Cataclysm: Undead Dragons and Zero Empire

The Poros Global Foundation once again welcomed distinguished guests.

Karen, as the plenipotentiary representative, met with the envoy from the Hamborya Convention in the reception room. He had dealt with this envoy many times before, and his gaze fell on the figure across from him who was preening his feathers, with just the right amount of awe.

Karen was used to the demeanor of his race, all of whom carried a sense of detachment that looked down upon all living beings. He looked at the envoy before him like an ancient mammal running on the ground looking up at a hawk soaring high in the sky.

"Boros's efficiency always disappoints us," the messenger's voice was like ice crystals colliding, devoid of any warmth. His golden pupils narrowed slightly as he swept over Karen, like a merchant assessing the value of his goods.

"The Combined Fleet assembled the pinnacle of power in your galaxy, and what was the result?"

A holographic projection was replaying the battle situation on the front line, focusing on the moment when the star in the Trisolaran system exploded. The dazzling light almost penetrated the boundary of the projection, and countless ships shattered and vaporized like kites in the energy surge.

That earth-shattering power, even across the vast interstellar distance, seemed to cause the air in the reception room to tremble slightly.

"The death of a star has rendered all your efforts futile."

The messenger's tone revealed no anger, only a deep-seated disdain, as if he were commenting on a children's farce.

"We gave you the opportunity to participate in the operation to eliminate the 'Undead Dragon' in order to let you prove that the Boros Global Foundation deserves a place in this galaxy. But now it seems that you even need to reconsider your qualifications to serve as bait."

Karen's fingers, hanging by his side, curled slightly. He knew very well that any explanation would be futile in the face of a star cluster overlord like the Humborian Consortium. They were already qualified to stand at the top of the interstellar civilization tower, and were used to judging everything with absolute power. Boros's failure, in any case, was nothing more than a direct manifestation of their inadequacy in their eyes.

"Your Excellency, the responsibility for this defeat does indeed lie in our underestimation of the power of the 'Undead Dragon'."

Karen’s voice was calm, without attempting to defend himself. Faced with the scrutiny of a more advanced civilization, he had to admit his mistakes directly and do his best to maintain the dignity of his civilization. No matter how rigid the board of directors was, the foundation needed to survive.

Upon hearing this, the envoy's feathers trembled slightly, seemingly not displeased with Karen's response. "Establishing meaningless explanations is pointless," the envoy said, changing the subject. "However, this also allows the Covenant to prepare for the situation. Relying on you river system natives to deal with an existence of this level is ultimately a drop in the ocean."

Karen's heart sank slightly. He had a premonition that the messenger's next words would completely change the situation in the battle against the undead dragons, and that the Humborian Covenant was ready to personally intervene.

"The Humborian Covenant has made a decision," a sharp glint flashed in the envoy's golden eyes, "We will directly intervene in the siege of the 'Undead Dragon.' This is no longer your war, but a purification operation launched by the Covenant against the destroyers threatening the peace of the star cluster."

Karen feigned a slightly shocked expression. The fact that the Humboldt Consortium was personally involved meant that the scale and level of this war would be elevated to an unprecedented level. However, for the Boros Global Foundation, it might not be a bad thing, even if it also meant that they would completely lose the initiative in this war.

"This is a blessing for the entire galaxy cluster," Karen said sincerely. "With the arrival of the Covenant Authority, the threat of the 'Undead Dragon' will finally be eliminated. The Boros Global Foundation is willing to fully cooperate and provide everything we can."

The envoy nodded slightly, acknowledging his statement, and then continued with an undeniable force: "Since the Covenant has taken action personally, the bounty promised to you before regarding the 'Undead Dragon' is naturally null and void."

The bounty was one of the key incentives for the board to participate in the operation, as it included the iterative technology and detector data provided by the Humboldt Consortium. Now that the bounty has been nullified, it means that the Foundation will not receive any compensation for any of its previous losses.

He did not raise any objections, but simply said, "This is the natural order. The Consortium has removed a major threat to the galaxy clusters, and it is already a great honor for us to participate in it. We dare not ask for more."

In the face of a more advanced civilization, the interests of individuals and civilizations often become sacrifices, and any resistance seems futile; they must endure.

"You're more clear-headed than those old guys on your board," the messenger said, offering a rare, not-so-negative assessment. Karen was already a familiar face, and his arrogance had lessened somewhat; his wings gently unfolded and then folded back.

"Don't worry too much. Once the alliance successfully kills the 'Undead Dragon,' Boros, as a civilization that actively cooperated, will naturally receive corresponding preferential treatment. Of course, the premise is that you don't make any more mistakes."

"Thank you, Your Excellency. We will do our utmost," Karen bowed, waiting for the envoy to continue. "You do not need to know the specific action plan of the alliance," the envoy's tone returned to its previous coldness. "We will send weapons sufficient to deal with the 'Undead Dragon.' You only need to handle the logistics. The rest is not your concern."

"We will strictly comply with the orders of the Convention."

After the meeting, the envoy left under the escort of the guards, and the somber atmosphere in the reception room slowly dissipated. Karen straightened up, looked at the twinkling stars in the asteroid belt outside the window, raised her hand to rub her temples, and her face showed signs of fatigue.

The Humboldian Covenant's direct intervention, seemingly to resolve the threat of the Undead Dragon, actually pushed Boros into an even more dangerous situation. Karen believed that if the Covenant failed, the Undead Dragon's wrath would engulf the entire galaxy.

He had no time to dwell on these emotions and immediately initiated a secret communication. After the encrypted channel was successfully connected, a hoarse voice came through: "Your Excellency, Special Envoy."

"Report the situation," Karen said in a low voice, with a hint of urgency.

"We have reached the outer edge of the target star system," the voice on the other end of the communicator paused, "This does not match the file you provided earlier. We did not find the planet recorded when we first entered the star system, and the gravitational field of the entire star system is very stable."

Karen frowned slightly. This conflicted with his expectations. The files he retrieved clearly recorded the relative position and ecological environment of that planet, and such a large deviation was impossible.

"Go on."

"After we waited for a while, things changed," the voice said incredulously. "The planet suddenly appeared out of nowhere in orbit, without any warning, as if it were born from nothingness... We checked the planet's parameters, and they deviated from the data in the archives, but we can basically confirm that this is our target."

Appearing out of thin air? Karen could only guess that it might be related to the undead dragon, surpassing their detection technology.

Where are you now?

"We are still on the outer edge of the star system, maintaining a safe distance, and have not been detected," the voice in the communication was quite confident. "The ship's cloaking module has been kept active, and the enemy's technology should not be able to detect us yet."

"Listen," Karen said seriously, "I order you to approach that planet immediately. Remember, you must not be detected by the enemy. If you sense any risk of being exposed, evacuate immediately."

"clear."

Karen emphasized, "You must not initiate any contact with them, whether directly or indirectly; your task is simply to observe."

"Understood, Your Excellency. I will carry out the order strictly."

The communication ended, and regardless of the Hamborghini's plans, he had to seize this only lead.

The Poros Global Foundation urgently needs change.