Chapter 1071: Special Contact Zone

Guilliman spoke up.

"But risks exist as well. First, information risk. If they are allowed to operate within the Star Alliance, they might collect sensitive information and sell it to other civilizations, including our potential enemies."

"Second, cultural risk. Their presence might interfere with the Star Alliance's promotion of the philosophy of liberating Humans."

"Third, security risk. Even if they are harmless themselves, they could be utilized by hostile forces, becoming vectors for spies or saboteurs."

Guilliman concluded.

"Therefore, Father, my personal inclination is: under strict regulation, allow limited contact and cooperation."

"But this decision involves a major adjustment in the Star Alliance's foreign policy direction. Should we shape the Star Alliance into a completely closed iron-walled Fortress that only exports and does not import, or an open system that can conditionally accept external neutral Elemental forces?"

"The answer to this question exceeds the scope of my authority and the clear guidance of current laws."

"It touches upon the fundamental positioning and future development direction of the Star Alliance."

"Therefore, I require your direct guidance."

After a moment of contemplation, Yingzhou spoke.

"Robert, have the person in charge of the direct contact team speak with me. I want to hear first-hand observations."

Guilliman nodded and operated the control panel.

A few seconds later, another image appeared in the holographic projection.

An Ultramarines Company Commander and a senior commissioner from the Star Alliance Ministry of Foreign Affairs stood side by side.

"Father, this is Company Commander Taxituo, the military Commander responsible for this boarding inspection; this is Commissioner Liwei, a staff member sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

Company Commander Taxituo saluted first.

"His Majesty the Emperor, following Father's orders, I led a team to board the Terrami flagship 'Rainbow Tassel'."

"They cooperated fully throughout the entire process, showing no signs of resistance."

"My professional assessment is: this fleet possesses no substantive military threat. Their defense systems can at most handle pirate-level attacks; they have no chance of winning against the Regular Army."

Commissioner Liwei reported next.

"Your Majesty, I held a six-hour conversation with the representatives of the Terrami."

"Their leader calls themselves 'Chief Trader Eloan'."

"My observation is: they are merchants by nature, and their way of thinking is highly pragmatic."

"They care about profit, security, and long-term cooperative relationships. When asked about their views on the Star Alliance, Eloan stated, 'An emerging market rising rapidly, with huge potential but not insignificant risks,' evaluating it entirely from a commercial perspective."

Yingzhou asked: "Commissioner Liwei, do you believe their 'neutral' stance is credible? Merchants often change their stance in the face of profit."

Liwei thought for a moment: "Your Majesty, I believe their neutrality is a survival strategy that has been internalized as a core of their culture."

"The history of the Terrami shows they once attempted to establish their own small empire, but soon discovered that the cost of military expansion was too high, while the returns from trade networks were more stable."

"Over three thousand years, they have developed a complex 'neutral ethics,' not participating in political struggles, not favoring any side, acting only as transporters of information and goods."

"This allows them to travel among countless civilizations without being viewed with hostility."

Liwei paused and added.

"But this also means they will not develop true Loyalty to any civilization."

"If a force stronger than us that can provide more profit appears in the future, they will trade with them as well."

"Their Loyalty is only to the 'Merchant Guild' and 'profit'."

Company Commander Taxituo interjected.

"From a military perspective, this means they are not reliable allies, but they are not enemies that must be annihilated."

"They are more like... mobile resource nodes."

Yingzhou nodded slightly and asked.

"Then, what requests did Eloan himself make?"

Liwei pulled up a record of the conversation.

In the image, a Terrami appeared on screen and spoke.

"Respected Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, we have no intention of offending your borders."

"We are merely merchants, looking for new trade opportunities."

"We possess rare goods, technical data, and cultural information from dozens of civilizations."

"We are willing to conduct limited trade within the framework stipulated by your side."

"As a gesture of sincerity, we can provide a free 'Briefing on the Situation of Civilizations in the Surrounding Star Sectors,' containing the latest developments of twenty-three major civilizations, some of which may be of value to you."

Eloan paused for a moment and continued.

"Of course, we also understand your security concerns."

"We are willing to accept reasonable regulation: designated trade sites, restricted areas of activity, acceptance of cargo inspections, and even allowing you to station observers."

"We only request the most basic merchant rights: personal safety, property safety, and the right to fair trade."

The recording ended.

Yingzhou looked at Guilliman.

"What do you think of this proposal?"

Guilliman replied.

"Father, I believe it can be viewed as a starting point for negotiations. We could establish a 'Limited Contact Test Zone': designate a peripheral star system in the Seventh Star Sector as a Te Xu Mao Yi Zhan, allowing the Terrami to operate within that station."

"All transactions must be conducted through Star Alliance regulatory agencies; direct contact with civilians is prohibited."

"The information they provide will be evaluated for value by a specialized team to decide whether to procure it."

"Observers will be stationed permanently in their fleet to monitor all activities."

"At the same time, we can require them to provide more substantive 'sincerity': a complete star map of the surrounding Star Alliance, technical assessment reports of known civilizations, and... intelligence on the reactions of other civilizations following the destruction of the Saike-shan civilization in the Ninth Star Sector."

Yingzhou closed his eyes, thought for a few seconds, and then spoke.

"Guilliman, handle this matter according to the following principles."

"First, principle of recognition: The Star Alliance recognizes and is willing to have limited contact with neutral, non-hostile interstellar commercial entities.

This will become the foundation of a new policy; the Star Alliance is not a completely closed Fortress, but a powerful nation with selectively opened windows."

"Second, core premise: All contact must be established on the foundation of Human supremacy and the inviolability of Star Alliance sovereignty.

The Terrami must explicitly accept this: within Star Alliance territory, the laws of Xiuluo are supreme; they are merely Aliens permitted to conduct business and enjoy no political rights."

"Third, specific arrangements:"

"1. Establish a 'Chartered Contact Zone' near GC-7783 Star in the Seventh Star Sector, jointly managed by Ultramarines forces and the Star Alliance Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

"2. The Terrami may only operate within the contact zone and are not permitted to enter other regions. Each entry and exit requires prior application and full-process escort."

"3. Establish a dedicated Terrami Affairs Office responsible for all transaction reviews, information assessment, and regulatory enforcement."

"4. All transactions must be conducted through official Star Alliance channels; any private transactions are prohibited.

Traded items must undergo strict review, and the import of items that may threaten Star Alliance security or cultural purity is prohibited."

"5. The Star Alliance shall station a permanent observer mission to the Terrami fleet, consisting of no fewer than twenty people, with the authority to inspect any area at any time."

"6. The Terrami must provide complete intelligence on the surrounding star sectors as a 'gesture of sincerity for entry' and commit to regular updates.

The value of the intelligence will be assessed by a specialized team, which will determine whether to grant corresponding trade concessions."

"Fourth, risk management:"

"1. If the Terrami violate any regulations, the observer mission has the right to immediately seize the fleet, and the relevant personnel shall be tried according to Star Alliance law."

"2. If the Terrami are found to be engaging in espionage or acts that endanger Star Alliance security, you, Guilliman, are authorized to handle it with full discretion, with methods including but not limited to seizure, trial, and purification."

"3. Establish a Terrami behavior assessment system, conducting a comprehensive evaluation every six months to decide whether to extend the contact permit."