Chapter 1510: The Disarmed Planet

Talian shook his head slightly on the screen.

Perhaps you are right, but this is the path we have chosen. We have already issued the order to disarm, and we will not retract it.

The communication feed flickered and disconnected once more.

Kusilei stood before the communication console and slammed the data pad in his hand onto the ground.

"A bunch of cowards! You don't even have the heart to resist; how could your end possibly be good?"

At the same moment, on the edge of the Southern Border shipping lanes, the Fourth Fleet of the Ultramarines.

On the bridge of the War, Octavius stood before the main display screen, watching the sensor scan results of the planet's surface as it gradually approached.

No signals from orbital defense platforms were detected in the planet's orbit, and no active energy readings from artillery batteries were detected on the surface.

The data returned by the sensors showed that several defensive positions in orbit had been completely powered down, and the ships in the port were docked at their berths with their engines inactive.

The Communications Officer turned to report.

Commander, the sensor scan is complete. The ground defense systems of the target planet, Dongke Xing, are all in a powered-down state, and the orbital defense platforms have been de-energized. No engine start signals were detected from the ships docked in the port, and there are no active energy readings. No weapon systems of any kind were found to be in an activated state.

Octavius looked at the Communications Officer and asked.

Completely disarmed?

Yes, Commander. All defensive facilities have been shut down. The planet's ground command has sent a repeated surrender statement over the public channel, explicitly stating that they have dismantled all armaments as requested.

Octavius said to the Adjutant waiting for orders behind him.

Send people to orbit to conduct an inspection; once it is confirmed that all armaments are dismantled, mark this planet as under control.

"Understood, my lord."

The Adjutant nodded and transferred the order to the communication channel.

Dongke Xing, ground landing field.

A Thunderhawk gunship passed through the low cloud layer; several dark-colored ground transport vehicles were parked at the edge of the landing field, and rows of people in dark uniforms stood beside the vehicles.

After the Thunderhawk gunship landed, Aolusi was the first to step off, followed by Xiuneike and Kasolaimai, both of whom were fully armed.

About a dozen people stood at the edge of the landing field.

The one standing at the very front wore a dark gray formal coat, and his four eyes were cast downward.

Aolusi walked to a position about five paces from the group and stopped, his gaze sweeping over the leading Alien.

The leading Alien took half a step forward and bowed slightly.

Welcome, my lords, to the Dongke Xing ground command; I am Kela'er Wente, the Administrator of Dongke Xing and the highest official responsible for the administrative affairs of this planet.

We have completed the full disarmament as requested; the orbital defense platforms have been powered down and sealed, the ground artillery systems have been shut down, and all military ships have been docked with their engines off. The relevant data files on the status are prepared and ready for inspection at any time.

After hearing this, Aolusi shifted his gaze from Kela'er Wente's face to the rows of people behind him and spoke slowly.

You are the highest official of Dongke Xing?

Yes, my lord.

Kela'er Wente bowed slightly again.

All administrative and military affairs of Dongke Xing are managed by me.

Aolusi said.

Then who is your superior? Who ordered you to surrender?

Kela'er Wente's four eyes remained cast downward.

My superior is Lord Talian; he issued the order to cease all hostile actions and dismantle all armaments. I have executed the entirety of that order.

Aolusi said in a stern tone.

So you surrendered only because you were obeying your lord's order. If Talian had not given the order, would you have chosen to continue resisting?

Kela'er Wente said hurriedly.

My lord, regardless of whether there was an order from Lord Talian, Dongke Xing would have chosen to surrender. The strength of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance fleet has been fully demonstrated on the previous five planets.

We have no reason to believe that Dongke Xing's defensive forces could cause any substantial damage to the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance fleet; continuing to resist would only cause unnecessary casualties among the residents of this planet.

Aolusi looked down at the lowered gray head and continued.

You mean to say that you think the actions of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance are correct? Do you not want revenge?

My lord, I am not qualified to judge whether the actions of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance are right or wrong. My judgment is based on one fact: the military strength of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance fleet far exceeds the defensive ceiling of Dongke Xing.

In the face of absolute military superiority, continuing to resist is futile. I simply do not want the residents of Dongke Xing to suffer meaningless sacrifices.

Aolusi raised his right hand, extended a finger, and tapped the front lapel of Kela'er Wente's formal coat.

You know how we dealt with those Aliens who tried to resist on the previous planets.

Kela'er Wente's body tensed slightly when the finger touched his lapel, then relaxed again.

I know, but my judgment is that if Dongke Xing shows a completely cooperative attitude, the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance fleet might consider not using armed suppression to deal with us.

Aolusi said to Xiuneike behind him.

Go inspect the power-down and sealing status of the artillery bases and orbital platforms; Kasolaimai, go to the port to verify the physical locking of the ship engines.

"Yes!"

The two Space Marines stood at attention in unison, turned, and walked in their respective directions.

Aolusi turned his gaze back to Kela'er Wente and continued.

You have dismantled all your fortifications and locked all your ships; are you not afraid of other nobles coming to attack you?

Dongke Xing's defensive forces are meaningless in front of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance fleet, but they are equally meaningless in front of the armaments of other nobles.

Kela'er Wente's four eyes never once lifted to meet Aolusi's gaze, keeping his posture at its lowest.

Aolusi's mouth curled upward, and he said.

Let's go; take me to see the artillery batteries.

"It would be my pleasure to serve you."

The group arrived at the battery cluster, and Aolusi stood before the base of the first battery to ask a question.

From which direction do these batteries receive their power supply?

Kela'er Wente stood one step behind him and replied.

The battery energy is supplied by a dedicated circuit from the underground power station. Power-off locks have sealed three key nodes, and it will take at least two standard hours to dismantle them all. The relevant blueprints and technical records are prepared and can be submitted for inspection at any time.

Aolusi nodded and said.

The battery cluster inspection on Dongke Xing is qualified. The inspection results for the orbital platform will be verified after Xiuneike returns; if they are consistent, this planet can be marked as in a controlled state.

Only then did Kela'er Wente breathe a slight sigh of relief and offer thanks.

Many thanks, my lord. Dongke Xing will fully comply with the requirements and will not take any action that violates the ceasefire agreement.