Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

Type 053C "Golden Crow" battleship.

The vice-captain stared wide-eyed at Fan Ping beside him in disbelief.

"This...this is the surrender strategy you were talking about?"

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Fan Ping shrugged, speaking as if it were a matter of course. "Isn't the effect quite good?"

The first mate frantically scratched his messy hair: "No, this isn't about the effect, okay?!"

"Look what you just did!!"

"Release the weapon lock-on and then fire an antimatter projectile at the probe!!"

Fan Ping nodded calmly: "One shot to finish the battle, very efficient!"

"...Those are friendly forces!!!" The vice-captain continued scratching his head.

His hair became as messy as a bird's nest from all the scratching.

"Of course I know they're friendly forces." Fan Ping glanced at the vice-captain with annoyance. "Didn't we just say that our weapons are too powerful? One shot would probably destroy the entire Eugene battleship."

How is the contribution value of the loss calculated?

"But, but you can't attack friendly forces..." Perhaps feeling that Fan Ping's words made sense, the vice captain's tone softened slightly.

"This thing is incredibly expensive to make, barring any unforeseen circumstances..."

The first mate pondered for a moment, then said with certainty, "There should be compensation."

"...??!"

Fan Ping's face turned green at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"What the hell?!"

"You have to pay for this?!"

"But no one has ever told me about this!"

The vice-captain remained silent for a moment, then added in a low voice, "No one would attack their own probes..."

Fan Ping: "..."

"Take it easy," the vice-captain said, suppressing a laugh, and gently patted his shoulder. "Everything has two sides."

"In a way, you've made history."

"They might even issue a few more regulations specifically related to you later."

"After all, behind every outrageous rule, there's one or more even more outrageous real-life cases!"

Hearing the vice-captain's words, Fan Ping's already pale face even showed faint signs of dark light.

Is this how you comfort someone?!

"Never mind..."

Fan Ping slapped away the vice-captain's "claw" from his shoulder in an annoyed manner and turned his gaze back to the holographic image: "As long as it gives enough contribution points, compensation is fine."

"The boss is generous!" The vice-captain grinned and gave Fan Ping a thumbs-up.

Fan Ping: "..."

……

As the two were talking, Eugene's response slowly appeared before their eyes.

Fan Ping stared blankly at the luminous white text in the holographic projection, his eyes filled with deep confusion.

"this……"

He raised his hand, pointed to the lizardman standing upright and speaking in the holographic projection, and said to the vice-captain with an extremely strange expression, "This guy's got quite the nerve?"

"It also represents Eugene civilization..."

"I'm even accepting its surrender on behalf of human civilization!" Fan Ping couldn't help but laugh out loud. "He's just the captain of a small squad!"

"You're making it sound so real..."

The vice-captain, however, showed no sign of a smile.

He stared blankly at the holographic projection in front of him, taking another look at the images on the projection.

The speaking lizardman stood in the very center, surrounded by the crew members like stars around the moon.

From their body language, one could vaguely discern the respect the lizardmen around them held for the speaker.

"……wrong."

The first mate jumped, lowering his voice to stop Fan Ping's laughter: "Something terrible has happened!"

"This kid doesn't seem to be the squadron leader!"

"Huh?" Fan Ping stared blankly at the holographic projection. "You mean... this isn't the big fish?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Fan Ping felt a sharp pain in his heart.

Contribution points!

His contribution points are gone!!

They might even have to bear hefty compensation claims!

First Mate: "...???"

Who taught you Chinese before?

"Wait, I understand! You mean..."

Seeing the vice-captain's look of utter disbelief, Fan Ping suddenly realized: "Does this guy really have some extraordinary background?!"

As he spoke, his eyes shone as he looked at the holographic image in front of him.

"Keep your movements down!" The vice-captain glared at Fan Ping. "Don't scare it! Those are valuable contribution points!"

"Yes, yes, yes..." Fan Ping clasped his hands together and apologized repeatedly, "It was my oversight!"

"So what do we do now?"

"Should we find a pretext to ask about its identity?"

"Nonsense! If we delay any longer, someone might come!"

……

Looking at the two scaleless creatures whispering to each other on the screen, and their unsettling, eerie gazes, Emperor Eugene felt a chill run down his spine.

Why do I feel...?

Should it still not surrender?

Thinking about how the Eugene civilization treated prisoners, the chill behind Emperor Eugene grew even deeper.

Faced with those eyes that seemed to be appraising it like merchandise, it reaffirmed its plan.

First, feign surrender to appease the other side.

Then find a chance to escape!

Although the chances of success are slim, it's still better than being blasted into cosmic dust!

[Ahem!]

Just as it was pondering this, the scaleless creature in the picture spoke again.

Human civilization has temporarily accepted your application to join.

To demonstrate your sincerity, please immediately disarm all forces and grant access to the ship's computers.

Emperor Eugene: "..."

Disarm all forces?

Grant computer permissions?

This is tantamount to handing over everyone's lives to the other side!

As Emperor Eugene, he would absolutely not agree to such an excessive demand!

Just as it was about to refuse, it noticed a crucial piece of information.

"Temporarily accept?"

It slightly opened its mouth, which was full of fine teeth, and stared blankly at the screen in front of it: "What does this mean?"

The meaning is simple: you are not currently a member civilization of the Pan-Human Federation.

Human civilization will conduct a comprehensive assessment and review of the Eugene civilization based on various information.

Only after your application is approved can you join the Galactic Pan-Human Federation.

[I hope you understand that we follow an elite path; not just any random civilization can join.]

Emperor Eugene: "???"

I feel offended.

Although it felt incredibly aggrieved, being weaker than others, it could only swallow its resentment and politely inquire, "What if the Eugene civilization doesn't pass the review...?"

Oh, it's very simple.

According to the Pan-Human Federation Act, the Eugene Civilization has declared war on human civilization, so naturally we will…