What did Luna do?
Actually, for Luna, this was a rather straightforward question.
Previously, another iteration of herself had approached the Tide, and concurrently, transmitted data about the Tide—along with a fraction of the Tide itself—back to her.
At that time, she had been consumed by the Tide.
Initially, Luna simply considered that matter resolved and didn't dwell on it.
But later, when Luna encountered Walton, its demeanor was aggressively hostile. In retaliation, Luna suggested transforming the Flyer Civilization Monarch into a female entity.
At that specific moment, Luna had a sudden realization.
If it were truly herself making that choice at the final moment, would she have surrendered?
Absolutely not.
Therefore, beyond merely receiving the transmitted data, she was certainly bound to attempt one more thing: to see if she could indeed devour the Tide.
If successful, the entire situation could potentially be halted.
The complication lay in the fact that the Tide itself possessed ravenous, consuming properties.
Which entity held the superior power: the Metacellular, or the Tide itself?
Luna desired an experiment, but then that small segment of the Tide was appropriated by Haru, leaving Luna completely cut off from accessing it.
Thus, in this matter, she was left only with conjecture.
She was certain that her past self would have made the attempt, but whether that attempt succeeded remained outside her control.
Luna waited here precisely to observe if her past self achieved success. As for seeking out Walton, to avoid putting herself in a passive or reactive stance, she waited for Walton to come to her location.
Including this very moment.
In the laboratory.
Luna was patiently allowing time to advance.
Ten metawa.
Over six hours had elapsed.
She had already waited hundreds of years for this moment; she certainly wasn't short on this brief span of time.
"Indeed, having a few extra associates would be beneficial. Otherwise, I can only wait alone."
Luna was beginning to feel quite bored.
Haru had caused the demise of her subordinates during the previous incident.
That matter had been settled with minimal compensation. Following that, she requested no further assistance, resulting in Luna being the sole occupant of Kamelin, severely hindering information gathering.
"Kamelin is still merely one of the Flyer Civilization's numerous Class 2 cities."
"The other Class 2 cities must also be contacted to acquire a more comprehensive overview."
"I wonder how Bill is faring. I sincerely hope he's made some progress."
"And regarding the Federation's side."
Luna trusted Ayla implicitly.
But the sensation of being cut off from information flow was profoundly unsettling.
Much like this relentless waiting.
However, Walton did not force her to wait much longer.
If the event she anticipated had truly transpired, Walton would be even more anxious than she was.
At this instant, a Kirara scout approached the laboratory entrance, calling out to Luna inside: "Archon Walton requires your presence. You are to follow me."
Hearing this summons, Luna finally felt a measure of relief.
"Alright!"
She followed the scout all the way down to the surface.
This marked her second time stepping onto the Z-plane. It possessed a smooth, delicate texture beneath her feet.
Nothing like sand.
It was finer and softer than fine grit, yielding instantly with a single step.
Luna, at this moment, looked upward and observed that striking, massive object dominating the cosmos.
She instantly knew it was her creation.
"It really grew that large."
Yet, she felt a slight disappointment.
Walton hadn't displayed much visible surprise when the phenomenon occurred.
She had truly wished to witness Walton's astonishment firsthand.
She retracted her gaze, spotting a tall, tower-like structure dominating the distant landscape.
It was a hexagonal spire, uniformly thick at both top and bottom, pure silver in color, devoid of any markings or divisions, resembling a hexagonal crank handle buried in the sand.
Only upon drawing near could one fully grasp its immense scale.
Here, the Kirara race had not adopted miniaturization technology.
A structure massive enough to accommodate their huge bodies was undeniably colossal.
Even Warbeast architecture probably couldn't compare. After all, the Kirara race not only possessed vast bodies but their primary mode of travel was flight, necessitating significant vertical clearance from the ground.
Luna entered the structure as if she were a minuscule ant.
She immediately located Walton.
Its stark black-and-white panda-like coloration was too conspicuous to miss.
"It seems I won't need to leave after all!" Luna remarked as her opening words to it.
Walton felt profound discomfort.
But it could only feel discomfort.
"Is this how you resolved the matter of the Tide?"
It projected that image toward Luna.
However, the Flyer Civilization's network was entirely separate from that of human civilization, so this projection was truly just a singular visual display.
Luna held the image in her hand, glanced at it briefly, then returned her attention to Walton.
"Isn't it magnificent? Very eye-catching!"
In truth, the basis for her judgment was somewhat amusing.
Her own projected image up there was far too bloated; the facial features were severely distorted and twisted.
It looked utterly idiotic.
"I admit I underestimated your capabilities."
"I did not anticipate you retaliating in this manner."
"It is indeed a clever strategy, but I must issue a warning: regulate your body's instability carefully."
After reviewing that visual data, Walton vaguely deduced what Luna had orchestrated, albeit in broad strokes.
Luna's physical potential exceeded its prior estimations.
That phenomenon—that colossal manifestation—could, in itself, be weaponized, serving as an inherently unstable bomb.
And the precise reason Walton sought out Luna was to inquire about this very element.
"How much time remains until that construct dissipates?"
It hoped to secure accurate data regarding its lifespan or perhaps a method to infiltrate it, thereby gaining intelligence on an extra-dimensional civilization.
All of this fell squarely within Luna's established predictions.
"This constitutes a transaction, does it not?"
If Walton required something, it was obligated to offer something in return.
Luna could not, in good conscience, share this critical information unconditionally.
"What is your desired payment?" Walton queried.
Luna feigned a moment of contemplation. In reality, her decision had been finalized long ago.
"Grant me access to your Class 1 city; your capital."
"I demand an audience with your Monarch!"
Upon hearing this demand, Walton responded instantly and without hesitation: "That is impossible!"
Its refusal was practically an instinctual utterance.
"Then there is nothing that can be settled."
"Does your capital possess something so unfamiliar? Does a mere visit necessitate stripping your entire civilization bare like a young debutante?"
"Perhaps you believe your Monarch cannot handle me?"
The more Walton resisted, the more intrigued Luna became.
"Archon, I suggest you reconsider, or perhaps consult with your Monarch."
"The more vehemently you refuse, the more you stand to lose."
"As time progresses, the flow of information from the other dimension via the gateway will inevitably become scarce. And you, after so many years, have gained nothing, already lagging behind."
"The next hostile incursion will surely be even fiercer, and by then, I may not be available to assist."
This was Luna decisively asserting leverage.
Walton clearly harbored strong reluctance to yield anything of value.
Luna even suspected that some of the compensation Walton had offered her previously included counterfeit materials.
Hearing Luna's aggressively firm stance, Walton understood that evasion was likely impossible this time.
Luna was truly capitalizing on every opening, exploiting every potential angle.
However, this decision was genuinely beyond its authority.
Their civilization maintained a rigorously strict hierarchy. The Monarch was paramount, and any matter concerning the Monarch was strictly forbidden for subordinates to handle unilaterally.
Its core held a degree of reverence bordering on awe.
Any complication arising for the Monarch could only be detrimental; it might diminish Walton's standing in the Monarch's estimation.
Ultimately, Walton's attitude remained unwavering.
"I have stated that it is impossible."
"You may request anything else instead."
Luna still failed to fully comprehend the Monarch's pivotal role within the Flyer Civilization.
The Flyer Civilization was not structured like human society; rather, its organization leaned closer to that of a Swarm collective.
This social model was utterly incomprehensible to Luna.
The Swarm adopted such a configuration because their central brain-worms were truly essential assets that held absolute control over every individual Swarm unit.
But the Flyer Civilization lacked such a singular, overriding nexus.
The Flyer Civilization depended solely on its established social hierarchy for systemic control.
Luna presumed the female Monarch was likely inclined towards a more autonomous role, similar to herself or Ayla—a progression from operating in the shadows into the open light.
This assumption stemmed from the inertia of her own civilization's ingrained thought patterns.
Any life form interprets external phenomena through its own experiential lens, based on the knowledge it has accumulated.
After all, from Luna's current vantage point, she hadn't truly mastered the comprehensive social framework of the Flyer Civilization.
However, upon hearing Walton's final refusal and grasping its definitive stance, Luna paused her teasing and engaged in thought.
Some leverage required moderation; pushing too hard could trigger conflict between the two parties. Establishing a stable balance was the most critical element in diplomatic negotiations.
"Anything else is negotiable?"
"The Flyer Civilization has established numerous specialized zones within the Federation. I propose that if the Flyer Civilization also opens up certain zones, allowing your civilization's citizens to trade with the Federation on more equitable terms, it would greatly promote peace between our two civilizations."
The Flyer Civilization's control over its external interactions had always been exceptionally stringent.
Even when the Federation initiated trade, it remained confined within a very narrow perimeter.
Their populace rarely gained entry into the inner sectors of Flyer Civilization cities.
Hearing Luna pivot her demand, Walton finally let out a genuine sigh of relief.
In truth, if it had pushed harder to capture Luna, Walton sensed the outcome would not have ended well.
In diplomacy, many actions demanded extreme caution. Any move, even one technically justified by their standards, could be instantly construed as an act of aggression by the opposing party.
This was precisely why diplomats carried such elevated privileges.
As long as mutual respect remained intact, a diplomat could execute highly unconventional maneuvers, but those maneuvers could never be weaponized against another accredited diplomat.
"Civilizational exchange and peace are, of course, vital, but our two civilizations maintain a significant cultural disparity. Especially since our citizens exhibit extreme xenophobia, if we were to truly open our borders, I fear many unwanted incidents would transpire."
"I can offer a portion of our scientific and technological data in exchange for immediate access to the situation on the other side of the dimensional gateway."
Although the terms offered this time were significantly better than their previous discussions, Walton still sought to secure a favorable advantage for its civilization in these negotiations, maximizing its gains.
In Luna's perception, this displayed a degree of unrelenting greed.
She had already offered a concession.
If she conceded again now, she would not only fail to secure her immediate objective, but for all subsequent negotiations, she would perpetually find herself in an unfavorable position.
Walton could be tough.
She naturally possessed the capacity to reciprocate.
Upon hearing Walton's counter-offer, Luna turned and began to depart.
"Archon, I actually have numerous other pressing matters to attend to. I have already waited too long here."
"I hope you can arrange transportation for me—a vessel. I will compensate you."
Luna walked several dozen meters away, leaving Walton somewhat stunned.
It had never encountered such a tactic in negotiations before. Typically, interactions between their races were lengthy, drawn-out affairs.
With its inherent intelligence, it quickly recognized that this sudden departure was calculated—a strategic move within the negotiation framework.
It seemed to be acting recklessly, but the underlying question remained: who possessed the greater urgency right now?
The answer was clear.
The need to receive the dimensional gateway intelligence was paramount, confirming Luna's certainty that Walton would ultimately pay the higher price for it.
"This individual…"
Walton silently cursed Luna under its breath.
It waited until Luna was about to exit the main entrance, then called her back.
"Your proposal requires a degree of authorization from my end; after all, this is a significant undertaking concerning the entire civilization."
Walton initially assumed Luna would be satisfied with this answer, as it represented a step back from the initial refusal. However, Luna simply walked straight out the main door.
Luna headed directly back toward Kamelin.
Walton pondered for a moment longer, then addressed a nearby Kirara entity: "Go retrieve her. Inform her that I approve of her terms, but this specific matter genuinely cannot be decided by me alone. I must seek directives from above, but I can initiate the opening of Kamelin immediately."
This outcome was a clear victory for Walton.
Walton had already considered this scenario: it desired to utilize the Federation's inhabitants as a countermeasure against the civilization emerging from the dimensional gateway.
That emerging civilization was demonstrably powerful, originating from seven dimensions—potentially reaching Type 2.8 classification.
Contending with this civilization would prove excessively difficult for the current Flyer Civilization, potentially leading to severe losses. If the Federation remained rested, it might choose to direct its main assault upon them once they were heavily wounded.
Rather than risk that outcome, having the Federation involved at this stage meant they would be less likely to attack the Flyers immediately. This could serve as a crucial détente.
At the very least, they stood to gain from the arrangement.
Therefore, this condition was acceptable.
As for other territories, negotiations could proceed at a later, less pressing time. After all, the agreement did not specify whether the concession period was 100 years, 1,000 years, or 10,000 years.
Just as Walton had anticipated, Luna returned.
Her opening statement was immediate: "I still require five of your unique technologies, and these technologies must each be valued at over ten quadrillion Energy Credits."
This time, Walton did not attempt to haggle further.
Luna had just brushed against their absolute limit. Core technologies were certainly off the table to be shared with the Galactic Federation. However, technologies valued in the tens of quadrillions would undoubtedly fall under commercial licensing—they would not breach the core level. Five such items—neither too many nor too few—seemed a manageable request.
"Agreed!"
Both entities happily cemented the renewed cooperation.
Both were nominally satisfied, yet neither felt entirely content.
A cooperation agreement was drafted, containing confidential data regarding their respective anti-fraud protocols. While technically breachable, no one would tear it up because this transaction had not yet reached a point of total mutual trust.
To void a contract carried a significant social cost, equivalent to losing face—a consequence that would bring more detriment than benefit at this juncture.
After signing, Walton eagerly pressed Luna for specific details concerning the dimensional gateway.
Luna responded selectively.
"I believe you can actually initiate the jump now. At this precise moment, that 'other me' should still retain some level of consciousness. Like any massive entity, it will degrade rapidly; by then, that dimensional civilization might have retreated, or it might simply resurface elsewhere."
"It would be wisest to bring a substantial military force."
Luna offered several pieces of advice, but they ultimately lacked concrete, actionable intelligence.
This immediately left Walton with the distinct sensation of having been subtly misled.
However, Luna would not deliberately betray them.
"My counterpart there will provide you with all the necessary intelligence. Information, of course, is always clearest to those directly involved in the situation."
"Actually, it is fine. I can accompany the fleet myself. I remain quite curious about the conditions at the dimensional gateway."
This assurance greatly relieved Walton.
It consented to Luna's decision.
"Within 10 Eras, the fleet shall launch!"
One Era is equivalent to 2.97 Earth days.
It equates precisely to one day on the Flyer Civilization's calendar system.
Approximately 115 Metawa equal one Era.
Ten Eras, therefore, translates to roughly one month.
For a colossal fleet to be assembled and launched within a single month severely tested a civilization's capabilities in social organization and logistics.
The Flyer Civilization, being a highly advanced society, possessed unique expertise in this very domain.
Luna indeed departed within one month, precisely on the 29th day, adhering tightly to that timetable.
It could be noted that this timeline was exceptionally tight even for the Flyer Civilization.
The Federation typically required 45 to 60 days for equivalent preparations, so by comparison, the timeline was actually quite similar.
The Flyer Civilization's warships were remarkably distinct from those of the Federation.
Previously, Luna thought she had observed Flyer Civilization vessels when they first contacted the Galactic Federation, but only now did she realize those were merely large transport or cargo carriers.
From the very onset of their initial contact, the Flyer Civilization had harbored no intention of outright aggression; their early moves were purely exploratory.
In fact, much like the early Federation, both factions were constrained by the powerful presence of the Connecter Civilization.
The Flyer warship design was an exceedingly strange concept; it appeared abnormally small externally, yet housed an abnormally vast interior.
Simply put, it featured a miniaturized inner core space, while its exterior constituted an expansive shell, vast enough to rival a planet-class vessel.
It could be summarized as possessing the facade of a lion's maw but the operational capacity of a rabbit.
However, in reality, such a comparison was fundamentally flawed. As a warship belonging to an advanced civilization, it was bound to possess considerable combat potency.
Its external structure was, to a large extent, for intimidation and show.
But that exterior did not define the entirety of the warship's strength.
The minuscule interior carried the overwhelming bulk of its mass and capability.
Luna secretly calculated the total mass of the entire warship.
It totaled 21 quadrillion tons.
Considering the warship's visible volume, this mass seemed disproportionate.
But if the exterior was just a shell, why such immense weight?
The answer was rooted in its design disparity.
The outer hull of the 900 km long warship accounted for only 6% of the vessel's total mass, whereas the internal core, measuring only 4 meters long, constituted a staggering 94% of the entire warship's mass.
Theoretically, this core segment could function as an entirely independent warship. Though small, its interior was constructed with extreme density and intricate engineering.
And indeed, that was precisely how it functioned.
On this warship, Luna noted the relatively small presence of Kirara.
She counted, estimating only a few tens of thousands aboard.
This was a warship classified with planet-class mass.
If this were the Federation, a planet-class vessel could easily accommodate hundreds of millions of troops. They likely would do so. Otherwise, what purpose would the vast internal volume serve?
What truly surprised Luna was Walton's willingness to allow her aboard this warship. Was he not concerned about potential exposure? The Federation and the Flyer Civilization were hardly close allies.
Unless, Luna reasoned, this warship she occupied wasn't a current core vessel, but an extremely antiquated one. Newer warships possessed superior strength and noticeable structural differences.
However, Luna couldn't verify this visually. Because the outer shell of every warship maintained an identical profile.
They resembled a compressed half-circle, shaped like "IC}-", eschewing the traditional teardrop design. The central section was compressed to 90 degrees, with roughly one-third forming a nearly flat structure designated as the head, resembling a shovel. The circular section served as the tail, behind which was an energy ring reminiscent of a Mach ring. The tail section was where the smaller escort vessels were concealed.
Walton insisted on accompanying Luna, unwilling to leave her unattended on a vessel where she might discover the status of other warships through any means.
Inside the warship, Luna possessed an unimpeded view of the cosmos outside.
The warship's external hull appeared functionally invisible.
Luna saw her own distorted visage in the distance, growing closer and closer. It caused her profound psychological discomfort, akin to feeling brutally beaten until her head was mangled and subsequently severed.
There was nothing she could do; that "other her" was simply too colossal.
The influence of its gravity field was unavoidable.
Perhaps this distortion was also a byproduct of previous internal conflicts with subjugated civilizations.
After a brief period of transit, Luna observed that the massive human face displayed numerous areas of structural flaw. She immediately understood the nature of these deficiencies.
Metacellular structures required constant energy support; if that dimensional civilization's power supply was interrupted, the other "her" would rapidly begin to disintegrate.
The Flyer Civilization's warships were exceptionally swift, clocking in at over 150,000 kilometers per second.
Kamelin was 29 light-years from that colossal entity; the journey should have taken 58 years.
For Luna, this duration felt incredibly short—nearly the span of a single breath.
...
Fifty-seven years later.
The fleet finally reached the periphery of the colossal entity's boundary.
By this time, the massive face was heavily pockmarked, looking as though less than 1% of its original form remained.
Yet, even in its damaged state, it was still overwhelmingly immense. Any single surviving fragment measured tens to hundreds of astronomical units across.
"It seems we are too late!"
Walton now directed his full attention toward the internal space. Enemies might lurk within that ravaged core. He had already alerted the other warships to exercise extreme caution, dispatching dozens of vessels as a vanguard to scout that region.
That interior region remained vast, spanning 2-3 light-years in diameter. On a cosmic scale, this was still considered a super-range engagement zone.
"No, my information is integrated into every single cell. As long as one cell survives, I can receive all the compiled data."
Luna stated this calmly, standing beside Walton.
Walton's heart tightened again. Such a creature was utterly unknown to him.
He was aware that the Federation possessed things like gene pools. Each pool was peculiar, and some supreme ones even transcended certain physical limitations. In specific aspects, some could rival the power of warships.
Initially, Walton had scoffed at these concepts. But witnessing this firsthand, coupled with Luna's succinct explanation, left him no room for doubt.
Perhaps it was even more formidable than described. This entity could rival not just a warship, but potentially an entire fleet.
"At this current stage, the other me is quite weak. Without a reliable energy supply, it is extremely difficult for it to transmit information."
"Bring me closer."
At Luna's request, Walton piloted the vessel toward one of the fragments.
Upon truly approaching the surface, Walton was utterly shaken and momentarily paralyzed by the sight before him.
On the exterior of the fragment, he saw not Luna's skin, but countless Lunas stacked one upon another, forming the very terrain itself. Innumerable Lunas lay peacefully on the ground like inert corpses, piled high. Each possessed wide-open eyes, yet seemed utterly devoid of conscious awareness.
This was the most horrifying spectacle Walton had ever witnessed. He struggled to accept that this formation constituted a single living creature!
Luna, though experiencing a moment of shock, maintained remarkable composure.
She disembarked directly from the warship and flew toward her own cellular fragment.
Upon landing, all the surrounding Lunas began to move in unison, their attention drawn to her.
"Relay what transpired, and your directive will be fulfilled."
All the Lunas nodded simultaneously.
The Luna closest to her stepped forward, snapped off one of her fingers, and placed it into Luna's open palm.
This detached finger began to melt, dissolving seamlessly into Luna's own body.
Around her, countless other Lunas started to melt away like snow under the sun. They dried out rapidly, hardening into blocks of carbonized rock.
Luna quickly absorbed the influx of memories.
"So the threat originates from the seventh dimension? No wonder the Flyer Civilization is in such a state of alarm!"