Chapter 290 Humanity Still Has a Trump Card

Subtitle: "Threats are meaningless to us, we will not accept any coercion.

We deeply apologize for the damage caused to human civilization. In the path of civilization's survival, we had no choice, as that attack had to be launched, I simply sought a glimmer of hope for my own civilization.

Besides, even if we chose to surrender and submit to you, would you really abandon your light-year expedition plan?

Since the outcome is already destined, you would inevitably steal our warship technology after we surrender, a development that is bound to happen.

This would only accelerate your technological progress, so what would be the point of our surrender?"

Lin Sen: "The most fundamental difference between humanity and you is that we do not decide our actions based solely on possible outcomes, nor do we shirk responsibility because of them.

"Weakness and ignorance are not barriers to survival, but hubris and cowardice are!

"No matter what circumstances humanity faces, we will never give up hope for survival and our own responsibilities, which is exactly why humanity has persisted to this day.

"Your current defeat is only temporary. Seeing the rapid development of humanity, you cowardly believe that you are no longer our match.

"Indeed, regardless of whether you surrender, humanity will proceed with the light-year expedition plan. But if nearly ten million Trisolarans choose to surrender, it would undoubtedly greatly alleviate human anger.

"Initially, you may encounter countless insults, humiliation, and even assassination attempts.

"But you should understand that in such a process, human resentment will also slowly dissipate, and in the future, you could even consider integrating into human society.

"In the next fifty years, you could still have an impact on many human leaders, persuading them not to launch the light-year expedition plan.

"The light-year expedition plan itself also carries tremendous risks; you are the best example of this. Humans of the future might differ from those of today and may not harbor such deep hostility towards you.

"They might wish to maintain this peace for a longer time, as conquering Trisolaris is not an urgent need for humanity. In this universe, hatred is actually the most worthless thing.

"That will give you ample precious time, whether to organize an escape or to continue resisting humanity, you will have buffer time."

The subtitle paused briefly, the silence during this time seemingly transforming into an intangible pressure permeating the air.

One could imagine that at this moment, the Trisolarans must be engaged in a fierce internal debate. The decision to surrender to humanity poses risks and opportunities as vast as an abyss, leaving them struggling to choose.

For the Trisolarans, surrender meant giving up some independence and self-autonomy, accepting human rule and regulation.

The Trisolarans still had capital; these 100 warships were their last territory, which could still prevent human entry, and as a last resort, they could choose to have all warships self-destruct, turning themselves to dust completely.

But they also knew that with current human technology, in many aspects humans could take one look and analyze their technology, the uncertainty contained therein also filling them with fear.

However, this was indeed also an opportunity for limited integration with humanity, and even influencing them in some ways, possibly opening a new chapter in history.

But could the Trisolarans dare to trust Lin Sen?

The subtitle slowly appeared: "What you say makes sense, however, we are no longer able to trust you again.

The deep scars of history remind us that our repeated trust in you has been exploited by you, making us pay countless prices, which led us into the current predicament.

In the early years of the crisis, we naively trusted you and betrayed the First Emperor of Qin; the result was the complete annihilation of the ETO. Worse still, it enabled humanity to acquire quantum computing technology, thereby promoting a huge leap in your technological advancement, entering an unprecedented rapid development phase.

Of course, we do not blame you for this. It was mainly our own fault that we were exploited by you.

In the late period of the Great Ravine, we trusted you again and decided to assist you in the Lagrange campaign. Unexpectedly, we were completely used by you again, and you analyzed too many of our operational thoughts.

At that time, most of us saw it as a game to enhance wit, oblivious to the risks involved, which led to another surge in human technology and cultural depth.

Your every so-called 'suggestion' appeared to be in our interest but was actually fraught with deeper calculations.

The tragic outcome of the Battle of Doom was that we were like puppets on strings, performing an absurd drama under your control.

You toyed with us to your applause, our role like that of clowns. Your exaggerated performances were the utmost mockery of us.

So, if you want to keep these hundred warships, you'll have to do it on the battlefield, for we will not give up willingly!"

"If you choose to carry out the Lightspeed Expedition plan, then let us battle once again!"

Lin Sen's expression suddenly turned solemn, his gaze like a torch, looking straight ahead, his voice deep and firm, "What I offer you is a chance to choose, a future where you may join hands with humanity. If you refuse such a union, insisting on being humanity's enemy,"

He paused, his tone conveying an undeniable resolve, "then I will have no choice but to keep all of your last hundred warships behind."

"Then we would like to see how you intend to keep us here. If we must, under compelling circumstances, we would rather choose self-destruction of our warships than give you the chance to study our technology."

Every word from the Trisolarans revealed their firmness and resolute determination, as if declaring their fearless resolve.

Lin Sen's expression did not change much, he spoke indifferently, "Do you truly believe I cannot keep these hundred warships? Are you certain we have exhausted all our means?"

Lin Sen's words were like a massive bomb, causing the nerves of all Trisolarans to tense up again. They shivered reflexively at the thought of Lin Sen having another plan, fear rushing over them like a tidal wave.

Whether Lin Sen mentioned having a plan or not, it foreshadowed greater losses the Trisolarans would suffer.

"You might still have other methods up your sleeve, but we are not without our own! The outcome of this game may not be as you desire."

Lin Sen smiled faintly, "Do you think that having captured The Waterdrop, we wouldn't uncover its greatest secret?

"The biggest secret of The Waterdrop isn't its strong interaction materials, but its propulsion system. You should understand, by 'propulsion system,' I do not mean Electron Annihilation Technology, but its true core power technology.

"You should recognize the potential threat of this technology. Even in a head-to-head conflict, we still hold the advantage, yet we meticulously laid out plans, step by step drawing you into our strategic traps.

"The main purpose was to restrict your use of this technology, of course, you wouldn't easily resort to this technology until the last moment.

"With this technology, you claiming you could escape with seventy ships was clearly an attempt to confuse us. Unfortunately, such tricks were doomed to fail from the start."

This statement hit the Trisolarans like a hammer, plunging them into a deeper abyss. The greatest secret of curvature had been grasped by humanity, and now the Trisolarans had no more secrets from mankind.

The Trisolarans, continually tense in the Dark Forest, understood that using curvature propulsion could expose the Solar System, which is why they had refrained from using curvature travel.

Most critically, Lin Sen's words carried an unequivocal force. Could he truly have a way to keep the Trisolarans' last warships?

"We indeed underestimated you.

"So, if we decide to activate that technology now, how would you respond?

"After all, your 20,000 warships at the periphery of the Solar System are currently surrounding only a very small area; we could completely activate that technology and flee, only needing to choose a new target star system."

The two parties tacitly avoided mentioning the curvature travel technology or Lightspeed Spacecraft technology, using 'that technology' as a substitute. Neither side wished to reveal this secret to too many. The dialogue was taking place in the command center, where many were watching Lin Sen's confrontation with the Trisolarans in real time.

Lin Sen: "Do you truly believe I would give you an easy chance to escape?

"Look at the current situation; your hundred warships have already come near Saturn's orbit.

"You should know that most resources for the Bunker need to be provided by the major resource planets, hence, large transport spaceships frequently shuttle between Bunker and the resource planets.

"Do you truly understand what these large spaceships are carrying?

"Perhaps you have not realized that about fifty large transport spaceships are rapidly approaching you from different directions, effectively blocking most of your escape routes.

"Each of them has brought along ten Thunderstrike Ships. Thunderstrike Ships are not large; their compact size makes them inconspicuous among the gigantic transport ships. Your Sophons have more crucial tasks and probably do not constantly monitor them.

"Now, 500 Thunderstrike Ships have been launched from the large transport ships, and they are currently less than 0.5 astronomical units from you. In half an hour, you will face another devastating blow from the gluon bolts.

"If you choose to activate that technology now in an attempt to flee, you will still need a period of acceleration. During this time, the Thunderstrike Ships will also reach your vicinity, and under the force of the gluon bolts, you are certain to face total annihilation.

"So, isn't it time to consider talking about terms of surrender?"

All human warships, even some large transport ships, were equipped with Sophon blocking fields, and the Trisolarans could not probe the interiors of each warship or spaceship.

In such a tense war, these transport ships could easily be overlooked by the Trisolarans.