Chapter Thirty-Four: The Hidden Dangers of the Radio Telescope

Director Yanan was, as always, busy collecting and processing information and reports from the front lines. One piece of intelligence in particular caught his keen attention: a communications technician from the Kua Army, currently maneuvering near the solar system against the enemy, had accidentally discovered that Earth’s radio telescopes could be used to transmit high-powered electromagnetic waves into space. By using these radio waves as a carrier, the Kua Army’s faster-than-light microwave weapons could be fired in reverse within the cone of the radio beam, easily bypassing the interference of the Ta Army’s pyramid on Europa. This would be enough to shatter Earth’s magnetic field, gradually rendering Earth's environment increasingly extreme. Alternatively, it could directly detonate humanity’s nuclear arsenals, delivering a self-inflicted doom to both Earth and its inhabitants...

It seemed that humanity’s use of radio telescopes might very well be playing with fire—perhaps, indeed, inviting disaster upon themselves.

Yanan could not help but feel excited about this intelligence, for in his view, there was now a method to attack Earth directly, without the need to breach the Tak Coalition’s pyramid defense system deployed in the solar system. The enemy’s lines could be pierced, and Earth destroyed, all without entanglement. Of course, this was merely Yanan’s personal opinion; military decision-making authority resided entirely with Military Chief Sade. Thus, Yanan immediately invited Sade to his office.

After listening to Yanan’s explanation, Military Chief Sade became equally excited, recognizing the immense value of this intelligence.

Sade said, “This discovery is of great significance. However, given the unusual attitude and behavior of the Tal people, we must adjust our strategy. As for when we should take action against Earth—this requires fresh evaluation. We must treat this discovery as a top military secret, keep it strictly confidential, and set it aside for now. We will wait until after we launch an attack on Tal’s homeworld, observe how they respond, and then decide on the precise timing for striking Earth based on the evolving situation.”

Director Yanan replied, “Your strategic foresight is truly remarkable. I will do my utmost to continue providing comprehensive intelligence support to the Kuatpa military.”

Sade said, “For this attack on Tal’s homeworld, I do not intend to dispatch our professional soldiers.”

Yanan inquired, “As far as I know, the Tal people have long been capable of countering our zero-mass microwave weapons. Has the military developed something even more advanced?”

Sade explained, “Our operations are bound by the strategic doctrines of the Sphere Chief. We cannot, due to our current dispute with the Tal people, eradicate their homeworld entirely. Originally, we were not to attack their home, but the Tal Army destroyed the remains of our fallen heroes on the battlefield of Proxima B. This operation on Tal’s homeworld is thus merely a reprisal, a lesson; our aim is to compel the Tal King to discipline his soldiers and put a stop to such barbaric, immoral acts on the battlefield.”

Yanan asked, “If you don’t mind my asking, what method does the military intend to use to reach and strike at Tal’s homeworld?”

Sade replied, “I need your assistance.”

“Please, go on,” Yanan said.

“I don’t need any combat personnel for this mission. I only require that you provide me with two individuals experienced in interstellar travel.”

As Director of the Kuatpa Interstellar Space Administration, Yanan’s role as intelligence chief was only a temporary assignment. He had many subordinates at the Space Administration, most with extensive experience in interstellar travel, skilled in piloting various spacecraft and operating specialized machinery for manipulating black holes.

Yanan asked, “Do you want me to recommend someone, or have you already selected one of my staff?”

Sade replied, “I have my eye on a man named Conden—the one you sent on that field mission to Earth. And pair him with a mantis assistant.”

“Thank you for your trust and appreciation,” Yanan said. “I am sure Conden will be as honored as I am. But Conden is merely a surveyor; he’s never served in the military and knows nothing of basic tactics. What if he’s intercepted or attacked by Tal’s special forces on the way?”

Sade answered, “I don’t need him to understand military tactics. His rich experience in space travel and his familiarity with the local galactic environment make him ideal for this special operation. He won’t need to fight—just pilot our vessel and deliver our civilization’s secret weapon near the Tal homeworld.”

At Sade’s invitation, the young Kuatpa Space Administration officer Conden, accompanied by a mantis assistant, entered the military command center in high spirits. Upon crossing the threshold, both were stunned by the scene inside—this was Conden’s first time entering the secret nerve center of the supreme military command, a place dense with dimensions and teeming with information. What captivated both Conden and the mantis most was the ability to see representations of the solar system and Earth, memories of their recent survey still fresh in their minds.

Sade asked, “Are you the mantis who accompanied Conden on the last Earth mission?”

“Yes, I am the surviving mantis. I am honored to have caught your attention,” the mantis replied.

“You are both young and capable!” Sade said. “Now is the time for our civilization to rely on you, and for you to prove yourselves. If you are not ignorant of the world, you must know our current plight. The fate of our descendants—whether they will long remain free from the predations of other alien civilizations—rests with young people like you.”

Before Conden and the mantis could answer, Sade gestured at a large elliptical conical screen in the room, displaying a model of the Tal star system and its surrounding space.

“I intend to send you both to this system on a covert military mission. What are your thoughts? Are you confident?” Sade asked.

Without hesitation, the young Conden and the mantis immediately expressed strong interest and absolute confidence.

The series of strategies for striking at Tal’s homeworld, devised by Sade, were only implemented after approval from Sphere Chief Aibot. This special mission would be led by Space Administration officer Conden, and the attack on Tal’s homeworld was about to commence. If successful, the operation could throw Tal society into temporary chaos, shattering the myth of their planet’s invincibility under the pyramid’s protection.

Conden and his mantis assistant threw themselves into rigorous training. Surprisingly, the regimen was simple: no new weapon systems to master, no physical conditioning, just repetitive drills of a few straightforward spacecraft maneuvers and spatial coordinate recognition—nothing involving weapons at all. The Kua Army well knew that, to this day, they had not managed to unlock the secrets of the Tal pyramids. Even though they had destroyed the Tal pyramid on Proxima B during a ground campaign, this was not the result of Kuatpa scientists cracking the pyramid’s mysteries; rather, after defeating the Tal defenders with primitive weapons, Kua soldiers had stormed in and dismantled some of the pyramid’s components. Not a single part was ever successfully returned to Kuatpa, for in his final moments, Neanderthal H destroyed the Kua transport ship carrying those pieces, dashing any hope of studying the Tal pyramid.

Chief Sade was keenly aware that none of the Kua’s high-tech weaponry could breach the Tal pyramids' defenses. This special operation against Tal’s homeworld could not simply repeat the brute-force tactics used on Proxima B—no special forces wielding primitive arms. This time, the strike would have to be asymmetrical, a coup of unconventional means—a hallmark of Kua military tradition.

But how would the attack proceed? What weapon would be used? Please continue reading to discover the secret mission of Conden and the mantis.