Chapter 249: Tricking the Trisolarans Again

Crisis Era, year 221.

While Lin Sen was hiding in four-dimensional space working on technology, the other 49 columns of the Peace Fleet had all arrived behind the course of the Trisolaran Lost Warship.

The Peace Fleet had been en route for 17 years, only now revealing itself, which was later than anyone had anticipated; the primary reason was the delay of Lin Sen's column of warships.

Three years ago, this news had been transmitted to the Solar System by Rey Diaz, and it was only after receiving a response from the Solar System that the Peace Fleet appeared behind the Trisolaran Lost Warship.

When the Solar System received this message, the only speculation in the human world was that the Trisolarans had made their move.

These warships were the epitome of humanity's highest technology, and the likelihood of 20 warships disappearing simultaneously was minuscule. The most probable explanation was that the Trisolarans had targeted Lin Sen.

Lin Sen was the greatest contributor to humanity's victory over Trisolaris, and for humanity, he was more than just a Wallfacer; he had become a kind of faith.

The disappearance of Lin Sen immediately caused a massive stir in the Solar System, with several places seeing crowds claiming that retribution needed to be carried out against the Trisolarans, although they had no idea how to enact it.

Leaders from various factions hurriedly gathered to discuss countermeasures.

If mishandled, the consequences of this event could be disastrous, potentially leading to the annihilation of both civilizations.

Over the years, Logic had also been keeping track of the Peace Fleet's situation, or more precisely, Lin Sen's situation. Unlike the original timeline, Logic hadn't severed contact with the outside world, nor had he needed to become that lonely Swordholder.

When the news of Lin Sen's disappearance came, Logic locked himself in the Sophon Shielding Room and did not come out for three days and nights. This action not only terrified the Trisolarans, but also the human world.

Three days later, Logic emerged from the Sophon Shielding Room, haggard and spiritually exhausted. He spoke faintly in the hallway,

"I only wanted to guard this world well, to protect my wife and daughter, and to also protect him.

"I just wanted to live humbly, guarding the peace that has not come easily.

"But you still gave it up; I don't know what your purpose is. Perhaps you're trying to test our limits and my deterring power, or perhaps you think he's too dangerous. These things are beyond my control... and I no longer care.

"In 10 seconds, I also don't know if I will press this button. If I do, may all beings in both worlds... forgive me!"

As his words fell, three spheres immediately appeared in the vast hallway, each displaying the same two words: "Stop!"

Logic: "I have no intention of negotiating with you, and I'm not even sure what I will choose. Let's leave it all to fate!"

Subtitles: [Wait... We did not take action against Lin Sen!

In fact, the sophons tracking Lin Sen's fleet also encountered a Sophon Blind Zone, and we've lost contact with the sophons as well.

We suspect that Lin Sen's fleet might have only encountered some special circumstances and may not necessarily have met with disaster.]

Logic: "Didn't you send more sophons to check after the fact?"

Subtitles: [After dispatching the message to the Solar System from the Peace Fleet, we urgently sent 10 more sophons to that region.

Eight of them encountered the Sophon Blind Zone, and the remaining two have yet to find any trace of Lin Sen's fleet.

As for the reason for Lin Sen's disappearance, our scientific teams are also unable to provide a reasonable explanation at present.]

Logic spoke to the monitors in the hallway: "How credible do you consider the Trisolarans' statements to be?"

Logic knew that the information in the hall was developed for human governance officials; they could be aware of everything happening here.

The entire hall could also serve as a holographic virtual conference hall if necessary.

A holographic figure immediately appeared in the hall, with his voice transmitting through: "I am the Chief Sociologist Leung**, and according to our calculations, there is a 90% credibility to what the Trisolarans say.

"First, your normal deterrence level is 75%, but if Lin Sen were to die, it would immediately jump to 99% or even 100%. This is based on the data created from your psychological model; without absolute certainty, the Trisolarans would not choose to target Lin Sen.

"Second, the Trisolarans are absolutely rational. Their best temporary strategy would be to mend relations with us, to lull us. They would wait for an appropriate moment before launching a sudden and fatal strike to truly eliminate us. Turning against us completely right now is not in their interest.

"Third, the Trisolarans' analysis is also the most likely cause that all of us had surmised. That sector of space is indeed strange, and it's possible Lin Sen encountered some trouble there."

Logic: "Is there a possibility that your analysis is exactly what the Trisolarans want you to think? When I believe that they would not do something, that presents them with the greatest opportunity to act."

At that moment, Ye Chen's figure appeared there too, nodding at Logic and speaking,

"It's indeed possible; we are merely presenting you with our analysis.

"You may make your own judgement on everything.

"All you need to know is that whatever your choice may be, there is no burden on you—humanity will forgive you, humanity stands with you!"

Subtitle: [Human leader, can we talk?]

Ye Chen: "What would you like to discuss?"

Subtitle: [Actually, our sociologists have also hypothesized that Lin Sen might not have disappeared; he could be hiding on his own.

It just so happens that his hiding spot is within a Sophon blind zone, which puts us at a disadvantage.]

Ye Chen: "What would be Mr. Lin Sen's purpose in hiding?"

Subtitle: [To force us to hand over the Trisolaran lost warship—that's his plan!]

A flicker of joy passed through Logic's eyes, if this were true, it meant Lin Sen might not have met with an accident.

But Logic then spoke up, "How can we rule out the possibility that you are deceiving us with this explanation?"

Subtitle: [We can't prove it, but your sociologists should also be able to estimate the likelihood of this possibility.]

Chief Sociologist: "Indeed, this possibility exists. We estimate there's a sixty percent likelihood of it occurring."

Ye Chen addressed the spherical object in the air, "Indeed, there is such a possibility, and we are inclined to believe it.

"However, it is still just a possibility. You have no concrete evidence, it can neither be proved nor falsified, nor is there a way to verify it.

"We cannot simply believe this to be Lin Sen's plan—what if it isn't?"

After a dozen seconds...

Subtitle: [In the end, your overt strategy prevails, and we lose to you in cunning once again!

Since Lin Sen requires the warship for peace, we shall also make concessions for peace.

I will notify the warship that if they are willing to surrender, they may leave the warship using the escape pods; if they are unwilling to surrender, they can explode together with the warship.

We cannot give you our warships, as that would quickly lead to the decoding of our technology, and that is something we will not concede.

But you have also said that without our permission, you will not enter our escape pods, and we hope you'll keep your promise.]

Ye Chen: "We can assure you of that. We will establish a military protected zone for them, where no one is allowed to approach.

"Their status will be similar to diplomatic envoys among human nations."

Logic: "I won't give up before the final confirmation!"

...

The Solar System also immediately relayed the results of the negotiation with the Trisolarans to Rey Diaz.

Rey Diaz was the highest authority over these 49 fleets. Upon receiving the message from the Solar System, he cursed inwardly, "Damn, how crafty; that's a deep trap they've dug."

At that moment, the Trisolarans were at a loss for words, having never encountered such shameless beings.

There were nearly fifty thousand people on the Trisolaran lost warship, most of them in a state of dehydration.

The fleet was now reviving everyone in batches. If they were willing to go to the Solar System, they could choose to enter the escape pods, but the cost was becoming prisoners of humanity. Those who were unwilling could choose to self-destruct with the warship.

In the end, only just over two hundred people chose to become prisoners and head for the Solar System. Most of them were the warship's duty personnel.

The vast majority of the dehydrated personnel simply couldn't accept waking up to find themselves prisoners of humanity's bugs, especially as humanity had even defeated Trisolaris. They preferred to perish with the warship.

The Trisolaran lost warship slowly self-destructed in towering flames, leaving not even a piece of wreckage behind.

Only the nearby escape pod that stood silently remained.

Soon after, Rey Diaz caught up with them. Several warships slowed down to capture the escape pod, and then accelerated once again.

Their mission was almost perfectly accomplished, something they hadn't foreseen before setting out.

Lin Sen stated: Digging holes is my specialty, when have my plans had only a single purpose? This makes it easier to conceal our activities in four-dimensional space.