Giant structures in the shape of a ring are orbiting the stars.

This giant structure, which is similar to the world around the world, but has a completely different function, has an effect.

What is happening in this space is not visible to the naked eye, but in fact, in the observation stations of various civilizations, this galaxy has disappeared from the star map.

It's as if the entire galaxy is obscured by a huge curtain that doesn't receive any signals.

Here's the effect of the megastructure built here by these "Ancient Travelers":

【Gladiatorial Arena (Tachyon Interrupter)】

[Introduction: In the interstellar age, faster-than-light has become an indispensable part of life, but because of this, all kinds of behaviors of escaping in battle abound.] Isn't there anyone who wants to have a duel between men? Based on this consideration, a structure for completely blocking faster-than-light navigation came into being. Unlike the tachyon suppressor, this thing is indiscriminate between friend and foe, and it is more complete, people inside can't get out, and people outside can't get in.]

According to the traditions of their ancient rituals, such battles between alternate names should be fought in such places.

Of course, in addition to the need for rituals, this is also a trap.

At present, the fleet of the "Far Traveler" is only a few small ships used for sentinels, and the rest of the main fleet is all towed in the pulsed galaxy and the "infinite lighthouse" system.

In this place where the "Tachyon Interrupter" is built, it is definitely impossible for this fleet used by the "Far Travelers" to "change homes" in a short period of time.

With all existing faster-than-light methods failing, they can attempt to fly to other galaxies at sub-light speeds, but instead wait for the megastructure to end its effect, or destroy the megastructure entirely.

However, megastructures are not as fragile as ordinary buildings, and even if the stellar modular structure is blown up, it will take a long time to blow up, and the megastructure will not completely fail just because of a small injury.

In order to disable this "tachyon interrupter", at least 50% of its area must be destroyed, and this time is enough time for the "Ancient Travelers" to deal with their enemies, and then wait for the group of people trapped by the trap.

"—Commander! The space-time structure of this area is more stable than ever! Our jump engine, even if overloaded, won't be able to tear apart the fabric of space-time here! ”

"Our hyperspace engine can't detect hyperspace entrances either! We can't get out of this galaxy in this basic way! ”

“……”

A large number of similar reports were passed into the hands of the fleet commanders of this "decisive battle fleet", without exception, all of them explained the fact that they were temporarily trapped here.

And this old commander, who once made great contributions to the "Far Travelers", also understands that they have really "come to an end" this time.

The "source of knowledge" of the home planet is basically undefended, and the vast majority of the "Far Traveler" people gather there.

Their untouchable territory will soon become someone else's territory, and when they leave the system, they will only be left with a nascent empire.

Nor do you expect the weak vassal civilizations to be of any use at this time, as their ancient compatriots have technology similar to theirs, if not superior, to theirs.

Perhaps by this time, those "former vassals" had taken refuge in the current empire, or perhaps became independent.

They are clearly hostile to the nascent empire, and when they leave, they will face the dilemma of not being able to carry out the daily maintenance of the fleet.

Perhaps in the future, they will face endless pursuits and a difficult life of space drifting, which is undoubtedly a very unacceptable thing for the "Far Travelers" who have indulged in pleasure.

"But ......"

The old commander's eyes looked at the universe outside the porthole, and he admired the place with a state of view for the first time in a long time.

The scenery here is not so good, just a glowing star and a working ring of megastructures. Compared to those galaxies that are hailed as "natural wonders of the universe", this place is nothing but a megastructure.

“…… But how long have we not done this? The old commander raised his hand, which had been transformed into a prosthetic body, and slowly covered his eyes.

He remembered that when his natural lifespan was still very small and he did not use cell vitality agents to prolong his life, he also had a curiosity about the stars and the sea at that time.

In order to get more in touch with the sea of stars, he has worked as an adventurer, as an explorer, and as a freelancer who is more suitable for staying in space.

He has ventured incognito with several alien explorers in ancient ruins, and has armed himself against space pirates with strangers.

The docile space whale once frolicked with him in the sea of clouds of the gas giant, and the wreckage of the spaceship that had gone through the vicissitudes of life was also guided by him to sleep in the black hole.

It was his happiest time, he felt that the universe was so interesting like never before, and he wanted to be adrift in the sea of stars for the rest of his life, even if he died.

However, the call-up order from the home planet came down, and he was forcibly drafted into the Space Force because of his rich space experience.

Although he was no longer so free, he still fought his way through the army with a passion for civilization.

He has fantasized countless times about himself in an epic space showdown, and he has fantasized about infiltrating the enemy alone, delivering critical information to his home planet as an unsung hero.

He felt that he would become a warrior, or die for his country, or return home with honor.

But these fantasies and hopes failed to materialize on him in the end.

He was appreciated by a certain big man in the Space Force, was trained as a key talent, and received the most comprehensive education and the most rigorous protection.

They didn't really need to go to war, all the ships were loaded with robots and fleet combat AI, and he was just controlling the fleets as a "behind-the-scenes manipulator".

What made him famous was nothing more than a simulated battle in the virtual world, after which he assumed the position of commander of the new fleet.

His guide also returned to his home planet to indulge in pleasure after lifting him into this position, and it was only then that he realized that their entire civilization had actually degenerated into entertainment.

And he himself was confined to the position of "fleet commander", and for a long time he also fell with civilization.

At one point, he thought that even this was not bad, and that he could use the virtual world to complete the idea of "exploring the universe" in his spare time.

But after the long night, he always felt that something was missing, something was missing. His subconscious thought it wasn't the life he wanted, but "entertaining to death" infected him like a virus and kept him from extricating himself.

But now, in this place where the speed of light is limited, his old but still strong body is burning with blood for the first time in a long time.

This is an excellent setting for an epic, with the historic "Infinite Lighthouse" in the background, and the two sides of the epic are "Far Travelers" who come from the same vein but have taken different paths.

It seems that this is where the old feud should end, and his original mission has long since been burned in boiling blood.

Now he is not some "fleet commander", but a "warrior", fighting for long-forgotten ideals.

His prosthetic organs should have kept him calm all the time, but by this time, his physical body had transcended the limits of mechanical functions, and the forgotten enthusiasm had been rekindled.

"—If the 'end' is here, let's end this last scene with a duel between warriors!"

The commander's voice, which was always dull, seemed extremely young and full of enthusiasm at this time.

His words were transmitted to everyone in the fleet, and the young men who had to fight themselves because of the robot riot looked at each other, wondering what was wrong with their commander.

But then, an ancient record surfaced in their auxiliary memory chip.

It was a series of images from a long time ago, and they saw a species very similar to themselves, living a primitive life of fur and blood.

Although simple, it seems to be the most important link in the entire process of civilization.

The fighting between the tribes did not lead to large-scale wars, and they seemed to have a faint sense of "internal friction".

Therefore, the primitive they resorted to a less bloody approach to this problem.

Clans are duel-led and the losers are merged.

This ancient custom was forgotten long after they ascended to heaven, but it never disappeared, but was deeply embedded in their blood.

Now they understood that their commander was acting in imitation of this ritual, and their enemies seemed to be doing the same.

Someone would like to suggest that their commander doesn't have to, as their fleet is large enough to drown the old warships here.

But the regained "warrior" made everyone ready to watch the battle and never allowed to interfere with their fight. Life or death, this will be a glorious showdown.

The Titan flagship of the Voyager fleet commander began to signal the old ships in the system, and the old ships responded after a moment of silence.

"—Unexpectedly, I just wanted to see their crazy ugliness, but it seems that these degenerates are not all rice buckets."

Speaking in the old warships are the few "Ancient Travelers" who have chosen to stay here, their minds and memories are backed up, and even if the individuals here are destroyed, they will not really die.

And the reason why they stayed here is very simple, in addition to wanting to actually have a "glorious showdown", they also want to see what decisions these ancient enemies will make when they fall into the trap.

"But I didn't expect it...... The extravagance of life has not corrupted everything about them, and there are still enough people to accompany them. ”

So do you still need to think about the answer? The 'glorious decisive battle', which had been hopeless, once again had participants, and we could not afford to fall behind. ”

As a result, a small spaceship broke away from the old warship and flew into the open space of the galaxy.

And the commander of the "Far Traveler" fleet also personally came to the battlefield on a small spaceship.

It's a small, single-piloted spaceship, smaller than even the smallest frigates in the galaxy, and they're more often used as "unmanned cannon fodder".

But at this time, the two duelists each rode in such a spaceship, approaching the place of the decisive battle they had chosen.

At the moment, they were all warriors born for this battle, there was no greeting session, there was no start signal, and the battle began as soon as they entered the effective range of each other.

(End of chapter)