Chapter 344 Deterrence Negotiations

Despite the turmoil within their hearts akin to an unprecedented earthquake that almost overwhelmed their sanity, the high-ranking officials of the Dinosaur Civilization still exerted all their efforts to maintain a façade of calm composure, almost ritualistic in its steadiness.

The atmosphere in the entire conference room was so tense that it felt as though even the air had solidified; each breath was exceptionally heavy, compelling one to hold their breath in an oppressively suffocating environment.

The emergence of the Neutron Star Warship was like a bolt of lightning tearing through the night sky, mercilessly revealing the insurmountable chasm between the Dinosaur Civilization and Human Civilization on the frontal battlefield.

The outcome of this war seemed to have been predetermined long before the actual combat between the two sides. The Neutron Star Warship stood as a symbol of the pinnacle of Human Civilization's technology, an existence beyond the reach of the Dinosaur Civilization.

In every corner of the Dinosaur Empire, especially among those ordinary dinosaur citizens and the soldiers at the front lines directly facing the threat of Human Warships, it was impossible to suppress the waves of shock and panic flooding their hearts.

What they once thought were invincible attacks now seemed so feeble and futile in front of the Human Warships. If humanity possessed such advanced and devastatingly powerful warships, then the fate of the Dinosaur Empire might very well end today.

Alas, they did not harbor too much sorrow or reluctance, or perhaps they had already accepted in their hearts that such a day would inevitably come.

In the eyes of the Dinosaur Scientists, this was a force they could not possibly reach in their lifetimes, the ultimate power that generations of scientists had dreamed of achieving.

Having gradually recovered from their initial shock, they began to feel an indescribable sense of awe—did this mean that if the Dinosaur Civilization could master this ultimate power, there might still be a glimmer of hope to break free from the long-standing shackles binding their civilization and step into a new and unknown future?

The emotional upheaval and shock of the Science Elder were equally evident, "Big Tooth is right, we've been deceived. The level of Human technology has undoubtedly reached the pinnacle of Level 1.3, and they may well be standing at the threshold of a Level 1.4 civilization."

These words sent another wave of shock through the Dinosaurs. How could humanity have elevated their technology to such a degree in such a short time? Not even a "godly" civilization could achieve this.

The generals of the Dinosaur Empire began to realize that their concern was no longer about defeating humanity, but rather about how to escape this disaster and preserve a sliver of hope for survival.

Yet they recognized that since humanity had gone through great lengths to lure them into the Solar System, how could they possibly let them escape easily from this trap?

The Dinosaur King, far too anxious to care about Lin Sen nearby, urgently said, "Although the Human Warships have not yet shown their capacity for attack, their defensive capabilities alone suggest their offensive power should not be underestimated.

"But such warships may not be plentiful for humans. If there are only 2,000 Neutron Star Warships, can we use multiple concentrated attacks to destroy them?

"We still have a million warships. If we use reasonable tactics and attack simultaneously, focusing our firepower at the same time, perhaps we still have a chance to escape."

The Science Elder shook his head, his voice revealing deep helplessness, "This task is almost impossible to accomplish. The true principle behind our activation of Vacuum Zero-Point Energy is the use of its resonance characteristics.

"Vacuum constantly produces particle-antiparticle pairs which then annihilate each other almost immediately, without noticeable fluctuations at the macroscopic level. However, in the space affected by the Zero-phantom field, the annihilation of these particles can be delayed during resonance.

"This causes a tremendous oscillation of energy in the vacuum at the microscopic level, and the particle and material structures within the affected range are also dissipated by the energy oscillation.

"Multiple attacks applied simultaneously can indeed increase the strength of the attack and the amplitude of the energy oscillation, but there is a limit to this.

"Our current warship attack strength is the best solution we have come up with. Even if a hundred attacks were applied at the same time to the Human Warships, it would only double the attack strength.

"Furthermore, even after concentrating a hundred attacks, we need to attack the Human Warships from the side, which requires a thousand warships to coordinate the operation.

"But Human Warships will not just stand still and let us attack. Therefore, we need more attacks to block their escape routes, meaning tens of thousands of warships would be needed to launch an effective attack on a single Human Warship.

"Even an additional number of warships would be powerless against the current situation. We have reached the limits of our technology, whereas humanity seems to still have endless potential waiting to be unearthed. This war was probably destined for our defeat from the very beginning."

The Prime Minister Elder sighed deeply, his voice laden with profound worry, "The matter is far from over. The planning and layout exhibited by humanity, just their defense capabilities alone, have profoundly shaken us.

"So, it can be imagined that their offensive capabilities must be even more astonishing than their defense. Up until now, it has always been us initiating attacks, and they haven't retaliated even once.

"Although it is somewhat embarrassing to admit, humanity's current behavior is almost making a mockery of us."

Having said that, he turned his head and looked sharply at Lin Sen, "Speak, what exactly does humanity want?

"Your strength is enough for us to acknowledge, if your demands aren't too excessive, we can consider agreeing. After all, we also don't want to fight with you to the point of mutual destruction.

""But, we must also remind you, if we truly face potential obliteration, our first choice will be to expose the Solar System.

"Furthermore, we want to tell you about a phenomenon. Wandering civilizations all have one common characteristic: their technological progress becomes very slow. We're not too clear about the specific reasons, but it's a universal phenomenon.

"Even if they find a habitable stellar system, their development speed is still far lower than within their home star system.

"So, if the Solar System is exposed, you will have no choice but to lead humanity in wandering through interstellar space. This surely isn't an outcome you would want to see, right?"

The dinosaurs had already realized that defeating humanity was nearly impossible, and now both sides had entered the stage of deterrence negotiations.

If humanity insisted on attacking with the determination to destroy the Dinosaur Civilization, then in their final, desperate moments, the dinosaurs would surely choose to broadcast the coordinates of the Solar System as a form of retaliation against humanity.

As for humanity, it must also face the reality of interstellar flight. Although it's uncertain whether the slow progress of technological development in wandering civilizations is true, according to sociological conjectures, it's likely an unavoidable fact.

Despite it being just a prediction without concrete evidence to confirm, Lin Sen still believed it, and it was also one of the main reasons why Lin Sen proposed the Death Star project, intending to take the Moon along.

The intention of the Prime Minister Elder of the dinosaurs was also clear: they were willing to pay a certain price to escape, but this price had to be within their means to bear.

Lin Sen also looked directly at the Grand Secretary, "Is Dark Forest Deterrence your final chip?

"Have you considered, if the Dark Forest can be your chip, then how could we have lured you into the Solar System?

"Before you even entered the Solar System, we could dispatch warships to do battle with you in interstellar space. We have the full capability to defeat you in interstellar space and then proceed with Dark Forest deterrence negotiations, couldn't we?"

Before the dinosaurs could respond, Lin Sen continued, "You want to trade for a chance at survival, but have you considered that there isn't really anything truly tradable between civilizations.

"If trade were necessary, then how could the Dark Forest Theory exist amongst civilizations?

"The gold that humanity covets might be a common metal to another civilization, humanity's food might be poison to another civilization, and vice versa.

"The only thing of exchange value is technology, but why would technology require trade?

"If we were to defeat you, the remnants left on the battlefield, as well as your detection of your own attack methods, would be sufficient for us to crack and master your technology. Isn't that more direct and effective?"

The Dinosaur King stared at Lin Sen, a trace of confusion and wariness flashing in his eyes, "We naturally know that trade between civilizations is highly unlikely and unnecessary.

"But we still cannot understand your true intentions.

"If you're determined to attack us, aren't you afraid of exposing your home star system?

"Even if you're powerful, you cannot stop us from broadcasting your coordinates. I don't think you're unafraid of the Dark Forest. We're negotiating, unnecessary threats are pointless."