CHAPTER 1537: CHAPTER 38: THE EXPANDING WHIRLPOOL (PART 2)

In August of the same year, under the initiation of the delegation dispatched by the Central Star Domain, 21 star domains in the Eastern Star Region joined the ’Radiant Stars’ organization, signing numerous cooperation projects and development plans.

For the construction and development of these projects, the Central Star Domain dispatched a large number of engineers, technical personnel, security teams, and some escort starships into these star domains. This move met with opposition from other star domains in the Eastern Star Region, but the opposition was of little use and instead highlighted the internal division and fragility of the Eastern Star Region.

Since then, the three-party alliance in the Eastern Star Region has become nominal. The major star domains that did not join the ’Radiant Stars’ began to form several small coalition organizations. On one hand, they did not want to lose autonomy and return to the Federation’s centralized governance, but on the other hand, they were unable to unite with other star domains due to a lack of a common interest base and no strong will to integrate each other.

In view of the current situation, these coalition organizations have become particularly hostile and hateful towards those star domains that sought the Federation’s central governance, believing that they betrayed the Eastern Star Region, causing the initially independent Eastern Star Region to fall back under the Federation Central’s draining control.

In the face of such rhetoric, the star domains that relied on the Federation Center and joined the ’Radiant Stars’ have responded and opposed, accusing the factions that want ’independence’ as groups benefiting from economic prosperity and independence. Star domains like theirs, which are financially poor and have weak industrial and technological foundations, need the support from the Federation more to get out of the stagnation crisis.

The two sides have immense disparities in interests, naturally leading to entirely different outcomes, and under these circumstances, both parties are unable to convince each other in disputes, resulting in increasingly fierce public intensity.

The following year, a transport fleet from the Central Star Domain heading to the Eastern Star Region was attacked by unknown forces en route. A large amount of expensive equipment was lost, including thousands of technical experts from the ’Radiant Stars’ organization.

After the incident, the Federation Central Star Domain immediately sent several rapid rescue fleets to patrol, but in the end, only found the remnants of the transport starship in the Black Domain four light-years away in outer space, with goods and personnel entirely missing.

Facing this bizarre incident, the ’Radiant Stars’ organization issued a stern protest, questioning several factions in the Eastern Star Region, believing they secretly plundered the fleet.

"Such rapid and professional attack methods, along with aftermath handling, are definitely not something ordinary pirates can achieve. They also have no channels to sell the goods unless they have other ’forces’ supporting them!" declared the special investigator sent by the Federation Central.

"We have reason to suspect that this is a despicable act by ’certain’ factions for their selfish interests. They attempt to use violence to intimidate those peaceful and kind people, forcing them to abandon cooperation and turn to them."

"I must tell you, they are wrong! Such vile actions will not defeat the brave citizens of the Federation, and we, the ’Radiant Stars,’ are committed to supporting those lagging and impoverished star domains, overcoming barriers between the star seas, and establishing a highly interconnected, integrated, and jointly shining human civilization."

"To counter those illegal intrusions and covert destructive forces, we have applied to the Federation Central Council to raise security levels in the future, dispatch more fleets to escort transport fleets, and protect nodes on the Centaur spiral arm by constructing more space stations, which will eventually illuminate the dark star sea like sparkling stars!"

Representatives of the ’Radiant Stars’ organization made a grand statement at a press conference, and shortly thereafter, under the support of the ’Fire Lotus - Radiant Star’ alliance faction, the Federal Central Council consecutively passed several bills backing transport fleets to enhance escort fleet arrays, allowing them to use starships and combat units two generations below the main fleets.

The six main fleets have always been the combat benchmark of the Rose Federation, with other patrol fleets in various star regions falling behind the main fleets by about one generation in terms of starship strength and technical level, while local star domain escort fleets lagging two generations, and ordinary civilian commercial escort fleets lagging three generations. This proposal effectively raises the technical authority of commercial escort fleets by a whole generation, approaching military standards.

Though many suspect this accidental plunder might have been orchestrated by the Federation Central Star Domain itself, the internet debate between the two sides has reached fever pitch, but the response among the public and various local star domains shows that everyone has plans to upgrade their fleets and buy new battleships.

Some large trade alliances, such as the ’Sun Boat Trade Union,’ ’Ember Star Fire Mutual Trade Alliance,’ ’Poetry of Leaves Transmission Association,’ ’Grain Spike Association,’ ’Southern October Star’, etc., are increasing their own fleet escort formations amid this trend.

This action is akin to an arms race; if major trade alliances enhance their escort forces and others do not, cooperation partners are bound to favor assigning transport orders to strong trade alliances under security considerations and assessment of strength, rather than choosing weak trade unions.

Furthermore, if there truly are pirate and illegal plunder organizations, when other fleets strengthen their escort forces, those who do not will see their chances of being attacked double, facing more malice.

Thus, a large number of orders flood into military enterprises, whether starships, mechas, warplanes, or various autonomous combat units; the demand grows rapidly and this trend is not confined to the Eastern Star Region but spreads like waves to various star regions and domains, as the Federation Central Council’s enacted laws are effective for all star regions and domains.

"Since everyone is expanding fleet capacity and strengthening combat power, no matter the circumstance, we have a reason to simultaneously enhance to face potential future situations," a representative stood up and spoke.

In the conference room, Tilan, dressed in a black cocktail dress, sat at the head, pondering, with representatives of various star domains in the Southern Star Region sitting around the meeting table, discussing whether to follow the current situation.

"I agree with Marco’s suggestion." Another representative raised his hand to speak.

"Although the causes and background forces behind this incident are enigmatic, it has happened. Moreover, all parties have begun expanding fleets and increasing combat power; we must not remain stagnant."

"Shipping safety in the Southern Star Region has always been excellent, thanks to our frequent exchanges and exceptional unity under the ’Emerald Dragon’ banner, but this is not a reason for us to abandon expanding combat power."

"Currently, the Federation’s situation is highly unstable, and we, the ’Emerald Dragon,’ hold technology coveted by many and are objects of envy for many. Even if force is not needed now, it cannot be guaranteed that strong fleet protection will not be needed in the future."

"Otherwise, once the situation deteriorates and enemies suddenly launch a massive attack, if we cannot gather enough combat power quickly, we will be overwhelmed and defeated by the opponent, rendering efforts to expand fleet capacity too late."

"The production cycle of a main battleship is at least 16 months, nearly a year and a half. With the current level after the Central Star Domain obtained technology from the ’Children of the Stars’ alliance, their starship and warplane advancement speed will only accelerate, and if we wish to maintain deterrence in the future and prevent easy onset of conflict, we must strive to improve fleet combat power to avoid being defeated by surprise attacks." His words were earnest and passionate, receiving applause from many afterward.

Subsequently, many expressed similar agreements, but still, many looked towards the girl sitting at the head, as the current ’Emerald Dragon’ was solely established by her, and those present were all members sworn to her loyalty. If she vetoed it, no amount of suggestions would matter.

Gradually, the scene quieted down, and Tilan raised her head to look at the people staring at her, slightly closing her eyes, then opening them.

"I understand everyone’s sentiments." She knew their worries and unease about the Federation’s military expansion across star regions.

"But what I think is that this arms race might be an endless vortex, pulling everyone in, and it won’t be possible to stop at a certain point."

"Holding fierce weaponry naturally breeds the impulse to use violence. When various factions have large numbers of combat fleets, some conflicts can no longer be resolved peacefully as before." She sighed silently.

"Perhaps this is inevitable destiny; we can only face it head-on."

"Announce externally that we, the ’Emerald Dragon,’ will also begin expanding escort fleet capacity to protect the safety of fleets and star domains."

"Yes, Princess Hexia." Everyone stood up and responded loudly.