The Seventh Base

The Federation Government officially announced that Byron Star Federation was entering a wartime state, where all armed forces were to follow the commands of the President's Mansion, and when necessary, private armed forces must also obey these commands.

Private armed forces refer to the armed forces of families, financial tycoons, and large groups.

This is the world of the Transcendents, where armed forces are developed. The top-tier families and financial tycoon groups all possess formidable armed forces, such as the Stark Group.

After the news broke, the Federation was shaken.

In the Byron Star Federation, there were many supporters, but equally, there were many anti-war individuals.

War meant disaster.

Following the announcement, Chuanxing City entered a tense atmosphere.

Divine Sword Bureau.

A flying device arrived, and a group of people emerged from it, representatives from the Federation Government.

Shi Qiang greeted them personally, and they shook hands upon meeting.

"Director Shi, entrusted by the President, I have come to visit Director Ge," said the visitor to Shi Qiang.

"Please," Shi Qiang courteously replied and led them towards the direction of the Divine Sword Bureau. Ge Hong had been informed of their arrival and came out to meet them ahead of time.

"Director Ge," the visitor extended a hand to Ge Hong and said, "The Federation is in a state of combat readiness and needs to gather all forces to jointly defend against external enemies. The President hopes Director Ge can hand over the research to the Federation Government and merge the research personnel. Also, we hope that Xu Mo can cooperate in informing about the specifics within the Deep Sea and whether the Federation has the chance to venture to the Deep Sea again to obtain more Superpower Weapons."

"The Superpower Weapon research has reached a critical stage, and it can't be interrupted now. If we rashly reshuffle everything, all previous efforts will be wasted," Ge Hong responded. "As for Xu Mo, he has told me everything he knows. The Divine Sword Bureau has already passed on the information to the President's Mansion. If there are still any questions from the President's Mansion, you can ask me right now."

Both parties displayed a very friendly attitude, speaking calmly without a trace of disturbance.

"In that case, the Federation research team requests to participate in the research, with the Federation Government taking over the experimental studies. Additionally, could Director Ge hand over any excess Superpower Weapons to the Federation Government?" the visitor continued. "If Superpower Weapons can be developed, they would be of immense significance for the war. I hope Director Ge will seriously consider this request."

"All Superpower Weapons are needed by the Divine Sword Bureau research team. Please tell the President that the Divine Sword Bureau will certainly do its utmost," Ge Hong ignored the request for a takeover.

"Director Ge," a severe voice spoke from the side.

It was a person from the Xiang Family, looking at Ge Hong with displeasure, "Director Ge, the Divine Sword Bureau is the Federation's blade, tasked with protecting the Federation. However, previously without a trial, the Divine Sword Bureau executed Guffu on its own initiative, and now, the Bureau is unwilling to research Superpower Weapons together with the Federation Government. I fail to understand Director Ge's reasoning."

Ge Hong responded to him, "I will explain to Elder Xiang."

The elder from the Xiang Family frowned; did this mean he wasn't worthy of an explanation?

"Director Ge, this is an order from the President's Mansion. Director Ge has wholly rejected it, and it will be difficult to explain this to the President's Mansion," someone from the President's Mansion spoke up, their voice becoming more assertive.

Ge Hong's gaze fixed on him, showing a sharp glint in his eyes as he replied, "The Divine Sword Bureau is not under the jurisdiction of the President's Mansion. The President's Mansion has no authority to issue orders to the Divine Sword Bureau. You may leave."

The atmosphere suddenly turned severe.

Afterward, the other party turned and left.

Watching the departing figure, Shi Qiang remarked, "The President's Mansion is getting strong-armed."

In a wartime state, the President's Mansion would gain powers it didn't have before, and the backing families had also granted the President's Mansion military authority.

Military power, in the interstellar age, is self-evidently significant. Historically, the military power of the Federation has mostly been in the hands of a few major families. Due to the particularity of Byron Star, the power of the President's Mansion isn't too great, and there are many things over which it has no authority.

Even the President himself needs the support of the major families to take office, which is why the President is extremely courteous when visiting the Xiang Family.

"In a wartime state, the President's Mansion will acquire supreme authority, naturally becoming more forceful," Ge Hong said. "Besides, Superpower Weapons are indeed vital. The request of the President's Mansion is within reasonable limits. However, I am concerned that the Federation's upper echelons might have been infiltrated, and we cannot take the risk."

"Hmm," Shi Qiang nodded, the Divine Sword Bureau also faced immense pressure.

"How is the investigation going over there?" Ge Hong inquired. The recent war had elements of agitation behind the actions of civilians who stormed Lancelot Star's enclave with weapons, and people were behind Guffu as well. The Divine Sword Bureau suspected that the Federation had been infiltrated by warmongering factions deliberately instigating war, hastening the onset of conflict.

War was inevitable, but they could have fought for some time, to postpone the onset of conflict.

"The investigation is ongoing, we've identified the instigators behind the civilian uprising, but they are not the masterminds," Shi Qiang said.

"Alright," Ge Hong nodded. "Use every means at our disposal and hasten the identification of the mastermind behind the scenes."

"Understood," Shi Qiang nodded in agreement.

At this moment, Ge Hong's Communicator vibrated. He took it out and answered.

"Elder Xiang," Ge Hong spoke. "I've been preoccupied with public duties lately and it has been a long time since I last visited Elder Xiang."

"Ge Hong," Elder Xiang didn't bother with pleasantries and went straight to the point. "You are well aware of the role of the Super Energy Weapon. I don't object to the Divine Sword Bureau's research, but why refuse the Federation's involvement?"

"Elder Xiang, regarding Guffu's incident, I suspect the Federation's higher-ups have been infiltrated, and we cannot take risks," Ge Hong bluntly stated.