Chapter Fifteen: Earthlings Are Classified as Pests

In the underground pyramid palace of the King of Taar, there was a chamber known as the Privy Council, absolutely secure and confidential. It was here that the king would receive his visiting subordinates: the military commander, Mr. M, and the chief of intelligence, Mr. G. Only three men were present: the king, the intelligence expert, and the military strategist.

The king spoke, “You two have worked hard. I know you must have brought me news of great importance.”

Mr. G, the intelligence chief, replied, “Your Majesty, according to our latest intelligence, the Quartpa military has just launched a strike against Earth. They appear to have used a new type of dark energy microwave weapon to penetrate the planet’s magnetic field. From our current observations, Earth’s magnetic field now has a vast hole where it was attacked. If it isn’t repaired soon, the atmosphere may be blown away by intense solar winds, leading to the extinction of most terrestrial life in a very short time. We are still studying why Quartpa’s forces launched only a single wave of assault. We’re closely monitoring what might happen next.”

This sudden news left the king deeply shocked. He fixed his gaze on Mr. M, the military commander. “Can our current equipment effectively counter the enemy’s dark energy microwave weapon?” he asked.

Mr. M answered, “Dark energy microwaves are a novel concept in weaponry. They are essentially bullets made from dark matter, designed specifically to attack planetary magnetic fields. Their flaw is that they must be delivered via a carrier and projected into the field’s interior before detonating. The resulting dark energy microwaves then tear apart the planet’s magnetic field. At present, we have no reliable way to combat this weapon. Our only option is to use precise intelligence to intercept or destroy the carriers that transport these weapons.”

The king responded, “It seems this is the most difficult approach, yet the only one available. To discover more ways to protect Earth, we must mobilize every resource. For now, let us follow Mr. M’s strategy—send our special forces, the most advanced ships, and weapons to strategic locations for maximum interception, preventing Quartpa forces from further damaging Earth’s magnetic field.”

Mr. G said, “Monitoring from the Khufu Pyramid established on Earth has indicated that the breach in the magnetic field is above the North Pole. We must dispatch engineers to Earth swiftly for repairs. The cyclical eruptions of the sun are imminent, and perhaps the Quartpa forces, with malicious intent, timed their attack to coincide with the solar wind’s cycle. If we don’t repair the breach in time, the magnetic field may trigger a chain reaction, leading to its total collapse.”

The king once again turned his eyes to Mr. M. “Although the Taar Engineering Bureau is not under your jurisdiction, this vital task of repairing Earth’s magnetic field must still fall to you. I have no need to explain further—you both understand the reasons.”

Mr. M replied, “Repairing Earth’s magnetic field is straightforward, Your Majesty, so there is no cause for worry. Regarding the deployment of forces in the solar system to defend against Quartpa’s assault on Earth, do you have any new directives?”

The king said, “Given the current situation, war is inevitable. Quartpa’s military is formidable. Though we cannot trap them within their own star system, we can hold them at a distance, away from the solar system. If they approach, even a small error could mean catastrophic destruction for Earth.”

Mr. M said, “Quartpa’s ships are faster than ours, but we have the advantage in spatial positioning—we are closer to the solar system. I have already deployed our elite troops at Proxima Centauri, near the triple-star system of Centaurus. Should battle erupt, we will do everything to keep Quartpa forces near the triple stars. On Planet B of Proxima Centauri, we have access to water, which can be processed into oxygen to support our supply needs. The first ships carrying engineers have successfully landed on Planet B. I must construct a military underground pyramid there. When I arrive at Proxima Centauri, my command vessel will be stationed at Planet C. We must grasp the core meaning of fighting beyond our borders—the battlefield must be far from Earth and even farther from Taar itself…”

While the king and his two subordinates were deliberating over these critical military affairs, a sudden and exquisite musical melody sounded—the Privy Council’s doorbell. The king knew well that only when major events occurred would the servants ring this bell. The king himself opened the latch, and a three-meter-tall, handsome young military intelligence officer from Taar handed Mr. G a coded report, then departed with impeccable decorum.

The king, Mr. M, and Mr. G read the report together. Its contents revealed that three large Quartpa military vessels were advancing toward the solar system at superluminal speeds. None of the three were surprised by this intelligence, for they had anticipated Quartpa’s actions and were mentally prepared.

The king said, “Aside from the decision to attack Quartpa’s homeworld, which I must make myself, all other matters on the battlefield are yours to command, Mr. M. I grant you greater authority and freedom. I trust your military skill will be enough to defeat Quartpa, and thus protect every Earthling and every citizen of Taar.”

Mr. M responded, “As you command.”

Just as the three were preparing to adjourn, the doorbell rang again—a new visitor sought entry. When the Privy Council’s door opened, the newcomer was not a Taarian, but a Quartpa—a four-legged, corpulent figure resembling a hippopotamus. He was the long-term ambassador of Quartpa’s interstellar diplomatic corps stationed on Taar. He presented the king with a star-letter, written entirely in Taar’s script.

The letter stated: “Due to numerous actions taken by Taar on Earth, which directly violated the treaty between our two civilizations, and provided ample evidence: 1. During the last Quartpa-Taar war, the viruses used in Taar’s bioweapons originated from Earth; 2. Quartpa scientists, through downloads from the pharaoh’s brain, have uncovered Taar’s true intentions on Earth. The letter also clarified Quartpa’s stance toward Earthlings: Quartpa will not recognize the identity of Earth’s inhabitants, for neither their intelligence nor their morals qualify them as true people. Moreover, Earth constantly emits vast amounts of electromagnetic waves into space, posing grave risks to Quartpa’s health. Quartpa even discovered that Earth’s history is a chronicle of internecine wars—hence, Earthlings are defined as ‘pests.’ The letter further explained that, to preserve peace between our two civilizations, Quartpa does not demand explanations for Taar’s conduct on Earth. Yet, for the safety of Quartpa civilization, Quartpa’s military will destroy Earth, and promises not to attack the Taar home system. Finally, it warned: Quartpa’s actions to annihilate Earth are unrelated to Taar civilization; any interference or obstruction by Taar will be considered an act of war.”

From the star-letter delivered by the Quartpa ambassador, it was clear that Quartpa’s government was resolute and uncompromising. This aggressive posture was a blatant affront to Taar’s civilization. Given Taar’s religious beliefs and existential anxieties, their military could not possibly refrain from intervening in Quartpa’s actions…