Chapter 1139: Data

"Very good."

Luojia said.

"Additionally, once the data leak is 'discovered,' you need to publicly express 'deep concern' and 'sincere apologies.'

Provide appropriate compensation, such as certain tariff reductions. But at the same time, emphasize the 'national security sensitivity' of this information and formally request that they do not disseminate it."

"This will stimulate their desire to disseminate it."

Hearing Guilliman's reply, Luojia smiled and nodded.

"Exactly. Humans, and most intelligent species, are always eager to know things they are forbidden from knowing. Especially when they believe it can bring a commercial advantage."

Guilliman was silent for a moment, then said.

"Luojia, you are truly... a genius in this regard."

"Information is a weapon, my brother."

Luojia said calmly.

"Father taught us this long ago. Swords can liberate the body, but only culture can liberate the mind."

The communication ended.

Luojia sent the final plan to Yingzhou for review.

Ten minutes later, the reply came: Approved for execution.

The plan was initiated.

Forty-eight hours later, border sector Gamma-7, Flowing Ring Chamber of Commerce trading post.

The Gamma-7 trading post was a medium-sized space station located in the border region controlled by the Star Alliance.

This was not a military stronghold, but a commercial hub where merchants of the Flowing Ring came and went, exchanging goods, information, and Bode Coin.

The Tramir had an exclusive area here.

Chamber representative Zuoke was in his office analyzing the latest market data.

Suddenly, an anomalous signal caught his attention.

"Hmm?"

One of Zuoke's arms pulled up the signal source analysis.

"Star Alliance military frequency... but the signal strength is abnormally weak, and the format... no, this is not standard encryption."

Zuoke set aside other work and focused on this signal.

As a senior intelligence analyst for the Chamber, Zuoke knew that unexpected signals often meant unexpected opportunities, or danger.

After two hours of effort, Zuoke cracked the first layer of encryption.

Inside was... logistics data?

Star Alliance fleet supply manifests, maintenance records, routine communications.

Zuoke was somewhat disappointed, but continued to dig deeper.

The second layer of encryption was more complex; Zuoke called upon the trading post's entire computing array.

After another three hours, the second layer was breached.

This time, he saw something different.

Combat logs. Intercepted communications. Fragments of diplomatic negotiations.

And... the complete timeline labeled "Quiet Corridor Incident."

Zuoke's eyes widened.

Realizing what he had discovered.

"Representative! Representative!"

Zuoke's assistant rushed into the office.

"The Star Alliance military has sent an emergency notice! They detected a data leak and are tracking the signal source! They are requiring all civilian facilities to cooperate with inspections!"

Zuoke quickly closed the data stream, but it was already too late.

Star Alliance technicians had "tracked" it to his terminal.

Fifteen minutes later, a Star Alliance squad arrived at the trading post.

Leading the team was a young technical officer with a serious but polite expression.

"Representative Zuoke, we detected encrypted data packets leaking from the military network onto the civilian frequency in this sector. Tracking shows that some of the data was accessed by your terminal.

According to Star Alliance security law, we need to inspect the relevant equipment and request that you delete any sensitive information involving national security."

Zuoke made a gesture of submission typical of the Tramir.

"Of course, of course. We will cooperate fully. This was clearly an accident, and we were not aware of the nature of that data..."

The technical officer checked the terminal logs and confirmed that Zuoke had indeed accessed the leaked data packets.

He made a regretful expression.

"I am very sorry for this accident, Mr. Representative. This was clearly a maintenance error in our system.

But you understand, this information involves sensitive diplomatic and military operations between the Star Alliance and the Fengqi Star Alliance.

If it were to spread, it could affect regional stability and even endanger Star Alliance personnel still in the Fengqi-controlled zone."

"I understand completely."

Zuoke said.

"We will immediately delete all relevant data and guarantee that it will not be disseminated."

"The Star Alliance thanks you for your cooperation."

The officer nodded.

"As compensation for this inconvenience, Archon Guilliman has personally approved a 10% tariff reduction for the Flowing Ring Chamber of Commerce for the next three months. This is our sincerity."

Zuoke's eyes flickered.

A 10% tariff reduction, that is no small sum.

"We... are deeply honored. Please convey our thanks to Archon Guilliman."

After the Star Alliance squad left, Zuoke sat in his office.

He had indeed deleted the surface data, but as a veteran intelligence officer, how could he not have a backup?

More importantly... what had he seen?

The Fengqi Military coup attempted to hijack the diplomatic mission. The Star Alliance was forced to fight back in self-defense.

During the battle, priority was given to protecting the evacuees. Olaf's suicide attack...

And those "extra contents": Star Alliance trade routes, procurement plans, and assessments of Fengqi Assets.

Zuoke's assistant said in a low voice.

"Representative, the Xiuluo Saint clearly wants to hide this information. But why? If they are innocent, why fear the spread of information?"

Zuoke pondered.

One possibility is: the Star Alliance truly wishes to keep it confidential because this information might expose their military weaknesses or diplomatic trump cards.

Another possibility... more subtle: they want the information to be spread, but it must be in the form of a "leak" to maintain their outward innocence.

"Summon the core team of the Flowing Ring Chamber of Commerce in our sector."

Zuoke finally said.

"We need to analyze this data. But be careful, very careful."

Flowing Ring Chamber of Commerce internal meeting.

Zuoke and four other senior representatives sat around in the secure Meeting Room.

The room had the latest anti-eavesdropping equipment to ensure the discussion would not be known to the outside world.

"The data analysis is complete."

The intelligence analyst reported.

"We have confirmed the following points:

First, the data packet indeed originated from the Star Alliance military network, with a secondary-secret encryption level—not the highest, but not low either.

Second, timestamp and metadata checks show that this data consists of original records with no obvious signs of tampering.

Third, the content has high internal consistency, and information from different sources can corroborate each other."

"So you believe this is authentic?"

A representative asked.

"Authentic, but incomplete."

The analyst said.

"There are obvious missing parts, especially the detailed records of the early negotiations and certain key decision-making moments. It could be data loss caused by battlefield interference, or it could be... intentional deletion."

Zuoke crossed his hands.

"What is the official explanation given by the Star Alliance?"