance of a massive fleet was impossible to miss.
Some nations, particularly those not directly involved with the Star Alliance, dismissed the fleet as a reinforcement for the Star Empire, believing it to be part of their expansion efforts in the solar system.
In the Jiang dynasty, the reaction was markedly different. The Jiang authorities, closely aligned with the Star Empire, celebrated the arrival of what they presumed to be allied reinforcements. Officials boasted of their partnership with the Star Alliance, framing the fleet's presence as a sign of their growing prominence on the interstellar stage.
Other nations, however, were more cautious. While many also assumed the fleet was part of the Star Empire's Star Alliance, doubts began to surface. The sudden escalation of advanced ships within their vicinity prompted intense scrutiny. Intelligence agencies across the globe ramped up their surveillance, focusing on the Star Empire and the Star Alliance's activities in the solar system. This newfound attention began to stir a sense of unease among the Earth's geopolitical powers.
As these thoughts rippled through Earth's leadership, aboard the Oblivion-Class Star Dreadnought, Kallus was conducting a thorough analysis of the fleet's arrival and its cascading effects.