Chapter 9 One Year
A year had passed since the colonization of the Haven. During this time, the empire's exploration and research vessels discovered another habitable planet in a neighboring star system. For some reason, the star domain in which the empire was born seemed to have an abundance of life-sustaining planets.
Previously, Emperor Li Mingze had been too focused on developing Haven to allocate resources for colonizing new planets.
Although the empire had made considerable progress, its industrial capacity was still far from sufficient to build a formidable fleet. Based on its current energy and mineral resources, the empire could barely support twenty-eight light cruisers. Even if it could afford to maintain them, there weren't enough resources to build them in the first place.
This left Li Mingze deeply frustrated—where was the grand vision of battleships blocking out the sun? No, he had to keep expanding!
"Order the Colonial Department to prepare for the second wave of colonization! How is the construction of the colony ships going? I sacrificed the budget for warships—spent all those minerals on building colony ships instead!"
A holographic projection of AI Tianyi emerged from the floor. "Your Majesty, the colony ships have been completed. However, due to the empire's limited treasury, we could only afford to build three."
"Also, can you stop using that creepy way to appear? You're an AI, not a ghost. Change your entrance style—especially when I'm taking a bath!" Li Mingze was helpless against this somewhat eccentric AI. If only it were human...
Light-years away, in the Echo Star System, an exploration vessel floated silently in orbit above Echo III.
Several researchers were gathered around an image, pointing and discussing intensely. The image depicted a massive crescent-shaped mountain range. It was eerily symmetrical, making it unlikely to be a naturally formed geological feature.
The team debated whether to land and investigate. Eventually, they decided to send a landing craft to examine the site up close.
A hatch opened on the research vessel's side, releasing a lander that descended toward the mountain range.
"This... This is a miracle in biological history!"
An elderly researcher was stunned after analyzing the mountain's composition.
The entire mountain range was, in fact, the skeletal remains of a colossal extraterrestrial creature. On one side of the skeleton, there was a massive breach. Based on carbon dating, the remains were approximately 3.4 billion years old. However, given the planet's environment, it was impossible for such a massive lifeform to have originated there.
This meant the creature had come from the depths of space.
It wasn't hard to imagine—billions of years ago, a giant being, gravely injured, had drifted across countless planets before finally succumbing and falling onto this world.
Everyone instinctively looked up at the starry sky. Beyond the endless stars, it felt as if unseen eyes were gazing back at them. Would they ever encounter such miraculous lifeforms in future explorations?
At the outer edge of the Echo Star System, several dozen blue light rings flashed. A small fleet emerged from hyperspace, consisting of two corvette ships, three colony ships, and several dozen transport vessels.
This was the empire's second wave of colonization. With the Haven now stable, the empire's treasury had recovered, allowing for new colonial projects.
Unlike the first colonial wave, which had been marked by grand ceremonies, this second expedition only received a modest farewell gathering. Emperor Li Mingze himself merely made a brief appearance.
The colonial fleet accelerated toward Echo III, eventually reaching orbit near the exploration ship. The three colony ships ditch their engines and began their descent toward the planet, while the transport ships opened their cargo holds.
Countless construction drones emerged, lifting prefabricated components from the cargo bays. Within moments, these drones had assembled a massive orbital station core.
Due to the sheer size of these space stations, constructing them entirely in orbit would take too long. Instead, Li Mingze had ordered shipyards to pre-build their components, which were then delivered by transport ships and assembled directly above the colony site. Though the cost remained the same, this approach saved a tremendous amount of time, accelerating the development of the colony.
Once assembled, the space station deployed its massive solar panels. Thanks to technological advancements, solar energy efficiency had improved dramatically, making solar power the preferred energy source.
With a steady energy supply, the station's mechanical arms activated, printing steel cables that formed the framework for orbital farms. In zero gravity, crops and vegetables could grow to enormous sizes. A single orbital farm could provide enough food to sustain millions of colonists.
Having learned from experience in Haven, the new colony ships were designed with fewer structural reinforcements and armored walls, making them easier to repurpose. Instead of rigid fortifications, a defensive perimeter was established using dozens of laser turrets.
Cryosleep modules, previously housed in separate containers, were now built directly into the ships. Upon arrival, each colonist was assigned an inflatable habitation pod, with permanent structures constructed by robotic builders.
The previously vacant residential buildings were converted into fabrication plants, capable of continuously printing essential materials and robots, significantly accelerating the pace of colonization.
Light-years away, on Sith Star, within the imperial palace…
"We don't have enough people! The entire empire only has a population of ten billion!"
Had he not personally chosen humans as his species, Li Mingze would have questioned humanity's ability to reproduce.
"Implement pro-natalist policies immediately! Anyone who has three children gets a free apartment! Four children? Land on a colony world! Five children? Five apartments and five land plots!" Li Mingze was exasperated—surely such incentives would persuade his subjects to have more children.
Empire-Wide News Headlines:
"Empire Encourages Artificial Womb Technology: All Costs Covered by the Government!" – Imperial Daily
"His Majesty Announces New Policies: More Children, More Rewards!" – Empire Civil News
"The Future of the Empire Depends on You: The More Children, the Stronger Our Nation!" – Royal Broadcasting Network
"The Empire Needs More People to Expand Our Territory! Population Growth Starts With You!" – Sith Morning News
Following the implementation of the emperor's policies, the empire seemed to have consumed a metaphorical blue pill—everyone was eager to have children!
Hospitals across Sith Star were packed with citizens inquiring about artificial womb procedures.
One of the biggest barriers to large families was the burden of pregnancy, but with the empire's cutting-edge artificial womb technology, this issue was entirely eliminated. Now, couples simply had to provide their genetic material, and their child would be gestated in an artificial womb. In ten months, they could return to the hospital to collect their baby.
This revolutionary technology had another major advantage—it allowed scientists to subtly refine fetal genetics, eliminating hereditary diseases and ensuring optimal health for newborns.
Terment and his wife had just married this year. Originally, they had planned to wait three decades before having children. However, after seeing the empire's urgent call for population growth, they decided to do their part for the empire immediately!
They were not alone—countless couples followed suit. After the empire's relentless propaganda efforts, citizens were now united under a single mission:
Breed. Breed. Breed.