Rebirth of the Super Battleship

Chapter 468: Rumors and Iron-Blood

After another roughly three years of interior renovations, the first Continent-Class Home ship was finally completed. Up to now, it had been nearly eighty years since Xiao Yu arrived in this star system, and the intelligent being population had grown to nearly ninety five billion.

There were a total of one hundred Nation-Class Home ships, with a combined standard carrying capacity of one hundred billion people. The current number of intelligent beings was already approaching the standard carrying capacity of these ships. Inside the cities, crowds bustled everywhere, bearing some resemblance to China’s Spring Festival travel rush of the Earth era.

Population growth meant more people would come to use various public and municipal facilities. The greater the population, the lower the comfort level. This was something that was bound to happen. And because Xiao Yu intended to build new Home ships, he no longer spent computing power to refit these old-model ships.

As a result, some negative rumors about population numbers began to circulate among the intelligent beings. For example, that because the population was too large, the Social Committee planned to cull some elderly and useless intelligent beings. Regarding these rumors, the Social Committee led by Luka Two did not engage in rumor refutation or related actions, and thus the rumors showed a tendency to intensify and became increasingly outrageous.

Many intelligent workers had participated in the construction process of the Continent-Class Home ship, and Xiao Yu had not taken confidentiality measures regarding its construction. In principle, such rumors should not have appeared. But perhaps because the construction period was too long, or perhaps because the intelligent beings had already had enough of increasingly congested city environments, in short, under the combined effect of various factors, these rumors still appeared.

As for internal matters among the intelligent beings, aside from certain key points, Xiao Yu generally did not interfere. This time was no different. Xiao Yu was also somewhat curious about how Luka Two planned to respond to this incident.

“I imagine that when the rumors spread to their fiercest point, he will release the news that the Continent-Class Home ship has been completed, shattering the rumors in one stroke.” Xiao Yu thought to himself. “This is the most powerful counter to rumors.”

Events did not deviate from Xiao Yu’s expectations. When these rumors had fermented within the social system to their peak, even to the point that marches and demonstrations began to occur, the Social Committee led by Luka Two held a press briefing.

“As everyone can see, this is our Continent-Class Home ship that has been completed. Its internal space is nearly a hundred times that of our existing Home ships, and its carrying population is thirty times that of the existing Home ships. In other words, a single Home ship of this kind can comfortably support thirty billion citizens. Yes, it has been completed. Citizens who wish to move into the new-model Home ship may register at any time.”

As Luka Two calmly spoke these words, the citizens on the city streets, who had been roused to fervor, began to quiet down. The slogan-bearing banners fluttering everywhere were quietly thrown to the ground. Neat ranks began to loosen, and whispers even started to rise.“I told you, how could Lord Two abandon us and ignore us…”

“Even if the Social Committee made a decision to reduce the population, he still has the Master above him. How could the great Master possibly allow Lord Two to run wild like that.”

“That’s right, it was baseless from the start. My friend is a worker who participated in building the Continent-Class Home ship. He told me last time that the Continent-Class Home ship was about to be finished.”

After the rumors were easily crushed by Luka Two, reason seemed to return to these citizens’ heads. Then, in an instant, many so-called clever people who claimed to have foreseen everything appeared. From various angles, using a great many seemingly professional terms, they analyzed how absurd the previously circulating rumors had been, expressing their anger and disappointment at how many ignorant citizens existed within society. Yet they forgot that just moments earlier, they too had been part of the marching and demonstrating ranks.

Luka Two’s speech continued.

“In the new-model Home ship, there is broader space, more complete public facilities, and a more beautiful environment. Without question, it is countless times better than the Home ships we currently live in. Its standard carrying capacity is thirty billion citizens, but I do not intend to open all of those slots. The first batch to open will be ten billion. So long as you are citizens without criminal or adverse records, you may register. Incidentally, all those who participated in this march and demonstration, and those who fanned the flames during the spread of the rumors or committed certain excessive acts, you all already have adverse records. Therefore, you cannot apply for the first batch of slots. The next Continent-Class Home ship will be completed in ten years. During these ten years, reflect well and wait for the next batch.”

Like a stone stirring a thousand ripples, this portion of Luka Two’s remarks set off a great uproar within society.

Countless angry complaints and accusations rang out.

“I told you long ago not to believe something so unreliable. Now look, we have no chance to move into the new Home ship.”

“And you still have the face to blame me. You were the one who dragged me out to join the march. The placards we carried were made by you. It was clearly your fault, and now you complain about me.”

“I lodge a strong protest. I protest that the Social Committee failed to fulfill its duty to refute rumors in the early stage of their spread, and instead deliberately guided and passively responded. Now that the situation has developed to this point, they are using it as a pretext to punish us.”

“I protest, I strongly protest. This is unfair.”

Luka Two seemed to know what was on the citizens’ minds. His voice remained calm.

“Perhaps some will complain that the government did not fulfill its duty to disprove rumors. But let me ask you this, are you not members of a Level 5 Civilization, of the Divine Ark Civilization? Has the government shorted your supply of genetic modification drugs? Has it ever discriminated against you in education? Where has your capacity for self-analysis gone? With as many as ten billion workers participating in the construction of the new-model Home ship and having access to the latest information at every moment, what blinded your eyes so that you chose to ignore the facts before you and instead believe these illusory rumors? In this incident, your performance is even inferior to that of beings from some Level 1, even Level 2 Civilizations. Truly intelligent people will be rewarded, and their reward is to take up residence in the new-model Home ship ahead of time. The foolish will be punished, and your punishment is to remain in the old-model Home ships and reflect on your mistakes.”

“And furthermore, if you truly have nowhere to vent your resentment, then direct it at these people.” As Luka Two spoke, he waved to the side. The camera shifted to a large square.

On that square stood tens of thousands of people, with many more fully armed soldiers and security robots standing guard around them.

“These are the chief culprits who incited you to believe the rumors. For their own interests, these people deliberately organized the fabrication and spread of rumors, attempting to use them as leverage to gain improper benefits. Our Social Committee has always struck such matters resolutely, without mercy. Therefore, I announce that all of these more than twenty nine thousand criminals are sentenced to death.”

“Now, I announce the execution of the death penalty.” Luka Two’s voice was filled with icy killing intent.

A thunder of cries erupted over the square. Wails, pleas for mercy, and curses filled the air. But none of it had the slightest effect. Ferocious soldiers and security robots cooperated to shove all these criminals into small spacecraft one after another. Then the small craft lifted off, and the camera immediately cut to a new shot.

“They will be thrown into space alive, letting the cold of space purify their crimes.” Luka Two said coldly. “Carry out the sentence.”

A sky-shaking chorus of cries came through the feed. Many prisoners were so terrified that they collapsed, unable to move. But the ferocious soldiers and security robots showed no mercy. After donning their life-support equipment, they unhesitatingly opened the ship hatches. The pressure difference between inside and outside caused the air within the ships to rush out rapidly. The flow of air became a wind that swept the prisoners out.

Watching this scene the whole time, Xiao Yu let out a soft sigh and opened a communication channel to Luka Two.

“In our civilization there is an old saying, ‘The people may be made to follow, but not to understand.’ Why put yourself through this.”

“Perhaps the pace of scientific progress in our Divine Ark Civilization has been too fast, so fast that our citizens have had no time to adapt to current technologies. Their performance truly disappoints me. Their intelligence has risen, but intelligence is only one aspect of wisdom. I hope they can become true intelligent beings of a Level 5 Civilization. Only such a social environment can produce more scientists beneficial to society. For this purpose, I do not mind using some iron-blooded methods to wake them up.”

“Very well. Managing society is your responsibility. I have no interest in intervening in this. Handle these matters as you see fit. There is only one thing, your loyalty to me must be absolutely guaranteed.” After saying this, Xiao Yu cut off the connection with Luka Two.