Marvel: The other side of the double-passing door is Devouring the Stars

Chapter 397 Discovery of an Unknown Hostile Target
“These are all applications of our technological achievements in the civilian sector,” Mosen explained. “For example, this seawater desalination system can provide clean drinking water for arid regions. This air purification device can remove industrial pollution.”

"And this medical robot can provide basic medical services in remote areas. This education system allows every child to receive a high-quality education."

Rowan was deeply moved by these demonstrations. This was certainly not something a warlike civilization would do.

“Mr. Prime Minister, your civilization has left a deep impression on me,” Rowan said sincerely. “I have seen your sincere pursuit of peace and development.”

“Thank you for your understanding,” Mosen said gratefully. “This is who we truly are. We simply want to quietly develop technology, improve people’s lives, and live peacefully with our neighbors.”

"So, do you have any specific suggestions for resolving the current conflict?" Silvermoon inquired.

“We are willing to make any reasonable concessions,” Mosen stated firmly, “including giving Tana 1 a larger share in asteroid development, providing technical support, and even bearing most of the development costs. We only hope to resolve the dispute peacefully.”

“Your sincerity is touching,” Rowan said. “We will do our utmost to facilitate peace talks between the two sides.”

By the time the visit ended, it was already evening. As the sun set, the entire science park was bathed in golden light, appearing exceptionally beautiful and serene.

"I hope that one day, the people of both our planets can live in such a peaceful and beautiful environment," Mosen said with emotion, gazing into the distance.

“That day will surely come,” Silvermoon comforted her. “Peace is the common desire of all.”

"So, could we arrange a three-way meeting with representatives from Planet Tana 1 tomorrow?" Rowan suggested.

“Of course, we are ready to negotiate at any time,” Morsen immediately agreed. “We are willing to try anytime, anywhere, under any conditions, as long as it brings peace.”

Back at the hotel, Rowan and Yinyue were both shocked. What they had seen and heard today had completely overturned their previous understanding.

“Planet Tana II is indeed not as described for Planet Tana I,” Silvermoon concluded. “The sincerity and goodwill they have shown are genuine.”

“Yes, and their philosophy on technological development is also commendable,” Rowan agreed. “With peaceful development as their goal and improving people’s livelihoods as their aim, this is what civilization should look like.”

"So what do we do next?" Silver Moon asked.

“We’ll arrange a trilateral meeting tomorrow to put the truth on the table,” Rowan said firmly. “It’s time to let the sunlight of peace shine on this galaxy.”

The following morning, as agreed the previous day, Rowan contacted the government of Planet Tana I and proposed a tripartite meeting. To ensure neutrality and impartiality, the meeting was arranged in neutral airspace between the two planets, with a dedicated diplomatic conference ship serving as the venue.

“Minister Carlisle, we propose a formal meeting at 2 PM today in neutral airspace,” Rowan contacted Tana I via encrypted communication. “The delegation from Tana II is ready.”

Carlisle's slightly hesitant voice came through the communicator: "Mediation Officer, we need some time to prepare the necessary documents and personnel."

“How long will it take? This meeting is important for both sides, and we hope it can proceed as soon as possible,” Silvermoon added from the side.

“Give us until tomorrow morning; we need to convene representatives from all relevant departments,” Carlisle replied.

Rowan sensed something was amiss, but still agreed: "Okay, then we'll begin the formal talks at 10:00 AM tomorrow. Please ensure your delegation arrives on time."

“Of course, we won’t be absent.” Carlisle’s tone sounded firm.

After hanging up the call, Silvermoon frowned: "Their attitude seems to have changed; they're not as enthusiastic as they were yesterday."

“I have the same feeling,” Rowan pondered. “Perhaps they need time to reach a consensus internally. After all, the strength we demonstrated yesterday might have prompted them to reassess the situation.”

Prime Minister Mohsen was very supportive of the arrangements for the talks: "Our delegation is ready to depart at any time, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense, and the Minister of Economy, and I myself will participate."

“Your sincerity is touching,” Rowan said. “I believe tomorrow’s talks will yield positive results.”

However, the situation took an unexpected turn the following morning.

At 9:00 AM, an hour before the scheduled meeting time, the delegation from Planet Tana II arrived at the conference spaceship in neutral airspace aboard a government aircraft. This spaceship was specifically designed for diplomatic activities and was fully equipped with spacious conference rooms, communication equipment, and living quarters.

"There's still no word from the delegation on Tana I," the liaison technician reported. "We've tried to contact them multiple times, but they just keep saying 'preparing.'"

Prime Minister Mohsen checked the time: "It's already 9:30. If they leave now, they'll be at least an hour late."

“Perhaps they’ve encountered some technical problems,” Silvermoon tried to find an excuse for the other party. “Let’s wait and see.”

At 10:00 AM sharp, the agreed meeting time arrived, but the delegation from Planet Tana I still hadn't shown up.

“This is not normal,” Rowan’s expression turned serious. “In diplomatic etiquette, punctuality is the most basic requirement.”

“We will try to contact them again,” Prime Minister Mohsen instructed his communications officer.

However, this response shocked everyone.

“I’m sorry, but due to a sudden security threat, our delegation cannot arrive on time,” Carlisle’s voice sounded tense. “We have just received intelligence that Tana II is planning a military operation, and we must strengthen our defenses.”

"What?!" Prime Minister Mohsen stood up angrily. "This is utter slander! We have no military action plans whatsoever!"

“Mr. Minister, this is a serious accusation,” Rowan said calmly. “Please provide concrete evidence.”

“Our evidence is conclusive and cannot be disclosed in public communications,” Carlisle replied. “For security reasons, we are temporarily canceling this meeting.”

Communication was thus unilaterally cut off.

The atmosphere inside the conference spaceship became extremely tense. The officials from Tana II were filled with anger and confusion.

"That's clearly an excuse," the defense minister said angrily. "They have no intention of negotiating!"

"Our troops are currently in normal defensive positions, and there have been no unusual movements," the military representative added. "These allegations are completely fabricated."

Rowan's expression turned extremely serious. As an experienced mediator, he immediately realized this might be the beginning of something much larger. "Instantly check the airspace around us," Rowan ordered the ship's security officer. "I suspect there might be something else going on."

The security officer activated the remote scanning system, and a few minutes later, his face turned pale: "Mediation officer, we've detected a large number of warships approaching this direction at high speed."

"How many ships? From which direction?" Silvermoon asked immediately.

“At least fifty ships, coming from the direction of planet Tana I,” the security officer’s voice trembled slightly, “and judging from the energy readings, they are all heavy combat ships.”

Prime Minister Mohsen's face turned ashen: "What are they trying to do? Attack the diplomatic conference?"

Rowan immediately understood the true intentions of Planet Tana I. They had no intention of negotiating; instead, they wanted to use this meeting as a pretext to launch an attack.

"Everyone, get into the protective pods immediately," Rowan ordered. "This is not a diplomatic incident; this is a military raid."

Just then, the conference ship's alarm system began to blare. Remote scanning revealed that the fleet from planet Tana I had entered attack range.

"Incoming missile! Everyone take cover!" the security officer shouted a warning.

Dozens of high-energy missiles roared down from the darkness of space, their target the unarmed diplomatic conference ship. While the ship possessed basic defense systems, they were utterly incapable of withstanding a military attack of this scale.

"Shield activated!" The spaceship captain frantically operated the defense system.

Blue energy shields deployed around the spaceship, but their strength was rapidly decreasing under the intense bombardment of missiles.

"Shield strength has dropped to 70%, 50%, or 30%!" the technician reported. "We can't hold out much longer!"

Everyone inside the capsule was aware of the threat of death. These officials and diplomats on Tana II had never experienced such a direct military attack.

“They’ve gone mad,” Prime Minister Mohsen said angrily. “Attacking diplomatic missions is a war crime that violates all international law!”

“This is not the time to discuss the law,” Rowan said calmly. “Silver Moon, protect the people on board. I’ll handle the situation outside.”

"What are you going to do?" Silvermoon asked worriedly.

“Do what I should do,” Rowan’s eyes flashed with a dangerous light, “As a mediator for the Galactic Peace Organization, I cannot allow anyone to commit such atrocities in front of me.”

Rowan walked toward the spaceship's hatch and, to everyone's astonishment, opened it once again, revealing the gateway to the vacuum of space.

"Mediation Commissioner! You want to..." Before Prime Minister Mosen could finish speaking, Rowan had already disappeared into the dark universe.

The battle outside was extremely fierce. The fleet from Planet Tana I had completely surrounded the conference ship, and dozens of warships were conducting indiscriminate fire. Laser cannons, plasma beams, high-energy missiles—the light from all kinds of weapons illuminated this space as if it were daytime.

What's even more infuriating is that these warships are clearly not content with merely attacking the conference ships. Judging from their formation and course, their true objective is to break through here and directly attack the home planet of Tana II.

“This is a premeditated, all-out attack,” Rowan observed the enemy ships’ deployment from space, his anger reaching its peak.

Using the pretext of peace talks, Planet Tana I lured key officials from Planet Tana II to neutral airspace before launching a surprise attack. If successful, they could not only eliminate the leadership of Planet Tana II but also capture its capital in one fell swoop.

"Despicable!" Rowan cursed inwardly.

Just then, the flagship of the Tana I fleet sent out a communication: "Terrorists from Tana II, you have kidnapped a mediator from the Galactic Peace Organization. This is a provocation against peace. We will take all necessary measures to rescue the hostage."

"Damn it!" Prime Minister Mohsen's furious roar echoed from inside the cabin. "How could we possibly have kidnapped the mediator? This is a blatant frame-up!"

Rowan understood the enemy's entire plan. They not only intended to launch a military attack, but also to seize the moral high ground and shift all the blame onto Planet Tana II.

"Enough!" Rowan roared in the universe. Although there was no air to carry his voice, his anger spread throughout the entire battlefield through the fluctuations of his telekinetic energy.

Sensors on all the warships detected this unusual energy fluctuation, and the battle came to a temporary halt.

"What's going on? An abnormal energy source has been detected!" A panicked voice came from inside the warship on Planet Tana One.

Then, everyone witnessed a scene they would never forget.

In the darkness of space, a humanoid figure is moving rapidly. He has no aircraft, no protective gear, and is simply flying directly in the vacuum at an unbelievable speed.

"What is that? How can humans survive in space?" The soldiers on the warship stared in horror at this incredible scene.

Rowan's anger had reached its peak. As a core member of the Virtual Universe Corporation and a powerful martial artist at the stellar level, he had witnessed countless wars and conflicts, but he had never encountered such despicable and shameless behavior before.

Around him, space began to distort. This was a manifestation of the power of the laws of space; the surrounding void seemed to have become his weapon.

"Since you have chosen war, then bear the consequences of war!" Rowan stretched out his right hand, and a light blade made of pure energy condensed in his hand.

This light blade, hundreds of meters long, exudes a terrifying aura of destruction. Even the most advanced sensors on Planet Tana-1 cannot accurately measure its energy level.

"Attention all fleet, unknown hostile target detected, open fire immediately!" The flagship's commander issued the attack order.

Dozens of warships opened fire simultaneously, unleashing countless laser beams and missiles at Rowan. This firepower was enough to instantly destroy an asteroid.

However, Rowan merely glanced at the attacks with disdain.

"For me, an attack of this magnitude wouldn't even qualify as a warm-up."

He brandished the energy blade in his hand, and a huge arc of light shot out from the blade. This light wave contained the power of the laws of space, and wherever it passed, space itself trembled.

The beam of light swept across the fleet, instantly slicing ten ships in two. The steel hulls were as fragile as paper before absolute power, and the explosions illuminated the entire cosmic expanse.

(End of this chapter)