Chapter 339: Chapter 338: Imprisonment in the Virtual World

Amidst the sighs and discussions, the public trial segment temporarily came to an end, and all the Badit people who were interrogated returned to prison.

Next, the government established a special department for handling affairs with these aliens, focusing on contact and negotiations.

When he returned to prison, the prince felt relieved at heart; their biggest fear was being executed immediately, as that would leave them with no strategy, even with immense capabilities… Some mindless civilizations do exactly that–catch prisoners and kill them outright, without considering any benefits.

No matter how you put it, a “suspended death sentence” was a relatively acceptable outcome, implying at least some buffer in the coming years.

He thought rapidly in his mind, “Fortunately, this civilization is smart enough, restrained enough, and considerably motivated by benefits…”

“As long as the death penalty isn’t carried out, there’s room for negotiation later; we can demonstrate greater value and at least strive for better living conditions… Alas, it can only be this way, taking one step at a time… Let me think, let me think this through.”

Soon, the Badit people waiting in prison also learned of the verdict, triggering immense panic.

Five years, to their long lives, was just a very short time, akin to two months for humans.

Many Badit people were held in solitary confinement, without any mates to discuss with, and the psychological pressure from hearing the verdict was enormous–they began to loudly howl in distress, banging their heads until bloody, even attempting suicide!

These abnormal behaviors also caused the human soldiers guarding them to run around frantically.

Not having a clear standard was the greatest fear of all.

Five years’ time, so-called significant achievement… but what counts as a significant achievement?

Isn’t all judgment still held in human hands?

Every Badit person knew that the knowledge in their minds was their most important bargaining chip, which they wouldn’t easily hand over… In their civilization, they also had a saying similar to “when the hare dies, the hound is cooked.”

But if they didn’t hand it over, they would face execution after five years.

“Respected human leaders… although this trial result is a form of extraordinary mercy, under this panic, all Badit people will doubt the authenticity of the outcome. They will hand over some of their knowledge, but they won’t hand over all of it.”

“Five years, for us, is a very short period of time.”

“According to our philosophy, all sacrifices must expect a visible return, even for slaves.”

“If they obediently work for a while and donate the knowledge in their minds, but still end up sentenced to death, then who would want to work sincerely?”

Ultimately, these were two different civilizations; the Badit people definitely wouldn’t trust human promises.

“So, I believe, there must be a standard to measure contributions. Each expert’s potential is limitless, and all of our soldiers also have talents in machinery.”

After returning to the prison, Prince Bart immediately wrote a report to inform the human side about the psychological condition of the Badit people, which somewhat conveyed the notion of being a “human lapdog.”

Furthermore, in the letter, he expressed his hope that humans would grant him a “special pardon” and appoint him as the supreme commander of these Badit people. Since he was already the leader within the spaceship, continuing in this role would instill a sense of trust and security among all Badit people.

He promised, “I am certain I can manage all the Badit people thoroughly, maximizing their effectiveness.”

Upon receiving this report, Zhang Yuan found it both infuriating and amusing, wondering what kind of letter this was.

Yet, it must be said that the prince was indeed a talented individual capable of bending and stretching according to the circumstances.

It is terrifying to come across someone who can quickly recognize their own situation and is willing to set aside their pride. From the ideological consciousness of this civilization, it emerges that this is a race that truly values “face.” To be able to let go of their pride so quickly is indeed remarkable.

However, what the prince said was not wrong. If humans truly wanted to utilize these Badit people, after wielding the “big stick,” they must also offer the “carrot” to at least let them see some hope for survival. Such hope includes a better living environment and greater personal freedom, not just working endlessly, merely begging for their lives. A slave cannot become a scientist.

“Captain sir, I believe it wouldn’t hurt to agree to their terms. Even if we plan to send these Badit people into the virtual space later to forcibly decode their memory, decoding memory is a difficult task and cannot be completed overnight,” said Dr. Li Cheng from the secretarial office, who proposed an idea.

“I think we could create a version of the Kunlun Mountain spaceship in virtual space that mirrors the real world, allowing the Badit people to live inside it. Concurrently, we could test the technological content of Virtual Space 13. If the adversaries discover irregularities, it indicates that our technology cannot create absolute deception, and there is room for improvement.”

“That makes sense,” Zhang Yuan nodded and smiled, “Even if not sentencing them to death, they are still facing life imprisonment. I hope they can live comfortably in the virtual space.”

“Especially that Prince Bart, a very clever individual, should be particularly well looked after. Continuing to lead their species wouldn’t be a problem.”

Regardless of being a traitor or a lapdog, Prince Bart’s voluntary submission to the humans not only gained benefits for his entire species but also ensured his status within his people. Although he was a “crown prince” within his own civilization, in the eyes of humans, his value was less than a scientist, and even less than an ordinary soldier.

Now that he had voluntarily submitted his credentials, it was a different matter. He could still lead his entire species. Considering this behavior from the enemy’s perspective, he undoubtedly seemed like a traitor, but on closer inspection, it didn’t seem so, because the Badit people no longer had the capability to continue hostility. A more straightforward surrender might reduce their suffering.

Suddenly, Zhang Yuan thought of something, “Then let it be so for now… You all first establish a standard for measuring merits, which is how much knowledge the Badit people need to contribute to ensure the survival of everyone. Based on what they contribute, they can then expect better living conditions and more freedom. If there are outstanding scientists among them, we will also provide a certain remuneration. They can buy what they want, providing them a better life.”

“No problem. Please review, regarding the report submitted by the prince, how many death sentences we can pardon, and we can negotiate based on the corresponding standards.”

Following this report, there was some information about common knowledge between interstellar civilizations, including why the Badit people considered humans a novice civilization, some general rules for navigating near cosmic strings, how to defend against the ‘Ten-thousand-year Worm,’ and more, making it the first set of submitted credentials…

If it weren’t inappropriate, Zhang Yuan would have almost jumped up in excitement, “How much does he demand?”

“He asks us to pardon two hundred people!”

“That’s impossible!” Zhang Yuan pondered for a while and stretched out a hand, “They’re surely asking too much, but giving them some hope is still good… During negotiations, be mindful of the bottom line. This report is worth 50, at most pardoning fifty people… 40 heavy-duty reports could pardon all death sentences. They could be on technology, cosmology, etc., but that’s just for pardons, nothing more. If they want better treatment, they need to provide more knowledge.”

Thus, human understanding of the universe was truly complete.

This could indeed be considered a tremendous spoils of war; for humans, its value was no less than important technology of a Third-level Civilization!

So crucial that… they must find a way to notify the rear headquarters, notify the branches of the Golden Sun, and inform Earth Civilization!