Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

The Talodan civilization.

With the help of a stabilizing device, Aldan's furry, round body "squeezed" onto the transparent porthole.

It paid no attention to its slightly distorted face, but simply gazed at the scene outside the porthole.

Seeing the eleven fleets that had been surrounding the Talodan fleet activate their Hall propulsion devices and slowly depart, a hint of joy appeared in its eyes.

"It's a success!"

"The Eugene civilization has retreated!!"

Aldan broke free from the porthole, raised his short paws, and loudly announced the exciting news to the surrounding crowd.

The next second, cheers erupted from all around.

Every Talodan person danced with their round bodies, using propulsion devices to draw beautiful arcs in the air—expressing their joy at surviving the catastrophe.

Except for Milo.

Still unable to use the assistive device, Milo could only stand silently on the deck with the help of the stabilizing device, looking enviously at his companions around him.

Suddenly, a voice broke the joyous atmosphere inside the ship.

"So, after seven days, can we then refuse to agree to the demands of human civilization?"

The cheering command center quickly fell silent.

Yes! Now that the Eugene civilization has retreated, they can survive safely even without the protection of human civilization!

At this moment, this naive thought began to circulate in the minds of these pandas who had only recently left their home planet and had little contact with extraterrestrial civilizations.

After all, who would want to be a subordinate civilization to another when they can live freely?!

After a brief silence, everyone turned their expectant gaze to Aldan, who was standing by the porthole.

Unlike them, Aldan, as the leader who led his civilization to escape danger several times, was more able to appreciate the darkness and coldness between civilizations.

So, facing everyone's expectant gazes, Ardan slowly shook his head.

Just as it was about to speak, a bright flash of light came from afar, shining through the porthole onto its black and white fur.

Aldan had no time to think and quickly turned to look at the porthole behind him.

The firelight came from a Eugene fleet.

It was an incredibly spectacular explosion.

The gamma rays generated by the explosion have swept past the Talodan fleet like a tsunami.

"They're...they've started fighting?"

Aldan felt his mind go completely blank: "Has the Eugene civilization gone mad? How dare they attack?!"

But it soon realized its mistake.

Eugene Civilization did not make a move; instead, it accelerated its retreat under the impact of the explosion.

This scene did not bring Ardan much joy.

On the contrary, its anxiety intensified considerably at this moment.

A cacophony of voices gradually rose behind them.

"Enough!" A dizzy and disoriented Aldan whirled around, shouting sharply, "Quiet down, all of you!"

"Do you think human civilization is kinder than Eugene civilization?!"

"Look what they just did!"

"Without any warning, they directly destroyed a Eugene civilization warship, their sole purpose being to hasten their departure!"

Ardan's words struck the hearts of these naive pandas like a hammer blow.

"If I'm not mistaken, the Eugene civilization's fleet will never leave! Nor will human civilization let them leave!"

Ardan waved his little paws, his face flushed, and shouted, "Just you wait and see! The Eugene civilization will stop its retreat soon!"

……

"leader."

A sharp, urgent voice shattered the silence in the command center: "The Eugene fleet has stopped!"

"As expected..." Aldan closed his eyes in despair. "How far?"

"One hundred million kilometers!"

Aldan took a deep breath, opened his eyes again, and looked at everyone: "Did you all see that? Only one hundred million kilometers!"

"You guys..."

It lamented, "Our understanding of the universe and civilization is still far too superficial!"

The pandas in the command center looked at each other, and each of them showed a hint of shame in their eyes.

"Chief, what should we do now?" Milo asked softly. "Become a subordinate civilization to human civilization?"

"According to you, it seems that this is the only path we have left to take."

"Who says otherwise?" Aldan glanced deeply at Milo, who was looking at him, and replied softly, "Voting continues."

"The life or death of civilization should not be decided by me alone."

"If you would rather die standing, then I respect your choice."

As soon as the words were spoken, the atmosphere within the Talodan fleet became even more deathly silent.

……

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

The fifth referendum of all civilizations in Talodan has concluded.

At Aldan's command, the central computer began tallying the voting results.

The Talodans inside each starship stared intently at the screens in front of them, some large and some small.

There are only three options for voting: yes, no, or abstain.

As he watched the numbers rapidly increase after each option, Aldan instinctively held his breath.

The voting results are in.

76.3% of the Talodan people voted in favor.

23.1% of people chose to abstain.

Only 0.6% of the Talodans chose the "oppose" option!

Upon seeing the voting results, Aldan breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of joy in his eyes.

Nobody wants to die.

If, as humans claim, a subordinate civilization is not a slave, but rather can even exchange for various technologies and equipment, then he would willingly become a subordinate civilization of a higher civilization.

At least, the transmission of civilization has not been interrupted.

In the vast universe, the Talodan civilization may have a place in the future.

"Milo."

Aldan waved his hand and whispered, "Initiate a communication request to human civilization."

"So fast?!"

Milo's eyes showed a hint of surprise: "We still have two days!"

"No, we can't wait until the last day." Aldan smiled gently, raised his hand to pat Milo's fluffy head, and explained softly, "If we haven't become a subordinate civilization by the seventh day, what do you think the Eugene civilization will do once human civilization withdraws its protection measures?"

Milo's eyes widened slightly, and he gasped.

"I...I understand!"

As he spoke, he turned around and controlled the assist device, wobbling as he "slid" toward a computer.

"I'll initiate a communication request right away!"