Stark gazed at the details in the reception room. At the same time, Charles looked at Stark with a frown, saying, "The bandwidth you've opened is a bit too large. I think you should..."
A few soft "whoosh" sounds echoed, causing everyone to turn and look out of the window. At first, only a few small mechanical components fell. Soon, parts pelted down like torrential rain, crashing onto the ground and echoing throughout the room.
With a "bang", a corner of the mansion collapsed, immediately followed by a series of thunderous crashes. Charles waved his hand, and they all appeared above the sea, looking at the mansion being buried under countless mechanical components from afar.
Stark crossed his arms and said, "This is the consequence of you forcibly hypnotizing me. I was deep in thought when you pulled me into your consciousness space. It's no surprise that the parts I constructed in my mind flooded here."
As he spoke, the mechanical rain in the sky finally slowed a bit. However, the entire beach was devastated, piled high with countless bizarre mechanical components. Charles gave a sigh and said, "Obviously, someone suggested…"
"I knew that, of course." Stark turned to look at Shiller and said, "Some bulb-screwing layman will never understand a scientist's obsession with thought..."
"Alright, you've ruined the base we built." Shiller put a hand to his eye and looked at the coastline. He continued, "You should at least provide us with someplace to talk."
"You call a place with a single small house a 'base'? If your ambitions for this organization are so limited, then don't bother recruiting me next time."
Speaking, Stark floated up from the surface of the sea. He spread his arms and a faint light shone from his eyes.
Suddenly, a bright sun raised behind him. It was an endlessly powered furnace, followed by countless parts swirling around him, forming a vortex-like storm. More and more components appeared in mid-air, continually intersecting, fusing, recombining, and upgrading.
In a few short seconds, a dazzling 'Mechanical Storm' swept across the entire consciousness space. After the sea breeze dispersed the white fog, a colossal Mechanical City appeared in the dream.
This was an indescribable metropolis where each building was so finely detailed down to the gears and bearings. The skyscrapers, highways, streets, and alleys reflected the cold sheen of metal and machinery, yet were bustling and lively.
Loki squinted her eyes. She had traversed the cosmos for many years, seen massive fleets from advanced civilizations cruising between galaxies, and powerful gods that could create and destroy stars at will. Yet she had to admit, Stark's Mechanical City created in the dream seamlessly combined technology and art on every level.
With a wave of Charles's hand, they appeared on the rooftop of the central building in the city, which bore Stark's logo.
At the top of the building was a spacious, bright hall full of floor-to-ceiling windows, even more beautiful than the observation deck of the current Stark Building. In the middle of the hall were several round bases surrounded by screens. A floating robot brought a tray, from which Stark fetched a cup of coffee.
"Having coffee in a dream? Well, live it up." Strange commented.
Shiller also fetched a cup of coffee from the tray. He said," Actually, it's just a psychological cue that can clear the mind."
As Charles looked around the hall, he shook his head and said, "This place is very advanced, but I still prefer retro décor."
As he spoke, he too picked up the coffee and clinked cups with Shiller. Stark snapped his fingers and a door appeared on the wall. Pointing at it, Shiller and Stark appeared before the door. Shiller pushed the door open to reveal the previous reception room.
"Seeing your mastery over dream power, you're undoubtedly extraordinary." Shiller looked back at Stark and said.
"Consciousness space and Thought Palace aren't exclusive to anyone—remember, Stark is extraordinary in every way."
"Can we get down to business now?" Nick yawned and said, "I'd like to save some time for a good sleep."
Stark snapped his fingers again, and a c-shaped sofa descended from the ceiling. As they sat down, a round base appeared in the middle, and the screen lit up.
"The topic on hand is whether we should participate in Andromeda's war, and in what manner to do so." Strange picked up his coffee and took a sip.
Stark glanced at Shiller and said, "Regarding the first issue, I don't think we even need to discuss it. Perhaps from the beginning, we intended to target Andromeda."
"But what I don't understand is why you let me communicate to Xeseon through The Sanctum, telling him Nal absorbed Chaos Power, forcing him to take issue with Nal, thus provoking Sulfur Dwarfs to declare war on their civilization. What benefit does this bring?" Strange asked.
Nick, having a deeper understanding of the plan, explained, "To comprehend this, consider the predicament of the mutated lineage. Earth is too small and fragile. It's not an ideal place for humans and mutants to cohabit."
Charles let out a slight sigh and said, "No one wants to leave unless it's unavoidable. It's not that mutants couldn't fight humans for the Earth, but I fear by the time we finish fighting, the Earth would have already turned into a wasteland."
"Mutants need civilization, a society built on it, not a desolate ruin to start from scratch."
"The physical fragility of normal humans makes their ideology more radical. Any group that dares to wage war against them—even if the group eventually wins—will only inherit a radiated ruin ravaged by them and their nuclear bombs."
Charles interlocked his fingers and spoke, "This is why I always disapprove of mutants initiating a frontal war with humans. We might have to pay a significant price and end up gaining nothing."
"We all agree on this. The only remaining question is: where exactly is the homeland that you promised to provide to the mutants?"
"Right in the Andromeda Galaxy," Shiller answered straightforwardly. "That place will be a far-flung human civilization. You will serve as the human race's vanguard into the cosmos, continually receiving support from your home planet and eventually, building your own civilization there."
"But how can I fulfill the conditions you mentioned?" Charles asked him.
"Obviously, Andromeda is a galaxy with a developed civilization, even more prosperous than the Milky Way. There are three civilizations that have reached the cosmic level, and numerous native civilizations."
"Of course, most of the civilizations here have their masters, but that was in the past, now, the Sulfur Dwarves have initiated a war among civilizations."
"Are you thinking of creating a situation where when two parties quarrel, a third party benefits from it?"
"More or less, though it's a bit more complicated than that." Shiller conjured up a puzzle on the coffee table in front of him and explained, "Among these three major civilizations, the symbiont civilization can almost be ignored. They don't have their own civilization, and their home planet is a prison to lock up their creator. If it weren't for their unique survival method, they wouldn't be able to contend with the other two civilizations."
"So the two biggest guests in this galaxy are the Sulfur Dwarves and the Joint Civilization. The civilization of the Sulfur Dwarves is advanced, but their living conditions are harsh. Due to their superior physical fitness compared to humans, surface temperatures of hundreds of degrees are still suitable for them. The planets operated by such a civilization are not suitable for humanoid creatures to live."
"So, are the Sulfur Dwarves doomed? How do you plan to eliminate them?"
"Let's discuss that later. Let's talk about the Joint Civilization. This civilization is much better. Their racial composition is complicated, and there is hardly any unity. There are all sorts of ecological planets, which will be a good stage for mutants."
"This also perfectly meets your requirements." Shiller looked at Charles and said, "An existing civilization, a prosperous interstellar society, countless achievements of civilization..."
Then, Shiller changed his tone, "Of course, if mutants joined the Joint Civilization now, they would certainly be very passive because so far, there is a general governing body in this civilization, and the relationship between various races is relatively stable. They don't welcome outsiders."
"Therefore, it would be best if the mutants appear as a savior on the eve of the complete collapse and dissolution of the entire civilization, rescuing various races from extreme difficulties..."
Nick catched on and continued, "Then they voluntarily accept the garrison of mutants, warmly welcome mutants to settle on the planet with the best ecology, and express their willingness to unite around the mutants to build a harmonious interstellar society."
Stark took a deep breath and said, "I see, the mutants are going to keep the peace."
"As for how to push the Joint Civilization into this predicament, it starts with the Sulfur Dwarves..."
At this point, Loki spoke up, "I believe the Sulfur Dwarves indeed have the ability to push the Joint Civilization into a desperate situation. But the problem is, after achieving this effect, how do you deal with these Sulfur Dwarves? Aren't you afraid that they will consume too much of the Joint Civilization's resources and become too big to fall?"
"The plan for that part is confidential for now, let's talk about the third civilization, the Symbiont Civilization."
"The Symbiont Civilization and the Joint Civilization have a very good relationship. When the Joint Civilization is under intense attack, they will surely ask the Symbionts for help."
"These parasitic creatures are best at enhancing individual quality. If the symbionts from Klinter Star all come out and arm themselves on the Joint Civilization, then maybe the Joint Civilization really could turn the tide."
"So you told Xeseon about Nal wasting the Chaos Power so that he can trap Symbionts from Klinter Star and prevent them from aiding the Joint Civilization?"
"Correct, there's another reason as well. Once the Joint Civilization is on the verge of collapse, the Symbionts will also face a very awkward situation. That is, they won't have as many host options anymore, and the Sulfur Dwarves are watching closely."
"At this time, the mutants, who once had a good cooperation with them, come to this galaxy. Then, establishing a good symbiotic relationship again shouldn't be too difficult, right?"
"Same old strategy." Nick put down his cup, his tone a bit cold. "Eliminate the strongest local bully and leader, so that a group no longer has a leader."
"Then weaken the middle class, so they are weak enough to be easily controlled."
"Finally, support the weakest force, let the middle and lower classes fight each other, consume each other, and the upper class reap the benefits."
Everyone thought of some examples and felt a chill down their spines.
Shiller leaned back in his chair, his hands resting on the armrests. He closed his eyes, as if feeling somnolent in a dream, his voice sounding like it was coming from a distant void.
"Humans have been flipping and turning in a tiny space for many years, developing from tribes to nations, from primitive to developed, but their struggles have never ceased."
"There is no other race as cruel as humans in terms of war, oppression, and exploitation."
"If those moving virtues are not enough to withstand the dangers that could strike at any time in the endless depths of space..."
"If our sun is too dim, destined to be unable to illuminate the entire cosmos..."
"Then let's make ourselves the most dangerous existence, like a black sun rising in the sky above the Dark Forest..."
"The glory is no longer, and yet the glory is everlasting."